Embrace Winter at the North Mississippi Regional Park

What's Happening at North Mississippi Regional Park in January and February?

What a fantastic area to get fresh air and exercise while connecting with nature. Public programs are FREE for all ages (unless noted otherwise). Here's what you can look forward to in January and beyond at the Kroening Interpretive Center at North Mississippi Regional Park:

Family Funday: Winter Arts & Animals - Sunday, Jan 14 1-3pm

Come learn about our neighborhood native species.Meet some MN animals up-close, then let nature inspire your creation of winter themed artwork to take home. Activity #81494

Outdoors: Bushcraft - Saturday, Jan 20 1:30-3pm

Practice your winter skills in the park. Learn how to build shelters, track animals and discover some strategies Minnesota animals use to protect against the cold. Activity #81505

Hike: Watching Wildlife - Saturday, Jan 27 2-3pm

Find out how to identify animal tracks, scat and other signs as we hike the park looking for animals and the stories their presence leaves behind. Activity #81539

OPEN SNOWSHOEING Saturdays in January: 13, 20, 27 11am-3pm

Get some wonderful exercise while recreating in nature by checking out a pair of snowshoes to explore the park!  Activity #81486   Activity #81487   Activity #81488

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Public programs are FREE for all ages. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

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Valentine's Day Stargazer Snowshoeing - Wed, Feb 14 7-8:30pm

Spend Valentine’s Day on a snowshoe hike through the park to look at the stars. Discover the wonders of astronomy and hear various cultural tales of the constellations while sipping hot cocoa. We will have a telescope set up and binoculars available. Ages18+ Registration Fee $5  Activity #81587

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School Release Days - Winter Fun & Games:  Jan 25 & 26  8am-4pm

Get ready for snow filled fun! Build shelters, snowmen and other creations outside. Hike through the park and play games on snowshoes. Make art, toss snowballs, and warm up inside with hot cocoa.  Activity #81514  Registration Fee $50

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Outdoor Engineering: February 16th  8am-4pm

Ready, set, build! Develop your skills as we build shelters, towers, snowmen and more. Complete building challenges and become a master outdoor engineer!  Activity #81581  Registration Fee $30

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New! Nature Nuts Play Group Fridays

Come with your little one to play and have fun in nature with other children and parents/guardians. Each day is different, but will have nature themes about animals, plants, and seasons. Enjoy the outdoors together all winter! Ages: For kids 6 and under with an adult.

This is an Adult/Child interactive program. Registration Fee $15

Winter weather is always changing! Wear clothes and shoes for playing outside.

January 12th - February 2nd 2:30-3:30pm Activity #81729

February 23rd - March 16th  2:30-3:30pm   Activity #81730

More Ways to Enjoy the Park

Stop by the front desk to check out binoculars, nature activity packs and nature guides. Or, talk with a naturalist to meet and learn about the education animals.

Like North Mississippi on Facebook to stay in the loop about what’s happening in our park! Learn more about North Mississippi Regional Park at our website. 

Winter building hours: Tuesday- Saturday 10am-4pm; Sunday 12-4pm; Monday CLOSED

Contact Info: Kroening Interpretive Center at North Mississippi Regional Park, 4900 Mississippi Court, Minneapolis, MN 55430  Phone: 612-370-4844, Email: NorthMississippi@minneapolisparks.org

Congratulations to Jacob Frey, our new Mayor!

Photo credit: Rick Kittock

I hope you're ready for a visible, accessible, energetic, caring, engaged and humble Mayor - because as of yesterday, he's officially here! Congratulations, Jacob Frey!

Watch Jacob's swearing in speech and see for yourself:

Mill City Youth Players Present . . .

Article by Claudia Kittock, photos by Rick Kittock

Many of you were lucky enough to attend the August 24th production, ‘Be You, Be Seen, Belong’ by the Mill City Youth Players at the Guthrie's Dowling Studio. It was a night to remember, filled with pure magic. They are at it again, and a few weeks away from the next production.  

Actors from YouthLink and the Cedar Riverside neighborhood have been rehearsing since November 15.  Twenty young people meet on the 8th floor of the Guthrie several late afternoons every week to study movement and voice with Guthrie Teaching Professional, H. Adam. Some of the afternoons are spent working on writing under the tutelage of Dr. Carra Martinez, Director of Community Engagement. On other afternoons, Jessica Finney, another Guthrie Teaching Professional (pictured below with members of the Mill City Youth Players), directs the actors as they rehearse the production that will be written by them!

The August production was sold out with standing room only. We decided that two performances would be important after that experience. These performances will be at 7:30pm on January 25th and 26th in the Dowling Studio on the 9th floor of the Guthrie. While the actors are hard at work, no decision has been made about the title as of yet.

Please reserve one of these evenings and know that the ticket availability will be shared with everyone as soon as we know! You will not want to miss this amazing opportunity. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

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About Claudia Kittock

Claudia is a resident of the Mill District. In addition to writing for Mill City Times, she is a founding Board Member of Friends of the Mill District. Claudia is the author of Health Through Chaos, mentors young adults at YouthLink, and has served on the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA).

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Contact: claudia@millcitymedia.org

Scarf Day at St. Joan of Arc - Mill City Singers Create Hand Painted Silk Scarves for Future Performances

Article by Claudia Kittock, photos by Rick Kittock 

The best thing about being on the board of the Friends of the Mill District is that all of the work we do is about community. We create and support new ways to be part of this vibrant neighborhood. When the Mill City Singers began, over 2 years ago, it was immediately apparent that this would be an incredible community of singers and friends. We work hard to be open and accessible to everyone in our community, and to present no barriers that would keep anyone out. It has been a success with over 200 singers on the roster, and too many performances to list.

We have struggled to find a way to identify as a group when we are in public. The ideas of hats and woven scarves were discussed and quickly discarded. Vicki Underland-Rosow, a singer and artist, asked me if she could organize a group of volunteers from the Singers to paint silk scarves to be worn when the Singers perform.  She explained that the cost would be minimal, the results original and beautiful. The board joyfully said, “YES!”

On January 6, a group of volunteers gathered at St. Joan of Arc to learn how to paint silk scarves. After several hours of work, laughter, lunch, and artistry, 100 scarves had been designed and created. They are amazing artistic creations.

Member of the Mill City Singers sporting their newly created silk scarves.

Community means everyone contributes. Community means we are all included and all of our ideas considered. What happened on January 6 was the essence of community. A member of the Singers created an idea, the charity ordered the supplies and brought coffee and lunch, a group of volunteers spent a day making these incredible creations, and the Mill City Singers now have an identifying piece of art that will be worn by every singer during our performances. What could be better? If you think you may want to join this group, please contact Claudia Kittock at cjkittock@gmail.com.

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About Claudia Kittock

Claudia is a resident of the Mill District. In addition to writing for Mill City Times, she is a founding Board Member of Friends of the Mill District. Claudia is the author of Health Through Chaos, mentors young adults at YouthLink, and has served on the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA).

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Contact: claudia@millcitymedia.org

Alan Page Collection Events Aim to Reframe Conversations About Racial Justice

Via an e-newsletter from Hennepin County Library:

Film screenings, talk by Hall of Famer Alan Page during Super Bowl expand on exhibit's messages 

A series of free events will appeal to football fans during Super Bowl LII, while also broadening and deepening the conversation around racial justice. The events are concurrent with the TESTIFY exhibit at Hennepin County Library's Cargill Hall, a display of selected art and artifacts from the Diane and Alan Page Collection, which chronicle our nation's racial history. 

Alan Page addresses difficult questions 

NFL Hall of Famer and former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page will present a talk titled "TESTIFY: It’s Not About the Flag or the Anthem, It’s About Justice." The address will respond to the controversy surrounding NFL protests and will attempt to shift the focus from whether player protests are appropriate back onto the underlying issue of racial justice.  

The event will be held Wednesday, January 31, 2 to 4 p.m., at Hennepin County Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall. The exhibit is on view January 8-February 6.

Film screenings explore Page's life story

NFL Films chronicles Alan Page's life in "Black Star Risen," a film produced by David Plaut. As a player, Page redefined the defensive tackle position in pro football and made the Hall of Fame – only to leave the game behind for a new career in law and education. Another film, ‘A Football Life: Alan Page’ is a documentary about Page’s journey in sports and beyond.

Both movies will be screened at Thursday, February 1, Friday, February 2 and Saturday, February 3, at 3 to 5 p.m., at Hennepin County Library.

The collection traces the history of race in America

The Diane and Alan Page Collection is a selection of art and artifacts that paint a portrait of race relations and representation in the 19th through 21st centuries. Gathered by Diane and Alan Page over decades of civic engagement and very personal work in their community, the collection reflects their belief that even as we face the most painful aspects of our past so that they will not be repeated, we must also find bright moments of transcendence that point another way forward. 

Learn more about the exhibit 

The TESTIFY exhibit is presented at Cargill Hall with the support of the Friends of the Hennepin County Library, the National Football League, the Minnesota Vikings, The McKnight Foundation, the Pohlad Companies, The Minneapolis Foundation, Robins Kaplan LLP and Tunheim.

For additional information about the collection and the TESTIFY exhibit, please visit The Diane and Alan Page Collection Facebook page, Twitter feed or Instagram.

Super Bowl-related Activity at The Commons

Via an e-newsletter from Green Minneapolis:

NOTE: The NFL and its vendors will begin working in the area this weekend. Here is an overview of what's in store: 

Super Bowl at The Commons - Overview:

- The East Block of The Commons will be an entry point to the stadium on game day. There will be no public activities at The Commons in the week prior to the game.

- The East Block of The Commons will be closed to the public from January 6 - February 9, 2018.

- The West Block of The Commons will remain open and accessible for public use from January 6 - February 9, 2018.

- Commons hosts will continue to assist visitors, remove trash, etc. on the West Block of the park.

Public Meeting about Super Bowl activity:

Join Kyle Chank, Vice President of Operations & Logistics for Super Bowl Host Committee, and Council Member Lisa Goodman for an informational meeting on how the Super Bowl will effect your neighborhood. Hear how the event will benefit residents and how you can participate in all of the events around town. Learn more about travel, security and the great events happening in your neighborhood.

Both meetings will occur January 11 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1200 Marquette Ave S:

6:00 - 7:15pm: Geared towards residents living close to NICOLLET MALL AND THE CONVENTION CENTER

7:30 - 8:15pm: Geared towards residents living close to THE STADIUM

Key Dates for Commons activity:

- January 4/5: Commons restrooms relocated to West Block near Portland Avenue/5th Street

- January 5: East Block/NFL: Equipment delivery

- January 6: East Block/NFL: Protective flooring and perimeter fence installation begins

- January 7: East Block/NFL: Tent installation begins

- January 15: East Block/NFL: Interior tent buildout

- January 23: East Block/NFL: Audio and visual, wayfinding screens, graphics installation. 

There will be some sound testing during setup, but systems will only operate on game day, or if temperatures are particularly low and equipment needs to stay warm.

- February 2: Removal of restrooms on West Block.

There will be no public restrooms available at The Commons until Feb 12.

- February 4: Super Bowl

All attendees exit the game on the west side of the stadium, headed toward downtown ~10pm. Expect significant pedestrian traffic in the neighborhood.

- February 5-9: East Block/NFL: Clean up and load-out

- February 12: Reinstallation of Commons restrooms on East Block

More information:

Please see the Host Committee's Know Before You Go guide and website for more information about activities and happenings in town, as well as key transit and traffic information.

ABOUT GREEN MINNEAPOLIS
Green Minneapolis is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 multi-project conservancy established to advance the vitality of downtown Minneapolis through parks, greening and program activation. Green Minneapolis engages in strategic public, private and philanthropic partnerships to advance the common goal of creating a vibrant public realm.

Progress at Peavey Plaza

Excerpt from a January 3 e-newsletter from Preservation Alliance of Minnesota (PAM):

Photo Copyright The Cultural Landscape Foundation 

The Preservation Alliance of Minnesota has been a strong advocate for the preservation of Peavey Plaza since 2008, when it was first identified as an endangered property. After several twists and turns, including a demolition proposal by the City of Minneapolis, a subsequent legal challenge by PAM and The Cultural Landscape Foundation, listing in the National Register of Historic Places, and a preservation-focused legal settlement, rehabilitation work is due to begin on Peavey Plaza in 2018.

The landscape design by Coen + Partners and Preservation Design Works is nearing completion, and the city anticipates going out for bid next week. The design will result in some noticeable changes, but PAM and our partners, including TCLF, Docomomo US MN, and Preserve Minneapolis, continue to advocate for the retention and rehabilitation of features that reflect Peavey Plaza’s historic character. Check out the 90% plans and the evolution of the rehabilitation design on the city’s website.

Minneapolis Streets Closing Around US Bank Stadium in Preparation for Super Bowl LII

Via a January 2 e-newletter from the City of Minneapolis:

The City began the first phase of street closures around U.S. Bank Stadium this morning in preparation for Super Bowl LII on Sunday, February 4.
 
The closures include:
• Chicago Avenue between Fourth and Sixth streets;
• Norm McGrew Place between Third and Fourth Street; and
• Fifth Street South between 11th Avenue South and the loading dock of the 511 Building.

The closures will remain in effect until mid-February.

                                                                                 
Over the past several months, the City of Minneapolis has worked closely with stakeholders, including the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee, NFL, their vendors and several other local partners to craft a traffic management plan that will enhance the Super Bowl LII experience while providing as minimum disruption to traffic and parking as possible.

Stay up-to-date on the latest information related to Super Bowl LII street closures by signing up for City traffic alerts at minneapolismn.gov/traffic. For more City-related Super Bowl LII information, go to minneapolismn.gov/SuperBowl. For additional travel tips for the 10-day Super Bowl festival, visit mnsuperbowl.com/transportation.

Super Bowl LIVE: 10-day Fan Event on Nicollet Mall, Jan 26 - Feb 4

Super Bowl LIVE presented by Verizon is a 10-day fan festival taking place January 26 - February 4 on Nicollet Mall. Free and open to the public, Super Bowl LIVE will feature something for everyone, including free live concerts, national broadcast activations, food and fun, with nods to winter that showcase Minnesota's authentic, Bold North brand.

Music acts include the likes of Morris Day and the Time, The Revolution, Dessa, Vocal Essence, The Suburbs, The Steeles and more.

Bold North photo opportunities for fans will include snow globes, ice jerseys, and ice sculptures.

A drum and dance exhibition will be celebrated every evening at 5:00PM by Native American school children.

Check the website for updates as the event draws near. 

Minneapolis Super Bowl Media Coverage

In-depth coverage of the Minneapolis Super Bowl

WEEK OF 12/11/2017

Minneapolis officials ask for National Guard help during Super Bowl
Host Committee will pick up cost; move would free up police for other duties.

Prince tribute, J.Lo among performances set ahead of Super Bowl
Jennifer Lopez will headline a VIP concert series at downtown’s Minneapolis Armory the night before next February’s Super Bowl game at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Keeping Super Bowl Fans Connected at U.S. Bank Stadium
What's a Super Bowl without a selfie to prove you were there?

612Brew, Vikings’ Kyle Rudolph to release beer for Super Bowl
A Northeast Minneapolis brewery is celebrating the Super Bowl a way only a brewery could: by brewing a limited-edition beer.

Oft-burned Vikings fans temper joy to avoid Super Bowl jinx
Vikings fans whisper "Skol!" trying not to tempt their Super Bowl karma.

Click to read more ...