Message from Council Member Kevin Reich

February’s release of the Minneapolis Creative Vitality Index (CVI) confirmed what many of us long suspected: the Twin Cities metro area’s arts economy is one of the most vital in the nation. It’s significant news for the city as a whole and particularly impactful for the First Ward, with its thriving local creative economy. The Index demonstrates that the non-profit and for-profit creative sector puts an annual average of $700 million into the City’s economy and employs nearly 20,000 people, making up 5% of all City jobs. The metro area arts economy as a whole came in at sixth nationally in size, exceeded only by Washington, D.C., New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Boston. We see this vitality in microcosm in the First Ward, with the many artists in our Arts District, their strong organization with the Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association (NEMAA) and signature events such as Art-A-Whirl as visible symbols of a creative economy in action. Additionally, as many of you pointed out at our ongoing Ward One Creative Economy forums over the past 3 years, a strong arts economy isn't limited to the artists themselves; it spawns a host of other industries and undertakings. Corporate Art Force, which relocated to the Arts District from Plymouth in 2010, is one such business, making connections between artists and corporate customers seeking to acquire original art. Blu Dot is another example of a company that chose to locate in the Arts District due to of its vitality. And there is a clear continuum of creative, productive endeavors from formal artists to designers to prototype makers and craftspeople, etc. co-locating in NE and driving our vibrancy and economy. It’s an axiom of business that if you can’t measure it, you can’t evaluate it. The CVI is a first step in measuring our creative economy and, as such, it’s a valuable tool for developing effective City planning and policy around arts and culture. On a smaller scale, NEMAA has undertaken a project to measure the economic impact of events like Art-A-Whirl on the NE community. We've always known we had something special in the First Ward; it’s good to have numbers to back that up.

One-Sort Recycling Rollout Update

The second phase of the One-Sort recycling rollout will commence late April this year. Customers who did not receive a new blue, one-sort recycling cart last fall, will receive one this spring and will receive letters in the mail with instructions about a week before the cart arrives. These customers will stay on the same schedule and keep the same recycling day as before. When they get the new cart, customers may choose to either leave their old bins out to be recycled or keep them for other uses such as garage storage. If you choose to keep your old bin, do not leave it outside near your pick-up location after you receive notice of the new cart to ensure that it’s not picked up. Tip: if you find, after trying out your new cart, that it’s too large for your needs, you may request a smaller cart by calling 612-673-2917. Last year, Minneapolis expanded the types of plastics and paper it collects. Recycling customers can now include plastics numbers 1 through 7, which includes yogurt, pudding and fruit cups; disposable cups and bowls; margarine, cottage cheese and other containers; and produce, deli and takeout containers. New paper items accepted include milk cartons, juice boxes, and soup, broth and wine cartons. For more information, visit www.minneapolismn.gov/onesort.

“We Can Grow” Initiative

Last year Windom Park resident and U of M School of Agriculture student Mike Smieja created Buchanan Street Farm, an urban farm, complete with activities and workshops for neighborhood children. This year Smieja has launched We Can Grow, a non-profit that offers education and access to fresh, healthy food for low-income residents of Minneapolis. We Can Grow provides raised bed gardens at no cost to low-income families who complete a 4-part educational program. Classes covering basic gardening, cooking, preservation and environmental stewardship, will teach families to grow, harvest and enjoy the fruits of their gardens. We Can Grow will also provide memberships to the families’ local Gardening Matters Resource Hub, including seeds, seedlings and access to gardening tools. If you are interested in participating in this program, as a recipient, volunteer or sponsor, visit We Can Grow at www.wecangrow.org.

“NE Brew District” Expands

The taps at 612Brew will include four beers, with one,  a black ale called Zero Hour, available exclusively at the  612Brew taproom, Broadway Street and Central Avenue NE.  The first batches of beer were being brewed Saturday,  Jan. 12, 2013 at the space which is still under construction,  but will open next month. (MPR Photo/Jennifer Simonson) Two new breweries have opened in the the First Ward, in a major expansion of what is being popularly termed the “Northeast Brew District”. Northgate Brewing, which is located at 3134 California Street NE in the Marshall Terrace neighborhood, introduced their flagship beer, Wall’s End Brown, at Grumpy’s NE at the end of January. Northgate specializes in English sessions beers, which feature an alcohol content below 5%, and they plan to introduce a variety of seasonal brews. Northgate’s brewers don’t intend to open a taproom in the near future, but they do offer growler sales at their location. Visit http://www.northgatebrew.com/ for more information. 612Brew opened their brewery to the public in February. They are an anchor tenant of the newly renovated Broadway Building at 945 Broadway Street NE and their brewery includes a 43-seat taproom. 612Brew has initially introduced four beers, with plans to release a ginger lager in the spring. The taproom also features regular visits from a variety of food trucks. A change in City of Minneapolis ordinance in 2011 to allow taprooms in breweries has spurred significant growth in the craft beer industry, growth that has borne fruit in a number of new businesses for the First Ward. In addition, investment interest continues and the next project could break soon.

Business Spotlight: AccessAbility, Inc.

AccessAbility, Inc. (AAI), a First Ward non-profit organization located in the Mid-City Industrial neighborhood, is celebrating its 65th anniversary of providing services for people with disabilities and others with severe barriers to jobs and community inclusion. AAI provides immediate paid work and training for people who want to work, but due to serious challenges, need added support. This past month, its Project Connect program provided new work opportunities for more than 50 people. It also secured an exciting project for its Day Training & Habilitation program doing retail bag assembly for a local bag manufacturer’s new suitcase shipping product line. Throughout the year, AAI’s Evening Stars program hosts several events for adults with developmental disabilities from all around the Twin Cities area. Most recently, it hosted a Valentine’s Day dinner. To contact AAI about upcoming events, call 612-331-5958 or visit its websites at www.accessability.org and www.aabsi.com.

Mississippi River Green Team Documentary

The Mississippi River Green Team was created through a partnership between Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) and Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board (MRPB). Youth crews spend a summer learning how to identify invasive species, prevent erosion, establish raingardens and prairie plantings, undertake projects to improve the water quality of our river and watershed., and assist in scientific studies. Being on the Green Team offers students the opportunity to have a mentored job experience, learn about environmental careers and acquire new skills. Watch a newly released documentary by John Akre that shows students from North and Northeast Minneapolis, including Edison students, in action on the Mississippi River Green Team.

Edison School News

The Edison Debate Team took 1st Place in the New School Division and was a runner-up for the Spirit of the MN Urban League Debate League award. 11th grader Chue Lor is an Urban Debate League Championships 2012 Novice Division Octofinalist. The Edison Student council took 1st Place in the Citywide Student Government’s Attend to Achieve Challenge. Students created a video to increase awareness of the importance of being in school. When they asked the question, “What motivates you to come to Edison every day?,” the overwhelming response was the teachers. Two Edison student mural designs will be installed at East Side Food Co-op this spring. The contest was open to the entire city and local art community and the two Edison student designs were among seven selected for the project.

2013 Urban Scholars Internship Program

The City of Minneapolis is once again offering its internship program for college students interested in public service careers. The program aims to help young people from diverse backgrounds build their skills for the future, with a focus on careers in public service. Last year eight Urban Scholars were chosen from more than 100 applicants to work in key areas of City government. Students who are enrolled and in good standing at a two- or four-year college or university are eligible to apply. They must also be a permanent resident of Minneapolis, although they can be attending a school anywhere, not just in Minnesota. The 12-week program is a full-time paid internship experience that runs from May 20 – Aug. 9. Interested students should apply online by Monday, March 25 at www.minneapolismn.gov/jobs/jobs_before.

Save the Date:

“Little Shop of Horrors” Thursday, March 7 – Friday, March 8, 7 p.m., & Saturday, March 9, 2 p.m., Edison High School, 700 22nd Ave NE.  Edison theater production of a comedy/horror rock musical about an alien plant that tries to take over the world. A benefit for the upcoming Senior Lock-In Party, sponsored by the Tommie Boosters/Edison Parent Group, will follow the Saturday matinee. Gardening Matters 9th Annual Community Garden Resource Fair Saturday, March 9, noon – 5 p.m., Metropolitan State University, St. Paul. The Gardening Matters Resource Fair offers opportunities to learn about the many resources available to home and community gardeners. For further information and to register for the resource fair, go to www.gardeningmatters.org. NE Mpls Royalty Sock Hop Saturday, March 9, 6 – 9 p.m., East Side Neighborhood Services, 1700 2nd St. NE.  Come dressed in 50’s wear for food, music and games. $5 admission includes dinner and dancing. New socks are being collected for Sharing and Caring Hands. NE Network Thursday, March 14, 7:30 – 8:45 a.m., Eastside Food Co-op’s Community Room, 2551 Central Ave NE. This month’s topic is “Affording Healthcare”. RSVP to nenetwork@eastsidefood.coop. Waite Park Spring Gala Saturday, March 16, 7 – 11 p.m., Cedars Hall at St. Maron Church, 602 University Ave NE. This PTA-sponsored event benefits Waite Park School and includes local food, beverages and a silent auction.  Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Visit Waiteparkpta.blogspot.com for tickets and information. 9th Annual Hotdish Revolution Sunday, April 21, 4 – 7 p.m., Cedars Hall at St. Maron Church, 602 University Ave NE. www.facebook.com/HotdishRevolution Metro Blooms Raingarden Workshop Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.,  Audubon Park Recreation Center, 1320 29th Ave NE. This City of Minneapolis sponsored workshop will explore the latest in healthy yard care practices and raingarden design. Cost is $15. To register, visit www.metroblooms.org or call 612-699-2426. Spring WingDing Saturday, April 27, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Audubon Park Recreation Center, 1320 29th Ave NE. This annual Audubon Park neighborhood celebration will include games, activities, food, arts-and-crafts demonstrations and more. Art-A-Whirl Friday, May 17 – Sunday, May 19. http://nemaa.org/art-a-whirl

Snow Emergency Information

Residents, workers and visitors have a number of ways to learn with Snow Emergencies are declared and what to do when they are. We’re advising drivers to put many of these tools to use, not just one or two. The more ways people learn about a Snow Emergency, the more prepared they will be to do their part, and the less likely they will be to be towed because they didn't know one was declared. ·         Hotline: call 612-348-SNOW to find out if a Snow Emergency has been declared and what parking restrictions are in force. ·         City Website: go to www.minneapolismn.gov  to find out whether a Snow Emergency has been declared. Also check out the street lookup, which lets you put in an address or neighborhood to see where you can park. ·         Phone Alerts: If your landline or cell phone is unlisted, click HERE to sign up for the automated alert system. ·         Email Alerts: Click HERE for more details about receiving automatic email alerts. ·         Facebook/Twitter Alerts: Click HERE for more details about receiving automatic Facebook & Twitter alerts.