Must See Art Exhibit: Astroturf at Gamut Gallery

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Ranchero Mirage by Nicole Mueller

Cassie GarnerNot everyone in Minnesota can travel to Palm Springs during the winter months. However, we all can visit Gamut Gallery, 717 10th Street S, for a SoCal experience. Astroturf is the gallery’s first exhibit of 2023. We asked Cassie Garner, Gallery Director, to give us a preview of what we’ll see in the multi-media exhibit, along with the coming months of the year. Here's way she had to say:

We all need a trip to Palm Springs as we enter the peak of winter - save the travel time and head just blocks away to Gamut Gallery in Elliot Park! Gamut Gallery’s first show of 2023, Astroturf, plays with the idea of appearances vs. authenticity through the iconic influence of SoCal architecture, pop art and post-painterly abstraction. Astroturf peers over the neighbor’s hedge to sneak a peek of how the Joneses really live.

Lily Yellow by Genie Castro Gamut’s multimedia exhibit, in collaboration with Blu Dot, features local Minnesota artists, Genie Castro and Nicole Mueller, along with returning SoCal artists, Human Shaped Animal and Neal Breton. Astroturf embraces bold and vivid colors, hard-edge lines and geometry, this selection of work celebrates the resurgence and influence of the mid-century movement and pop-culture Southern California suburbia.

Astroturf features larger-than-life abstract monoprints, an oasis of pools, plants, serene places within paintings and photography and tropical foliage with post-painterly abstraction to produce sculptural, yet functional, wall fixtures that incorporate living plants.

Pink Moment by Neal Breton

Astroturf kicks off Gamut's 2023 calendar year. We have a lot planned for the year and welcome you to each exhibit! Expect artworks from the @kaleidoskullart duo, @montymontgomery and @tony_philippou. The party continues into the Summer, as we will be switching things up this year by hosting our annual group exhibit, Call for Work (#C4W) exhibit while the sunshine is upon us. As Fall approaches, @chucku_art will lend his hand not only as an artist, but curating his first group exhibit this September! We are honored after 5 years of working alongside @emilyquandahlart, we will host the first solo exhibit of her career here in the Twin Cities this October. Finally, we will wrap up the year with a spark of wintery inspiration with our 12th Annual Raging Art On (#RAO) Holiday Sale featuring all MN artists.

As always, each of our events will feature bonus art talks, music, and festivities. Check out website and social media to stay up to date – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

Coming Soon to the Mill District - Milly’s Wine Bar

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Brandon WitzelSomething great is coming to 1129 Washington Avenue S - Milly’s Wine Bar! We talked to co-owner, Brandon Witzel (who also serves as onsite manager and designer) about the plans for the wine bar and the wonderful community events to be hosted in the space. I think I’m a Level 2 wine enthusiast - how about you?

Q:  Why will the business be named Milly's Wine Bar?

A:  It's a play off the Mill District neighborhood name, but all three of us knew a Milly in some capacity - Aunt, friend, or in my case, a dog.

Q:  How did the team conceive of Milly’s?

A:  It was all pure chance, honestly, we found the building before we thought of a wine bar! A partner spotted a small for sale sign in the window of 1129 Washington Avenue S while driving home one day. We met the owner, who was waiting for the right buyer, and a few weeks later we closed on the building (he even held a key blessing for us!). It's been a long time in the works, but we're beyond excited to bring Milly’s to the neighborhood! We've got a few phases to work through, but we're hoping the next phases will be driven by our customers' feedback.

First floor concept

Q:  Why is it important to you to bring old buildings back to life? What other buildings have you rehabbed?

A:  An old building just has charm and a story that can't be recreated. In a neighborhood that's modern, having something original just feels inviting. Milly's used to be a bottle company in its origin, a few revamps in between before it was an architecture firm.

We have another building on Eat Street which is a coworking boutique location (Flockmpls.com) and is on the historical registry! It's a really fun space to collaborate, hold a meeting, or just get out of the house. 

Q:  As a wine bar, will you help beginners choose wine and food pairings? 

A:  Absolutely, wine is great but getting the right snack with your glass or bottle only enhances your experience. Our vision for this is four-fold:

Level 1: The Aficionado The level based on my partners - they know wine, they've traveled the world and can tell you about wineries, regions, vintages, etc.

Level 2: The Intermediate Based on my experience - I know the style of wine I like, I know certain areas I like, but I don't know enough of all areas to speak extensively on it.

Level 3: The Beginner Based on our families - they love Stella Rose, Franzia, Barefoot, etc., which is great, but they are unsure of themselves when they go into a restaurant if they don't know a wine by name. Our goal here isn't to push them into something, but ultimately have them leave Milly’s saying, "I didn't know I'd like that, where can I buy this?" or "That was really fun, I'd like to go back and try more."

Level 4: The 'I don't drink wine' Based on some of my clients - wine isn't their jam, I get it. But we've found some wine that sips like a bourbon and we're developing our wine cocktails (espresso martini, Negroni, etc., which are WINE-focused!). We think we will be able to please Level 4 patrons, too.

We're also working on our non-alcoholic selections. Although it's not as vast, everyone's taste levels are included!

Q:  You have said on earlier occasions that you'll serve gigantic cheese boards - please tell us more about your ideas.

A:  Hahaha, well we've expanded this idea. We're having a 'nibbles' section where you can do a cheese, cracker and a dip for one person. From there, we're going to simplify it where you choose your own adventure. You can do a cheese board (3 standard house cheeses) served with crackers and jam with the option to add in one or two rotating cheeses that may be in for the day, the week, or the month (trying new cheeses should be fun!). You'll also have the option to add in meats, jams, fruits, etc. 

Not your style? We're currently workshopping 3 different food boards, so if you're like me and coming in for a chat, you can order a bottle of wine and graze on different items to your heart's content.

Impressive wall covering comprised of wine bottle corks.

Q:  What type of events do you envision for Milly's? 

A:  We see small, intimate wedding receptions, condo resident gatherings and wine tastings, but once we're open I think the space and community will tell us what we need and want. We truly want this to be a 'neighborhood' wine bar that's going to grow and change with the neighborhood.

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  For right now, please follow us on Instagram.

Meet Valéria Piccoli, Mia’s First-ever Curator of Latin American Art

Article by Becky Fillinger, photo provided

Welcome to Minneapolis, Dr. Valéria Piccoli! She is one of Mia’s latest hires and is the Chair of the Arts of the Americas and the Curator of Latin American Art. This is Mia’s first-ever curator of Latin American art. We talked to Dr. Piccoli about collaborating with other art institutions, Latino businesses and communities.  

Valéria PiccoliQ:  Congratulations on your appointment at Mia as the Ken and Linda Cutler Chair of the Arts of the Americas and Curator of Latin American Art! It is exciting news and has been reported by many local and national news outlets. One thing that you mention is that in addition to getting to know Mia's collection of Latin American art, you'll get to know the local community. I want to delve a bit deeper into how you will connect and collaborate with the local community. I know you've only started your role in November but let's see what you're thinking about that goal at this time. Will you collaborate with other art institutions?

A:  Thank you! I definitely intend to collaborate. It is fundamental to bring Mia to the network of museums and institutions that hold important collections of Latin American art, as well as to create spaces for debate around scholarship that has been advancing research in this field. And it is also fundamental to highlight Mia's pioneerism in terms of creating a department for Latin American art that is integrated with the art produced in the U.S. (Indigenous and non-Indigenous). We are talking about the Americas, from a hemispheric perspective. It is a very ambitious project. 

Q:  The Twin Cities has a very diverse Latino population. The largest group is Mexican immigrants, followed by Puerto Ricans, Salvadorans, Guatemalans, Ecuadorians, Cubans and Colombian Minnesotans. Is it important to your role to reflect the changing Latino community in the Twin Cities? How will you go about learning more about the Twin Cities’ Latino communities? 

A:  Of course! It would be a mistake to consider the Latino community as a monolithic thing. It is important to my role to understand how the museum can better represent the diversity of cultures that come together in this place. I strongly believe in the social role of museums. Museums serve communities and need to be ready to listen to them. That is, to create experiences and connections that are meaningful to them. At Mia, we are creating strategies to reach out to the Latino communities in a fruitful way.

Q:  We have a Latino Chamber of Commerce in Minnesota. Could you envision working with Latino businesses? Non-profit groups?

A:  I didn't know that. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I surely envision working with anyone who wants to come on board and help Mia build something that will be cherished and admired for generations to come.

Q:  Will you seek out upcoming Latino artists? 

A:  Well, I think it is important to highlight that the Arts of the Americas department is responsible for building a collection and a program for artworks made until 1970. Everything that was produced after that, and this encompasses contemporary and emerging artists, is under the umbrella of the Global Contemporary Art department, led by my colleague Casey Riley. We will for sure work in collaboration around art from Latin America as a whole. 

Q:  Almost two-thirds of Latino Minnesotans live in the Twin Cities metro area counties of Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota, Anoka and Washington, but Latinos have made their home in all 87 counties. Do you see Mia connecting with communities outside the Twin Cities with large numbers of Latino residents?  

A:  I believe that the main connections to be established, at least in the first moment, will be with the local communities. This is a long-term project and I am sure that in time it can unfold to other formats and proposals. 

Q:  How may we stay current with your news?  

A:  Stay tuned to Mia's website. The first exhibition of our department, called ReVisión, will open in July 2023. It was produced by the Denver Art Museum (our first institutional collaboration) and presents works from Latin America since pre-contact with Europeans, including colonial and contemporary art. It is an exhibition that speaks to enduring questions of identity, of relationship to the land and many different themes that mark the history and culture of Latin America.

Must-See Exhibition: A Tender Spirit, A Vital Form: Arlene Burke-Morgan & Clarence Morgan

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

A delightful new exhibit is open at the Katherine E. Nash Gallery, Regis Center for Art at the University of Minnesota. A Tender Spirit, A Vital Form: Arlene Burke-Morgan & Clarence Morgan exhibition will be on display until March 18. We asked Howard Oransky, Director of the gallery, about why we should we all should make the time to view the exhibit.  He gave us five excellent reasons.

Arlene Burke-Morgan and Clarence Morgan in residence at the Penland School of Craft, Penland, NC. Courtesy of the Morgan Family.

Reason #1: It is a story of art, love, and devotion.

This exhibition tells the story of an artist-couple whose life together was itself a work of art. The exhibition consists of 100 paintings, drawings, sculptures, and related ephemera. Arlene Burke-Morgan (1950-2017) and Clarence Morgan (b. 1950) epitomized the artist-couple: in love with each other and devoted not only to their art but also to their family and faith, and to the wider community of students and artists. Originally from Philadelphia, they moved to Minneapolis in 1992 when Clarence Morgan joined the faculty in the Department of Art at the University of Minnesota. Arlene Burke-Morgan also taught as a lecturer in the Department of Art from 1992 to 1996. Clarence Morgan retired his position as Professor of Art at the end of 2021.

Arlene Burke-Morgan, untitled, undated, ceramic sculpture, 14 x 13 x 9 in. Courtesy of the Morgan Family.

Reason #2: Arlene Burke-Morgan was an amazing artist.

Arlene Burke-Morgan (1950, Philadelphia; 2017, Minneapolis) earned a B.F.A. from the Moore College of Art and an M.F.A. from East Carolina University, School of Art. Her work has been exhibited nationally, including presentations at the National Academy of Design (NY), The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (NC), the Alternative Museum (NY), the Nexus Center for Contemporary Art (GA), and the Columbia Museum of Art (SC). She received numerous awards, including the Julius Hallgarten Award for Painting at the National Academy of Design, the North Carolina Arts Council Artist Fellowship, and the McKnight Foundation Fellowship in the Visual Arts.

Clarence Morgan, Medieval Remnants, 2011 Mixed-media collage-drawing on 3M Scotchcal film, 10.5 x 10.5 in. Courtesy of the Morgan Family

Reason #3: Clarence Morgan is an amazing artist.

Clarence Morgan (1950, Philadelphia) earned a Certificate-Diploma from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and an M.F.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, Weitzman School of Design. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including presentations at Ze Zhong Gallery and Dax Art Space, Beijing, Rosenberg+Kaufman Fine Art and Reeves Contemporary (NY), the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Walker Art Center and the Weisman Art Museum (MN), Galerie Resche, Paris, and the Contemporary Art Center, New Orleans. He has received numerous awards, including the North Carolina Arts Council Visual Artist Fellowship, the Art Matters Individual Artist Grant, and the Bush Foundation Individual Artist fellowship.

Exhibition catalogue cover. Courtesy of the Katherine E. Nash Gallery.

Reason #4: The exhibition catalogue is beautiful.

The Katherine E. Nash Gallery has published A Tender Spirit, A Vital Form, the catalogue to accompany the exhibition. The catalogue includes 100 full-page color images of artworks by Arlene Burke-Morgan and Clarence Morgan and original essays by Robert Cozzolino, Tia-Simone Gardner, Bill Gaskins, and Nyeema Morgan. The catalogue is distributed worldwide by the University of Minnesota Press and is available at the University of Minnesota Bookstore.

Howard Oransky, Director, Katherine E. Nash Gallery, University of Minnesota

Reason #5: You are welcome here!

The exhibition is open to the public and admission is free! The Gallery is located in the Regis Center for Art, East Building, 405 21st Avenue S, Minneapolis. This is in the Arts Quarter area of the West Bank campus. Open: Tuesday and Friday, 11 am – 5 pm; Wednesday and Thursday, 11 am – 7 pm; Saturday, 11 am – 3 pm. Closed: Sunday and Monday. Please call the gallery or check the website for the most current COVID access information: 612-624-7530, nash.umn.edu.

There is metered parking nearby on the street, and paid parking available at the 21st Avenue parking garage and the 5th Street surface lot. There are bus and light rail stops nearby. Come visit us! 

Local Artist Spotlight: Willard Malebear, Jr.

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Willard Malebear, Jr.

Multi-talented Indigenous artist Willard Malebear, Jr. has many projects in the works – designing park signage for the Mississippi Park Connection, opening a community arts collective that offers free resources to heal social crises, and a new Indigenous tattoo shop. His story is one of resilience, gratitude and giving back. Oh, his father was pretty inspirational, too!

Q:  You created the beautiful artwork for signage at Crosby Farm Regional Park for a project highlighting climate change in the floodplains of the Mississippi River. How did you come to be involved in the partnership between the University of Minnesota, U.S. Forest Service, City of St. Paul, National Park Service, and Mississippi Park Connection? 

A: I was attending NHCC (North Hennepin Community College) to get my associates degree in graphic design and I was invited to be a part of a program called the Xperience Project that links students with local businesses for graphic design internships. I was interviewed by several companies and organizations, and I felt a deep connection to the Indigenous cultural aspects of the design project presented by the Mississippi Park Connection, Lower Phalen Creek Project and their partners.

I am an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and after learning of the indigenous roots of the project I felt spiritual aligned with the mission and was very happy to hear that they chose me to be their intern. I can't possibly say thank you enough to Heather Olson, Jason Schoch and Leslie McDougall (Graphic design staff of NHCC) for their amazing support and guidance.

Above and below, Willard's artwork featured on signage at Crosby Farm Regional Park. The design and interpretive messages were developed in partnership with Lower Phalen Creek Project, a Dakota-led organization based on the east side of Saint Paul.

Q:  What do you hope visitors experience and learn when they view the signs you created for the park?

A:  My hopes are that visitors to the Crosby Farm Regional Park can learn more about the efforts to stop the destruction of the Emerald Ash Borer while also being educated on the Indigenous names and historical importance of the trees studied in the project. I also hope that the artwork and colors used in the designs can lure curious hikers to the park.

Q:  Will you do other work with these organizations to educate the public on Indigenous forest upkeep techniques and Dakota naming conventions? 

A:  Since this project, I have continued to work with Lower Phalen Creek Project, an affiliate of the Crosby Farm project, to design a poster and now have a contract to design their new logo and letter head.  I welcome more projects like these!

Q:  Your website, willardcustomart.com, states that your passion, aside from creating art, is cultivating creative drive in my community. What does that mean to you? 

A:  My passion for cultivating creativity in my community is based in my belief that art and creativity saved my life. I have had many struggles in my life and art/creativity has always been my resource for positivity and spiritual connection. I am currently 5 years sober and I have managed to crawl myself out of a grave with the help of art. After experiencing, witnessing and researching the wellness benefits of art and creativity, I chose to make it my life mission to cultivate and enable creativity in my community. This is actually the basis of my new company called Unified Theory Collective (UTC) located at 3507 Hennepin Avenue (around the back of the building) in South Minneapolis. At UTC we will provide free art supplies and creative space to the community on behalf of our collective members. UTC members are comprised of responsible businesses in the community that chose to "Enable Creativity to Combat Social Crisis."

I am also opening up a tattoo shop in the same building called Iktomi Tattoo, which is an Indigenous themed eco-mindful business. You can check out both businesses online: www.unifiedtheorycollective.com,  

Instagram,  Facebook,  www.iktomitattoo.com  and @iktomitattoominneapolis on Instagram and Facebook.

Q:  On an unrelated note, but I’m curious - your father, Willard Malebear, Sr., began the Dakota Remembrance Run in 1986 to commemorate the 1862 hanging of 38 Dakota men in Mankato, the largest mass hanging in U.S. history. Is the run still held? Are you involved with the run or any other events around the annual recognition of the executions?

A:  The run to commemorate the Dakota 38 is still being held, and in fact this year I had the pleasure to co-organize the run. Šišókaduta, a Dakota language instructor at the UMN Twin Cities campus has been organizing the run for several years and asked me to take over the role of organizer, which is a huge honor. There is actually an entire team of amazing individuals who volunteer their time and energy every year to help make the run possible - there are fire keepers, drivers and volunteers that work behind the scenes. I want to take this opportunity to say a BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE! The “run” is in fact better viewed as a ceremony, as we are in prayer the entire duration of event. I grew up hearing about the events surrounding the Dakota conflict and the hangings of 1862, my father always spread awareness of the injustices and I am super excited to continue his legacy. If anyone is interested in helping, volunteering or even running next year, please send me an email to w@willardcustomart.com.

Q:  Thank you for speaking with us – best of luck with Iktomi Tattoo and Unified Theory Collective!

A:  Before we end, I also want to say thank you to all my friends and family for their continual support and love, without them nothing I do would ever be possible! Pilamaya Mitakuye Oyasin (thank you to all my relatives).  

Agate Housing and Services to Partipate in the 2023 Coldest Night of the Year Event with a 2.5k or 5k Walk, February 25

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Agate's Coldest Night of the Year Event will start and finish at Agate Housing and Services' Food Centre, 714 Park Avenue S, by Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC)

Living unhoused in the winter, when temperatures or wind chill can cause frostbite or death in a short time, is a harsh reality for many members of our community. Join Agate Housing and Services for a community walk to raise awareness and funding for housing and shelter for the most vulnerable among us. We talked to Anna Cisewski, Agate's Event Director, about the history of the event and all the different ways you may participate.

Anna Cisewski

Q:  Please tell us the history of The Coldest Night of The Year. 

A:  This is Agate's first year doing Coldest Night of the Year and only the second that the event has been held in the United States. It has been held in Canada for the last 15 years. The goal of CNOY is to raise awareness of the harsh realities of living unhoused and unsheltered during the winter.  

Every night, hundreds of people in our state sleep outside, in tents or on shelter beds that are not their own. Coldest Night of the Year will give walkers a chance to feel just how cold it is for our unhoused neighbors. Without first-hand experience, we can truly never understand the fear and trauma of living unhoused, but we can get a feel for just how cold it is.

The walk will be either 2.5k or 5k through downtown, starting and ending in our recently re-opened Food Centre and walking past three of Agate's housing and shelter locations.    

Q:  How may I participate locally - are there teams or may I walk as an individual? 

A: Community members can join the Agate team or register to be a team captain and recruit family, neighbors or coworkers to join their team and fundraise! We've also had a few teams sign up to walk virtually or organize an event in their residential housing building or office. Lots of options! And the Agate team would be happy to help organize any iteration of this event!

Q:  Is there a schedule of events happening around the walk? 

A:  All walks throughout the US follow the same schedule on February 25: 

• 4:00 pm: Meet - Check-in opens

• 5:00 pm: Move - Opening remarks + send-off

• 6:00 pm: Munch - Light meal served

• 7:00 pm: Mosey - Goodbye + Go Home

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In addition to this general schedule, we will also be spending time talking and learning together about the realities of being unhoused and unsheltered. The Educators from our A Day in the Life program will also be in attendance, giving presentations and joining us on the walk.

Q:  I really like the program: Meet, Move, Munch and Mosey!  Will I receive a map of the walk? 

A:  Yes! A map is of the route is currently available on the event page and we will have printed maps available on the day of the event. It's a simple loop in downtown Minneapolis and it will be well-marked with volunteers at every turn cheering our walkers on!

Q:  How may I follow news of the walk and your organization?  

A:  Interested community members can follow us on our social media platforms or sign up for our email list (at the bottom of our website) to receive updates for all things Coldest Night and Agate!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AgateServicesMN

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AgateServicesMN

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agateservicesmn/

We are excited for this event and the chance to connect better with our community and provide education and clarity on the harsh realities of living unhoused and unsheltered in our city. Agate works every day to end homelessness and hunger and this event is just part of that work.

Individuals can sign up to walk, join a team, or start a team here: https://cnoy.com/location/minneapolis.

Pandia Health Offers Stress-free Birth Control Services via Telemedicine

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Sophia Yen, MD, MPHA discussion with Pandia Health CEO and Co-Founder, Sophia Yen, MD, MPH

Pandia Health is the only women-founded, women-led and doctor-led birth control delivery service and their services are now available to Minnesotans. Pandia is on a mission to make women’s lives easier by bringing birth control to women wherever they have access to the internet and a mailbox. We talked to Sophia Yen, MD, MPH, co-founder and CEO, to learn more about the start-up and how to avail ourselves of their services.

Q:  Your webpage states that you have a passion for “making women’s lives easier.” What led you to this mission?

A:  I gave a talk to physicians on how to prescribe birth control and the question came up, "Why don’t women take their birth control?”. One of the top reasons why women don’t take their birth control is they don’t have it on hand. They don’t have time to run to the pharmacy every month for 30 years non-stop to get the medication. I coined the term “pill anxiety,” which is the subliminal worry in the back of your head each month that you need to get to the pharmacy and get your birth control pills before you run out and the fear/stress of the risk of pregnancy or bleeding when you don’t want to bleed.

My friend, Perla Ni, and I thought, “We can solve this. We’ll just ship women birth control and keep shipping it until they tell us to stop.” Some of our mottos are: “Never run out of birth control on our watch,” "Set it and forget it. Let Pandia Health worry, so you don’t have to.” and “Get Pandia Health peace of mind."

Then, we ran ads for “free birth control delivery.” 60% of those who responded didn’t have a prescription. Since I’m a doctor, I already write prescriptions, so we added synchronous telemedicine to serve those people.

Q:  Did you observe inequities or burdens on women in your healthcare practice?

A:  Yes. Women subliminally suffer from “pill anxiety” described earlier. Women are stuck to their pharmacy each month by prescribers that don’t realize you can write a year’s supply and the pharmacy can restrict what they dispense to whatever the insurance allows but the pharmacy cannot expand the prescription. Meaning, if you write for one pack with 12 refills, the patient has to go to the pharmacy each month. We need to teach prescribers to write for 13 packs or 17 packs (if you are skipping the bleeding weeks).

Q:  Why the name Pandia Health?

A:  Pandia is the Greek Goddess of healing, light, and full moon. We are about women’s empowerment, thus a goddess was a perfect fit for a name. Pandia also means Pan = every, día = day. So, we’ve got you covered every day.

Dr. Yen pitches Pandia Health startup at 2018 University of California Entrepreneurship Showcase.

Q:  Pandia Health has raised a whopping $6.7 million to date from investors. Please tell us your business model and why you believe investors are attracted to your startup?

A:  We make money just like other pharmacies. The difference between what the insurance pays and what we can get the medication for, minus our overhead. We also have telemedicine and have the potential for affiliate income and “marketing the box.” We have a box going to women aged 18-50’s mailbox each month. Any Consumer-Packaged Goods company would be smart to partner with us to get in front of our audience with our recession-proof subscriptions.

Telemedicine 1.0 was cheap and fast. Telemedicine 2.0 will be about quality, expertise, and trust. As the only doctor-led, the only women-founded and women-led birth control delivery company, we are building “The Online Health Brand Women Trust" - starting with birth control and acne. We’re just getting started!

Investors are attracted because I built this business for the long game and they see the benefit of better care by better doctors. We want to be your friend from your first period throughout your life.

Using my MIT, UCSF and Stanford brain, I came up with an algorithm to minimize the chance of side effects when a woman starts the birth control pill. We have an 82% retention at a year vs. 55% for new birth control users. Our doctors are trained on how to tailor their birth control prescription to minimize side effects.

Q:  Has Pandia Health faced any backlash from conservative politicians who may not believe in stress-free access to birth control?

A:  No. Birth control prevents unplanned pregnancies and thus abortion. Birth control is used to treat painful or heavy periods, which is the number one cause of missed school and work for those with uteri under the age of 25.

Q:  Will you have a business location in Minnesota, or are all healthcare appointments conducted via teleconference?

A:  All our services are currently via asynchronous telemedicine. In the future, we may expand to video/phone. There are no plans to go brick-and-mortar at this time. Both our patients and doctors enjoy the flexibility of telemedicine. “Skip the trip” to the doctor’s office. Take the appointment from wherever you have internet. Fill out the health questionnaire 24/7 whenever you have time to do it and on your terms.

Q:  Can you describe what process was completed by Pandia to do business in Minnesota?

A:  Sure, here is the process we used: 

• We had to get our doctors licensed in Minnesota.

• We had to get our medical group, professional corporation recognized by the State of MN.

• We had to secure a registered agent.

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Q:  How may we invest in Pandia Health?

A:  We have an AngelList Roll Up Vehicle for those accredited investors starting at $1,000. For those who can invest $500,000 or more, reach out to me directly! You can also invest via a Donor Advised Fund (DAF), a tax-deductible mechanism.

Otherwise, we ask that you follow us on social and spread the word!  

TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube

Groundbreaking TESTIFY Exhibit Returns to Minneapolis Central Library

Article by Becky Fillinger, Opening Night photos by Joshua Yetman, Hennepin County Communications

A discussion with Georgi Page-Smith, Director of the Diane and Alan Page Collection, and Jesse Sawyer, Community Engagement Coordinator at Hennepin County Library

The vitally important exhibit returned to the Minneapolis Central Library on February 1. Located in the skyway-level Cargill Gallery, the exhibit will be on display through March 29, with many in-person and online programs and events to amplify the artifacts’ lessons. 

Georgi Page-Smith with her father, Justice Alan Page, at the opening night event.

Q:  The TESTIFY exhibit was first displayed at the Hennepin County Library in 2018 and press at the time said it was to counter the "recent resurgence of racial tension in our country." "There are those who would say 'get over it, we are here now, let's go forward' but you can't go forward without looking back," Justice Alan Page said of the exhibit in 2018. Racial tensions in the U.S. are more extreme today - CRT has been banned by 7 states, and 16 states have bills or state education policies that would restrict teaching about racism. Perhaps, with the Page family’s blessing, TESTIFY should become a permanent exhibit? 

Georgi: We would love to find a permanent home for TESTIFY and the entire Diane and Alan Page Collection, in fact, because we have been so lucky to see firsthand what an impact the exhibit has had. One of the hardest parts of the last exhibit was closing it down with such strong demand for this content and conversation coming from all over the state. The good news is that my father addressed the Minnesota Librarians Association a few months back and we are developing a program with the Great River Regional Library - and the support of Clean Water, Land and Legacy funding.

Q:  One obvious and necessary goal of TESTIFY is to challenge viewers to look at the past and learn, so that we all can have a better future – but are there other goals as well? 

Georgi:  We want people to act! One thing I’ve learned as an environmental activist is that elected officials do listen if you are persistent enough. And when you are thoughtful you can really break through and get stuff done. So, we plan to help coach and equip people to develop their stories in the service of advocacy - for whatever purpose or initiative or cause that they feel is relevant to them. We want to help them share their story within their communities, on social media or with elected officials, or beyond.

Q:  How many artifacts are on display? Can you give us a preview of what we’ll see? 

Georgi: There are right around sixty-five objects – one or two will come out of the exhibit and we’ll have at least one new object. The exhibit starts with the foundation: a brick that was part of the White House, made and placed there by enslaved people. From there it travels to a corner of the gallery where we’ve set up a tableau with a board game from the 1960’s. We’ve built a wall in the center of the gallery to create a moment of division – with objects of expression on one side and objects of oppression on the other. The exhibit is also grouped by themes and contains a few surprising combinations of objects that I hope people will come experience for themselves.

Above and below, photos from the opening night event.

Q:  What programs and events will accompany the exhibit?

Jesse:  In 2018, the exhibit was a standalone experience. In 2023, Hennepin County Library is hosting a weekly series of workshops and events. TESTIFY Tuesdays, produced by the Diane and Alan Page Collection and facilitated by Change Narrative LLC, with ACLU of Minnesota, and a Loft Teaching Artist, are designed to guide participants through exercises will help them create personal narratives and testimonials to advocate for social change.

In addition to the workshops, Minneapolis Central Library will host a TESTIFY Talk on March 2 and a TESTIFY Storytelling Slam on March 30. The March 2 event is focused on race, justice, and the economy. MPR News host Angela Davis will moderate a conversation with Justice Alan Page and Minneapolis Federal Reserve President and CEO, Neel Kashkari.

On March 30, we’re inviting the public to join us for an evening of powerful personal testimonies that deepen dialogue and encourage action on justice. The TESTIFY Storytelling Slam will feature curated stories told live from the stage by community members, celebrating the culmination of the TESTIFY exhibit and TESTIFY Tuesdays workshops.

Q:  Will TESTIFY Tuesday events be themed? 

Georgi: Every week, with support from Change Narrative LLC, the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota and The Loft Literary Center, participants will be guided through prompts that help explore our individual stories and how we are impacted by important issues.

Themes include voting rights, immigration and criminal justice, healthcare, police reform, the environment, housing, and the economy.

Q:  How may we follow Hennepin County Library news?  

Jesse:  If you’re interested in attending a TESTIFY event or workshop, visit the library’s website for complete details, along with links for registration. The exhibit and all events are 100% free of charge. Minneapolis Central Library is at 300 Nicollet Mall located along and near public transit stations, connected to the skyway, and offers hourly-rate underground parking. Cargill Gallery hours align with the open hours of the library – come on down to beautiful Minneapolis Central Library and take in this challenging, and crucial, exhibit. 

You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

A Discussion with Dan Chouinard, Concert Curator for the 24th Annual Black History Month Concert

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Dan Chouinard

Save space on your February calendar for the 24th Annual Black History Month Concert at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Community. We talked to Dan Chouinard, Concert Curator, about the history of the joyous event and what to expect this year, as well as his other projects.

Q:  You’re the Concert Curator for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday/Black History Month Concert at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Community, on February 19. Have you been involved with the concert from its start in 2000? If yes, what was the impetus to offer a concert for Black History Month in 2000?

A:  The entire concert series at St. Joan of Arc began with our first MLK Holiday concert in January 2000, an evening of popular songs and childhood reminiscences from the 1960s Civil Rights era with just three of us: me at the piano as host, and singers Debbie Duncan and Dennis Spears. Some folks wondered afterwards, “What did all this have to do with MLK and the struggle for civil rights?”. My experience has been that social change often begins with individuals getting to know one another, which means taking the time to hear one another’s stories.

Q:  What is the theme for this year’s concert? Do you collaborate with others to put the program together? If yes, please tell us how the program comes together. 

A:  Each year’s concert is a collaboration between church and neighborhood leaders and a dozen or so performers and speakers, with conversations starting six to twelve months out. 

The 2023 concert title is “Change Is Gonna Come.” We'll explore the big changes on Minneapolis' South Side and at St. Joan of Arc Parish in the late 1960s and early ‘70s: The building of 35W and white flight. The pairing of Hale and Field elementary schools and Minneapolis’ first step towards school desegregation. The appointing of a new pastor at St. Joan of Arc, Fr. Harvey Egan, closing out an era of conservatism and barely concealed racism and forging a new identity as a place of welcome and creativity, and we will mix it all with pop songs and guest speakers, activism and joy.

Q:  I like your words of pop songs, activism and joy. Can you give us a preview of what we will hear and see at this year’s concert program? How do we order tickets?

A:  It’ll be an exciting evening of songs, storytelling, archival photos and video all mixed together to give glimpses of the era, with featured guest musicians T. Mychael Rambo, Thomasina Petrus, Julius Collins and Charmin Michelle, plus TPT videographer Daniel Bergin, youth poet Enzo La Hoz Calassara, Brass Solidarity (who play outdoors at George Floyd Square every Monday all year), MN Opera violinist Emilia Mettenbrink, the SJA Choir and more. Order tickets here.

Q:  Is the concert a fundraiser for the church or other nonprofit organizations?

A:  Proceeds from the concert support all the work that St. Joan of Arc does within the church and all over the Metro area, including annual Peace and Justice Grants to dozens of local nonprofits.

Scene from last year’s concert finale, February 20, 2022: left to right: T. Mychael Rambo, Dan Chouinard, Thomasina Petrus, Charmin Michelle, Gwen Matthews, Jordan Hedlund (bass), Peter Johnson (drums), Daryl Boudreaux (percussion), Tommy Barbarella (keyboards).

Q:  A bit off topic, but you must be one of the busiest musicians in the Twin Cities. You travel extensively across the country, perform frequently at local clubs like Crooners and The Dakota and offer community singalongs several times a month. A Star Tribune article called you “everybody’s go to guy.”  How do you manage your time with so many events each month?

A:  As Tom Lehrer sang memorably on Sesame Street so long ago: Carefully. It helps to be lucky enough to work with people you’re eager to see and love being around.

Q:  Where else may we see you perform in February? How may we follow your news?

A:  I’m be at The O’Shaughnessy with Kevin Kling on Valentine’s Day evening. Around the country with Garrison Keillor, Prudence Johnson and Dean Magraw. Every first Monday night of the month, I’m at the Danish American Center in Minneapolis. The calendar’s always (reasonably) up to date at danchouinard.com/calendar.

Tuesday, February 14 - THE LOVE SHOW: HEARTS ON FIRE 2023, Dan Chouinard joins Kevin Kling, Bradley Greenwald, Prudence Johnson, Simone Perrin, Claudia Schmidt and Dane Stauffer and Marc Anderson.

Lisa Goodman's February 1 "Lunch with Lisa" Featured Chief Brian O’Hara

Article by Becky Fillinger

Every month Ward 7 Council Member Lisa Goodman hosts Lunch with Lisa at the Minneapolis campus of St. Thomas, and Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara was a special guest at the February 1 lunch. Over 100 citizens from Goodman’s Ward attended the session to hear Chief O’Hara talk about priorities for his department.

Ward 7 Council Member Lisa Goodman and Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara

O’Hara has been on the job for just under three months. He stressed several times that there is tremendous opportunity and desire for change in Minneapolis. So many have experienced trauma – both the public and police. He believes the officers who remain are incredibly dedicated and performing multiple jobs, and that the time is right for all of us to take advantage of the desire for progress that is universal across the city.

Here are some of the items he shared with the audience: 

• There are two ongoing investigations with the City of Minneapolis Police Department – one with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights and one with the U.S. Department of Justice. The outcome of both investigations may include mandates for reforms within the Police Department.  

• Staffing issues are a priority for the MPD. The Department is down a few hundred officers that are budgeted for – O’Hara is pursuing ways to attract more young people to the job and to certify officers more quickly if they have relevant experience and abilities. 

• He acknowledges that Minneapolis has an absolutely unacceptable level of gun violence. His goal is to collaborate with partners who are also seeking a reduction in gun violence (FBI, BCA, Hennepin County Sheriff, U.S. Attorney’s Office) and to be laser focused on moving gun violence prosecutions to the U.S. Attorney’s purview for federal prosecution. 

• MPD has an interest in using drone technology to assist their policing efforts. The equipment is purchased, but O’Hara is awaiting an opinion by the ACLU as to whether drone surveillance would unintentionally violate citizens’ rights under Minnesota law.

• Being present in the community is a priority. MPD is building (or rebuilding, in some cases) relationships with community-based organizations to be visible. Police League Activities have been re-engaged. Pilot activities are underway – the 3rd Precinct’s Command Staff is holding crime staff meetings in the neighborhoods they serve. 

• Increasing officer morale is a priority. O’Hara is instituting a means of rewarding officers who exhibit good behavior to build motivation and to also hold bad actions accountable.  

• Engagement and trust building is just as important to Chief O’Hara as preventing crimes. His goal is to do everything the MPD possibly can to have fewer victims of crime and to build a level of confidence with the community - these are the two pillars of his department’s mission. 

O’Hara mentions the MPD’s social media and requests that you follow them: Instagram and Facebook. 

Ten Thousand Things Theater Presents Mlima’s Tale at Open Book, Feb 16 – March 12

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

A discussion with Director, Ansa Akyea

Ansa AkyeaNext up for Ten Thousand Things Theater is Mlima’s Tale, Lynn Nottages’ play about the complicit international players and communities involved in the devastating ivory trade. Focusing on one magnificent elephant, Mlima, the play follows his spirit from Kenya to Vietnam to China. We talked to Director, Ansa Akyea, about the difficult and tragic lessons of Mlima’s Tale, ways to help Earth’s elephants and where to see the play. It’s only here for a short time, from February 9 to March 12 - get your tickets now!

Q:  Ben Brantley, theater critic for the New York Times, called Mlima’s Tale “a beautiful, endlessly echoing portrait of a murder and its afterlife.” Please tell us how the play resonated with you as director? 

A:  Mlima's Tale resonated with me because of its unique look at the complex and difficult subject of poaching and trafficking of ivory tusks. It also resonated because of Lynn Nottage's layered and poetic writing, and the clear call to action for us to do our parts in protecting elephants and redeeming our collective future.

Brian Bose as Mlima

Q:  The press release from Ten Thousand Things suggests that Nottage's play asks audiences to reflect on the collective consequences of human action. Will there be opportunities for the audience to reflect, immediately after the play, with each other and the cast? Will you provide audience members with a call to action if they’re so inclined?

A:  There will be post-show talks on February 19 and 24, and March 9. We will be including conservation organizations and nonprofits whose mission is to protect elephants in the program – here is the full list of organizations that would gratefully welcome donations and a wider knowledge of their missions: 

• Elephant Voices 
• Save the Elephants
• The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
• International Elephant Foundation
• The Nature Conservancy
• The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee
• Elephant Aid International
• Save The Asian Elephants
• World Wide Fund Kenya
• Wild is Life

Q:  Will there be special performances for high school students? What are your thoughts of engaging young people in discussions of conservation and mercy for sentient beings?  

A:  We have two community performances with St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists (an arts high school) and two community (free) performances with Project Success. We are also partnering with OnStageMN: Creating a Community Dialogue Around Live Theater, a theater outreach and audience development program fiscally sponsored by Springboard for the Arts. On Stage is designed to enhance in-class learning, to make local theater relevant to younger and non-traditional audiences, and to lay the groundwork for building future theater attendance.

Marcela LorcaI’ve asked our Artistic Director, Marcela Lorca about her thoughts on engaging young people in these discussions - here are her thoughts: "I'm very curious about what young people are thinking, given the world they're growing up in. We are happy to provide them opportunities to express themselves, listen to each and connect their imagination with the world they live in. We share this earth with animals and their habitat. We, all living creatures, depend on each other to keep the planet healthy for future generations. Art provides unique opportunities for important and transformative conversations."

Q:  Where may we see performances of Mlima’s Tale? 

A:  Here’s the complete schedule – it’s a short run and we’re hoping the community will come out to see the play.

Performance Schedule at Open Book

Thursday, February 16 at 7:30 pm

Friday, February 17 at 7:30 pm

Saturday, February 18 at 7:30 pm

Sunday, February 19 at 4 pm (Post-show Talk)

Thursday, February 23 at 7:30 pm (Audio-Described)

Friday, February 24 at 7:30 pm (Post-show Talk)

Saturday, February 25 at 7:30 pm

Sunday, February 26 at 4 pm (ASL-Interpreted)

Thursday, March 2 at 7:30 pm

Friday, March 3 at 7:30 pm

Saturday, March 4 at 7:30 pm

Sunday, March 5 at 4 pm

Thursday, March 9 at 7:30 pm (Post-show Talk)

Friday, March 10 at 7:30 pm

Saturday, March 11 at 7:30 pm

Sunday, March 12 at 4 pm

Community Performances (Free - reservations required) 

Sat Feb 11, 2 pm at St Paul Opportunity Center

Sun Feb 12, 2 & 7 pm at Project Success (1 Groveland Terrace, #300, Mpls)

Tue Feb 21, 1 pm at Episcopal Homes - Kings Crossing (500 Dale St N, St Paul)

Thu Feb 23, Time TBD at Cora McCorvey Center (1015 N 4th Ave, Mpls)

Tue Feb 28, 1 pm at Interact Center (1860 W Minnehaha Ave, St Paul)

Fri Mar 3, 2 pm at Metro State University (700 E 7th St, St Paul)

Tue Mar 7, 10 am at Harmony Learning Center (1961 County Rd C East, Maplewood)

Tue Mar 7, 2 pm at Transition Plus (2015 E Lake St, Mpls)

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Q:  How may we follow news of this production and Ten Thousand Things Theater Company? 

A:  Please do follow our news: https://tenthousandthings.org/

MPRB's Spark’d Studios Offer Free Media Arts Programming and After-school Access to Creative Technology for Youth Ages 10-19

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

A discussion with Raechel Bosch, Youth Technology and Career Skills Manager

Raechel BoschDid you know there are video and sound production studios that are part of our Minneapolis Parks resources? Rachel Bosch tells us about Spark’d Studios, the genesis of the idea, where to find the studios, and game-changing plans for the future in Minneapolis Parks’ programming.

Q:  Could you please tell us the genesis of the Spark'd Studios programming?

A:  About 20 years ago our current Superintendent, Al Bangoura, was a full-time Recreation Director at Powderhorn Park. His vision was to develop a multimedia studio for video and sound production to bring youth together in a safe place where they could dream of, and work toward, a bright future in creative endeavors. And he did just that. Mr. Bangoura partnered with the Institute of Production and Recording (IPR), founded in 2002 in Minneapolis, which trains students in audio production and engineering, live sound and show production, digital video and media production, and sound design for visual media. Programs at Powderhorn’s basement studio were enthusiastically received by the neighborhood youth, who sat side by side with each other, despite the discord and conflicts they faced with each other outside of the recreation center. Shortly after the media center opened, Al was transferred to another recreation center, and the vision for his media center flickered out without his drive and the resources he had cultivated from the Park Board, as well as the community. That, and his vision might have been just a bit early - before any of us understood where the field of creative technology was headed!

Fast forward to 2019, after a few years advancing in the park and recreation field out of state, Bangoura’s career brought him back to the Park Board, now as Superintendent, and his vision remained intact and even stronger. Recognition of the importance of the creative technology field had caught up with Al’s vision, and his plans for the promotion and advancement of media production in recreation centers is now supported by Board allocations for the construction of six studios serving various Minneapolis neighborhoods, full-time staff hired for each studio, a full-time manager, and most importantly, community (especially youth) enthusiasm and support.

Ongoing development and sustainability of Spark’d Studios requires funding and support from foundations, businesses and of course, the community.

Recording Booth at Powderhorn

Keyboard in the Powderhorn Studio

Open House attendees at Powderhorn Studio

Q:  Are the studio spaces for all ages? 

A:  The studios currently serve youth who are ages 10-19 and Minneapolis residents.

Q:  What types of programming is available?

A:  Spark’d Studios, located within Minneapolis recreation centers, offer free media arts programming and after-school access to creative technology, tools, and a multipurpose space for young producers to develop meaningful practices and collaborative projects. Activities are interdisciplinary, and include everything from creative writing, to video editing, to vocal performance, to clothing design, to social media content creation, to film studies, to 3D printing, to gaming, to web design.

Spark’d Studios are open year-round, at least five days per week, during after school times including late evening hours for older youth. Spark’d Studios offer both open studio labs for creative exploration as well as structured skill-building tech camps with an onsite full-time Youth Technology and Career Skills Specialist.

A full-time specialist will oversee each studio, providing leadership, coordinating partnership programs, supporting youth in their individual pursuits, hands-on practice, production, and performance of creative work.

Currently, the most popular program at Powderhorn Spark’d Studio is Music Recording and Production, which is offered weekly. The Powderhorn studio features a professional recording isolation booth with microphones, Midi keyboards, laptops, and a sound board for both group recording and individual audio engineering. Kids frequently drop by after playing a game of basketball to freestyle, write beats, sing to their favorite song, or even develop a podcast!

3D Printing Workshop

Art and Water Series

Storytelling Class

T-Shirt Design

Q:  This is such impressive programming! How many park locations have Spark'd Studios?

A:  A total of six studios will open by 2025. MPRB opened its first Spark’d Studio in Powderhorn Recreation Center in south-central Minneapolis in 2021 offering free creative technology programs in a highly sophisticated dedicated space with up-to-date equipment and software.

The next studio to open will be at Harrison Park in North Minneapolis. The brand-new multimedia room will feature various work stations for audio recording, a graphic design and editing suite, crafting area, 3D printing, gaming, and a laptop learning area for subject-based demonstrations. A ribbon cutting event will celebrate Harrison’s opening on February 9th and the northside studio will officially open to the public on February 13th.

Four additional studios will open from 2023-2025 at Whittier Park, Luxton Park, Phillips Community Center, and Graco Park.

Q:  It’s early, but do you have any results from the programs to share with us?

A:  We are just getting started!

Over the winter break, Spark’d Studios at Powderhorn Park teamed up with a local theatre group and offered a five-day Audio Recording Camp to record an audio play version of War of the Worlds. In the camp, six kids learned about signal flow, how to record and edit in GarageBand, and how to work with voice actors to produce a professionally recording theatrical performance.

Q:  What's on the drawing board on ways to expand the programs? 

A:  First and foremost, we are excited to connect the talented and diverse youth of Minneapolis with professional mentors, fun experiences, and critical resources so that they can pursue their interests, develop their passions, and explore self-expression as part of their everyday experience in the parks. We are building community partnerships with teachers and schools to offer hands-on studio activities both during and after school. Our long-term vision is to build pathways from our community studios to continued education and exciting professional opportunities for youth to connect their interests with real-world experience in a creative industry. We hope to help train the next generation of local young creators! Lastly, we are looking for donations of quality technology and materials for youth to experiment and train with various tools across disciplines. As practice-based, performance, and digital arts disappear from public schools, we hope to offer a safe space for Minneapolis youth to develop their crafts and ideas within walking distance from their homes.

Q:  How may we follow news of Spark'd Studios?

A:  Learn about city-wide Spark’d Studios programming and see our work on our new Instagram page @sparkdmpls or visit our website to browse and register for classes at: www.minneapolisparks.org/sparkd.

For queries, or to sign-up for our newsletter, email us at sparkd@minneapolisparks.org. 

Small Business Spotlight: Vellee

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

The founders of Vellee Deli opened a satellite location in Northeast Minneapolis – called simply Vellee. It is located on the ground floor of NordHaus at the corner of University Avenue NE and 1st Avenue NE. We spoke to Will Xiong, who owns the deli and restaurant with his wife, Joyce Truong.

Q:  Congratulations on your restaurant expansion to Northeast Minneapolis. Does this make three food service operations for you - two restaurants and a food truck too?

A:  Actually, it is only two operations for now. The food truck is still in storage, but we plan to bring it out once we work out all the logistics. Come visit us in NE Tuesday through Saturday, 11 am to 8:30 pm.

Barbacoa Taco Lettuce wrap

Duck Taco

Q:  For people just learning of Vellee, it is a Mexican-Pan Asian fusion restaurant. Why this combination? What might we find on the menu?

A:  We think it's the best of both worlds. Marinated Pan Asian meats and Mexican-inspired sauces makes for a memorable dining experience that’s fresh and accessible. You'll find Korean BBQ burritos, Thai curry burritos, Vietnamese tacos as well as classic bahn mi's (duck confit, BBQ pork and tofu).

Q:  Tell us about the words - Simmer, Sizzle, Scorch - in your logo. 

A:  This is how we describe our spice levels. We refer to them as "kicks" levels 1-3. Simmer (1 Kick), Sizzle (2 Kicks) and Scorch (3 Kicks). We grow our own sun-dried Thai chili peppers and grind them down to heat dust for those looking for an additional zip in their meal.

Q:  What is one item from your menu that everyone must try?

A:  We're best known for our Korean BBQ and Chicken Curry burritos, but a must try at our NordHaus location is our barbacoa tacos. They've been outselling everything since we've opened. Oh, I just thought of another best seller that you must try – duck taco!

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  Please do follow us on all our social channels: Twitter: @velleedeli, Instagram: @velleemn and Facebook.

Must See Exhibit - Locally Grown: Documentary Photography of Minnesota Communities

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

A Discussion with curatorial fellow Ashley Cope

The Weisman Art Museum is exhibiting documentary photographs by Minnesota artists Joseph Allen, Laura Migliorino, Tom Arndt, David L. Parker, Wing Young Huie, and Michael Dvorak. The work spans five decades and highlights topics as broad as family, friendship, culture, relationships, sexuality, work, inequality, hardship and joy. We spoke to curator Ashley Cope about documentary photography and what the artists hope you’ll take from the exhibit. 

Ashley CopeQ:  What is documentary photography?

A:  Documentary photography incorporates a wide variety of photographic techniques and various subjects, but the term generally refers to photographs which capture real, often spontaneous, moments from life. Documentary photography is interested in long-term projects and ongoing issues; the works in the exhibition, therefore, are not shocking scenes from breaking news stories, but are instead snapshots from the daily lives of Minnesotan communities over the past fifty years: football games, parades, waiting for the bus, taking a break from work. The artists represented in the show often work in series and gather specific subjects together into a larger narrative. Laura Migliorino’s Hidden Suburbs series, for example, focuses on the diversity of Twin Cities’ suburbs and highlights the realities of Minnesotan families in the metro area; Migliorino’s Silverod Street #1 from the Hidden Suburbs series is on view in the exhibition.

Q:  How did you go about selecting the photographers for the exhibit?

A:  As the O’Brien Curatorial Fellow, I had the opportunity to pore over the Weisman Art Museum’s robust collection of artworks. Within the collection, the Weisman’s impressive photography collection stood out to me, as many of the photographs I was coming across returned to Minnesota and its people. Not only were many photographs centered on Minnesotan subject matter, many of the photographers were also deeply connected to the state; all of the artists in the exhibition are either born and/or based in Minnesota. As a born and raised Minnesotan myself, I was fascinated by images of the Minnesota State Fair from the 1970s, photos of familiar streets I’ve walked down a thousand times, as well as events and locations I’d never visited despite growing up nearby.

It became clear that the artists I was looking at the most - the five in the show - saw something in Minnesota that kept them coming back to photograph the community around them, the community in which they lived and worked. To see one’s own community from multiple perspectives and across time is a strength of the documentary photography represented in the show. Visitors will see scenes that are familiar and those that are not - they might even see themselves! - but everyone who visits will see the various, intimate experiences of everyday life in Minnesota from a new perspective.

Q:  What do you want or hope the visitor will experience as they view the exhibit?

A:  I spoke recently with one of the artists in the show, Tom Arndt, and we discussed how we often stay in our own little communities within a larger shared space, like Minnesota. We are so often within our own small bubble, and often these bubbles seem never to come into contact, or they do so very rarely. I hope this show allows for those bubbles to pop a little bit, for lots of people to see the larger shape of our community and how each small piece fits together to make the whole. I hope that the exhibition can serve as a space to see and engage with our neighbors.

Q:  Are there any events planned around the exhibit?

A:  Yes, I recently did an interview with Tom Arndt and Michael Dvorak, two of the artists whose work is represented in the show; a blog post and interactive map connecting some works from the show to locations in the Twin Cities will come out in early 2023 in response to that interview. There is also a panel conversation planned between three of the artists in the show, which will be moderated by another local photographer, Pao Her.

Q:  On a somewhat related note, you are a recipient of the O'Brien Curatorial Fellowship. What did this mean to your career?

A:  The O’Brien Curatorial Fellowship was an incredible opportunity for me; I graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2019 with a B.A. in Art History and Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies. I’ve always been interested in museums and, knowing I wanted to work in art institutions, I ended up interning at the Weisman Art Museum and the Minneapolis Institute of Art during my undergraduate career. I applied for the O’Brien Fellowship prior to my 2019 graduation and served as the 2019-2020 Gerald and Lisa O’Brien Curatorial Fellow between undergraduate and graduate school. As the O’Brien Fellow, I got to work closely with Diane Mullin, the Weisman’s Senior Curator and an all-around lovely person from which to learn. I learned the ins and outs of curatorial work and worked closely with WAM’s other amazing staff. I loved my time at WAM, and though it was a bit disrupted by COVID-19, my time as the O’Brien Fellow was an extremely formative experience for me and encouraged me to continue pursuing a museum career.

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  The Weisman’s news can be found at their website and at weismanartmuseum on Instagram.

Personally, I am working towards my Ph.D. in Art History at the University of Maryland, College Park. My most recent milestone was the completion of my M.A. in April 2022. I will be presenting at the Barnes Symposium in Philadelphia in February 2023.

I also co-curated RINGGOLD | SAAR: Meeting on the Matrix which will open at the David C. Driskell Center in College Park, Maryland, on January 26, 2023. This exhibition highlights the printed works of significant American artists Faith Ringgold and Betye Saar.

My picks from the exhibition:

Joseph Allen (Rosebud Sioux b. 1964)

Clyde Bellecourt (White Earth Ojibwe), 2001

Clyde Bellecourt stands before the symbol of the American Indian Movement (AIM) in this vibrant portrait. In 1968, Bellecourt and co-founders Russell Means, Eddie Benton-Banai, and Dennis Banks formed AIM in Minneapolis to combat police brutality and historical injustice against Indigenous Americans. Bellecourt passed away on January 11, 2022, at his home in Minneapolis; his legacy as a leader of civil rights and an outspoken champion for the importance of indigenous culture and tradition persists.

Tom Arndt (American, b. 1944)

Waiting for the bus, downtown Minneapolis 1974

Waiting for the bus, 7th Street, Minneapolis 2006

Two photographs taken three decades apart demonstrate a shared, and often dreaded, experience: waiting. In Tom Arndt’s 2006 photograph of a bus stop in downtown Minneapolis, people on 7th Street crane their necks and gaze intensely in the same direction, each waiting - some more patiently than others - for the correct bus to come into view. Despite changes to the city over Arndt's long career, his images of downtown bus stops show how the trials and tribulations of waiting are both common and persistent. 

They Built This City: Interview with Ironworker James "Barney" Marquette

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Today’s job market often focuses on openings in the technology world. We tend to overlook the many jobs that require physical strength and exertion – along with agility and a good mind. For example, Ironworkers still exist. There are approximately 70,000 Ironworkers in the U.S. - with 2000 in Minnesota and North Dakota. Ironworkers play a vital role in nearly ALL aspects of our built environment and infrastructure. Whether it be new construction, renovation or maintenance on commercial, industrial, transportation, power generation or public facilities projects, Ironworkers had a hand in creating it.

We spoke to James "Barney" Marquette, a member of Ironworkers Local #512 to learn more about his career as an Ironworker. He started his career at the age of 21 in 1966 and retired in 2004 at the age of 59. During this time, he helped build many iconic landmarks of the Minneapolis skyline.    

April 1972, IDS Building in Minneapolis

James ”Barney” Marquette and Harold Morris attaching aluminum fascia/cladding to the top of the IDS at 750 feet - "57 stories up."

Q:  You grew up in St. Michael, MN. What did your parents do for work?

A:  My father worked at Gluek’s Brewery in Minneapolis until it closed in 1964, then he worked at Grain Belt Brewery until he retired. My mother managed a tavern that her dad owned in Buffalo, MN.

Q:  Tell me about your family. What is your wife’s name, and how did you meet?

A:  My wife’s name is Mary, she grew up in Corcoran, MN and we have three daughters. Mary and I met at a dance at the Rogers Dance Hall. We got married in 1967, one year after I started as an Ironworker. 

Q:  You’ve worked on some iconic Minneapolis buildings, including the IDS Tower. When working on the IDS, who were you working for?

A:  The company name was Flour City Ornamental Iron Works. Flour City was the contractor for all the windows and ornamental components. (Note: Flour City also did work on the Foshay Tower, which was the tallest building in Minneapolis until the IDS Tower was built. Flour City had a diverse and colorful history.)

Q:  As an Ironworker you worked on jobs all around downtown Minneapolis. Where were living at the time?

A:  I lived right here in this house that I build 55 years ago, in my hometown of St. Michael, MN.  I never moved to Minneapolis to be closer to work.

Q:  What type of tasks were you doing when you first got out in the field?

A:  I carried steel rebar for the first ten years before the apprenticeship - my shoulders would be raw until they calloused up. Some of the rebar we carried were 40’ long and 1½” diameter - it would take two guys to carry the load and the rebar would still flex down to the ground between us.

Q:  How much an hour did you make when you first started in 1966?

A:  We made $4 an hour, everyone in the union made the same scale, whether you were on the ground or in the air.

Q:  How were you trained for iron work?

A:  I went through an apprenticeship for three years. We learned how to weld, and we would build various mockups of what we would see on the job sites.

Q:  What were the standard safety practices that your adhered to, and what type of footwear did you have?

A:  When I first started there was not much provided for safety protocol, we did not start tying off until the late 60’s. (Tying off is connecting a safety line to yourself, you can see one clipped to Harold Morris in picture #1). Ninety five percent – almost all - of the guys wore Redwing Irish Setter boots, they were comfortable and had good traction.

Q:  What type of weather conditions would shut down a job?

A:  In the winter we would shut down at 20 degrees below zero, or if the wind was over 25 mph the tower cranes would shut down.

Minneapolis Ironworkers on break

Q:  Can you please provide us with names of the crew in the above break/lunch photo?

A:  Me (Barney Marquette) in the green shirt, in the back is Harold Morris, far right is Floyd Case, in the white sweatshirt Ted D. ”The Greek,” in the blue sweatshirt is Burdell Hodges and not pictured is Dick James, who took the picture. 

Q:  Did you ever work with the guys on the IDS crew on other jobs?

A:  Yes, but only Dick James - we were on various jobs together.

Q:  What are some of the most memorable jobs that you worked on?

A:  Of course, the IDS, I was there for 2 years, then there were the three power houses at the Becker Power Plant, I was there for 8½ years. I also worked on the US Bank Building, it’s the one with the halo on top.

Q:  When did you retire?

A:  I retired in 2004 after 45 years and the pay scale at that time was $32 an hour.

Q:  Now when you travel around the Twin Cities with family and friends do you point out the buildings you worked on?

A:  Yes, all the time. Seeing the buildings we worked on brings back great memories. I often point them out to my wife Mary, and she always responds with, “Yes Barney, you’ve told me about that building before.”

Q:  What is Dick James doing in the below photograph?  

A:  He was replacing a trolly wheel, the I-beam was several feet away from the bldg. and the glass was brought to it, then moved on the trolly around the building to the spot it was to be installed.

Dick James lying chest down on IDS building I-beam

Dick James on IDS building above 35W South

Dick James standing on IDS building above the Foshay Tower

IDS building open I-beam looking north at the Mississippi River

Nonprofit Leader: Rebecca Noon, Director of Community Engagement, Guthrie Theater

Article by Becky Fillinger, photo provided

Rebecca NoonGet to know Rebecca Noon, Director of Community Engagement for the Guthrie Theater. We talked to her about how she goes about building collaborations with community - individuals and groups - to support the Guthrie’s mission. Her authentic approach to work and building relationships is effective and inspiring - we predict she will lead the Guthrie to even greater levels of community engagement.  

Q:  What’s a typical day for you?  

A:  One thing I love is that there is no typical day. On a “full and productive” day, I may catch up on emails, research prospective community partners, read a play that the Guthrie is considering for a future season, attend meetings with community members, attend internal committee meetings, interview a show’s director or attend a rehearsal. I also connect with young professionals seeking advice on the field or other community engagement practitioners looking for Thought Partnership. When I am having difficulty figuring out who to reach out to for a given collaboration, I may take a walk and listen to a podcast or the radio. More than once, this has helped me find my next contact for collaboration.  

Q:  You’ve done similar community engagement work for other theaters. In a prior position at Trinity Repertory Company, you described your duties as “moving beyond the transactional, to a place where you could envision investment in community members as audience co-conspirators.” Is that how you approach your position at the Guthrie, too?  

A:  When I began the work at Trinity Rep, I was a working artist who had experience producing. I naturally gravitated toward people and experiences outside of commercial norms. Trinity was just starting to think about integrating a Community Engagement plan into their work and invited me to make a proposal. I was able to research the field and think about Trinity Rep and Providence, RI, in a thoughtful way, and I like to think what we did together the following four years was impactful.  

When I said “yes” to the Guthrie, I was not sure how much of my approach would be applicable to a new theater and a new city, but in the end, I realized that my approach is mine. My approach is so relationship-based and personal. At the end of the day, if I can’t be authentic in the work, then I'm lost. 

I don’t think about transactional relationships. We are working on transformation together — I am changed, the partner is changed, the Guthrie is changed and the community is changed — in ways that give all of us greater access to each other and the gifts we cultivate and want to share. I don’t know how to engage community any other way. 

Q:  Can you please share with us the communities – local or national – you’ve targeted for engagement?

A:  Inside every community are other communities and then individuals. While I often start with a big idea, as soon as I start talking to people, I discover how the individuals representing those communities want to be considered, and where they see themselves in this proposition. At the Guthrie, we have built strong commitments with members of the Native community in the Twin Cities, which holds the second largest urban Native population in the country and is where the American Indian Movement was born. In general, I want to get to know people from a specific community because we are producing a play somehow connected to them and believe they should have access to the storytelling from as close to the beginning as I can get. In the past, this has led me to build relationships with people coming out of incarceration, hairdressers who work with multiple textures of hair, women from Iraq living in the Twin Cities, labor organizers, African American history keepers, people who work for housing justice, and people who immigrated here from Vietnam, among others. In every partnership, I meet people who want to keep being in relationship with me and the Guthrie, and I endeavor to keep the relationship alive with them by showing up to things they invite me to and inviting them into more projects and conversations, no matter the subject. Because that is what happens when we develop mutual relationships.  

Q:  Is part of your mission to also drive engagement around certain topics the theater may tackle – climate change, mass incarceration, Indigenous rights, etc.?   

A:  I sit on a team that supports the play selection process at the Guthrie. The themes surrounding our shows guide the work of the theater. I also have the agency to propose events or initiatives that might illuminate work we want to collectively invest in as an organization. When I initiate collaboration with any community, it means having a real conversation about our shared values. By saying yes and giving pieces of our platform to people fighting for all kinds of causes, I am driving that kind of engagement. 

Q:  Do you have an advisory committee?  

A:  Currently, I work closely with the Community Engagement committee of the Guthrie board and our Native Advisory Council. As I’ve worked to maintain and build open relationships with community members who would like to be involved, the idea of a community-based advisory committee has also come to mind. This “Community Advisory Network” is not an unfamiliar concept to the Guthrie, and an opportunity may present itself again for this type of collaborative forum to live within Community Engagement.  

Q:  How may we, as community members, stay engaged with your team and the Guthrie?  

A:  My dream is for people to know each other, and know the Guthrie is part of the fabric of how and where people find each other in our community. If Community Engagement connects someone to the Guthrie, I hope their relationship will expand to other areas of our organization. Community Engagement helps people meet our staff in Education, where they take classes; Production, where they tour our shops; or Guest Services, for involvement with our access programs. I love nothing more than to see someone I introduced to the Guthrie in the building for reasons other than Community Engagement.

I’m always open to a good dream session. I love meeting people who might have an idea about how the Guthrie could be useful to them and then take it from there. We’re an organization full of highly skilled, passionate people. I’m happy to make connections when I can. 

Please follow and engage with the Guthrie on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.  Sign-up for our emails here.

Nonprofit Spotlight: Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

A Discussion with Carol Margolis, Concertmaster

Carol MargolisThe Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis celebrates its 70th season of music with the 2022-2023 concert season. I highly recommend you make plans to attend their upcoming concert - performances are offered free of charge and the musicians are exceptionally talented. We spoke to Carol Margolis, Concertmaster, about the history of the Orchestra, her many responsibilities and how to support this cherished institution.

Q:  Please tell us the history of the Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis.

A:  I’d love to. In autumn of 1952, a group of Twin Cities’ musicians organized the Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis under the baton of Henry Denecke, timpanist with the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra. The fledgling orchestra had its first concert that following spring on Tuesday, May 5, 1953.

In its early years, Civic rehearsed in the auditorium of Schmitt Music. Tom Nee, Assistant Professor of Music at Hamline University, assumed leadership of the Civic in 1954 and helped to build the ensemble into a leading community orchestra. Under his direction, Civic established a commissioning fund to support the composition of new music, commissioning its first work in 1957.

Long noted for its innovative programming, the Orchestra has received eleven awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), a prestigious number for a community orchestra of its size. This tradition is ongoing, with new compositions currently in the works.

The Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis continues today as the oldest community orchestra in Minneapolis. We perform under the direction of Cary John Franklin, Music Director since 1994.

Q:  You are the Concertmaster for the Orchestra. Could you tell us about your responsibilities in this role?

A:  You know, I'm glad you asked that question! There are many!  

First of all, I am responsible for scheduling auditions for the violins with the Music Director and then for deciding what our requirements are for members.  How well can they sight read? What is their technical proficiency? How committed are they to playing all rehearsals and concerts?

Secondly, once I know who is in the violin section, I need to seat the players in both the first and second violin sections according to ability and preference. I do try to rotate the players between the first and second sections to give them variety and an understanding of the importance of each section. 

Next, I am responsible to make sure the bowings of both sections are consistent with each other and work technically and musically for the repertoire we are playing. I do try to keep bowings as simple and appropriate for the composition at hand as possible.

Civic Orchestra

Lastly, and most important, I lead the violin sections in rehearsals and performances. Obviously, the first priority for orchestra members is to follow the conductor, but the violins always have their eyes on me as well. They follow my bowings and phrasal entrances and finishes as we rehearse and perform.   

Q:  A little bit off course, but you also teach English to adult refugees and immigrants. Do you have time management tips to share?

A:  The dual careers of teaching English as a second language as well as keeping up a busy performance/jobbing schedule with the Lake String Quartet and the Civic Orchestra can be daunting!!! I love them both but have had to make some changes as the years have accumulated! Fifteen years ago, I could keep up with thirty hours of teaching, weekend gigs and Civic rehearsals and performances. Now, however, I have had to modify my schedule. A couple of years ago I retired from teaching, and now volunteer once a week at the school I formerly taught at. In making that decision, as hard as it was to give up full-time teaching, my volunteer work has kept me happily active in the ESL community. I still enjoy performing and jobbing with the quartet as much as ever and love playing with the Civic Orchestra.    

I have served as Concertmaster with the Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis for almost 10 years now and the position and the privilege of playing with a group of such talented musicians has given me more joy and gratitude than I can express! We all come to our orchestra dedicated to playing beautiful music with each other and to sharing it with audiences. It is truly a delight! 

Q:  Are there upcoming performances?

A:  Yes, we are preparing for our next concert which will be held at the Ted Mann Concert Hall. It features Gao Hong premiering her new work for Pipa and Orchestra composed specifically for the Civic Orchestra.  Here’s information on the full program:

March 5, 3:00 PM - Musical Journey for Pipa and Orchestra 

• Adolphus Hailstork – An American Fanfare 
• Gao Hong – Musical Journey for Pipa and Orchestra, World Premiere 
• Antonín Dvořák – New World Symphony 

Mark your calendars and come hear our performance! Please check our website for other upcoming concerts.

Q:  How may we support this community treasure?

A:  We are so thankful for your donations. There are so many ways to support us: click here to select from among the different options. Also, please follow us on social media, Instagram and Facebook.

Minnesota Library Access Center: Cavernous Storage!

Article by Becky Fillinger

MLAC is located 85 feet below Elmer L.Andersen Library on the University of Minnesota’s West Bank campus.

Think you know all about Minnesota libraries? How about a mega-storage facility located 85 feet below the Elmer L. Andersen Library – in caverns? We talked to MLAC staff, Kate Brownrigg and Michelle Penna, about the history and capacity of the Minnesota Library Access Center. You might want a tour – keep reading.

Kate Brownrigg (left) and Michelle Penna

Q:  Please tell us the history of the Minnesota Library Access Center.

A:  The Minnesota Library Access Center (MLAC) is the state- and university-funded cornerstone of Minnesota libraries’ efforts to provide cost-effective storage, access, and preservation, while promoting the use, and ensuring the long-term survival of the knowledge and culture contained in the collective library resources drawn from multiple library collections throughout the state.

MLAC is operated by Minitex, a joint program between the University of Minnesota and the Office of Higher Education. Many Minnesotans might not know that Minitex exists, but library staff sure do. At Minitex, it’s our mission to collaborate with each and every one of Minnesota’s libraries to help them do their best for their communities. Working together, we offer what just might be the highest quality library service of any state in the nation. We provide interlibrary loan, free online databases, and a whole lot more (check out our website). MLAC is emblematic of that spirit of cooperation. After all, MLAC is a collection of books from 22 separate institutions, managed expertly, and made available to any Minnesotan who wants or needs them, at no cost to the patron.

MLAC is located at the University of Minnesota. It opened January 2, 2000. The service was designed to help relieve space shortages for Minnesota academic, government, and public libraries. No other university or state at that time had tried to develop a storage center that would serve all types of libraries in a state.

MLAC includes items from over 20 academic, public, and government libraries across Minnesota. The largest single-day deposit of books at MLAC came in February, 2001 when over 24,000 books packed in seven semi-trucks arrived from the St. Paul Public Library. The smallest deposit was a single book from the Goddard School. 

MLAC is a University of Minnesota program located on the Twin Cities campus. MLAC operates as an integral program of the University of Minnesota Libraries, Twin Cities, and Minitex on behalf of all Minnesota libraries.

A specialized HVAC system maintains temperature and humidity controls. This image shows partially filled shelves from the early 2000s. 

MLAC shelves are 17 feet high, and most must be reached with a stockpicker.

MLAC contains 1.5 million volumes from over 20 Minnesota libraries.

Q:  How many volumes are stored at MLAC?

A:  Currently, 1.5 million volumes are stored in MLAC. Books in MLAC are shelved by size, not by subject or alphabetically like a typical library. The goal is to shelve at the highest density possible to maximize space usage. Unlike a typical library, our shelves are 17 feet tall. 

Q:  Is there a risk of reaching capacity in terms of storage? If yes, what would happen then?

A:  The facility where MLAC is located is at capacity — in fact, it’s beyond our expected capacity. This demonstrates that there is a need for collective management of library materials, and is one example of how Minnesota libraries have fully embraced collaboration as a method to meet that need. Libraries know that we need to work together to preserve unique library materials and that working together provides benefit to all. In June 2022, the University of Minnesota Board of Regents approved funding for a new Off-site Collections Facility to provide capacity well into the future. 

Q:  Where is MLAC located?

A:  MLAC is currently located in the caverns, 85-feet below Elmer L. Andersen Library on the West bank of the University of Minnesota. The caverns, dug into the Mississippi riverbank, are connected to the above-ground Elmer L. Andersen Library by a 40-square-foot shaft containing elevators, 140 stairs, ventilation equipment, and a custom-built conveyor system for moving library materials.

Q:  Who may access the materials stored at MLAC?

A:  Minnesota library patrons may request items for delivery to your local public library through MNLINK, which provides access to materials from libraries across the state. University of Minnesota students, staff, and faculty may request items for pickup at any University of Minnesota library location through the University of Minnesota Libraries catalog. 

Q:  Are tours available?

A:  While MLAC is not directly open to the public, tours of the caverns are available through the University Libraries’ Archives and Special Collections’ First Fridays event series. Tours are provided upon request at the conclusion of each in-person presentation event. 

A Discussion with Michaela Neu, Project Coordinator, Green Minneapolis

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Michaela NeuGreen Minneapolis envisions a green future for Minneapolis with trees on every street and vibrant public spaces. It is a powerful link between local governments and private funders, and will continue to help Minneapolis grow and thrive.

We talked to Michaela Neu, Project Coordinator, about Green Minneapolis projects, our urban tree canopy and how you can be part of their efforts.

Q:  Green Minneapolis was formed in 2015 to "enhance the downtown experience." What are some success stories in the past seven years?

A:  We’ve had quite a few - I’ll highlight several for your readers.

The Commons

In 2015, Green Minneapolis led a partnership with the City of Minneapolis and downtown business leaders that raised approximately $15 million dollars from generous companies and individuals for The Commons, a 4.2-acre green oasis that replaced surface parking lots and helped launch the revitalization of East Town. In conjunction with the opening of the adjacent US Bank Stadium, The Commons opened in the summer of 2016 and has hosted dozens of stadium related events drawing thousands of visitors, as well as serving as a tranquil and beautiful green space for residents to recreate and relax. Now under the ongoing care and management of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, The Commons continues to expand its programming and build its community of park users. Green Minneapolis is proud of its leadership role in establishing The Commons as a new and welcoming park in the center of downtown.

Peavey Plaza

Peavey Plaza

Green Minneapolis spearheaded the $10 million fundraising campaign to revitalize Peavey Plaza, with contributions from the City of Minneapolis, State of Minnesota, Target Corporation and many other companies and individual donors. The design team, led by Coen+Partners, facilitated a project that celebrates the Plaza’s historic modernist design, enhances sustainability and makes the Plaza accessible to all. The renovated Peavey Plaza, which is now on the National Register of Historic Places, has been open for three years, and its restoration has won several awards, including two this year - the prestigious 2022 Design Award of Excellence from Docomomo US, and the 2022 Best Activated Space Award from Minneapolis Downtown Council. 

And with pandemic restrictions lifted, this year Green Minneapolis inaugurated our Peavey Plaza Performing Arts Series, with 27 different artists and 65 free performances, attracting thousands of people back downtown to enjoy free music, dance and theater with performances by our programming partners including the Minnesota Orchestra, Cantus, Children’s Theatre Company, James Sewell Ballet and Westminster Church’s Music Program. Due to the resounding success of this year’s programming, next summer we plan to increase the number of performances from 65 to 100. Every one of these performances will be free and open to all, and every artist will be compensated - made possible by donations from Green Minneapolis supporters. We believe in the power of art to nurture human connection, and parks and public spaces like Peavey Plaza are some of the best places in our community where people from all walks of life come together to relax, recreate and get to know one another.

Twin Cities Climate Resiliency Initiative

Launched in 2021, Green Minneapolis expanded its vision for a green city to encompass an urban tree planting initiative focused on mitigating heat islands and environmental inequities across Minneapolis and the seven-county metro area. Called the Twin Cities Climate Resiliency Initiative, it is a 20-year program to plant and maintain 5 million new trees across the Twin Cities.  

Q:  Please tell us more about the Twin Cities Climate Resiliency Initiative.

A:  Green Minneapolis’ Twin Cities Climate Resiliency Initiative is a public/private partnership focused on significantly expanding the urban tree canopy across Minneapolis and the Twin Cities 7 County Metro Area. Designed to address the most harmful impacts of climate change on our region’s residents, it is a 20-year vision to increase the Metro Area’s tree canopy by 30% through planting and maintaining 5 million additional trees on public and private land.

This initiative requires significant new funding, and Green Minneapolis is working with a coalition of environmental organizations and local companies to increase funding for urban tree canopy planting and maintenance. Green Minneapolis joined a coalition of national environmental organizations advocating for urban tree funding to be included in the Inflation Reduction Act, resulting in $1.5 billion of new funding for urban forestry available to cities across the country.  And at the state level, Green Minneapolis is working with its coalition partners to advocate for increases in urban tree funding to help replace trees lost to Emerald Ash Borer.

Lastly, Green Minneapolis’ urban tree carbon offset program is the first to issue carbon offsets in Minnesota, and is the largest in the country.  Our first project with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) includes over 23,000 newly planted trees, and was verified and started selling carbon offset to local companies this fall.  Proceeds from the sale of carbon offsets from this program are projected to generate millions of dollars in new funding for our tree planting partners over the next 20 years.

In addition to working with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, this fall Green Minneapolis launched a project with Hennepin County, and we are in discussions with other Twin Cities local governments as well. To support this expansive scope, Green Minneapolis is forming a coalition of environmentally focused organizations to support the initiative, including The Nature Conservancy, the Trust for Public Land, Minneapolis Parks Foundation, Friends of the Mississippi River, Mississippi Park Connection, Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, Sagiliti and the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce. 

Q:  Why is the urban tree canopy important to Minneapolis?

A:  Green Minneapolis believes that urban tree canopy must be considered an essential component of urban infrastructure that keeps our cities livable and economically vibrant - just like our transit systems, water systems and electricity grid. In addition to sequestering carbon, urban trees provide other quantifiable benefits to urban communities including reducing flooding and water pollution, reducing particulate air pollution, mitigating urban heat islands and reducing heating and cooling energy use. Tree canopy also increases property values, contributes to our mental health, provides habitat for wildlife, reduces crime, slows car traffic, and sustains urban arborist jobs. There is no better technology for making our cities more sustainable and climate resilient than the tree.

Unfortunately, our tree canopy is threatened in Minneapolis and across the metro area from the Emerald Ash Borer, difficult growing conditions due to climate change and increased development. Now, more than ever, is the time to invest in growing our urban tree canopy.

Q:  I read that $1M of American Rescue Plan Funds allocated to Minneapolis may be used to jump start an initiative to plant 200,000 trees by 2040. How is that program proceeding? 

A:  To meet the goal of planting 200,000 additional trees across Minneapolis, the MPRB needs to plant on average 10,000 new trees each year. Long term funding for this level of tree planting is not yet in place. The $1M in American Rescue Plan funds we secured for the MPRB will get them to their tree planting goals in 2023 and 2024, but after 2024 the funding required is not yet in place. Proceeds from the urban tree carbon offset program will help fill some of the funding gap, but other sources - from new state, federal and philanthropic sources - are required.

Q:  How may we as citizens support the efforts of Green Minneapolis?

A:  The Twin Cities Climate Resiliency Initiative brings together individuals and companies that are taking action to reduce their environmental footprint by investing in the local tree canopy and community. You can help make a difference by donating to Green Minneapolis’ Twin Cities Urban Forest Fund, where funds will be used to plant and maintain trees across the Metro Area.

Q:  This is all great news for Minneapolis and the local area. How may we follow your news?

A:  One can sign up for our newsletter, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Prioritize Health in 2023 - Tips from Mayor Jacob Frey

Article by Becky Fillinger

Mayor FreyIt’s the first week of a new year, and at this time we often start to ramp up our fitness regimen. One way to approach this is to get advice from the fittest among us. Our mayor, Jacob Frey, is frequently on the list of fittest mayors in the U.S. I put this question to him: What advice can you give us to get fitter in 2023? Not surprisingly, he had great advice to share: 

Before becoming mayor, I used to run for competition and passion. I now run for my physical and mental health. Running has always been a release for me. It helps me face difficult issues and allows me to think quicker. The absence of my routine runs is noticed not just by me, but by those around me. Prioritizing my health allows me to be the best version of myself, in and out of the office. 

Here are five tips I have for people looking to prioritize their physical health in 2023:    

1. Find a rhythm: The best way to get into a regular workout routine is to work out regularly. If you like to exercise in the morning, maybe that means not spending a ton of time on your phone while in bed. Instead, get up, put on your socks, and lace up those shoes. That first step alone will make it 10 times more likely you will get out the door and to your favorite workout activity.  
2. Frequency is more important than duration: Rather than crushing yourself once or twice a week during your workout, make a daily commitment to get some sort of exercise. Even if it’s a short walk during your lunch break, a little can go a long way. My favorite exercise is running along the Riverfront, which provides some of the best views in Minneapolis.
3. Listen to your body: Not every day is going to be your best. On days when you have a hop in your step, increase the intensity. On days when you’re tired, don’t be afraid to take what I call “active rest” - keep the body moving so you still benefit, but do so with a lower intensity.
4. Dress for the occasion: We live in Minneapolis, where a single-layer cotton shirt won’t be enough for many months of the year. But don’t let that deter you – throw on some layers, a hat, and some gloves, and find a way to get outside. Nothing cleanses the body and mind like some fresh air. Even a phenomenal workout inside usually can’t take the place of experiencing a breath of fresh air outside.
5. Go with a friend: If you are accountable to someone beyond yourself, you’re more likely to show up on time and get the job done. Not to mention, a little banter can make exercising more fun and go by quicker. In Minneapolis, we’re all in this together, especially during the winter, and there are plenty of workout groups and people there to help you stay motivated. On Wednesday mornings, check out November Project and on Friday mornings, check out Flapjack Friday at Mill City Running.

Thank you, Mayor Frey!