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

Article by Becky Fillinger

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Q:  Why this location for the museum? 

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

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

Q:  When will the museum open? 

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

Q:  Will you have space for special events?

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

Q:  How may we follow your news?

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

Small Business Spotlight: Some Great People

Article by Becky Fillinger

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Mill City Times Interview: Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light

Article by Becky Fillinger

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

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

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

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

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

Liz LoebQ:  Who are your partners?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Q:  Do you work with multiple congregations?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Q: Julia, what are the priorities for 2021?

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

Q:  How may we follow your news?

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

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

Article by Becky Fillinger

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-  -  -  -  -  -  -

Read reviews of Be Bold on Amazon...

Brianna Rose interviews LaToya Burrell

The Mill City Times Interview: Golnaz Yamoutpour, Founder, Eat Drink Dish MPLS®

Article by Becky Fillinger

Golnaz YamoutpourDo you like curated menu recommendations?  Want to also help our restaurants survive?  Meet Golnaz Yamoutpour, founder of Eat Drink Dish MPLS®, who is a kindred spirit.  We talked to Golnaz about her fascinating lifelong connection to food and entrepreneurial spirit that is helping foodies and making meaningful change for our local eateries. 

Q:  Please tell us about your earliest food memory. 

A:  My earliest food memory is probably watching my mom cook Persian food at home. She cooked from scratch almost every day, and as the youngest in my family, I was always with my mom. So I'd watch and sometimes help her make food.

Q:  Your parents emigrated from Iran in 1990.  They became restaurant owners - was your family in the food business in Iran?

A:  That’s right - My family immigrated to the United States from Iran, when I was about 3 years old, and chose to live in Minnesota since we had family living here. My parents worked at corporate jobs back in Iran, so the food business was new to them. They bought a Cousins Subs franchise around the mid-90's in downtown Minneapolis and I started working at 8 years old as a cashier. I would stand on a plastic milk crate and take customer orders, even during the busy lunch rush hours! I loved the idea of working when I was a kid and enjoyed my adventures roaming around the skyways in downtown Minneapolis. Even today, I know the skyway system like the back of my hand!

Q:  When did you become a US citizen?  

A:  I became a US Citizen at 17 years old! So it took us almost 15 years to gain citizenship.

Q:  Why did you start Eat Drink Dish MPLS®?

A:  The main purpose of starting Eat Drink Dish MPLS® was to support local businesses, and to create a voice for myself in a state where I never really felt like I fit in. I started the digital brand while I was pursuing my MBA career, and working full-time. So it was also a great way to apply what I was learning in business school to actual real life practice. I chose the topic of food and restaurants because, at that point in my life, I had a strong background in the food industry. From helping my parents at our family-owned restaurant for most of my childhood, waitressing for 5 years at a couple restaurants, to studying Nutrition at the University of Minnesota. It was/is also part of my lifestyle - I love to travel with my palate and I love to hear why people start their own business. Eat Drink Dish Mpls became a stepping stone into owning my own business as a Brand and Marketing Consultant, where I get to help entrepreneurs and businesses better understand their why so I can show them their how.

Q:  I have to ask, why did you feel that you never fit in?

A:  Living in between two cultures, American and Persian, was very confusing for me as a child growing up. I didn't have the same rules, food, or customs as most of my friends did so that immediately set me apart socially. Then, add in that you weren't born in the US, have an unusual name, have strong Middle-Eastern features, and live in a predominantly white community, and you're set as always trying to fit in. Eat Drink Dish Mpls allowed me to stop trying to fit in by enabling me to contribute and share my voice through food.

Q:  Can you tell us more about Eddy's Yum Club?

A:  Eddy's Yum Club is our premium membership program under our new Curated Twin Cities Food and Restaurant Guide, called Eddy. On November 10, 2020, we launched our very first digital food guide at www.eatswitheddy.com where you can access and search for our curated recommended restaurants by appetite. We like to keep our recommendations rotating and seasonal because we want to ease the decision-making process when trying to figure out where to eat. So, each appetite category will have anywhere between 5-15 recommendations along with an accompanying "Signature Yum," which is our personal recommended dish for each restaurant. No rants, ratings or reviews - just great food.

Eddy is free to join, but if you're a self-proclaimed Foodie and want to help give back to the restaurant community, you can join Eddy's Yum Club for only $48 per year ($4/month)! The membership includes lots of great perks like exclusive giveaways, discounts, guides, and a section where you can use Eddy as your own personal concierge service twice a year. Lastly, 3% of each Eddy's Yum Club membership fee is donated to our non-profit partner, The North Stands.

A pie from Parkway PizzaFor restaurants, Eddy's Yum Club is a great way to get in front of one of the largest digital food audiences in the Twin Cities. There are multiple ways to partner up with us through our Eddy's Yum Club Goodies, High Five Guides, and Eddy's Recommendations. We are working with a few local restaurants right now who are offering up amazing exclusive promotions and giveaways on Eddy's Yum Club, like Parkway Pizza and Waffle Bar. Under this offering, you can take $8 off any Parkway Pizza online order up to 8 times through March 1, 2021.

Later this spring, we plan on rolling out our official Eddy advertising and partnership packages.

Q:  What, in your opinion, are steps that we can take to help our local restaurants survive?

A:  Joining Eddy's Yum Club is a great way to start helping local restaurants survive during these times. Not only is 3% of the membership fee donated directly to a local non-profit, helping primarily BIPOC-owned restaurants, the rest of the funds go to help us keep creating quality content and experiences that benefit everyone; including the restaurant community (keep an eye out for upcoming virtual events!). We are a very small team, self-funded, and truly do this out of passion and for the love of the creative people behind our vibrant food scene.

Other ways to help local restaurants are to purchase gift cards, order food for pickup versus delivery, share your food pics on Instagram and tag the restaurants so they can repost them on their page (with photo credit, of course). While you're at it, be sure to tag us (@eatdrinkdishmpls, #eatdrinkdishmpls), for a chance to be reposted on our page where we share the love of food with over 70,000 of our awesome followers!

Q:  Do you have a favorite Minneapolis restaurant?

A:  I always get asked this question! I don't really have a favorite restaurant, and I've gone to so many restaurants that I usually find something to love about each one. However, I am a lover of sushi and true comfort food for me is Persian food. There's only one place in the Twin Cities that offers up authentic Persian food close enough to what my mom made growing up, Caspian Bistro.

Q:  How can we follow your news?

A:  Keep up with us and what's hot in the local food scene by following us on Instagram @eatdrinkdishmpls and @eatswitheddy. Also, sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Eddible," where we dish out what's new, what's still happening, and what's coming soon in the Twin Cities!

The Mill City Times Interview: Sarah Peters, Director, Northern Lights.mn

Article by Becky Fillinger

Later this month, Illuminate the Lock returns to the St. Anthony Falls lock wall. It’s a collaboration between many non-profit and government groups to tell the Mississippi River’s story using images, sound and lights. We spoke to Sarah Peters, Director of Northern Lights.mn, one of the event’s partners, about art and technology in public spaces. 

Sarah PetersQ:  How did you get interested in art in public spaces?

A:  It is hard to pinpoint a precise moment or project, but I would say I was inspired to start thinking about interactive art in public spaces from the early days of the Art Shanty Projects. Some friends and I built and hosted a shanty for two winters on Medicine Lake. The experience of welcoming people to our shanty and watching a community of artists grow around the project was very energizing. At that time I was working in the Education and Community Programs department of the Walker Art Center doing exhibition-related programming for adults. Towards the end of my decade there, my colleagues and I launched a project called Open Field that encouraged visitors to become programmers of the green lawn outside of the museum. After a summer of programming outside and in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and seeing how people brought a more embodied, active curiosity to the activities, it was hard for me to imagine going back to concentrating my energy on in-gallery programs and lectures. I left the Walker and eventually started working with Northern Lights.mn on the Northern Spark festival.

Illuminate The Lock: Madweyaashkaa: Waves Can Be Heard by Moira Villiard takes place February 18, 19 and 20 at the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock Visitor Center.

Q:  Tell us about some of the uses of technology in presenting art in public spaces.

 A:  This could be a very long list! One thing I’ll note is that the word “technology” is relative. By that I mean a pen and paper is a technology as much as a system of geolocated tags in an online map, depending on the circumstances. Here are a few examples of the art:

Wind Chime (after "Dream")I’m a fan of uses of sound in outdoor spaces, like the site-specific sound walks of Janet Cardiff or the “low-tech” act of hanging carefully tuned wind chimes in a grove of trees at the Walker Sculpture Garden. Wind Chime (after ‘Dream’) by Pierre Huyghe. 

These can be technologically complex, geo-tagged projects or use a relatively simple dial and listen phone tree, like the Art on Foot Poetry Trail at Silverwood Park in St. Anthony Main. 

Large scale projections and projection mapping — the process of fitting a projected image/s to the precise architecture of a building or other surface — is one of the most exciting and popular formats of temporary public art happening right now. This is a growing field, with a lot of flashy projects, but I tend to appreciate projects that focus on story and meaning over the fanciest tricks.  

For example, at Northern Spark 2014 we partnered with Mizna, a local organization that supports Arab and Arab-American artists, to present a project called Confluent that projected a simple video of the Euphrates River on the underside of the Third Ave Bridge over the Mississippi in Minneapolis. The project was about the temporary and conceptual joining of these two bodies of water that will never connect physically, but are interrelated by the ever-complicated relationship between the U.S. and Iraq. 

Also, that same year, Michael Murnane turned the facade of the Pillsbury A Mill into a celebration of ice fishing in an ode to his father and growing up in Minnesota.

Another one: Marina Zurkow and Paul Virillio’s Flight. Northern Lights presented this project for Illuminate South Loop in Bloomington, MN during the Super Bowl in 2018. On the back end of the installation, they created a feed that pulled daily weather data, plane departures and arrivals from MSP airport and bird migration data from the MN Wildlife Refuge to populate a real-time animation of planes and birds that was projected onto the side of the Hyatt Regency.  I love how the artists responded to the unique features of that specific site and time: winter in Minnesota, being near the Wildlife Refuge and the airport.

I Heard There Was a Secret Chord creates a metaphysical connection between them through a sensory experience, in an attempt to demystify this universal hymn.

The internet is also public space, despite the many challenges to free, open public access. This project by Montreal-based design studio Daily Tous Les Jours, I heard there is a secret chord, is both a gallery installation and an online space that created a data-driven, public choir dedicated Leonard Cohen’s to beautiful song “Hallelujah.” The piece consists of a room and a website. Both continuously broadcast Hallelujah’s melody, hummed by a virtual choir. This choir of humming voices is directly impacted by the visitors. Whether they are listening online or in-situ, the number of voices heard increases and decreases as a result of their presence. The fluctuating number is displayed in real time.

Q:  Please tell us about Northern Lights’ involvement with art on the Internet.

A:  Here are a handful of examples:

a coming together: a performance for our time by Kathy McTavish and Hawona Sullivan Janzen, 2020

In March of 2020, right as the COVID shut down took place in Minnesota, Northern Lights.mn was scheduled to have our annual fundraiser. We quickly realized we’d need to shift to an online experience, and the artists we’d contracted to present at the event decided to work together to make an online piece. a coming together was a live, 638 hour web experience that combined code, sound and graphics by Kathy McTavish with a poem written and recorded by Hawona Sullivan Janzen. Ticket buyers to the fundraiser received a link to view the piece online, which randomly generated the text bits, image and sound. It ran for the month of April 2020.

Neighborhood Climate Change, Tumblr feed, 2016-2017

We’re interested in what artists can do with existing tools on the internet, such as Tumblr, back when Tumblr was a happening thing.  In 2016 and 2017 we focused the Northern Spark festival on climate change. For the year in between the June festivals, we published works of photography about climate on a Tumblr blog.  In many ways Neighborhood Climate Change was a simple project — we invited photographers to take an image from their immediate environment that spoke to their personal experience of climate change. The page now serves as an archive of artistic climate observation from that year. Read more. 

iPad app for Ding an sich by Piotr Szyhalski

Several years ago, we launched a free app to view an internet-based work of Minneapolis artist Piotr Syzhalski on an iPad. When the work, Ding an sich, launched 20 years ago, it responded to a user’s touch to create individual interactive experiences. Over the years with changes to internet browsers and technology, the piece became functionally extinct. Media migration is one of the most significant challenge to works made for different technology platforms. The app allowed viewers to experience the work as it was originally designed for the early web.

Q:  How might we follow your work and your partnerships? 

Lots of ways! Sign up for our episodic e-newsletter here. And follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Q:  Do you have opportunities for volunteers? 

Yes! Most of Northern Lights.mn projects need volunteers. Follow us at the links above for volunteer calls or send a note introducing yourself to volunteers@northern.lights.mn.

Small Business Spotlight: Katherine and Lisa, Co-owners, Hark! Cafe

Article by Becky Fillinger

Check out the new 100% vegan, gluten-free, celiac-safe restaurant in the North Loop – Hark! Cafe! We talked to co-owners Katherine and Lisa about the inspiration for their café and what treats to try on your first visit.

Lisa (left) and Katherine

Q:  Please tell us about your history as friends and how that led to Hark! Café.

A:  We met at Oberlin College in 2009, where we became best friends bonding over a shared love of Homestarrunner.com, doughnuts, and Ben Folds. At Oberlin we both went vegan out of concern for the environmental impact of the animal agriculture industry and our love and compassion for the lives affected by this industry. The name Hark! is an homage to the Harkness co-operative at Oberlin, which we belonged to and love dearly. We’ve dreamt of creating a vegan food business together since joining Harkness Co-op. After Katherine was diagnosed with Celiac disease in 2017, we wanted to create a completely vegan and gluten-free cafe where we could guarantee there would be no cross contamination.

Hark! Cafe is located at 430 N 1st Avenue, #150, in the historic Kickernick Building

Q:  What discussions did you have about opening a restaurant at this time in this location?

A:  From the beginning we wanted to open our cafe in downtown. We love this neighborhood, and are excited to be a part of its reinvigoration. The timing is truly just a matter of fate! After months of searching for the right location and negotiating our lease, we ended up signing our lease the day Minnesota went into lockdown in March 2020. Safety for our employees and customers has always been of the utmost importance to us. We opened doing take-out only and will continue to focus on that, and not open for dine-in until we feel it is safe to do so. The creativity and flexibility with our menu has been heavily discussed during this time as well! Highlighting dishes and drinks that might be more exciting for people to get as take-out, dishes that travel well, and food that is comforting above all else. We are also focusing on curating and providing special pre-order menus. We have ones for Valentine’s Day and the Super Bowl coming up!

A Mini Key Lime

The Bagle Sandwich

Q:  Please let us know about the Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day menus. What should we try on our first trip to Hark! Cafe?

A:  Our special seasonal coffee drink is a chocolate orange mocha, and it is a must-have. Pair that with a bagel sandwich, and grab a bit of dessert for later - like our mini key lime!

Q:  Delicious ideas - how may we follow your news?

A:  Our Instagram and Facebook are great places to follow us! Visit us - Hark! Cafe is located at 430 N 1st Avenue, Suite 150.  Hours are 7am-4pm Tues-Fri, and 8am-3pm Sat-Sun.

Episode 5 of Milling About with Brianna Rose Airs January 21

Article by Becky Fillinger

Brianna RoseThe January episode of Milling About with Brianna Rose will first air on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 8PM on MCN6. The show replays for a month every Thursday and Friday at 8PM and Monday and Tuesday at 5PM.

The January show has something for everyone, from magic to art to meditative practices: 

 Jim Berg, Owner of Twin Cities Magic & Costume. Jim shares with us how he began a career as magician at the age of 13 and demonstrates the first trick he learned - cups and balls – a magic trick that dates back to Roman times.

 Billy Tserenbat, owner of Billy Sushi, gives us his philosophy on life and its unpredictability – since living in a pandemic is a challenge – go for it!  He did ‘go for it’ and opened his newest restaurant in North Loop in the midst of the COVID-19 shutdowns. Billy also describes some of his favorite menu items for us – you’ll be as intrigued as we are!

 Nell Rueckl, founder of the Watershed Spa, is featured in our Small Business Spotlight. The Watershed Spa, when it opens in late spring, will be an urban retreat offering a wide range of healing modalities. Watch her segment to learn more about the meditative aspects of soaking and bathing in a communal environment.

 Audrey Liquard gives us some easy to adopt changes to our shopping habits for a #ZeroWasteLifestyle.

 Dianne Walsh and Peter Zenner describe the Art at the Bridgewater program. They’re co-chairs of this remarkably innovative program that brings rotating art exhibits and permanent art acquisitions to a condo community in the Mill District.  

 What can one person do to affect the water quality of the Mississippi River? Turns out there is much we can all do! Michelle Spangler, an Audubon Park resident and Master Water Steward, tells us about the Adopt-a-Drain program that can remove pollutants from our drinking water source and simultaneously bring a neighborhood together.

.

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

The Mill City Times Interview: Doug Snyder, Executive Director, Mississippi Watershed Management Organization

Article by Becky Fillinger

Doug SnyderThere are three dozen watershed organizations in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Most of our Mill City Times readers live in the geography covered by the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO). We spoke to Doug Snyder, Executive Director of the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization about ways to get involved to protect our rivers and drinking water, their Sustainable Communities partnership with the University of St. Thomas, and seeing projects to fruition. 

Q:  We recently spoke to one of the MWMO Water Stewards, Michelle Spangler. Please tell us more about the program and how citizens may become Stewards.

A:  The MWMO has been partnering with Freshwater since 2016 to train and support Minnesota Water Stewards (formerly known as Master Water Stewards). The Minnesota Water Stewards program trains, certifies and supports community leaders to prevent water pollution and educate community members about conserving and protecting water. Stewards perform many hours of service in the watershed each year, doing a variety of things, including: leading or participating in community cleanups, invasive species removal, maintaining raingardens, and conducting community outreach to educate community members about ways to protect water quality and habitat.

As a Water Steward, Michelle got a grant from the MWMO to organize and support the NE Stormdrain Challenge in the summer of 2020. She partnered with the Audubon Neighborhood Association and the City of Minneapolis to educate, engage and motivate residents all over northeast Minneapolis to take responsibility for keeping their stormdrains clean and keep many pounds of pollution out of the Mississippi River.

More information about the Minnesota Water Steward program is available on our website or at minnesotawaterstewards.org.   

I want to mention that applications for our Community Grants are available now – see information here to apply. Community Grants are available for short-term or small-scale water quality projects. The grant amount may not exceed $5,000, no matching funds are required, and we can offer help for those completing the application. 

Q:  We typically think of watershed projects during warmer months. How do MWMO projects continue during winter months?

A:  Yes, some types of work can continue over the winter, such as installation of pipes and underground tanks; however, most of the types of work on the surface need to be installed during the growing season. Therefore, most of our capital projects are scheduled from around April 1 until the ground freezes or there is too much snow. One project that has taken advantage of the good late fall/early winter weather this year is the Northern Columbia Golf Course and Park Stormwater BMPs project. You can follow this project online at mwmo.org/columbia.

Columbia Golf Course drains

And, of course, we do public information seminars throughout the year. Coming up, we have a free workshop on managing ice and snow without over applying salt –register here.

Q:  Is MWMO part of Minnesota Association of Watershed Districts? If so, how do you work collaboratively with other watershed districts?

A:  Yes, we are a member. Two years ago, the Minnesota Association of Watershed Districts (MAWD) opened its membership to other Watershed Management Organizations. We joined in 2019. Even prior to joining MAWD, MWMO partnered with other watersheds (and our members, nonprofits and state agencies) to create training opportunities, public engagement events, and coordinate planning and project review.

Q:  You have a large list of active projects - one that jumped out to me with the UST Sustainable Communities Partnership project. Can you tell us more about it?

A:  Yes, the Sustainable Communities Partnership Project is run through the Sustainability office at the University of St. Thomas (UST) and it partners UST courses with government and nonprofit organizations to do projects that support and advance sustainability-oriented work in those organizations. Over the last few years, several UST courses have supported the work of the MWMO by doing projects that help increase staff understanding of various issues related to watershed protection and management. A few examples of recent projects include:

• A senior capstone class that researched possible industrial uses for captured stormwater and considered cost-effectiveness and ecological impacts of stormwater reuse systems in the urban environment. 

• Development of curriculum units and supporting materials for teaching K-12 students about stormwater best management practices.

.

• Evaluation of the effectiveness of various graphics related to stormwater best management practices in order to recommend most effective graphics and appropriate use.

• Research and analysis of different land-use scenarios for the conversion of vacant lots in the MWMO to better understand opportunities to manage stormwater runoff and connect pollinator habitat across the watershed. 

This program gives students real-life experiences in sustainability work and benefits the partner organizations by increasing capacity to conduct research and complete projects that advance the work of the organization. We have enjoyed and benefited from this partnership. More information about our partnership is available on the UST website: https://www.stthomas.edu/osi/scpprojects/completed-scp-projects/mwmo/

Q:  What do you enjoy the most about your work with the MWMO?

A:  Prior to coming to the MWMO, I worked for the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources. There I worked with grants, planning and regulatory programs such as the Wetland Conservation Act. While we do similar things here, what I enjoy most is that we also get to create programming and build projects. We go through feasibility, design, financing, bid, construction, and operations and maintenance. It’s fun to see a completed project, monitor it, and know we’ve done something that improves where we live.

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  Please sign up for our newsletter, and follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Small Business Spotlight: Kolman & Pryor Gallery

Article by Becky Fillinger

When was the last time you visited an art gallery? Get ready to experience “Orange” at the Kolman & Pryor Gallery. An antidote to winter’s grays, blues and whites – check out the vibrant artwork included in this show. Anita Kolman and Patrick Pryor tell us all about the inspiration for the show and when you may personally view the art, explore the unique meanings to you and interact with the artists.

Kolman & Pryor Gallery is located in Studio 395, Northrop King Building, 1500 Jackson Street NE   

Q:  Tell us about the exhibition “Orange,” the fourth show in your ongoing Color Series.

Anita KolmanA:  Begun in 2018, The Color Series explores the artist’s color palette. The gallery’s artists have long been interested in exploring their relationship to color, as artists, and as viewers, and as collectors. The first exhibition’s emphasis was on the color White, in the second in 2019, Red was the focus, and the third exhibit in 2020 showcased artwork emphasizing the color Yellow. For 2021, we challenged our gallery artists to incorporate the color Orange into their artwork.

Looking specifically at this year’s show, Betsy Ruth Byers incorporated a bright orange into the sky of her work with great success. Cameron Zebrun continues his prolific exploration into painted wood sculptural forms. Kate Casanova has expanded her masterful use of materials and colors with four new table top sized sculptures. Jodi Reeb created a 36 inch rosette wall sculpture made of aluminum and tinged tangerine with enamel paint. Jil Evans pushes and pulls at the space within the canvas in new color combinations that feel fresh and new, yet firmly anchored in her current practice. The work of Kelly Jean Ohl and Julie Snidle radiate warmth on the two orange walls of the gallery painted for this show.

Q:  What feelings do you get from the art in this show?

Patrick PryorA:  There is an orange glow in the gallery right now, and it feels like a warm comfort when you walk through the doors. We painted two walls orange, each exhibiting artist incorporated the color orange into their work, and there are orange lines on the wood floors of the gallery, a remnant of the building’s history as the Northrup-King Seed Company, that tie the entire show together. We are impressed with the successful outcome of our artists who took up the challenge of using orange in their work. We hope our visitors will enjoy it as much as we do!

Q:  Does the choice of “Orange” communicate a central idea for the show?

A:  Orange is the unifying theme of this year’s Color Show, similar to the themes in previous shows with the colors White, Red and Yellow. The chosen color is the unifying theme for each of our shows in the series as well as the challenge to our artists to interpret that theme in ways that seem most relevant to them.

Color in general is rich with meaning, and our current Orange Show, like our other color shows in years past, invites multiple interpretations. Orange is a powerful color which has often been used historically. Ancient Egyptians used a yellow-red hue made from the mineral realgar in tomb paintings. In the 18th century, artists used yellow-red tones to depict the robes of Pomona, the goddess of fruitful abundance. After the fruit became more common in northern Europe, and the first synthetic orange pigment was produced in the 1800s, Pre-Raphaelite painters and Impressionists used the color to heighten the effects of natural light.

For us personally, as curator and gallerist, we appreciate the warm comforting glow of reflected orange light coming from the artworks (and the lines on the floor) that communicate a sense of hope and safety. Orange is also the color of highway warning signs, construction barriers, and over-done spray tans. Orange is a fruit, an everyday object. Nothing rhymes with orange. It is alone and unique. We like the tensions of opposing meanings and appreciate the opportunity to present them to our audiences.

All of these properties of orange provided significant opportunities for our gallery artists to connect to Orange as a central theme. We invite our gallery visitors to develop connections between this theme and their personal contexts, too.

"Watershed" by Betsy Ruth Byers

"15 Piece Hand Carved White Specimen" (hand carved clay) by Kelly Jean Ohl

Q:  Will the gallery be open for visitors to see the exhibit in person? If yes, what COVID-19 precautions will be in place?

A:  The gallery is open to the public on Saturdays from noon to 4:00 pm and on the first Thursday of each month from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm We always look forward to welcoming visitors at other times by appointment.

The entire Northrup King Building, including our gallery, will be open from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Saturday, February 13. That evening some of the artists in the show will welcome gallery visitors at a special reception from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

We require masks when visiting the gallery, we ask visitors to social distance when in the gallery, and we provide hand sanitizer to anyone who requests it. These COVID-19 precautions are followed throughout the Northrup King Building.

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  Our website, kolmanpryorgallery.com, always has the latest information about our artists and our shows. You can also find our news about Kolman & Pryor Gallery on social media, specifically on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

The Mill City Times Interview: Verónica Jaralambides , Marketing Consultant, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Article by Becky Fillinger

Verónica JaralambidesWe are fortunate in Minnesota to have so many beautiful state parks – with many options for winter recreation. We talked to Verónica Jaralambides, Marketing Consultant at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, for safety tips and suggestions of state parks to clear your mind and stretch your legs.

Q:  A lot of us will be looking to get outside and hike throughout the winter months for mental and physical fitness. Can you give us general tips for winter hiking? 

A:  Getting outside for a dose of fresh air and vitamin D, however small, is crucial during long winter months. As you point out, it has a major impact on mental health, as many studies have confirmed, and it’s a good way to stay active. Winter has its own charm, with a white blanket covering everything.

It’s no news that it can get very cold in Minnesota. My mantra? There’s no bad weather, just bad clothing. The secret to a warm, happy outing? Layers, layers, layers. Avoid cotton at all costs, as it holds humidity and, if you’re wet, you’ll be cold. Ideally, you can get a hold of wool base layers: Wool helps regulate your body temperature, the same way it does for sheep. There are countless options out there and it’s no longer a challenge to find something good on a budget, with many brands and outdoors outfitters offering seconds or return items at significant discounts. Always carry a backpack so you have somewhere to put your clothes as you shed layers while hiking. When it’s very cold, I like to have hot pouches (available at most gas stations) that you can place in your gloves and socks. Mittens will keep you warmer than gloves, as your fingers will generate more heat if they are not separated. I typically carry my liner gloves in my pocket, in case I get too warm.

In your backpack you should also carry water, snacks, a flashlight, a map, and an emergency blanket. In short, pack to be out for the duration. What you have along and how well you dress are key to keeping you safe. Whatever the mishap, as long as you’re prepared, it won’t become an emergency. Here’s your basic safety gear and to-do list: 

- Whatever season you hike in, always tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to return.

- Stay hydrated to stay warm. Bring your own water, as most outdoors water spigots are shut down in the winter.

- Carry more snacks than you think you’ll need. Make sure you have plenty of calories. If you’re going on a longer hike, having an emergency meal and a way to cook it is also a good idea. Some energy bars freeze solid and become jaw breakers. Keep these in your pockets close to your body to keep them warm and also pack some food that will not freeze.

- Even if you don’t start late in the day, carry a flashlight or headlamp, should you find yourself out while dark.

- For the same reason, carry an emergency blanket.

- A map is only useful if you know how to use it and you know where you are at all times. Learn how to read it and make sure you pull it out often and compare with signage you see on trails. A lot of us are reliant on phones to tell us where we are. In the winter, electronics don’t hold a charge as well and you could find yourself without a reliable electronic map. You may also be out of service range, depending on where you are.

- If you have a small battery pack you can get to keep your phone charged, bring it along.

- If you don’t know the ice thickness, don’t venture on frozen water.

- Test your gear close to home, where you can get to safety.

.

Take into account slippery conditions, as well, especially after warm days when snow melt becomes ice on the cold ground. I find well-traveled trails to be a bit slick as well, and many times I choose to walk on the side, in the deeper snow. Which brings us to footwear. If you don’t know the conditions of the trails you’ll be hiking, just bring an alternative choice of footwear in the car. For instance, my winter hiking boots are great if I’m hiking on packed or plowed trails, and I like to have my winter boots if the snow is soft or I’m planning on treading through deep snow. Depending on the temperature and trail conditions, your regular hiking boots should work as long as you have warm non-cotton socks. Your footwear should be larger than your regular street shoe size: If your toes don’t have enough room, they will not get proper circulation and you’ll be colder. Ice cleats are also recommended for extra grip. It took me a while to master them as it didn’t come naturally, but the penguin walk helps a lot with balance.

For a lot of us with nine-to-fives, winter also means that the only chance to get out is in the dark. If this makes you uncomfortable, look for lit trails. Full moons on clear nights can be stunning and a good way to illuminate your way. Always have a headlamp along, but be mindful of light pollution—the brighter the lights, the less stars you and other hikers will see. Being able to stargaze before bedtime is another appeal of winter hiking. It can be intimidating to walk in the dark in an unknown area. If you let your eyes adjust to the darkness, you’ll see it’s not as dark. Keep an ear out for night creatures, like wolves howling. The quieter you are, the more you’ll notice.

On the Gateway State Trail

Minneopa State Park Falls

Q:  Road trips are not just for sunny summer days. I visited Frontenac State Park last week and hiked the Sand Point Trail. For winter hiking, what are some favorite trails within 1-2 hours of the Twin Cities? 

A:  First, make sure to check the latest recommendations from Gov. Walz about travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We have a few state trails within the Twin Cities Metro Area, including the Gateway, Luce Line, and Minnesota Valley State Trail. Glacial Lakes, Sakatah Singing Hills, and Goodhue Pioneer State Trails are a short drive away, making them perfect destinations for day trips. Make sure to check mndnr.gov/trails to learn about trails conditions, specifically if they are groomed for other winter activities, such as cross-country skiing or snowmobiling. Every state park has so many different things to offer and I love each of them for different reasons. Within a 2-hour drive of the Twin Cities Metro Area, you can visit Charles Lindberg or Mille Lacs Kathio State Parks, or travel south to Rice Lake, Flandrau or Minneopa State Parks. West of the cities you can visit Sibley, Lake Carlos, or Monson Lakes State Parks. Just like for state trails, check online ahead of time to get your winter map and check what trails are available for hiking.

You will need a permit for your visit to Minnesota state parks. Plan ahead and get it online at mndnr.gov! You can get a day permit for $7, or a year-round permit, good for 12 months, for $35. Your permit will give you access to all 75 Minnesota State Parks and recreation areas.

Hiking passport

Pro tip: You can join the Minnesota State Parks and Trails Hiking Club. The Hiking Club will take you on hikes at different state parks around the state looking for passwords. Once you locate the passwords, you’ll get rewards along the way, including patches and free nights of camping.

Q:  How can we stay up to date on state hiking trail news?

A:  Sign up for our Minnesota State Parks and Trails newsletter, the Trailblazer. You’ll receive the monthly newsletter with insider information to discover and enjoy new destinations and activities. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Foraging during the winter with Tim Clemens, Ironwood Foraging

When is it safe to venture onto the ice?  We talked to Lisa Dugan, Boat and Water Safety Outreach Coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources about this topic. In our discussion, Lisa discusses early winter safety tips, snowmobile and ATV advice and equipment you’ll want to have with you on the ice.  Remember – ice is never 100% safe.  Thank you Lisa for giving us this timely information!

The Mill City Times Interview: Lian Shen, Director and Barbara Heitkamp, Communications Specialist at the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory

Article by Becky Fillinger 

As I walk over the Stone Arch Bridge, I often look over at the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory and wonder what goes on there. If you’re curious like me, I have answers! Barbara Heitkamp and Lian Shen give us the history of the laboratory and a description of the world class research being conducted in our neighborhood. 

Q:  When was the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory (SAFL) established? 

Barbara:  The idea of the University hosting a research facility on Hennepin Island was first explored in the early 1900s, but it wasn’t until the arrival of Lorenz Straub, a new Civil Engineering faculty, in 1930 that the idea truly began to take shape. Straub was fascinated with the use of experiments and physical modeling to help inform engineering design, particularly as it pertains to hydraulic structures in rivers (dams, levees, flood control, etc).

Barbara HeitcampOnce Straub saw the position of the St. Anthony Falls adjacent to Hennepin Island, he wanted any lab design to take advantage of the 50-foot drop of water over the falls. His design allowed for a supply channel directly from the Mississippi River that would divert up to 300 cubic ft/second (about 2,200 gallons per second) river water through the building gravitationally.

Straub was able to secure funding from the Works Progress Administration in 1935 and ground was broken to build the lab in 1936. The building was dedicated in November 1938, and Straub was installed as the first director (he took a break for a period for WWII, but served as the director until his death in the early 1960s).

Q:  Tell us about the mission of the SAFL.

Barbara: Our mission is threefold:

• To advance fundamental knowledge in engineering, environmental, geophysical, and biological fluid mechanics by conducting cross-cutting research that integrates disciplines in science and engineering;
• To benefit society by implementing this knowledge to develop physics-based, affordable, and sustainable engineering solutions to major environmental, water, ecosystem, health, and energy-related problems; and
• To disseminate new knowledge to UMN students, the engineering and scientific community, and the public by educational and outreach activities and partnerships with government and industry.      

Let’s put it another way - SAFL is committed to conducting cutting-edge research as it pertains to fluids (e.g. water and air) across different disciplines, but it's not only about forwarding knowledge in the field. It's also about applying new knowledge to help address major concerns and problems as it pertains to the environment, ecosystems, energy and health. We regularly work with different stakeholders across the University, other institutions, and in industry and government to provide applied solutions and approaches to problems. We also recognize the importance of telling these research and application stories to all different types of audiences, be it other researchers, government officials, or the general public. We take seriously the training of the next generation of scientists and instilling in them the value of speaking to their work to various audiences - to better tell the stories of what they do and why it's important.  

Lian ShenQ:  What is it like to lead SAFL?

Lian:  Leading the SAFL is an amazing experience for me every day. I always feel thrilled standing inside the building and looking at the historic pictures on the walls and the magnificent waterfall outside of the windows. Some of the experiment facilities are older than me and some are brand-new equipment generating high-quality experiment data. It is a great honor for me to be part of this world-renowned laboratory.  

Q:  What projects are underway now at SAFL that we would easily understand?

Barbara: SAFL is operating at a reduced capacity due to the pandemic, but we have established processes aligned with the University’s “Sunrise Plan” that allow us to continue research.

Current projects include:

Investigating the impact of boat wakes on lake bottoms and shorelines: As recreational boating continues to grow in Minnesota, so do some of the boat wakes associated with larger recreational watercraft. There is concern about the impacts of those wakes (and propeller wash) on lake bottoms and shorelines. We crowd-funded over $130K this summer and fall to begin a data collection program looking to measure wake energy propagation from different types of watercraft toward lake shorelines. You can read more and see the latest updates here.

Assessing the use of permeable pavement for reducing road salt use: In the winter, we are all familiar with seeing road salt being distributed on the roads. However, the chloride in road salt can eventually infiltrate embankments and pollute groundwater and nearby waterways. One alternative method to salting being explored and tested is using permeable pavement where incoming precipitation infiltrates into the ground versus pooling and freezing on the road. A final project report just came out – you can read a summary of findings here.

New grant looking to develop novel imaging techniques to better understand wind/atmospheric flow:  One of our faculties was recently awarded a $1+ million National Science Foundation grant to develop some new imaging techniques to better understand flows in the atmosphere – looking at phenomena such as snow settling (think better snow accumulation forecasts!), pollen dispersal, and flows around wind turbines (to help reduce inefficiencies and boost power production). Read more about it here.

A view of the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory from the Stone Arch Bridge. Photo: Pat O'Leary

Q:  Who are the researchers at SAFL - U undergrads, U grad students, individuals from other institutions? 

Barbara: Our researchers include faculty and their graduate student research groups from various departments across the University (most within the College of Science and Engineering) as well as our own dedicated applied research team. That team provides assistance with faculty projects as well taking on their own applied research projects. We have approximately 18 affiliated faculty, around 40 graduate students (plus an additional 10 or so post-doctoral researchers) and 15 applied researchers.

We unfortunately don’t host many undergraduates in the building, although some faculty may hire an undergraduate helper here and there. We also usually hire some undergraduates to help in our shop (we have our own full machine and fabrication shop on site) throughout the year and in the summer, usually have a few open paid internships for undergrads as well.

We routinely host visiting researchers, be they from other academic institutions or from industry. SAFL has a unique blend of experimental facilities and expertise that make it attractive for lots of other researchers and one of my favorite inside jokes is that we are more well known internationally among academic circles then we are in downtown Minneapolis!

The Outdoor StreamLab is an experimental channel (viewable from adjacent Water Power Park) used for research involving the interactions of flow, sediment and vegetation. Photo: SAFL

Q:  How does SAFL make a difference? 

Barbara: SAFL recently celebrated its 82 year anniversary, so if there is one trait that truly makes SAFL unique, is that it has the ability to grow and evolve to meet the current needs of society. While other academic institutions have pieces of what SAFL has in terms of facilities and resources, our facilities plus our experienced staff and legacy of research is something that really makes SAFL shine.

Because we have the ability to use experiments, physical models, field campaigns and numerical modeling to address research questions, we really can approach issues from a variety of angles, which helps boost confidence in the end research ‘product’ so to speak. The University of Minnesota hallmark is “Driven to Discover” and that is reflected in making sure we do research that looks to help improve our lives, including living more sustainability and better managing our natural resources.

SAFL manages and operates a full-scale research wind turbine located near Rosemount, MN. Photo: Pat O'Leary

Our research focus has broadened significantly since the early years of the laboratory, and that’s because we shift to address what people are concerned about and the environmental issues of the day. We have projects looking to improve water quality in both urban and rural areas, we look at mitigating flooding issues in southern Minnesota by better understanding the impacts of climate change on the watershed and the existing geology and land practices, we built our own wind energy field research station to better advance the technology and improve accessibility to what has emerged as one of the most competitive renewable energy sources, and as referenced above with the boat wake work and hydropower work.

Q:  What excites you most about where SAFL is headed/going?

Lian:  It is exciting to work with our talented and dedicated faculty, researchers, students and staff to tackle so many scientific and engineering problems on the environment, renewable energy and human health.  There are many things that excite me, such as seeing new students in their orientations, students graduating, and new faculty and staff members joining the lab. Before the pandemic, it always gave me a nice surprise when I saw new experiments started in the Lab. Currently because of COVID-19, the Lab is operating with limited resumption of research activities. Research still goes on in the Lab under the state and university guidance with great care given to the health and safety of researchers. Some of our faculty and students are performing research on COVID-19 directly, and have obtained groundbreaking results on the mechanism of disease indoor airborne transmission. I very much look forward to the day when the Lab is fully reopened after the pandemic is over. By that time, SAFL will enter a new era for research and education.

SAFL's largest 'flume' or channel can use up to 300 cfs (cubic feet per second) of Mississippi River water for research projects.

Q:  In non-pandemic times, do you offer tours?

Barbara:  We do! We host one general public tour each month, usually the third Wednesday or Thursday of the month. People can sign up using the University of Minnesota events calendar.

Q:  How may we stay current on SAFL news?

Barbara: You can stay current by visit the news section of our SAFL website or through our social media on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or our YouTube Channel.

Small Business Spotlight: Boludo

Article by Becky Fillinger

Chef Facundo De FraiaWhere can you get mouthwatering pizza and empanadas, in the same restaurant? Check out Boludo – coming soon to the Mill District. We talked to Chef Facundo De Fraia about plans for his second location, his Argentinian childhood memories, and the secret to his buttery and flaky doughs.

Q:  Welcome to East Town! What should we look for in your second Boludo location, opening soon at 530 S 4th Street?

A:  Boludo Downtown will bring the same menu options as our Nicollet location. The Downtown location has more space for social distancing and for people to be indoors while waiting for their orders. With the opening of the new location, we will be launching our new website www.boludo.com (coming soon), which will make online ordering much easier.

Q:  Facundo, we love to tell the immigration stories of our local entrepreneurs. You are originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Please tell us about your journey to Minneapolis.

A:  In 2017 I came to Minnesota from San Diego, where I had an Argentinian restaurant called Che Calavera, to help my childhood friend Daniel Del Prado in the opening of his restaurant, Martina. After showcasing the empanadas in his menu, I opened Boludo Nicollet. It’s been an amazing 3-year ride to be here in Minneapolis and share my food with these wonderful people.

I became I permanent resident in March 2004 and am filing for U.S. citizenship this year. I didn’t apply for citizenship before because I would have had to give up my Argentinian citizenship to become a U.S. citizen. Two years ago, that law changed and now you can have dual citizenship. 

Q:  The Star Tribune called you "the dough whisperer." What is the secret to your buttery and flaky empanada crusts?

A:  The most important ingredient is love. Working with dough requires a lot of attention, good energy and presence. Experience is also very important. You need to understand how to handle the dough and know whether it needs more or less water. As for water, the key is ice cold water. And the last thing is quality ingredients such as unbleached flour.

Q:  What is your earliest food memory?

A:  My earliest memory of food is helping my grandma – my abuela - cook in her house in Buenos Aires. I must’ve been six years old. It’s such a beautiful memory. She used to sing tango and had a beautiful voice. The cooking together, her singing, the sun coming in from the window...it’s one of my favorite memories. The energy and love that she put into her cooking was absolutely contagious. That’s how I fell in love with cooking.

Facundo cooking with his grandmother

Q:  For customers new to Boludo, what do you recommend on their first visit?

A:  For your first visit and every visit after that, please come in with positive energy. We don’t allow bad energy at Boludo! Then, I would recommend trying one pizza and one empanada. 

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  Please follow our Instagram account. All our latest news is there. Come visit us Tuesday through Sunday 11am to 9pm. Gracias totales!

The Mill City Times Interview: Dianne Walsh and Peter Zenner, Co-Chairs of the Bridgewater Neighbors and Friends of the Arts

Article by Becky Fillinger

What do condo associations do? Well, they collect monthly fees, sponsor events for residents and manage the ongoing maintenance of their buildings. Would you believe that a local one also puts together art exhibitions and purchases permanent art collections? Meet Peter Zenner and Dianne Walsh, Co-Chairs of the Bridgewater Neighbors and Friends of the Arts. Their story is innovative, inspiring and a masterclass for other associations to emulate.

Dianne WalshQ:  What is the history of the Art @ The Bridgewater rotating art program?

Dianne: In 2014, a small group of Bridgewater residents started exploring the possibilities of rotating art throughout the building. We started by touring art programs at other condo buildings. Then in 2015, we officially formed the Bridgewater Neighbors and Friends of the Arts and hired Alison Price as the curator of our new Art @ The Bridgewater program. Alison is an artist at Northrup King Building and has an extensive network with the artist community in the Twin Cities.

Peter ZennerQ:  Please tell us about the program’s development.

Peter:  Our first exhibit was unveiled in July 2016, and since that time we have shown a total of 15 exhibitions spotlighting over 160 Twin Cities’ artists. Since the beginning, we have sold $217,000 of art benefiting over 75 artists. The program is completely self-sustainable and is at no cost to the HOA. Our expenses are paid through a 30% commission on all sales as well as donations and sponsorships. The Art @ The Bridgewater program has been very successful.

Q:  How has the Bridgewater Lofts community responded?

Dianne:  The Bridgewater Lofts community loves the program. We did a survey last year and 97% of respondents were in favor of the rotating art program and were willing to financially support the program by purchasing art and making donations. You hear from the community when the walls go bare between exhibits. Everyone looks forward to the next exhibit with anticipation!

Q:  You’ve now started a Bridgewater Art Acquisition program. Please tell us about it.

Dianne:  Because of the success of the rotating art program as described by Peter, in 2017 the Board determined that having art in the building was important to the Bridgewater and asked the Art Committee to start a permanent collection.

In 2018, the Art Acquisition Committee began the selection process. It prepared a list of artists in three categories - ceramics, painting and sculpture. At a community forum, the homeowners voted on their favorite artists after seeing multiple samples of their work. The art committee then chose works by the five selected artists and presented the artists and their pieces at a reception in 2019. Thus the Bridgewater Collection was formed! The collection is on display in the lobby alongside the rotating collection.

The Board then asked for additions to the collection in 2020, specifically selected for the recently remodeled Community Room. Because of the pandemic and the inability to meet as a community, the Committee selected the artists and pieces, but also because of the importance of homeowner input into the collection, the Art Community conducted a Zoom presentation to the community seeking approval. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and the Art Committee then submitted to the Board for approval which was granted. The Committee is now in the process of acquiring the selected works.

Past artists represented in the collection are Warren MacKenzie, Maren Kloppman, Leila Denecke, Michael Schmidt and Peter Vanni. New artists include Lisa Nankivil, Ellie Kingsbury, Randy Johnston, Jan McKeachie Johnston, Jodi Reeb, Bob Carls, Brendan Kramp and Denise Tennen. Bridgewater Lofts homeowners are proud of their collection. Each piece is separately marked as owned by the residents.

Sample pieces that have been displayed at the Bridgewater:

White Water Lily Beauty by Vicki Underland-Rosow

A Recipe for Poems by Wendy Shragg

.

Wet Evening on the Riverfront by Coreen Johnson

.

Untitled Land 19 by Kimberly Tschida Petters

.

Slice by Shannon Joy Potter

.

2 by 2 Olive & Black, Wipe off Citron, Remnants x1 by Beth Dorsey

.

Q:  What’s on the horizon? Are you open to mentor other organizations or homeowner groups on art exhibitions or acquisitions?

Dianne:  With COVID-19, 2020 was a difficult year. Pre-COVID-19, we had receptions for each opening, serving wine and appetizers and introducing the artists to the Bridgewater community. We hope to return to this practice later in 2021. In 2020, those receptions have been conducted via the Zoom platform with artist presentations. We had also planned outreach to other buildings in 2020, but placed those plans on hold. We would be open to collaboration with other HOA groups.

Q:  When is the next opening exhibition? How may we follow your program? 

Peter:  The next Art @ the Bridgewater exhibit will open on January 29, 2021, again by Zoom, and we will have a virtual art opening where residents and other Mill District neighbors can see the artwork and ask the artists questions. For more information or to participate, please email bnfacommittee@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook.

The Mill City Times Interview: Susan Smoluchowski, Executive Director, MSP Film Society

Article by Becky Fillinger

We have a cultural cornerstone within a stone’s throw of the Mill District – the MSP Film Society. We talked to Executive Director, Susan Smoluchowski, about this year's 40th anniversary of the International Film Festival, the organization’s successful pivot during COVID-19, and the many reasons we should celebrate and support their enduring status as an exhibitor of the best independent cinema.

Susan Smoluchowski

Q:  Please tell us about the origins of the MSP Film Society.  

A:  The MSP Film Society was established in 1962 as the U Film Society, by the legendary Al Milgrom, as one of the first art houses in the country to present independent and international film. Today, we are widely recognized as the foremost exhibitor of local, national, and international independent cinema in the region, offering a wide array of the best of such films 365 days a year. And we continue to do so this year through our virtual cinema programs, which can be found at MSPfilm.org

1981 Minneapolis Film Festival program coverOur primary identity is as the organization producing the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival, with origins going back to 1981 when a group of local cinema lovers launched the Minneapolis Film Festival.

Since the mid-eighties, when it became known as the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF), the festival has operated under the umbrella of the MSP Film Society. Moving into its 40th year in 2021, MSPIFF is one of the longest running film festivals in the country, our community’s collective annual rite of spring, a treasured gathering for film lovers, filmmakers and the growing international communities throughout the state, and an enduring and increasingly important cultural establishment. People often tell us that they plan their year around our festival!

Q:  When did you get a home at SE Main Street in Minneapolis?

A:  We had been looking for a new location off the campus of the U of MN for a while, and had an opportunity to bring MSPIFF to the St. Anthony Main Theatre for a test run in 2008. The location proved to be a great draw, creating more prominence and a heightened profile for our organization at a time when the riverfront was beginning to bustle again with new residents and businesses, providing access to and opening MSPIFF up to brand new audiences. 

The next year, we settled down by the river permanently, a move that launched an audience expansion period for our organization that has yet to dwindle. Our membership and donor base grew from 200 in 2010 to 3000 in 2019, and our annual attendance grew by 150% during that same period, to an approximate 85,000 in 2019.

We have significantly expanded our film programs over the past 10 years as well, with year-round offerings of the best in international and independent films, as well as several new film series, including our annual Cine Latino festival. In fact, we have grown so much that we are now exhibiting films out of a number of venues besides our hub at St. Anthony Main, including the Capri Theater in North Minneapolis, the Landmark Theater in St. Paul, and during MSPIFF in Rochester, too.

Q:  How has MSP Film Society adapted to business as usual in times of COVID-19? 

A:  COVID-19 may have put a damper on the growth, but not for long (says she says she…). 

Our theme for the 2020 MSPIFF, or MSPIFF39, selected in late 2019, was the prescient ADJUST YOUR VIEW. On March 13, 2020, just one month before the festival’s anticipated launch and a few days after the lineup was announced to the press, Governor Walz issued an executive order in response to COVID-19 limiting public gatherings and urging us all to stay at home for the next few weeks. Out of concern for the safety and well-being of our staff and audiences, we cancelled all of our live theatrical programming and took a moment to regroup. In a quick pivot - and incredible burst of creativity and will on the part of our small and dedicated core staff - we reimagined the festival in just a few weeks as MSPIFF39 Redefined – A Virtual Film Festival. We offered 50 new feature length films and as many shorts representing 40 countries, on a newly developed virtual platform, and managed to engage a viewership for the films and attendant filmmaker conversations topping 20,000. 

Since then and throughout 2020, we continued presenting the best in new international independent cinema, and films of relevance to our community and to the times, including our newest series We The People: Required Watching, or in October Cine Latino en Casa, on our virtual platform at mspfilm.org.

As you will imagine, this shift has come with many challenges. But we were determined to not disappear from view, keep our amazing staff gainfully employed, do our best to continue to bring films from around the globe to our audiences especially during this period of isolation for us all, and support the work of talented filmmakers in a moment of upheaval for artists everywhere.

This said, the virtual world that we now inhabit is a competitive one, and we have deliberately kept our virtual cinema prices low for maximum access. In fact, we offer many of our film programs free of charge or pay-what-you-can. And we are proud to say that film viewership alone has exceeded 30,000. In addition, all of our filmmaker conversations, which have drawn an astonishing participation of 50,000+ since April, are free of charge.

Although we are elated to have found a way to maintain a connection with our audiences and members, the financial repercussions for our organization have been significant. In 2020, earned revenues, or ticket sales, are down by more than 85% compared to 2019. 

So, what has allowed us to stay above water and given us the impetus and capacity to continue offering our unique content in these confounding times? The fact that, along with our audiences and members, our individual donors, corporate sponsors and institutional funders have continued to believe and invest in our organization, supporting us and pivoting with us this year in impressive numbers. Our motto - We do it for you. We can’t do it without you! - has a particular resonance in this year of all years.

Q:  You're about to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the MSP International Film Festival. Congratulations!  Any memorable milestones you'd like to share? 

A:  The annual MSP International Film Festival is a singular and significant cultural event, introducing films and filmmakers from across the globe, as well as local filmmakers, to Minnesota audiences. Each year our festival presents some 250 new documentary and narrative feature length and short films representing more than 100 cultures and countries, films that are otherwise simply not available to audiences in the region.

Over its 40 years, visiting guests have included directors, actors and film artists of note such as Louis Malle, Jean-Luc Goddard, Werner Herzog, Terry Gilliam, Deepa Mehta, Agnieczka Holland, Tippi Hedren, Steve James, the Coen Brothers, and so many others. Most often, however, our guests are emerging filmmakers, whose films we discover at festivals around the world, who are gathering critical acclaim and awards, and who are on a path to making names for themselves. In recent years we have presented films by and hosted promising new filmmakers from countries with longstanding film industries like Canada, Mexico, France, Spain, India, Iran, England, The Czech Republic, Poland, China, Japan and Germany, but also and importantly from countries with lesser-known or burgeoning industries including Iceland, Finland, Cuba, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, Algeria, Turkey, The Balkans, Greece, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Argentina, Australia and Chile, to name a few.

This spring, we will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the MSP International Film Festival. How could we not? It will simply look a little different from the event that we had anticipated a short year ago. Holding no illusions that we can safely return to the St. Anthony Main Theatre complex this spring, we have decided to move forward with plans for a virtual/hybrid MSPIFF40. Of course, we hear from many of our members and patrons that they cannot wait to see our films again in a darkened theater in the company of friends and strangers. On the other hand, we hear from many of the same that they have sought out inspiration, and even solace, from our virtual film offerings. And in this year of seclusion, when those of us who so love to travel the world cannot, we are proud to offer the next best thing: a little virtual global travel from the comfort of your living room. 

MSPIFF40, slated for May 13-25, 2021, will be hosted primarily on our virtual platform at mspfilm.org, but we are also planning some in-person outdoor events, if COVID-19 restrictions allow. Since the summer, and as we always do, we have been culling the offerings at national and international film festivals - many of which have also gone virtual this year - to find the best new films to bring to our audiences. And we have received nearly 1000 film submissions, each of which our selection committee will view. We anticipate an exciting line-up of some 100 new documentary and narrative films, and 100 shorts, representing as many cultures and countries, and scores of virtual conversations with filmmakers from around the globe. 

Q:  How does the Board of Directors interact or assist with your mission? 

A:  All members of our Board of Directors (currently 16) play key roles in strategic planning and financial oversight, and as ambassadors, advisors, advocates, promoters of our mission and vision, and as sponsors of our programs. Board terms are three years, renewable once. All of our past Board members remain invested in our organization in many ways, joining our Industry Advisory Council of 25 individuals who live around the world and work in the global film industry, whose role is to connect us with and advocate on our behalf within that industry. Others serve on our active Cine Global Advisory Group, now counting 100+ Minnesota residents representing some 50 countries and cultures, who are academics, transplants working for multinational companies, community leaders, activists, diplomats and others with an interest in and knowledge of international film.

Q:  Tell us more about the Filmmaker Conversations.

A:  Our Filmmaker Conversations happen live on Zoom. They are free to anyone and registration links can be found on the page for each film/event. Here is a link to an upcoming conversation for the film First Daughter and the Black Snake, which is part of The Great Northern festival.

These conversations are also simulcast live on Facebook, which anyone who follows us can access on their own feed, or find by going to our page. Some of our ongoing programs and special screening series have their own pages on MSPfilm.org and anyone can register to join the zoom conversations: We the People: Required Watching, The Great Northern: Climate Action Films.

Also, past conversations are archived and available for viewing anytime on MSP Film Society's Facebook page  and our YouTube channel.

Q:  Are there volunteer opportunities now?

A:  Yes, especially as we move deeper into planning and presenting the 40th anniversary of MSPIFF. We have always relied on our enthusiastic volunteers to help us present MSPIFF, in a variety of capacities from marketing to promotions to operations to programming assistance, and this year will be no different. Anyone who is interested in joining us should reach out to info@mspfilm.org.

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  We keep our website up to date and please do follow us on social media: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter! We also have a weekly eNewsletter – sign up on our website to follow our news.

Small Business Spotlight: The Greenery Minneapolis Plant Shop & Mercantile

Article by Becky Fillinger

Meet Melissa (Mel) Anderson, owner of The Greenery Minneapolis Plant Shop & Mercantile, a stellar new small business addition to the Mill District at 1029 Washington Avenue S. Visit Mel’s shop to find items to create a home sanctuary for the cold winter season ahead of us. 

Melissa AndersonQ:  What about the Mill District appealed to you for a new business location? 

A:  I've always loved downtown. The beauty of the Mill District is that although you still get the hustle and bustle of downtown, it's actually quite peaceful here. Honestly, it was by sheer serendipity that I got this space! My lease was nearing its end at Midtown Global Market and I saw an ad while weighing my options. I wasn't sure if it would even be possible but I cast my hook and the management at Green Rock bit. Turns out this was everything I'd imagined and more. The neighborhood is clearly growing and everyone has given me such a warm welcome - plus the windows in this space are hard to beat for all the plants.

Q:  You’re a Native entrepreneur. Is it important to you as an indigenous small business owner to incorporate under-represented cultural perspectives into your business?

A:  Indeed. Thank you for asking this question. I myself am both Lac Courte Oreilles and White Earth Ojibwe. I understand that I've been given the opportunity to set an example, change the narrative, and shift the perspective on what a modern female Native entrepreneur looks like. As the space progresses and while the primary focus will still be a plant shop, I wanted to provide the same opportunity for other makers to have a platform to showcase their work since I have more than enough space in what will become the Mercantile piece of the store. Collectively, Natives are multifaceted and have a wide variety of interests outside of stereotypes and I want the shop to be reflective of that. Not only will there be works by other Native entrepreneurs, but it will be open to BIPOC and LGBTQIA makers as well.

Q:  We’re looking forward to seeing the build out of the Mercantile! What merchandise or goods are offered at The Greenery Minneapolis Plant Shop & Mercantile?

A:  We will always have an assortment of houseplants, pots, soils and plant care products. As our build out progresses, our vendors will offer a wide variety of goods, from macramé pieces, bath and body products, teas, tinctures and art. It will be an ever-changing piece of the store as we have rotating vendors. You'll have to come in and see what's new each time. Each vendor handcrafts their products and no two pieces will be alike. By early spring we will be offering cut flowers and vases to make your own bouquets. It's going to be a labor of love.

Q:  Making our homes more of a sanctuary is more important than ever. Do you believe that plants can help?

A:  Yes! They are the epitome of bringing the outdoors in and caring for something, through nurturing and watching it grow. It's a never-ending learning process to find the plant that works for you, and you'll find that people bond over plants and nearly everyone who has a plant, has a plant story. Whether it's been gifted, they still have it from a beloved family member's service from years ago, or they propagated it themselves. Plants do bring a sense of wellbeing, can bring a feeling of pride, and they will always be in style. Plants defy trends.

Q:  Will you have any Grand Opening specials? 

A:  We will! Since the pandemic has turned everything upside down, we're hoping things open up enough to allow us to have our Grand Opening this spring. Stay tuned!

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  Instagram, Instagram, Instagram! @thegreenerympls, also Facebook.

The Mill City Times Interview: Adam Regn Arvidson, Author of Wild and Rare: Tracking Endangered Species in the Upper Midwest

Article by Becky Fillinger

Adam Regn ArvidsonDid you know that we have 19 endangered species in Minnesota? Adam Regn Arvidson has put together a history of these species in his new book, which by the way, makes an excellent holiday gift. We talked to him about why we should all care about endangered species and how individuals can get involved. 

Q:  Tell us how you got interested in Minnesota and Midwest endangered species. 

A:  The idea for the book began in Ely, Minnesota. I was visiting the International Wolf Center there on assignment for a design magazine and I got intrigued by the permanent exhibit there about wolves and humans. That evening, I continued down the proverbial rabbit hole a bit and ended up researching what other species were on the federal endangered species list. I love lists...and this list turned out to be a very broad picture of the state’s landscape. It had species from every biome, from every corner of the state, and of every type. It also illustrated the many ways humans and animals and plant come into relationship - or conflict. I understood, seeing that list, that this could be a way to illustrate the landscape of the Midwest: by profiling each species in turn. I connected with a few scientists early on and was off and running.

Adam enjoying nature with his sons.

Q:  Did becoming a father sharpen or focus your thoughts on regional or global environmental issues?

A:  I was just beginning the early stages of book research when my oldest son Ethan was born, in 2008. Mason followed three years later. So, in many ways my eyes were very much on lesser-known, underappreciated plants and animals, at the same time I was witnessing first smiles, first steps, and first words. My boys do appear in the book, because an author necessarily blurs boundaries between “research” and “family trips.” They both first camped at Nerstrand Woods, where the dwarf trout lily grows. They went with me and my wife to the Boundary Waters, where wolves and lynx can be found.

As I talked with them about these landscapes, taught them the names of trees and plants and animals, sat quietly in the woods with them listening for - hoping for - the tiny sounds of rare animals, I of course was thinking about the longevity of the landscape around them. Would they see the same richness in their adulthood? Would they be more likely to see a list of extinctions than of living beings?

The Canada lynx is on Minnesota's endangered species list

Minnesota dwarf trout lily

Counting dwarf trout lilies

There are currently five species of mussels listed as endangered in Minnesota

Q:  You've written a book on the subject, Wild and Rare: Tracking Endangered Species in the Upper Midwest. How long did it take you to document the species on the endangered species list?   

A:  When I first looked at the list that evening in Ely, there were 12 Minnesota species on the Federal list. It took me eight years to research the book, and another year and a half to write it. Upon publication, the Minnesota list had grown to 19. With the pending delisting of the wolf, that could drop to 18 (though there are already lawsuits in the wings attempting to overturn that delisting).

Searching for Leedy's roseroot can be an adventure!

Q:  I enjoyed hearing you speak recently on tracking the Leedy's roseroot in Southeastern Minnesota, one of the species highlighted in your book. You had to trek through a river bed, climb a sheer rock wall with helmets to study the plant. What do you say to people who think this plant serves no purpose in the grand scheme of life and that it does not deserve our attention?   

Western prairie fringed orchidA:  This is probably the central question of the book. It is one I asked every scientist, enthusiast, policy-maker, and volunteer I encountered: Why does this species matter? Why does that cliff-hanging sedum, the tiny minnow, a prairie plant, or a sedentary butterfly matter in the grand scheme of things. Their answers were incredibly varied, ranging from the scientific (it is here for us to learn about and from) to the practical (what if there are undiscovered pharmaceuticals?) to the religious (these are gifts from God, which we must protect) to the aesthetic (the woods/prairie would not be as beautiful or as powerful or as healing without all its components). To truly unpack this, you’ll need to read the book, because each species has a little different nuance. But where I mainly land is this: What kind of species do humans want to be? One that eliminates other species from our world, or one that protects and stewards them? How do we want to be judged as a species?

Q:  Does your book provide us with steps to take to assist these fragile species?

A:  In some cases, yes. Some species have either such tiny ranges or have issues that are so complex that there are few small actions people can take. Others, like migrating butterflies and the rusty-patched bumblebee, can benefit from even small patches of (chemical-free) prairie in our yards - yes, even in the city! What these species all need from us, though, is enthusiasm that leads to advocacy. The Endangered Species Act has been under threat by a Congress that sees it as a hindrance to economic development. What can we all do? Anyone can stand up for the Act and the species. Anyone can volunteer with the DNR to help with the foundational studies that chart the way forward to sustain these plants and animals. Anyone can show a friend or family member the dwarf trout lilies at Nerstrand and inspire the next advocate.

Q:  Is the gray wolf on or off the endangered species list at this time?

A:  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officially published on November 3 the delisting of the gray wolf in the lower 48 states (it was announced earlier, just before the presidential election). The rule becomes effective on January 4, at which time the protection of the gray wolf will fall to the states. Six conservation groups have filed an intent to sue to block that ruling. Under the endangered species act, lawsuits must be preceded by an “intent to sue” that runs for 60 days. If the USFWS offers no remedy during that 60 days, the suits will go forward. The 60-day intent to sue deadline is January 2nd. So...the wolf is currently ON the list, but will go OFF the list on January 4 barring any legal injunctions before then.

Q:  Is your book available for purchase locally and if so, are you available to sign the books for gift giving? I think it would appeal to park enthusiasts, scientists, ecologists, environmentalists, boy and girl scouts – I could go on and on.

A:  Pretty much any local bookstore will be able to order the book (please support your local bookstore!). Magers and Quinn Booksellers and Moon Palace Books definitely have copies in stock last I checked. There are a limited number of signed copies at Magers and Quinn. It’s unlikely I will be able to sign individual books around the holidays due to the pandemic logistics.

Q:  You have another job - what are your responsibilities on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board?

A:  As the Director of Strategic Planning, I am responsible for a team that manages all the long-range, large scale planning of the entire park system. We lead extensive community engagement efforts to create master plans for parks, and to envision the future of the roughly 6800 acres of land in the Minneapolis system. I also oversee the real estate function of the park board and am involved in ongoing land acquisition to close historic gaps in park service, especially along the Mississippi in north/northeast Minneapolis and the “missing link” of the Grand Rounds in northeast/southeast. I am also heavily engaged in our racial equity work as a member of the racial equity guidance team, co-author of the racial equity action plan, and manager of the data metrics we use to make equitable decisions about capital improvements in the parks.

Q:  How can we stay up to date with you and your writings?

A:  I’m not writing a ton these days, as my park board responsibilities are my focus at the moment. However, you can reach out on Facebook or follow me on Instagram.

Small Business Spotlight: Maricela Gallarzo, Co-owner, Planet Smoothie

Article by Becky Fillinger

Meet a resilient and hardworking business person – Maricela Gallarzo, co-owner of Planet Smoothie. Her business is open every day – that’s right, she and her family keep the shop open for us all seven days of the week to enjoy healthy and delicious smoothies! We talked to her about her immigration story, finding a new business opportunity and staying focused during the COVID-19 pandemic.

No time to read? Below is a video clip of Maricela discussing their offerings, their approach involving family, and the dream of working hard to make the business a success.

Planet Smoothie is located in Gaviidae Common, 651 Nicollet Mall

Q:  Like you, Maricela, I did not grow up in Minnesota. Please tell us about your journey that brought you to live in Minnesota. 

A:  I emigrated from Mexico in 1997. We moved to Minnesota in 2000. I became a US Citizen in 2002. I met my husband in Chicago - we got married and had our first child. My husband’s family was in Minnesota already, so we decided to move so that our son Jonathan could grow up with his grandparents. We also heard that Minnesota was a great state to live in. I’m so happy we made the decision because we love Minnesota.

Q:  How did you become interested in a Planet Smoothie franchise?

A:  For many years my husband and I had been operating a cleaning franchise. We wanted to do something different for our family, but at the same time offer something helpful to the community. While everyone was eating breakfast one day, my husband was searching for a franchise opportunity that has never been based in Minnesota – Planet Smoothie came up and it got our attention. We made a couple of calls to the corporate headquarters. We went to Arizona for one day – just to try the smoothies to see if we really wanted to bring it to Minnesota. We ended up LOVING the flavors and the healthy concept. So, knowing that Minnesota is a healthy state and a huge fan of smoothies, we decided to take the plunge.

Q:  You're the only Planet Smoothie franchise in Minnesota. Was it difficult to convince the company to bring their brand to Minneapolis? 

A:  If I’m being honest, no it wasn’t hard. It went really smoothly (no pun intended). They were aware of Minnesota’s healthy reputation and knew it was a good fit.

Q:  Why do you think Planet Smoothie is better than other smoothie brands? 

A:  Planet Smoothie sets itself apart by providing better-for-you products that are blended with whole food ingredients. Our smoothies are generally lower-calorie and lower-sugar and we offer a wide variety of options to fit different tastes and lifestyles. We are also happy to customize any smoothie to fit your personal preferences. Come see for yourself that we have the best tasting smoothie on the planet!

Q:  How have you adapted to COVID-19?

A:  We’re trying to stay safe with everything going on. As far as business goes, we are diligent that everything must be clean/sanitized, and we wash our hands after everything we touch. We also use gloves while making the smoothies and everyone is required to wear a mask. We don’t allow more than five people in the store at any one time

Q:  Do you have any holiday specials?

A:  Yes, from December 11 - 20, you can take $1 off any dragon fruit smoothie! We are also running a gift card promotion on planetsmoothie.com for a bonus $15 gift card when you buy $50 in gift cards.

Q:  Does your family help with the business?

A:  Yes, every day. I have 100% support from my family.

Q:  How can we follow your business? What are the hours for the business?

A:  You can follow us on Instagram and Facebook. We are open every day in Gaviidae Common, 651 Nicollet Mall. You may order online and pick up your smoothie when you arrive. Come see us!

Mon-Fri: 7am-6pm

Sat: 8am-6pm

Sun: 10:30am-6pm 

Phone: 612-339-2283, Email: planetsmoothiemn@gmail.com

Episode 4 of Milling About with Brianna Rose Airs December 17

Article by Becky Fillinger

Brianna RoseThe December episode of Milling About with Brianna Rose will first air on Thursday, December 17 at 8PM on MCN6. The show replays for a month on every Thursday and Friday at 8PM and Monday and Tuesday at 5PM. The December show is chock full of interesting speakers and information:

Martha Archer, Executive Director of the Mill City Farmers Market. Martha tells us all about the plans for Winter markets and the safety protocols put in place for shoppers and vendors. Looking for a unique holiday gift? Check out the show and the market blog for inspiration.

Simon Parrish, owner of the Northeast Tea House gives us his take on creating an urban oasis dedicated to the joy of tea service. Our Small Business Spotlight highlights how his shop is one of few producing fresh matcha and the gongfu service is guaranteed to produce a sense of calm into your day.

Kristy Ornelas, Americorps VISTA service member, Mississippi Park Connection tells us about her project highlighting Women of the Mississippi. Some background: The National Park Service challenged our parks to recognize contributions made by women. Also, the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment occurred this year. Those two events, combined with her love of the river, led Kristy to put together the interactive Women of the Mississippi project. She tells us all about it in this segment of the show.

Our resident historian Michael Rainville, Jr. tells us about the earliest Holidazzle, as well as the first public Christmas tree in Minneapolis, which was lit 107 years ago in Gateway Park.

Who doesn’t love stories about a local hero, or two? Blaine Police Officer Reggie Larson and his canine partner, Rex, were recently awarded the United States Police Canine Association’s National Case of the Year. I know you’re curious to learn more about this one – tune in for the full story! 

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