We published a story by Melissa Whitler yesterday featuring a set of parents talking about what virtual learning has been like for their families. The parents shared the challenges they've faced the past couple weeks, why they appreciate the teachers more than ever, and how different their kids have reacted to virtual learning. Bonus: it includes some incredibly cute art from their kids. We'll have part two of this series up later today.
This week's School Board meeting (summary from Melissa here) focused on the district's strategic plan, which the board will be voting on next month, as well as their COVID policies. The district is working on acquiring more test kits and KN95 masks, and the post includes some details on how the district says parents can request them.
The Park Board is hosting its "legislative breakfast" tomorrow to talk about their priorities at the State Capitol this year.
The Met Council will ask for $15 million (which they'll match with another $10 million) for regional parks that will be split between the Chain of Lakes and Upper Harbor Terminal Park, among others. Beyond that, the Park Board wants money to fund improvements to Minneapolis Creeks, the Grand Rounds Missing Link, and more.
The Park Board's second biggest source of revenue after property taxes is local government aid. They're scheduled to get $9.2 million in 2022, which is still lower than the $10.6 million they received in 2010. They'll also be pushing for more funding for youth employment programs and to repeal the "Stanek Law" that bans Minneapolis from requiring police officers to live in the city.
The Minneapolis City Council meets today at 9:30 a.m. Here's the agenda. You can watch live on the city's YouTube channel.
They'll be wrapping up a bunch of committee business from the last week, which included the approval of a $210k "buyback" contract to "increase police visibilities" in Ward 7 that was first spotted by WedgeLive, a new liquor license for Ama Sushi, a CDC grant to improve lead poisoning prevention strategies, a $1.2 million grant from the DOJ for a program to respond to opioid abuse, and denying an appeal that would've blocked 30 people from moving into emergency shelter at 2400 Stevens Ave.
LINK ROUNDUP 🔗
Here's a great list of some fun pop-ups and takeout spots across the city. (Racket)
The Great Northern kicked off last night! Get one of their limited run blankets from artist Dyani White Hawk (Sičáŋǧu Lakota) and Faribault Woolen Mill. (Great Northern)
Do you like Victor's 1959 Cafe? (rhetorical question, of course you do.) Vote for them to win the Bloody Mary and Brunch Bracket Minnesota Monthly put together. (Minnesota Monthly)
Boludo's Nicollet location is finally back open for dining in. (Boludo)
A deep dive into buses, bikes and economics on Bloor Street in Toronto, which some people are pointing to as a model for Hennepin Ave's proposed redesign. (Streets MN)
Bebe Zito has some wild looking chicken tenders this weekend at their 24th Street location. Don't miss 'em. (Bebe Zito)
COMMUNITY ACTION 💪
Have you filled out the Hennepin Ave. redesign survey? Tomorrow is the last day to participate. If you want to catch up on the discussion or see what other people have to say about it, check out our Perspectives page.
The Cedar-Isles Master Plan Community Advisory Committee meets virtually tonight from 6-7 p.m. Here are details on how to watch. Check out our post on the two draft plans for a reminder of what they'll be discussing.
OUT & ABOUT 🛵
MPR is hosting a segment with Bill Lindeke and urban planning professor Fernando Burga where they'll be talking about downtowns, street changes, sidewalks, parks, parking lots and other public spaces during the pandemic. Stream it live on their site at 9 a.m. today.
We've got a bunch of awesome Great Northern events coming in the next couple weeks. First off, calling all fans of the "On Being" podcast – Krista Tippet will be interviewing Colette Pinchon Battle about climate justice and ecological equity in communities of color at Mia today at noon. Second, they'll be partnering on an event at the Cardamom ice bar tonight through this weekend.
The Zacc Harris Trio is playing jazz from 6-9 p.m. at Icehouse.
It's not the good northern, it's the Great Northern. -Charlie
