Don't Miss Latino Business Week Pop-Up in Gaviidae Common - Now thru September 17

Article and photos by Becky Fillinger

Chameleon Shoppes, in partnership with Target, is sponsoring a pop-up shopping experience in celebration of Latino owned businesses during Latino Heritage Month. We spoke to Shannon Fitzgerald, Chameleon Consortium Project Lead, and several vendors about the event. This opportunity is over on the 17th – walk over today!

Q:  Tell us about the Latino Business Week project. 

A:  This is the first time that Chameleon has been involved with Latino Business Week and we’re excited to be part of introducing these businesses to the downtown community. From September 13-17, this pop-up will be located at various locations in Gaviidae Common on Nicollet Mall. Chameleon Shoppes will market the event to its downtown community, and Target will market to its corporate employees. This is part of Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins on September 15 this year. 

Q:  How did the partnership with Target come about? Do you see the partnership extending beyond Latino Business Week?

A:  We'd been in conversation with different people at Target for some time to figure out how we could collaborate, and this project was just the right thing. We hope to build on this project next year with them. A long-lasting benefit is that the pop-up will also provide vendors the opportunity to interact with Target Corporation Diversity Supplier leadership focused on developing relationships with new potential company partners.

While we are pleased to be partnering with Target, we are even more excited by the amazing partnerships that we've been able to develop with organizations supporting the Latino community in a purposeful, ongoing way. I'd like to particularly name the people at the Latino Economic Development Center, who are doing incredible work to support and sustain Latino businesses all over the city.

Left to right - Marta Valle, Sandra Ortega and Artez Chef with Shannon Fitzgerald

Q:  What types of products might we see showcased in Gaviidae Common during the week? 

A:  So many items! We have such a large variety of products, from hand-painted and hand-made clothing to jewelry, to candles and oils, shoes and boots, and even balloon bouquets. The vendors are:

* Scent.Tea.Mint  * Sanorte Design * Luceritos Fashion * The Epileptic Chef * Joyeria el Diamantito * Edicion Especial * Corazon Clothing * Susana Mendex Jewelry * Josefina Flandes Handmade Cards * Boga Balloons

Sandra Ortega of Sanorte Design

Marta Valle of Joyeria el Diamantito

Artez Chef of The Epileptic Chef

I spoke to several of the vendors. Marta Valle of Joyeria el Diamantito invites our readers to visit this week or to come by her shop on 1613 E Lake Street to see her wide variety of precious gems and jewelry.

Sandra Ortega, owner of Sanorte, has the slogan Hoy is un buen dial para ser Feliz!, which translates to Today is a good day to be happy! I challenge anyone to feel sad while viewing her clothing designs – they’re vibrant, positive and hand painted masterpieces. She says, "Color is the medium I use to transmit joy and positivity."  Readers, she does it well!

Artez Chef, entrepreneur owner of The Epileptic Chef wants our readers to know that he can create custom t-shirts, candies and cupcakes for your celebrations. 

Q:  May other Latino businesses submit business or product ideas going forward?

A:  We are looking forward to ongoing collaboration with the Latino community, and always like to hear from organizations and businesses who share our mission and would like to partner with us. We are focused on matching downtown resources to BIPOC and women-owned businesses to help create a vibrant downtown experience. We've been excited to do this work with this community, and are excited about supporting it further. Anybody can reach out to us with ideas at this link.

Q:  How may we follow news of the project? 

A:  The best way to follow this project and Chameleon's ongoing work is through our social media channels: Facebook: @chameleonconsortiumshoppes and Instagram: @chameleonshoppes.

Mhonpaj's Garden Now Serving Rollz2Go Spring Rolls at the Mill City Farmers Market

Photo credit: Mill City Farmers Market

The Mill City Farmers Market recently published an article by freelance food writer Mecca Bos entitled Therapy out of Abundance at Mhonpaj's Garden. Enjoy this indepth and uplifting article about Mhonpaj Lee and her mother May, and you'll come to really appreciate this valued MCFM vendor (if you don't already!). 

Mhonpaj's Garden launched a new product at the September 4 Market - "Rollz2Go" spring rolls - both fresh and fried. Look for the spring roll stand by the train shed (near the side entry to the Mill City Museum where the food demos used to take place pre-pandemic). 

You can follow Mhonpaj's Garden on Facebook and learn more on their website.

Hennepin County Administrator Proposes 3.5% Levy Increase in 2022 Budget

Via a September 14 Press Release from Hennepin County:

On Tuesday, Hennepin County Administrator David Hough proposed a 2022 budget of $2.4 billion to the Hennepin County Board. The proposed net property tax levy is $899.6 million – an increase of 3.5% after holding the budget flat for 2021.

The operating portion of this budget totals $2.1 billion, an increase of $6.5 million dollars from the adjusted 2021 budget. The capital portion totals $333 million, which is $142 million more than the 2021 approved capital budget of $191 million.  

Property tax covers approximately 36% of the overall county budget. Federal and state sources, fees and services, and other revenues fund the remainder of the budget.

“We must be responsible with property tax increases for 2022 given the challenges faced by our residents and businesses,” said Hennepin County Administrator David Hough. “While the county’s residential real estate market remains strong, the commercial and industrial market continues to be challenged by the impacts of COVID-19.”

Hough’s proposed budget focuses on pandemic response, pandemic recovery, disparity reduction, climate action and the organization’s future. It includes strategies like minimizing requests for new positions, introducing additional strategies and activities to reduce disparities and supporting the county’s Climate Action Plan.

“Community need has never been clearer than during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Hough. “Intentionally using federal pandemic funds to support the work in disparity reduction domains is critical to ensure that we are not allowing COVID to continue to widen the gap between white residents and residents of color.”   

This budget leverages unprecedented funding from the federal government by way of CARES and the American Rescue Plan and balances a number of additional challenges, including:

• Uncertainty about federal and state government funding levels
• Flat to declining property tax revenues
• Declines in other expected revenues
• Transformational change in how Hennepin County does business
• A rapidly changing environment that may require different services and service levels

“Responding to crises is what we do,” said Hough. “The county’s pandemic response has been a catalyst for change and innovation. Since the onset of the pandemic, our focus has been on maintaining critical services and supporting those most in need. Our innovations were possible because of county board support over the years and our commitment to growing and supporting operational infrastructure.”

Capital budget

One of the key factors in the budget increase is the proposed 2022 capital budget. The capital budget is where the county’s long-term assets are financed – including roads, bridges, transit and other key infrastructure. Some key items in the capital budget include:

• $72 million in investment toward road, bridge, light rail and trail infrastructure
• $52 million for environment and energy infrastructure, including an anaerobic digester
• $42 million in investment for law, safety and justice facilities and infrastructure
• $95 million toward facilities supporting the Health and Human Services lines of business including a parking ramp expansion for Hennepin Healthcare (Hennepin County Medical Center)
• $72 million toward other county operations

Budget hearing schedule

The Hennepin County Board will set its maximum tax levy at its September 21 meeting, which will be followed by a series of budget hearings before a final budget is adopted in December. View the schedule of public meetings at hennepin.us/boardmeetings. 

Property values

Property tax valuations impact the property tax portion of the budget. The Hennepin County Assessor's Office assesses your property and estimates the value it would likely sell for on the open market, which is one factor used in determining your property tax. Other factors include property tax levies set by the school districts, city, county or special taxing districts that the property is in.

Find out more about property values.

Gamut Gallery Announces Balancing Act - A Solo Exhibition by Barret Lee, Opening October 22

Via a September 13 e-announcement from Gamut Gallery

Balancing Act / Oct 22 - Nov 20

A solo exhibition by Barret Lee exploring distinctions of chaos and harmony in the world around us to create balance amidst our reality.

Balancing Act showcases an unreleased body of work from Minneapolis painter, Barret Lee, encompassing the characters he has been illustrating since childhood and subject matters he has expanded upon since graduating from MCAD in 2016. Drawing from his biggest inspirations: surrealism, graffiti and cartoons, Lee utilizes a combination of acrylics, spray paint and occasional collage, expressing a whimsical theme throughout his work, personifying fantastical worlds that encourage the viewer to escape from the chaos of reality. 

Barret sees painting as a form of communicating unrestrained thoughts and softening the discord of everyday experience. His unique approach to surrealism stimulates the audience's imagination and emotions. Naturally, this exhibition reveals that when we maximize our creative capacity, chaos and balance do not merely coexist but can actually live in harmony with one another.

“Those three worlds I look to mold into one of modern escapism. I create fantastical characters and floating landscapes in search of a utopian outlook on life,” says Barret. Like many of his previous bodies of work, Balancing Act features constructs of paradisal wonderlands, however this solo exhibition focuses on satirizing the state of the world and how it affects our mental wellbeing and existence. His use of poppy, saturated colors will draw viewers in as they are given an opportunity to explore the macro- and microcosms that Lee has unleashed from his mind.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Barret Lee is a Minnesota based fine artist and illustrator with a BA in drawing and painting from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) in 2016. Barret is a multidisciplinary artist who works in a range of mediums. He paints a wide variety of subjects, including wide-eyed characters, playful landscapes, and pop culture. 

Since graduating, Barret has participated in countless art fairs and exhibitions around the Midwest, and has been featured at Gamut Gallery since 2017. Barret has permanent collections on view at Rafter Lofts Minneapolis, Saluté Dental in Woodbury Minnesota, and Arete Lacrosse at the TCF performance center in Eagan. He currently works as a freelance fine artist and you may find him at his studio #385 in the historic Northrup King Building in Northeast Minneapolis. 

MEMBERS ONLY PREVIEW NIGHT: Thursday, October 21 / 6-8pm

Meet & Greet with Barret Lee

• RSVP Required
• Memberships required, become a member today!

PUBLIC OPENING NIGHT: Friday, October 22 / 6-9pm

$7, FREE for members
• Michaelton, formerly known as DJ BAARD
• Pre-sales available and recommended

ARTIST TALK: Wednesday, November 4 / 7pm

Moderated by Russ White of MPLSART
$5 pre-sales, $7door, FREE for members
• Pre-sales available and recommended
• Entry will be available at the door if pre-sales do not sell out
• Masks required indoors

ANNUAL MEMBERS GALA: Saturday, November 13 / 7 - 11pm

Our Black Tie event is returning after a year long hiatus. This special evening is in celebration of our Gamut Gallery Membership Community. The evening will be filled with libations, dancing, art & live music. • Floral Backdrop by Pansy Floral • Photography by Caleb Timmerman • Music TBA • Admittance with Gallery Membership, become a Member today!

Gamut Gallery is located at 717 S 10th Street.

Local Leader Spotlight: Cheryl Thomas, Founding and Executive Director of Global Rights for Women

Article by Becky Fillinger

Cheryl ThomasDid you know Global Rights for Women is based here in Minneapolis? The Founding and Executive Director, Cheryl Thomas, was recently awarded the Arabella Babb Mansfeld Award from the National Association of Women Lawyers. That follows multiple other awards over the past few years. We spoke to Ms. Thomas about the history of Global Rights for Women (GRW), the annual fundraising event this week, and why the work of addressing violence against women is a global concern. 

Q:  Please tell us the history of GRW as an organization.

A:  I believe that addressing violence against women is one of the greatest needs of our time. In my career as a human rights lawyer, whenever there has been a crisis, including COVID-19, the most widely perpetrated human rights violations happen to women, and even more so to the most isolated and vulnerable. Yet advocacy is often lacking or ignored.

Globally, one in three women will experience violence in her lifetime; addressing it has never been prioritized by civic organizations or governments. There are 600 million women in the world who live in countries where domestic and sexual violence is not a crime. Even where laws exist, they are often poorly implemented or not enforced. This injustice and so many others convinced me that women need an organization dedicated exclusively to their human right to be free from violence, one that centers their voices and experiences as the basis for legal reform and systemic change. 

GRW takes our expertise on legal reform only where invited, and we are invited all over the world. We work with local judges, prosecutors, police, social workers and advocates (in person, when there's not a pandemic) to address and change how survivors are treated by the system, including providing training workshops, evidence-based protocols, and best practices for addressing domestic violence within communities.

Global Rights for Women is unique in our work to improve systems to more effectively end violence against women and girls. We are one of the only organizations in the world that follows the specific model of long term sustained partnership with leaders locally and around the world to create, reform and enforce laws, provide training, and build local advocacy and public support for ending domestic violence.

Q:  Your annual fundraising gala is this Wednesday. Please tell us who will be speaking and if we may still participate at this time.

A:  Join us on September 15, at 12:00 CDT for our virtual event with returning emcee Lizz Winstead (co-creator of the Daily Show), and hear passionate women’s rights advocates, leaders like Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, Zainab Salbi, Iraqi journalist and activist and Carol Jenkins, CEO of the Equal Rights Amendment Coalition. We will also hear from Gary Barker and Jerry Blackwell, challenging men to envision new masculinities that honor equality and fundamental human rights. There will be music and appearances by our international partners.

Tickets are still available and are a very affordable $15! Click here to purchase tickets.

Q:  What is the global reach of GRW? 

A:  Since I founded GRW in 2014, we have worked with the United Nations and been invited by local women’s NGOs to build more than 65 international partnerships in over 40 countries that have advanced laws, values and practices aimed at eliminating violence against women and girls.

Cheryl in Gabon

Cheryl in Ethiopia

We work in collaboration with local women’s groups who lead the initiatives for change. Global Rights for Women drafts laws, conducts transformational training of legal professionals charged with enforcing the laws, builds capacity of local advocacy efforts and monitors the implementation of laws, policies and practices needed to protect women and girls from violence.

Cheryl in Indonesia WSIn 2019, we worked in person in Moldova, Fiji, Georgia, Ethiopia, Gabon, Mongolia, Australia, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.

Some examples: In Moldova, police and courts had created numerous obstacles for women seeking help for domestic and sexual violence. They did not enforce protection orders and kept victims from receiving their state-guaranteed legal aid. We were invited by the Women’s Law Center to conduct an Institutional Assessment and create a Risk Assessment tool. This tool gives law enforcement a way to identify potentially lethal behavior, ensure courts make informed decisions that keep women safer and hold perpetrators accountable.

In Georgia, access to shelter and service were denied to victims if they could not ”prove” to police and the courts that they were being abused. Global Rights for Women worked with advocates to create a victim-centered approach to shelter services. Now there is a standardized questionnaire for shelter referrals that aligns with international standards for domestic violence response, and a process that doesn’t require a victim to go before a panel to receive emergency shelter.

In Ethiopia and Gabon, women experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault have very few protections. Violence like rape is rarely prosecuted, or in many cases, not even considered a crime. Perpetrators act with impunity. We were asked by the Ethiopian National Coordinating Body and the Foundation Sylvia Bongo Ondimba in Gabon to consult on human rights standards for violence against women. Global Rights for Women traveled to Ethiopia and Gabon to collaborate with community leaders and the United Nations on strategies to reform laws and promote women and girls’ human right to be free from violence.

In the US, we are collaborating with Minneapolis city leaders and advocates to analyze and understand the gaps in the Minneapolis Police Department’s response to domestic violence, particularly in cases involving women of color and immigrant women. The working group consists of members of the Special Crimes division and domestic assault unit of the Minneapolis Police Department, Cornerstone, the Minneapolis City Attorney’s office, and the Office of Police Conduct Review.

Q:  How did your organization's activities change or pivot in the pandemic in the past 18 months?

A:  In 2020 the world changed. The pandemic of domestic violence became a pandemic-within-a-pandemic. One in three women will experience some form of violence in her lifetime, and the prevalence of this violence compounds economic inequality. We also know that domestic violence intersects with race, class, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation and disability. Domestic and sexual violence directly impacts a woman’s ability to achieve economic stability and independence. The negative social and economic impacts of COVID-19 are magnifying this inequality. 

Global Rights for Women anticipated that a surge in domestic violence would accompany stay-at-home mandates, so our team quickly took action creating and hosting a series of global webinars for front-line advocates around the world who work to advance safety and protective measures for women and girls.

Our global work also continues virtually until we can travel in person.

Our team has just completed a prosecutor training manual working with UN Women for Southeast Asia, a region encompassing 34 countries, from Afghanistan to Vietnam.

Also this year, GRW contributed to a UN gender-responsive policing manual that will be used to train police on domestic and sexual violence calls in UN member countries as well as train UN peacekeeping forces.

The United Nations, the U.S. State Department, and a broad range of international ministries regularly turn to us for consultation regarding women’s human right to live free from violence.

Q:  Can we really make a global difference for women if GRW is based here in Minnesota?

A:  I believe there is no way to separate human rights advocacy by geography. Global Rights for Women has a vision for international engagement for women’s rights in the world because gender-based violence has no borders.

For example, what happens in Afghanistan, or Texas, are all interconnected and have ripple effects in our communities. There are many economic and cultural dynamics that oppress women locally and globally and intersect with each other.

Our work is rooted in Minnesota’s legacy of leadership on addressing violence against women, and positions us as a uniquely effective force in partner collaborations. This legacy is powerful, including passing some of the first laws in the world on domestic violence, the creation of the Duluth Model of the Coordinated Community Response to violence, and the development of the Power and Control Wheel which has been translated into multiple languages. The first women’s shelter in the world was founded in St. Paul in 1972. 

These are globally recognized tools of transformation developed in Minnesota that led to new understanding of violence against women as a root cause and consequence of inequality. Sometimes I think because of our name, people don’t immediately connect us to Minnesota. Global Rights for Women also does projects locally, often working in partnership with organizations doing direct service in the community with survivors. In 2020, we also launched our own direct service program, Pathways to Family Peace, that works with court-ordered men in Minnesota and in other places around the country on transformational behavior change.

Minnesota has powerful history understanding global issues, from businesses like the Carlson Companies addressing human trafficking, to the many respected global organizations that were founded here, including the Center for Victims of Torture, the American Refugee Committee and the Advocates for Human Rights, Minnesota is as much a part of the global community as cities like New York or Washington, DC. We have so much human rights expertise in our Minnesota communities, and this directly supports local advocacy. 

Minnesotans can be proud of this legacy, and when they support organizations like Global Rights for Women, their impact is very far-reaching here at home and abroad.

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  We ask you to join our mailing list, donate or volunteer, contact us here. On social media, please check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Fall Adventures Await All at North Mississippi Regional Park

Via an e-announcement from the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

Find your Fall Adventure!

Noticing Nature Bird Watching Join a park naturalist on the trails in search of our feathered friends while learning about birds and the skill of bird watching. Outdoor Observation Discover a nature topic through exploration outside - build up nature identification skills as a naturalist teaches you the basics. Practice your wilderness skills during our Wild Nature Challenge program! Hikes Explore park paths with a naturalist guide that will highlight natural finds and inform along the way. Fun for the Family Hip Herp Hooray Learn about reptiles and amphibians while you visit with live education animals, enjoy activities and games, then go on a herp hunt in the park. Family Trail Treasures Explore park paths with a naturalist guide in search of nature’s treasures! Use tools like binoculars and magnifying glasses to get a closer look at what’s hidden outside. *This is a therapeutic recreation designed program Animal Masquerade Party Party animals welcome to the animal costume party! It may not be so spooky, but you can disguise your identity in natural style by making a nature mask to bring home. Clues from Nature Investigate animal tracks, scat, other markings and materials to understand animal  behaviors and decipher the story they tell. Opt Outside Black Friday Fun  Enjoy self-guided nature exploration with outdoor fun and adventure pack checkout, nature play, arts and crafts, plus stop by the campfire to warm up. Nature Art Let nature act as an inspiration and medium while you express your creativity! Upcoming: Seed Mosaics, Gourd Time, and Cornucopias Homeschool Classes Let nature be your classroom with experiential learning! Second Thursdays each month 1-3pm for ages 5-15 October: Soil Significance   November: Winged Wonders Campfire Evenings Bonfire Bunch Spend an evening at your neighborhood nature center! Enjoy a bonfire, nature inspired arts & crafts, guided nature walk, snack kits, and safe socializing. *This is a therapeutic recreation designed program. Campfire Game Night Get outside for a night of fun and games in the park! Explore a nature topic, play games in the woods and hang out around the campfire in nature’s backyard. Nature Nuts-Early Childhood Tots Themes Every other Sunday 11:30am-12:30pm Discover seasonal themes, cultivate curiosity, and encourage exploration while we look at some of our favorite nature topics!  Storybook Stroll Enjoy an active literary adventure while discovering nature themes during interactive nature exploration activities in the park. Wednesday Sept. 15 - Oct. 13 from 9:30-10:30 Nature Playtime Bring your little one outside for imaginative play activities guided by a naturalist. 9:30-10:30 on Wednesdays starting Oct. 20 Registration is REQUIRED for all participants there are a limited number of spots available for each program Release Day Programs for Kids MEA is just around the corner... Get kids ages 6-12 into outdoor adventure programs to explore, play, and use their imaginations in nature from 8am-4pm on no school days! Creepy Crawly Creatures WED - FRI    OCTOBER 20-22 If you like the creepy, the crawly and the slimy, then join us for some gross, spooky fun. We'll explore outdoors, play games and make art. Nature is full of freaky things that will make your skin crawl, if you dare to find them! Animal Detectives FRIDAY    NOVEMBER 5 Follow tracks, scat and other wild signs. Use tools such as binoculars and magnifying glasses to learn how to become the ultimate nature sleuth! Test your skills off trail and solve creature sign investigations while taking a closer look at wildlife in the park. Wild Survival FRIDAY    NOVEMBER 12 Examine the survival needs of living things and the ways animals and plants are designed to live in the specific environments. Explore natural building materials and get creative with nature engineering to design and build a protective shelter. Practice fire building and cook a treat over the campfire. Scholarships are available for qualifying Minneapolis residents Adventure Hubs Find FREE fun in the parks Kids, teens, families, adults – everyone’s welcome! Explore the parks in fresh ways with free supplies and materials for a range of self-guided activities: nature discovery trails, orienteering, fort building, outdoor art, and nature observing skills such as bird watching or animal tracking. Nearby Nature Free self-guided activities add to outdoor fun Look for signs with nature quests, challenges and activities displayed at local parks across Minneapolis!

Open Eye Theatre Announces the October Return of THE RED SHOES

Via a September 10 News Release from Open Eye Theatre:

Open Eye Theatre presents THE RED SHOES

October 14 - 31, 2021

.

The critically-acclaimed film noir fairytale returns after a 19-month hiatus in a newly expanded version.

Open Eye announces the return of THE RED SHOES, an expanded remount of the wildly-popular 2017 production that was abruptly put on pause after one preview performance in March 2020. Conceived, designed, and directed by Joel Sass, and featuring an extraordinary tour-de-force performance by Kimberly Richardson, THE RED SHOES takes its title from a classic Hans Christian Anderson story of a young girl and a pair of red shoes, and thrillingly re-imagines it as a retro-urban fairytale. This revised version further explores elements of detective fiction, multiple personality, and psychological mystery. THE RED SHOES runs October 14 - 31 at Open Eye Theatre. Tickets are available at openeyetheatre.org.

“Kimberly and I are incredibly excited to revisit this material and invite new audiences to experience this live-action film-noir adventure!” — Joel Sass, Open Eye’s Producing Artistic Director

Joel Sass created and directed his inventive and visually rich THE BELDENVILLE TROLL in 2019, a companion production to THE RED SHOES. With both THE RED SHOES and BELDENVILLE TROLL, Sass employed a visually- and aurally-focused method of story development, focusing on conceiving characters, physical and sound environments, and myths as opposed to writing a standard script.

THE RED SHOES features performer Kimberly Richardson, a McKnight Theatre Artist Fellow who has been seen at Open Eye in TO THE MOON, THE CLUMSY MAN, and MY LIFE AS A FAIRYTALE. The creative team also includes performers Lizz Windnagel, Kalen rainbow Kier, and Noah Sommers Haas, with designers Sean Healey (sound), Bill Healey (lighting), and Morgan Lee Potter (costumes).

ABOUT THE STORY

Somewhere in the heart of the Big City, our heroine is hiding in a tiny apartment, fearful of venturing out, or of letting anyone (or anything) in. But she’s not alone. A pair of haunted red shoes is delivered to her doorstep, and they propel her into a harrowing film noir adventure through the labyrinths and spiral staircases of her own mind, where she must face down her fears of what lurks in the subway tunnel, and discover what fate has in store for her up on the rooftop!

Equally humorous and hair-raising, THE RED SHOES draws inspiration and influences from vintage detective novels, black and white film noir movies of the 1930s and ’40s, and case studies of amnesia and multiple personality. The inventive use of manipulated objects, dolls, and masks provide a dream-like quality to the unfolding adventure.

REVIEWS FROM THE 2017 PRODUCTION

"Richardson has a ball, posing like Dietrich, clowning like Chaplin and dancing like Shearer herself." — Graydon Royce, Star Tribune

"The Red Shoes is something so curious and unique, odd and chilling, inventive and charming, it's thoroughly captivating from start to finish." — Jill Schafer, Cherry and Spoon

"Probably the best adjective to describe 'The Red Shoes' is 'intricate.' It’s a pleasing puzzlement with lots of moving parts, a story that constantly morphs in scale and a staging that keeps you guessing." — Dominic Papatola, Pioneer Press

"The dark, quirky fun of this play is akin to the fun of playing with mechanical toys instead of digital/virtual ones. So visceral!" — Janet Preus, How Was the Show

Producing Artistic Director Joel Sass officially took over the leadership helm at Open Eye in 2020 after Founder and Executive Director Susan Haas announced her departure from the organization. Since then he has successfully led Open Eye through the pandemic, commissioning and directing LOG JAM! A Paul Bunyan Musical Spectacular on the roof of the Bakken Museum, and creating unique opportunities for audiences to engage with artists through outdoor spectacles, virtual performances, global online puppetry workshops, and a wildly successful Driveway Tour this year. In addition to creating new and exciting productions, his leadership focuses on supporting artists, fostering connections with community, and expanding the circle of those who call Open Eye a creative home.

About Open Eye Theatre

Open Eye Theatre is nationally recognized as a vibrant home for artists who create imaginative and profound experiences that open eyes, hearts, and minds through the power of amazing stories and unforgettable performances. Experience a thrilling array of original theatre, inventive puppetry, live music, and world-class storytelling from local, national, and international artists year-round in our cozy 90-seat theater in South Minneapolis, or find us in neighborhoods throughout the Twin Cities with our summer Driveway Tour!

Tickets
$26 — General Admission
$24 — Seniors
$18 — Students

A limited number of $10 Economic Accessibility tickets are available online for all performances. If not sold out, a limited number of pay-as-able tickets will be available at the door. Tickets available at openeyetheatre.org.

Performance Schedule
Thursday, Oct. 14, 7:30pm (Opening)
Friday, Oct. 15, 7:30pm
Saturday, Oct. 16, 7:30pm
Sunday, Oct. 17, 4:00pm
Thursday, Oct. 21, 7:30pm
Friday, Oct. 22, 7:30pm
Saturday, Oct. 23, 7:30pm
Sunday, Oct. 24, 4:00pm
Thursday, Oct. 28, 7:30pm
Friday, Oct. 29, 7:30pm
Saturday, Oct. 30, 7:30pm
Sunday, Oct. 31, 4:00pm

Run Time - 85 minutes, no intermission

Age Recommendation - Ages 14 and up.

Accessibility - Contact Open Eye at boxoffice@openeyetheatre.org or 612-874-6338 for accessibility information and requests.

Location and Parking
    Open Eye Figure Theatre
    506 East 24th St., Minneapolis, MN 55404
    612-874-6338
Open Eye is located 2 blocks south of Franklin Ave between Portland Ave and 35W.  Park for free in the Lutheran Social Services lot at 24th and Portland.

COVID-19 Policy
For the safety and peace of mind of our audience members, artists, and staff, Open Eye Theatre is requiring proof of full COVID-19 vaccination for anyone entering the theatre. For anyone unable to be vaccinated, we will require proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the performance. As an added precaution, all audience members and staff are required to wear a face mask in the theatre. If you forget your mask, we will have a limited number of masks available. All artists are fully vaccinated and will perform unmasked with a minimum of 10 feet between artists and audience. We greatly appreciate your compliance with this policy and thank you for helping to ensure that the show will go on!

Hennepin Healthcare Requests Public Input on Their Equitable Vision For the Future of Healthcare

Via a September 9 News Release from Hennepin Healthcare:

Hennepin Healthcare is creating an equitable vision for the future of health care

Minnesota’s premier trauma, wellness, and safety net health system seeking community input

Hennepin Healthcare is conducting a community engagement and planning process that will lead to a bold new strategy for a more just and equitable healthcare experience in Hennepin County and beyond.

“We are inviting our community of patients, team members, and neighbors to help us create the future of Hennepin Healthcare,” said CEO Jennifer DeCubellis. “Health care is at a crossroads right now and Hennepin Healthcare faces decisions about its physical facilities that can no longer be deferred. We’ve been here for more than 130 years and now is the right time for our community to help us reimagine how we can provide care to improve outcomes and address inequities, and provide better value, access, and community benefit for the next 100 years.”

Community wisdom means that the lived experiences of patients, team members, families, neighbors, and community-at-large will inform how Hennepin Healthcare continues to care for people in the ways they need and want to seek and receive care.

“It is important for us to partner on developing health care services and facilities that are not only ‘for us’ but also ‘by us’. Working together will get us to the goal of eliminating health inequities in our community,” said Chief Health Equity Officer Nneka Sederstrom, PhD, MPH, MA, FCCP, FCCM.

To bring the voices of the community into the planning process, patients, team members, neighbors, and the broader community have been participating in interviews, visioning sessions, creative conversations, community pop ups and a survey.

A virtual community forum is scheduled for Sept. 16, from 11:30 – 1 PM. This event is open to all - register here.

The healthcare system is actively listening to the voices of the community to lay the groundwork for a comprehensive and responsive plan. Partners with deep local trust and Minnesota roots are working alongside the system to build the vision for the future. Imagine Deliver, a highly respected local design firm, is working with Hennepin Healthcare on the community engagement phase and the results will inform development of a business strategy and an integrated vision of how the system’s presence will be a transformative anchoring point for health equity in our community.

To learn more and stay informed, visit the Our Future website at www.hennepinhealthcare.org/ourfuture/

About Hennepin Healthcare

Hennepin Healthcare is an integrated system of care that includes HCMC, a nationally recognized Level I Adult Trauma Center and Level I Pediatric Trauma Center and acute care hospital, as well as a clinic system with primary care clinics located in Minneapolis and across Hennepin County. The comprehensive healthcare system includes the hospital and outpatient Clinic & Specialty Center downtown and a network of clinics in several Minneapolis neighborhoods and the suburban communities of Brooklyn Park, Golden Valley, Richfield, and St. Anthony Village. The system includes the Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute and Hennepin Healthcare Foundation. It is operated by Hennepin Healthcare System, Inc., a subsidiary corporation of Hennepin County.

2021 Minnesota Fall Color Report and Travel Ideas

Via a September 9 e-announcement from Explore Minnesota:

Explore Minnesota and Minnesota State Parks and Trails start weekly foliage reports today

To mark the arrival of autumn, Explore Minnesota, the state's tourism office, and Minnesota State Parks and Trails will begin their weekly fall color reporting starting today. From scenic drives to hiking and biking trails, apple orchards, seasonal festivals, flavors and more, Explore Minnesota and Minnesota State Parks and Trails offer weekly color reports and trip-planning tips to encourage travelers to get outside and enjoy the state this season.

Minnesota's fall foliage season typically progresses from north to south from mid-September through mid-October, but according to Minnesota State Parks and Trails, 2021 color activity and peak timeframes are more unpredictable this year due to statewide drought conditions.

To subscribe to weekly email updates on fall color, including the state's popular fall color finder, visit exploreminnesota.com/fallcolor (888-VISITMN) or mndnr.gov/fallcolor (888-646-6367). The season is short and sweet, and Explore Minnesota is sharing some ideas to make the most of it this year.

Take a Road Trip
From Lake of the Woods to the bluffs of the Mississippi River Valley, Minnesota makes a great road trip destination. The state's scenic drives meander through diverse landscapes: the lake-splashed north woods, grand bluffs towering above winding rivers, ribbons of prairie, and many parks and trails along the way. Take a road trip on one of the state's rainbow routes. Road trippers can play car bingo along the way by downloading a free card at exploreminnesota.com/bingo.

Explore the Trails
Explore Minnesota's Hike MN initiative encourages residents and travelers to be active by trying a new hiking route. Each year, Hike MN highlights 10 of the state's lesser-known trails with varied terrain, lengths, and includes a sweepstakes. Enter by Oct. 26 for a chance to win Minnesota getaways and gift cards for Minnesota State Parks and Trails, Mall of America and Scheels.

Minnesota has one of the nation's greatest state park and trail systems, including 75 state parks and recreation areas, and is home to Voyageurs National Park. Minnesota also is considered one of the country's top states for biking, with 4,000 miles of trails. Some of the longest paved trails include the Root River, Central Lakes, Lake Wobegon, Heartland, Paul Bunyan and Mesabi. The Minneapolis-St. Paul area offers an abundance of award-winning urban parks, trails and lakes, too.

Find a Fall Festival
Pumpkin weigh-offs, scarecrow contests, craft fairs, hayrides and fall flavors are some of the many ways Minnesota celebrates harvest season. Explore Minnesota's event database highlights hundreds of seasonal festivities this fall.

Savor Fall Flavors
Minnesota's fall harvest promises delicious food, but also tasty things to drink. The state's craft beverage scene flourishes, and fall is the perfect time to sample the flavors. Breweries create special Oktoberfest, pumpkin and other seasonal varieties, available in taprooms or growlers to go. Wineries celebrate with grape stomps and tasting events, and distilleries serve up local spirits. Visit the Land of 10,000 Drinks map to plan a "brewcation."

Pumpkin Patches, Orchards and Mazes
Minnesota Grown lists around 140 pumpkin patches in every nook and cranny of the state, some of which have rides, corn mazes, and enough activities to fill a whole day. Home to the Honeycrisp, Minnesota is one of the best places to get apples ripe for the picking at orchards throughout the state. And thanks to an extensive, statewide bicycle trail network, it's easy to plan a pedal-powered orchard adventure in Minnesota.

See the State's Spooky Side
From kid-friendly to frightening, Halloween celebrations of all types can be found in Minnesota. Anoka, the self-proclaimed Halloween Capital of the World, celebrates the entire month of October. Other options include Valleyscare in Shakopee and the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley. Discover Minnesota's mystical side with this statewide guide to haunted happenings.

"Fall color timing may be unpredictable this year, but the season always happens fast, and the main thing is getting out to discover new sights across the state. Hopefully Mother Nature delivers mild weather with pleasant pops of color. From lesser-known hiking and biking trails to beautiful drives, charming towns, family-friendly festivities and weekly reports, Explore Minnesota has endless trip-planning resources," said Explore Minnesota interim tourism director, Leann Kispert.

Know Before You Go
Many scenic routes, parks and trails across the state are popular in the fall, and travelers should consider midweek trips and lesser-known options to avoid crowds. Due to the current COVID-19 and Delta variant situation, check official event or attraction websites for potential alterations. Prior to making travel plans, visit Explore Minnesota's COVID-19 Information page.

Burning restrictions across central and northern Minnesota continue to cover several counties. Travelers should be aware of local restrictions by visiting the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wildfire information hub for details.

"It continues to be an unusual time for Minnesota's tourism industry, and businesses across the state appreciate visitor support and patience," added Kispert.

Share the Season on Social
Tag fall photos and tune into social media to get real-time inspiration using Explore Minnesota's popular statewide travel hashtag #OnlyinMN and Minnesota State Parks and Trails' hashtag #JustAddNature. 

Twin Cities Ukrainian Community Center to Host 20th Annual Twin Cities Ukrainian Heritage Festival on September 19

COME ONE - COME ALL! COME TO THE FESTIVAL!

This year the Twin Cities Ukrainian community celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Annual Twin Cities Ukrainian Heritage Festival and the 30th anniversary of Ukrainian Independence!

Bring family and friends to this FREE OUTDOOR-ONLY event! Explore, discover and celebrate Ukrainian culture and its unique traditions in the Twin Cities. Be entertained, enjoy delicious homemade Ukrainian food like varenyky, holubtsi and borsch, and simply have fun!

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New this year - VYSHYVANKA FASHION SHOW! Vyshyvanka is a traditional embroidered Ukrainian shirt worn by all family members - from kids to elders.

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Enjoy a demonstration of PYSANKY (hand painted Ukrainian eggs).

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Waltz and polka with the UKRAINIAN VILLAGE BAND, a Ukrainian roots band playing folk and modern music. One can always find people dancing wherever they play.

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Participate in a VARENYKY eating contest.

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Take a photo by our NEW ART PROJECT - cut outs inspired by Maria Prymachenko, a "naive art" Ukrainian painter.

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 ALL are welcome with hearts full of joy! Вітаємо!

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• Please let the hosts know you are attending via their Facebook event page.
• Get free tickets on Eventbrite to help the hosts anticipate the number of guests. 
• Like and follow them on Facebook.
• Parking will be available on the street. You can also park at the St. Anthony Falls Ramp at 201 2nd Street SE - it's just a 5 minute walk from the Ukrainian Community Center.
• Please note - most vendors are unable to accept credit cards.

9th Annual CINE LATINO Film Festival Returns October 8 – 14

Via a recent Press Release from MSP Film Society:

MSP Film Society is thrilled to announce the 9th Annual CINE LATINO Film Festival returns October 8 – 14, 2021 to present another exciting selection of films from the world’s most acclaimed and up-and-coming filmmakers from U.S. LatinX, Latin American, and Iberian communities and regions. CINE LATINO proudly spotlights this vast cultural, linguistic, social, and historical wealth in the following festival sections: Bright New Voices, Cinema with a Conscience, We the People, The Art of Living, Masters, Women & Film, and Cine en Familia.

“Per the mission of the MSP Film Society to unite, inform and transform through the art and power of cinema, the theme of this year’s hybrid CINE LATINO is CINE JUNTOS = CINE LATINO!” said Susan     Smoluchowski, Executive Director of MSP Film Society. “Which is to say, CINE LATINO is about coming together - whether in person or from the comfort of home - through film.”

The 9th edition of CINE LATINO will present 20+ award-winning narrative and documentary films hybrid festival to MSP Film Society Members and our greater community of global cinephiles, with exuberant in-person events and screenings, engaging filmmaker conversations, and we will also continue to present Cine Latino at Home/en Casa via our virtual cinema platform to the growing Spanish-speaking populations throughout Minnesota.

This year’s CINE LATINO will also highlight and honor the African impact on and contributions to Latin American and Ibero history, communities, and cultures through a special focus on Afro-Latino films.

“Between 1525 and 1866, approximately 12.5 million Africans were brought to the Americas against their will as slaves. Besides providing the labor that built nations, this population and their descendants have contributed to the artistic and social wealth of the continent and have shaped the cultural heritage both past and present,” said Hebe Tabachnik, Artistic Director of CINE LATINO. “Recent films from all over the region are richly portraying the history, the struggles, and the lives of Black Latino Americans through fresh and powerful cinematic voices. The 9th Annual CINE LATINO pays tribute to this cultural legacy by presenting a collection of films that provide fresh perspectives and reclaim lost or forgotten histories as well as present strong counter-narratives that question, and build upon, older forms of representation.”

Some of the films that will be included in the 9th Annual CINE LATINO’s Afro-Latino program include:

A BRUDDAH'S MIND (Cabeça de nego) Directed by Déo Cardoso, Brazil, Fiction, 2020

An introvert geek and fan of the Black Panther Movement – is on a mission to promote changes in his school and neighborhood. But during a classroom quarrel, Saulo reacts to a racial insult from a classmate and is expelled. Outraged, he refuses to leave the school until justice is done. His solitary occupation ends up challenging the school’s board & mobilizes the entire community. The students did not anticipate, however, the director’s extreme reaction.

BROUWER: THE ORIGIN OF THE SHADOW Directed by Katherine T. Gavilán & Lisandra López Fabé, Cuba, CyDocumentary, 2019

Leo Brouwer, the outstanding Cuban and world-renowned composer, opens the doors to his creative space allowing the viewer to explore his daily life and work. A die-hard iconoclast, he defies us to question art, Cuba, and even the purpose of this documentary, in a way that is quintessential to his private & artistic persona after eight decades of existence. OFFICIAL TRAILER

EXECUTIVE ORDER (Medida Provisória) Directed by Lázaro Ramos, Brazil, Fiction, 2020

In Brazil’s near future, two roommates become unwitting symbols of resistance when a voluntary ‘back-to-Africa’ program for ‘high melanin’ citizens quickly becomes a violent round-up of all Black citizens in this powerful debut feature from writer/director Lazaro Ramos.

LIBORIO Directed by Nino Martínez Sosa, Dominican Republic/Puerto Rico/Qatar, Fiction 2021

Liborio disappears in a hurricane. One day he returns speaking as a prophet, curing the sick and congregates many followers deep in the mountains. The local powers confront him only to see him vanish, until he decides to confront his deepest fears and battles the invading US Marines. 

SONGS THAT FLOOD THE RIVER (Cantos que inundan al Rio) Directed by Germán Arango Rendón (aka Luckas Perro), Colombia, Documentary, 2020

Oneida was still a child when she learned the Afro-Colombian tradition of singing “alabados” to accompany the dead on their journey to purgatory. With one leg devoured by a snake, and a war without truce, she became the composer of new songs and made her wounds a source of inspiration. Today, Oneida’s compositions unite to the voice of millions in the reconciliation process of a country with one of the longest wars in history.

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The complete line-up of films and special events for the 9th CINE LATINO Film Festival will be announced September 15, 2021. All-Access passes to CINE LATINO are on sale now at MSPfilm.org/cine-latino/ and cost $60 for MSP Film Society Members, $100 for General Public.

Tickets to Individual CINE LATINO Screenings will go on sale September 23 and will cost $5 for MSP Film Society Members, $10 for General Public, and $5 for Community Partners.

CINE LATINO is an annual event presented by the MSP Film Society, Minnesota’s leading non-profit exhibitor of international independent cinema. MSP Film Society is a dynamic 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to fostering a knowledgeable and vibrant appreciation of the art of film and its power to inform and transform individuals and communities.

Out of the Box Opera to Perform at Umbra and Canopy Minneapolis September 10 and 11

          Out of the Box Opera at Umbra/Canopy Hotel

Friday and Saturday, September 10 and 11

Experience unique, interactive entertainment with Out of the Box Opera! They will be performing three shows per night - 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 pm - on both September 10 and 11. Performances take place in and around Umbra, and Canopy Minneapolis' lounge and lobby.

No ticket required. Reserved seating with dinner reservation at Umbra.

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To book a hotel room at Canopy Minneapolis, click here.

Volunteers Needed for September 23rd Planting for Pollinators Event on West River Parkway

Via a recent e-announcement from Great River Coalition:

Please Volunteer: Help our Bees and Pollinators  The Great River Coalition, along with CenterPoint Energy and Great River Greening, are converting an acre of turf grass to pollinator plants! . Thursday, September 23, 2021 7:45 am - 12:00pm, 1240 West River Parkway . The Great River Coalition, along with CenterPoint Energy and Great River Greening, are converting an acre of turf grass to pollinator plants located on West River Parkway along the Minneapolis riverfront (by the CenterPoint building, across the Parkway from the Red Cross). This is an acre of land that currently provides little nourishment for our pollinators. We will be planting on September 23 from 7:45am to 12:00pm. . All tools, gloves, PLANTS, pastries, coffee, water, lunch and snacks will be provided. Photo opportunities as well! . Please invite your friends and family to volunteer and participate in helping pollinators along our Minneapolis Riverfront. Please encourage folks to join us in helping our pollinators along our great river and restore the land our Native Americans valued as they lived along the shores. . Volunteers send an email to: diane@greatrivercoalition.com by September 14. Social distancing will be practiced at the event. Join us! . Sincerely,

Diane Hofstede, President Phyllis Kahn, Vice President

. Great River Coalition Mission Statement: Advocates for preserving, protecting and promoting the historic, commercial and environmental significance of the Mississippi River, the City of Minneapolis and its relationship to the people and their communities.

August 2021 by the Numbers from Cynthia Froid Group

Downtown real estate market update from Cynthia Froid Group:

Water Works Lighting Installation

Editors Note: Thank you to Mill District resident Doug Verdier for capturing the installation of the long awaited lighting in Water Works park.

Twenty overhead electric lights are being installed along the walking path throughout Water Works Park from the woonerf and kids play area to the end of the park near the Pavilion building. About half of the lights have been installed so far, and the cone-shaped covers will direct the light downward onto the walkway.

The Cowles' DECADANCE is a Short & Sweet Fundraiser With a Lot of Good Cheer

Via a September 1 e-announcement:

DECADANCE is a new fundraiser from The Cowles Center celebrating its 10th anniversary. The two-hour benefit provides attendees with a decadence of specialty desserts, bold performances from local dance companies, and attendees will be first to hear a special announcement outlining an exciting initiative for the center to further support local dance talent. In-person and virtual tickets are available. The event takes place in-person at The Cowles Center or virtually on Friday, October 1 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. Tickets range from $25 - $100, early bird ticket prices (a savings of $25 per ticket) are now available through September 8. Learn more: thecowlescenter.org/decadance.

“This will be a great celebration, and our fundraising goal for DECADANCE is $75,000, which will expand our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility initiatives,” shares Mary Meyers, Individual Gift Manager at The Cowles Center. “We’re rising up to meet what our community asks of us and confronting the realities of our nonprofit budget; the money raised through our Fund-A-Need will open up doors for the Cowles to deepen our DEIA & community outreach.”

Duniya Drum & Dance Company, courtesy the company

Thanks to event sponsorship from The Copper Hen Cakery & Kitchen, in-person attendees will receive a custom Cowles box of desserts to enjoy throughout the event. The event program is expected to run 60 minutes. Duniya Drum & Dance Company and Rhythmically Speaking will perform on the Cowles’ Goodale Stage; their performances will be followed by a Fund-A-Need and special announcement from Cowles’ leadership.

Cowles Co-director Jessi Fett teases that, “If you’re ingrained or even interested in Minnesota’s dance community, we think that you’ll be delighted & surprised at what we are excited to announce during DECADANCE.”

Rhythmically Speaking, courtesy Bill Cameron

Virtual attendees will be provided a livestream of the performance, Fund-A-Need, and announcement program.

The event concludes at 7:00 PM, but attendees are invited to enjoy dinner at the Cowles’ 6th Street neighbor, Gluek’s Restaurant & Bar. As the official DECADANCE Restaurant Partner, Gluek’s will donate 10% of all attendee’s dinner sales to the center.

Attendees are also invited to extend their stay in Downtown Minneapolis with an evening at Minneapolis Marriott City Center, which is providing attendees with a special rate of $144 (plus tax) for a room the night of the event. More details for partaking in that rate are available at thecowlescenter.org/decadance.

After a difficult year, The Cowles Center is so proud to partner with these Minneapolis businesses and Minnesota dance ensembles to host a diverse group of arts supporters for the in-person, on-site components of our benefit.

In-person attendees will need to be masked and show proof of a full course of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 36 hours of the event to be admitted into our theater.

Get tickets at thecowlescenter.org/decadance.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Through performances, classes, workshops, and residencies, Duniya Drum & Dance Company (Duniya) prides itself on making West African rhythm and dance accessible for everyone, no matter their age or ability. The company’s roster of artists is deeply knowledgeable of West African movement artforms, and many are known internationally for their skills. Whenever Duniya is present, you can expect a high-energy and interactive cultural performance that you will never forget.

Since its founding in 2008, Rhythmically Speaking (RS) has sparked vibrancy and connectedness through performance and education work inspired by jazz and American social dance ideas. Touted by Dance Magazine as ‘revitalizing jazz dance in the Twin Cities area,’ RS is proud to be rooted where there is a rich jazz and American social dance history. RS endeavors to support and nurture enthusiastic idea exchange with other passionate people locally, nationally, and internationally.

HEALTH & SAFETY AT THE COWLES CENTER

Masks are required at all times in The Cowles Center’s hallways, common/shared spaces, and theaters. Anyone attending an event or performance in our theaters (the Goodale Theater & TEK BOX) will need to show proof of a full course of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to entry.

We respectfully ask that anyone who is feeling ill or is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to please stay home.

Please visit thecowlescenter.org/visit to review our full health & safety information.

ABOUT THE COWLES CENTER

The Cowles Center is a dance and performing arts hub that promotes movement and growth for artists through supportive programs and spaces; engages audiences through dynamic performances; and educates learners of all ages through robust and inclusive education initiatives.

Third Avenue Bridge Renovation - Rebuilding the Spandrels

Editors Note: We are immensely thankful to Mill District resident Doug Verdier, who did an excellent job documenting the Water Works project through to fruition, and continues to document the Third Avenue Bridge refurbishment project.

Lots of structural work involving concrete has been going on at the Third Avenue Bridge project these past few weeks. In this image, one of the tall tower cranes prepares to lift a form into position atop one of the arches where it will be filled with concrete to form part of a spandrel that will support the bridge deck. The spandrels are the vertical concrete supports seen in the photo between the arch and the deck framework above.

The Minnesota Great River Road: An All-American Adventure

Via an e-announcement from the Minnesota Mississippi River Parkway Commission (MN-MRPC)

No matter the starting point – from the Headwaters to the Bluffs – All-American stories and vistas await Great River Road travelers along the Mississippi River.

Minnesota’s Great River Road became an All-American Road this year, putting it among the best-of-the-best scenic byways in the nation – a true destination unto itself. Follow the route to find your favorite All-American adventure during Drive the Great River Road Month this September.

The 565-mile Minnesota Great River Road is designated along a variety of state and local roads from the iconic Lake Itasca headwaters to the Iowa border. It provides up-close river experiences in a variety of settings, with All-American treasures always nearby.

Find unique scenic reaches - Lake Itasca, the winding Serpentine River, Headwaters Lakes, Prairie River, St. Anthony Falls, The Gorge, The Big River and Driftless Area.

Take in the history and lore - Rustic Architecture of Itasca State Park, Headwaters Dams, Charles Lindbergh House & Museum, Oliver Kelley Farm, St. Anthony Falls Historic District, Historic Fort Snelling, Dayton’s Bluff/Mounds Park, and River Towns.

And so much more - Plan Your Trip online mapping provides information on over 700 things to see and do, along with digital travel guides.

Find your favorite - The Great River Road offers something for everyone. Need some inspiration? Start with a few examples of All-American Favorites for personal tips on great locations. And share your own favorite!

September is the perfect time for a road trip as part of the Drive the Great River Road Month celebration! For more information and a map visit www.mnmississippiriver.com and www.experiencemississippiriver.com.

About the Minnesota Mississippi River Parkway Commission

Minnesota’s Mississippi River Parkway Commission (MN-MRPC) is a statutory Commission, recognized in 1963, whose mission is to...To preserve, promote and enhance the scenic, historic, and recreational resources of the Mississippi River, to foster economic growth in the corridor and to develop the national, scenic, and historic byway known as the Great River Road.  The MN-MPRC is part of the larger 10-State National MRPC organized in 1938 to celebrate the Mississippi River by developing the Great River Road Scenic Byway. The 10 states include: Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi,  Missouri, Tennessee and Wisconsin.