MSP Film Society Announces 12th Annual Cuban Film Festival, March 24 - April 1

The Minnesota Cuba Committee, in partnership with MSP Film Society and the Cuban Film Institute (ICAIC), presents the Minnesota Cuban Film Festival, March 24 - April 1, 2021.

The full 2021 lineup of films is available here.

Website Launched for Updates and Related Info re: Chauvin Trial

Via a March 5 e-announcement from the City of Minneapolis:

A new web resource launched today offers information and updates around the upcoming trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, who is charged with murder in the death of George Floyd.

City information and links to partners in the new web section will help residents, businesses and others:

• Find current street closures.
• Sign up for trial updates from MN District Court.
• Report suspicious activity.
• Look up mental health and well-being resources for support during traumatic times.

You can also explore ways to prepare and stay informed, learn about security preparations and updates during the trial, follow impacts to traffic and transportation, and find public data on the officers involved.

The web pages will be updated as new information becomes available and as situations change.

For questions, contact:

Renee Allen, Crime Prevention Specialist
Minneapolis Police Department, First Precinct
renee.allen@minneapolismn.gov
(612) 673-5163

March 5 Ward 7 Updates from Council Member Lisa Goodman

Good afternoon Ward 7 residents and friends.  The trial of Derek Chauvin will begin on Monday and I know that this topic and the uncertainty of the outcome is weighing heavily on our community.  The death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis Police officers was a tragic event that occurred in our city, and the manner of his death and the unrest that followed ignited trauma as well as an important discussion on race and the police throughout the entire City of Minneapolis and our nation. 

At this time, city leadership is tasked with striking a critical and important balance of protecting everyone’s constitutional right to free speech and right to assemble with our equally important responsibility of protecting our people and infrastructure from violence and potential destruction.

Our police chief and other public safety departments and staff have been working with local, state and federal entities for the past eight months to create what is being called Operation Safety Net.  This operation has focused on safety, security, and community outreach. Our mutual aid partners have all received special training in preparation with a focus on de-escalation.

Multiple city departments have been involved in the planning and trail preparation including the Office of Violence Prevention, neighborhood and community relations, and our communications team. These groups were involved in the planning to ensure that information is disseminated when needed and those who have assembled peacefully to protest are safe and have the full ability to express their right to free speech.  Our partners in neighborhoods, the clergy, nonprofits and others have been focused on keeping our community safe and connected.

I want you all to know that I remain optimistic that we are prepared to face whatever lies ahead. We are well positioned for more peaceful outcomes as we go through this trial that will be viewed across the nation and throughout the world.  Many ask what they should be doing as this trial unfolds and my advice is to stay informed and aware but to also go on with your daily life and activities.  We need to maintain a sense of normalcy as this monumental period unfolds.  Jury selection begins on Monday, this process will take time and the actual trial isn’t scheduled to start until March 29.  The peak time will come once we enter the closing arguments which will happen mid to late April.

In closing, please know that I will continue to pass along information and resources as I receive them.  My hope is to help keep you tuned into what is happening and I’m always here to answer questions you might have on this topic or any other city related item.

Lisa

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City Leaders Provide Briefing on Preparations for Derek Chauvin Trial

Mayor Jacob Frey and other City leaders held another briefing March 4 to share updates on preparations for the upcoming trial of former MPD officer Derek Chauvin. Jury selection for the Chauvin trial is scheduled to begin Monday, March 8.

Briefing highlights

• The Minneapolis Police Department, along with its Operation Safety Net Partners, are committed to honoring First Amendment rights as demonstrations are scheduled to begin this weekend. MPD has held de-escalation training in preparation for the upcoming trials.
• The City’s Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) plans to fund a network of community-based groups that can be activated during periods of heightened tension during the remainder of 2021, including during the trials of the former officers involved in the killing of George Floyd.
• How to contact the City:
  • Call 311 for non-emergency City information.
  • Call 911 for life safety emergencies requiring police, fire or emergency medical services.
  • Call the MPD Tips Line at 612-692-TIPS (8477) to report suspicious activity not requiring an immediate response.
  • Businesses and property owners can call 612-673-2499 with questions about advanced preparation before the trial, business operations during the trial and general information about regulations and resources.

Reminders

• Sixth Street South (the street and both sidewalks) is closed between Third and Fourth avenues next to the Hennepin County Government Center. Currently, other streets will remain open. The City will provide updates when other closures are anticipated.
• The City of Minneapolis is committed to working with the community to reconnect 38th and Chicago after the conclusion of the Chauvin trial. The City has sent out surveys to residents and businesses near the intersection to determine a preferred option to preserve the memorial and art while ensuring delivery of critical services in the area. Learn more.
• Follow the City of Minneapolis on Facebook and Twitter and sign up for the City Update newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest news and information. Stay tuned to news from Operation Safety Net on Facebook and Twitter.

The City plans to hold regular briefings throughout the trial.

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Minneapolis Downtown Council Provides Additional Resources Surrounding the Chauvin Trial

We encourage you and your organization to follow the official Operation Safety Net social media channels for additional timely and accurate information. Here are the handles to follow:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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Sign Up for Updates from the Minnesota Judicial Branch on the State of MN vs. Chauvin Case

Everyone is invited to sign up for updates on the State of MN vs. Chauvin case from the Minnesota Judicial Branch webpage.

The webpage includes all public documents filed in the case and other information. This case was filed in Hennepin County District Court May 29, 2020.

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Hennepin Ave South Reconstruction Project Seeks Your Input

This past week, planning staff held online open houses to share the draft concept designs for the reconstruction of Hennepin Avenue South between Douglas Avenue and West Lake Street.

Those plans are now available to view on the project web page. This site also offers you the opportunity to share your thoughts on the Option 1 and Option 2 design layouts. Comments and input will be accepted through Friday, April 16, 2021.

http://www2.minneapolismn.gov/cip/futureprojects/HennepinSouth

The City plans to reconstruct this section of Hennepin Avenue starting in 2024. The reconstruction project provides an opportunity to redesign Hennepin Avenue to meet the needs of current and future users of the street.

Project goals include improving the sidewalk and intersections for all users, evaluating bicycle network connectivity, providing space for enhanced transit stops for future METRO E Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service, replacing aging infrastructure and maintaining and enhancing traffic flow for transit and motor vehicles.

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Minneapolis Property Owners Can Buy a $25 Tree this Spring

Minneapolis property owners will soon be able to order a 5- to 8-foot tree for $25 each to plant on their private property. This year, Minneapolis property owners in Green Zones, rental property owners and property owners who haven’t gotten a tree in the City Trees program in the last two years will get a chance to order a tree earlier.

The 2,000 trees in 24 varieties this year include large and medium shade trees, fruit trees, evergreens and smaller flowering trees. Comparable trees cost about $125 at a nursery.

Tiered purchasing windows

1. Green Zones property owners can order up to three trees starting at 8 a.m. Monday, March 8. Just fill out a separate order for each tree.
2. Rental property owners citywide can order one tree per property, maximum of 10 properties, starting at 8 a.m. Monday, March 8. Just fill out a separate order for each tree.
3. Minneapolis property owners who haven’t received a tree from the Minneapolis tree sale in the last two years, who aren’t in a Green Zone, can order one tree per address starting at 8 a.m. Monday, March 15.
4. All Minneapolis property owners can order one tree per address starting at 8 a.m. Monday, March 22.

Purchasing will close April 16 or when the trees run out, whichever is first.

• Low-cost trees are available first-come, first-served.
• People will need to pick up their tree May 15, 16 or 17 (subject to change). Location is to be determined and will be emailed to people who bought a tree. Volunteers onsite will help load each new tree and a complimentary bag of mulch into vehicles on request.

Order

People can find more information and order their tree through Tree Trust.

More about City Trees

In the past 16 years, the City Trees program has provided approximately 20,000 trees for planting on private property. Since 2006, the City of Minneapolis has funded the City Trees program, a low-cost way for folks to help the city’s tree canopy grow and enjoy all the benefits of trees.

Trees help filter pollutants out of the air and reduce the heat island effect in a city. They save energy by providing shade in the summer and protecting against wind in the winter. Trees reduce the amount of stormwater runoff into lakes and rivers. They even help reduce stress. Larger trees provide more benefits than smaller trees.

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Interested in Rooftop Solar for Your Home?

If you’re considering the benefits of going solar, make sure to look into these options. The City of Minneapolis has a 10% local solar goal as part of its climate action plan to reduce greenhouse gases, and we are at 6%.

Twin Cities Region Solar Co-op

Twin Cities Region Solar Co-op launched to help Minneapolis homeowners get rooftop solar. The solar co-op is neighbors joining together to get the best price and service from a solar installer, tap into the expertise at Solar United Neighbors and learn about solar incentives. The City of Minneapolis is partnering in this effort.

Membership is open through May 1. Learn more at www.solarunitedneighbors.org/twincities.

Xcel Energy’s Solar*Rewards

With Xcel Energy’s Solar*Rewards program, if you produce more energy than you need, the extra energy is added to the grid, and any excess energy will be credited to your bill.

Learn more on the Xcel Energy website.

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$15 Online Workshops: Creating Resilient Yards

Ready to spend more time in your yard? Do you want to improve it but don’t know where to start? Learn with experts to plan and create beautiful, functional spaces that also protect the local ecosystem whether you want a raingarden and native prairie, or a low-maintenance lawn that also helps pollinators.

Workshops

This spring, webinars feature experts in landscape design, pollinator habitat, soil health, native plants and yard maintenance. Presentations are followed by a Q&A, or discussions in small groups or one on one with a Blue Thumb landscape designer and UMN Extension Master Gardener volunteer – Hennepin County.

Scholarships are available on request. Space is limited. For more information and to register, go to bluethumb.org/events or call 651-699-2426.

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COVID-19 Situation Update as of March 3, 2021

Situational updates: Minneapolis

• As of March 3, there are 32,950 cases in Minneapolis and 389 deaths. The total number of cases and hospitalizations increased by less than 1% over the previous week. ICU admissions increased by slightly more than 1% over last week. Minneapolis-specific data are available at www.minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/dashboard.
• Over the past week, there have been about 44 new cases per day on average. This rate has decreased significantly and is now on par with September 2020 levels.
• The seven-day rolling average case rate for Minneapolis is just over 10 cases per 100,000. This rate has now plateaued after decreasing for several weeks.
• Mayor Frey’s Emergency Regulation 2020-17, which banned seating at bar counters in Minneapolis businesses, was lifted on February 18. Current rules for Minneapolis businesses are available on the City’s Guidance for Restaurants, Bars and Breweries and Distilleries web page.
• Mayor Frey’s Emergency Regulation No. 12 regarding masks remains in effect. The regulation requires people to wear face masks in all indoor public places.

Situational updates: Minnesota

• As of March 3, there are 486,434 cases in Minnesota out of over 7.3 million tests completed. There have been 6,507 deaths from COVID-19 in Minnesota. There are 100,913 cases and 1,586 deaths in Hennepin County.
• The State uses a color-coded map to track a seven-day rolling average of new cases. As of February 22, Minnesota is reporting 13.7 cases per 100,000.
• The State continues to work with the CDC to conduct surveillance of newly identified strains of COVID-19 in Minnesota. To date, 78 cases of the B.1.1.7 variant (first found in the U.K.) and two cases of the P.1 variant (which first emerged in Brazil) have been detected in Minnesota.
• The statewide mask mandate remains in effect. People are required to wear masks in all indoor public places and some outdoor venues where physical distancing is difficult.
• Governor Walz’s Executive Order 21-01, and subsequent modifications in Executive Order 21-07, regulating COVID operations at bars, restaurants, gyms, and other businesses, remain in effect.

Health Department Incident Command updates

• The Health Department is offering more than a dozen testing and vaccination clinics every week. We are seeking volunteers (City employees only) to help at these community events. If you are interested in volunteering, please complete this brief survey. Staff who volunteer will receive training and personal protective equipment, including COVID vaccination for those volunteering at multiple events.

Case investigation/Contact tracing

• We continue to conduct contact tracing and case investigation activities. Of the cases in Minneapolis, 65% have been interviewed and 2.4% have refused. Thirty-two percent of cases have been lost to follow-up and less than 1% of new Minneapolis cases still need to be interviewed. We are conducting about 20% of interviews in languages other than English.
• Approximately 8% of interviewed cases have completed their interview online. Fourteen percent of those interviews required additional follow-up by a Minneapolis staff to ensure appropriate contact tracing was completed.
• We have 41 active case investigators, including two non-MHD enterprise staff and 17 AmeriCorps staff. Case investigators are interviewing an average of 30 cases per shift and making an average of 80 calls per shift, plus conducting workplace and other contact follow-up.
• We continue to conduct case investigations and contact tracing for Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) and are providing advice to school leaders as cases and exposures occur among staff and students. We also assist other schools in Minneapolis with contact tracing and questions as needed.

COVID-19 vaccination planning and distribution

• We are partnering with Hennepin Healthcare to provide vaccinations in Minneapolis. To date, we have given out over 6,000 doses through 73 vaccine events. Last week we hosted 14 clinics and provided 1,300 vaccinations to educators, school staff, assisted living residents, and Metro Transit drivers who are often at high risk.
• This week, we are hosting 13 clinics to provide 2,000 vaccinations to some of the same groups listed above, along with childcare workers, second doses for Blue and White Taxi drivers, and MPD. This week we will partner with the University of Minnesota to hold our first mass vaccination event at TCF Stadium for childcare workers and older adults working at the University.
• We are partnering with the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) to offer vaccinations for public housing residents living in 39 MPHA high rise buildings. Buildings with large concentrations of senior residents will be prioritized. First doses will be administered starting March 8 at Horn Towers. Interpretation services will be provided, and the Minneapolis Fire Department will provide on-site post-vaccine observation support.

COVID-19 vaccination education

• We invite you to use the new Minneapolis COVID Vaccine webpage. This site provides the public with information about vaccine safety, a timeline for local vaccine distribution, and answers to frequently asked questions. Visitors can use the Google Translate function located on the left side of the page to view the information in multiple languages. It is also linked to information from the CDC, and the State’s new Vaccine Connector tool. Please help us promote this resource widely.
• The State’s COVID-19 Vaccine Connector helps Minnesotans find out when, where, and how to get their COVID-19 vaccine. Minnesotans unable to sign up online can call 833-431-2053 for assistance signing up over the phone. Interpretation is available by phone in all languages.
• We are providing virtual presentations to community organizations, City boards and commissions, neighborhood organizations, and other groups interested in learning more aboutCOVID-19vaccination, testing, and virus mitigation. For example, over 16 presentations have been completed, scheduled, or requested by MPHA high rise resident councils. To request a presentation, fill out a request form on the new Vaccine webpage (forms are available in English, Spanish, Somali, and Hmong).
• We are hosting vaccine briefings for Enterprise Leaders every other Monday from 2:00–3:00 p.m. The next briefing is scheduled for Monday, March 8. Past recordings can be found on the COVID Vaccination Channel.

COVID-19testing

• We continue to offer regular community testing events, which are free and open to everyone. In the past week, we provided 96 COVID-19 saliva tests at two community events.
• In addition, our School Based Clinic staff have tested 28 athletes and coaches at Washburn and Henry High Schools. Roosevelt will begin to offer testing this week.
• To date, we have provided MPS with 1,850 Zoom saliva tests to distribute to families so that they can take the test at home.1,200 of these same tests have been provided for teachers.
• Six community testing events have been held at MPS Davis Center for all community members, including MPS students and families (emails went out to all district parents advertising these events). Additional events are scheduled for March—see below for dates and times.
• Local and state testing rates have decreased significantly. Despite the vaccine roll-out, it is still important to get tested to help stop the spread of the virus. In particular, we encourage young people and their families to get tested every two weeks from now until the end of the schoolyear.
• Please help us promote the following Minneapolis Health Department free saliva testing events:
• Columbia Manor, 3300 Central Ave. N.E., March 4, 11, 18, and 25(4p.m. to 7 p.m.). No pre-registration required.
• Minneapolis Public Schools Davis Center, 1250 West Broadway, March 13 and 20 (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.). No pre-registration required. Conducted with Power of People Leadership Institute.
• The State also offers free testing at the following locations:
• Minneapolis Convention Center-10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. Visit the State’s COVID-19 testing web page to register.
• Brooklyn Park Starlight Center –11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. Visit the State’s COVID-19 testing web page to register.
• Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport -7 a.m. to 7p.m. seven days a week. Visit the State’sCOVID-19 testing web page to register.
• We are offering free saliva testing kits and on-site testing for schools, community partners, organizations, and businesses. To date, we have received 115 requests and provided more than 10,500 test kits. 
• Any person in Minnesota can order a free at-home saliva test kit from the State’s COVID-19 Test at Home program. The test will be delivered to your home with rush shipping.
• The City's testing web page offers information on testing sites and guidance about what to do while you wait for COVID-19 test results. Staying away from others while you wait for your results is extremely important, especially if you have any symptoms.

Businesses

• While the past year has been difficult for business owners, there are positive developments happening. Currently, there are 173 Food Plan Reviews in flight. These are either new businesses, remodels, or businesses ready to open under new ownership.
• This past week, health inspectors investigated two complaints related to restaurants/bars violating the City’s mask ordinance and staying open past 11pm.Weareworking with Business Licensing on appropriate enforcement actions to address these violations. Staff also followed up on COVID case clusters among employees and customers at three restaurants.
• Inspectors continue to distribute COVID testing kits to businesses upon request and promote free community testing events to employers and their staff.

Responding to community needs

• We have a good supply of personal protective equipment (cloth and surgical masks, hand sanitizer, and gloves) available for community groups, businesses, and individuals. Requests can be submitted using the COVID-19 Requests and Inquiries form on the City’s website.
• We are supplying NCR staff with 5,000 surgical masks to distribute to the community during the upcoming trial of Derek Chauvin. If you plan to participate in a public gathering or protest event, please wear a mask to help reduce the spread of the virus.
• We are responding to an average of 40 emails per day to our COVID19@minneapolismn.gov inbox. Questions are primarily about vaccine distribution and scheduling.

The City specific COVID email address is: COVID19@minneapolismn.gov.

HCL Special Collections - March Highlights

Via Hennepin County Library

Greetings Local History Friends,

Check out what’s new and noteworthy this month in Special Collections. And don’t forget, our department may be closed to in-person visitors, but we are still here to assist with your remote research needs. Contact info below. If you’re having trouble viewing this email, see the attached PDF.

Events

Researching the History of Your Home

Thursday, March 25, 10:00AM – 11:30AM (Virtual)

Learn about the historical resources at the library and across the county that will help you piece together a history of your Minneapolis house, neighborhood or property. We will explain and demonstrate resources, emphasizing online resources that will allow you to jump-start your research from home—including permit records, maps, city directories, photos, newspapers, and more.

Register online to receive a link to join the meeting.

Discover more online events at Hennepin County Library

Digital Collections

NEW! House Plan Collection Nearly 30 house plan books published by Minneapolis architects from the early 1900s to 1950s. Stock plan books may include architectural drawings and floor plans, sample interiors, tips for building a home, and ads for carpentry services, building materials, and supplies.

NEW! Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Collection Maps, plans, and architectural drawings related primarily to Minneapolis parks from the early 1900s to 1960s. Most were produced by the MPRB.

Browse all of the Hennepin County Library Digital Collections: https://digitalcollections.hclib.org/

News from the Archives

Web Archives on Archive-It Search and explore local websites as they existed in the past. COVID-19 in Hennepin County Collection captures the pandemic response through websites of schools, restaurants, places of worship, non-profit organizations, and more. Check back often for more new content. https://archive-it.org/home/hclib

Featured Finding Aid – People for Parks Eleven boxes of newsletters, minutes, project files, correspondence, and more documenting the work of this non-profit group that has supported the Minneapolis parks since 1977.

New and Noteworthy Donations Building on our substantial neighborhood archives, last month we received the archives of the Nokomis East Neighborhood Association. The meeting minutes, event files, photographs, and other records from the neighborhood organization represent Minneapolis' Keewaydin, Minnehaha, Morris Park and Wenonah neighborhoods. Search for more neighborhood archives in our online finding aids: https://archives.hclib.org/

From the Blog

Tour Minneapolis in 1948 The Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce created this “Greetings from Minneapolis” booklet to encourage out-of-town visitors to tour the manufacturing plants, museums, and other attractions of our fair city. The booklet contains descriptions and contact information for over 45 local institutions ready to open their doors to tourists. The Doors Open of its day.

Visit our blog for more cool local history tidbits https://hclib.tumblr.com/

Remote Research

Don’t forget, even though the Special Collections department is closed to in-person visits, we can still help you with your research needs remotely. Need a scan of a book chapter from the Minneapolis History Collection? Looking for newspaper articles on a topic? Need a city directory look-up? Want access to an archival collection? We are here to help.

Email specialcoll@hclib.org or call 612-543-8200.

Modist Brewing Announces "The Fix: IWD 2021" - a Zero IBU IPA Brewed in Celebration of International Women’s Day

Via a recent e-announcement:

MODIST BREWING COMPANY, MICHELLE P. KING, & AND NOW SHE RISES ANNOUNCE RELEASE OF THE FIX: IWD 2021, AN INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY BEER

Brewed by the women of Modist, The Fix: IWD 2021 is a beer that is bringing tangible impact and action for International Women’s Day 2021

The women of Modist Brewing, Michelle P. King, & And Now She Rises are thrilled to announce the arrival of The Fix: IWD 2021, a Zero IBU IPA brewed in celebration of International Women’s Day. The Fix: IWD 2021 is named after equality thought leader Michelle P. King’s award-winning book about gender inequality in the workplace, The Fix, and proceeds for the beer will be donated to Twin-Cities Metro non-profit, And Now She Rises (ANSR), whose mission is to help domestic abuse survivors change their narratives, from victimhood to victory. The Fix: IWD 2021 will release on tap at Modist’s North Loop Minneapolis taproom on Saturday, March 6th and in liquor stores on Tuesday, March 9th.

After reading The Fix, On-Premise Sales Manager for Modist, Katie Muggli, was inspired to contact the author. “For the past two years, we partnered with ANSR to throw charity concerts at Modist, garnering the resources local domestic abuse shelters needed, like bras. This year is all about maximizing impact in spite of COVID, and going beyond a single event to the entire month!” Katie says.

The can artwork features a QR code that goes beyond telling the beer’s genesis story, linking to Michelle’s 100 Actions for Equality campaign of tangible actions every person can take to become an ally to women. Proceeds from The Fix: IWD 2021 will be donated to ANSR, for their biggest initiative yet – a scholarship – because the greatest way to empower a survivor is to give her an education.

The beer will be available throughout the Twin-Cities Metro and will also be distributed in select locations throughout New York and New Jersey, through our distribution partner Sarene. Sarene will be making donations to local domestic abuse shelters in each of their distributed areas. Twin-Cities Metro owned Brewers Supply Group donated the malt bill to create the beer, resulting in an additional $3,900 donation that will be made on top of the proceeds raised from beer sales.

Additionally, Michelle has donated 500 copies of her best-selling book for local shelters, fellow brewing industry friends of Modist, and the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild to share as a resource with other Minnesota breweries.

“Together we can fix our corner of the world and help women thrive in very real ways. We are hopeful that this will be our most impactful year yet, and that we can continue to inspire change well beyond the month of March – and that’s what The Fix: IWD 2021 represents,” says Katie Muggli.

About Modist Brewing Co.

Modist opened in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis in April of 2016 aiming to modify beer and how it is perceived by defying rules and expectations. Utilizing the region’s first mash filter powered craft brewing system, they push past traditional brewing by embracing creativity and unconstrained experimentation. Modist showcases their innovative spirit via the creation of a wide array of beers that the world has never seen before. In their first year of business, Modist was named both the Best New Brewery in Minnesota by Growler Magazine as well as one of “The 50 Best Breweries in the United States” by BeerAdvocate. In the time since, they’ve received continuous accolades including recently being named Minnesota’s Most Innovative Brewery, as well as a multitude of individual beer awards.

About Michelle P. King

Michelle King is a globally recognized gender equality and organizational culture expert. Based on over a decade worth of research Michelle believes that to tackle inequality we need to fix workplace cultures so that they work for everyone. She is the host of a popular podcast called The Fix. Michelle is the author of the bestselling, award-winning book: The Fix: Overcome the Invisible Barriers that are Holding Women Back at Work. Michelle has been featured in The Economist, Harvard Business Review, CNBC, CNN Business, Fortune, Financial Times, Bloomberg, Time, Business Insider, The Times, Daily Mail and LinkedIn Editors. Michelle is the founder of Equality Forward, a global consultancy that provides leaders with the assessment, development and inclusion coaching needed to build cultures of equality at work. In addition, Michelle is a Senior Advisor to the UN Foundation’s Girl Up Campaign, where she leads the Next Gen Leadership Development Program, which enables young women to navigate and overcome the barriers to their success. Prior to this Michelle was the Director of Inclusion at Netflix, and before that she was the head of UN Women’s Global Innovation Coalition for Change, which includes managing over 30 private sector partnerships as well to accelerate the achievement of gender equality and women’s empowerment. Michelle has two decades of international experience working in the private sector and in each of her roles, Michelle lends her expertise to advance gender equality and to enhance opportunity and achievement for women globally. In 2019 Women Tech Founders, a Chicago-based organization dedicated to advancing women in the tech industry, awarded Michelle with the 2019 Inspiring Innovator Award, for her outstanding achievements in the sector and in 2020 Michelle was recognized as LinkedIn’s Top Voice for Equity in the Workplace.

About And Now She Rises

Cofounded by survivors, Amy Matthews and Nina Orezzoli, And Now She Rises is an events-based 501(c)3 non-profit working to break the silence around domestic violence and provide support to women in emergency abuse shelters.

March 3 Third Avenue Bridge Renovation Photos from Doug Verdier

Editors Note: Mill District resident Doug Verdier continues to document the progress of the Water Works project. He has also been documenting the Third Avenue Bridge refurbishment project.

Progress continues on the Third Avenue Bridge project. With the removal of equipment and the sandbag barrier surrounding the pier near the middle of the bridge, the remaining Caterpillar excavator rests on a small gravel island awaiting lift by crane to the bridge above. Three workers joined the Cat on the island to attach lifting equipment to the machine. The removal of the barrier surrounding the pier was well coordinated to remove the barrier materials up to the bridge by crane, while gradually reducing the size of the area beneath the tracks of the excavator. This allowed the water level flowing around the base of the pier to rise to normal level.

The photo above shows the lifting device attached to the excavator prior to being lifted from the small “island” in the river.

And we have liftoff! The Cat is being hoisted up by crane while two of the workers watch from the island below. Another worker can be seen on the ladder behind the lift just above the Cat.

After a brief ride, the Cat is about to be safely lowered onto the bridge.

Following the Cat’s extraction from the “island” a clamshell was used to remove the remaining gravel from the area near the base of the pier to restore the water level to normal. Restoration work on the pier surface will continue using the wooden platform attached above the base of the pier.

Meanwhile, beneath the bridge next to West River Parkway and the pedestrian and bike path, another excavator is preparing a work surface in a channel where river water formerly flowed. Some of the timbers that were delivered on site earlier in the week have been laid over the walkway to protect the surface from damage by machinery as work proceeds.

Ice had to be chopped in order to put the gravel into the channel. Some of the deterioration of the pier can be seen in this image. Visible below the deteriorated section is evidence of a previous restoration done some years ago on the base of this pier. 

The photo above shows another section of the bridge where sections of the deck have been removed.

When the Aster Cafe starts putting out its patio furniture and umbrellas, can Spring be far behind? Fingers crossed!

Small Business Spotlight: Minnesota Native Landscapes

Article by Becky Fillinger

We’re right on the cusp of Spring in Minnesota. Do you have a yard that needs some new ideas? Are you an apartment dweller who would like to do more to help the pollinators? Do you work at a large corporation with acres of land planted solely with turf grass? We talked to Bre Bauerly, Customer Support Specialist at Minnesota Native Landscapes (MNL) about some new ways of looking at our green spaces.

Q:  Spring will officially start this month. Many homeowners are starting to think about their lawns. Do you have ideas for lawns that go beyond turf?

A:  There are so many wonderful options for turf lawn alternatives here in Minnesota! For those looking to maintain an area with a turf-like appearance, consider switching to a bee lawn with a blend of low grow (low maintenance!) fescues and short statured flowering species. Or, keep some turf lawn to play on but shrink the area and add a small native prairie around the perimeter! Anyone can add native plants to their yard - whether it’s in traditional garden beds with mulch, or a larger native seeded area to attract pollinators and songbirds.

MNL created our My Pocket Prairie kit to encourage homeowners to get started with native plants on their property in an easy and fun way! Any little bit of habitat can help, and My Pocket Prairie allows someone to start from scratch with a full garden kit of locally sourced materials including 27 native plants. The kit comes with a guide booklet, edging, a weed suppressant mat, a pre-designed layout, and of course - the plants!

Q:  You mention native seeds and your company name includes the words native landscapes. How do you define native landscaping? 

A:  We define native landscaping as growing, installing, and maintaining plant communities natural to Minnesota pre-settlement. We have origin data traced back to the county level for the various seed and plant species we grow and sell. Using native plants in landscaping here in Minnesota, means using plants that are well adapted to our unique growing conditions and beneficial to our local wildlife.

Q:  Our local pollinators are suffering from loss of habitat, chemical misuse, the proliferation of invasive plants, disease and parasites - some even suggest that bright city lights can lead to pollinator decimation.  How can we as individuals help pollinators survive? Can condo and apartment dwellers do anything to help in our limited spaces?

A:  By adding more local-origin native plantings to the landscape, we can create pollinator sanctuaries. Places where our pollinators can find nutrient-rich foods, ample shelter, and no neonicotinoids. Native plants and our local pollinators have co-evolved to each other’s benefit, native plants have pollen and nectar resources available when native pollinators need them and native pollinators help native plants produce seeds for new growth. By using a diverse mix of native species, we can provide a vast array of resources. Those that are not able to help in their own backyards can get involved on a community level - what's going on in your local parks, or other local open space - do corporate campuses really need to be mowing all of that turf grass around their building, or could they replace it with a native pollinator seed mix?

Pollinator see packet from the 2019 growing season

Bre Bauerly   Photo credit: Wendy Caldwell, Monarch Joint Venture

Q:  How can we learn more about these topics? How may we follow your news?

A:  There are a lot of great resources for learning more about native plants, pollinators, and other wildlife here in Minnesota! Join your local Wild Ones group or Audubon Society chapter, attend a Blue Thumb workshop, check out one of the Landscape Revival native plant sales, tune in to educational webinars, or join a pollinator advocacy group. MNL is on most of the major social media platforms, follow us to learn more about native plants! You can also check out our website and use code MCT10 for 10% off your order (including My Pocket Prairie)!

Social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

The Mill City Times Interview: Tom Evers, Executive Director, Minneapolis Parks Foundation

Article by Becky Fillinger

Tom EversTom Evers has worked in parks for much of his professional life – from a Conservation Corps member to head of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation. We spoke to him about current projects – both locally and collaboratively with park leaders across the country. He also gives us ideas on how to engage with our wealth of Minneapolis park resources. 

Q:  You began your parks career in Vermont, as a Park Ranger and conservation corps member. Please tell us about those experiences.

A:  Being a Park Ranger was both incredibly fun and terribly exhausting. I moved to Vermont to work for the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, an incredible organization that hires Vermont teenagers from different backgrounds and forms crews of 8-10 Corps Members to build wilderness trails or run a handful of state parks within the Vermont State Park system. After leading a wilderness crew for one year, I spent two years running Saint Catherine State Park as the Park Ranger with a crew of ten Corps Members (high schoolers and early college-aged youth). Together, along with a co-manager and an assistant, we ran the park from Memorial Day Weekend to Columbus Day and were responsible for every facet of the park’s operations, including managing reservations, planning nature programming, mowing lawns, operating a concession stand, cleaning campsites, maintenance and enforcement. It was the hardest job I’ve ever had, and in many ways, the most rewarding.  

Running a state park is challenging enough, but having to forge a community with complete strangers, teenagers at that, most of whom had never lived away from home, while keeping a campground running smoothly taught me a lot – lessons I still use today. Some Corps Members never had a job before. Each summer, I witnessed a team come together and become stewards of the park and do it with pride. There was work to be done from sunup to sundown, and an educational curriculum for the crew as well. The experience gave me insight into the complexities of park systems and the different ways people experience a park. It also gave me a deep appreciation for the power of working with youth in the community.

My fourth summer in Vermont, I was offered a job by the State of Vermont to run a state park with a traditional park staff, not as part of the Youth Corps. I ran Button Bay State Park on Lake Champlain and loved the experience and the solitude. At the end of each workday, I went home to the Ranger House with a view of the Adirondack Mountains to the West and the Green Mountains to the East. I think fondly of those days. But I always knew it wasn’t my life-long calling – it was seasonal work with little free time untethered to the park. So, after three years running parks and five years living in Vermont, I needed a change. For a while law school called to me. I was accepted to Vermont Law School, but I changed course and decided to first move back to Minnesota to be closer to family and eventually found a career in fundraising and nonprofit leadership. I earned a Master’s of Public Affairs at the Humphrey School while working full-time in Minneapolis. 

Q:  I read that the Minneapolis Parks Foundation is part of a national effort to remake parks as more equitable and to build resilient communities. How is the national effort organized?

A:  Reimagining the Civic Commons is a learning network involving 10 cities including Miami, San Jose, Detroit, Chicago, Lexington, Macon, Akron, Philadelphia, Memphis and Minneapolis. It was started and is funded by several national foundations including the Kresge Foundation, Knight Foundation, JPB Foundation and a couple others with the aim of creating new solutions for ensuring cities invest in robust and equitable civic commons. Public spaces in our cities such as parks, libraries and museums are the backbone of our civic society and while they are not always shared equitably, they are some of the few remaining places where we share in public trust.  

It was an honor to be invited to join the network with the second cohort of five cities. The Minneapolis Parks Foundation and Pillsbury United Communities are partnering along with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and others to use some of the metrics developed through this network to think about how our public realm serves the community, who benefits, how these spaces might strengthen our city. We are focusing our attention through this partnership on the Upper River section of Minneapolis and being intentional about how the Mississippi River can reconnect to the neighborhoods in North Minneapolis and how to convey the benefits of improving and expanding the public realm.

The 26th Avenue North Overlook, also known as the Great Northern Greenway Overlook, is designed to help connect North Minneapolis residents to the Mississippi River via an off-street bike and pedestrian trail.

While we do not receive any direct funding from this network, we have opportunities to learn with other cities experiencing similar challenges. Last summer it was really powerful to explore the various approaches that cities were taking to address growing encampments or youth programming during the pandemic. The issues facing us in Minneapolis are not unique to us. Reimagining the Civic Commons creates some shared language, tools and a forum for learning with others in other cities.

Q:  What are the Next Generation of Parks events?

A:  I am so glad you asked this question. The Next Generation of Parks is the longest-running program of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation and helps connect our community to big ideas from around the globe. 

We launched it more than a decade ago as a speaker series focused on design – one of the first speakers was Robert Hammond who helped create the High Line Park in New York. The Next Generation of Parks series gained traction when several design firms from around the world presented as part of the Minneapolis Park Board’s Minneapolis Riverfront Design Competition, which eventually became RiverFirst.

We invite people who have advanced parks, programs or landscape design in innovative and transformative ways. Now (or at least in times that aren’t constrained by the pandemic), it’s grown to be more than a lecture series. Today, the Next Generation of Parks events include not only a free-to-the-public evening presentation, we also host a community workshop where practitioners in the Twin Cities can have time in a smaller group setting to engage with the guest speaker. For example, when Dr. Robert Zarr came to town to discuss Parks Rx America, a program that prescribes park visits to patients, we made time for him to visit with health practitioners in Minneapolis and with other park professionals interested in learning from his work. We see the Next Generation of Parks as a chance to learn as a City and expand our potential with innovations developed elsewhere. The lecture events are now recorded and shared on our website. 

Q:  Please tell us about RiverFirst. What is this initiative and the projects under it?

A:  The RiverFirst Initiative is an implementation framework for restoring and creating a series of parks and trails that connect the Mississippi River from the city’s northern edge to St. Anthony Falls. This section of the Minneapolis Riverfront - especially upriver from Plymouth Avenue - is an unfinished link of our park system and the Riverfront is mostly privatized with a patchwork of industrial and commercial sites. RiverFirst is a partnership between the Minneapolis Park Board and the Parks Foundation to reconnect neighborhoods to the River and address some of the long-standing environmental problems along the river, and extend the parks system to the full length of the river in Minneapolis.   

The vision has evolved over the past decade as we gained a better awareness of systemic racism that was designed into our city. The completion of I-94 in 1984 cut off the primarily African American neighborhoods of North Minneapolis from the River and the industrial zones between the Interstate and the River only increased the barrier to the river. RiverFirst is a work in progress – with park designs being informed by the community – to repair some of that history and extend the park system to the river’s edge.

The versatile Water Works site was designed for a multitude of activities.

In 2015 we launched a capital campaign to help fund the construction of the Water Works site located on the River Road between Portland Avenue and the Third Avenue Bridge and to fund a new River Overlook at the end of 26th Avenue and a new trail section connecting it to Ole Olson Park. We raised $18.1 Million from generous donors to help move these two projects forward and we expect to partner with the Park Board to continue doing more as part of RiverFirst. A park system is never finished – and likewise, RiverFirst will always be a work in progress. With the opening of Water Works and the Overlook this Spring, the community will begin to see how close we are to delivering on the promise and potential of a Mississippi River lined with parks through the entire city.

Lake Nokomis is a popular spot for walkers and runners.

Hockey and general skating on Nokomis.

Q:  What's your favorite Minneapolis park?

A:  The Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park is an extraordinary city park that serves a wide swath of South Minneapolis without ever feeling overcrowded. It’s home to two lakes connected by Minnehaha Creek, it has pollinator gardens maintained by the Friends of Nokomis Park that support monarch butterflies, groomed cross country ski trails in winter, and nearly every amenity you could ask for in a park including skating rinks, ballfields, golf, tennis courts, playgrounds, walking and biking trails and fishing piers. I live nearby, so I am in it or travel through it every day. My daughter first played softball with the Hiawatha recreation league – Go Lakers! Both of my kids have held birthday parties there and it was at this park that they learned to cross country ski with kids from the neighborhood. On my evening walks, I often see a beaver or hear owls. And in several locations, I can see the downtown skyline, reminding me that that we’re still in the city.       

Q:  How can we be involved in the activities of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation?  

A:  Attending our Next Generation of Parks is a great way to be introduced to the Parks Foundation and learn more. Our next one is scheduled for Thursday, April 29, featuring The Sioux Chef team of Sean Sherman and Dana Thompson. They are opening their restaurant Owamni at Water Works this Spring and will be sharing more about their philosophy around indigenous food systems.

Artist rendering of the much anticipated Owamni restraurant, opening soon within Water Works. 

We also host Walk and Talks around the city introducing people to different places with a deeper look into the history and ecology of parks within the Minneapolis park system. You can download a self-guided tour on our website now – or sign up to get information about future guided walks. We don’t have a robust volunteer program because the Park Board does that quite well and many local friends’ groups throughout the system have gardens and other places for volunteers to help maintain. But if you reach out to us, we are happy to connect people to volunteer coordinators for different parks. 

And of course, donating to help us do even more is a great way to stay connected to our mission of transforming lives through parks and public spaces. This year we merged with another legacy parks organization – People for Parks - and established the People for Parks Fund of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation to grant funds to initiatives within the park system led by local groups. And once a year, we host a breakfast fundraiser in a riverfront park called Sunrise on the Mississippi. It’s a great way to support our work while celebrating our amazing parks with others who share a passion for maintaining this incredible park system.

Please follow us on social media - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and please read our blog, Common Ground, for news and stories about the Minneapolis Parks Foundation, our community partners, and Minneapolis parks. We welcome engagement from our community!

Small Business Champion Alfredo Martel, CEO and President, Meda

Article by Becky Fillinger

Alfredo MartelDid you know that we have a 50 year old organization in Minneapolis devoted to helping minority entrepreneurs succeed?  We talked to Alfredo Martel, CEO and President of Meda, about the organization's history, their priorities for 2021 and a few of the many local success stories achieved in half a century of good works. 

Q:  What's the history of Meda? What is the geography that you serve?

A:  From its origin in 1971, Meda (Metropolitan Economic Development Association) has worked to break down the barriers to wealth and self-sufficiency that entrepreneurs of color face in building futures for themselves, their families and their businesses.

Over the past 50 years, Meda has provided assistance to more than 20,000 businesses owned and managed by entrepreneurs of color and helped to start more than 500 new businesses. Growing sustainable companies creates jobs and generates increased economic activity: the ripple effect. The Minneapolis MBDA Business Center extends Meda’s services to entrepreneurs of color throughout Minnesota. A detailed timeline can be found here. Meda serves BIPOC businesses primarily in the Twin Cities and around greater Minnesota, but where possible when we see a positive impact can made, we expand our services to those around the country.

Q:  I noticed a tribute to MLK on your Facebook page where Dr. King recommends that each small business have three types of people on staff - visionary, partner and troops. Does Meda look for this mix in the entrepreneurs you counsel?

A:  Yes absolutely. The “visionary, partner, troops” model is a key one in successful businesses. However, Meda is all about strengthening businesses, so if businesses do not have all of these components initially, we will certainly take them on and work to get them to that point. While mature businesses should have all of these components, earlier businesses need to take the time to find the right people to help them be successful and we love to see our clients work through that process.

Q:  What are your 2021 priorities?

A: Our biggest goal for our clients in 2021 is to help BIPOC owned businesses recover from COVID economic downturn and, when necessary, retool their businesses to operate in this new economy. The economic landscape has changed significantly in the last year, so our biggest focus is helping our clients navigate this new territory and set themselves up for success looking forward, keeping in mind all of the lessons learned from the events of 2020.   

Q:  Meda has a Million Dollar Challenge – it is the largest BIPOC entrepreneurial competition in the country, awarding $1 million in financing to BIPOC businesses from across the nation. Do you assist small businesses with their application and preparation for the speed pitch?

A:  Yes, we do. Our businesses consultants lead a Bootcamp for Successful Pitches where finalists get advice from experts on the skills and things to perfect their pitch and any future pitches to funders in the future. The Bootcamp lasts for seven weeks and virtually led.

By the way, here are the winners of the last Million Dollar Challenge – the six winners represent the most diverse group of finalists, in terms of ethnic groups and gender. We received applications from all across the country for the Challenge.

Q:  Please tell us some Meda success stories.

A:  We have so many success stories over 50 years! Check out these inspiring local stories:

Ceiling Pro International - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAiRmPqMmwE

Twin Cities Road Crew - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bWU9KAR0gI&feature=youtu.be

Contreras Edin and Associates - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2giZP65-5jU

El Burrito Mercado - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BZDkmrY_dM

Olu’s Home - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRjW2u1p8LI

Q:  How may we follow your news? 

A:  We welcome your readers to follow us on social @MedaMinnesota and check us out on our website.