The Mill City Times Interview: Lisa Keitel, Mississippi National River and Recreation Area National Park Volunteer and Minnesota Master Naturalist

Article by Becky Fillinger

Lisa KeitelWe met up with Lisa Keitel at her Listening Program at Coldwater Spring. She shares with us the history and programs at this very beautiful, accessible local park.

Q:  Can you tell us the history of Coldwater Spring?

This area at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers has been a significant and important place for eons. That is one of the reasons it is special to me. It is a place I visit often. It is part of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area National Park. MNRRA is a national park running 72 miles along the Mississippi River corridor.

Here is further information from the MNRRA website:

Unlike most other national parks, the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is a "partnership" park. The park owns only 67 acres of the 54,000 acres within our borders. The rest is composed of city parks, regional parks, a state park, a national wildlife refuge, state scientific and natural areas, along with private businesses and homes. We work in partnership with those other units of government to bring additional services to both them and visitors and to preserve and protect the natural and cultural history of this great river.

This area served as an important crossroads for Native Americans and traders using both the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers for commerce and travel.

During the construction of Fort Snelling U.S. soldiers camped at Coldwater Spring, making it the first American settlement in Minnesota. By 1825, construction of the fort had been completed and soldiers had moved from Coldwater into the fort. The area around the spring, however, continued to attract traders, Native Americans, and a small village developed that serviced the trade at the site.

The spring also continued to provide water to the new fort and the later Upper Post. The fort initially relied on horse-drawn water wagons and eventually railcars to deliver water from Coldwater Spring up until the 1870s. By 1879, the fort was expanded under Secretary of War, Alexander Ramsey. The fort's expansion demanded a more efficient water supply system and, in 1880, the Army established a formal waterworks at the spring. Coldwater served as the water source for the Army until the 1920s when the Army turned to the City of Saint Paul to supply water for the fort. The property was last home to the Bureau of Mines: Twin Cities Research Center. The buildings were constructed primarily during the late 1950's through the early 1960's.The Research Center developed significant mining safety equipment, mining technologies and mineral extraction processes used worldwide. The labs there also analyzed the composition of some of the moon rocks brought to Earth by the Apollo moonshot missions. Federal funding for the Bureau of Mines was permanently eliminated in 1996; by 1997 the buildings were vacated and gradually fell into disrepair. They remained vacant until their demolition in 2011.

Coldwater Spring was added to the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area in January 2010, with the goal of restoring the landscape to an oak savanna/prairie complex. An extensive renovation, which included the removal of twelve buildings and the restoration and seeding of twelve acres of prairie and one acre of wetlands, began in early 2011 and was largely completed by August 31, 2012. During the course of the restoration more than 1,000 trees, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers were planted on the property. The restoration work, however, will continue for many years.

Q:  You lead a listening tour at Coldwater Spring. What is the goal of that program?

Creation of the Listen to Coldwater program was a way to get folks out to the park, in small groups, safely, to explore nature in a new way. I am a birder, and leading bird walks during COVID-19 was, and is, not safe. A group, even a small group, walking around together tends to clump close together. And if I am trying to point out a bird, it is most helpful if you can stand next to me and get the same field of view. I thought about how to be outside safely. Sitting socially distant and paying attention to the birds that are in the area would work. In Listening to Coldwater, we talk about softening your senses and broadening your vision to full field of view. We tune into our hearing, acknowledge the loudest sounds, and set that aside. We listen for more - the softest sound or the bird call that is furthest away. We sit in silence for 10 minutes and I point out the various bird calls or squirrel chatter and the direction the sound is coming from. I’ll write what we are hearing on a white board. At the end of our quiet time, I’ll talk more about the birds we heard. It’s always a little risky, we are at the mercy of the birds flying by and sometimes it is very quiet. My favorite this season was hearing and identifying the squeaky bike wheel.

Q:  You're a Master Naturalist. Please tell us about this credential - how did you become one?

The Minnesota Master Naturalist program is offered through the University of Minnesota Extension. It involves 40 hours of course work – classroom training and field trips - about one of the three major biomes in the state. “Big Woods, Big Rivers” focuses on the diagonal biome from the southeast to the northwest portion of the state and the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers. “Prairies and Potholes” focuses on the prairie lands in the west and southwest part of the state. “North Woods, Great Lakes” is just that, the northland and Lake Superior.

Volunteers work 40 hours or more each year in a variety of ways. Stewardship Projects involve activities such as invasive species removal or restoration projects.

Education/Interpretive Projects include public presentations of natural resource information, educational materials development, or leading hikes.

Citizen Science Projects have volunteers gathering data and returning it to researchers to support the research projects – such as Monarch larval monitoring, plant or animal counts, eBird, or water quality monitoring.

My volunteer hours are primarily in Education and Outreach. I love sharing what I know about birds and what I have learned about our region to all ages. Being with people as they get that spark of insight or sight of a new bird gives me great joy.

I am a volunteer with the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. I work with the park and their nonprofit partner, Mississippi Park Connection. MPC strengthens a life-long connection between people and the Mississippi River through youth education, environmental stewardship and community engagement.  

Q:  What wildlife are we likely to encounter at Coldwater Spring?

Coldwater Spring is a great place for wildlife viewing. The birds are amazing. It is a consistent spot for seeing the brilliant blue Indigo Bunting in the summer. Many interesting (and hard to identify) sparrows find the restored oak savannah and open prairie a critical stopover during spring and fall migration. The hawks, Turkey Vultures and Bald Eagles are often seen soaring overhead. Deer, coyotes, and turkeys are frequent visitors.

Q:  Is Coldwater Spring open year-round?

Yes. Coldwater Spring is open 6am to 10pm all year. Visit it all at all times of the year! The open areas with leafless trees in the late winter makes birding a bit easier. Comparing the early spring prairie to the full-blown late summer bloom of prairie wildflowers is breathtaking. Winter gives you a chance to see what has been traveling the trails with their tracks in the snow.

Q:  How can we follow what is happening at Coldwater Spring? 

Check out two new announcements! I recommend you give the hiking trails a try and also help us with the bird count. 

New Hiking Trail Loops at Coldwater Spring

These new trail loop descriptions from the National Park Service are practically poetic! Let them whisk you away to a serene naturescape, then whisk yourself away to Coldwater Spring to experience them in person. Explore tallgrass prairie and the historic springhouse on the Baltimore Oriole Loop, oak woodland and bluff top oak savanna restoration on the Scarlet Tanager Loop, and the Mississippi River floodplain on the Indigo Bunting Loop. For trail loop descriptions and map: https://parkconnection.org/blog/2020/10/new-hiking-trail-coldwater-spring-minnesota.

Global Big Day at Coldwater Spring

Coldwater Spring, 5601 Minnehaha Park Drive S. Saturday, October 17, 8 am – 4 pm

Help the National Park Service identify birds at Coldwater Spring using eBird, a free app that will help them collect a one-day snapshot of birding populations on a global scale. This activity is great for novices, pros and everyone in between. For information: https://parkconnection.org/events/2020/10/17/global-big-day.

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About Becky Fillinger

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

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

A Glorious Week for our Local Plein Air Artists!

Article by Becky Fillinger

Take a walk across the Stone Arch Bridge and you’ll often see plein air artists at work. While on a walk one morning during this past beautiful week, I found three working at their craft on the Marcy Holmes side of the bridge.

Shelly Hall told me that this bonus week of wonderful temperatures and colors must be appreciated. She noted that for her, plein air painting will be coming to a close as the weather cools. “Enjoy nature – it is the most healing thing we have now.” Smart advice from Hall.

Shelly Hall

Artist James Turner said that day’s light was perfect, and added “The sunshine illuminated and bounced off dogs, people, buildings and the bridge.”  He told me that the three artists I spoke with are members of two plein air artist organizations - the OPM - Outdoor Painters of Minnesota and the Minnesota Figure Study Collaborative.

James Turner

Georgia Kandiko is mostly a studio painter (an award-winning and juried painter) but loves the comraderie of plein air artists. “It is really fun to be out here creating and collaborating with my friends!”

Georgia Kandiko

Take the advice of these creative painters – enjoy this windfall weather we’re experiencing – and stop and talk to these masters along the way. 

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About Becky Fillinger

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

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

Statement Boutique in the North Loop is One of Many Retailers Offering Fashionopolis Week Specials Thru October 11

Article by Becky Fillinger

Fashionopolis Week kicked off on October 5 and runs through October 11. Check out the full list of over 35 participating retailers to shop for local deals and savings. TCF Bank is a major sponsor of the event and notes that small businesses are the backbone of our community, and encourages us all to shop in our own neighborhood.

Mill City Times dropped in on Statement Boutique in the North Loop at 212 3rd Avenue N to speak with owner Molly Blanski. Molly welcomes everyone to come by and shop her boutique’s collections. (If you are uncomfortable entering the store, they offer curbside pickup.) She stocks fashions from some of the best female creativists in Minneapolis - all of their graphic t-shirts and sweatshirts are locally made by amazing women. 

In the photo below, she shows us fashions from Monique Maxwell and Michelle Brusegaard.

Need election-inspired jewelry? She has that, too!

Molly is very impressed with the effort that MSP Magazine put into the week of events. “They have orchestrated an event that supports local businesses in a safe way. 2020 required creative approaches to the event and they have succeeded.” Statement Boutique is fully stocked and celebrating Fashionopolis with a sale - save 20% on Fall fashions in the store through Sunday, October 11.  

Other North Loop retailers participating in Fashionopolis include D.Nolo, MartinPatrick3 and Queen Anna House of Fashion.

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About Becky Fillinger

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

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

The Mill City Times Interview: Chefs Sammy McDowell and Jocie Thomas on Their Version of the Ghost Kitchen Concept

Article by Becky Fillinger

Ghost kitchens, professional cooking facilities set up for the preparation of delivery-only meals, have arrived in the Twin Cities. Last week saw the announcement of Kenwood Food & Beverage housing four restaurants out of one Uptown location - Chicken Republic, Venice Salads & Bowls, Shakee Shakee and Red Cow. Other local ghost kitchen collaborations are less ambitious but every bit as pioneering to the partners involved. We talked to Chefs Jocie Thomas of Gravy Babies and Sammy McDowell of Sammy’s Avenue Eatery about their version of the ghost kitchen concept.

Sammy McDowell of Sammy’s Avenue Eatery and Jocie Thomas of Gravy Babies

Q:  Sammy, you’re hosting Gravy Babies out of your restaurant. Why was this important to you?

Sammy:  I realized that small minority restaurant businesses may not have the resources to launch a fully independent restaurant. So, we use one location to house multiple restaurants to reduce overhead costs for everyone, and we can also offer different cuisines to our community and fan base. Gravy Babies happens to be our first one!

Q:  Jocie, is this your first restaurant venture?

Jocie:  No, I was the owner of The Cozy Kitchen in St. Paul. It was a one woman show – looking back I needed a solid team and it didn’t help that the rent doubled on my space. I wasn’t prepared for the increasing expenses and all the roles I had to play.

Q:  How did this collaboration come about?

Jocie:  Sammy was a customer of mine and he loved my “Southern-style Slap Yo Mamma” cooking. He asked if I was interested in doing a collaboration that would allow me to test the waters again.

Q:  How does the ghost kitchen concept work for you two?

Jocie:  Sammy allows me to use his kitchen on Sundays. We start at 11AM and end around 4PM. The menu changes weekly and I’ll post the upcoming food choices on Facebook. I also send out mass texts to all my followers. We offer mainly takeaway, but also offer delivery and some people choose to dine in. Sammy not only lets me use his facility, he’s there taking orders and bagging meals to go. When it is super busy for me, he limits the number of orders he’ll take for his own business. I’m so very grateful for this overwhelmingly kind gesture from Sammy.

Sample of a Gravy Babies' Sunday Supper. This one featured oven roasted turkey and dressing with all kinds of sides. Some serious comfort food!

Q:  What would you like to tell other restaurant owners who might be hesitant to venture into ghost kitchening?

Jocie:  Start small with a few items that you have perfected – you want to have a following. For me, peach cobbler was a tried and true item. Also, any meat that I cook, smothered in gravy, is a hit item. Most critical, find a good partner – someone who of course is interested in a successful business venture, but who also cares about people and the community. For me, the collaboration is going great. I can see old faces from the Cozy Kitchen and meet new customers from Sammy’s base. I bring in new business for Sammy – it’s so good for both of us.

Sammy:  This has been a very pleasant journey for me. I’ve been able to learn, grow and expand into other cuisines. It is also very cost effective during the COVID-19 pandemic. If it creates more options for your customer base, how can it be anything but good?

My next collaboration is with Aaliyah Rose of Miss Garrett’s Vegan Soul – she’ll ghost kitchen out of our Central location on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Check out all this good food that we’re making in one location! Call 612-236-4882 to order!

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About Becky Fillinger

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

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

Episode 2 of Milling About with Brianna Rose to air October 15

Article by Becky Fillinger

Brianna RoseMill City Times is continuing our adventure with cable television. The first episode of Milling About with Brianna Rose debuted on September 17, and we apologize that many of you were unable to view it on that date as the time slots were changed. We promise to do a better job of informing our audience of all changes. Additional viewing opportunities for Episode One on MCN6 are scheduled for the following dates and times: October 5 and 6 at 5PM, October 8 and 9 at 8PM, October 12 and 13 at 5PM.

The second episode of Milling About with Brianna Rose will first air on MCN6 on Thursday, October 15, at 8:00 PM. Replays follow for one month from the first air date on Thursdays and Fridays at 8PM, and Monday and Tuesdays at 5PM. The second episode will feature content you’ll want to see:

• Martha Archer, Executive Director of the Mill City Farmers Market 
• Toby Grace, local comedian
• Sarah Peters, Director of Northern Lights MN
• Claudia Kittock, Board President of Be That Neighbor, and Neighbor of the Month, Iqbal Abdi
• Michael Rainville, Jr., with a history of the Beltrami Park/Maple Hill Cemetery
• Xiaoteng “X” Huang of Pinku Japanese Street Food

What topics would you like to see this show cover? We like to feature local entertainers, small businesses, neighborhood stories, Mississippi River connections, local food producers and history - but are open to suggestions! Please email Becky Fillinger, producer, at becky_fillinger@hotmail.com to suggest ideas or be a guest on the show.

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About Becky Fillinger

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

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

The Mill City Times Interview: Dr. Elaine Evans, Assistant Extension Professor and Bee Researcher, University of Minnesota

Article by Becky Fillinger

The Department of Entomology at the University of Minnesota has maintained an internationally recognized research, teaching and outreach program on honey bees for 102 years! We talked to Dr. Elaine Evans, Assistant Extension Professor and Bee Researcher, to find out what we can do to help protect our precious pollinators.

Dr. Elaine Evans

Q:  What should Minneapolis residents do to help the bees in winter? Any yard or garden preparations?

A:  Please leave the leaves. Don't cut back perennial stems until next spring. Leaving a layer of leaves on top of the ground can help to insulate bees as they spend the winter underground. Other bees nest in stems and won't be emerging until spring or early summer. They need their stems. You can also create stick and leaf piles in untended corners of your garden to help create areas for bumble bees to live next year.

Q:  What types of bees are in Minnesota?

A: Minnesota has over 460 different species of bees. They vary greatly in size and include every color of the rainbow. We have bumble bees, leaf-cutter bees, sweat bees, plasterer bees, oil bees, carder bees, blood bees, yellow masked bees, mining bees, and many others.

Q:  Have we lost pollinators locally?

A:  We don't know the status of most of our bees. The bee group we know the most about are bumble bees. One out of three bumble bee species in Minnesota is of conservation concern. This is seven out of twenty-three species. Only one has official protection as a federally declared endangered species: the rusty patched bumble bee. This is also our state bee! We do still see rusty patched bumble bees in Minnesota, but their populations have dropped dramatically compared to twenty plus years ago. In contrast, Ashton's cuckoo bumble bee has not been seen anywhere in Minnesota since the late 1990s.

Q:  How can we stay current with your work at the UMN Bee Lab?

A:  There are many ways! To keep up with what we are doing at the UMN Bee Lab, you can subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and two Twitter accounts - https://twitter.com/CariveauLab and https://twitter.com/UMNBeeLab_Squad. 

I can also recommend a couple great podcasts that focus on pollinators:

The Bee Report, http://thebeereport.buzzsprout.com/

PolliNation, http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/pollinationpodcast/

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About Becky Fillinger

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

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

The Mill City Times Interview: Kristy Ornelas, Project Coordinator for Women of the Mississippi

Article by Becky Fillinger

The National Park Service (NPS) made a call out to highlight women’s influence on parks - “the visionaries and trailblazers who dared to imagine a different future” - in celebration of the centennial anniversary of the 19th Amendment. Locally, the Mississippi Park Connection (MPC) and Mississippi National River and Recreation Area answered the call by collecting the stories and highlighting the women who’ve had an impact on the Mississippi River, which became Women of the Mississippi River. Kristy Ornelas, AmeriCorps VISTA Service Member, tells us about the genesis of the project and how the resulting interactive map and stories continue to grow. We wish her all good things in her emerging career. 

Kristy Ornelas 

Q:  Kristy, I know you’ve been involved in a very interesting project. Please tell our readers about the Women of the Mississippi project.

A:  This project is very much a collaboration between Mississippi Park Connection (MPC), my employer, and the National Park Service (NPS). The Women of the Mississippi River project commemorates the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment by highlighting women who have had great impact on the Mississippi River in Minnesota, particularly in the Twin Cities corridor. Our aim is to contribute to the larger narrative of the history and interpretation of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. In 2018, I did a semester on the river (called River Semester at Augsburg University) paddling her for 100 days and it was the worst -  and the best - experience of my life thus far. I discovered a passion I never knew existed within me and that journey changed my whole life. Since then I have sought out stories and people that can relate to my experiences because before that semester, I thought the outdoors was not a place for people that look like me. That is simply not true! That is why this project is so important to me, because it will hopefully help others see that the Mississippi River and her surroundings were influenced by not only women, but women of color. They, too, have a space in the outdoors and have contributed to all her glory. Their stories must be heard, acknowledged, and shared.

Q:  How did you come to work on this project? Did you design it?

A:  At the start of 2020, the National Park Service made a call for parks across the nation to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. All across the country, parks are commemorating in their own way. Locally, this inspired us to look for stories about women connected to the Mississippi River, and thus came the Women of the Mississippi River. Anna Waugh, my direct supervisor, had started collecting names of individuals who impacted the River. She also had some volunteers who had agreed to write some stories. When I began my service year as an AmeriCorps VISTA member at Mississippi Park Connection, Anna handed the project over to me. When I took over the project, I began coordinating more volunteers, getting more names, and decided the direction of the project. I envisioned an interactive map and NPS staff helped me achieve just that and improve my project.

Ramona Kitto StatelyQ:  The interactive map is such an interesting and useful tool – congratulations! Did you interview the living representatives mentioned in the project?

A:  Thank you. Yes! I personally interviewed Ramona Kitto Stately and Congresswoman Betty McCollum who were both amazing and have incredible stories. Some of the volunteers also interviewed women such as Peggy Lucas and Sharon Sayles Belton. A lot of the women are historical figures and thus could not be interviewed, but the volunteers did an incredible job researching them.

My interview with Ramona Kitto Stately impacted how I view the river and made me rethink everything I had learned about Minnesota history. Conversations with her always left me with questions about what else textbooks had left out and what textbooks had lied about. Her story made me respect the water for all that it is. The Mississippi River is not just a body of water, but rather an entity with her own story that has also been colonized. Ramona showed me there is still so much I have to learn about the land we call our home and about my own identity. I am extremely grateful to and for her.

Betty McCollumCongresswoman McCollum inspired me to want to keep working on environmental efforts. Her story reinforced what Ramona had taught me, that the river we all love has her own story. Congresswoman McCollum’s story taught me the amount of work that has been put into the river and not only the importance of it, but its impact as well.

Q:  How is the project funded?

A:  Mississippi Park Connection felt that this was an important project to invest in. The funding came through the generous support of our donors and members. People volunteered to research and write the stories and we very much appreciate it because The Women of the Mississippi River project would not be possible without them. If you’d like to donate or become a volunteer, you can learn more on our website parkconnection.org.

Q:  How are you letting the public know about the project?

A:  MPC’s Instagram has several posts promoting the project and there are some occasionally on our Facebook page too. One of our posts had a comment from a teacher who was excited to share this project with his students. That validated my hopes for this project! I was super excited to read that and realize the potential of this project as a teaching tool. It is also featured on MPC’s monthly newsletter. There are also several opportunities for people to find out about our volunteer opportunities in the park while social distancing. The project is also hosted on the National Park Service page and we are hoping that more media outlets will pick it up. We also look forward to park rangers incorporating these stories into their interpretative talks on their tours such as the Lock and Dam other programs on the river. We’ll post updates on the project on our social media and at the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area National Park site, too.

Q:  Kristy, what's next for you?

A:  The hope for the Women of the Mississippi River project is that it continues to grow and inform. As for me, I will finish my AmeriCorps VISTA service year at MPC next June and do not know where life will take me from there.  I am open to all of the possibilities ahead of me either here in Minnesota or elsewhere. My aspiration is to continue working in the outdoors and continue to uplift marginalized voices. I hope I encounter new opportunities as my service year ends in 2021! 

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About Becky Fillinger

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

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

October is ‘Neighbor of the Day’ Month – Check Out These Great Neighbors!

Article by Becky Fillinger

What makes a good neighbor? Be That Neighbor polled our community and found many traits. Here are just a representative sample of responses: 

• A good neighbor welcomes, embraces and supports new arrivals and established people and businesses in the community.
• A good neighbor is dependable, generous and helpful.
• A good neighbor pays attention – If I see something, I do something.
• Good neighbors respect each other and console each other.
• Good neighbors build connections and care for the ones who are lonely, sick, hungry or down and out
• A good neighbor asks themselves, “How can I heal my community?”

We also asked for nominations of exemplary neighbors. October is Neighbor of the Day month and we will highlight one exemplary neighbor per day. Be sure to visit the Be That Neighbor Facebook page every day in October to learn more. Here’s the line-up of those we recognize in October:

Lowry Hill Meats, Muna Mohamed, VJ Smith, Mill City Times, Louisa Montague, Abdirizak Bihi, The Lift Garage, Katie Miller, Sweet Potato Comfort Pie, Wildflyer Coffee, Sisterhood Boutique, Cynthia Froid, Kevin Grewe, Pow Wow Grounds, Hippy Feet, Iqbal Abdi, Loaves and Fishes, Lou Burdick, Liz Kane, Afro Deli, Jim Stolley, Mahamed Salad, Cookie Cart, Joe and Heidi Amouta, Jerry Croxdale, Pimento Jamaican Kitchen, Camille Burke, Bobby & Steve’s Auto World, Ute Buehler, Emily Organ and Theresa Scarbrough.

We’re just getting started! Know a good neighbor? Submit your nomination to Claudia Kittock, Be That Neighbor Board President, at cjkittock@gmail.com.

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About Becky Fillinger

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

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

The Mill City Times Interview: Kieran Folliard

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Kieran FolliardThe Twin Cities are so lucky to have Kieran Folliard live and create among us – he has four decades of developing and building brands and businesses in the food, beverage and hospitality sectors. The life force behind The Liffey, Kieran’s Irish Pub, The Local, 2 Gingers Irish Whiskey and Kieran’s Kitchen Northeast talked to us about his earliest influences and what he’d like to see change in the world of food.

Q:  You’ve said that the best entrepreneurial ideas come from solving your own problems. Research has shown that genetic factors affect both the tendency to recognize entrepreneurial opportunities and the tendency to start businesses. In your case, are other family members entrepreneurial? 

A:  In my case, you wouldn’t have thought so. I come from a rural community, Ballyhaunis, in the west region of Ireland. My father, Mick, ran a hackney car service – transporting people to and from the train station, to shopping or to confession. My mother, Mary, was the real creative spirit. A prolific reader, she instilled in me the sense of adventure, following my dreams and passions. Her inspirations were not related to business ventures but nonetheless ignited my independence for sure.

Kieran as a boy with his mother Mary, father Mick and sister Noreen.

Q:  Do you think there is something about the Irish character that leads to greater than average business acumen or innovation?  

A:  My general sense is that the Irish put a very high value on education. When I was in high school, a small percentage went to the third level. Now over 90% of high school pupils go to the third level. Creativity is very valued. Ireland is a hotbed of creative expression – literature, cinema, fashion designers, publishing houses, architects, software and product developers. Is it in the DNA? Possibly – Ireland is an island. There is a strong sense of exploration, immigration and risk-taking. We were under British rule for 800 years – there’s a strong desire to control your own narrative – that does play out in business and personal lives. 

Q:  Several years ago, you said that your gravestone will read “I realized I would end up in a box, so I will live outside the box until the very last breath.” Tell us about this idea.

A:  There were certain expectations of how life should play out for a young man in Ireland. It involved taking a steady job with a solid pension, getting married and having kids – in short, conforming to the church-dominated life of small villages. My thoughts were that since we’re going to end up in a box in the end, I might as well live as freely as possible until that time comes to pass.   

Q:  Do you have an early childhood food memory from Ballyhaunis?

A:  I have many. We grew all our vegetables in our garden. My mother was a great gardener and a very good cook. She was an even better baker. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, she baked a beautiful brown bread. At Christmas, she made a wonderful almond fruit cake. The dense fruit cake, with white icing, could last a couple of months. My parents were perfectly synchronized on meal planning. My father went to bed early and he would rise and make us breakfast Monday through Friday. My mother read late into the night and would make breakfast on the weekends. By the way, I still own the land that we lived on. If everything goes to hell, I can always return to Ireland and live in a caravan on the land!

Q:  The President and CEO of the National 4-H Council, Jennifer Sirangelo, recently said agricultural programs need to go to the cities in addition to the more rural areas. This is with an effort to encourage more farming in youth – the average age of the American farmer is 59. Do you have thoughts about encouraging young farmers?

A:  As a community, we have to look for ways to partner with farmers. No one can eke out a living on standard commodity pricing. At our business, the Food Building, we pay double the commodity pricing to our makers. This gives them an opportunity to survive – a farmer needs predictability from an economic standpoint. If the pricing and the initiatives are aligned, young people would see that farming is an attractive lifestyle. Consumers would experience better quality food and nutrition and see a direct line to the farmer. It can be done.

The Food Building is located at 1401 Marshall Street NE

Q:  What would you like to see change in the world of food over the next 10 years?

A:  Food is very cheap in the U.S. A lot of the widely available food has little taste and almost zero nutrition. I would like to see whole segments of the population have access to quality foods – in the sense of nutrition and flavor. I am encouraged by recent activity at the Mill City Farmers Market – I observed many young people shopping for whole grains, organic produce and local cheeses. Come to the Food Building and see what I mean about quality foods. You can taste the stone milled difference in the breads and flours of Baker’s Field. Red Table Meat Company offers a truly transparent farm to table experience – you may buy meat for a charcuterie platter or a whole hog. So, I would like to witness better food for people and sustainable incomes for farmers and food makers. 

Q:  How can we stay up to date with your news, Kieran?

A:  Follow Kieran’s Kitchen on Facebook and Instagram, visit with me at the Mill City Farmers Market, and check out the Food Building website: www.foodbuilding.com.

Kieran and staff member at the Mill City Farmers Market.

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About Becky Fillinger

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

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

The Mill City Times Interview: Get to Know the Sheridan Neighborhood

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Did you know that Minneapolis is composed of 11 communities, further divided into 83 residential neighborhoods? Today we focus on the Sheridan neighborhood, in the Northeast community. We spoke to Carin Peterson, President of the Sheridan Neighborhood Organization, and Jenny Fortman, longtime Sheridan resident.

Carin PetersonQ:  What is the geography of the Sheridan neighborhood?

Jenny:  Sheridan’s boundaries are the Mississippi on the west, Washington Street NE on the east, Broadway Street NE on the south and 17th and 18th Avenues NE on the North, roughly following the railroad tracks. I can tell you we are on or near the 45th parallel, but that’s it for my knowledge of the geography of Sheridan Neighborhood.

Q:  What is Sheridan named for? 

Carin:  The neighborhood is named for General Philip Henry Sheridan - a Union general in the Civil War. There is controversy over his “scorched earth” actions during the Civil War and the Indian Wars of the Great Plains. Sheridan Elementary School on Broadway and University has started the process of a name change to be more reflective of the school demographics, ethos and moral character. I don’t know if Sheridan spent any time in Minnesota.

Jenny Fortman at an Open Streets event with Danza Azteca performersQ:  Can you tell us a brief history of the neighborhood? 

Jenny:  I have been in Sheridan neighborhood since 1997 and can tell you a first-hand history from that time to the present. In the 1990s the city had designated Sheridan as a neighborhood in decline. It was a time when many families had been moving to the suburbs. The store fronts on 13th Avenue were mostly vacated and the community didn’t really seem proud of or connected to the place. By the time I got here in the late 90s, artists were being displaced from their downtown lofts and were finding affordable homes and studios in Sheridan. I ended up here a different way - Northeast Minneapolis was where my parents, grandparents and immigrant great grandparents lived. I did not grow up here, but when I graduated from college, I knew it was where I would go.

There was a growing group of us that had a pretty romantic vision of what Sheridan Neighborhood could be with its cute little downtown, proximity to the river and interesting mix of people - from the ever changing mix of immigrant groups to the artists emigrating from downtown. There was also a group of long-time residents who were running the neighborhood organization. They had survived the suburban exodus and were tuned into the decline they had been experiencing for a decade. It is not a secret that there was tension between the old group and the new group. Things have to transition to grow. I don’t want to dwell on that time. It’s enough to say that there were a lot of secret meetings and political strategizing. In the end, Sheridan Today and Yesterday (STAY) became Sheridan Neighborhood Organization (SNO). SNO’s first goal was to get the huge amount of city-owned property in the neighborhood back into productive use, including the Grain Belt Brewery Complex, the Ritz Theater and some residential lots. We wanted to connect the community to the river, create more green space and encourage small businesses to come in and open the doors on 13th Avenue.

So much of what we dreamed about in the early days is now reality. Sheridan was the last neighborhood in the city of Minneapolis to have a park. Sheridan Memorial Park was not designated a park until 2005. Sometimes it blows my mind the amazing transformation of this neighborhood in just 20 years. Being part of it has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. Around 2010, I decided that it was time for me to get out of the way and let the next group take the reins. There are still about 4 large parcels of city-owned land left in Sheridan near the Grain Belt Brewery Complex. I try to stay tuned in to what is happening there. But so much of my vision for Sheridan already exists. Now it is time for a new group to dream and nurture their visions. The current group is doing amazing things!

Sheridan Memorial Park

Q: What would you recommend for things to do on a Saturday in Sheridan?

Carin:  It depends on the time of day - so I'll offer up two scenarios.

Daytime:  Grab a coffee and soak up some atmosphere in the tiny but delicious Matchbox Coffeeshop.  Cruise the aisles of a really great used book store on 13th, Eat My Words. Chat with the owner Scott while the Behind Bars Bicycle Shop tunes up your wheels. Pick up lunch or a snack from Mary Ellen's Bistro on 3rd and 13th. Bike down to Sheridan Memorial Park for a picnic...maybe a sweet treat dessert from nearby SiP Coffeebar.

Bike the achingly beautiful Mississippi River Trail. You could do a loop up to Lowry, cross the river, cruise back south and cross on Broadway. If it's a gloriously hot summer day, plan a kayak trip down the river. There are self-service stations from Boom Island up to the Coon Rapids Dam. Finally, get some delicious ice cream from Fletchers Ice Cream.

Evening:  Assuming things open up fully again - a trip to Sheridan really must include seeing WHATEVER is being produced by Theater Latte Da at the Ritz Theater on 13th. They do such wonderful work! And talk about being neighborly - all who live in the 55413 zip code pay only $14/ticket! But first, dinner at Ertè and the Peacock Lounge. After dinner with time to spare before the show starts, stretch your legs a bit strolling 13th Avenue. Soak up the beauty of the gardens in between The Barber Sharp and Rogue Buddha Gallery. I do the gardening here so I am biased! Enjoy a great show. Afterwards, cocktails or coffee and dessert at the Northeast Social. 

Jenny:  I agree, there is no reason to leave Sheridan any day of the week! 

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About Becky Fillinger

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

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

The Mill City Times Interview: Northeast Tea House Offers Haven from Daily Stress

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Northeast Tea House opened its doors on August 24 and the sense of Zen upon entering its doorway is palpable. We spoke to Simon Parish, founder and head tea master and David Parish, co-founder, about the inspiration for the tea house and plans for the future.

Q:  Congratulations on your new business! Please tell our readers about your tea house.

A:  Thank you! Northeast Tea House is our vision of a refuge from the anxieties and frenetic pace of modern life. We’ve put a lot of effort into creating a space that is extremely beautiful and calming, and most conducive to mindful engagement with friends and traditional tea culture. We provide customers with everything needed to engage in their own tea ceremonies, known as gongfu brewing – a meditative process of tea steeping and drinking that is very relaxing, and that gets much, much more tea from the tea leaves. This process, combined with the beauty of NTH, cannot help but create calm.

We also mill fresh matcha in-house. As far as we’ve been able to learn, we are only the second place to do so in the country. The difference in flavor and texture of freshly milled matcha is incomparable, and entirely unlike the matcha one can find in a store or even online.

In addition, we have a rotating menu of 35 or so seasonal teas, sweet and savory snacks, tea ware and, once it is safe to do so, events and classes.

Simon Parish 

Fresh-milled matcha

Q:  Can you tell us more about gonfu brewing?

A:  Gongfu is the traditional method of tea brewing that uses a higher leaf-to-water ratio and shorter brew times. Typically using a gaiwan, or lidded bowl, one brews their tea leaves for a short time, strains the tea and drinks it, then repeats the process multiple times with the same leaves. Each infusion yields slight differences in the flavor, and observing the changes in the tea lends to the naturally meditative quality of the process. The tea also tends to be much more flavorful, and one can get a lot of tea out of the same leaves.

Q:  What’s the inspiration for your shop?

A:  Culturally, we take a lot of inspiration from China and Japan – the cultures that grew up with tea and developed the calming methods of brewing it that we think are so effective. Personally, engaging with tea via these cultures has provided enormous benefit to my own mental health by giving me a reliable method for relaxation and appreciation of the present moment even during challenging times. My love for the intricacies of tea coupled with is meditative qualities inspired me to provide a space where other could benefit in the same way. Especially now, when anxiety is the norm, the role for a tea house such as ours seems even clearer.

Q:  Are you offering classes?

A:  We absolutely will once we can host larger events in a post-pandemic world. In the meantime, we are trying to find creative ways to provide tea education and experiences to customers, and are able to host smaller, distanced groups at our community table. Class topics will range from the simple enjoyment of the meditative process of gongfu, to tasting subtle variations in similar teas from different years, provinces, etc.

Q:  How might we follow your news?

A: We are fairly active on Instagram, and update our website regularly. One can also subscribe to our mailing list via our website, and keep up-to-date on the latest offerings, deals, and events. Finally, we have an in-store rewards program for frequent visitors and will be reaching out to that group with specials just for them! Come see us at 224 E Hennepin Avenue. We’re open from 10a-7p daily - please call with any questions, 612-321-8215.

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About Becky Fillinger

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

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

Mill City Times Ventures into Television - New TV Show Celebrates the Best of Minneapolis

Article by Becky Fillinger

Every autumn new television shows are offered up by networks and streaming services. Mill City Times is no outlier – we proudly present our new television venture, Milling About with Brianna Rose.

The show is locally produced and focuses on our community – you’ll find it on MCN6. MCN6 is cable channel 6 in the six-county Twin Cities metro area.

Brianna RoseAs Executive Producer, I wanted to showcase local talent and community news on a televised show for some time. Our metro area is so rich with entertainers, history, farmers markets, vibrant neighborhoods, restaurants, natural beauty – so many television-worthy topics jump out at me. I write about these themes weekly for Mill City Times, but it’s a dream come true to present them to you on television as well. MCN6’s tagline is Minnesota-Made Content in Support of Building Strong Diverse Community – our show fulfills their charter very well.

Host Brianna Rose explains, "Milling About with Brianna Rose is a show that aims to bring the best of Minneapolis - the businesses, the projects, the entertainers, the food, the people - into your home, giving you an up close look at what makes this city great."

Appearing on the jam-packed pilot episode are:

• Martha Archer, Executive Director of the Mill City Farmers Market and Mhonpaj Lee of Mhonpaj’s Garden.
• Ricci Milan, tap dancer with funk, soul and honesty
• Mark Andrew, President, Friends of the Falls
• Mike Binkley, Board Member of the North Loop Neighborhood Association
• Claudia Kittock, Board President of Be That Neighbor, and Neighbor of the Month, Jerry Croxdale
• Michael Rainville, Jr., whose articles on local history are published bi-weekly on Mill City Times

We think of the show as local must-see TV! The half-hour pilot episode will be televised four times in the coming two weeks: September 17 and 18 at 8:00 PM, and September 24 and 25 at 4:00 PM.

What topics would you like to see the show cover? Please email Becky at becky_fillinger@hotmail.com to suggest ideas or to be a guest on the show.

9/25/20 EDITOR'S UPDATE: The viewing schedule has been expanded to: Sept 28 and 29 5PM; Oct 1 and 2 8PM; Oct 5 and 6 5PM; Oct 8 and 9 8PM; Oct 12 and 13 5PM.

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About Becky Fillinger

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

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

It’s Harvest Time!

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Last week brought the last full moon of summer, called the Corn Moon by the Algonquin people. Lakota Sioux call it the "moon when the plums are scarlet." We’re in the season of harvesting – whether corn, plums, barley, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, etc. It’s also time to forage for some delicious fruits and vegetables in our urban and rural areas. We asked some of our favorite foragers about what they’re gathering now.

Bob Rice harvesting wild riceBob Rice of Pow Wow Grounds is harvesting wild rice (known as manoomin in the Ojibwe language) for use in the shop’s muffins and wild rice soup. He’s been foraging wild rice for 45 years - it is hand harvested and processed using homemade machinery. 

Tom Foerster, volunteer park steward, foraged this weekend on the East Bank for black walnuts, acorns, crabapples and wild grapes.

He will make flour from the acorn harvest, after leaching tannins from the nuts. The gluten free flour makes a nutritious and delicious bread or pasta. I even saw a recipe for Acorn Brittle – yes please!

Black walnuts and acorns

Wild grapes and crabapples

Tim Clemens, of Ironwood Foraging Company, recently foraged for the last of summer mushrooms, the first of fall mushrooms and wild rice.  He was lucky to find Chanterelles, Cornflower Boletes and a mix of Leccinum/Suillus species of mushrooms. Curious about foraging but would like to start with a master? Tim conducts many workshops – check it out.

Wild rice harvested by Tim Clemens 

Chanterelles

What are you harvesting? Let us know!

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About Becky Fillinger

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

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

The Mill City Times Interview: Carlos Palacios, Owner, Café Palmira

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided by Café Palmira 

How does your morning coffee make its way from grower to your cup? We talked to Carlos Palacios, Owner of Café Palmira about his direct farm to market model.

Q:  Your company, Café Palmira is a Minneapolis-based business that imports high-quality Arabica coffee beans direct from your family farm in Guatemala. Tell us about the notion of selling directly from your farm.

A:  It started when I moved to Minnesota with my family 15 years ago. I was looking for a way to bring our coffee here so that Twin Cities’ customers could taste a really good coffee. It took me years to find the perfect way to do it. I wanted the coffee to taste as fresh as when we drink it in Guatemala. I was able to locate great local roasters, so I started the business in 2008. 

Find Carlos Palacios, Owner of Café Palmira, Saturdays thru October at the Mill City Farmers Market in front of the Guthrie Theater.

Q:  Tell us about shade-grown coffee.

A:  Our Arabica beans have grown under a canopy of trees, which is much better for the environment than other farming methods. The trees create a protective barrier to attract birds and other wildlife which keeps insects away from the plants. For that reason, we do not need to use pesticides. Our farm is at an elevation of 1,800 to 2,000 meters (about 5,900 to 6,500 feet), and that makes the perfect weather for growing coffee.

Q:  Has the farm acreage grown since you began operations?

A:  Yes, but that is a roller coaster experience with ups and downs. We suffered a coffee rust not long ago – the fungus decimated our plants and we had to start all over again. 

Q:  Has the success of your business inspired other Guatemalan farmers to sell directly to markets?

A:  Yes, but it is difficult because although they are inspired, it is takes years to find markets outside of the country. A loyal clientele takes time to develop.   

Q:  Please tell us your immigration story.

A:  My wife, Katie Anfinson, was a Peace Corps worker in Guatemala. We dated for a few years, got married and then moved to the U.S. – first to Massachusetts and then to Minnesota. We started bringing the coffee in our luggage to allow people an opportunity to try it. Roasting the beans in Minnesota gives the freshest coffee taste. We began selling my family’s coffee directly to coffee shops, co-ops and individual customers “to eliminate the middle man.” 

Q:  Is there a time when you will take visitors to your farm to help with the harvest? I imagine this as a form of eco-volunteerism/learning experience.

A:  I always think about bringing people to the farm. My family has been growing beans for decades at the northwestern side of Guatemala, in a region called Huehuetenango. It is in a beautiful place up in a mountain but it is really far from the city with difficult access. It is located right at the border of Mexico and takes about eight hours travel time from Guatemala City to get there.

Q:  Is it important to you to give back to the community?

A:  It is always important for me to give back. I have a community in the Twin Cities and in Guatemala. My community in Guatemala lives on the farm and does all the labor. I am protective of my workers. I alone do the job of bringing the beans to Minnesota. I don’t have a middle man involved in the process so I can pay better wages to my workers.

Q:  Has COVID-19 impacted your operations?

A:  Yes, of course. We are managing the situation the best we can, especially doing more door to door deliveries. Roasters have not purchased the same amount of green beans from us since so many coffee shops have closed or reduced their hours of operation. 

Q:  How can we stay in touch with you?

A:  We sell our coffee, medium and dark roast, at the Mill City Farmers Market, St. Paul Farmers Market, Kingfield Farmers Market and the Northeast Minneapolis Farmers Market. We will also deliver to your door.  Please follow us on Facebook and call or email us with questions or to order at 651-285-3884 and cafepalmira@yahoo.com.

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About Becky Fillinger

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

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

Sustaining Support for Small Businesses

Article by Becky Fillinger

August was #NationalBlackBusinessMonth. Mill City Times recognized a series of black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs in Facebook postings. Before we say goodbye to the month-long recognition campaign, let’s recap the entrepreneurs and businesses for our newsletter readers. All of the establishments are worth a visit - virtually and in person. 

Wendy Puckett, Owner, Wendy’s House of SOUL. A menu to feed your soul!

Tish Watson, Owner, weRow – Indoor Fitness Rowing. Shake up your routine!

Kate Hertzog, Owner, House of Talents - Connecting talented artisans in developing countries to consumers worldwide.

Nicole Jennings, Owner, Queen Anna House of Fashion - Stylish, original designs and curated collections.

The Allen Family, Owners, El Norte Kitchen - Pop-up kitchen offering the best of Southwestern style comfort food.

Sammy McDowell, Owner, Sammy’s Avenue Eatery Great food and generous host of a Ghost Kitchen for black-owned restaurants.

The Minneapolis Forward: Community Now Coalition, organized by Mayor Frey, is deploying strategies that prioritize BIPOC/minority-owned businesses. Many of these businesses were struggling before the pandemic and were further harmed after the unrest following George Floyd’s death. Meet Minneapolis partnered with Carmichael Lynch to launch the #WeNeedUs! campaign. We Need Us is Phase Three of their recovery plan for small local businesses. Their strategy is to encourage support of local businesses by our local community as they determine the appropriate time to resume normal regional, national and international sales and marketing initiatives.

Billboard photos: Carmichael Lynch

We can all help out by supporting the places we love so they’ll be there for us tomorrow. Put together your own list of favorite small businesses. Share the list with us at Mill City Times and with your friends. Wear a mask and visit in person, grab some takeout or buy a gift card. Friends, we can do this!

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About Becky Fillinger

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

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

Local Music Legend J.D. Steele Joins the Board of Be That Neighbor

Article by Becky Fillinger

Local nonprofit, Be That Neighbor, welcomes a new board member – J.D. Steele! J.D. is the director of the MacPhail Community Youth Choir and teaches in the school’s Partnerships Program. He is also a member of the highly acclaimed vocal group, The Steeles.

J.D. Steele and Claudia Kittock

Claudia Kittock, Board President, has a long association with J.D. “J.D. Steele and I met when our charity hired him to direct the Mill City Singers. We have worked together for almost 5 years and all of it has been a joy. J.D. is that rare human who is able to combine amazing artistry with genuine humanity. He is what he appears to be - a wonderful singer, gifted director, and fabulous friend. When the board discussed adding another board member, J.D. was the perfect choice. He brings enormous creativity and a lifelong belief in our mission of being the type of neighbor you would want to have. We are honored to have him join our work. He makes us so much stronger.”

J.D. notes, “It is great to be part of an organization like Be That Neighbor – one that is grass-rooted in change. I look forward to expanding our presence and having an impact on the Twin Cities.”

The nonprofit is currently collecting nominations for Good Neighbors. In October, they’ll celebrate A Neighbor A Day. Know someone you'd like to nominate? Send your nominations to: https://millcitytimes.survey.fm/nominate-a-good-neighbor. 

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About Becky Fillinger

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

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

The Mill City Times Interview: Rashmi Bhattachan of Gorkha Palace

Article by Becky Fillinger

Gorkha Palace's 10th anniversary will be commemorated in September. We talked to co-owner Rashmi Bhattachan about her celebration plans and menu recommendations.  

Rashmi BhattachanQ:  You’re about to celebrate Gorkha Palace’s 10th anniversary. What do you have planned for the event?

A:  We have some exciting promotions planned. Because it is our ten-year anniversary, we will be doing lots of giveaways throughout the third week of September through our social media channels. We will also be offering 15% off on Monday, September 10, which is the day of our tenth anniversary.

Q:  We’ll mark our calendars! You’re a leader in serving locally-sourced, 90% organic food. What are the challenges in maintaining those quality standards?

A:  We have a very reliable supplier who has been providing us 80% of our organic produce. Thankfully we have not had any challenges in maintaining the standards. We also buy from our local farmers market vendors on a regular basis in summer. In case our regular supplier runs out of any ingredients, we have the farmers market as a resource.

Chef SaralaQ:  Your menu changes seasonally. What’s available now that we should try before summer ends?

A:  Actually, our menu changes seasonally for the lunch buffet. Pre-COVID-19, our Chef Sarala and her team used to prepare seasonal vegetable entrees for the buffet. We hope that once everything comes back to normal, we shall once again serve our popular buffet.   

Q:  Is there one dish on your menu you wish more people would try? 

A:  I wish more people would try our Aaloo Bhindi, which is okra sautéed with potatoes, tomatoes, garlic, ginger and spices. On the non-vegetarian side, I wish more people would try the Goan Lamb Chili, which is Tandoor grilled lamb sautéed with bell peppers, red onions and tomatoes and served with Lentil soup. These are hidden gems of our menu. But I do recommend that customers take a look at our menu – we have many authentic Nepali, Indian and Tibetan dishes to try.

Aaloo Bhindi

Momo serving at the Mill City Farmers MarketQ:  What food items do you offer at the Mill City Farmers Market?

A:  We offer Turkey Momo (Ferndale Market turkey potstickers), Vegetable Momo and Mixed Vegetable Curry with Jasmati rice (Jasmine and Basmati rice blend).

Q:  Do you anticipate the restaurant will open for indoor dining in the near future?

A:  We are not sure about this year, however we are keeping up to date with the national and local news and the restaurant industry rules, regulations and suggestions from the Hospitality Association. Even though we’ve had no dine-in operations and no alcohol sales, and our revenues have gone down - we feel incredibly fortunate to have had immense support from our community, our patrons. We would not have been able to sustain had it not been the outpouring of love and support from our loyal patrons who keep ordering curbside takeaways, some more than twice a week! My Chef Sarala and I, as well as our entire staff, are deeply touched as well as grateful to all our patrons. This is another reason we really want to celebrate our Ten-Year Anniversary in a special manner this year. Lots of giveaways are in store!

Q:  How may we stay up to date with happenings at Gorkha Palace?

A:  Facebook and Instagram are two ways we provide updates on a very regular basis. And twice or thrice a year we send out our newsletter via email. Sign up for the newsletter on our website at www.gorkhapalace.com. Also, please feel free to give us a call at 612-886-3451 or email at info@gorkhapalace.com.

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About Becky Fillinger

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

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

Does a Neighborly Act Require a Large Time Commitment?

Article by Becky Fillinger

Last week we met Pat Jenkinson and Barb Babekuhl of Columbia Heights who have rejuvenated their neighborhood over many months with weed pulling, plantings and making connections between residents of their neighborhood. These two have made a huge impact in their community.

Benedict's server Phil was the beneficiary of a Big Tip Challenge thanks to Mill District resident Kate Rocca.But - does every meaningful neighborly act need to take a large time and energy commitment? The answer is No. Let me introduce you to Kate Rocca, a Mill District resident, co-owner of a photography studio and a server. Kate turned 30 on Saturday and wanted to participate in the #BigTipChallenge as a way to give back to the server community.

The big give took place at Benedict’s in Rochester – Kate’s hometown. Over sixty people donated to her birthday challenge! Phil, the unsuspecting server, was speechless as he received $1,420 as his tip. He ultimately shared the bounty with the entire wait staff at the restaurant.

Kate says, "What a special day being able to take care of those in the service industry – and to those who donated – y’all are pretty special too." 

So, thank you Kate for showing us that neighborly acts can be spontaneous, generous acts that delight. Happy Birthday!

Do you know someone who should be recognized as a good neighbor?

Be That Neighbor is seeking nominations from our readers. Please use this online form for your nominations - people, businesses, nonprofits are all eligible. We'll celebrate these exemplary neighbors in October by recognizing 'A Neighbor A Day' - winners will be featured on Mill City Times and social media. We can't wait to hear from you! Please share with your friends.

https://millcitytimes.survey.fm/nominate-a-good-neighbor

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About Becky Fillinger

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

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

Friends of the Mill District is now Be That Neighbor

Article by Becky Fillinger

Name change better reflects the nonprofit's expanded vision

The Friends of the Mill District nonprofit formed in 2015 when a group of friends began a conversation about Minneapolis’ Mill District and the broader community in downtown Minneapolis. The vision was that their programming be free of charge and available to every resident, including the disadvantaged and others who sometimes feel invisible.

Their programs grew over the past five years to include a community choir (the Mill City Singers), Yoga in Gold Medal Park, meals and donations for those experiencing homelessness, support for Cedar Riverside youth programs, Community Conversations and more. The mission to build community by ‘connecting, convening, and supporting’ neighbors hasn’t changed.

What changed was a need to refine the nonprofit’s focus.

Claudia KittockClaudia Kittock, Board Chair, explains, “When the COVID-19 pandemic began, we decided to create a Facebook page where we could post community needs in real time. The name Be That Neighbor was simple and described our work. As the Facebook page exploded, we realized the name also better reflected the work we have been doing as a charity. Be That Neighbor gives us a clearer focus, and while the Mill District is home for several of us, our focus is not geographic. It is about being a good neighbor in every way we can.”

Jennifer Weber

Jennifer Weber, Board Member, also notes the broader mission of Be That Neighbor: “Friends of the Mill District has been an incredible neighbor at the heart of all the work and support we have provided across the Twin Cities for the last four years. The name change gives new energy and purpose to inspire us all to be the best neighbors we can be without being confined by a geographic title.”

The nonprofit is currently collecting nominations for Good Neighbors. In October, they’ll celebrate ‘A Neighbor A Day’. Know someone you'd like to nominate? Send your nominations to: 

https://millcitytimes.survey.fm/nominate-a-good-neighbor

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About Becky Fillinger

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

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

Who’s a Good Neighbor? Here Are Two You Should Know!

Article by Becky Fillinger

Mill City Times is assisting non-profit Be That Neighbor in recognizing the good neighbors among us. We asked for nominations of ‘Good Neighbors’ a few weeks ago and were pleasantly surprised when two neighbors nominated each other!

Pat Jenkinson and Barb Babekuhl live in the sleepy community of Columbia Heights, a first ring suburb of Minneapolis. In this diverse city, their local neighborhood is a cluster of 65 townhomes that borders Sullivan Lake and its walking path. Until recently the townhome community really didn’t open its arms to the rest of the neighborhood. That’s until Pat and Barb got involved.

Pat Jenkinson (right) and Barb Babekuhl (left)

It started small with Pat and another friend Michelle forming a small neighborhood social group, which grew into the neighborhood watch committee, which grew into thinking bigger on how to gather neighbors in a common cause of helping the environment through organic composting. Last year this group of neighbors received awards from the City of Columbia Heights on its outstanding recycling efforts, with Barb receiving the Anoka County Recycling Champion Award.

Fast forward to Spring 2020. COVID-19 didn’t stop the momentum of Pat and Barb - it actually fueled them to recruit additional neighbors to be more involved. Pat and Barb spent their COVID-19 stay at home days beautifying a neighborhood area that had become overrun with volunteer trees and weeds, and created a pollinator area near the walking path. Through their action the townhome community opened itself up to more neighbors, walkers around the lake and visitors to the community. What blossomed was more than flowers - neighbors started talking to each other more, stopping to admire the beauty the ladies were creating, taking pictures and sharing to social media. One neighbor stops every few days and sends her pictures all the way to relatives in China! Neighbors wanted to become involved and began to donate plants, seeds, painted rocks, chalk, mosaics tiles and trinkets.

To help spread the message of the pollinator garden and positivity, Barb and Pat recruited young neighborhood children to help create a border that shared positive messages. The children, along with Pat and Barb, started to do chalk art on the sidewalk every few days to keep the community engaged and encourage positivity during the past few months. The pollinator area became a neighborhood project that has brought a community together. During Pride Days in Columbia Heights, they handed out windmills to people walking around the lake to spread the message of Love your Neighbor.

Barb and Pat spend countless hours beautifying their neighborhood. They engaged all the neighbors to not only participate, but be exemplary neighbors themselves. Pat and Barb in tandem created a better neighborhood. And did I mention they’re humble? Each nominated the other for this recognition!    

Do you know someone who should be recognized as a good neighbor?

Be That Neighbor is seeking nominations from our readers. Please use this online form for your nominations - people, businesses, nonprofits are all eligible. We'll celebrate these exemplary neighbors in October by recognizing 'A Neighbor A Day' - winners will be featured in Mill City Times and social media. We can't wait to hear from you! Please share with your friends.

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About Becky Fillinger

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

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