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Rice Park a Great Public Space

American Planning Association Wednesday, October 12, 2011

The American Planning Association (APA) put St. Paul's Rice Park in downtown St. Paul on its 2011 list of 10 Great Public Spaces across the country.

Through the APA’s Great Places in America program, sites such as the historic park are recognized for “exceptional character and highlight the role planners play in creating communities of lasting value,” according to a press release about the award.

The park, which is characterized by decorative lamps, statuary, benches, and a central fountain, “serves as much as a pathway and shortcut as it does a lunch stop, festival grounds, and outdoor sanctuary,” the release says.

The 1849-vintage park is also surrounded by a number of historic buildings, museums, and music halls that developed over the course of more than a century.

Recent survey names Minneapolis-St. Paul best cities for seniors

Bankers Life and Casualty Company Wednesday, October 05, 2011

A recent survey of major metropolitan areas found that Minneapolis and St. Paul are the best in the nation when it comes to senior living. The cities were rated based on nine categories that are key to seniors' quality of life: healthcare, transportation, housing, social opportunities, crime, environment, economy, health and longevity, and spiritual life.

Ranked by Bankers Life and Casualty Company Center for a Secure Retirement, the other cities in the top five were Boston, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Denver. At the bottom of the list of 25 cities were Washington D.C., Austin, and Chicago.

In awarding the Twin Cities the top spot, the organization noted: "Seniors gravitate to Minneapolis-St. Paul for Minnesota's progressive medical insurance program and for proximity to the Rochester, MN-based Mayo Clinic; factors that contribute to the region's high scores for life expectancy and healthcare."

Minnesota firms are finalists for BBB awards

Better Business Bureau Wednesday, October 05, 2011

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Minnesota and North Dakota has announced this year's finalists for the BBB Integrity awards, which will be presented on Oct. 24th at the Guthrie Theater.

The BBB presents the award every year to companies that "exemplify ethical behavior and display integrity in all aspects for their operations; toward their employees, vendors, customers, and within their community," according to the organization's recent press release.

Companies compete in different categories based on number of employees. In Category One, with one to 10 employees, finalists are Kamarron Design in Minneapolis, Boy's Electric in Eden Prairie, dentist Mark Finney in New Brighton, and Seraphim Communications in St. Paul.

In the other two categories, finalists include North Star Resource Group in Minneapolis and Latuff Brothers Auto Body in St. Paul.

Minneapolis gets a gold award for being pedestrian-friendly

Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center Wednesday, October 05, 2011

Minneapolis was one of three cities nationally to achieve a gold award recently from the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, which has a list of 10 Walk Friendly Communities.

Chicago and San Francisco share the gold status ranking.

The cities are "recognized for their success in working to improve a wide range of conditions related to walking, including safety, mobility, access, and comfort," the website states.

Carl Sundstrom, the program's manager, says, "Through the application process, communities share their best practices and, in turn, we're able to share this information [with] all of the communities who apply through the technical assistance we provide."

Urban Velo video shows Minneapolis's greenway is a boon for bikes and business

urbanvelo.org Wednesday, October 05, 2011

A video on the Urban Velo website highlights the benefits of the Midtown Greenway in Minneapolis, as a part of its biking system.

The clip starts out with comments from the city’s mayor, R.T. Rybak, who says, “Biking is a huge part of what we are.”

Several other speakers in the video chime in about how the city’s biking trails that weave around such natural amenities as the Chain of Lakes and the once-industrial Midtown Greenway have helped to draw bicyclists and homeowners. It’s also brought more business to the area, the video shows.

Local restaurants listed in OpenTable's top 50 list

Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal Wednesday, September 28, 2011

OpenTable, which takes online reservations to various eateries all over the country, gives props to four Twin Cities restaurants in its recent list of the "Top 50 Restaurants Most Fit for Foodies," the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports.

The list came together following OpenTable's “foodie” survey, which garnered more than 10 million reviews, the article states.

The standout restaurants in Minneapolis and St. Paul include Haute Dish, Heartland Restaurant & Farm Direct Market, Piccolo and Saffron Restaurant & Lounge.

The piece quotes Caroline Potter, OpenTable’s Chief Dining Officer, saying, "These restaurants have been singled out for being able to satisfy the folks for whom dining is practically sport--those avid, passionate eaters, often armed with cameras, who take careful notes and relish every bite.”

Reviewer highlights local author's Twin Cities guidebook

Ricklibrarian Wednesday, September 28, 2011

In a recent review of Insiders’ Guide to Twin Cities by local author Jay Gabler, the librarian/blogger known as ricklibrarian talks about spending hours with the book before coming to the Twin Cities.

In previous visits to the area, “I only had a limited amount of time to see the sites and saw just enough to know I wanted to see more. So I enjoyed the well-organized and frequently updated Insiders’ Guide,” he states in the post.

The book helped him to compile a list of must-see sites, including Minnehaha Falls, Open Book, the state capitol, Como Zoo, local art museums, and more.

He sums up by saying, “There is enough in the Twin Cities for several trips. Perhaps I should read Gabler's chapter on relocating to the great Midwestern metropolitan area. I'd love to go to Twins games regularly no matter where they are in the standings and have my picture taken on Kirby Puckett Lane. I hope the weather is fair.”

Agweek highlights Minnesota author who writes about 1950s farm life

Agweek Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Agriculture site Agweek recently profiled Gordon Frederickson, a Minnesota author who's written a number of illustrated books that celebrate his family's small farm in the 1950s.

Published by Beaver's Pond Press in Edina, the books highlight Frederickson's experience of growing up on a dairy farm in New Prague. The author believes that it's there he learned lessons like the benefits of teamwork and the importance of physical activity.

As noted in Agweek, Fredrickson says that too often, agriculture is portrayed to the public as "a petting zoo," and his aim is to provide a broader view of farm life.

Minnesota companies recognized by Working Mother magazine

Working Mother Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Three Minnesota companies landed on the annual list of 100 Best Companies, compiled by Working Mother magazine.

Carlson, General Mills, and McGladrey were recognized for their family-friendly benefits and programs, which help to keep working mothers' careers on track.

With its baby sign language classes, tuition reimbursement, and high number of female managers, Carlson stood out on the list.

Also notable was General Mills, with free career counseling for employees' unemployed family members. The company was also recognized for having working mothers head five of its seven U.S. retail divisions.

McGladrey made the list for alternative schedules that help employees with work-life balance, and a free coach-on-call program, which offers employees access to sessions with a licensed career coach.

Minnesota companies on the SBA's list for job creation

Small Business Administration Wednesday, September 21, 2011

The Small Business Administration (SBA) recently released a list of 100 businesses that have created at least 100 jobs since receiving SBA assistance, and three Minnesota companies were highlighted.

Great Clips, Shield Services, and Tastefully Simple--all based in Minnesota--made the list, showing growth since their SBA aid.

Great Clips received a $9 million SBA loan in 1997 and used the money to grow from 800 salons to over 3,000 franchised locations, creating 15,000 jobs along the way.

Security firm Shield Services benefited from the agency's business development program and an SBA-assisted contract, and now employs 130 people.

Tastefully Simple, a food-mix and gift purveyor launched in 1995, used a $20,000 SBA loan to grow into a $100 million company with 340 employees.

Jolly Green Giant in ad icon showdown

USA Today Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Talk about a cage match: the Jolly Green Giant is up against Smokey Bear, the Energizer Bunny, and even Subway's Jared.

The Giant, a longtime brand rep for Golden Valley-based General Mills, is part of an online popularity contest held by New York's advertising agencies in anticipation of the event-packed Advertising Week 2011.

As noted by USA Today, the winner will be celebrated with a permanent banner on Madison Avenue, the ad industry's answer to Hollywood Boulevard.

People can vote via Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, and the 20 ad icons range from Progressive's Flo to Mr. Clean to Sparky the Fire Dog.

Even the U.S. Department of Transportation's crash test dummies (named Vince and Larry, for you ad trivia buffs) are up for consideration.

Could local food writer Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl be the next NY Times restaurant critic?

Boston.com Wednesday, September 21, 2011

A local food writer gets a shout-out in a Boston.com piece as a possible successor to the outgoing restaurant critic at the New York Times.

The Times’ food critic, Sam Shifton, is shifting into a new role at the newspaper, it explains.

“Still in the outsider vein,” Devra First writes, "Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl, who writes for the Minnesota Monthly," is “a wicked writer, a New York native, well respected.”

In a position that’s long been male-dominated, it may be time for a new perspective. “Grumdahl's sensibility appeals to the younger readers the Times is looking to attract,” says First.

Mondale on American Lawyer's list of eight lifetime achievers

American Lawyer Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Former Vice President Walter Mondale belongs with seven other “2011 Lifetime Achievers,” according to the American Lawyer.

At the age of 32, Mondale became Minnesota’s attorney general, it states. In 1964, he replaced Hubert Humphrey in the Senate.

When he stepped into the role of vice president to Jimmy Carter in 1977, "Mondale really transformed the vice presidency from a job that didn't amount to much to the job it is today, which is a very consequential part of the government," the piece quotes Saint Louis University School of Law professor Joel Goldstein as saying.

Goldstein authored The Modern American Vice Presidency: The Transformation of a Political Institution.

During the Clinton administration, Mondale was the U.S. ambassador to Japan.

Today, Mondale works as senior counsel at Dorsey & Whitney, where he contributes international affairs expertise.

A summer associate at the firm, Nadia Aboussir, is quoted as saying, "He engages with us about everything from life in the White House to his favorite hot dog stand at the state fair," adding, "It's astounding that someone who was the vice president, an ambassador, and a senator will look at us as peers."

Twin Cities among most active, says Men�s Health

Men's Health Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Minneapolis and St. Paul each earned high marks in a ranking put together by Men's Health magazine.

The publication looked at factors that led to sedentary or active lifestyles, such as the percentage of households that watch more than 15 hours of cable a week, and the rate of deaths from deep-vein thrombosis, a condition linked to excessive periods of sitting.

Minneapolis came in at number 10 on the list, and St. Paul was number 13, earning both an "A-" grade. Seattle was deemed the most active, while Lexington, Ky. was named American's Most Sedentary City.

Minneapolis named in a USA Today story on food-swap trend

USA Today Wednesday, September 14, 2011

In a recent USA Today story about ways to make the most of produce before it goes bad, Minneapolis is named along with Los Angeles and Austin, Texas, for having thriving food swaps.

Food swaps, which are listed here, help avoid wasting food, the author explains. “Imagine a place where regular people get together to unload what they have too much of (summer squash? raspberry jam?) and, in exchange, find something they need or hadn't thought of (asparagus beans? pickled okra?)."

Other creative food-saving measures mentioned include donating items to a food pantry or preserving, cooking, or juicing fruits and vegetables.