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.

Free Talk of Stacks with Charlayne Hunter-Gault, February 16, at Central Library

Talk of the Stacks with Charlayne Hunter-Gault

Free in-person + virtual event, February 16, 6:30p (Doors open 6p)

On Thursday, February 16, Emmy Award-winning journalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault kicks off the return to in-person Talk of the Stacks events at Minneapolis Central Library in Pohlad Hall. Join at the library or online to experience an enthralling conversation between Hunter-Gault and seasoned radio and podcast host Lissa Jones. 

Charlayne Hunter-Gault is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, author, and school desegregation pioneer. For more than five decades, this dedicated reporter has charted a course through some of the world’s most respected journalistic institutions, including The New Yorker and The New York Times, where she was often the only Black woman in the newsroom. Throughout her storied career, Charlayne has chronicled the lives of Black people in America—shining a light on their experiences and giving a glimpse into their community as never before.

Throughout her storied career, Charlayne has chronicled the lives of Black people in America—shining a light on their experiences and giving a glimpse into their community as never before. My People: Five Decades of Writing about Black Lives is a collection of ground-breaking reportage highlighting her experiences from across fifty years. 

In Person Registration  Virtual Registration

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

History and Science Come Together for STEM Day at Mill City Museum, Feb 25

The museum hosts a day of family activities featuring guest presentations

Science, technology, engineering, and math aren’t confined to the classroom. Families will have a chance to learn how the STEM fields are intertwined with history and how they continue to have an important impact today.

On February 25, 11 am–3 pm, Mill City Museum will hold STEM Family Day to showcase how science is all around us in the Twin Cities. The day’s program features interactive power and hydroelectricity tables, a flour dust explosion demonstration, and a free concert at 11:30 am with Petite Concerts, who will help make small instruments to demonstrate the science of music afterward.

Other highlights include:

• Live animals from the U of M Raptor Center and the MN Herpetological Society
• Fire safety from the Minneapolis Fire Department
• Wheat’s journey from Farm to Table by the General Mills Grain and Flour Quality Lab (in the baking lab, requires museum admission)
• Interacting with scientists and engineers from the U of M St. Anthony Falls Laboratory
• Inventing a boat with the National Park Service
• Learning about electricity with the Bakken Museum

Cost: Free, baking lab activity requires museum admission

For more information and a complete list of guest presenters, click here.

North Loop Neighborhood Safety Club: Updates and Schedule for the Week

By Aileen Johnson

Good Morning and Happy Monday North Loop Neighborhood Safety Friends!  

I hope that everyone enjoyed the warmer weather on Saturday and Sunday but - wow- Friday night was a different weather story altogether!

Friday night was indeed frigid when a small group of us bundled up to attend the MPD Academy Graduation Ceremony.  For those who were unable to venture out, let me put you into the picture.  The ceremony was held at the Convention Center where upon arrival we were greeted by MPD Community Service Officers (CSOs) who made us all feel welcome as they handed out the evening's program. The room was large and quickly it filled up with officers, friends, and family all excited for the ceremony to begin.  Council Member Michael Rainville was there and made a special point of talking with the families of the graduates as everyone was settling in.  All grew quiet as the Academy Class and their Instructors were piped into the room in a procession led by Bill Gilchrist of the MN Police Pipe Band.  Lt. Molly Fisher gave the welcoming remarks and the MPD Color Guard were there to present the colors before Chaplain Joan Austin gave the Invocation.  Next, we heard remarks from Mayor Jacob Frey, Chief Brian O'Hara, and Academy Class Representative Luke Weatherspoon.  Chief O'Hara then administered the Oath of Office and presented each new Officer their badge.  Following this, the new Officers had their badges pinned on them by proud family members.  After Police Chaplain Reverend Charles Graham gave the Benediction, there was plenty of time for visiting and there were cookies to be enjoyed.  It was a warm experience and we have been cordially invited to attend the next graduation.

On Saturday, we distributed 30 of the new North Loop maps to residents and visitors alike.  We did an informal survey of people on the street and in the shops about a new idea we have that may help with awareness on the prevention of auto theft and theft from auto.  More to come on this idea soon but the important thing to understand today is that in just the first month of 2023, Minneapolis has experienced 700 auto thefts and 260 cases of theft from autos. In many cases, the cars were stolen with keys or fobs left in the car by their owners or when they were left running while their owners did a quick errand.  I am attaching a new flyer from our First Precinct Crime Prevention Specialist Renee Allen that outlines this growing issue. Please share this flyer with your friends and families and, if possible, post this in your building. There is no doubt that every bit of help that each one of us gives will make a difference!  

Beginning this Sunday, February 12th we will be changing the time of the Sunday walk to 2:00 pm.  This will allow us to interact with more neighbors and visitors.

This week we have two tours of MECC/911/Dispatch to look forward to!  If you have not yet had the opportunity to spend some time learning about how 911/Dispatch works and to see the operation in action, this is a "can't miss" event.  Here are the details:

Date and Time: Wednesday, February 8 Evening Tour from 6:30 - 8:00 pm 

Event: Evening Tour of MECC/911/Dispatch 
Location: The MECC is located in Minneapolis City Hall at 350 S 5th St.  We will enter the City Hall Building at the 4th St “After Hours” Entrance and gather at the Father of Waters Statue 15 minutes before the tour at 6:15 pm.  The Father of Waters Statue weighs 14,000 pounds so you will be able to spot it easily.   

Date and Time: Thursday, February 9 Morning Tour from 9:00 - 10:30 am

Event: Morning Tour of MECC/911/Dispatch

Location: The MECC is located in Minneapolis City Hall at 350 S 5th St.  We will enter the City Hall Building at the 4th St Entrance and gather at the Father of Waters Statue 15 minutes before the tour at 8:45 am.  The Father of Waters Statue weighs 14,000 pounds so you will be able to spot it easily. 

If you would like to walk to City Hall for the tour together on Wednesday evening, please let me know. We will meet at 5:45 pm in front of the Hewing Hotel.  We will walk everyone home afterwards.  There is no need to walk alone.  If you prefer to drive, there is metered street parking available in the blocks surrounding City Hall. I always have the best luck finding a metered street spot on 3rd St S between 3rd and 5th Aves S.

Here is our walk schedule for the week ahead:

Date: Friday, February 10th from 8:00 - 9:00 pm 

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The Nordic at 729 N Washington Ave 

Date and Time: Saturday, February 11th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm 
Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: 4th Ave Playground on the James Rice Parkway 

Date and Time: Sunday, February 12th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm 
Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: On the sidewalk at 575 N 1st St   

I look forward to seeing you and catching up!

Thanks and best wishes from Aileen

Aileen Johnson 

(612) 516-9705 

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UPCOMING WALKS AND EVENTS

Date and Time: Wednesday, February 8 Evening Tour from 6:30 - 8:00 pm 

 Event: Evening Tour of MECC/911/Dispatch 
Location: The MECC is located in Minneapolis City Hall at 350 S 5th St.  We will enter the City Hall Building at the 4th St “After Hours” Entrance and gather at the Father of Waters Statue 15 minutes before the tour at 6:15 pm.  The Father of Waters Statue weighs 14,000 pounds so you will be able to spot it easily.   

Date and Time: Thursday, February 9 Morning Tour from 9:00 - 10:30 am 

Event: Morning Tour of MECC/911/Dispatch 
Location: The MECC is located in Minneapolis City Hall at 350 S 5th St.  We will enter the City Hall Building at the 4th St Entrance and gather at the Father of Waters Statue 15 minutes before the tour at 8:45 am.  The Father of Waters Statue weighs 14,000 pounds so you will be able to spot it easily. 

Date and Time: Thursday, February 9th from 3:30 - 5:30 pm 

Event: Classic Movies in Loring Park 

Details: This is an exciting new weekly series of classic movies hosted by our friends in the Park House. 
Location: The Park House in Loring Park at 1382 Willow St 

Date and Time: Thursday, February 9th from 5:30 - 7:00 pm 

Event: Loring Park Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The Woman’s Club at 410 Oak Grove St 

Date and Time: Thursday, February 9th from 5:30 - 7:00 pm 

Event: Mill District Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The steps at the back of the Guthrie 

Date: Friday, February 10th from 8:00 - 9:00 pm 

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The Nordic at 729 N Washington Ave 

Date and Time: Saturday, February 11th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm 

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: 4th Ave Playground on the James Rice Parkway 

Date and Time: Sunday, February 12th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm 

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: On the sidewalk at 575 N 1st St   

Date and Time: Sunday, February 12th from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 

Event: East Isles Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: Meet at the Joanne Levin Triangle Park at 1600 W 26th St 

Date and Time: Thursday, February 16th from 3:30 - 5:30 pm 

Event: Classic Movies in Loring Park 
Details: This is an exciting new weekly series of classic movies hosted by our friends in the Park House. 
Location: The Park House in Loring Park at 1382 Willow St 

Date and Time: Thursday, February 16th from 5:30 - 7:00 pm 

Event: Loring Park Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The Woman’s Club at 410 Oak Grove St 

Date and Time: Thursday, February 16th from 5:30 - 7:00 pm 

Event: Mill District Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The steps at the back of the Guthrie 

Date: Friday, February 17th from 8:00 - 9:00 pm 

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The Nordic at 729 N Washington Ave 

Date and Time: Saturday, February 18th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm 

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: 4th Ave Playground on the James Rice Parkway 

Date and Time: Sunday, February 19th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: On the sidewalk at 575 N 1st St   

Date and Time: Thursday, February 23rd from 3:30 - 5:30 pm 

Event: Classic Movies in Loring Park 
Details: This is an exciting new weekly series of classic movies hosted by our friends in the Park House. 
Location: The Park House in Loring Park at 1382 Willow St 

Date and Time: Thursday, February 23rd from 5:30 - 7:00 pm 

Event: Loring Park Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The Woman’s Club at 410 Oak Grove St 

Date and Time: Thursday, February 23rd from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 

Event: East Isles Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: Meet at the Joanne Levin Triangle Park at 1600 W 26th St 

Date and Time: Thursday, February 23rd from 5:30 - 7:00 pm 

Event: Mill District Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The steps at the back of the Guthrie 

Date: Friday, February 24th from 8:00 - 9:00 pm 

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The Nordic at 729 N Washington Ave 

Date and Time: Saturday, February 25th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm 

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: 4th Ave Playground on the James Rice Parkway 

Date and Time: Sunday, February 26th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm  

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: On the sidewalk at 575 N 1st St   

Date and Time: Tuesday, February 28th from 2:00 - 3:30 pm

Event: Narcan Training 
Location: Woman's Club at 410 Oak Grove St 

Date and Time: Thursday, March 2nd from 3:30 - 5:30 pm 

Event: Classic Movies in Loring Park 

Details: This is an exciting new weekly series of classic movies hosted by our friends in the Park House. 
Location: The Park House in Loring Park at 1382 Willow St 

Date and Time: Thursday, March 2nd from 5:30 - 7:00 pm 

Event: Loring Park Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The Woman’s Club at 410 Oak Grove St 

Date and Time: Thursday, March 2nd from 5:30 - 7:00 pm 

Event: Mill District Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The steps at the back of the Guthrie 

Date: Friday, March 3rd from 8:00 - 9:00 pm 

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The Nordic at 729 N Washington Ave 

Date and Time: Saturday, March 4th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm 

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: 4th Ave Playground on the James Rice Parkway 

Date and Time: Sunday, March 5th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm  

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: On the sidewalk at 575 N 1st St   

Date and Time: Thursday, March 9th from 3:30 - 5:30 pm 

Event: Classic Movies in Loring Park 
Details: This is an exciting new weekly series of classic movies hosted by our friends in the Park House. 
Location: The Park House in Loring Park at 1382 Willow St 

Date and Time: Thursday, March 9th from 5:30 - 7:00 pm 

Event: Loring Park Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The Woman’s Club at 410 Oak Grove St 

Date and Time: Thursday, March 9th from 5:30 - 7:00 pm 

Event: Mill District Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The steps at the back of the Guthrie 

Date: Friday, March 9th from 8:00 - 9:00 pm 

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The Nordic at 729 N Washington Ave 

Date and Time: Saturday, March 10th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm 

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: 4th Ave Playground on the James Rice Parkway 

Date and Time: Sunday, March 11th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: On the sidewalk at 575 N 1st St   

Date and Time: Thursday, March 16th from 3:30 - 5:30 pm 

Event: Classic Movies in Loring Park 
Details: This is an exciting new weekly series of classic movies hosted by our friends in the Park House. 
Location: The Park House in Loring Park at 1382 Willow St 

Date and Time: Thursday, March 16th from 5:30 - 7:00 pm

Event: Narcan Training 
Location: Woman's Club at 410 Oak Grove St 

Date and Time: Thursday, March 16th from 5:30 - 7:00 pm 

Event: Mill District Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The steps at the back of the Guthrie 

Date: Friday, March 17th from 8:00 - 9:00 pm 

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The Nordic at 729 N Washington Ave 

Date and Time: Saturday, March 18th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm 

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: 4th Ave Playground on the James Rice Parkway 

Date and Time: Sunday, March 19th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm  

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: On the sidewalk at 575 N 1st St   

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.

Mpls.St.Paul Magazine's Winter Restaurant Week is Feb 20-26

Mpls.St.Paul Magazine's Winter Restaurant Week is happening February 20 - 26. Some of the Twin Cities finest chefs will be dishing out mouth-watering two and three course prix fixe meals at prices ranging from $15 to $45.

There are over 55 participating restaurants, including some in our Downtown and riverfront neigborhoods: 

• All Saints, 222 E Hennepin Ave 
• The Freehouse, 701 Washington Ave N
• EaTo, 305 Washington Ave S 
• Cafe Lurcat, 1624 Harom Place 
• Copper Hen Cakery & Kitchen, 2515 Nicollet Ave  

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. 

How to Contact 311

Excerpt from the February 2 City of Minneapolis e-newsletter:

Need to report an issue? Can't find the right information? Minneapolis 311 can help. 311 coordinates with City departments and service providers to report your concerns, find you information and connect you with non-emergency City services. For example, if you report an icy sidewalk or have questions about winter parking restrictions, 311 connects with the experts in the right department to get to the bottom of it.

There are many ways to get in contact with 311 for non-emergency City information. Choose what's easiest for you.

• Call 311. Agents are here to answer your call 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 311 from within city limits or 612-673-3000.
• Email 311. You can email 311 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Agents will respond 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Email Minneapolis 311.
• Text 311. You can text 311 a short question any time. Just text two or three keywords to 311TXT (311898) to receive an answer from the Minneapolis 311 information database on your mobile phone.
• Get the 311 mobile app. Report neighborhood issues on the 311 mobile app 24 hours a day.
  • Download for Android.
  • Download for iPhone.
• 311 agents use computer-based technology so hearing-impaired callers can easily communicate with the City using TDD/TTY devices. Call TTY 612-263-6850.

Use the contact form. You can send 311 your comments or questions on the website contact form.

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/