The Minneapolis boys hockey team lost to Alexandria in the Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament quarterfinals at the Xcel Energy Center last night, 4-1. I live tweeted the game, offering up color commentary and hair advice. The Minneapolis team hadn't been to the tournament since 1994, so regardless of the game's outcome, the game was historic for Minneapolis. Nice work, boys!

Shout out the the Minneapolis girls hockey team. We see you!

Whittier is home to a righteous secondhand store, b. Resale, and Anna Koenning wrote about it. Did you know that the owner of b. Resale used to style Lizzo? When Lizzo was still based here, she'd change her lyrics in "Batches and Cookies," live, singing, "thrift store shopping at b. Resale."

You may remember Anna from her Racket piece on Denny, a Stevens Square neighbor. We are excited to be working with her.

There is a Cedar-Isles Master Plan meeting tonight from 6-8 p.m.  Here's a look at their draft plans for the lakes. Tonight's topic will be circulation around the lakes.

Here is a summary about where the project is at from the Park  Board: "The Park Board has been working for several years on a new long-term plan for Cedar Lake, Lake of the Isles, Dean Parkway and the surrounding parkland and trails. Two draft initial park concepts debuted for public comment in December. Public feedback is informing the next stage in the design process, creating one preferred park concept by summer 2022. Public comments are being compiled and findings will be shared in April. The online public comment period is over but you can still share feedback with project staff at the end of tonight's meeting. "

You can join the meeting tonight on Zoom, or call 1-312-626-6799 and enter the meeting ID: 828 2222 6791.

LINK ROUNDUP

Hennepin County is investing $17 million in federal funds into fighting gun violence, continued response to COVID, and securing our elections. The funding comes from the American Rescue Plan Act. Five million dollars will go towards addressing gun violence. Gun violence and its impacts have worsened during COVID-19 and continues to disparately harm communities of color. (Hennepin County)

Reporter Solomon Gustavo talked with teachers and parents about why they are, or are not, on the picket line. (MinnPost)

Becky Zosia Dernbach updated her great strike tracker with some info on wages for teachers in Minneapolis vs. a couple surrounding districts: "In her research, Saenz-Armstrong has also noticed that over the past three years, Minneapolis teachers’ salaries have increased less than corresponding wages in St. Paul and Anoka–Hennepin." (Sahan Journal)

Check out these whimsical illustrations of Minnesota spring by Greta Kaul, matched with Minnesota Phenology Network data on when we will see birds, flowers, and ugghhhh mosquitos. The illustrations are darling. Go look. (MinnPost)

In the mood to Marie-Kondo your book shelf? Me either. But, if you want to be monetarily rewarded for completing the difficult task, the South Uptown bookstore Magers & Quinns wants you to know it will buy your used books. (Magers & Quinns)

COMMUNITY ACTION ‍

Today is the third day of the MFT 59 teacher and ESP strike. Each morning, people on strike picket at schools and busy intersections around Minneapolis. Today at noon, MFT 59 is holding a rally at the Hennepin County Government Plaza followed by a march through downtown Minneapolis. You can follow the rally and march on MFT 59's Facebook page.

MPR's Tim Nelson reported on Twitter yesterday that the Minneapolis sick time ordinance allows workers to use sick and safe time for child care during the Minneapolis teachers and ESP strike. Email the Department of Civil Rights at sicktimeinfo@minneapolismn.gov with any questions you have on how this works.

Have you ever walked past a parking lot or grassy spot and thought, "some benches, public art, and plants would look beautiful here," then you should propose that a parklet should be created there. According to the City, parklets provide seasonal public space and are designed for people to relax and enjoy the city. They also add gathering space to public streets. They are accessible and open to all. The City encourages neighborhood associations and businesses to submit parklet proposals.

The Minneapolis City Council is meeting today at 9:30 a.m. You can watch the meeting here.

OUT & ABOUT

Lolo's Ghost is playing at Driftwood Bar tonight with Mike Lane. Show starts at 7 p.m.

Twangy, indie-folk musician John Magnuson is playing Icehouse tonight with Gini Dodds & The Dahlias. Show starts at 8 p.m.

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I have a lot of Hot Topic hair dye if the MPLS hockey players are interested. -Melody