Neighborhood news - Jan 18, 2024

The 13th Annual Kingfield Empty Bowls event will take place on “Soup-er Bowl” Sunday, Feb. 11, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Judson Memorial Baptist Church. Empty Bowls is an annual community event that raises money to support food and housing insecurity. Proceeds benefit Nicollet Square, a project of Beacon Interfaith Housing, Trust, Inc. Meals on Wheels, and the Kingfield Neighborhood Association. Join the Soup-er Bowl Sunday, Feb. 11 for a pregame meal in support of the partners.

Pottery Studios have always been a key to the success of these events. Several studios have been part of the event since the beginning, Dock 6 Pottery, Fired Up Studios and The Northern Clay Center; and several new studios joined the group this year, Forma Clay, Mudluk Pottery and The Workshop. Studios got creative and welcomed artists with events like throwing blindfolded, make a bowl, take a bowl, and free materials and studio time to make bowls for the event.

 

On Saturday, Jan. 20, enjoy Tales of Laughing Fox Concert at 7 p.m., Judson Church Sanctuary, 4101 Harriet Ave. S. Michael Charette (Laughing Fox) is an artist, musician, writer, performer, and member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (Ojibwe). As a self-taught Native American flute player, he enhances his stories with flute music and storytelling performances. Pay-what-you-can (suggested $20).

 

A Neighborhood Social at Luminary & Skating Party will be held on Saturday, Jan. 20, 5-7  p.m. at Bryant Square Park (3101 Bryant Ave. S). Meet your neighbors in a park sparkling with hundreds of luminary lanterns in a winter wonderland of snow, ice and lights. Bring your skates to experience the magic of skating under the stars, surrounded by luminaries. Warm up at a bonfire with free hot chocolate.

 

Lyndale Free Fest on Jan. 22 is a community event where neighbors can freely and generously share their assets with neighbors, like clean clothes, household goods, books or furniture. All items are given for free to build a connected and sustainable Lyndale. Channa Kitchen will serve Trinidadian finger foods during the event from 6-8 p.m. at Painter Park Community Room. Bring your own bag.

art shanty update

Art Shanty Projects was scheduled to launch their 20th Anniversary season on January 20 on the frozen water of Bdé Umán/ Lake Harriet in South Minneapolis.  As of Thursday, Jan. 11 there was still open water on the lake but incoming subzero temperatures give the possibility of a fast deep freeze. In addition, construction of essential park infrastructure remains incomplete, impacting back of house / event operations space and public accessibility. Due to these factors combined the organization has postponed their opening date to Jan. 27. The program will end as scheduled, on Feb. 11, with no extension.

Installation was scheduled to begin Friday, Jan. 19, which will be the deadline for decision-making.

 

As many in Stevens Square-Loring Heights know, Robert Skafte cared deeply for the green spaces in the neighborhood, including the Overlook Garden on 17th Street along I-94. SSCO has been working with Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Commissioner Elizabeth Shaffer and her staff to find a way to honor Robert’s legacy with the Overlook Garden by renaming it after him. Skafte was a longtime Loring resident, a devoted volunteer, the Greening coordinator in Stevens Square, a professional dancer, and the Franklin/Nicollet Farmer’s Market Coordinator. He worked at and was devoted to the Oak Grove Grocery. “He was a shining light in the neighborhood,” said Jana Metge, Loring Park Neighborhood Executive Director. Robert Skafte was murdered Dec. 8 while working at Oak Grove Grocery.