Part 2: Community Members Receive AIA Minnesota Collaborative Achievement Awards

Dan Collison

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Dan Collison and Meghan Elliot are the recipients of this year’s AIA Minnesota Collaborative Achievement Award. They both have contributed much to the quality of our downtown physical environments, and they work collaboratively – which is the main criteria for the award. Our interview with Meghan Elliot was published October 1, and today we turn our attention to Dan Collison, Director of Business Development & Public Affairs for the Midwest at Sherman Associates.

Q:  Congratulations on receiving the 2022 AIA Minnesota Collaborative Achievement Award! You’ve headed nonprofits, you are a minister, a great photographer and videographer, and do wonderful business development work. Were you surprised to have your many contributions acknowledged by an architectural association?   

A:  I was surprised, and yet feel honored to have been nominated by a cadre of architects who have both mentored me and collaborated with me and others across sectors on several downtown Minneapolis pro bono efforts over the last decade. I think they were inclined to nominate me because I have worked relentlessly, especially during the pandemic, to leverage all of my roles and skills to discern design solutions for not only the built environment and land use, but also public policy and community advocacy for downtown Minneapolis.

Q:  The award committee noted your creative, sustained, and passionate service to the future of Minnesota communities.  Could you tell us what you’re proudest of in working for the betterment of our communities? 

A: Many colleagues and friends have seen my “card trick” over coffee or at a business happy hour or lunch. For almost eight years I have carried four business cards in my wallet: First Covenant Church of Mpls, East Town Business Partnership, NūLoop Partners and the Minneapolis Downtown Council-Downtown Improvement District. Each of these wonderful organizations has meant so much to me and are ultimately to be applauded for any and all accomplishments. For me personally, these are my favorites:

First Covenant Church: The East Town Apartments took more than five years and a lot of sweat and tears to bring 169 affordable units of housing to downtown and Elliot Park that now are home to nearly 300 new residents in the neighborhood. 

East Town Apartments, 618 S 9th Avenue

East Town Business Partnership: Navigating community convenings and partnerships while $3 billion in re-investment took place over six years of time. This brief video I filmed and produced tells the story of the relationships behind the scenes:

NūLoop Partners: The North Loop Root District organizing effort, taking place over three years with nearly 100 leaders from 50+ organizations and companies seeking to advance a holistic redevelopment framework for the Minneapolis Farmer’s Market area. This three-minute video nominated for an award by the American Institute of Architects tells the story: 

The Minneapolis Downtown Council-Downtown Improvement District: The Chameleon Shoppes retail accelerator program advances diverse and locally owned small businesses in currently vacant retail. This multi-year effort was and still is herculean and beautiful. In the beginning I would say to myself and the pro bono leaders – “this project has a high chance of failure and a small chance of wild success.” I am so thrilled to have celebrated dozens of small moments of wild success! You can hear and see it in the voices and smiles of small business owners featured in this three-minute overview video:

Q:  I’ve followed you for a couple of years and have noticed how you see projects through to completion.  The awards committee noticed the same and called that out in giving you the award. Would you please tell us about the challenges in seeing complex projects through to completion? 

A:  The four projects listed above are the best examples of the vision, efforts, and follow through to completion on very large and complex projects requiring cross sector leadership and investment. Each project was wildly different than the other and yet the longitudinal time arc and developmental process of moving them from beginning to completion share a few common throughlines: 1) Noticing a serious and problematic gap or need in the downtown sector. 2) Gathering a host of stakeholders and thought leaders to map out issues and opportunities. 3) Creating a starting strategy framework and ultimate desired outcome for the project. 4) Implementing all strategies and aspirations with as much adaptability and relentlessness as I could summon in myself and draw out of others.

Q:  What’s new on your horizon? How do we follow your always exciting news?   

A:  As of May 2022, I have been so pleased to join George and Chris Sherman, and the entire team at Sherman Associates to be their Director of Business Development & Public Affairs for the Midwest. Our corporate office has been and will continue to be in downtown Minneapolis at the historic JI Case Building. So, my passion and advocacy for the continued vibrancy and growth of an inclusive downtown will continue without disruption. And, now I have the privilege of working with many other cities and city centers across Minnesota and the Midwest to bring new housing and community impact projects that are for “all ages and all incomes.” Sherman Associates is a development firm with heart and purpose. I am really enjoying advancing those attributes while building out new relationships and project ideas with so many wonderful people in so many places. Mill City Times readers can follow me on LinkedIn. And, if people are interested in my videography efforts around human interest stories, they can connect with my YouTube Channel and my professional profile website.

Let’s stay in touch Mill City Friends!

Part 1 - Community Members Receive AIA Minnesota Collaborative Achievement Awards

Meghan Elliot

Article by Becky Fillinger, Photos provided

Meghan Elliot and Dan Collison are the recipients of this year’s AIA Minnesota Collaborative Achievement Award. They both have contributed much to the quality of our physical environments, and they work collaboratively – which is the main criteria for the award. We spoke to them both, with today's focus being on Meghan Elliot, Founder and Principal of New History.

Q:  Congratulations on winning the AIA Minnesota 2022 Collaborative Achievement Award. The jurors noted your  creative, sustained, and passionate service to the future of Minnesota communities, as well as your collaborative work with a wide variety of partners to accomplish goals that advance the profession. Even within your company, you collaborate with many professionals. Could you tell us more about your integrated team approach to building reuse?

A:  Our mission is to leverage history to unlock the economic, community, and cultural value of buildings and sites. We believe that the built environment embodies those stories that tell us where we came from, who we are, and where we are going. We act as a resource for our clients, our clients’ clients, and the broader professional community. I created New History to be a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary team, with team members who are empowered to help their clients and projects. Every team member has a depth of knowledge in one or more of the many complex aspects of building reuse: we collaborate internally and externally to solve challenging problems in order to increase the use and viability of the buildings and sites around us. I am excited to see my team at New History grow well beyond what I initially created based on the core values, systems, and professional practices that I started.

Switch House, 514 2nd Street SE. The iconic Soap Factory builidng was transformed into a unique business, retail, and health hub using Minnesota’s state historic tax credits.

Hosmer Library, 347 E 36th Street, is a local landmark and designated in the National Register of Historic Places. New History provided historic preservation consulting and design guidance.

Q:  Your website tells us that use is the best form of preservation. Please tell us more about this idea.

A:  All unused buildings are eventually lost – either by demolition, deterioration, or neglect.

As an industry, we practice a materials-based preservation, rather than people-based preservation. The practice of historic preservation is based on the retention of specific materials: physical materials and architectural features are considered “historic” if they represent a building’s historic significance – which generally means that they date from a specific period in time. But we evolve faster than our buildings… we change when and where we work, how we communicate, our family lifestyles, and our expectations for climate and temperature control. In order for buildings to stay relevant, they need to change with us. The guidelines for preservation seek to minimize physical change. There is often, if not always, a tension between historic preservation design guidelines and ongoing use. For me and New History, the stories that a building tells - and will tell in the future - are lost without ongoing use.

To put it simply: use it or lose it!

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  Please follow me and my company on LinkedIn, Twitter, two Instagram accounts: newhistoryconsultants, liveleijona and our websites: New History and Revitalize MN.

Be That Neighbor Fundraiser to Feature the Steele Family, October 20, at MacPhail

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

 An Evening with the Steele Family Fundraising Event for Be That Neighbor

October 20, 7:00–9:00 PM at MacPhail Center for Music

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Curious about the yoga at Gold Medal Park? Heard about the fantastic neighborhood Mill City Singers? You probably didn’t know they are two of the popular programs of Be That Neighbor, a local nonprofit group. We talked to Claudia Kittock, Co-Founder and Executive Director, about the organization’s areas of focus and the upcoming Steele Family fundraiser at the McPhail Center for Music. 

Claudia KittockQ:  Claudia, before you tell us about your upcoming fundraising event, please tell us more about Be That Neighbor.

A:  Be That Neighbor is a small neighborhood charity. We create programs to connect neighbors. All of our programs are offered free of charge. The board is an all-volunteer board and all the money that is donated goes directly to programs. Our only goal is to connect neighbors to each other through programs we fund. We know that through those connections, communities flourish. When you sing with someone, when you do yoga in the park with someone, or when your young people learn about theater through a program at the Guthrie Theater, connections are made, and they make us all stronger. 

Q:  Your fundraising event happens in October this year – please tell us about the event and what programs are funded by the event?

A:  Once a year, we hold a fundraiser and are honored that the Steele family will be performing this year. MacPhail Center for Music has generously donated Antonello Hall for this concert at 7:00p on October 20th. The Steeles will be singing for approximately 90 minutes and there will be a video presentation about the Sallie Steele Birdsong scholarship as well as introducing several of the recipients. If you have never seen the Steeles perform, you won't want to miss a minute of this. If you are familiar with the music of the Steeles, you know that it is impossible to leave one of their concerts without feeling happier and singing a tune! They transmit their joy to the audience, and it is an incredible experience. Tickets for the benefit are $125 and are tax deductible. Purchase tickets here: https://tinyurl.com/h9smcbw9.

Be That Neighbor depends on the kindness and the generosity of our donors.  I can say it even plainer – our charity needs your help. Every dollar donated goes directly to the salaries of the professionals that lead our programs, which include the Mill City Singers, Yoga in the Park, the Sallie Steele Birdsong Scholarship (which provides free music lessons for young people who come from families unable to afford those lessons), and a new partnership with the Guthrie Theater to provide arts programming that will allow juniors and seniors in high school to study acting at the Guthrie and receive high school and college credit. So, purchasing a ticket to our fundraiser serves a multitude of purposes, and will provide you with an unbelievable evening of music and laughter. Please tell your friends and family.

We are so grateful for the community support. With your help, these programs will continue.

Q:  How may we follow your news and perhaps join one of your events?

A:  You can follow Be That Neighbor on Facebook and through the Be That Neighbor weekly newsletter. Simply email me at cjkittock@gmail.com and ask to be included. We would love to welcome you to our events! And again, please consider attending our fundraiser on October 20.

Tickets for the benefit are $125 and are tax deductible. Purchase tickets here: https://tinyurl.com/h9smcbw9

Small Business Spotlight: Muna Mohamed, CEO and Founder of Kalsoni

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Muna MohamedWant to read an inspiring local entrepreneurial story? Look no further than Kalsoni, Muna Mohamed’s brainchild. Muna talked to us about the considerable need in sportswear for Muslim female athletes and how she went about solving it. Perhaps you need advice on developing your own entrepreneurial pitch? Keep reading.

Q:  Were you athletic as a child? Did you have adults or siblings or others in your life who encouraged you to participate in sports?

A:  Growing up, I was always interested in sports and staying physically active. I was always playing outside or picking up basketball at our neighborhood community center and park. I mostly played basketball and softball. Even though it was not the cultural norm for girls to participate in sports, I continued to play because I wanted to demonstrate that it is acceptable for us to do so. Some community elders used to tell me that sports were only for boys and not for girls. We didn't have any space set aside for girls' athletic programs. I had to make do with outdoor basketball courts due to space limitations. I had no one in my life who encouraged me to participate in organized sports. My father, on the other hand, would always take my sisters and me to the local YWCA to exercise and play basketball. I loved being able to spend time with my family and stay active together.

Q:  Please tell us about your experience as a female Muslim athlete? What athletic clothing options did you have?

A:  My athletic experience was both exciting and challenging. I was the only girl in my community who played basketball, so I was frequently on a court full of boys. Although I enjoyed playing basketball with the boys, I have always wished there were more girls to play with. The difficulty arose when I began playing on a structured team. I recall the unpleasant feeling of sitting alone in gym class, unable to participate in swimming because I didn't have access to modest activewear that aligned with my cultural and religious values. When I joined the school's basketball team, I felt the same way. While the rest of my classmates were ecstatic to be able to wear our school uniforms, I stood there feeling uneasy, trying to figure out how I could still play the game while maintaining my cultural and religious values. When it came to the sports uniform, I had to make do with what I had. For added coverage, I frequently wore my hijab, long sleeve shirts under my jersey, and leggings under shorts. When I was playing sports, I didn't have any access to modest activewear or sportswear.

Another issue was that my coaches were unfamiliar with my culture and religion, so I felt unsupported. I recall being denied access to several games because my hijab violated high school league rules and posed a safety risk. My coaches never once defended me. Throughout my athletic career, I have always felt isolated. Sports participation clashed with my identity as a Somali Muslim female. I was forced to choose between participating in sports and adhering to my cultural and religious values and practices of modest dress. My personal journey and athletic experience led me to coach youth basketball in my neighborhood. I wanted young girls who looked like me to avoid going through what I went through by having access to a coach who understands them and providing access to resources such as culturally sensitive sport uniforms.

Q:  Please tell us about your journey to become a designer of culturally sensitive clothing for Muslim athletes. Did you have a mentor as you developed Kalsoni?

A:  The springboard for this business was a community-based research project titled "Impact of Culturally Sensitive Apparel Co-Design on the Physical Activity of East African Adolescent Girls," which investigated the effects of co-designed culturally sensitive activewear on engaging girls in physical activity. The project resulted in the girls designing their own modest activewear. During one of our leadership meetings, we discovered that there was some additional funding. So, I went home that evening and started thinking about how we could use the remaining budget. Then I remembered my struggle as a female Muslim athlete without access to modest sports uniforms. I went back to their team about creating sports uniforms, and they were all on the same page.

Most importantly, the girls were ecstatic about the opportunity to play in activewear that truly represented their modesty values. The uniforms are now being worn by female athletes who are members of Cedar Riverside's first AAU basketball team, which Jennifer Weber and I co-founded. I witnessed the positive impact the sports uniform had on the girls, ranging from increased intrinsic motivation to feeling supported by their parents in playing basketball because they had access to culturally sensitive activewear. The girls were able to concentrate on the game rather than on what they were wearing and how they felt.

I wanted women and girls everywhere, on and off the court, to have access to modest activewear. Inspired by the research project, I founded Kalsoni, a purpose-driven lifestyle brand dedicated to improving the health and well-being of women and girls by providing activewear that is culturally and religiously inclusive, embraces their individuality, and truly reflects their modesty values. As a result, the name Kalsoni, a Somali word for confidence, was born. Throughout their fitness journey, I want women and girls to able to move freely, be herself, and feel comfortable and confident.

My entrepreneurial journey evolved organically from the research project. Although I had no formal mentors or training, I was surrounded by family, friends, and community members who assisted me along the way. I was able to find mentors and support through programs such as the Embark program and the Target Incubator.

Q:  Congratulations on being chosen as 1 of 8 companies for the Target Incubator and 1 of 50 chosen for the Salzburg Global Forum for Youth Cultural Innovators and the REI Path Ahead Embark Program. What did this recognition mean to you? 

A:  Starting a business without any formal training or experience can be extremely frightening. But I'm grateful to have taken a risk and started my own business. It feels great to be recognized by the accelerator programs. It makes me feel accomplished and motivated. It was nice to know that my hard work was being recognized and that people believed in the company's purpose and mission. Most importantly, it made my family proud, and they now know that programs like this exist to help small businesses like mine. I'm inspired, energized, and have a strong desire to do, achieve, and be more. It's an incredible feeling to be recognized for the work I'm doing with Kalsoni. I feel confident in the work the I’m doing.

Q:  What's on the horizon for you and your company? Will you venture into other cultures' athletic clothing needs?

A:  I like to say that this is just the beginning. Kalsoni's possibilities are endless. I am currently working with organizations such as Girls on the Run Minnesota to provide affordable customized sports hijab and sports shawls for their participants. The goal is to provide an experience for Muslim girls to feel a sense of belonging, to be a part of the team, and to display team pride through the logos on their hijabs. I hope to extend this opportunity to as many athletes, non-profit organizations, and school teams as possible. Aside from the products, I hope to develop ongoing community wellness programs for women and girls to increase physical activity and build motivation and confidence in the space.

To make this happen, I hope to work with existing community organizations. Community is an important part of my business, and I hope to continue working with community organizations and members. I am confident that as I continue my work in the community, new ideas will emerge, and I hope to collaborate closely with women and girls to make them a reality. Fashion is unique in that it allows people to express themselves, and I hope Kalsoni becomes a global brand that bridges the gap between sports/fitness, fashion, and modesty.

Q:  Do you have advice for other entrepreneurs?

A:  To entrepreneurs in Minnesota, we live in a state that is great for starters-ups and there is a vast amount of resources to assist you in building your business. Even if you only have an idea, there are competitions, such as the Minnesota Cup, in which you can compete for non-dilutive seed money and mentorship. Early-stage entrepreneurs should create a business plan, executive summary, and one-minute pitch. This will come in handy later on when applying for grants and resources for your business. Even if it's just a concept, I recommend you answer and write down the following: (1) your "what" (what your business is about), (2) your "why" (why are you doing this/for what purpose), and (3) your "how" (how will you do this).

Q:  Thank you for a great interview! How may we follow your news?

A:  The best way to follow my business would be through Instagram @Kalsoniapparel. You can also subscribe to our emails at www.kalsoni.com.

Also, I’m running a crowdfunding campaign – here’s the link: https://ifundwomen.com/projects/kalsoni. A very interesting fact to note is that in the U.S. only 2% of venture capital goes to female led start ups. Also noteworthy is that Black women make up only 0.6% of those who secure funding. The campaign will be a way to help raise funds for the business. Funding will go towards production costs, donating sport hijabs and activewear to community organizations, creating internships for Muslim female athletes in college and general brand awareness. We very gratefully welcome your monetary donations or product purchases.

Mia’s Inspired by Books Program Pairs Literature with Art

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot (French, 1796-1875) The Reader, 1868, oil on canvas.

Looking for a different museum experience? Are you a person who loves to read and appreciates art? If so, you’ll love Mia’s Inspired by Books program. We talked to Mia's Senior Educator Debbi Hegstrom about this innovative program.

Q:  Please tell us how the Inspired by Books program came about at Mia. 

A:  One of our guides was meeting regularly with a book group who asked her to do tours related to particular books they were reading. She asked me if we could offer these tours to other interested book groups and also as public tours. I loved the idea, and we started the program in 2011.

Q:  Are the tours open to anyone? Do visitors need to reserve a spot? Is there a cost?

A:  Public book tours are free and open to anyone. Visitors do not have to reserve a spot in advance. Private tours have a cost and must be arranged a month in advance.  

Q:  Who curates the program? 

A:  We have a committee of about 8-10 guides who are voracious readers and meet twice a year to decide on six months of titles at a time, January-June and July-December. As Senior Educator, I meet with the group to help determine the titles.

Q:  Are the books selected always English language books? 

A:  The books we offer are always available in English. Some of them have been translated from other languages, however. We select from a wide variety of authors from around the world that will get us into all areas of Mia's collection.

Q:  Have any authors (of the selected book) attended your tours? 

A:  Diane Wilson attended a tour of her book Spirit Car: A Journey to the Dakota Past, and spoke to the group afterwards.

Q:  Could you imagine the program expanding to a tour that includes the book, art from Mia and food selections? Tour with dinner?

A:  We haven't considered this for our public tours. We did have one private tour group that had catered appetizers before the tour. We have offered people on public tours a discount at our cafe if they wanted to stay for something to eat afterwards.

Q:  Could the program be modified to pair a children’s book with art?

A:  We have offered several children's books for tours during the summer months.

Q: How may we stay informed of event dates, selections, and any enhancements to the program? 

A: Visitors can find information about upcoming book selections and tour dates on Mia's website.

Please come out for a tour this fall!

Small Business Spotlight: Sunrise Flour Mill

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Have trouble when you eat gluten-rich products? Check out the wonderful heritage wheat products available from Sunrise Flour Mill. Your experience will be different! We talked to Marty and Darrold Glanville, owners, about how they became millers, the legacy of heritage wheat and where to buy their products in the Twin Cities area.

Q:  Non-GMO, organic and single source heritage wheat flour – that’s your core product at Sunrise Flour Mill. Why did you and your husband Darrold get into this business? Did you imagine you would be part of a heritage grain renaissance?  

A:  By the time I retired from my job with Minneapolis Public Schools in 2005, Darrold had sold his interest in a small biotech business, and we moved from Minneapolis to an acreage south of North Branch. He wanted to learn how to bake the breads we had eaten in Europe, the ones with the crusty exteriors and soft interiors. He taught himself to bake bread and we sold some at the local farmer’s market. People wanted to buy it, but he didn’t want to be a baker. He wanted to be a miller.

We started, as many small businesses do, in our garage. We were invited to sell at Mill City Farmers Market. At the time we were selling organic, conventional wheat, and many people told us they had gluten intolerance. The first summer Darrold was baking a lot of bread and was developing a pizza flour, so wheat was a dietary staple. He was becoming sicker and sicker with myriad symptoms. No doctors could come up with an answer and the prescriptions and over the counter medications he tried didn’t make a difference. One day, after a dinner out of pasta at a local restaurant, he was sicker than ever. He wondered if gluten could be the issue. We went gluten free that day and in two days he was better and in two months he was well. I had no expectations that anything would change for me but after having had to give up knitting because of very painful joints, I realized those pains were gone. We were not satisfied with gluten free products, so Darrold spent long hours researching wheat and called on others in the business for advice. That is what led us to heritage wheat. He could eat it without symptoms returning.

Marty and Darrold GlanvilleQ:  Did you expect to be a part of a heritage grain renaissance? 

A:  Absolutely not - at first. To secure enough heritage wheat, he drove all over seeking out farmers who could provide us with a few hundred pounds of heritage wheat each time, because 10 years ago there wasn’t much of a demand for it. Now we have farms that are large enough to provide us with truckloads at a time. We sold a lot of heritage at our cost to encourage farmers to plant it. We like to think we have had a part to play in the growth of heritage wheat acres.

Q:  Where is your wheat grown? Could you ramp up the production if your flour business continues to grow?  

A:  Heritage wheat was the predominant wheat grown in the Central Plains from the mid-1800’s to the mid-1900’s. It is what inspired the name Breadbasket of the U.S. Wheat typically is a desert/high desert crop so there is little wheat grown in MN. Most of the farms we use are in Nebraska, Kansas and Arizona. With the onset of the pandemic, we had unexpected growth because, yes, people really did start baking sourdough bread. Organic heritage wheat farmers are some of the nicest and most helpful people we have ever met.  As in most businesses they network, and if they didn’t have enough for a time, they sent us to other farmers they knew who were growing it. Farming is a tough business, but we are confident that we can keep up with the demand.

Q:  What are the company’s plans for growth? I read that you have a small team of eight employees at Sunrise Flour Company. Will you need to hire additional employees or add additional milling equipment?  

A:  Our staff fluctuates, and we actually have more than a dozen employees right now. We are working on an expansion plan to include more value-added products ready to launch soon. We have more pasta shapes in mind as well as frozen dough products.

Darrold working on the Unifine millQ:  Do you worry about the impact of climate change on wheat production for your business? I read that unless steps are taken to mitigate climate change, up to 60% of current wheat-growing areas worldwide could see simultaneous, severe and prolonged droughts. (See Assessing the Effects of Climate Change on Future Wheat Production on newswise.com.)

A: As everyone else does, we are very concerned about what effects climate change could have on our wheat. The good news is that heritage wheat has a very deep root system compared to modern wheat, so it is capable of reaching water deep in the soil. Our Turkey Red farmers tell us that the yield for Turkey Red is about 30% less than the yield for hybrid wheat under normal climate conditions. However, when there are drought conditions, Turkey Red will out produce hybrid wheat by about 30% because of its deep roots. Shallow roots need to be fertilized because they can’t feed themselves. Heritage wheat is good for the soil, rather than depleting it. Modern wheat fields no longer produce waving wheat. Those plants are about two feet high compared with heritage wheat plants that are about four to five feet tall. Short plants have a smaller leaf canopy allowing in more weeds and insects, thus needing insecticides and herbicides. More farmers are starting to practice regenerative farming. This helps to reverse climate c hange by rebuilding organic matter and restoring degraded soil biodiversity. It results in carbon drawdown and improving the water cycle. 

Q:  You once said that organic wheat is not a sexy ingredient, like wine or truffles. I think that a freshly baked crusty bread can be put up against any wine or truffle for pleasing the senses. Have you come around in your thinking? 

A: We agree with you to a point. There are few smells more enticing than a warm loaf of bread. It could be, however we still say that for a number of reasons. There is a lack of consistent vernacular so that people don’t always understand each other. There is a lack of understanding about wheat in general, and heritage in particular. To most people flour is just an ingredient and there is little knowledge about the nuances in flavor and bakability among varieties. There is a vast difference in taste, quality, and baking qualities between heritage and modern wheat. More people all the time are learning about the nuances, especially when they can eat baked goods without symptoms.

Q:  Some people will complain that heritage flours are too expensive and too tricky to work with for anyone not involved in elite food production. What do you say to these critics?  

A:  It all has to do with the economies of scale. There still are relatively few producers and we pay four times as much to purchase this wheat as we would for hybrid wheat. However, many people find it easier to digest and find they stay fuller longer. They don’t have to eat as often. We let our customers tell our story. They have provided hundreds of comments on our website under each of the products. We get several emails a week thanking us for allowing them to eat wheat again. We even had one woman come to our stall at Mill City Farmers Market. She was crying tears of gratitude.

When someone takes the time to mail a handwritten note of thanks with a photo, you know you've made a positive impact!

Q:  Do you provide education for your customers? 

A:  Yes, we were doing sourdough bread baking classes a couple of times a month prior to COVID. Once that came, our space was too small. We are just beginning to think about how we can do them again. We provide our customers with recipes and information on our website and in person. We both love talking about heritage wheat and baking. We love answering questions. About a year ago we started a Facebook page, Baking With Heritage Grains. It’s such a nice and knowledgeable group of people who love to share their expertise and recipes. We also send out emails several times a week with recipes using heritage wheat, or providing information about both the wheat and our unique milling process. We do not have a stone mill but rather a Unifine high velocity impact mill which allows us to mill whole wheat flour nearly as fine as white.  The smaller bran pieces allow baking lighter, loftier loaves of whole wheat bread.

Q:  Where may we purchase your products? 

A:  We are at Mill City Farmers Market every other Saturday until the end of October. People can preorder or just come and browse. We have parking lot pick up at the mill on Tuesday mornings with a preorder. (We don’t have a store at the mill so people can’t just stop by.) We have some of our products in most co-ops. There are some restaurants and bakeries in the Twin Cities using our flour. People often ask if there is anywhere they can go out for dinner and know they can find dishes to eat. Luci Ancora and Tenant are two that use our heritage wheat exclusively. We have products in some of the smaller, specialty stores like MinnyRow Market in Hopkins. They have a whole wall of Sunrise Flour Mill products just inside the door. Around the country there are several small stores and farm stores where they can be purchased. We soon will launch a new website that has an in-depth store locator. Our primary sales outlet is ecommerce. We ship daily to all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and APO.

Q:  How may we follow your news?   

A:  Our new website will have links to previous news sources, and current ones as they happen. Signing up for our newsletter gives access to our informational messages and recipes (this is real wheat so it should convert one for one in most recipes. We just like sharing our favorites, as well as coming up with new ways to use our flour). We are on social media - FaceBook, Instagram and YouTube. I’ll give one more plug for our Baking With Heritage Grains FaceBook group. I have learned so much from reading it every day, and it’s the most wonderful, positive, helpful, encouraging group of people. From them I’ve gained my new baking motto: If it works, it works!

New Cookbook, At Home by Gavin Kaysen, Now Available for Pre-Order

Article by Becky Fillinger

Chef Gavin Kaysen has a new cookbook, At Home by Gavin Kaysen, and it gives an intimate look at his ideas of food as a love language and food as a tool to build connections and community. Chef Kaysen told us, "This cookbook builds off of what we created with GK at Home. It’s a way to unite the community and continue to spread that sense of joy through the art of cooking at home."

It is loaded with beautiful photos and recipes that give us a glimpse into the private life of a local celebrity chef. What jumped out at me:

• Kaysen shares elemental cooking skills. You don’t have to start out as an accomplished chef to enjoy preparing the recipes. You will learn step by step how to make the meals - real meals! The home cook can teach their children - just like Dorothy (Kaysen’s grandmother) did with him - and use the correct terminology (braising, sautéing, etc.) as you prepare the meal.

• Recipes by Season – This is a cookbook you can refer to at any time of the year. Lucky for us in Minnesota, we have all the seasons. 

• Pantry essentials - Yep, he tells us what to have on hand to be successful.

• Tips accompany each recipe - making the actual preparation foolproof. To give an example, here’s how Chef Kaysen braises: “You might notice that this braise is cooked uncovered. Unless I’m cooking large cuts of meat, I actually prefer braising with the pan uncovered, as it lets moisture evaporate and intensifies the braising liquid.” (page 17)

• The reader will be able to build a repertoire of nostalgic comfort food to recreate with friends and family.

There is a book tour in the works with stops in Minneapolis and other cities across the country - those details are being finalized now. Now available for pre-order here. #gkathome

All Are Welcome at the Cedar Riverside Multicultural Dinner, September 22

Article by Becky Fillinger, photo provided 

Amano DubeThe annual Cedar Riverside Multicultural Dinner will take place September 22, from 4 - 7 pm at the Brian Coyle Center. We talked to Amano Dube, Senior Director of Community Development Cedar Riverside, for Pillsbury United Communities, about this year’s event. He told us, “This event has been taking place for over two decades and it has grown over the years in its size and diversity – we welcome everyone to come out on September 22 to meet your Cedar Riverside neighbors.” 

Amano pointed out these highlights: 

• There is no fee to attend the dinner - delicious cuisine from 10-12 restaurants in the Cedar Riverside neighborhood will be featured.     

• We’ll be entertained by four different performance groups including Team of Artists from the Cedar Cultural Center, The Somali Museum Dance Troupe; Oromia Youth Association Cultural Dance Group and Native American drummers.

• I stated earlier but want to emphasize that we don’t charge for the event – the food and performances are offered free of charge. The event is supported by organizations and individuals who believe in its purpose which is to bring the diverse multicultural communities in the Cedar Riverside neighborhood and the surrounding communities together to celebrate the beauty of diversity through conversing and networking with each other, learning more about our diverse cultures, sharing West Bank cuisine and enjoying the wonderful performances. Please come to 420 15th Avenue South and enjoy!

Visit MERCADO LATINO September 19-30 to Celebrate Latino-owned Businesses

Article by Becky Fillinger, Photos provided by mpls downtown council

MERCADO LATINO will take place September 19 - 30 at Gaviidae Common. We spoke to Shannon Fitzgerald, Director of Downtown Partnerships for the mpls downtown council for all the information we need to know before visiting.

Shannon Fitzgerald

Q:  What is the MERCADO LATINO?

A:  The second annual MERCADO LATINO, a partnership between Chameleon Shoppes and the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC), gives downtown shoppers the opportunity to explore products from all over Latin America as well as those created by Latino makers here in the Twin Cities. In addition to hosting the pop-up event, Chameleon Shoppes and LEDC will be providing partnership and training opportunities for each vendor throughout the month of September, meeting Chameleon's mission to connect, incubate, and accelerate BIPOC and women entrepreneurs as part of a movement to create a vibrant and inclusive Downtown Minneapolis.

Q:  Before we jump into the event, please tell us about the number and impact of Minnesota Hispanic-owned businesses.

A:  The impact of Hispanic owned businesses enfolds social, economic, and cultural aspects that are important not only for the Hispanic community but to the whole country. In addition to being the largest minority group in the USA, Hispanic Americans earned more than $1 trillion and paid more than $250 billion in taxes in 2017 alone in the United States, filling critical workforce gaps in labor-short industries- agriculture, construction, and healthcare. Hispanic immigrants start new business at a higher rate than the rest of the population of the U.S. - eight in ten new business are Hispanic owned.

In Minnesota, the impact of Hispanic businesses that LEDC has supported is exponentially increasing and can be shown through the following numbers from 2020: 

• LEDC supported Latino producers to have access to $560,000 in the market.         
• 27 small business borrowers benefited from our COVID-19 lending relief program, receiving deferments averaging 4.3 months on their loans.      
• 500+ small businesses impacted by the pandemic and civil unrest received nearly $5 million in grant relief and $2 million in emergency loans.

All this money invested in the Latino community in Minnesota is money invested in the economy that generates jobs and taxes for the state. However, the overarching reason for the investment is that it creates community and makes this growing community feel like they belong and making them believe that they can thrive and aspire to better futures.

Q:  Thank you! Now for this particular event, are you focusing solely on Minneapolis vendors and businesses?

A:  No, we have selected vendors are from several different areas of the Twin Cities.

Q:  What are the dates, hours and location?

A:  Monday - Friday, September 19 - 30, 11:00-6:00. The market will be set up at Gaviidae Common skyway level, 651 Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis.

Q:  Please tell us about the merchants who are participating.

A:  It is first important to recognize the importance of collaboration with LEDC in putting together the showcase. Thirteen local and Latino-owned businesses are represented, with products ranging from personal care, pastries, home décor, clothing, and accessories.

Corazón clothing - The Epileptic Chef - Liny's Herbal Boutique - E.M.A.s Boutique - The Pink Giraffe - Lala Draws Lines - Artesania Rosa Mexicana - Luceritos Fashion - Sanorte Designs - Susana Mendez Jewelry - Heidi Rivera Piñatas - IJX Lashes

Q:  Are any special events planned?

A:  The closing celebration will be held on Friday, September 30th, along with the opening of the newest Chameleon Shop, FX (Fashion X) a collaborative store of Urban Fashion, right across from the MERCADO LATINO location. More information will be posted on the celebration soon!

Q:  How may we follow the news of these businesses?

A:  Chameleon will be posting on social media about these businesses and tagging them. You can follow Chameleon Shoppes on Facebook @chameleonconsortiumshoppes, Instagram: @chameleonshoppes and our webpage: https://www.chameleonshoppes.com.

Here are a few photos from last years event:

City of Minneapolis Welcoming Week, September 9 - 18

Article by Becky Fillinger

Did you know that the City of Minneapolis has a Welcoming Week, part of a now-global celebration which brings together immigrants, refugees, and native-born residents to learn about each other and foster a sense of community? This year marks the 10th anniversary of Welcoming Week celebrations across the globe, which run from September 9th to the 18th, and this year’s theme is Where We Belong. We spoke to Michelle Rivero, Director, Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) to learn more about the events surrounding Welcoming Week.

Michelle RiveroHere's what Michelle shared about the theme of this year’s celebration and events we may attend:

This year’s Where We Belong theme encourages individual reflection on how and why belonging occurs and ways to break barriers so that places can foster belonging for all, including immigrants and refugees. This is the first year that celebrations are happening around the world – we know of celebrations in the United Kingdom, France, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, and Canada.

As a Welcoming City, the City of Minneapolis hosts annual events in recognition of Welcoming Week to welcome new residents to the city and, because Citizenship Day always takes place during Welcoming Week, to share information about how to become a United States citizen and the importance of acquiring United States Citizenship.

The City’s Welcoming Week webpage holds this year’s calendar of events for welcoming week and beyond including:

Twin Cities Immigration Forum

Tuesday, September 13, 4:30-6 p.m.

Join the Twin Cities Immigration Forum for a conversation about the contributions of immigrants and refugees in the City of Minneapolis and St. Paul including information from the Journey to Belonging Report.

Join the meeting online over Microsoft Teams or call in (audio only) at 612-276-6670, using conference ID number: 365 504 388#

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid Naturalization Orientation

Saturday, September 17, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

The City of St. Paul Immigrant and Refugee Program, City of Minneapolis Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs and local nonprofit immigration legal service providers will offer an information session about applying for US citizenship both online and in person in honor of Citizenship Day. Coffee and snacks provided. The link to join will be provided soon on the City’s webpage.

Forum on renting to refugees and evacuees

Friday, September 23, 2022, 10-11:30 AM

Online forum about renting to refugees and evacuees in Minnesota by the Minnesota Council of Churches Refugee Services.

Register online to receive Zoom link

Of course, there will be many private get-togethers, readings, potlucks and sporting events in our city to celebrate and show welcome to our immigrant and refugee community members. Use #WhereWeBelong to let others know of your events!

Previous Welcoming Week event

Must See Exhibit: A Picture Gallery of the Soul

Article by Becky Fillinger

Herman Milligan, Jr. Photo, Susan SchaeferThis exhibit at the Katherine E. Nash Gallery features the work of over 100 Black American photography artists, with works ranging from the 19th to the 21st centuries. The exhibition is organized by independent curator Herman J. Milligan, Jr. and Howard Oransky, Director of the Katherine E. Nash Gallery. We talked to Herman Milligan about the importance of and influences for the show - and all the events open to the public. Plan your visit - the show runs  from September 13 - December 10, 2022.

Q:  I just learned that Frederick Douglass sat for photographic portraits 160 times - he was the most photographed American of the 19th century. Douglass did not sit to glorify himself. He understood that photography could do something different from a hand sketch or a lecture - it was an indelible visual record of exactly what the subject looked like at that time and as WBUR noted Douglass believed that “photography highlighted the essential humanity of its subjects.” Is his influence evident in the exhibition?   

A:  I would say that Douglass' influence in this exhibition can be seen and felt throughout. In the three speeches that he delivered, a common theme was the ability of photography to reveal an individual and historical record of humans, their traditions and surroundings that could be more readily available than before its invention. Paintings and drawings of individuals portraying their social mores and customs were more exclusively available to the elite. For enslaved and indentured individuals, the non-photographic artform of portraiture was confined to the houses, institutions, and establishments where they were allowed to work in or visit.

More importantly, photography allowed for individuals to record their own destinies so to speak, to share it, and to pass it on for generations to come. As the medium became more popularized and widely accessible, this allowed for a freer means of expression and communication that galvanized and sustained the abolitionist and other civil rights movements in his period and until the present. Photographers in this exhibition, A Picture Gallery of the Soul, employ the photographic medium as means to explore identity in its many forms; to reveal environmental, social, cultural, and socio-economic injustices that Black Americans and others are facing, as well as revealing the human conditions Black Americans and humans may experience. The photographers in this exhibition employ a diverse set of techniques (i.e., use of different camera models and technologies; differing compositional styles and varied subject matter) to reveal the Black American experience within the time period in which these images were taken. 

Q:  The US Civil Rights Movement was greatly aided by photography. We could not look away at images of the assault of peaceful protesters at lunch counters or state troopers assaulting Selma marchers. Why do we need the gut punch of a photograph to get moved by a story? Are these photographs art or history? Both?  

A:  I believe throughout human existence, humans have developed the ability to create figurative work in its many forms (i.e., cave drawings, figurative painting, photography, film, video, online media channels, etc.) to leave a historical clue as well as to communicate a current experience that challenges the viewer to become moved; motivated to engage; or not take action. In our modern society, the proliferation of diverse media channels amplifies the individual's or groups' ability to move or to not move someone or group by a story which one might interpret as having compelling photographic images. Individuals decide to engage or not to engage for various reasons. Photography as a medium, in my opinion, poses the question to the viewer as to how they should feel and if they need to do anything about it, based on the images and/or story being communicated.

I believe effective photographers do a great job at this. They produce powerful compelling images that tell a story, regardless of whether they will also write the story. Moreover, great photographers produce images that must stand on their own. If the image moves you to think and contemplate about the subject matter, in a way that compels you to think and act to do something about the subject matter of the image, then that person has done their job. Such photographs in my opinion will stand the test of time. Fine quality photographs, regardless of the reason why they were taken, will be memorable in the most positive manner over time. Who defines whether a photograph, for whatever reason why the picture was taken, or whether it is art or history, or both, is a question that I believe has meaning relative to the subject matter of the photograph as well as related to the photographer who took the picture. I hope that American society and the world will have progressed to a point where art historians, art critics, collectors, and photographers will honestly evaluate the quality of the work and honestly record the precarious journey of Black American photographers during this important period of our country's history. 

Q:  Telephones with cameras have moved us even closer to instantaneously recording the truth of a situation. Every citizen becomes a photojournalist. Are we all creating art? 

A:  Although the development of new technologies in the telephone industry has allowed photography to become a mass market phenomena, not every person can become a photojournalist or an artist just because they have a cell phone with a camera. These two fields still demand and require courses of study or the ability to acquire such skills through an educational route. Individuals who become proficient at art or photojournalism but did not get a degree in these disciplines (i.e., self-taught or through an apprentice, but not receiving a degree) are popularly identified as "Outsider Artists" or "Outsider Photojournalists." Whether what is being created by the so-called "Non-artist" or "Non-photojournalist" is "art" or "photojournalism" is left to the respective professions and society to decide if such work is "art" or "photojournalism."

Unfortunately, we have the tragic death of George Floyd, on May 25, 2020, in Minneapolis to illustrate this point. Darnella Frazier, who took the now famous video of Mr. Floyd, being slowly killed by Officer Derek Chauvin on that date, was not a trained photojournalist, but a very brave woman who made a difference. Her video galvanized a movement that spread worldwide, brought some justice to Floyd's family, and hopefully will bring meaningful and important change within the criminal justice systems within the United States and beyond. For her courage, she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in Journalism in June 2021. "Outsiders" of both disciplines who continue to learn and practice their skills through workshops, courses, etc. over a long period of time will become professionally proficient in their respective fields and will eventually be defined as a "journalist" or "artist" in their respective fields.

Above, Salimah Ali's Dare (Portrait of Ugochi Egonu), Courtesy of the artist. Salimah is one of the artists part of A Picture Gallery of the Soul.

Above, Kwame Brathwaite Self Portrait at AJASS Studios, Courtesy of the artist and Philip Martin Gallery, LA. Kwame is one of the artists part of A Picture Gallery of the Soul.

Q:  Setting aside civil rights, what other aspects of black life in the United States does your exhibition touch upon? 

A:  The exhibition covers many aspects of Black American life across the three centuries. When visiting the exhibition, the viewer will be able to experience portraits of individuals in various settings and situations that parallel such situations that all Americans and human cultures globally experience. For example, there are portraits of individuals, young or older, in their home or professional or social setting that in a way communicates the common experiences that all cultures within our country experience. These images present people doing the things they love to do on an everyday basis or present individuals who are recognized for their achievements and the struggles they pursue and/or are experiencing at a certain point in time. Such presentations of the everyday experiences of these individuals underscores the commonality of behaviors and circumstances that are common across the United States and the world. There is also a historical experience of being Black in America that is presented over time in a manner that underscores and reveals these struggles that are presented in a provocative and effective way to encourage a serious dialogue with the viewer about these circumstances.

Q:  Please tell us about the companion exhibition of photographs made by local high school students. 

A:  We thought it was important to showcase the work of photography students attending the Gordon Parks High School in St. Paul which was founded in 1991. Their work will appear in the nearby Quarter Galley. Gordon Parks was a St. Paul native who emigrated to the city from Fort Scott, Kansas. He chose photography to communicate the human condition and to help improve it through his photographic, filmmaking, music, writing, and philanthropic careers. We thought it was only fitting to give these students to showcase their creative work as a parallel exhibition to ours.

Q:  Are there events around the exhibition that we may attend? 

A:  Yes. There are five events – please note that registration is required for each event: 

Virtual Keynote | Thursday, September 15 | 6:30 pm | Online
Presentation with Prof. Deborah Willis, New York University
Registration required: https://z.umn.edu/Prof_Deborah_Willis

Opening Program | Thursday, September 22 | 6:00 – 7:00 pm | InFlux Space, Regis Center for Art
Presentation with the exhibition curators and visiting scholar lecture
Mining the Archive of Black Life and Culture, Prof. Cheryl Finley, Cornell University
Registration required: https://z.umn.edu/RegisRSVP

Public Reception | Thursday, September 22 | 7:00 – 9:00 pm | Katherine E. Nash Gallery
Come celebrate with the curators and visiting guests
Registration required: https://z.umn.edu/RegisRSVP

Spoken Word Event | Wednesday, October 12 |12:15 pm|InFlux Space, Regis Center for Art
Program with Ty Chapman, Keno Evol, and Andrea Jenkins
Registration required: https://z.umn.edu/RegisRSVP

Writers Reading Event | Thursday, November 17 |12:15 pm|InFlux Space, Regis Center for Art
Program with Mary Easter, G.E. Patterson, and Davu Seru
Registration required: https://z.umn.edu/RegisRSVP 

Q:  Is there a catalogue for the show? 

A:  Yes! The catalogue, co-published with the University of California Press will be on sale at the University Bookstore starting in September. Lastly, myself and Howard have developed a Soundscape for the images contained within the catalogue. MP-3 Players will be distributed when you attend the show, along with a smaller catalogue linking the catalogue image with a particular song or songs. Several images may have more than one song.

Coreen Simpson, Self Portrait

Global Bartending Excellence – Meet Jessi Pollak

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Spoon and Stable’s Jessi Pollak won the national Bartender of the Year championship in June, competing against 14 other contenders. She’s now off to compete in the World Class Cocktail Festival in Sydney, Australia, to be held September 12-15. We talked to her about the competitions, her approach to a winning cocktail, and mixology classes for all of us when she returns.

Jessi Pollak at the 2022 Nationals

Q:  Congratulations on winning Bartender of the Year Award in the USBG national finals! Please tell us about your journey to become a bartender. 

A:  I began working in hospitality in my mid-20's. I had graduated from college and was on a career path in academic administration, and it just didn't feel right for me. I saved up some money and resigned, planning to spend some time figuring out my life. To pay the bills while I figured out my long-term path, I applied for my first bartending job. Within a couple of weeks, I knew that bartending was the path. I loved so many things about it - the people, the physical exertion, the schedule, and the creativity of making drinks. Since then, I've been on a journey to learn as much as I can and to be the best possible version of myself behind the bar. 

From the Nationals: "La Tequilera" - Don Julio tequila blanco, lemon and lime juices, Aperol, soda water, and La Tequilera cordial, which is based with watermelon juice, serrano and jalapeno peppers, cilantro, and mint. Photo, Shannon SturgisQ:  Were you nominated to attend the competition, or did you sign up to compete on your own? 

A:  I chose to enter the "USBG Presents World Class Sponsored by Diageo" competition (better known simply as World Class) because it's the competition that I kept track of to know who were the best bartenders in our industry and the folks I should be following. World Class is an amazing comprehensive challenge of a bartender's skills and knowledge. It's an intimidating competition to enter because it really is the best of the best, but after a few years of watching from the sidelines, I felt like I had to give it a try.

Q:  You were judged on knowledge, skill and creativity. Were there interviews or tests as part of the competition to gauge knowledge, or did it all come down to the cocktails? 

A:  World Class tests everything about being a great bartender - ingredient creation, menu conceptualization, storytelling, speed, technique, cleanliness while working, hospitality, all of it. The way I think of it is like this - at this level, every drink is going to be delicious and well balanced, and the judges are going to taste them all. How do I make my drinks stand out? How do I make it a memorable experience for the judges? Usually the answer is through storytelling, kindness, and engaging with the guest (or judge) in an authentic way.

Q:  You will now represent the U.S. in the World Finals in Sydney, Australia this month. Will you create all new cocktails for the finals?  

A:  Yes! I'll be competing in 5 separate challenges with 7 cocktails total. Each challenge tests a particular skill set - like creating a "modern classic" Scotch cocktail that is simple to make and can stand the test of time, or developing a complex martini variation that is served in a creative and theatrical way to wow the judges and show them something groundbreaking.

Q:  Will you have coaches and mentors as you prepare for the Finals? 

A:  Now that I am representing the U.S. in the Global Finals, I have an amazing team of resources behind me. I've been paired up with fantastic mentors, like past winners and judges, to help me plan and succeed. Each country is rallying for their competitor, so they put a lot of resources into supporting them. And I will of course have the Spoon and Stable team with me, as I have throughout this whole journey. 

From the Regionals in Chicago: "The Long Flight Home" - a New York sour variation with Don Julio tequila reposado, lemon juice, a compound syrup with a lot of culinary ingredients from Northern Mexico, salt and then a float of Birch-smoked mulled wine on top. Photo, Shannon SturgisQ:  Will you teach Cocktail Making to the Minneapolis community when you return – I hope victoriously – from Sydney? 

A:  Absolutely! I have had many opportunities to move to other cities to pursue my career goals, but Minneapolis is where I choose to be. Spoon and Stable feels like home, and I love educating our guests about cocktails and spirits. I regularly teach cocktail lessons for events, and I still spend a couple nights a week behind the bar doing what I love - making great cocktails for our guests. 

Q:  Good luck to you – we’re all cheering you on! How may we follow your news? 

A:  Thank you! You can follow me on my journey to the Global Finals through Spoon and Stable's social media channels (@spoonandstable) and my personal Instagram (@jessipollak).

Happy Labor Day! Meet Local Labor Leader, Sarah Beth Ryther

Article by Becky Fillinger, Photos provided by Sarah Beth Ryther 

Sarah Beth RytherOn Labor Day, our first thoughts are usually on end of summer celebrations. Let’s leave the party for a bit to focus on the real meaning of the holiday: Labor Day is a day to celebrate the achievement of workers. When Labor Day was first celebrated in the late nineteenth century working conditions in the U.S. were often poor and unsafe. Over the decades, organized labor brought about many changes to the workplace in terms of better wages, benefits, reasonable hours and safer working conditions. The work is not finished - labor leaders are still necessary today. Meet Sarah Beth Ryther, employee-organizer, instrumental in the union activity at the Mill District Trader Joe’s. We talked to her about the process of organizing at the store and the amazing energy around unionizing in the country today.

Q:  You mentioned in an interview in early August that there is a “wonderful union energy in our country right now.” Can you tell us more about this notion? 

A:  This year, there’s been a 58% increase in union representation petitions received by the National Board of Labor Relations, and we’ve all heard about the historic wins at Amazon and Starbucks. A multitude of factors - layoffs during the pandemic, inflation, dissatisfaction with workplace culture - have made workers increasingly willing to search for outside solutions. Ultimately, worker dissatisfaction is not occurring in a vacuum; in the past few years, there’s been a larger national conversation about what work means to us culturally and as a value. The pandemic forced many of us to examine the place work holds in our lives. For discouraged workers, unionization feels like a ready-made solution. While unions were perhaps unfashionable five years ago, most everybody knows somebody who is in a union and has benefited from the larger protections unions can provide. 

Q:  As a leader, you’ve done your homework – you’ve communicated with other young union leaders, you’ve met with other unions in the area to learn best practices (nurses, educators, craftspeople. etc.) - and formed strong bonds with your co-workers. Could you tell our readers about this groundwork that you did? Could you see yourself taking on a broader national role to share these learnings if the union movement sprouts in other Trader Joe’s locations? 

A:  For the organizers at our store, it felt intuitive to use trust as a baseline in our union drive. We were committed to having ongoing conversations with each other about what unionization might ultimately mean for every one of us. We wanted our coworkers to know that our relationships with them were far more important than Trader Joe’s or any union, and we repeated this sentiment often. We felt unionizing was the best option to make daily life better for people we care about, but we made sure to let everyone know that if at any point during the drive, we no longer felt it was the right move for us collectively, we would pull out.

We’d encourage other folks looking to unionize their workplaces to do the same: get to know the people around you. The more you know about someone’s life - their passions, values, fears and worries - the better you’ll be able to understand how they can benefit from the worker’s movement.

Personally, I’m very excited to be part of the beginning of such an important national conversation. I’m energized by the possibility of Trader Joe’s United as a presence in many stores with similar concerns across the country, and I’m committed to (slowly and surely) helping make that happen! 

Trader Joe’s United public outreach in the Mill District. 

Trader Joe’s United organizing and community outreach at Gold Medal Park.

Q:  Your Trader Joe's store is located in a densely populated urban area in the Mill District – what safety concerns are on the mind of you and your fellow crew members who voted for the union?

A:  We love Downtown East! We’re so proud of our neighborhood, and we feel so lucky to be close to the Guthrie and the Stone Arch Bridge. We also love our neighbors. That being said, emergency situations happen nearly every day, and we’ve asked for more comprehensive training from Trader Joe’s Corporate. Clearer procedures around fire alarms and tornado warnings come to mind. We’d also like access to de-escalation training and equipment that doesn’t take such a toll on our bodies. 

Q:  Did social media factor into the success of the vote to unionize in your store?  

A:  By the time we announced in June, we were confident that we would win our election. From June, when we went public, to August, when we voted, we used social media as a tool to communicate with our local and national community. Being part of the larger movement felt particularly important to us. Social media is a wonderful connector - it’s how we learned that the Trader Joe’s in Hadley, MA was organizing. It has also allowed us to have conversations with workers across the country who are in the middle of their own union drives or are interested in organizing. 

Q:  How may we follow your news? 

A: You can follow us on Twitter @TraderJoesUnite, and on Instagram @traderjoesunited. If you’d like to email us, our address is press@traderjoesunited.org.

Catch the "Lettres de Gratitude: When Minnesota Fed the Children of Europe" Exhibit at the Mill City Museum thru September 11th

Article by Becky Fillinger 

David StevensTime is running out to see this free exhibit, Lettres de Gratitude: When Minnesota Fed the Children of Europe, at the Mill City Museum, 704 S Second Street.

We spoke to Site Manager, David Stevens, on what the exhibit is about and the relevance to today’s news. He provided us with a high-level list of reasons to visit the museum before this exhibit leaves on September 11, 2022.

• Lettres de Gratitude documents the work of famine relief in Europe during the First World War. 

• This work was led by American Herbert Hoover, who organized the Commission for Relief in Belgium, the largest humanitarian relief effort in history, which fed 100 million people in 45 countries between 1914 and 1923. 

• Mill City Museum was interested in hosting this exhibit because of the important role that Minnesota flour milling companies played in this effort.

• The exhibit is relevant and timely, as the global food system has been interrupted once again by conflict in Europe with the Russia-Ukraine war. 

• The exhibit features thank-you letters written by Belgian children to their benefactors. Mill City Museum has also supplemented these letters with flour sacks from our own collection that were embroidered by grateful Belgians and presented as gifts to members of the Commission for Relief in Belgium. 

• The exhibit was organized and produced by Global Minnesota, a non-profit, nonpartisan organization that connects Minnesotans to the world, and the world to Minnesota. 

• The exhibit is located in the museum’s central Mill Commons, and is free and open to the public during regular museum business hours through September 11, 2022.

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Visit the Mill City Museum over the Labor Day weekend!

Saturday 10:00 am–5:00 pm

Sunday 10:00 am–5:00 pm

Labor Day  10:00 am–4:00 pm

Fall Fashion Check-in with Queen Anna House of Fashion

Article by Becky Fillinger

Nicole JenningsFall is right around the corner. We have all heard that hard and fast fashion rules no longer apply (no white after Labor Day, don’t mix silver and gold jewelry, etc.). Are you curious as to what’s trendy and timeless for the new season? We spoke with local fashion expert, Nicole Jennings, owner of Queen Anna House of Fashion for advice. When interviewed by CBS News in 2017, she said, "When people walk through the doors of Queen Anna, they will experience a sense of freshness.”

Our question - Please tell us the Fall 2022 Fall Fashion Trends that you are seeing and how may we find them at your North Loop shop, Queen Anna?  Here’s what she had to say:

Trends may come and go, but timelessness is forever. Finding key trends that will allow you to wear them into style perpetuity is essential in reducing the amount of money you spend on clothing each year as well as reducing the harmful impact that fashion has on our planet. Investing in quality pieces will allow for your style to be on point each and every season without breaking the bank or the back of Mother Nature.

Rebecca Allen Nude Loafer

Trendy + Timeless Accessory Capsule Pieces

- Ballet Flats + Loafers

- Multi-Purpose Handbag

- Hoop Earrings

- Classic Belt

Moon River Cutout Sweater

Trendy Fall Staples

- Chunky Knit Sweater

- Denim Jeans

- White Top

- Leather Jacket

- Blazer

- Slip Dress

Come to my shop at 109 N. Second Street in the North Loop and we’ll dress you in what is comfortable for you and decidedly fashionable.

Thank you, Nicole! We’ll see you soon and thanks for the advice. 

Local Health Innovator Uses Music Therapy in the Treatment of People With Disabilities

Article by Becky Fillinger

Yue WuWe are used to reading about medical innovation in our state – but did you know that we have local professionals tackling health issues combined with music therapy?

Meet Yue Wu, who is working as a board certified music therapist at MacPhail Center for Music, while pursuing her PhD in Rehabilitation Science at the University of Minnesota. She is tackling problems by collaboration - music therapy for individuals with disabilities and telehealth music therapy solutions for children with autism spectrum disorders in rural areas. We talked to her about how she approaches multi-disciplinary collaboration and a recent project, Light in the Well.

Q:  You are a member of the University of Minnesota’s Medical School – focusing on Rehabilitative Medicine. You also reach beyond the boundaries of the medical school to work on collaborative projects with other organizations. Could you tell us about some of these projects? 

A:  Yes. Being a curious person and wanting to learn from others was what led me to the PhD program in Rehabilitation Science at the Medical School. Being in an intellectually rich and emotionally supportive environment helped me thrive in developing innovative ideas and collaborate with people in other fields. I have done projects both nationally and internationally, in-person and virtually, in and across fields. Some of these projects include an international documentary featuring music therapy and people with disabilities, an international partnership training rehabilitation staff to incorporate music into their services for children with disabilities, and research projects focusing on the experiences of having a child with disabilities.

It was the research projects – interviewing families who are affected by disabilities in both China and U.S. - which made me realize that having a child with disabilities is more like a universal experience, despite the cultural, language, and regional differences. 

Q:  One of these collaborative efforts – culminated in an event called Light in the Well. What groups were involved? Who was the event for?

A:  Light in the Well was born out of these research findings and is dedicated to honoring people with disabilities and their families by telling their true stories and inviting all into a conversation of hope. This project involves a variety of groups including families who are affected by disabilities, professional musicians, therapists, university researchers, disability rights advocates, visual artists, and college students who study related areas. MacPhail Center for Music, where I work as a music therapist, has been a big support, providing initial funding and in-kind venue for our first show last fall. Half of the orchestra were MacPhail teaching artists. The development and facilities departments helped us greatly with fundraising, setting up, and audience accommodations.

The event is really for everyone. We want Light in the Well to be therapeutic for the featured families by validating their emotional journeys and enabling them to gain skills through real-life situations, while also being educational for the rest of us who are not directly affected by disabilities. People with disabilities are featured in Light in the Well as they tell their own stories on stage and perform alongside professional musicians in an orchestra under the spotlight. Through many practices and rehearsals, the featured people with disabilities learn how to cope with unexpected situations and how to work with others. For the rest of us, Light in the Well provides an opportunity of exposure to learn about what life is like with disabilities. Our society is not complete without people with disabilities, and together we are better.

Q:  How did the audience respond?   

A:  After our first show last fall at MacPhail, many audience members came to us and said they were touched in deep ways. “We came expected to be entertained but left being educated.” Many people laughed and also cried with the featured families as the stories unfolded.

We interviewed the audience and highlighted their experiences in this video:

Q:  Why are these collaborations important to the work you’re doing? 

A:  Many people came alongside of the project since it started – people with disabilities and family members, therapists, leaders in disability services, business and legal professionals, etc. These different collaborators are important to the work because they offer a variety of expertise and bring different life and emotional journeys into Light in the Well.

Q:  What’s next for you?

A:  Next, Light in the Well will be putting on its fall performance on Sunday, October 16, 2pm, at the Landmark Center in St. Paul. We are currently working on a series of children’s picture books which highlight the featured individuals in Light in the Well. The purpose is to bridge the gap in children’s literature regarding disabilities. We want to expose the younger generation to learn about the life of having disabilities. We have also invited other organizations who serve people with disabilities in our community to be at our next performance to share about the resources available to families who are affected by disabilities. We hope to partner with high school bands or community orchestras in the future to perform the original music and expose their members to this type of work.

Last, but not least, I will be finishing my PhD program by completing my dissertation, which focuses on accessibility to disability services. Low accessibility and lack of resources are primary barriers for children in rural areas to receive music therapy services. In my PhD dissertation research, I used real-time video-conferencing platforms to provide cost effective music therapy to serve children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Thanks to MacPhail Center for Music, I was able to recruit participants from Austin, MN, where one of our satellite centers is located. The preliminary analysis showed that tele-music therapy is effective in producing lasting behavioral changes in children with ASD. We will apply the exciting research findings in practice to provide a robust and reliable alternative method of music therapy addressing the reduced access some children experience.

Q:  How may we follow your news?  

A:  Please visit us at https://www.lightinthewell.com, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Tik-Tok, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Please attend our free performance on Sunday, October 16, 2pm, at the Landmark Center in St. Paul. Click here or scan the QR code to reserve your spot:

Rollin’, Rollin’, Rollin’ on the River - Margaret McDonald, Executive Director, Mill City Commons

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Margaret McDonaldMill City Commons has a new Executive Director, Margaret McDonald. I asked Margaret to tell me her thoughts on taking the helm of the innovative organization, programming updates and how to get involved.

Tipping my hat to Creedence Clearwater Revival’s John Fogerty, I don’t claim to be Proud Mary. But there is a part of me that is proud Margaret these days. As the new Executive Director of Mill City Commons, I could not be prouder to represent this dynamic organization. I’ve worked and lived close to our magnificent Mississippi River for several years. But never this close. Today I walk across the river to my office. I work with and serve wonderful people. I walk out of my office and sit by the river and eat lunch. I’m back where I belong! 

“The Mill City Commons Board was impressed with not only Margaret’s extensive experience but also her long-standing commitment to the Rivefront Neighborhoods.”

Pam Berkwitz, MCC Board President

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Since 2002, I’ve chosen to be an active part of the neighborhoods on both sides of the riverfront. I’ve seen the areas transformation from parking lots, rusty railroad ties and abandoned buildings to a dynamic, growing civic minded community with all the amenities to support it.  My husband and I are committed to supporting local businesses and establishments as we are very familiar with the hard work it takes to build and sustain a business.

Since the inception of Mill City Commons in 2008, our mission has been to provide programs and services to our members who are 55+ and live near the Minneapolis riverfront. As a neighborhood community, MCC provides member-driven programs that are educational, relevant, fun, easily accessible and inspiring.

Post-COVID, my vision is not to reinvent the wheel but to re-ignite the element of personal engagement, relevant discussions and fun to all our programs. After these past two years I believe we all need more comradery and good times. It’s time for us all to reconnect.

Scenes from Summer 2022 activities

Our programs fall into four categories: Educational (Great Discussion Series, Current Events and Conversations with Bill); Recreational (River walkers); Social (Men’s Dutch Lunch); and Cultural (Dressed by Nature: Textiles of Japan). In addition, our members strive to be a positive force in our community through volunteerism, civic involvement and supporting local businesses and fundraising activities. Meetings, social events, and discussion groups are frequently held in local restaurants and venues.

Throughout the pandemic most of our programing was delivered on Zoom. We were fortunate to be able to maintain our high-quality programing and membership retention. We even gained new members. My goal is to provide 80% of our programing in person in the coming months. Our new office located at 219 Main Street SE, affords us enough space to hold some events. In addition, many of our members willingly open their residences or party rooms to host programs and social events like our monthly Soiree buffet. For those members who spend their winters in warm climates, most of our programs are archived for future on-line access.

Although the majority of our members live along both sides of the Mississippi River, we have many living in South Minneapolis and surrounding suburbs. Membership is broad and diverse, as is our programing.

In addition, our members support one another with services such as rides to doctor appointments, airports and grocery shopping. Members also network with others through post-hospital stays and rehabilitation. MCC is committed to helping members remain empowered in order to live vibrant lives in this community with friends and family.

To learn more about us, roll on over to our website at http://www.millcitycommons.org. You will find our monthly calendar, pictures of recent events and how to become a member. If you prefer, call us at 612-455-3329.

We look forward to welcoming you to our exciting neighborhood on the river.

SBA Small Business Person of the Year 2022 – Minnesota: Kristen Denzer, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Tierra Encantada

Article by Becky Fillinger

Kristen Denzler is the CEO and Founder of Tierra Encantada. She was recently honored as SBA Small Business Person of the Year 2022. Her company has been on The Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal list of the 50 fastest-growing privately held companies in the Twin Cities for a few years. We talked to Kristen to learn more about her business success and perhaps take away a few tips. 

Q:  Congratulations on being awarded SBA Small Business Person of the Year 2022 – Minnesota. In a 2021 Forbes interview, you said, “I think that the only limitations you have as a business owner are those you place on yourself.” Please tell us more about this thought.

A: Many people have great business ideas but hold themselves back because they don't have a degree or experience related to their business idea - and they think that is needed to be successful. While that can certainly help, it shouldn't hold someone back from pursuing an idea they are passionate about. I never worked at a childcare center prior to starting Tierra. I also had never constructed a licensed commercial kitchen and had never worked in construction before Tierra, either. But, by using my resources and being willing to put in the work, I figured it out and opened multiple centers, working as the general contractor for two of them, with no relevant experience/education.

Many people also think you need a business degree to start a business. I don't have one, and I know many successful entrepreneurs and not a single one of them have a business education. If you believe in something, don't hold yourself back with self-created limitations - just go for it. 

Q:  You’re the CEO and Founder of Tierra Encantada. The business features Spanish immersion language skill building and organic food. What led you to put these two features together?

A:  The United States is incredibly behind in language learning, and countries around the globe have children learning multiple languages from a very young age. Knowing first-hand the limitations that come with learning a second language as a teen, I wanted my children to have an opportunity I did not have - to learn at the most critical time for their language development, their first years of life. I also wanted my children to be exposed to a vast array of food that they may not otherwise have - I wanted more for them than chicken nuggets and hot dogs. I didn't have much variety as a child, and tried Brussel sprouts, okra, asparagus, and mushrooms for the first time as an adult. Many parents don't know how to cook some things, like lentils, and some parents simply don't have time. Our culinary program provides fresh-cooked meals designed to expand young palates. 

Q:  You have degrees in Psychology, Political Science, Leadership and Evaluation Studies. Did your education help you become fearless in trying new things? Did your education prepare you for owning a business?

A:  My education provided valuable experiences, connections, and learnings that shaped who I am and how I think about things. Though, I wouldn't say it was instrumental to my entrepreneurial nature nor my sense of adventure. I mean, the very first "club" I joined freshman year at the University of Minnesota was the skydiving club! 🙂 My education was not really related at all to the companies I have started, so did not do much to prepare me for running a successful company. The most relevant I would say was my graduate assistantships, which allowed me the opportunity to see what it was like to work as a consultant for community organizations - which I parlayed into my first business - consulting.

Q:  You’re a Board Member at Women Venture and St. Croix Preparatory Academy. Have these experiences helped you as an entrepreneur? Are you mentoring other business start-ups?

A:  Serving on both boards has been both fulfilling and educational. Seeing how other entities structure things has definitely informed decisions I have made as I have grown Tierra. With Women Venture, I also am on one of the two loan committees. It is very inspiring to see entrepreneurs bring their ideas to be considered for funding, and I feel honored I get to be a small part of their journey to entrepreneurship. I have had a number of entrepreneurs over the past few years that I have shared ideas and guidance with to help support them in growing their business. 

Q:  What are your daily habits? I’m sure that I’m not the only person who wants to know how you accomplish so much in a 24-hour period.

A:  It's a bit hard to get into a routine with how busy I am - though I do try to! I try to get any large projects or tasks completed first thing in the morning and aim to keep my email under 100 if I can. I typically work 12-14 hours a day, so I try to plan ahead with healthy meals when I can and I make it a priority to work out 5 days a week. We have a gym at our corporate office, so that helps! Scaling a company means many long days, but if it is something you are passionate about, then it doesn't feel so much like work!

Q:  We wish you many continued years of business success! How may we stay up to date with your news? 

A:  Thank you! You can follow me on LinkedIn and also Tierra Encantada on Facebook and Instagram.

MSP Film Society Presents MSP Iranian Film Festival, August 19-21

Article by Becky Fillinger

Jesse BishopThe 2022 MSP Iranian Film Festival is returning August 19-21 to MSP Film at The Main. The Festival hasn't been in-person since 2019. We are blessed to have independent international cinema available in our community.

There may not be a better way to breakdown misunderstandings between cultures than to take an audience to – in this case, Iran – and show how life really is – how do they love, work and live? We talked to Jesse Bishop, Programming Director, about what we can expect from the lineup of films and other ancillary events. He gave us so many reasons to make the trip to 115 SE Main Street this weekend.

The lineup features 5 new Iranian films that can only be seen at the festival. The program offers moviegoers a chance to see new works by contemporary Iranian filmmakers depicting Iranian society, perspectives, and expressions as created by Iranian artists. Click on the film’s title to purchase tickets. All-access passes are also available. Festival highlights include:

ABSENCE was written, directed and starring Ali Mosaffa and it's a clever and absorbing mystery of family history and political intrigue. It has a classic Cold War era thriller vibe, with great characters, subtle humor and it will keep you guessing.

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THE MAJORITY is a melodramatic and often humorous morality tale that takes place in a rural village in pre-revolution Iran that has been struggling for years. News of the return of a now wealthy former resident sparks hope that she’ll enrich the town, however there's just one very big catch and a sacrifice must be made.

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A MAN OF INTEGRITY is a first-rate dramatic thriller by one of Iran's finest contemporary filmmakers, Mohammad Rasoulof. Rasoulof was recently imprisoned in Iran in a crackdown on artists and filmmakers. A Man of Integrity reveals the corruption and state cronyism at the heart of one of the most powerful and influential regimes in the Middle East.

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NO CHOICE follows three Iranian women from different backgrounds – a sixteen-year-old homeless girl forced into pregnancy, a human rights lawyer, and a physician – as their lives intersect in this powerful social drama from Iranian writer/director Reza Dormishian.

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ASTEROID is the sweetest film in the lineup. It's a tender drama that centers on 12-year-old Ebrahim, breadwinner for his rural Iranian family and their dreams to build a home and a better life. Set against the rich beauty of the desert, Asteroid observes Ebrahim’s wise demeanor amidst moments of childhood joy, and a quiet determination to help others.

The festival is organized in collaboration with the Twin Cities Iranian Culture Collective. 

They are organizing other Iranian events for the Twin Cities in the coming months.

Lakewood Cemetery 150 Year Anniversary Observance Includes August 21 Garden Party and Much More

Article by Becky Fillinger

Lakewood Memorial Chapel 

Julia GillisWhen you visit Lakewood Cemetery, and you should, you’ll see stunning architecture, including a Byzantine chapel that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, 250 acres of gorgeous gardens, exquisite examples of cemetery art and you’ll feel an enduring sense of serenity. We talked to Julia Gillis, Director of Marketing & Outreach, about the history of Lakewood Cemetery, events and plans to recognize the milestone anniversary. Keep reading – you don’t want to miss information about The Great Big Garden Party coming up on August 21.

Q: Lakewood Cemetery has been a community gathering place for the last 150 years. Please tell us some of the early history and how the community may interact with Lakewood today.

A: Lakewood is one of the most storied and extraordinary urban cemeteries in America. It was founded by a group of influential Minneapolis leaders in 1871 who had a vision for a grand “garden” style cemetery that is nonprofit and open to all. And for the past 150 years, Lakewood’s park-like grounds have become a fascinating chronicle of local cultures and traditions - a place where countless families have come to honor, remember and reflect in ways that are uniquely personal to them.

Though Lakewood is located in the heart of Minneapolis now, when Lakewood began it was set far outside the city center. Visitors travelled by horse-and-buggy along an unpaved road to get to here. It was often a full day’s trip, and they would spend time here socializing, picnicking and tending to graves. Like many garden-style cemeteries, Lakewood features winding roads, sculpted monuments, water features, beautiful architecture, and of course, gardens! Garden cemeteries, like Lakewood, were designed for the living as much as the dead. They met an emotional need – and Lakewood continues that legacy today.

Tea Ceremony

The Living Memory Tree

Music in the Chapel

Lantern Lighting Celebration

For our 150th anniversary (and beyond), the team at Lakewood has been making an extra effort to make sure the community knows they are welcome here. We are inviting people in to experience the amazing beauty of Lakewood, and we’re also sparking meaningful new conversations and sponsoring a variety of unique experiences and events that go far beyond what you would expect from an institution like ours.

Some of our upcoming events and experiences include: 

• Lantern Lighting Celebration - September 16-18 – a magical night of remembering loved ones
• Music in the Chapel – a monthly concert series held in our historic, must-see mosaic chapel
• The Living Memory Tree – a vibrant tree of ribbons that contain heartfelt messages of remembrance and love
• Grief tea ceremonies
• Sounds baths/meditations
• Lakewood Book Club
• Birding at Lakewood
• Death Cafe – offering a safe space to talk about death
• Trolley tours of Lakewood’s history, art and gardens
• Plus more! In the spring, we have greenhouse tours and a Memorial Day Celebration, we honor Mother’s Day and Father’s Day - and our popular Midsummer Memory Mandalas Community Celebration, which features an amazing earth art installation and a creative practice for honoring grief, takes place in July.

And of course – to celebrate our 150th, we’re inviting everyone to a special event called The Great Big Garden Party on Sunday, August 21, 4-7 p.m. At the event, we are honoring our roots as a garden cemetery and inviting the community to enjoy a picnic on our front lawn. We’ll have live music, raffle giveaways, art activities, carriage rides and more. Register for your box lunch here.

All are welcome to attend any of these events. You do not need to be affiliated with Lakewood in any way. To find out more about all of Lakewood’s events and offerings, visit our website: https://www.lakewoodcemetery.org/events-calendar/.

We’re on Facebook and Instagram, too – please follow us!