Water Works May 20 Virtual Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Announced

Via a May 11 e-announcement:

You're invited to join the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and the Minneapolis Parks Foundation for a virtual grand opening of Water Works at Mill Ruins Park.

Thursday, May 20, 11:00-11:30am

Everywhere on Zoom
RSVP via Eventbrite to receive the link

.

Water Works is a Minneapolis Riverfront park project overlooking St. Anthony Falls and the Stone Arch Bridge that brings new historic, cultural, and recreational amenities to the downtown Minneapolis riverfront and one of the most popular destinations in the region. While the park will open, the Water Works Park Pavilion (and future site of Owamni by the Sioux Chef) will not yet be open to the public.

.

Live speakers will include: Tom Evers and Dorothy Bridges from the Minneapolis Parks Foundation;

Superintendent Al Bangoura and President Jono Cowgill, of the Minneapolis Park Board.

.

Additional videos and voices from: Kate Lamers, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Project Manager - The Sioux Chef - Mayor Frey - Council Member Fletcher - Senator Champion - Doug Snyder, MWMO Executive Director - General Mills - Bank of America - Paul Reyelts, Minneapolis Parks Foundation Board Member and RiverFirst Campaign Committee Chair.

.

Featured opening and closing performances to be announced!

Local Author Spotlight: Lynette Lamb

Article by Becky Fillinger

Lynette LambLynette Lamb has been a magazine writer and editor for more than 30 years, including at Utne Reader and Minnesota Monthly magazines. She is also the spouse and caretaker of a stroke survivor for 15 years. Her husband’s name is Robert Gerloff. He was a very successful residential architect who ran his own firm until he had a stroke in the summer of 2006. Lastly, she’s our neighbor, living in the Marcy Holmes neighborhood. We talked to her about her new book, Strokeland.

Q:  What led you to write Strokeland?

A:  After my husband’s stroke, I sought out a book that would tell the truth about the reality of living with the effects of a massive stroke—both from the survivor’s point of view and especially from the caregiver’s. Many people can relate to having a medical event turn your life upside down.  I could never find a truly honest account that satisfied me, so I decided to write one.

Q:  You've been a professional writer for a while - how was the experience of writing Strokeland different from being a career magazine editor?

A:  I’ve been a journalist since I was 22, but in the 40 years since then I have nearly always written about someone else—and from a remove. Journalists are trained to keep ourselves out of the story. So, it took several memoir writing classes, more than a few teachers, and many years for me to feel comfortable enough to write my own story in the first person.

Q:  What advice would you give to others who might take up writing around a traumatic life event? Would you encourage them to write and document the experience? 

A:  I believe that writing about a traumatic life event can help you make sense of it. However, I recommend waiting awhile before trying to put it into book form. The years and the perspective it brings will only improve the story.

Q:  Were your husband and children supportive of Strokeland? 

A:  Yes, they were — and all three of them read the book before it was published and had a chance to make changes. Rob has been especially supportive, and I think truly brave in allowing this story to be published. He is my biggest fan and the real hero of the book.

Robert, Lynette and daughters

Q:  What do you hope readers will take away from your story? 

A:  My chief hope in writing and publishing this book was to help other stroke care partners and family members, especially those who, like Robert, live with aphasia - a condition that impairs a person’s ability to speak and understand others. It can be a very lonely condition to live with.

But I have been gratified to discover that other people who have experienced traumatic life events are finding the book helpful as well, as are friends of stroke survivors and health care professionals who work with stroke survivors.

Q:  Are there events planned to publicize the book?  

A:  COVID-19 makes typical book launch parties impossible, unfortunately. Because this book is self-published, I am mostly publicizing it through social media and word of mouth. I also hope to speak to some book clubs, as well at some events sponsored by MnCAN (Minnesota Connect Aphasia Now), a wonderful local nonprofit that offers conversation groups for stroke survivors and a support group for care partners. I am donating to MnCAN 10 percent of the cover price of each book I sell.

Q:  Thank you for sharing your story with us. How may we buy the book and follow your news? 

A:  Please visit my website:  https://lynettelamb.com.    

Minneapolis Parks Foundation and MPRB to host a May 11 RiverFirst Announcement

 

Tuesday, May 11, 10:00-10:30am

RSVP via Eventbrite to receive the Zoom link

The Minneapolis Parks Foundation and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board are hosting a virtual press conference on Tuesday, May 11 to announce the completion of the Great Northern Greenway Overlook at 26th Ave N.

This new destination is the first riverfront park in North Minneapolis in nearly a generation, and the first of two RiverFirst projects opening to community this spring. This is just the first phase of the River Link project and the beginning of our work connecting the Northside to the Mississippi River.

Press conference speakers include Tom Evers and Dorothy Bridges from the Parks Foundation; Supt. Al Bangoura, Jono Cowgill, and Kale Severson of the Minneapolis Park Board; and Minneapolis Councilmember Jeremiah Ellison.

While in-person attendance to this event is limited to essential staff and media, there is optimism for a community celebration to commemorate this beautiful new space as limitations on group gatherings change this summer.

Local Leader and Author Jamie Schumacher

Article by Becky Fillinger

Jamie SchumacherJamie Schumacher is the Associate Program Officer for Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC). In that position she works with the Twin Cities cultural and creative districts. She’s also the author of a new book, Butterflies and Tall Bikes, that highlights the Cedar-Riverside/West Bank community. She talked to us about Minneapolis cultural districts and how to explore local communities – it’s like an international vacation - without leaving your home.

Q:  Please tell us more about your master's degree in innovation in nonprofit management. How have you used innovation in the nonprofits you've managed and counseled?

A:  I went back to school for my master’s degree (at the University of Minnesota!) around 2008. I wanted to focus on small nonprofits specifically. By that point I had already been working in the sector for a while and I wasn’t interested in the out-of-the-box standard program, which mostly covers the basics of nonprofit organizational structures. Instead, I did a hybrid. I researched nonprofit boards and studied how they could be more effective, especially for small, grassroots organizations. 

At the time, non-traditional models weren’t as common, and they were (and still are) often overlooked for funding. This is true even though they can serve their communities well, often better, than traditionally structured nonprofits.  

When working with nonprofits, I try to keep in mind that just because something is the traditional way of doing things, that doesn’t mean it’s the best way to do them. We can look to alternative models - or something new entirely! 

Q:  You've done work with Minneapolis’s city-designated cultural districts. What are these districts?   

A:  The city currently has seven city-designated cultural districts.  

• Cedar-Riverside/West Bank
• Central Avenue
• West Broadway
• Franklin Avenue (the American Indian Cultural Corridor)
• Lake Street
• 38th Street
• Lowry North

There are, of course, cultural and creative corridors and pockets beyond these seven, but these are the first ones the city of Minneapolis is including with its cultural district policy rollout. 

Q:  You were instrumental in getting Cedar-Riverside designated as a cultural district. Why was this important to you? What did you learn from your encounters with the residents of Cedar-Riverside?

A:  Cedar-Riverside/West Bank is a cultural district. But before the city began its policy, the neighborhood had already been using this type of language to self-identify for years -“An immigrant hub,” “a global gateway,” a “cultural corridor,” “home.” 

The city’s policy was set to include resources and amenities for cultural districts and spaces that have been left out, or lined out, of resources. 

Cedar-Riverside can get overlooked so often, and it was important to make sure the neighborhood wasn’t left out of that equation. When we weren’t at the table for those conversations, our friends in other districts helped us crash the party to make sure we were included. Council member Abdi Warsame and his staff helped lean on the city and make some noise, to make sure the West Bank/Cedar Riverside was included in the rollout. 

Q:  You're the author of a new book, Butterflies and Tall Bikes. It's part narrative, along with compelling interviews, and neighborhood history in vignette-style chapters that paint a picture of the West Bank Business Association and Cedar-Riverside/West Bank neighborhood. Who is the audience for your book?   What will we learn from reading the book?

With so many voices in it, I do think there’s something for most people to connect with in the pages - so the audience for this book is more general – including somebody who loves Minneapolis, music, or the West Bank. Other audiences would be readers who love history and travel, and experiencing new places. 

One of my reviewers called it “a trip in a book” which sounded almost cliche at the time, but as others read it, I’ve been hearing more of that sentiment. Given the current pandemic travel limitations, I feel like we can all use a little extra travel adventure - even if it’s via the page. 

Q:  Will you do readings of the book? I'm sure many Mill District (and many other local) organizations would love to attend a reading, either in person or via Zoom.

A:  Yes! I’m attaching a graphic that details events and activities for anyone that’s interested, including a listening party for May 27th, when the book will be featured on The Current’s Rock and Roll Book Club.

Q:  Do you have plans to write books about the city's other cultural districts?

A:  Yes! I really hope to. It will likely also be narrative non-fiction, with interviews included throughout the text. I’ve started interviewing my friends and colleagues from the other cultural and creative districts throughout the Twin Cities for this next effort - as well as my parents and other members of my family, most of whom are immigrants to America. 

Q:  Where did your parents emigrate from?

A:  Thanks for asking! Mom from Poland and Dad from Sri Lanka. 

Q:  Do you have any advice for people who might like to write about their neighborhoods?

A: First off, I would say: definitely do it! Story collection and preservation is so important, and I think it’s a way we can pay respect to our elders and those that do so much for our neighborhoods and communities.

I took a class once with Nneka Onwuzurike, a creative colleague and friend. Her class was called Heirlooms, and it was about how we can ethically and authentically write about even challenging family situations. One method she talked about was the collaborative method and how that can make the process respectful and shared, breaking down the power dynamic a bit. So often we think of writing as a solitary thing - something that’s just about the author. But I think, when you’re writing about a neighborhood you have an obligation to make sure to the best of your ability you are representing the neighborhood in an accurate way - ideally the way the neighborhood would like to be portrayed. 

I tried to do this by interviewing a broad cross-section of members from the community. While I do talk about my experience and adventures, they are interwoven with these voices. Residents old and new, business owners past and present. Those I interviewed were able to read and approve of how they were being portrayed, and make sure their words were well represented on the page. They were also invited to review the full book, to make sure their words and interviews weren’t being used out-of-context. 

Q:  That’s a wonderfully inclusive approach to writing about a community. How may we follow your news?

A:  I’m very active on social media, and folks can find me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. I also send out a semi-regular newsletter, which you can sign up for on my website.

zAmya Theater Project announces Homeless Network Newz: Season 5

Via a May 5 e-announcement:

zAmya Theater Project announces the fifth season of Homeless Network Newz — virtual creative performances every other week in May and June, starting May 13. HNN highlights stories, experiences and the creative contributions of people who have experienced homelessness.

zAmya Theater uses creativity, collaboration and stories to build understanding and connection between people who’ve experienced homelessness and people who have not. zAmya aims to inspire people to advocate for short and long term solutions to the housing crisis in Minnesota.  zAmya began creating Homeless Network Newz episodes about zAmya troupe members as a way of using storytelling to build understanding and connection during COVID-19. Learn more at zamyatheater.org/homeless-network-newz.

Episodes are directed by Esther Ouray and edited by Flo Razowsky. Hosted by Corey Walton, featuring troupe members Robert Blood, Marcia Barnes, Annette Bryant, Marvin Howard, Shannon Kemp, Caroline Mannheimer, Ken Moore, Christina Sayers, Sol Moran Sepulveda, and Tahiti Robinson.

In the first four seasons, zAmya Troupe members and guests shared poems, reflections, interviews with community leaders, heartfelt stories, hilarious sketches, current events and not-so-recent news, the impact of COVID-19 on the community, and much more. 

zAmya’s three-year residency on Nicollet Mall sponsored by Hennepin County Library and Minneapolis D.I.D. moved online in early 2020, with HNN expanding into virtual workshops and performances, taking the place of in-person workshops and performances that would normally happen at the Minneapolis Central Library.

Homeless Network Newz — Live Broadcasts

Thursdays at 4pm Facebook Live and YouTube

Episode 1: May 13 — “Mama Mia” 

Episode 2: May 27 — “Rise Up” 

Episode 3: June 10 — “Summer (en)Camp(ment)”

Episode 4: June 24 — “Our Fathers”

Episodes are archived and available for viewing on Facebook, YouTube, and zamyatheater.org.

zAmJam! Virtual Creative Workshops

Those interested in participating in the making of HNN episodes are invited to zAmya workshops. zAmya Theater hosts zAmJam! with Zamya in partnership with Hennepin County Library. This series of online workshops is for people who are unhoused, temporarily sheltered and allies who are ready to play! All are invited to participate.

Tuesdays, 2:30pm-4pm
Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6127604804
Contact Esther with questions at 612-720-4804 or esther@zamyatheater.org.

Sample HNN Segments

The Story of My Inner Child, a poem by Christina Sayers. Originally Aired: HNN S4 E6, April 15, 2021, "Break Free, Spring"

Advice from a Queen + Kids Say the Darndest Things. Originally Aired: HNN S4 E6, April 15, 2021, "Break Free, Spring"

In Focus with Robert Blood, interview with Christina Woodlee of Bridge for Youth. Originally Aired: HNN S4 E6, April 15, 2021, "Break Free, Spring"

Full Episode, HNN S4 E6 "Break Free, Spring" - In which we hear from the mouths of babes, learn about youth and LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness, assert the transformative impact of treating others as we wish to be treated and so much more. Originally Aired: HNN S4 E6, April 15, 2021.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

About zAmya Theater Project

Through captivating performances and creative collaboration workshops, zAmya Theater Project builds understanding and connection between individuals who have experienced homelessness and those who have not. From understanding and connection, hearts and minds are changed. Solutions are imagined and achieved. Since 2004 the zAmya Theater Project has been changing hearts and minds through performances and workshops in hundreds of Minnesota locations and with many partners including: Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District, Hennepin Theater Trust, Southwest Minnesota Housing Project, The Guthrie Theater, Edina Reality, Salvation Army, Thrivent Financial, Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless Annual Conference, Basilica of St. Mary, Augsburg College, and more.

zAmya Theatre Project believes theater can change the narrative of homelessness. Our performances grow from stories lived by participants and crafted by our core artistic members. We share them because we know that if we want to unravel this crisis then we have to unravel the story. Informed by experienced advocates and direct service providers, zAmya is led by professional artists, and employs a core group of actors who’ve experienced homelessness to create the plays, co-facilitate workshops, and guide the direction of the company.

zAmya is a Sanskrit word that means “aiming at peace.” For zAmya, aiming at peace means aiming toward a community with safe, stable, affordable housing options for all. More info at zamyatheater.org.

Mill City Commons Seeks Part-time Program & Events Manager

Submitted by Mill City Commons:

Mill City Commons is a membership organization for neighbors 55+, most of whom choose to live in the Central Riverfront District of Minneapolis. We are a welcoming neighborhood “village” that builds community through an exciting array of programs that connect us with each other, and the resources needed to maintain and support vibrant lives as we age.

Mill City Commons is hiring a part-time Program & Events Manager. The job works with our member-led program committee to coordinate and facilitate the robust calendar of events we offer each month. Approximately 24 hours per week with some flexibility of work schedule and the opportunity to work from home when not managing meetings or events. Click here to see the job description. 

Interested candidates can apply here on Indeed.com or send their resume and cover letter to info@millcitycommons.org. 

Golden Hues of Gold Medal Park by Ric Rosow

Submitted by Mill District resident Ric Rosow

Spring is arriving in fits and spurts. May 2nd was a lovely spring morning. I had been meaning to go out early on such a day to photograph sunrise. Normally I point the camera in the direction of the sun. I work with both exposure and composition to capture the wonderful colors in the sky that sunrise produces. That works well until the sun rises above the horizon. A sun above the horizon presents challenges. The brightness of the sun blows out all detail in the image in the area of sun. Multiple shots with different levels of exposure are then necessary and used to create one image that preserves what one sees during sunrise.  

At the time this photo was taken I had already shot multiple images in the direction of the sunrise. The screen on back of the camera was blinking with black, indicating those were areas of no detail. Perhaps for the first time during a sunrise shoot, I turned away from the sun. In doing so I saw the beautiful colors, highlights, and shadows that sunrise created in Gold Medal Park. Although the sun was above the horizon, it was below and behind the top of the River Place Office Building. As with almost all of the photographs I take I used luminosity masks to edit specific areas of this image based on the luminosity (brightness). of the image. A luminosity mask is like an old-fashioned stencil but more refined. A digital luminosity mask has areas of black which conceal the image, areas of white which reveal the image and shades of gray that only partially conceal and reveal. With a luminosity mask in place, I can selectively edit a specific area of an image without effecting areas to which I do not want to make that particular edit. For instance, I can lower the exposure in an area that is too bright without darkening the other areas of the photo. In this image I used several luminosity masks to adjust contrast and brightness of specific areas.

You can see more of my work at www.ricrosowphotography.com.

Local Leader: Lee Pao Xiong, Director for Hmong Studies, Concordia St. Paul

Lee Pao Xiong

Article by Becky Fillinger

May 14 is Hmong American Day and May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. We talked to Lee Pao Xiong, Director of the Center for Hmong Studies and Instructor of Asian Studies at Concordia St. Paul, about ways to celebrate the holiday, Hmong studies at Concordia and the surge of hate crimes against Asian Americans.

Q:  How will you celebrate Hmong American Day?

A:  Several events are been planned by several organizations, ranging from festive to somber:

The Hmong American Day Planning Committee will be hosting an event on May 15th at the Hmong Village Shopping Center at 1001 Johnson Parkway in St. Paul. It will feature Hmoob games, many food trucks including the Egg Roll Queen and an English subtitled screening of Paj Nyiag Txoj Hmoo.    

The Minnesota Humanities Center will host a virtual education event for educators on the 15th of May 2021 – From the Mountains to the Lakes.

The Hmong Special Guerrilla Units will host a memorial event at the Hmong Memorial Statue at the Minnesota State Capitol ground to remember the 35,000 Hmong veterans who died during the Secret War of Laos serving as surrogate soldiers of the American Armed Forces.

Minnesota Memorial To Special Forces in Laos 

Q:  In 2000, President Clinton appointed you to the President's Advisory Commission on Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders. You were the first Hmong presidential appointee in the nation. Please tell us about how it felt to be nominated and what your duties and accomplishments were on the Commission. 

A:  It was a great honor to have been the first Hmong-American presidential appointee in the nation. Our tasks, among others, were to advise the President and federal agencies on how to improve the quality of life of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders through increased participation in federal programs where they may be underserved (e.g., health, human services, education, housing, labor, transportation and economic and community development). Furthermore, the Executive Order also called on all federal departments to mobilize their resources to address the unmet needs of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.  

Our team came up with a report, after hosting town hall meetings cross the United States, that made several recommendations that asked federal agencies to improve their data collection measures, ensure linguistic access in AAPI languages, protect civil rights and equal opportunity for AAPIs, strengthen community capacity, and recognize Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in federal programs and services.

Since the SE Asian community was new to the United States, my emphasis on the commission was strengthen as well as increase our communities’ capacities to access programs and services as provided by the federal government. These included grant opportunities.

Lee Pao Xiong (middle row, third from left) with students

Q:  There's a Hmong Studies program at Concordia St. Paul - you're a founding director. How have the graduates of the program applied the coursework in their careers?  

The Center for Hmong Studies, the first and only one in the world, among its many offerings, was the first higher educational institution in the United States to offer a Minor in Hmong Studies. The purpose of the Minor was to enhance students’ knowledge about Hmong history, culture, and language as they pursued their major programs. As such, most of my students come from the major field of health science, education, business and marketing, psychology, law enforcement, and social work. Other students took my classes for personal development. Here’s a sampling of comments from some of my students from last semester: 

“This class helped me understand how much the Hmong people went through. I can now look at my parents and thank them for having me in America because I want to be able to help my parents since they are the ones that helped me. My parents struggled so much and now I really want to repay them and help them as much as I can.”

“It helped me to understand more about Hmong history and where we came from.”

“Classes like this would help me in better understanding my historical background so that I can help others who are suffering through past experiences. It helps me understand in a more clear view of what they might have gone through or what might be affecting them in the long run.”

“It just helps to better know the background and be educated on different cultures. You will probably encounter/work with Hmong people so it helps to know more about them.”

“I have a better understanding of the history of the Hmong people. I feel more empathetic and understanding of when the Hmong got separated during the first wave. I ‘m also able to talk to my dad about something that is a memory of his.”

“It allowed me to learn about the Hmong into a deeper understanding. It allowed me to learn more about the Secret War in Laos that took so many Hmong people’s lives.” 

Some of my students are now therapists, teachers, spoken word artists, police officers and teachers.

In addition to course offerings, we also host an international conference on Hmong Studies, which drew Hmong scholars from throughout the world. All of our conferences are organized by students, which gives them marketing, project management, volunteer management and fundraising experiences - all skills needed in the world of work.

We currently occupy the President’s House. We have a large collection of artifacts, documents, and photos relating to the Hmong experiences. As such, we have ongoing museum quality exhibits at the Center. These exhibits have attracted over 20,000 student groups, scholars, and community members throughout the year. We provide expert advice to film makers, journalists, policy makers and others who want to better understand the rich legacy and complex heritage of the Hmong people. 

Q:  Growing numbers of hate crimes against the Hmong in Minnesota is part of a larger story of crime against Asian Americans. A bill which would expand what could be reported as bias crimes has some movement in the Minnesota legislature. What are your thoughts on the rise in crime against Asian Americans and Minnesota legislation that might help?  

A:  I think we have to look at your question in the larger context. Asian Americans have always been targeted individually or through policy work. Here are some historical examples:

1854 – People vs. Hall - barred minorities from testifying against whites in criminal cases.

1875 – The Page Act - barred Asian women from coming to the US.

1882 – Chinese Exclusion Act - barred Chinese from coming to the US.

1942 – Japanese Internment - Japanese Americans were rounded up and put in internment camps.

1982 – The murder of Vincent Chin in Michigan.

2006 – The murder of Mr. Cha Vang in Wisconsin by James Nichols.

2014 – The brutal attack of Mr. Sao Lue Vang in Wisconsin by Kevin Elberg.

2021 – The brutal murder of Ms. Es Lee in Milwaukee.

In late 1979 and the early 1980s, when the Hmong started arriving in Minnesota, many of us were also physically and verbally attacked (youth, as well as elders). It is still happening today. Recently, I was a called a “fucking Chink” by a white man driving an SUV in my neighborhood.

I think it’s important to recognize that many of these policies and attacks were and are directed at us because of our race. As such, it’s important for legislators to recognize these hateful acts and to see these attacks as race-motivated crime.

Hmong tapestry Hunted by Communists 

Q:  Minnesota has the largest urban concentration of Hmong people in the country - about 81,000 people of Hmong ancestry and about 14,000 Lao Americans live here. What would you like other Minnesotans to know about our Hmong neighbors?

A:  I think it’s important for the community to know that, we are Hmong. We are not Chinese. We came here as political refugees, escaping the communists. During the Vietnam War, we served as surrogate soldiers of the American Armed Forces in Laos, defending American’s interests in SE Asia by rescuing American downed pilots, guarding American radar installations, and engaging the North Vietnamese Army in combat. In fact, according to former CIA Director William Colby, by fighting the Army of North Vietnam in Laos, we saved over 50,000 lives in Vietnam. The communist hated us because we were American allies. They came after us after the United States pulled out of SE Asia in 1975. We had no choice but to leave our homeland. We continue to be loyal to America by allowing our children to serve in the U.S. military in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other area of conflicts; protecting peace, freedom and democracy.

Q:  How many we follow your news?

A:  Please visit the Center for Hmong Studies, email xiong@csp.edu, or call us at 651-641-8870.

May 4 Third Avenue Bridge and Water Works 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 rehab project.

Lots of activity on the Third Avenue Bridge this week. 

Above, a section of West River Parkway is closed while demolition of the bridge deck is underway. Concrete is being broken up and removed from the bridge above the parkway. Some of the broken concrete can be seen below the bridge.

The big yellow Cat is seen here with the concrete-busting chisel attached and breaking up the thick bridge deck. The building in the background is part of the main post office. This section of the bridge is the entry from Third Avenue at 1st Street S.

Not far from the bridge, workers continue to put finishing touches on the children’s play area section of Water Works Park. Many of the new trees that were planted last Fall are starting to bloom.

Scenery, Serenity and Dinner: the Nicollet Island Inn River Cruise Experience

Via a May 3rd press release:

The historic Nicollet Island Inn today announced an exclusive and limited-time opportunity to experience the legendary Mississippi River like never before. In partnership with the Minneapolis Water Taxi, the Inn’s Twilight River Cruise and Dinner is available on Friday and Saturday nights from May 14 through October 9 for cruising along the Mississippi River followed by dinner at the Inn.

“There’s something extra special about the Mississippi River in the evening,” said Larry Abdo, Nicollet Island in owner/innkeeper. “In good company with friends or for a special romantic occasion - with a glass of wine, appetizers and dinner – the cruise experience is the perfect way to spend an evening taking in the scenery, serenity and the Minneapolis skyline from a new vantage point.”

The excursion begins at Boom Island Park in Minneapolis, where guests will board a solar-powered electric cruise boat for an hour-long tour of the upper Mississippi above St. Anthony Falls. Picnic baskets containing a pre-selected choice of wine or champagne and hor d’ovures will be provided. Following the cruise, guests will return to the Nicollet Island Inn where an elegant dinner will be served.

Participants can extend the evening’s festivities with an overnight stay in one of the Inn’s boutique hotel rooms, which boast European charm with modern amenities.

The cost for the cruise and dinner varies based on the size of the group, beginning at $275 for a group of 2 (packages available for groups of up to 6). Reservations

Situated for more than a century on the Mississippi River's storied shores, the Nicollet Island Inn is one of the few remaining historic buildings on Minneapolis' Nicollet Island. Recent renovations add beautiful upgrades and conveniences. Today’s historic Nicollet Island Inn evokes old-world charm with new world comfort. For reservations or for more information on the Nicollet Island Inn, call (612) 331-1800 or visit www.nicolletislandinn.com.

Milling About: Interview with U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar

Rep. Ilhan Omar, who represents Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, discusses her appointment to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, empowering young women of color to take on civic leadership roles, a typical day in D.C., and where she likes to eat when she spends time in Minnesota.

Small Business Spotlight: Sistah Co-op

Article and photos by Becky Fillinger

What’s new in small businesses downtown? Sistah Co-op had its ribbon cutting ceremony on May 1, attended by politicians, small business owners, fans, family and others. Mill City Times dropped by to check out the space and products, and to speak to the two fantastic entrepreneurs who’ve moved their operations to a permanent location in the IDS Center.

Mayor Frey holds the ceremonial ribbon for Sabrina Jones and Angie Lamb-Onayiga to cut.

Sabrina Jones is the CEO and Founder of SJC Body Love Products. Body Love Products features Minnesota handmade products such as shea butter, sprays, scrubs, and other products that will elevate your sense of wellbeing – they’re clean, safe, simple and effective. Sabrina told us that during the COVID-19 shutdown she continued to partner with other women to move their entrepreneurial journeys forward. She said that along with her partner, Angie Lamb-Onayiga, she wanted to “make things happen and not just wait for something to happen. In the shop, we offer products from other BIPOC/women owned businesses to help support and grow small businesses like ours.”

Sabrina with a display of products.

TiAngy Designs, created by sisters Tinu and Angie, offers a wide selection of purses, handbags, clothing and jewelry. All items are authentic, custom designs - handmade from Nigeria. The clothing, bags and headwraps are made with vibrant, gorgeous 100% cotton fabrics. Angie says that her shop’s designs will add ‘ethnic flair’ to any wardrobe. “I’ve been friends with Sabrina for 22 years – Sistah Co-op is the dream we’ve had for a very long time.”

Mayor Jacob Frey dropped by to cheer on the new business and to assist with the ribbon cutting. He said that the grand opening of Sistah Co-op on a bright and beautiful sunny Saturday was emblematic of the coming reopening of Minneapolis. “It’s a signal that we’re all moving in the right direction. Thank you to the Downtown Council and to the private business partners for working so hard on bringing businesses back. It’s now time to take down the boards, let’s move forward with inclusion.”

Dan Collison, Director of Downtown Partnerships for the Minneapolis Downtown Council, with Angie and Sabrina.

Rosemary UgboajahNeka Creative president and owner, Rosemary Ugboajah, noted that Sistah Co-op has made the journey from pop-up shop to boutique to retail location in downtown Minneapolis. “Vacant retail spaces aren’t good business for downtown Minneapolis, neither is inequity. Neka Creative is proud to assist Chameleon Shoppes in building inclusive solutions and vibrant Minneapolis experiences. Sistah Co-op is a project we’re very proud of.”

Other attendees included State Senator Bobby Joe Champion, Council Member Steve Fletcher, Steve Cramer, President of the Minneapolis Downtown Council and Dan Collison, Director of Downtown Partnerships for the Minneapolis Downtown Council.

Angie with a display of vibrant clothing.

Do you need Mother’s Day gifts? Graduation, wedding or birthday gifts? How about just some flair in your wardrobe? Visit Sistah Co-op at 80 S 8th Street, Suite 254. You’re going to be delighted and you’ll be helping small businesses get a foothold in downtown Minneapolis.

Local Eats: Jeff Arundel, CEO of Lucky Club Entertainment

Article by Becky Fillinger 

Jeff Arundel on the cover of his eighth album, “Now We Go”Have you ventured out to restaurants yet? Lucky Club Entertainment owns and operates the Aster Cafe, the Hideaway Cabin Bar, and Jefe Urban Cocina, all on Main Street - if you’re seeking three good local choices. We spoke to Jeff Arundel, CEO of Lucky Club, about what’s new on the menus and restaurant survival on the "prettiest street in Minneapolis."

Q:  How did the restaurants survive the COVID-19 shutdown?

A:  We have a great team who worked hard to handle the stress of the past months. Closing isn't as simple as it sounds, and by the time the second shutdown hit, our team responded with a seasoned expertise. The crews that patrol our three restaurants are like family with each other and they supported each other during the dark days. We are back open and ready for a bashin' summer!

Mezze Plate at Aster

Hideaway Cabin Bar Deluxe Pizza

Refreshing cocktail at Jefe

Q:  What’s new on the menu?

A:  The Aster and Jefe will be featuring a few new dishes alongside the tried-and-true winners. Hideaway has launched pizza! Look for house made crust and fresh ingredients, all baked in a vintage oven.

Q:  You reopened the patio spaces in early March - how was that?

A:  We are busier than we expected! There is a much calmer sense to everything - both the patios and the inside of our places are full, and the people coming out seem to say "We got this! Let's roll!" Everyone is following the rules, masking up, and paying attention. We all say - Game on.

Q:  For people new to your restaurants - what should we definitely try on the first visit? 

A:  The drinks! We feature craft cocktails at all of our bars. We also have great wines and tap beers.

Q:  Are the swing brunches coming back this year?

A:  I'm pleased to report that the Aster is tentatively set to resume swing brunch on Sundays in September. Our Bluegrass Brunch will also return, as will live music in general.

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  Just as we have lots of food and beverage choices, we have lots of social media! Follow Aster Café on Facebook or Instagram, Jefe Urban Cocina on Facebook or Instagram or the Hideaway Cabin Bar on Facebook or Instagram. 

Local Heroes Exhibit Tells Compelling Stories

Article by Doug Verdier

A current exhibit at the Hennepin History Museum is not only informative and interesting, but timely as well. Titled Local Heroes, the exhibit focuses on many of the unsung healthcare professionals and caregivers who were trailblazers in Hennepin County between the 1870s and 1970s.

Hennepin History Museum, 2303 3rd Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN 55404Visitors to the museum will recognize numerous parallels between the challenges faced by the individuals featured in the exhibit, such as today’s battle with the COVID-19 pandemic, and other issues familiar today. A combination of historic photographs, artifacts and detailed descriptions tells a rich and compelling story as visitors progress through the main floor gallery.

Adding to the atmosphere of the chronologically arranged exhibit are a number of portable hospital room dividers that help separate the various displays and help guide visitors through the exhibit.

As noted above, many of the individuals featured in the exhibit are not well known outside of the local healthcare community. This exhibit, which is scheduled to run through September 11, 2021, will help remedy that situation and recognize people today whose contributions to their profession provided the groundwork and direction for those who would follow.

Two "Local Heroes” whose achievements are highlighted in the exhibit are:

Dr. Harry M. Guilford (1872 – 1963)

When the influenza pandemic arrived in Minnesota in October 1918, doctors and health administrators disagreed about the best way to contain the virus. Most supported such countermeasures as encouraging the public to wear masks crafted from layered cheese cloths. However, other topics caused division. Dr. Harry M. Guilford, the health commissioner for Minneapolis, encouraged a more aggressive approach. On October 12, Guilford closed most public spaces, including schools, churches, clubs, and movie theaters. Some doctors considered the decision too drastic. However, as the infection rate continued to climb (by December, there were 15,703 reported infections and 887 deaths in Minneapolis alone), more doctors began to recognize the wisdom of the decision.

Members of the public also disagreed with Guilford’s decision. After a meeting with Minneapolis ministers, Guilford amended closing churches entirely to permitting them to open at 25 percent capacity. His most dramatic clash was with the Minneapolis Board of Education. Led by Henry Deutsch, the board voted to defy the school closure and open on Monday, October 21. Deutsch insisted that the safest place for children to be during an outbreak was in school. Guilford argued that schools remaining open would lead to greater transmission. The disagreement was resolved when Lewis Harthill, Minneapolis police superintendent, arranged a meeting with the school board. The board rescinded their decision and the schools closed again after being open for half a day.

Minneapolis schools and other public places reopened on November 15 but were quickly closed again when a second outbreak surged through the community. On December 30, schools were reopened a third time with precautions implemented by Dr. Guilford, such as setting a quarantine period of ten days after a child was sick with the flu. The goal was to prevent a third outbreak.  

By spring of 1919, influenza cases and deaths in Minneapolis started to drop back to average numbers. However, the flu never disappeared, and different strains of influenza still continue to infect people around the world today. Despite medical advances, medical professionals still don’t completely understand what made the 1918 influenza so deadly. Research on the 1918 virus continues as medical professionals seek to understand the epidemics and pandemics of the past to better protect the world in the future.  

Frances McHie Rains is pictured here in uniform while she was a student at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. Photo courtesy of Benjamin McHie.Frances McHie Rains (1911 – 2006)

After graduating in 1929 from South High School in Minneapolis, Frances McHie applied for admission to the University of Minnesota School of Nursing, but her application was denied because she was Black. With the help of local African-American activist W. Gertrude Brown, and Democratic legislator Sylvanus A. Stockwell, McHie brought this injustice before the Minnesota State Legislature. When McHie read her rejection letter from the University, the assembly was outraged, and the lawmakers voted that she be admitted to the School of Nursing immediately. Thereupon, McHie became the first Black woman admitted to the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. However, she still faced a deeply rooted culture of racism and systemic discrimination at the University. Nonetheless, McHie graduated from the School of Nursing in 1932 at the top of her class with a double major in education.

McHie continued to trailblaze throughout her long and successful career as a pioneering nurse, educator, and activist. After graduation she became the first Black nursing supervisor at Minneapolis General Hospital (now HCMC). Later, she was the first African-American to work with the Visiting Nurses Association in New Orleans, and she also helped to break the color barrier at Herman Kiefer Hospital in Detroit. McHie went on to became Associate Professor and assistant to the Director of the School of Nursing at Tuskegee Institute and Meharry Medical College in Nashville.

McHie married Dr. Horace Rains in 1951 and settled in Long Beach, California, eventually starting a family. She continued to work in healthcare. In 1953 she became one of the first African-Americans to teach at the University of Southern California General Hospital in Los Angeles. She also devoted a great deal of time to community service. She served as an officer in the Long Beach branch of the NAACP and founded the Long Beach National Council of Negro Women. She died in 2006 at the age of 95.

In 2019, the Frances McHie Nursing Scholarship was established at the University of Minnesota by her nephew, Benjamin McHie, to honor her memory, build on Black history in the medical profession, and support careers in nursing. This scholarship strives to combat racism in the field of healthcare, just as Frances McHie Rains did throughout her life and career.

Moving among the various historic images, artifacts and descriptions of the people, places and events of 100 years in Hennepin County gives one a new appreciation for the dedication and contributions to healthcare by the individuals represented. The challenges these people faced during their lives cannot be overstated. One can’t help but reflect on the parallels of the healthcare environment then and today.

Local Heroes is an important collection of a part of our past that recognizes and honors those who lead the way and inspired today’s medical and healthcare workers. Most of the people represented are not well known. Many of the buildings pictured in the exhibit have been replaced. And medical devices and instruments in use today are quite different from those of yesteryear.

But challenges remain and are being met every day by a new generation dedicated to the health and well-being of everyone. These current “Local Heroes” will continue the work and legacy of those honored in today’s exhibit. And years from now our descendants will honor them.

Thanks to Alyssa Thiede, Hennepin History Museum Curator, and Hannah Dyson, Hennepin History Museum Research Assistant for their contributions to this article.

                                                          -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  

While the Hennepin History Museum is once again welcoming visitors, masks are required by persons age 6 and older. Also, visiting this museum requires the use of stairs. In addition to the physical exhibit, Local Heroes also is available online at www.hennepinhistory.org.

Pandemic Both Challenges and Inspires Hennepin History Museum Staff

Article by Doug Verdier

When COVID-19 closed the Hennepin History Museum to the public on March 14, 2020, Museum Curator Alyssa Thiede was deeply disappointed. But the pandemic also inspired the current Local Heroes exhibit itself and motivated her to create an exhibit that paid tribute to healthcare workers.

“The situation also presented a creative opportunity to reimagine how to organize and offer exhibits to the public in a safe and accessible way,” Thiede said. “The pandemic created a number of new and different challenges to developing an exhibit as well, because access to many resources suddenly was cut off.”

With libraries and archives closed, Thiede reached out to people in the healthcare community as primary sources for ideas on what to include. “Marie Manthey, a nurse who sits on the Heritage Committee of the University of Minnesota School of Nursing was a valuable resource,” said Thiede. “She helped me connect with experts in the healthcare field, as well as several retired nurses who volunteer at the Hennepin Medical History Center Museum at HCMC.”

The evolution of the exhibit was truly collaborative. “So many people contributed, since access to libraries and other sources were not available,” said Thiede. “The stories they shared helped make the exhibit more experiential and personal.”

The interviews and research helped identify and narrow down the individuals, organizations, places and timeframe that the exhibit would emphasize.

“From the beginning, I knew that I didn’t want to focus too much on the big names that people already know,” said Thiede. “I wanted to celebrate the more unsung healthcare heroes. That’s why you’ll see a lot of women, people of color and other less known individuals featured throughout the exhibit.”

Above, Dr. Charles E. Dutton’s Medical Bag, circa 1900. Dr. Charles E. Dutton was the last surviving member of the first class to graduate from the University of Minnesota’s Medical School in 1889. He practiced medicine in downtown Minneapolis until 1935, but continued to treat patients out of his home almost until the time of his death in 1955 at the age of 94. He was also well known as the first doctor in Minneapolis to make house calls out of an automobile. His medical bag, pictured, includes a stethoscope, speculum, forceps, steel calipers, anesthesia mask, trephine, bone saw, scalpel, syringe and needle, and many other tools. After use, instruments that required sterilization would have been boiled in the copper chamber in the lower compartment of the medical bag. Hennepin History Museum Collections. Gift of Mrs. Charles E. Dutton.

When it came to selecting the artifacts to be part of the exhibit, Hennepin History Museum’s own in-house collection was invaluable. Other items are on loan from the Hennepin Medical History Center at HCMC, which is not currently open to the public.

At the same time, the physical layout of the Local Heroes exhibit had to be designed in a way that would allow visitors to feel comfortable and safe going through the museum when it was open again. Consideration of how many people could go through at the same time, what direction they would go and how to arrange exhibits for the best visibility all were reviewed. One element in the layout of the exhibit was the use of  portable hospital dividers to separate portions of the displays. These not only served a social-distancing function, but also added to the healthcare atmosphere of the gallery.

A bonus in all this, Thiede explained, was a renewed emphasis on providing exhibit content online for visitors who were not yet comfortable going to a museum during the pandemic. “I had been thinking for a couple of years about how to create online content in addition to a physical exhibit,” she said. “The pandemic pushed that idea higher on the priority list. It actually was something of a silver lining to everything else.”

Thiede explained that the museum had not previously explored in detail what resources would be needed to give it the necessary level of online capability. This required some experimentation to see how virtual content could look and be engaging to viewers.

“With Local Heroes we are offering for the first time both a physical exhibit as well as an online version of the entire exhibit, including full text, photos of each artifact, and images of the people and places featured,” Thiede said. “We are learning from this first online offering and look forward to viewer and visitor feedback so we can improve the online experience going forward. Having the exhibits available online will make them available to a wider audience. Our plan is to provide an online version of all future exhibits. We want to share the historic stories with as many people as possible!”

-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -

The Local Heroes exhibit is scheduled to run through September 11, 2021.

While the Hennepin History Museum is once again welcoming visitors, masks are required by persons age 6 and older. Also, visiting this museum requires the use of stairs. In addition to the physical exhibit, Local Heroes is also available online at www.hennepinhistory.org.

Hennepin History Museum is located at 2303 Third Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN 55404.

Current hours are: Thursdays, 10a–3p; Fridays, 10a–3p; Saturdays 10a–5p.

Limited free parking is available in the rear of the building.

Admission: Adults $8, Seniors/Students $5, Free for Members an Children age 6 and under

The Pier in the River

Article by Michael Rainville, Jr.

Mill City Times photo from 2014, taken shortly after a number of blocks fell into the river.Many people who enjoy the Minneapolis riverfront throughout the seasons have more than likely noticed an old stone pier jutting out of the river, but what’s the story behind it? Every year, more bricks seem to fall into the river, and it is only a matter of time before the Mighty Mississippi erases all memory of this mysterious pier.

Going back to the early years of Minneapolis, in 1855 when the Hennepin Avenue Bridge became the first permanent crossing to go over the entire Mississippi, the needs of the city were met. However, the city was quickly growing, and when Minneapolis unified with St. Anthony, it became clear that more river crossings were necessary. One of the new bridges that was to be built would become the 10th Avenue Bridge. It connected 6th Avenue SE to 10th Avenue S. Since there is currently a 10th Avenue Bridge just downstream, I will be calling this bridge the Old 10th Avenue Bridge for the sake of this article.

The Old 10th Avenue Bridge from 1906

A painting of a similar view by Arnold Ness Klagstad from 1937

In 1874, the short-lived Kansas branch of the King Bridge Company completed the Old 10th Avenue Bridge. It consisted of a two lane 1,100-foot-long iron deck truss on top of five stone piers, and served pedestrians, carts and wagons for about sixteen years. In 1890, the Twin City Rapid Company installed a street car line on the bridge, which just happened to be a stone’s throw away from the spot where their new steam power plant would be built only thirteen years later. Since it was an iron bridge and not a much stronger and sturdier steel bridge, it did not exactly provide the safest experience when crossing the river. Once automobiles found their way to the area, they were also allowed to cross the bridge, and only a couple decades later, in 1934, the bridge was closed for good.

World War II saw a great need for raw materials, so the unused bridge ended up being torn down for scrap in 1943. During its almost seventy-year existence, the Old 10th Avenue Bridge was a daunting sight that connected the east side of the Minneapolis riverfront to the west side. While it might not have been the safest bridge, it saw Minneapolis grow from carts and wagons to street cars and automobiles. It served as an important river crossing for the city and eventually contributed to the U.S.’s war effort. Nowadays, it’s hard to picture the bridge in its heyday, but the lone stone pier in the river acts as a gateway into its once boisterous life. Let’s just hope we can all cherish the pier while it lasts.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

About Michael Rainville, Jr.

A 6th generation Minneapolitan, Michael Rainville Jr. received his B.A. in History from the University of St. Thomas, and is currently enrolled in their M.A. in Art History and Certificate in Museum Studies programs.

Michael is also a lead guide at Mobile Entertainment LLC, giving Segway tours of the Minneapolis riverfront for 5+ years.

He can be reached at mrainvillejr@comcast.net.

Local Leader: Representative Ilhan Omar

Article by Becky Fillinger 

Get to know your Congressional Representative! We talked to Rep. Ilhan Omar in April about how she likes to spend her free time, family pets and how she shrugs off the haters.

Rep. Ilhan OmarQ:  Representative Omar, how do you spend your weekends and free time in Minneapolis - do you have time to visit parks, museums and restaurants?

A:  Yes, I do like to visit all those places if I am not doing any sort of Congressional work. For the majority of the time, we have activities scheduled in my district to visit with constituents. My staff allows me to have some personal time to hang out with my teenage kids and my husband in visiting restaurants and parks. This past weekend my son and I went to go see a movie. This was the first time I was in a movie theater in over a year and that was really exciting.

Q:  What movie did you see?

A:  We saw a movie called The Marksman. It is about a man who lived on the Arizona border who helps a young mom and her son escape the Coyote. The mom ends up getting shot and she asks the Marksman to protect her son. The whole movie is about him trying to make sure this kid is safe and it's a pretty cool movie. It was really, really eye opening for my son, and two of his friends, who are the children of my childhood friends. 

Rep. Omar with TeddyQ:  Do you have a pet?

A:  Yes, we have a yellow lab. Teddy is five months old right now and it's pretty exciting and fun to watch him grow.

Q:  What do you wish more people in your district, and Minnesota in general, knew about Somali Americans?

A:  It's an interesting question. I would say that Minnesotans, at this point, know a lot about Somalis.  What I hope that those who report about Somalis would tell people about Somalis is that we are not that much different than everyone else you know. We are people who have an aspiration to have a better life, to see our kids get an education and to have a solid footing in society. We tend to be entrepreneurs and business-focused and we place a high value on education. And we are very family-oriented - we're intergenerational oftentimes in the spaces we live in. I was raised by my grandfather, so my father, my grandfather, and my mom's brothers and siblings and I all grew up in the same household and that's traditionally what you will find. We are a very religious and faithful people, and we are very communal so we love caring for our neighbors, for our community and giving back to one another.

One of the beautiful things I think of, being a Somali in Minnesota, is knowing that you are never going to be in need if there's a Somali person nearby. I have never walked to a place, even as a young person, without a Somali person stopping their car and asking if I needed help. Everybody does that, when we see elders carrying bags from the grocery store, we stop and help. 

Q:  What a great answer! I wish that we call could live in a community with those attributes. I'm going to shift gears a little bit. You have described yourself as an intersectional feminist. Please tell us a little bit more about this idea.

A:  I think it's out of the understanding that many of the barriers we face as women don't stop with just our gender – it intersects with color and class barriers as well. There is a lot more to overcome, than just gender discriminations. Take someone like me – my identities as a Muslim woman, as a black woman, as an immigrant woman, all intersect in my fight for liberation. It’s a fight that's rooted in solidarity, because we tend to understand that liberation for one is liberation for all.

Q:  You're a frequent target, I don't have to tell you this, of conservative news media. How do you build up resilience to shrug it off?

A:  I don't know, I think the easy answer is, I was built this way.

Q:  I’m thinking like Lady Gaga?

A:  I think, overcoming so many challenges in life sort of prepared me, more than many people are prepared to be in this space, but I think for me it's knowing that there is progress being made in the work that I do.  It’s why I am in the position that I’m in and that purpose is to give voice to people who have been marginalized and left out of sitting at tables where decisions are made. I try to fight for the policies that you wanted someone else to fight on your behalf, when I get the opportunity to do so. Everything else I see as a distraction and it really doesn't fit into the work that I need to do. And, I think on more of an emotional level, I know that, as my dad used to say, it's hard to hate - up close - the people who have negative things to say about me. Those people have not had a personal interaction with me, so I know that the hate isn't genuine and it's not rooted in reality. I live in reality and don’t pay attention to those people or their comments.

Q:  How do you prefer to engage with constituents?

A:  We engage with our constituents in all ways, on all levels. My favorite obviously is face to face having a conversation and being in dialogue with the person. I believe in the idea of co-governance - representative democracy should be rooted in that, and so the closer you are to your constituents and the more dialogue you're engaged in and with your constituents you have the ability to have fluency in their day-to-day struggles and concerns. You can be a better representative and a better advocate for them if you understand your constituents. But in the realities of COVID-19, we do a lot of meetings and interactions virtually. I try to use my social media platforms to engage and there are more avenues available to us, than what was traditionally available to politicians before my time.

Q:  Thank you for speaking with us. What are your social media platforms?

A:  Here’s my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram – please follow me! Call my Minneapolis office with any concerns too - (612) 333-1272.