SSCO Events and Committee Meetings
Refer to our events calendar often for any and all updates regarding SSCO Board/Committee meeting times and events!
Loring Park Art Festival
The Loring Park Art Festival, a Minneapolis tradition for more than 20 years, plans to return this summer, complete with new Covid protocols for safety and a line-up of 140 juried artists. The two-day festival is set for Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, August 1 in Loring Park.
Quick details: www.loringparkartfestival.com
Dates: Saturday, July 31, 10 am to 6 pm / Sunday, August 1, 10 am to 5 pm
Location: Loring Park at Oak Grove and Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis
Parking and Directions: www.loringparkartfestival.com/getting-there
Fee: Festival is free of charge to all
Exhibitors: 140 juried artists of varied disciplines www.loringparkartfestival.com/artists
Food and Beverage: A variety of about 20 vendors with delicious offerings, including the Lakes & Legends Beer Garden
Twin Cities Pride Festival
The Twin Cities Pride festival will be July 17-18 from 10 am – 6 pm.
The three music stages and beer garden will be open 12-6 both days.
There is no Saturday night concert or fireworks. We are expecting a huge crowd as everyone is excited to see each other again!
Masks are optional. MDH will have 3 locations in the park with vaccines – all 3 variations will be here. The MDH Bus will be on Willow, near Yale on Saturday & Sunday.
We will have about 100 fewer booths to ease congestion around the lake – we have removed booths on the lakeside of the path around the lake.
Park After Dark
Nightlife in the Twin Cities doesn’t get any wilder than in your national park on the Mississippi River. Some of the freakiest creatures come out to play after the sun sets at Coldwater Spring. Join a park ranger and entomologist Jessica Miller in watching this buzzing scene come alive at Park After Dark.
You will use a big sheet and black lights to attract a variety of critters. Become a citizen scientist for the evening and help Jessica and the park ranger record who shows up to the city’s wild nightlife.
This is a free drop-in event. Come anytime, stay as long as you want from 9 -10 pm.
Co-Op Farm Tour
Explore local farms as they open their doors for a day full of fun, learning, and discovery. This year 20 urban and rural farms are offering exciting activities such as farming demos, berry picking, farm-animal feeding, and more!
This is a self-guided event and free for anyone to attend, brought to you by your local food co-ops. No tickets or registration are necessary to attend.
Black Market- Soul Food Fest
The Black Market is a unique shopping event where people may purchase goods, learn about services, connect with the community, enjoy live entertainment, and taste a multitude of foods from around the cities. Located in Downtown Minneapolis, The Black Market is an annual event on the last Saturday of every month (May - July).
The Black Market’s mission is to increase the visibility of black-owned businesses in MN by providing a vibrant, unique space for the community to gather, eat, shop, and connect. From shopping to family fun, The Black Market has it all!
This is a free event, open to the public; masks are required.
Get your tickets here!
Hennepin County's Food Waste Prevention Webinar
Hennepin County is hosting multiple webinars in June for residents to learn how to prevent food waste. The webinars will help residents learn how to make the most of their food with tips and tricks for shopping, storing, and cooking.
Hennepin County is hosting this webinar three times:
Wednesday, June 23rd from 7-8 p.m.
Thursday, June 24th from noon-1 p.m.
Friday, June 25th from noon-1 p.m.
The webinars are free of charge, but registration is required.
Join one of these webinars to raise awareness of how much food is wasted and help Hennepin County residents save money, set a good example, and have a positive impact on the planet!
Henneping County's Food Waste Prevention Webinar
Hennepin County is hosting multiple webinars in June for residents to learn how to prevent food waste. The webinars will help residents learn how to make the most of their food with tips and tricks for shopping, storing, and cooking.
Hennepin County is hosting this webinar three times:
Wednesday, June 23rd from 7-8 p.m.
Thursday, June 24th from noon-1 p.m.
Friday, June 25th from noon-1 p.m.
The webinars are free of charge, but registration is required.
Join one of these webinars to raise awareness of how much food is wasted and help Hennepin County residents save money, set a good example, and have a positive impact on the planet!
Hennepin County's Food Waste Prevention Webinar
Hennepin County is hosting multiple webinars in June for residents to learn how to prevent food waste. The webinars will help residents learn how to make the most of their food with tips and tricks for shopping, storing, and cooking.
Hennepin County is hosting this webinar three times:
Wednesday, June 23rd from 7-8 p.m.
Thursday, June 24th from noon-1 p.m.
Friday, June 25th from noon-1 p.m.
The webinars are free of charge, but registration is required.
Join one of these webinars to raise awareness of how much food is wasted and help Hennepin County residents save money, set a good example, and have a positive impact on the planet!
Reimagining Public Safety: Confronting the Problem of Policing
As we continue to confront patterns of police brutality and their impact on Black and African immigrant communities in the Twin Cities, what role should faith communities and their leaders play in ongoing efforts to ensure public safety for the most vulnerable?
Join others on Tuesday, June 22 at 7 PM for a virtual dialogue with leading voices:
Rev. Dr. DeWayne Davis, lead minister of Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis
Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN)
Rev. Nekima Levy Armstrong, JD, civil rights attorney-activist, scholar, and former Minneapolis mayoral candidate
Moderated by Rev. Dr. Gary F. Green II, assistant professor of pastoral theology and social transformation at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, St. Paul
Register for the event here.
Stone Arch Bridge Festival
Join the 26th Annual Stone Arch Bridge Festival. This summer the Stone Arch Bridge Festival will move to the west side of the Mississippi River. The festival grounds will span the riverfront area on W. River Parkway from Portland Ave to N. 4th Avenue. This change has been made to accommodate the current COVID-19 government mandates and ongoing construction obstructions.
The Stone Arch Bridge is committed to providing a platform for artists to sell their work, and the community to gather safely. The focus of the 2021 festival will be the art market. More than 200 artists and culinary artists will participate with a broad spectrum of artistic mediums. Live music and family activities will be very limited this year to accommodate COVID safety protocols.
Learn more about festival parking, food vendors, and the art market here!
Stone Arch Bridge Festival
Join the 26th Annual Stone Arch Bridge Festival. This summer the Stone Arch Bridge Festival will move to the west side of the Mississippi River. The festival grounds will span the riverfront area on W. River Parkway from Portland Ave to N. 4th Avenue. This change has been made to accommodate the current COVID-19 government mandates and ongoing construction obstructions.
The Stone Arch Bridge is committed to providing a platform for artists to sell their work, and the community to gather safely. The focus of the 2021 festival will be the art market. More than 200 artists and culinary artists will participate with a broad spectrum of artistic mediums. Live music and family activities will be very limited this year to accommodate COVID safety protocols.
Learn more about festival parking, food vendors, and the art market here!
Transforming Community Safety Lab
All community members are invited to join the Minneapolis Office of Violence Prevention in a learning lab on transforming community safety at 12 p.m. Thursday, June 17. This learning lab features David Kennedy, the executive director of the National Network for Safe Communities at John Jay College, a national organization focused on supporting cities implementing strategic interventions to reduce violence, minimize arrest and incarceration, enhance police legitimacy, and strengthen relationships between law enforcement and communities.
Kennedy will provide an overview of the national evidence-based practice Group Violence Intervention (GVI) and how the model has been applied to Minneapolis. GVI reduces homicide and gun violence, minimizes harm to communities by replacing enforcement with deterrence, and fosters stronger relationships between law enforcement and the people they serve.
This meeting will be recorded.
Invite your friends and community using the Facebook event.
Register to get the Zoom link emailed before the meeting.
About the Transforming Community Safety Learning Lab Series
The series will feature partners and national experts in violence prevention and other areas related to transforming community safety. The series will:
Provide information about relevant research, evidence-informed practices, practice-based evidence, promising practices, and innovative solutions and models for community safety from around the country.
Offer information and inspiration about what may be possible with reimagining community safety.
Create deeper understanding of some of the existing community safety models and practices we have locally that we can build on.
Juneteenth Celebration Week
Juneteenth is a celebration of the freedom and emancipation of enslaved people in America. Minneapolis will be having events spanning the entire week from June 13th to 19th, so be sure to pop in to as many events as possible.
Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board and the Juneteenth Community Board have teamed up to bring fun events to everyone. Here are just a few:
Storybook strolls featuring Black authors and artists at several Minneapolis parks, in collaboration with Hennepin County Library
Virtual community panel discussions
Outdoor and drive-in movies: 42, The Great Debaters and Jumanji: The Next Level
Family Night at Creekview Park
And more!
Details are being finalized, so watch for updates at
Park After Dark
Nightlife in the Twin Cities doesn’t get any wilder than in your national park on the Mississippi River. Some of the freakiest creatures come out to play after the sun sets at Coldwater Spring. Join a park ranger and entomologist Jessica Miller in watching this buzzing scene come alive at Park After Dark.
You will use a big sheet and black lights to attract a variety of critters. Become a citizen scientist for the evening and help Jessica and the park ranger record who shows up to the city’s wild nightlife.
This is a free drop-in event. Come anytime, stay as long as you want from 9 -10 pm.
Bike to the Lake
Support local businesses on Lake Street by joining the Bike to the Lake event! Riders are meeting at Matthew Park at 6:30pm before heading off at 7:00pm.
Matthews Park
2318 29th Avenue S
Minneapolis, MN
COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic: Dose #2
In partnership with Hennepin Healthcare and North Central University, Elliot Park Neighborhood, Inc (EPNI) is hosting a COVID-19 vaccine clinic.
LOCATION: NCU Gymnasium, 910 Elliot Ave
VACCINE: Pfizer (available for those 16 years of age and older)
DOSE #1: Saturday, May 15, 9 AM - 1 PM
DOSE #2: Saturday, June 5, 9 AM - 1 PM
PLEASE NOTE: You must receive both doses for maximum protection. Please attend both clinics. Registration is required to help us plan for enough doses.
No insurance or ID requirements. RSVP here or call the EPNI office at 612-335-5846
Inaugural Remembrance of George Floyd
One year after the world witnessed the unjust death of George Floyd, Civil Rights leaders are convening to peacefully march and rally in his memory.
On Sunday, May 23rd at 4 pm, join Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder of the National Action Network, and Bridgett Floyd, Founder of the Floyd Memorial Foundation in Downtown Minneapolis, where the peaceful rally and march will begin at the Hennepin County Government Center. We will take stock of what has changed since the passing of George Floyd.
View full event here.
Community Safety Training
The Community Safety Training Workshops focus on preparing individuals and communities for handling community safety concerns and situations. The learning objectives are rooted in Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP) and aim to supply participants with skills for approaching safety concerns and providing a safe space for the community. These workshops are led by Nonviolent Peaceforce facilitators in partnership with Little Earth Protectors (LEP), American Indian Movement (AIM), Twin Cities Democratic Socialist of America (DSA), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and Cedar-Riverside Community Council. During training, participants will practice building out de-escalation skills, strengthen the participants ability to hold space during actions and crisis points, and be able to hold a healing space grounded in respect and mutual aid/protection for all individuals.
Registration: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CommunitySafetyWorkshop
Event Page: https://www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org/articles/940-cst
COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic: Dose #1
In partnership with Hennepin Healthcare and North Central University, Elliot Park Neighborhood, Inc (EPNI) is hosting a COVID-19 vaccine clinic.
LOCATION: NCU Gymnasium, 910 Elliot Ave
VACCINE: Pfizer (available for those 16 years of age and older)
DOSE #1: Saturday, May 15, 9 AM - 1 PM
DOSE #2: Saturday, June 5, 9 AM - 1 PM
PLEASE NOTE: You must receive both doses for maximum protection. Please attend both clinics. Registration is required to help us plan for enough doses.
No insurance or ID requirements. RSVP here or call the EPNI office at 612-335-5846
Art-A-Whirl Weekend
Art-A-Whirl® is the largest open studio tour in the country, which happens annually throughout Northeast Minneapolis the third weekend of May. Due to the ongoing COVID pandemic, the 2021 Art-A-Whirl will not be held as a normal event.
Art-A-Whirl is online, with hundreds of member galleries, shops, and videos. Some individual studios, galleries, and businesses will have their own open hours during Art-A-Whirl weekend. Use this website to find open studios, buy art online, and discover new food & beverage options! If visiting in-person, be sure to wear a mask and observe social distancing.
For more information about this weekend’s event, click here.
2-PAC: 911/311 Presentation
911 and 311 -- It's all new and there's more change coming!
Join 2-PAC Monday, May 10, when Joni Hodne, Interim Assistant Director of Minneapolis 911/MECC communications will talk us through the new 911/311 and will take your questions.
Two years ago, 2-PAC heard all that was new or coming soon in the emergency communications offices, 911 and 311 -- but that was before Covid-19 changed our protocols, before we had peaceful protests turn into something else, before we found out how understaffed our first response teams really are.
I contacted Joni Hodne at emergency response to ask what had happened and what was coming. The quick answer is that the events of last summer showed that emergency communications systems were not up to handling the complex and growing needs of the network of Metro responders. Systems are now using temporary (but more efficient) communication systems. While systems are being upgraded or developed, dispatchers are learning how to better ask callers for information -- information that will guide responders to the best solution possible for everyone involved.
For people who have called but didn't see a response, you will learn that not all responses are where you can see them. You'll also find out when to make a second call.
Join us Monday, May 10 to hear what's new and to ask questions about what's next
We gather at 6PM, call to order about 6:10 on Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85291494178?pwd=QVB6MTRTYkg4S1VHSUNmT3Vra0o0UT09 Meeting ID: 852 9149 4178 Passcode: 705949
Community Safety Training
The Community Safety Training Workshops focus on preparing individuals and communities for handling community safety concerns and situations. The learning objectives are rooted in Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP) and aim to supply participants with skills for approaching safety concerns and providing a safe space for the community. These workshops are led by Nonviolent Peaceforce facilitators in partnership with Little Earth Protectors (LEP), American Indian Movement (AIM), Twin Cities Democratic Socialist of America (DSA), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and Cedar-Riverside Community Council. During training, participants will practice building out de-escalation skills, strengthen the participants ability to hold space during actions and crisis points, and be able to hold a healing space grounded in respect and mutual aid/protection for all individuals.
Registration: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CommunitySafetyWorkshop
Event Page: https://www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org/articles/940-cst
Black Storytellers Alliance: 30th Black Master Annual Festival
Join BSA for this free, virtual three-day event! Featured storytellers include but are not limited to Gwen Matthews, Mama Koku, Oba William King, and Valerie Tutson.
The Black Storytellers Alliance (BSA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting the community in finding the information that it needs about the power of the oral tradition as practiced by African people in the Diaspora. Our mission is to maintain the art of storytelling as a primary source for positive instruction and reinforcement of the rich beauty embodied in the telling of “the story!”
Community Circles on Healing from Police Violence
Join your community in creating a safe and brave space for families and community members
to share their experiences of trauma and loss of life to individual violence and lack of access to justice.
Listen with your heart and be vulnerable to their experiences.
Learn how the violence and loss impacts families, communities, and future generations.
Discuss in small groups ways for promoting healing and taking action.
Held online via Zoom, Dr. Raj will host the evening, which will include time for listening to the experiences of three families, followed by leaning in during small group circles to identify actions to stop police violence and promote healing for our neighborhoods and community.
Feel free to join us for both circles or just one. Registration is limited. These sessions are free-of-charge.
Thank you to MINNEAPOLIS FOUNDATION for supporting this work.
Questions? Email Sharon at sharon@CRCminnesota.org.
MnDOT Virtual Presentation Series Design Flexibility: Inclusive Road Design
Featured Community Event Outside of SSCO
The Minnesota Department of Transportation is excited to share several virtual opportunities for people to engage with the 35W@94 project and explore transportation related topics this year. Beginning next week, MnDOT will launch a virtual presentation series with topics like drone technology, COVID impacts, self-driving vehicles, and more! See information below on how to join.
People can join us for one or all of these free, online presentations led by MnDOT experts. If you’re curious about any of the presentation topics, visit the 35W@94 blog to learn more. This initiative is part of the 35W@94: Downtown to Crosstown project between 43rd St. and 15th St. in Minneapolis.
Black Creators Making History
Featured Community Event Outside of SSCO
Sign-up for this free, virtual event presented by Bay Laurel Fund & Can’t Forget The Kids as we celebrate Black History Month.
The Black Creators Making History event will include hands-on art activities, a black art history segment, and a panel of local artists speaking on their successes. Plus, the kids will have the chance to enter the art they create and win a prize! Free art kits with the supplies for the event’s activities will be provided to those that sign-up. Parental supervision is advised while filling out the forms.
Winter Birding 102
Join us for Winter Birding 102, with Dudley Edmondson and Monica Bryand
We are excited to announce the special follow-up event to our February 6th Next Generation of Parks program, Winter Birding 101. With an overwhelming amount of interest in this topic, we invite you to join us for a moderated question and answer session, where Dudley and Monica will dive deeper into as many of your winter birding questions as they can!
This event will be dedicated to a Q&A session with the birding experts- there will be no presentation. You'll be able to submit your questions during this hour.
What: A 1-hour "Q&A" event
When: Thursday, February 25th, at 4 pm
Where: Everywhere on Zoom!
Register for free here: Winter Birding 102
If you missed Dudley Edmondson and Monica Bryand's original presentation, watch the full recording here!
Hennepin County Plastic Free Challenge
Featured Community Event Outside of SSCO
Last day of the challenge!
The Hennepin County Plastic-Free Challenge is a month-long effort starting January 20 to reduce plastic consumption, especially single-use plastics, in ways that fit best in your lifestyle and are most impactful to reducing your footprint.
The challenge runs from January 20 to February 17. Once you sign up and create your profile, you can browse the categories and actions, check off the actions you already take and select up to five one-time actions and five daily actions to make progress on during the four-week challenge.
Family Tree Clinic’s Virtual Groundbreaking
Join the virtual groundbreaking for Family Tree Clinic’s new building. The future building is a new trauma-informed, environmentally conscious, art-infused, community-powered medical clinic and education center located at Franklin and Nicollet. Family Tree Clinic and its supporters want to share the excitement with all at this virtual celebration! The event can be joined on Facebook Live or Family Tree Clinic’s website. This event will be ASL interpreted.
Winter Birding 101
Featured Community Event Outside of SSCO
Join Next Generation of Parks, alongside Great Northern for this family-friendly and inclusive introduction to some of Minnesota’s most spot-able “snow-birds” that aims to open the outdoors to BIPOC and LGBTQ communities in a virtual exploration of all the ways that bird watching can be an accessible activity for all ages, close to home. Some of the topics of discussion:
Most common birds seen in Minnesota backyards when the snow flies
Binoculars and photography for beginners
Ways to attract birds to feeders
Nearby field trips for winter bird watching
Where Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQ can connect with fellow bird watchers in Minnesota's outdoors