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Whole Living highlights reasons to love Minneapolis

Whole Living Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Lifestyle magazine Whole Living recently showcased Minneapolis as a top destination spot, in a July/August feature titled "10 reasons to love Minneapolis."

The article singled out Red Stag Supperclub and Spoonriver as must-visit eateries, with a nod toward Peace Coffee for its Fair Trade focus and cold press blend.

For activities, the magazine recommended hiking through Minnehaha Park, renting a kayak on Lake Calhoun, and visiting the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden near the Walker Art Center.

Paper Hat, Design Collective, and Moss Envy were singled out as top shopping locations, and rounding out the list was the Radisson Plaza as an eco-friendly place to stay.

The Atlantic highlights Springboard for the Arts

The Atlantic Wednesday, July 11, 2012

A story in The Atlantic titled, “The Right to Experience Art,” discusses the “community supported art” program from St. Paul’s Springboard for the Arts.

Through the program, people can buy “shares” in local art, the same way they would buy food from local farmers through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).

The story highlights comments from Laura Zabel, who leads Springboard.

Zabel is quoted as saying, "The art is wonderful and it's always beautiful, but the purpose of the program is to build tight relationships between artists and the community," adding, "We found this incredible audience for this project of people who care about their local economy and community but aren't necessarily from the art community."

Slate.com features Wal-mart turned library with help of Minneapolis architects

slate.com Wednesday, July 11, 2012

In a recent story, Slate.com profiled a Texas library that occupies a building that had once been a Wal-Mart.

The Minneapolis-based architecture firm Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle, Ltd., “breathed fresh life into the warehouse, about as big as two-and-a-half football fields, late last year, when they repurposed it as the country’s largest single-story public library,” it reads.

Interesting signage, reading nooks, and special spaces, such as a quiet room, several computer labs, and a bookstore and café, have redefined the place.

So much so that the McAllen Public Library won The International Interior Design Association’s 2012 Library Interior Design Awards, the story states.

Minneapolis home featured in Wall Street Journal

Wall Street Journal Wednesday, June 27, 2012

The Wall Street Journal highlights a standout Minneapolis home that was locally designed. It belongs to Kaywin Feldman, who leads the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, and her husband, Jim Lutz.

The house originated as a part of the prefabricated “weeHouse” series designed by area architects Geoffrey Warner and Scott Ervin of Alchemy Architects, the story states.

The modern house has a boxy exterior and glass walls, while the couple’s art collection, midcentury furnishings, and library fill the space, the story reads.

About the white walls, which provide a neutral backdrop, Feldman says, "It's my world," adding, "Our museum is all white walls."

Reclaimed wood and renewable bamboo floors characterize the place, which has a treehouse feel.

Besides being an attractive retreat, the home is energy-efficient and doesn't require too much in the way of upkeep, according to the story.

Reuters covers Minneapolis fitness initiatives

Reuters Wednesday, June 27, 2012

A Reuters article titled, “Cities' efforts to make exercise easier pays off,” calls attention to Twin Cities’ efforts to help residents get in shape.

Fitness results in part from lifestyle and environmental supports, it states, adding that the American College of Sports Medicine's 2012 American Fitness Index (AFI), which ranks the country’s 50 healthiest cities, supports that theory.

Minneapolis/St. Paul has jumped to the top of the list for the second year in a row thanks to higher rates of physical activity.

The story quotes Walter Thompson, who chairs the AFI board: "When I say Minneapolis ranked No. 1, people give me an 'are you kidding me' kind of look,” who adds, "Between November 1 and April 1 they have cold and snow, but they've addressed that."

It has to do with having plenty of gyms and government investment in parks, he says in the story.

Minneapolis named a top city for craft beer drinkers

Scarborough Research Wednesday, June 27, 2012

According to a Scarborough Research report, Minneapolis is among the top microbrew-drinking cities in the country.

About seven percent of adults had a microbrew within the past 30 days, putting it at 10th in the nation, tied with five other cities, including San Diego, Tucson, Austin, and Hartford.

At the top of the list were Denver and Portland, which reported that 13 percent of their adult population had sampled a microbrew within the past month.

The report notes: "Microbrews, or craft beers, are a terrific example of how localism has become trendy." Brands would do well to capitalize on the consumer loyalty that comes with rooting for the home team, or visiting neighborhood hot spots, the research firm suggests.

Minnesota leads the way in telework, report notes

Connect Minnesota Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Connect Minnesota, a public-private partnership designed to accelerate technology in the state, released a report noting that Minnesota is strong when it comes to telework, with 22 percent of Minnesotans doing some form of it. That represents a larger share of employees than any other state surveyed.

The report also noted that the average teleworker in Minnesota saves nearly 2,000 miles per year on their commute, which lowers CO2 emissions and can boost a better work/life balance.

William Hoffman, state program manager for Connect Minnesota, says that the results of the report show that availability and adoption of high-speed broadband has wide-ranging economic and social impacts on how Minnesotans work and live. He adds: "As we continue to see providers expand their service areas to employers and employees, I believe we will continue to see telework levels increase across the state."

Washington Post article highlights the Nordic cuisine at Minneapolis's Bachelor Farmer restaurant

Washington Post Wednesday, June 20, 2012

The Washington Post recently featured the Minneapolis restaurant the Bachelor Farmer, in its lifestyle section.

Writer Tom Sietsema describes the Nordic-themed restaurant as “homespun and stylish.”

“Cheery blue-and-white awnings welcome diners to the sprawling corner property,” along with an underground cocktail lounge that’s known as the Marvel Bar, the story states.

“Asked to define Minnesota cooking, Eric Dayton says it revolves around the simple use of a few ingredients, preferably local. “There’s a humility to the cooking” in his state, he says. The description sums up my meal in his restaurant, where nothing shouted “Look at me!” but everything reveled in good taste, right through dessert.”

International film competition and festival makes stop in Minneapolis

KSTP Wednesday, June 20, 2012

The internationally touring 48 Hour Film Project, which gives filmmakers a deadline of two full days to put together a movie, included Minneapolis in its 125-city tour this year, KSTP reports.

As a part of the project, filmmakers had to complete everything from the writing to the editing of a movie within 48 hours, the story states.

Teams also had to work with certain genres and props and some scripted dialogue.

Standout work will be screened at the 48 Hour Film Project Filmapalooza in 2013.

Minnesota Recruiters releases hiring and jobs survey

Minnesota Recruiters Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Minnesota Recruiters, a network of recruiters and HR professionals, released its annual hiring and jobs survey, yielding some insights into the current jobs scene.

The survey found that hiring continues to be strongest with jobs that require a two- or four-year degree, and that moderate hiring is the theme. IT hiring seems to be a stress across the board, the report notes, and the results are similar to national trends.

Marketing continues to be in the "fewest jobs" category, but the interactive side of the industry is very strong. The most jobs tend to be in IT, sales, finance, and engineering.

CNN highlights Twin Cities airport amenities

CNN Wednesday, June 20, 2012

More and more airports are sympathetic to those facing long layovers, and they're adding unique amenities to keep travelers entertained, a recent CNN story notes.

The article highlights an interactive touch-screen concept at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport: Digiboo kiosks, where travelers can download digital versions of more than 500 movies to watch on their laptops or table computers.

The movies can be rented or purchased, and since they're digital, there's nothing to return, according to CNN.

Other airports highlighted in the story include Schiphol in Amsterdam, Hong Kong International Airport, Zurich Airport, and Taiwan's Taoyuan International Airport.

A video of placemaking in the Central Corridor

Minnesota 20/20 Wednesday, June 13, 2012

For a look at various placemaking projects along the Central Corridor light rail line, check out this video from Minnesota 2020.

“Even before light rail construction it was sometimes difficult for folks to remember the streets around their favorite businesses. Most commuters look for landmarks, but now a lot of them are gone,” an online description of the video reads.

To counteract that, through an initiative called Irrigate Arts, local artists are creating new landmarks along University Avenue.

Cupcake chef/restaurateur wins national cupcake competition

Twin Cities Business Magazine Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Recently, Kevin VanDeraa, who owns Cupcake, a Minneapolis bakery, won the Food Network’s TV show competition, “Cupcake Champions," according to a Twin Cities Business Magazine story.

As such, he took home the $50,000 grand prize.

It was his desserts inspired by the "Yo Gabba Gabba!" children’s TV show that earned the top spot.

Chicago Tribune highlights Minneapolis biking scene

Chicago Tribune Wednesday, June 13, 2012

The Twin Cities are often lauded for their friendliness to bicyclists, and a recent article in the Chicago Tribune highlights some of the top reasons for the region's reputation.

The article points out that the parks that circle Minneapolis are laced with bike paths, there's a considerable Rails-to-Trails program, and there's been increasing focus on making streets more bike-friendly.

Even the weather works to the city's benefit, the article notes. In an interview with a local bicyclist, the story pointed out that the weather is fairly good for about eight months out of the year. As for the other months, winter bicycling is on the rise as well, making the area even more amenable to bike enthusiasts.

Cities expert shares thoughts on Twin Cities

MinnPost Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Renowned urban expert Charles Landry recently spent time in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and shared numerous thoughts on how citizens and developers could make the area into a world-class region.

As noted in a recent article in MinnPost, Landry spoke with more than 1,000 people during his seven-day visit, and gave advice on how to increase appreciation for diversity, view community projects in a broader context, and rally behind small-scale efforts.

Writing about Landry in MinnPost, Erik Takeshita noted that the Twin Cities show up on many national "Top 10" lists, but that we shouldn't get complacent. "So, as we bask in the glory of national kudos for best this and best that, let's rededicate ourselves to making sure Minneapolis-St. Paul continues to have a place high on those lists for many years to come," he wrote.

For more on Landry's visit to the metro and his insights on our urban landscape, check out Camille LeFevre's recent article in The Line.