Covering life, work, and play in the Historic Mill District and Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront neighborhoods. Have an opinion, local news or events to share? Contact us.
Via a June 12 e-newsletter from Minneapolis Parks and Rec Board:
Superintendent Mary Merrill announced a series of recently awarded grants from local, state and national nonprofits and government agencies at last week's meeting of the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB). Totaling more than $700,000, the grants will fund major new features at North Mississippi Regional Park, situated on the Mississippi River in North Minneapolis, and the park's Carl W. Kroening Interpretive Center.
Nature play area and adventure trail
A new nature play area and adventure trail are planned for sites in the park adjacent to the interpretive center. Using materials like logs, sticks, rocks and water, nature play areas are designed to foster imaginative play and a deeper connection to the natural world; the park's adventure trail will feature dynamic components to entice children of all ages and adults to climb, hop, run, swing, and jump their way through the park. Both features will be designed with input from local communities in North and Northeast Minneapolis, and were made possible through two grants:
"Nature play areas provide a wonderful way to promote discovery, creativity and imagination through outdoor experiences,” said Superintendent Merrill. “We’re excited about diversifying outdoor play opportunities at Minneapolis parks and grateful for partners like People for Parks to help make that happen.”
The Minneapolis park system welcomed its first nature play area near the Lake Nokomis Community Center in south Minneapolis last summer, and additional nature play areas are included in plans for a range of other parks as part of MPRB's master plans for the city’s neighborhood park system.
"Nature in the City" interactive exhibits
The existing exhibits at Kroening Interpretive Center, which date back to the building's opening in 2002, have been partially dismantled due to safety concerns. Thanks to the funders listed below, they'll be replaced with new, hands-on "Nature in the City" exhibits that incorporate citizen science and themes including water (Shingle Creek runs into the Mississippi River at the park's south end); native plants and pollinators; wildlife such as coyotes, crows and beavers and its adaptation to city life; and flight (dragonflies, Mississippi flyway, migration). The project has received final approval and funding from the the following sources:
Article and photos by Merle Minda
Guthrie Theater Presents “West Side Story”
Show logo of red and white roses on a chain-link fence. Photo: Guthrie Theater
The Guthrie Theater musical this year presents one of the great classics of Broadway and the American Theater: “West Side Story”, which first opened in 1957 and set the Broadway world alight with its originality, gorgeous music by Leonard Bernstein, spectacular choreography and the heart-rending story of two lovers divided by race and background. Using the basic story of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”, the star-crossed lovers are, not unexpectedly, doomed by divisions of race and prejudice.
Mia Pinero plays Maria, Photo: Guthrie TheaterThe Sharks and the Jets will be exploding on the Guthrie stage, carrying with them the great acclaim garnered by the stage production, which ran for 700 performances, and the subsequent film, which won 10 Academy Awards. Bernstein’s beloved score includes such great classics as “Maria”, “Tonight”, “Somewhere” and “I Feel Pretty.” In addition to Bernstein’s score, the original production features the heralded lyrics of Stephen Sondheim, a book (script) by Arthur Laurents and is based on a conception of famed choreographer/director Jerome Robbins.
Mark Koeck plays Tony, Photo: Guthrie TheaterThe Guthrie’s production will be directed by its artistic director Joseph Haj, who said, “It has long been a dream of mine to direct “West Side Story” and I couldn’t be more excited to embark on this journey with a dream team of collaborators.”
Leading the cast as the two tragic lovers are Mark Koeck, as Tony, and Mia Pinero, playing the role of Maria. Both are making their Guthrie debuts; both have long listings of performance credits in this show and others and should be spectacular in these roles. There is a huge cast with many who are new to Guthrie but others who have been seen on the Guthrie stage often, such as Bill McCallum as Officer Krupke. Ana Isabelle, also making her debut here, plays the pivotal role of Anita, played in 1957 by the now legendary Chita Rivera. Chita’s role as the firebrand Anita in the original production made her a star.
In addition to a huge cast, many of whom are performing at Guthrie for the first time, the show features original choreography by Maija Garcia who noted, “It is 2018 now and the idea of what it means to be an American has changed as our relationship with race and immigration has evolved. So how do these kids move? The answers led us to a more grounded gritty style of movement.”
Joseph Haj, artistic director of Guthrie Theater and director of "West Side Story" Photo: Guthrie TheaterJoe Haj also shared: “When I think of “West Side Story” I think of immigration tensions and a community divided in a brutal and violent world. I also think of love, dreams and ambitions, and my own family’s journey to become ‘American'.” What could be more relevant today, accompanied by one of the greatest and soaring musical scores in Broadway history.
A final word: Get your tickets now. Although previews begin on June 16, these previews are entirely sold out. The first few weeks after opening are close to sold out as well – so get online fast at www.guthrietheater.org and order.
Shop Guthrie Store’s “West Side Story” collection.
Kay McGuire, director of Retail for the Guthrie Store, holds a logo purse mirror.Kay McGuire, director of retail for the Guthrie Store, has pulled together a wonderful collection of West Side Story paraphernalia to buy as keepsakes of the production. From logo’ed pocket mirrors to T-shirts, books and cuff bracelets, there’s something for every taste. The show’s logo of the juxtaposition of red and white roses on a background of a chain-link fence is particularly striking. From Sharks and Jets socks, to Sharks and Jets gummy packs, there is a terrific collection on hand. I particularly like the “I Feel Pretty” T-shirt and I am going back for one for myself.
T-shirt from the collection.
From the West Side Story collection in the Guthrie Store.
One of the many books in the special West Side Story collection.Wonderfully, the shop is filled with an assortment of books about the production, lyrics from Sondheim, a book about working with Leonard Bernstein, CDs and more.
Stop in here either before or after your performance or during intermission – there’s so much to choose from.
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About Merle Minda
Journalist and free-lance writer Merle Minda writes about travel, business, people profiles and other subjects for a number of national and regional publications, including Delta SKY, Mpls/St. Paul Magazine, Twin Cities Business, Star Tribune, Twin Cities Statement, Minnesota Monthly, and now Mill City Times. She can be reached at mminda@earthlink.net or TravelOverEasy.com on the web.
Article by Claudia Kittock
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WEDNESDAY 9:00AM: BOXING AT GOLD MEDAL PARK
Join Professional Boxer Joe Amouta in Gold Medal Park for a free boxing based fitness class, sponsored by Friends of the Mill District:
Boxing instruction + Whole Body Workout + Light Cardio
Cost: Free
For: All ages, fitness & skill levels
Meet at Gold Medal Park on 2nd Street S.
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Joe (right) in a training session. Photo credit Pioneer Press, John Autey
Joe Amouta is the man I just described. He is ranked #1 in his weight class in Minnesota and #43 in the country. His journey to Minneapolis and to this point in his career is far from typical and is a story worth telling.
I met Joe through Dave Tinjum, who trains with him. Dave told Joe about the Friends of the Mill District and the programs we are sponsoring with teenagers from the Cedar Riverside neighborhood and YouthLink. Joe asked if he could help, particularly if he could teach these young people to box. We were thrilled and began a fascinating conversation.
Joe was born in American Samoa, and lived there until he emigrated to California at the age of 13. He arrived here with no English skills and was promptly enrolled in school. Imagine being placed in a junior high school thousands of miles from your home and you can’t speak the language. Joe learned English with no formal instruction, just picking it up from everything around him. He became the first person in his family to graduate from high school.
After high school, Joe wanted to get away from home, so he just left. He found himself in Albuquerque, then on to Texas, and eventually ended up in Minneapolis because he had coffee with an intriguing young woman, who would become his wife. A job followed, but two car accidents slowed his ability to save money. He took a job at the Northside Boxing Club in North Minneapolis where he quickly became a lead coach while continuing to hone his boxing skills.
Joe began studying boxing in California and went to the nationals in 2009 as the Champion from California. He turned pro in 2010 and joined Manny Pacquiao’s camp shortly after.
Today, Joe is a self-employed boxing instructor and teaches students privately and in classes in St. Louis Park and the Seward neighborhood. His generosity and joy are apparent in the work that he does and the ways he wants to help those whose lives can only get better through the discipline of boxing.
On June 27th Joe will instruct a free 9 a.m. boxing class in Gold Medal Park, sponsored by the Friends of the Mill District. Participants should wear comfortable workout clothes and bring water. That’s it. Show up! When I asked Joe what happens after this, he said, “...to be continued.”
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About Claudia Kittock
2018 Northern Spark!
Many people like to wander and discover at Northern Spark. If you’re the planning type, we have several tools for you to make the most of your nights. Get ready for 2 nights of Northern Spark until 2 am! June 15 & 16. First stop: Visit our art and events page to learn more about each of the 28 dynamic art projects exploring the theme Commonality. Second stop: My Night. Customize your list of art projects to see, including times and locations, with the My Night feature. Click on My Night in the sidebar menu and simply log in with your email address to start building your schedule. (And remember, the Northern Spark website is mobile ready and holds all the information you need on the go.) Third stop: Maps. Find Northern Spark art, food, info tents, and bathrooms on our interactive map.
Check out our Planning Your Night page for more tips including accessibility resources and our Getting Around page for more info including parking and street closures. Lastly, follow social media for up-to-the-minute updates during the festival. Facebook: facebook.com/NorthernSparkMN |
Summer bites at the party of the year!
Art on the Rooftop: a Party to Benefit Northern Spark On June 16, from 7-10p, Northern Spark will delight guests with savory local food and drinks from the Twin Cities' best! Every year we are excited to work with excellent dining establishments to provide bites at the party. This year, we’ll enjoy food and dessert from Mercy, Hyacinth, Mill Valley Kitchen, DR49, and Rain Ate My Cake. Hyacinth, a new restaurant opening in Saint Paul, says their party dish is inspired by “the restaurant’s Italian roots. And we are working with amazing local farmers for the freshest produce.” The night will also sizzle with our special Northern Spark cocktail by Crooked Water Spirits. Their take on a classic, the Crooked Moscow Mule combines L'eau Grand Vodka, lime juice, Ginger Bitters and FeverTree Ginger beer for a refreshing taste. Guests may quench their thirst with Minneapolis’s finest brewery, Fulton Beer. Coffee will be provided by Parallel Cafe. The bar inside the rooftop lounge at Le Meridien Chambers Hotel will remain open for service. Join us for a night of wonderment, art, fun and support for Northern Spark by purchasing your $50 tickets here. |
Still hungry?
There's more than art at Northern Spark. On both nights you'll also find English pasties, Laotian red curry, wild rice burgers, egg rolls, fancy grilled cheese, chicken adobo tacos, frybread tacos, vegan tacos, even cheese curd tacos! And fresh squeezed lemonade to wash it down, and homemade ice cream to finish it off. Plan your Northern Spark eating too! |
RE/MAX Results and Bridgewater Neighbors and Friends of the Arts invite you to the next art opening at the Bridgewater:
All residents and their guests are welcome. The Bridgewater is located at 215 10th Avenue S, across from Gold Medal Park. Please RSVP to bnfacommittee@gmail.com.
This FREE event is generously sponsored by RE/MAX Results, the largest RE/MAX franchise in the U.S. for closed transaction volume in 2017. RE/MAX Results is proud to say the RE/MAX brand was number one in market share for total closed sales in the 55415 zip code last year. For that, we thank you for your business and are honored to be a part of this special occasion.
Via a June 7 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:
How - and why - a veritable rainbow of tree types has developed along Minneapolis streets.
A lone elm at Spring and Quincy streets in Northeast Minneapolis in 1976 (image courtesy Hennpin County Library)
Magnificent monoculture: the reign of the elm
Did you know that elms once counted for more than nine of 10 street trees in the Twin Cities? It's easy to understand elm appeal: streets lined with these trees, their branches arched high overhead, have been compared to cathedrals: sun-dappled green in summer; snow-frosted in winter.
Elms also offered considerable environmental benefits by virtue of their sheer size, a situation that became all too apparent in the aftermath of Dutch elm disease (DED). More than 400,000 elms resided in Minneapolis in 1963, when the first of them succumbed to the disease; more than half of those were public trees. The almost-total devastation unfolded over a couple of decades: In 1977 alone, some 31,475 public elms were tagged for removal because of DED.
Designed diversity: the Minneapolis Boulevard Reforestation Plan
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB), historic steward of the city's street trees, was planting replacement trees by 1970. Its 1978 Minneapolis Boulevard Reforestation Plan provided neighborhood-based designs with several dozen tree types (species and cultivars) to replace lost elms. As most neighborhoods offered a virtually blank slate, the plan preserved the elm era’s consistent design aesthetic: A single type lined stretches of a neighborhood for five, 10 or even 15 blocks. Various types of ash, linden, honeylocust and maple tree categories (or genera) were the most popular, together making up over 70% of the street trees in the plan.
This system of “designed diversity” carried Minneapolis into the 21st century, long enough for these trees to reach maturity. In 2009, the emerald ash borer (EAB) arrived in St. Paul, just seven years after its discovery in Michigan. EAB has caused far less devastation than DED (which took some four decades to reach the Twin Cities); still, the rapid infestation helped prompt a whole new approach to building a better urban forest.
Prescribed diversity: the right tree for the right spot
MPRB’s current street-tree diversity guidelines differ dramatically from its 1978 reforestation plan. Thanks to the digital revolution, GIS mapping, advancements in urban forestry and its own ongoing trials, MPRB “prescribes” diversity based on a wide range of measurements, data and science-based decisions.
In addition to increasing the tree canopy by planting the largest-maturing trees possible, the guidelines aim to develop diversity on three levels:
Citywide: The next generational leap in diversity means selecting hundreds of tree types from dozens of categories: oak, elm, locust, linden and more. Besides making for more colorful tree category charts, this wider range creates resilience against the next disease or invasive pest that may target a whole category.
Neighborhood: Ten percent is the neighborhood limit for any tree category. This means for the most part that MPRB is not planting maples, which make up 30% of the trees in some areas. On the flip side, look for more coffeetrees, catalpas, birch and other categories that have less than a 10% presence in any given neighborhood. (Many of 2018's most-planted species were profiled in the last tree-planting update.)
Block-by-block: At least three to five different tree categories are prescribed for an individual city block, which prevents a disease or pest from totally wiping out a large swath of trees.
The bright side of blight: We might mourn those areas that lost stretches of exclusive, mature ash trees from the late ‘70s and ‘80s - just as the giant elms that preceded them were mourned by previous generations. But looking on the bright side, these places are also at the forefront of MPRB's efforts to develop a healthy urban forest for the next century.
Next update: Reporting on 2018's new trees
For the season's final update, we'll share figures related to the trees planted and examples of places where the new, resilient urban forest is taking hold.
In the meantime:
• Remember that a newly planted tree is a thirsty tree! Please water all trees, especially young ones.
• Find out more about MPRB's park care and maintenance and its stewardship of the urban forest and park trees.
Article submitted by Kathy Gallo, a freelance writer
Minneapolis is famed as one of the centers in the US for the brewing of craft beers – however, in the world of coffee, the city has also been undergoing a quiet revolution and is now home to a number of commendable small roasteries as well as coffee shops serving specialty coffees.
Here’s our guide to the best places in town to buy and drink locally-roasted coffee.
What’s in the roast?
Before recommending local roasters and coffee shops that brew their beans, let’s think about why you should prefer locally-roasted beans.
Roasting is what creates all the delicious flavors and aromas we love so much, but right after roasting, the beans are not yet ready to brew since they are filled with carbon dioxide.
After roasting, they begin releasing CO2 immediately, and after a couple of days, enough has dissipated for oxidization to begin. At this point, they are ready for brewing, but once oxidization starts, there is very little you can do to prolong their freshness.
At only about two weeks after roasting, beans will already be past their best.
If you buy from local roasters, you will know the exact date of roasting (often the day you order the beans) and you will also be given much more information about their origin, the elevation they were grown at and so on – all of which will allow you to appreciate the coffee more.
Local artisanal roasters also know how to coax the best flavors from their beans. Many large-scale roasters tend to heavily over-roast their beans – Starbucks is notorious for this.
However, a delicate specialty coffee often benefits from a much lighter roast since this will allow all the subtle flavors and notes to be present when the coffee is brewed. Local roasters are experts in this.
1. Driven Coffee
Driven Coffee is a craft coffee roaster located in the city suburbs. It is run by a small team who pride themselves on sourcing the best specialty coffees, roasting them on site in small batches and brewing them with the utmost care and attention. For the moment, they focus on selling roasted beans rather than selling brewed coffee at the roastery; their beans can be ordered online.
2. Peace Coffee Shop
Having been around for over 20 years, Peace Coffee is a veteran of the specialty coffee game. They are a small co-operative roaster focusing on importing only fair trade, organic beans from co-operative farmers to ensure that everyone along the line is rewarded equitably for the work that goes into coffee production. The coffee shop itself boasts bright and colorful décor and welcoming surroundings, making it an ideal place to go for some downtime over a cup of top-quality, locally-roasted coffee.
3. Spyhouse Coffee
This roastery opened in 2013, replacing the older coffee establishment that previously occupied the same site. Spyhouse looks to work with small, independent farmers around the world, and this is the place to head if you want to sample some of the best coffee in town against a quirky old-style industrial backdrop. The equipment used for roasting is also quite something to see.
4. Café Palmira
Café Palmira is a Minneapolis-based business that imports high-quality Guatemalan arabica beans direct from their own family farm. The beans are shade-grown at high altitudes of around 1000-1500m in one of Guatemala’s most famous coffee-growing areas – they produce a delicious full-bodied brew with a smooth finish. After arriving in Minneapolis, the beans are roasted locally and can be found at local farmers markets such as the Mill City Farmers Market. They can also be bought online from the company’s website.
5. Blackeye Roasting
Blackeye Roasting specialize in roasting their own beans for use in their unique nitro cold brew product which they make in three different flavors, regular, white chocolate and cocoa. The company started in a basement but now has two city coffee shops of their own as well as the roastery itself. Their nitro brew drinks are also sold in over 1000 locations throughout the Midwest, either on tap or in cans. This is their only product, they don’t sell regular brewed coffee and their beans are not available to buy.
6. Claddagh
When Claddagh opened its doors in 2011, it was the realization of the dream of owner Mary Hogan-Bard who had always wanted to bring lovingly-selected and locally-roasted specialty coffee to the area. The café offers some interesting brews from around the world as well as a selection of pastries and small snacks. The special welcoming atmosphere you will find there defines the place as much as the coffee.
7. Dogwood Coffee Bar
Located in Uptown, Dogwood is another local specialty coffee roaster that specializes in sourcing the best beans and roasting them to perfection. The Dogwood roastery is not open to the public, but they have opened several popular coffee bars around the city where you can taste their meticulously roasted coffees brewed on site or buy a bag of beans to take away and enjoy at home.
8. UP Coffee Roasters
Originally known as Flamenco Organic Coffee Company before it was rebranded as UP Coffee Roasters in 2014, this local roaster carved out a niche for itself in a highly competitive market by being one of the earliest to focus exclusively on organic coffee. This was at a time when organic was really taking off across North America and further afield, and this gave the company an edge over some of the other roasters that were appearing at the time. From small beginnings, UP has grown into a major player in local coffee roasting in Minneapolis. They also roast coffee for Café Palmira.
Many places to find great coffee
As you can see, whether you are looking to buy coffee that has been freshly roasted locally or whether you want to sit down to enjoy a cup of specialty coffee in comfortable surroundings, Minneapolis has a wealth of options. Maybe the most difficult part is choosing which to try first!
Via a June 5 announcement from by Niche:
Simple made Perfect: streamlined modern and intuitive design for a frictionless travel experience.
Minnesota's first Delta Hotels by Marriott opens for business this month at 1330 Industrial Blvd NE after an impressive $14M renovation of the former Ramada Plaza. Conveniently located minutes from the center of either downtowns, guests can enjoy a true gateway to all the Twin Cities has to offer. Family-owned and operated by the Durand brothers of Scalzo Hospitality, the project prioritized remarkable Minnesota hospitality experience in conjunction with a modern solution for guests to stay comfortably and efficiently.
As Marriott expands exponentially across the globe, the award-winning four-star Delta Hotels brand is leading the charge as the fastest-growing in the Marriott portfolio. Its innovative design concept focusing on perfecting the elements that truly matter appeals to the ever-growing "streamliner" guest- a frequent traveler that appreciates accessible modern luxury and a frictionless stay.
One of the main hallmarks of the property is the 10,000 square feet of flexible event and meeting space. Unique features are the 24/7 fitness center with touchscreen equipment, quality grab-n-go items from the 400 Express Coffee Shop, complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, a serene courtyard, and plenty of on-site parking at no additional cost. The sleek and chic new property features new Twin Cities 400 Tavern, offering a true taste of Minnesota in contemporary pub fare. Guests can enjoy the restaurant now, book rooms for as early as mid-June, and reserve event space starting October 2018. As a Marriott Rewards member, guests can enjoy exclusive access to more digital features including mobile check-in and check-out, keyless entry and Mobile requests to make their experience seamless.
On Tuesday, June 5th the Mill City Farmers Market is opens its Night Market at The Commons park, the 4.2 acre green space next to US Bank Stadium. Mill City Night Market will run from 4 to 8pm every Tuesday until the end of September with locally grown summer grocery staples like fresh salad greens, cucumbers, pasture-raised meat for the grill, sweet corn and also a wide assortment of farm-to-table prepared foods for to-go dinners and week night picnics in the park. In addition to great food, Mill City Farmers Market will stay true to its mission of offering “can-do” cooking and wellness education and being a space for community engagement through recipe sampling, yoga classes, live music, monthly beer and wine nights with neighborhood brewery Day Block Brewing.
Via a June 4 e-newsletter from mpls downtown council:
The mpls downtown council (mdc) and its partners announced today a full schedule of free events for all ages and abilities to enjoy outside this summer through several key initiatives taking place throughout downtown Minneapolis.
The mpls downtown council’s summer lineup of activities are headlined by Go Outside with Hennepin County, Pianos on Parade and The Minneapolis Aquatennial. The majority of these events will take place during June through August.
“Keeping downtown active is an important part of ensuring our city’s core is thriving, safe and vibrant,” said mpls downtown council vice president of external relations Leah Wong. “We invite you downtown this summer to enjoy fun, free programming and events for all ages and abilities in the heart of our city.”
Go Outside with Hennepin County is a collection of free activities taking place at Target Field Station (335 N 5th Street) and Hennepin County Government Center South Plaza (300 S 6th Street). A partnership between Hennepin County and mdc and now in its fourth year, Go Outside features a variety of events for all ages to enjoy. At South Plaza from June through August, enjoy the Downtown Farmers Market on Tuesdays (open through the end of October), yard games, meditation areas, an art cart and other special activities on Wednesdays, and piano performances on Thursdays. For more information, visit www.mplsdowntown.com/gooutside.
Go Outside with Hennepin County South Plaza events schedule
Tuesdays, 6/1-10/31: downtown farmers market | 9 am – 3 pm
Wednesdays, 6/1-8/31: yard games and fun activities | 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Thursdays, 6/1-8/31: piano performances | 12 pm – 1 pm
Target Field Station’s activities include free outdoor movie nights (June 13 & 27, July 2, 16 & 23, August 8 & 22), trivia nights (June 12 & 26, July 17 & 24), The Most Epic Family Day (August 12) and outdoor fitness (August 6, 13 & 20). Trivia nights will include prizes to winning teams, and The Most Epic Family Day will include games and activities with a Minnesota lake theme.
Go Outside with Hennepin County Target Field Station schedule
Outdoor Trivia Nights
Tuesday, June 12: 7 pm – 8 pm
Tuesday, June 26: 7 pm – 8 pm
Tuesday, July 17: 7 pm – 8 pm
Tuesday, July 24: 7 pm – 8 pm
Outdoor Movie Nights
Wednesday, June 13: “A League of Their Own” | 7 pm
Wednesday, June 27: “Space Jam” | 7 pm
Monday, July 2: “The Lion King” | 7 pm
Monday, July 16: “The Princes Bride” | 7 pm
Monday, July 23: “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” | 7 pm
Wednesday, August 8: “Coco” | 7 pm
Wednesday, August 22: “Mary Poppins” | 7 pm
Family events & fitness
Sunday, August 12: The Most Epic Family Day | 12 pm – 4 pm
Monday, August 6: Monday Fitness Night with Alchemy | 5-6 pm
Monday, August 13: Monday Fitness Night with Alchemy | 5-6 pm
Monday, August 20: Monday Fitness Night with Alchemy | 5-6 pm
Pianos on Parade returns for its third year and will offer pianos painted by local artists with a “Sounds of the City of Minneapolis” theme at 25 different locations in our downtown core. The pianos are free for public use daily from June 1 through June 30, and each piano will have a free outdoor performance on Thursdays in June from 12 pm – 1 pm. More information on Pianos on Parade, produced by the mpls downtown council, Mpls Downtown Improvement District and The Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association in partnership with Keys 4/4 Kids, can be found at www.mplsdowntown.com/pianos.
Aquatennial is the official civic celebration of the city of Minneapolis, and it returns from July 18-21. Approximately two dozen free events are located along the Mississippi Riverfront, where our city was born, and throughout the downtown community headlined by flagship events like the CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade (Wednesday, July 18) and Target Fireworks (Saturday, July 21). For more information on the Aquatennial lineup, visit www.aquatennial.com.
For more information on the mpls downtown council, follow @mplsdowntown on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtags #mplsdowntown and #2025plan.
About the mpls downtown council
Founded in 1955, and one of the most historic central business associations in the nation, the mpls downtown council (mdc) is a membership-based entity that works to create an extraordinary downtown. The mdc’s collaborative developments of Intersections: The Downtown 2025 Plan was designed to help downtown businesses, community leaders and citizens build on downtown assets and implement future goals. For more information, please visit mplsdowntown.com.
About Go Outside with Hennepin County
Go Outside with Hennepin County is a series of free outdoor activities and events for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy throughout the summer in downtown Minneapolis. A partnership between Hennepin County and the mpls downtown council, Go Outside began in 2015 and has since provided programming including music, trivia, movies, food trucks, lawn games, and the Downtown Farmers Market. Go Outside with Hennepin County programming takes place at Target Field Station (335 N. 5th Street) and Hennepin County Government Center South Plaza (300 S. 6th Street). For more information, visit www.mplsdowntown.com/gooutside.
About Pianos on Parade
Pianos On Parade is an initiative produced by the mpls downtown council, Mpls Downtown Improvement District and The Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association in partnership with Keys 4/4 Kids. The program includes 25 pianos painted by local artists depicting “Sounds of the City of Minneapolis”. The initiative runs from June 1-June 30. The public is welcome to play these pianos seven days a week during designated hours and to share their experience through photos or videos on social media using the hashtags #pianosonparade and #mymplsdt. For more information, visit http://www.mplsdowntown.com/pianos or follow @MplsDowntown on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About the Minneapolis Aquatennial
The Official Civic Celebration of the City of Minneapolis offers outstanding entertainment and activities in the City of Lakes for all ages. It is managed and produced by the mpls downtown council. The 2017 Aquatennial was sponsored by Target, CenterPoint Energy, U.S. Bank, Love Your Melon, Hennepin County Medical Center, Metro Transit, Fulton Beer, Familia Skateshop, Minneapolis Recycles, City of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, Minnesota Twins, K102 FM, WCCO-TV, BUZN 102.9 FM, 104.1 JACK FM, 830 WCCO-AM, Go 96.3 and K102. For more information, please visit aquatennial.com or call (612) 376-7669.
Via a June 4 News Release from Hennepin County:
Hennepin County experts and more than 25 exhibitors will share resources on health and safety topics. Attendees can learn tips for staying safe at work and at home.
The Health and Safety Fair is held each year in conjunction with National Safety Month. Special topics for 2018 include the opioid epidemic, hoarding and emergency preparedness.
Hennepin County
Health
Public safety
Transit
Utilities
Municipal
Via a June 4 e-newsletter from Metro Transit:
I-35W Construction – Ride it out with us!
Know how to navigate your way to, through and from downtown during the ongoing I-35W construction project. Minimize your stress by letting Metro Transit get you downtown and back on bus or the METRO Blue Line. Many routes will have transit advantages, making the move from your car to a bus or train an easy decision!
There will be enhanced service added to routes 133, 135, 146, 156, 467, 535, 552, 553, 554, 558 and 578. Service levels in the corridor will increase by 40% for affected routes; with standby buses and new trips added during morning and evening rush hours.
Other transit advantages include:
• Rush hour bus-only lanes on Park and Portland avenues
• Northbound HOV lane access all the way to 31st Street with exclusive access to exits at 31st Street
• Multiple Park & Rides within the corridor for even more access and convenience
Find out more about the I-35W project, detours and transit advantages at metrotransit.org/35w.
Attention peony fans! If you missed the June 2 Mill City Farmers Market, be sure to make it on June 9, as it's peony season right now!
Plus plenty of other lovely flowers!
The first strawberries and broccoli of the season arrived at the June 2 Market.
No shortage of yummy baked treats!
Milly the goat!
Article by Claudia Kittock
I first met Bihi in a coffee shop in Cedar Riverside. His passion and energy bristled out of every pore in his body. I asked for the meeting so that I could learn about how I could be a better neighbor to people living in the Cedar Riverside area. Although only a few blocks away, it often seems as if there is a huge space separating us. I was ashamed of that, and once I realized it, vowed to do better. Meeting Bihi was my first step.
Abdirizak Bihi, Photo credit Global News
Bihi is currently the director of Director at the Somali Education and Social Advocacy Center and manages the Somali Link Radio Show on KFAI FM. Describing Bihi in these simple ways is very much like calling a tornado a breeze. Bihi is everywhere, doing everything, and always has a kind, gentle heart guiding him. His resume is long, impressive, and ever evolving. Bihi is never still and never uninvolved.
I learned that Bihi’s route to America was not an easy one. He came to America and settled in Washington D.C. and within a matter of years left 3 times to help expedite the immigration of family members. Some of those trips lasted years as immigration is never easy and seldom fast. In the late 70s, he was hired by HCMC as a cultural liaison and moved his family to Minneapolis. His job included serving as a translator and assisting new refugees in navigating the system. Not an easy job, but one Bihi loved. His skills and his commitment to helping brought new jobs.
Bihi’s role in the Cedar Riverside community was elevated after September 11, when there were many misunderstandings between the Cedar community and the surrounding communities. The Cedar Riverside community was adamant about needing more Somali police officers and better trained officers. Bihi served as a negotiator between the sides and, today, there are 20 Somali officers, and 65% of young people in the neighborhood between the ages of 5-15 report wanting to grow up to be an officer in MPD. That was a momentous change.
The more Bihi served as a bridge between the Cedar Riverside community and the other communities in Minneapolis, the more his services were needed. Bihi seems unaware of the word "no" as his advocacy work is endless and he seems to never tire.
One of Bihi’s projects involved pairing the elders of the community with teenagers. He wanted the two groups to meet and talk with each other in order to dispel the incorrect ideas of each side. Bihi is passionate about how difficult it is to harshly judge someone once you get to know them, and project after project proves he is right.
Shortly after we met, Bihi asked me to be a guest on his radio show. While the purpose of my appearance was to talk about the Mill District and invite people from Cedar Riverside to join us at events, we quickly segued into a discussion about raising children. Bihi was eager to hear my opinions as a child psychologist about issues of parenting we all face. While I have never been an immigrant, I have been a parent, a professor, and a psychologist for a long time. As always happens, the longer we talked, the more we found we had in common, including that wonderful stage in every junior high child’s life when anything uttered by a parent is greeted with an eye roll and a sigh of disgust! A universal language.
One of the fascinating endeavors Bihi started was leading people on a tour of the Cedar Riverside community. As all of us who live in downtown know, seeing anything when you are walking is vastly different than driving by. Bihi told us about the places he takes people and I am embarrassed to say I only know a few of those places. Stay tuned! We are organizing tours very soon.
Another project that began last year involved getting more young people on bikes. Bihi contacted Allina Health, and Cedar Riverside became part of their project to put bikes into the hands of young people. In 2017 over 100 children received bikes, helmets, and instructions about riding. This summer, over 230 children received bikes, helmets, bike locks donated by Friends of the Mill District, with many volunteers to help the young people learn to ride. Some families were in line as early as 5 a.m. even though the event didn’t begin until 9 a.m. The joy and energy there was palpable.
When I asked Bihi how I could be a better neighbor, he said simply, “Show up!” I took this seriously and have been doing just that. My life has broadened and grown so much richer because of the simple act of showing up. Now when I go to an event in Cedar Riverside, I am honored to have neighbors shouting for me to "Come here!”
How can you "show up"?
• Come to the park next to the Brian Coyle Center between 5-7 pm on any day. You will meet many neighbors and find that the activities there are similar to the ones in Gold Medal Park. It is just a different group of neighbors.
• Soccer will be starting soon and is very competitive and interesting. Attend a game.
• Youth baseball starts soon. Show up!
• Sign up for a tour as soon as they are offered.
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About Claudia Kittock
Via a June 2 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:
Summer Kickoff Event Saturday June 23rd 1-4pm
Start the summer off with an afternoon of outdoor fun for the whole family! Explore the park to play games, meet an animal, go on a scavenger hunt, visit the Discovery Den and Pop-up Library, get your face painted and play with water. Activity #83870
Then at sunset enjoy watching the movie Moana in the park!
Summer Day Camp for Kids - Monday through Friday 8am-4pm all Summer!
Register kids ages 6-12 for week long, naturalist-led summer camps. Explore outdoors, get messy and learn by doing. Spend a summer of fun playing in the park at North Mississippi. Registration Fees: Full Day $150. Half Day (am or pm) $80.
June 11-15th Nature Engineering Full #83977 AM #83992 PM #83993
June 18-22nd Backyard Camping Full #83908 AM #83995 PM #83996
June 25-29th Insectopia Full #83911 AM #83999 PM #84001
July 9-13th Slither and Slime Full #83976 AM #84013 PM #84002
July 16-20th Ninjas of Nature Full #83907 AM #84044 PM #84014
July 23-27th Prairie Power Full #83980 AM #84049 PM #84048
July 30-3rd River Romp Full #85694 AM #84055 PM #84052
Aug 6-10th Avian Adventures Full #83912 AM #84063 PM #84058
Aug 13-17th Underground Explorers Full #85693 AM #84069 PM #84067
Aug 20-24th Neighborhood Nature Full #83979 AM #84083 PM #84075
Day camp is based out of Kroening Interpretive Center. Every day please bring a lunch, snack and water bottle. Dress for the weather and a mess. Afternoon sessions will spend time at the splash pad.
Summer Programs
Early Birding
First Saturday Each Month 9-10:30am. Join us for a morning of bird watching! We’ll hike through prairie, woodland and along the river while keeping our eyes and ears open for our feathered friends. Binoculars provided.
July 7th Activity #83867 Aug 4th Activity #83868
Thursday Neighborhood Nights 6:30-8:30pm
Each week spend an evening at your neighborhood nature center! Every week enjoy a bonfire, campfire cooking and nature activities. Develop your wilderness skills, play games or simply relax around the fire with a tasty treat. Thursdays nights, come hang out in our backyard!
Beginning June 14th Activity #84215 until August 30th Activity #84227
Saturday Nature Hikes
Minnesota Trees: June 12th 1-2pm. Use a dichotomous key to try identifying trees by comparing different features while on a hike through the park. Learn more about the species you find and how trees support the habitats they live in. Activity #81546
Prairie Flowers: July 28th 2:30-3:30pm. Discover the adaptations prairie species have developed to be successful in a grassland and what makes this ecosystem so diverse. Activity #83873
Migratory Birds: August 18th 2:30-3:30pm. Minnesota hosts a number of summer bird visitors. Why do some birds travel such long distances to spend just a few short months here? Find out while hiking the park with a naturalist in search of migratory birds. Binoculars provided. Activity #83874
Family Funday Sundays
Summer Arts and Animals: June 17th 1-3pm. Come learn about our neighborhood native species. Meet a MN animal up-close, and then let nature inspire your creation of summer themed art work to take home. Activity #83864
Underwater World: July 15th 6:30-8pm. Discover the dynamic ecosystem of water habitats! We’ll get our hands wet and use nets to take a closer look at what’s living in, on and around the water. Activity #83865
Dragonfly Snag & Spy Event: August 12th 1-4pm. Come celebrate the wonders of dragonflies with an afternoon full of activities, art and games. Participate in dragonfly monitoring efforts, go on a prairie hike with a naturalist, and find out how you can help support dragonflies. Activity #83866
Outdoors & Nature Art
Nature Tie Dye: June 30th 2:30-3:30pm. Make a lasting impression with nature. Create designs and patterns using natural found objects to decorate fabric. White bandanna provided to dye and take home. $5 Activity #83869
Pollinators in the Prairie: July 21st 1-2pm. Join a naturalist on a hike through the prairie to look for pollinators. Learn about pollination and then observe and catch insect pollinators in action. Activity #83871
Urban Wildlife: August 25th 3-4pm. You don’t need to leave the city to see wildlife, it is right here in our neighborhood. Explore the park with a naturalist to find out more about the creatures living alongside us every day. Activity #83872
Public programs are FREE for all ages unless otherwise noted. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a registered adult
Nature Nuts Play Group Fridays
Come with your little one to play and have fun in nature with other children and parents/guardians. Each day is different, but will have nature themes about animals, plants, and seasons. Enjoy the outdoors together all summer! Ages: For kids 5 and under with an adult.
This is an Adult/Child interactive program. Registration Fee $15
Spring weather is always changing! Wear clothes and shoes for playing outside.
June 6th - June 27th 10:30 - 11:30am Activity #83877
July 11th - Aug 1st 10:30 - 11:30am Activity #83880
Aug 8th - 29th 10:30 - 11:30am Activity #83882
We have several upcoming closures we wanted to let you know about, as well as a last chance opportunity to take photos of downtown Minneapolis from the 24th St. pedestrian bridge.
Closures
• 26th St. bridge closes June 1
• I-35W weekend closure scheduled, June 1-4
• Access to/from downtown and I-35W closes June 8
• 31st St. ramps on I-35W close June 8
• Eastbound I-94 to southbound I-35W ramp closes June 8
• I-94 weekend closure scheduled June 8-11
• Northbound I-35W overnight closure June 8
• Additional closures in June
Event
• Last chance to take photos from the 24th St. pedestrian bridge June 7
Details on these closures and the event are provided below.
26th Street bridge closes June 1
The 26th St. bridge is scheduled to close about 6 p.m. Friday, June 1. The bridge will remain closed to motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists through early November 2018. The Franklin Ave. bridge is expected to reopen in mid-June. During the overlap of closures of the 26th St. and Franklin Ave. bridges, motorists will be detoured to Portland Ave. to Lake St. to 1st Ave. Pedestrians will be detoured to use 28th St. via 5th Ave. S and Stevens Ave. However, beginning on June 1, the Franklin Ave. bridge will reopen to one lane of westbound traffic, pedestrians and bicyclists.
We apologize for the inconvenience of the overlapping closures. The late arrival of spring delayed progress on the Franklin Ave. bridge. In addition, the 26th St. bridge is being reconstructed, which requires a 5½-month closure. Any delay to this closure puts the reopening later this fall at risk, especially if there is challenging weather. To give us as much of a weather advantage as possible and avoid having the bridge be closed through the winter, it is necessary to close the 26th St. bridge before the Franklin Ave. bridge is fully open.
I-35W weekend closure June 1-4
Demolition of the 26th St. bridge will begin the evening of Friday, June 1 and requires a weekend closure of I-35W between I-94 and Hwy 62. The weekend closure is scheduled from 10 p.m. on Friday, June 1 through 5 a.m. on Monday, June 4. Southbound lanes will be open between 46th St. and Hwy 62. Crews will be working 24 hours a day during the weekend closure. Motorists should follow the posted detour.
Access to/from downtown and I-35W closes June 8
Beginning on Friday, June 8, access from northbound I-35W to downtown (11th St./Grant St./5th Ave.) and access from downtown (12th St./4th Ave.) to southbound I-35W will be closed. The northbound access will reopen in fall 2018; however, the southbound access will remain closed through fall 2021.
31st Street ramps on I-35W close June 8
The ramp from northbound I-35W to 31st St./Lake St. is scheduled to close to motorists on Friday, June 8 and remain closed through fall 2018. Also, the ramp from 31st St. to southbound I-35W will close on Friday, June 8, but will remain closed through fall 2021. From June 8 through fall 2018, buses will be able to use both ramps.
Eastbound I-94 to southbound I-35W ramp closes June 8
Starting on Friday, June 8, the ramp from eastbound I-94 to southbound I-35W will close and remain closed through fall 2021.
I-94 weekend closure scheduled June 8-11
To accommodate bridge and road demolition in the I-35W and I-94 junction, there will be a weekend closure of I-94 between I-394 and I-35W starting at 10 p.m. Friday, June 8 through 5 a.m., June 11. During this weekend closure, access to/from downtown and I-35W will also be closed.
Northbound I-35W overnight closure June 8
Beginning 10 p.m. on Friday, June 8 northbound I-35W will be closed between Hwy 62 and I-94 until 6 a.m. on Saturday, June 9. Motorists should follow the detour using eastbound Hwy 62 to northbound Hwy 55 back to northbound I-35W. During the closure, crews will be moving barrier and restriping the northbound lanes between 26th St. and the 3rd St. exit to add a third lane which will help accommodate traffic during the closure of access from northbound I-35W to downtown (11th St./Grant St./5th Ave.).
Additional closures in June
The following closures are tentatively scheduled to occur in June:
• June 15-June 18: Weekend closure of I-35W between I-94 and Hwy 62
• June 15: Bridge closure: 24th Street pedestrian bridge, this bridge was originally scheduled to close June 1 but has now been postponed.
• June 15: Ramp closures: 35th Street ramps
Join us! Last chance to take photos from the 24th Street pedestrian bridge: June 7
Don’t miss out on your last chance to get photos of the Minneapolis skyline from the famous 24th St. pedestrian bridge. The bridge will close on Fri, June 15 until fall 2021. The new bridge will sit 20 ft. lower than the current bridge, which means you won’t have the same view when it reopens. Take your photos by Thu, June 14, or join us on Thu, June 7 from 6 to 8 a.m. on the bridge for a send-off event with Glam Doll Donuts. Send current and past photos to info@35w94.com. We’ll include them in our bridge opening celebration in 2021.
More about this project
To learn more, including all current traffic impacts and detour routes, visit the project website at: www.mndot.gov/35w94.
Metro Transit bus routes will be impacted as a result of construction. For updated route information, and to sign up for Rider Alerts, visit www.metrotransit.org/35W.
Minnesota Valley Transit Authority routes will be impacted as a result of construction. For updated route information, visit www.mvta.com.
Stay connected
• Visit the project website: www.mndot.gov/35w94
• Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/mndot and Twitter: @mndotnews
• Email the project team at info@35w94.com
• Call the project hotline at 612-284-6125
For real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota visit http://www.511mn.org/ or dial 5-1-1.
Via a June 1 e-newsletter from Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA):
The Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association is seeking input from people who live, work or own property in the Downtown East and Downtown West neighborhoods of Minneapolis.
In line with our mission to promote the common good and general welfare of the residents, property owners, businesses, and employees of Downtown Minneapolis, we are looking to you – the people we serve – for your ideas on how to prioritize our outreach strategies and community engagement activities to maximize resources.
The goal of this survey is to find out what YOU THINK makes a successful and livable community, as well as to find out what the best method is to communicate with you and to get you involved in our neighborhood organization.
We intend to collect responses and present the results at our Annual Meeting. We will use the responses to chart our direction for 2019 and beyond.
Thank you for taking this survey! We appreciate your input! Follow the link below to get started.
DMNA Community Engagement Surveyvia SurveyMonkey
DMNA Community Engagement Survey - PDF copy to print - please submit via mail to:
DMNA
40 S 7th Street
Suite 212, PMB 172
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Closure necessary for inspection and repair of Guthrie Theater Endless Bridge
West River Parkway Trail will close between Portland Avenue and 11th Avenue S for two days beginning Monday, June 4, 2018. The closure is necessary for workers to build a scaffolding tunnel so that the trail may remain open during a month-long project to inspect and repair the Guthrie Theater Endless Bridge.
Motorized traffic will not be affected by the project. Bike/walk trail traffic will be detoured along Second Street S for two days at the beginning of the project while the scaffolding tunnel is constructed, and again for two days at the end of the project, likely in early July, while the scaffolding tunnel is deconstructed.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board appreciates the public's patience while the project is completed.
Mill City Times | 35W Bridge Memorial | Mill District Block Party | Mill City Media
Friday, June 15, 2018 at 3:04AM
