Reynaldo admires a magnificent Elm tree in the midst of Theodore Wirth Park in Minneapolis on Sunday.
Over the years I have crisscrossed Manhattan many times, but while in New York this week, I was surprised to discover these dandelion fountains on the plaza of the Alliance Capital Building along Sixth Avenue between 54th and 55th Streets. The appear to be smaller replicas of our very own Berger Fountain in Loring Park … a subject of my photographer over the years.
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?
I don’t know how many people can say this, but when I graduated from Bemidji State University in 1987, I landed a perfect first job in the “real world”when I was hired by The Monticello Times, an award-winning community weekly. I joined the staff first as a news reporter and photographer and was promoted nine months later to news editor. I spent three-and-a-half years working at the Times before joining the Minnesota Orchestra staff in November 1991.
What made this job perfect for me? I credit two reasons: 1) having the newspaper’s publisher and editor, Donald Q. Smith, as a mentor and 2) working in an environment where everyone who worked for him and his wife, Nancy, knew they were part of the family. There was no doubt that everyone cared for each other in and out of the office.
As a young journalist I enjoyed all the news the ever-expanding Monticello community offered. Located between Minneapolis and St. Cloud along I-94, the city was going through a major period of growth as the Twin Cities expanded outward. I covered the city council, the nuclear power plant, the hospital board and wrote many features about fascinating people, organizations and issues.
But at the end of the day, my friends and colleagues at the Times provided the most joy and support to me in those early days.
Among them was Edna Arnold … a person we all revered. When Don notified us last week that she died at age 93 from injuries she sustained in a car accident, he wrote: “Edna was one of our heroes. No one was more dear to the Times’ family than Edna. Did anyone work harder/more cheerfully at the same time than our Edna?”
The outpouring of tributes and memories from the Times family in response has demonstrated the impact that Edna had on so many of us.
It’s hard to believe that during my years at the Times, Edna was in her early 70s. She worked circles around us. Her pep motivated us all. She set the gold standard for the work ethic I carry with me to this day. She was a who’s who of all things Monticello. She knew how to offer constructive criticism that never crushed the fragile ego of a new college graduate who liked to think he knew most things.
It’s hard to believe that 20 years have passed since I last worked side-by-side with Edna, but as we grieve her passing, it feels like it was just yesterday. I last saw her at a Times reunion in July 2009. She was as youthful and beautiful as always.
I now wish that I would have told her more recently how much she meant to me, but knowing Edna and her innate wisdom, she knew.
Photo above: A few of my friends from a chess set I am creating out of Sculpey clay for Art-A-Whirl 2012.
Current conditions for Minneapolis as of Sat, 19 May 2012 11:52 pm CDT
64°
High: 64° Low: 50°
Cloudy
Feels like: 64 °F
Barometer: 29.85 in and rising
Humidity: 90%
Visibility: 9 mi
Dewpoint: 50 °F
Wind: 9 mph
Sunrise: 5:38 am
Sunset: 8:38 pm
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