The really great news for me is that he loves to be photographed! (Unlike his big brother Pete.) I took these photos on Thursday … just two days after his 11-month birthday.

Happy New Year!

Last weekend I spent an hour recording the beautiful waves coming ashore on Lake Superior. I took this video at “The Land” my friends and PCYC colleagues Anne and Jim Long have on the south shore of Lake Superior (just outside of Cornucopia, Wisconsin).

This video is a five-minute compilation of the video I shot at the lake’s edge.

Lake Superior has always had a special allure for my Dad … who is fascinated about all things related to boats and boating … so he couldn’t turn down the opportunity to spend a long weekend right on the lake at what the Longs call “The Land.”

This morning the sunrise was spectacular!

Reynaldo admires a magnificent Elm tree in the midst of Theodore Wirth Park in Minneapolis on Sunday.

I’ve also seen a similar fountain (nearly 20 years ago) while visiting Sydney, Australia. I’m now curious: do these fountains in Minneapolis, New York and Sydney share a common designer?

A quick Google search doesn’t reveal much, so I’m on a quest to learn more. I will let you know what I learn!

GREAT IDEA ALERT! “Nothing”

“Developed in 2010, with Rhode Island food pantries under unprecedented strain, The Nothing campaign was created to raise awareness and funds to fight hunger. By turning ‘Nothing’ into a food brand, it managed to create a sense of empathy for the hungry in consumers for the hungry right at the moment that they were filling their shopping carts for their own families. It proved to be a powerful motivator as thousands of cans were purchased and online donations to the R.I. Community Food Bank increased by 42% from the previous year.” ~ nothing.org

One of the rewards of traveling is learning about great ideas along the way. While exploring Providence’s fantastic visual arts scene last weekend, I was mesmerized by this ingenious exhibit on display at Craftland in downtown Providence … known as the “Nothing Store.” I purchased my own can of “Nothing” and have brought it home to motivate me to think about how I can more meaningfully contribute toward the fight against hunger here in the Twin Cities.

It’s a brilliant campaign … simple and direct. To learn more about this campaign, visit: http://nothing.org/ri/faqs/.

“This award-winning sculpture by Barnaby Evans installed on the three rivers of downtown Providence, has been praised by Rhode Island residents and international visitors alike as a powerful work of art and a moving symbol of Providence’s renaissance. WaterFire’s over eighty sparkling bonfires, the fragrant scent of aromatic wood smoke, the flickering firelight on the arched bridges, the silhouettes of the firetenders passing by the flames, the torch-lit vessels traveling down the river, and the enchanting music from around the world engage all the senses and emotions of those who stroll the paths of Waterplace Park. WaterFire has captured the imagination of over ten million visitors, bringing life to downtown, and revitalizing Rhode Island’s capital city.” ~WaterFire.com

Serendipity is with me as I make my way from Portland, Maine, to New York City. The proof? Last night’s magnificent WaterFire festival in downtown Providence!

After spending three days in Portland this past week with my longtime friends Gary and Demetrios (formerly of the Twin Cities), I decided I wanted to explore another smaller, artistic city before heading to Manhattan. I didn’t realize that the timing of my visit coincided with last night’s WaterFire … an amazing artistic installation that combines visual beauty with an amazing sound track of music.

“WaterFire is accompanied by music selected by Barnaby Evans that combines recorded natural sounds with eclectic and unusual music related to the ritual, religious, and symbolic sources of the sculpture. The soundtrack changes with each performance and works by artists from throughout the globe are deliberately juxtaposed. The emotional character of the music is opposed to the minimalism of the sculpture—just as fire is paired with water. The music program begins before sunset and ends at 1:00 AM on all full WaterFire events.” ~ WaterFire.com

Each WaterFire is made possible by hundreds of volunteers. If I were to spend time in Providence in the future, I want to paddle one of the fish canoes! (See photo below.)

It’s hard to adequately convey the emotions I felt walking along the rivers. It was a sensational experience. WaterFire is brilliant.

Last spring I recall our Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak talking about the need for Minneapolis to embrace its “winter city” status. We have our very popular Holidazzle in downtown Minneapolis during the holiday season. How about adding a new tradition in late January or early February by turning over Nicollet Mall to just pedestrians (and cross country skiers) one weekend … allowing them to make their way up and down the avenue to the warmth of crackling, artistic bonfires and music?