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5 ways to celebrate the cold at the 2024 Great Northern Festival

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5 ways to celebrate the cold at the 2024 Great Northern Festival


Building atop several landmark winter events in the Twin Cities, the Great Northern Festival is set to kick off this week.

The festival, which runs Jan. 25 to Feb. 4, aims to celebrate the cold weather and spark conversations about protecting the winter season from climate change. The festival’s dates also encompass the St. Paul Winter Carnival, the City of Lakes Loppet in Minneapolis and the U.S. Pond Hockey Championships.

The organization expanded its leadership structure last year: Kate Nordstrum transitioned from a role as director to one as chief programming officer, allowing her to focus more deeply on festival curation, and artist and nonprofit leader Jovan Speller Rebollar stepped in to run the festival’s administration. This change is a sign of the festival’s long-term strength, Speller Rebollar said earlier last year.

“I think it’s really cool to be able to take something that maybe people shy away from — the cold, being cold, being out in the cold — and finding community within that,” Speller Rebollar said when she started the job in May 2023. “Flipping that idea on its head, and making it something people can look forward to.”

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The festival boasts a full schedule of music, art, food and climate conversations. The full calendar, including registration links, is at thegreatnorthern.swoogo.com/2024.

Here are five ideas of what to do at the Great Northern this year.

1. Attend the Climate Solutions Series

Conversations all day Jan. 27 and 28: Attend any or all the sessions at this two-day discussion series on various solutions to climate change.

Highlights include conversations about building a more climate-friendly fashion industry; spotlighting the role of artists, designers and architects; understanding the intersections of winter sports and climate; and thinking critically about food with former White House chef Sam Kass and TV host Andrew Zimmern.

American Swedish Institute: 2600 Park Ave, Minneapolis. Event is free, but you have to register online.

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2. Drink at the 100-foot ice bar

Various hours throughout the festival: Ice company Minnesota Ice has created a massive ice bar that is set to stretch an entire block in downtown Minneapolis.

The bar will offer a standing menu created by Adam Witherspoon, who has run some of the top bars and beverage companies in the Twin Cities. Plus, every day, visiting bartenders will create special featured drinks; guests include folks from Earl Giles Distillery, Libation Project, Meteor Bar and more.

Downtown Minneapolis: exact location TBD. Drinks: $5 for kids bevs and beer; $10 for non-alcoholic cocktails; $15 for full-proof cocktails.

3. Learn from place through Dakota traditions

1 to 3 p.m., Jan. 28 or Feb. 4: This session invites you to experience land and water in the Twin Cities through the lens of Dakota stories and spirituality — and, hopefully, start to reconsider your own relationship to the world around you.

This participatory session, offered by the Minnesota Humanities Center, sold out quickly last year. This year, it’s being offered twice, but be sure to buy a ticket in advance online. If you go, meet at the Thomas C. Savage Visitor Center at Fort Snelling State Park; the experience is outside, so dress appropriately. To park onsite, you’ll also need a one-day Minnesota State Parks vehicle permit ($7).

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Fort Snelling State Park: 101 Snelling Lake Rd., St. Paul. Tickets are $30; purchase in advance.

4. Eat at the K’óoben pop-up

6 to 9 p.m., Jan. 30: This collaboration of high-powered Twin Cities chefs and cocktail mavens sold out super-quick last year, so snag a ticket for the 2024 edition if you can.

The K’óoben collective itself focuses on the roots of Mexican cuisine — the name is the Mayan word for kitchen or stove — and is composed of chefs Gustavo Romero, José Alarcón and Noe Lara. At the Great Northern this year, they’re focusing broadly on the Minnesotan immigrant experience by inviting Yia Vang (of Union Hmong Kitchen and the forthcoming Vinai), Peter Bian and Linda Cao (of Saturday Dumpling Co.), and Baaska Tegshbileg (of Cobble Social House). Mingle with the chefs, taste their small bites and listen to live music.

Glass House: 145 Holden St N, Minneapolis. Tickets are $100; purchase in advance.

5. Celebrate the ‘Midwinter Melt’

5 to 9 p.m., Feb. 2: Groundhog Day feels like the midpoint between winter and spring, organizers say, so this event offers plenty of ways to get outside and active on a frozen lake.

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Enjoy kicksledding, light shows, walking trails, solar lamp-making and a “cosmic footgolf” course — think putt-putt meets kickball. Arrive at 5 p.m. for a soup dinner and DJ set courtesy of the group Melanin in Motion; the other events start at 6.

Silverwood Park: 2500 County Rd E, St Anthony, 55421. Event is free; no ticket required.



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Minneapolis, MN

SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente Expands Technology Investment

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SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente Expands Technology Investment


November 26, 2025 – PRESSADVANTAGE –

SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente has announced significant investments in advanced restoration technology and enhanced service capabilities to better serve Minneapolis-area property owners facing water, fire, and mold damage. The expansion represents the company’s ongoing commitment to delivering comprehensive restoration solutions using industry-leading equipment and proven methodologies.

The technology enhancement initiative focuses on upgrading the company’s restoration equipment arsenal and implementing advanced techniques designed to restore damaged properties to their pre-loss condition more efficiently. These improvements complement the company’s existing IICRC certifications in water damage restoration, mold remediation, and fire damage restoration, strengthening their position as a comprehensive restoration service provider in the Minneapolis market.

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SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente has served the Minneapolis community for over ten years, building expertise in addressing the region’s specific restoration challenges. The company’s approach combines emergency response capabilities with reconstruction services, providing property owners with integrated solutions from initial damage assessment through complete restoration.

The investment in advanced technology addresses the increasing complexity of restoration projects in the Minneapolis area, where properties frequently experience damage from severe weather conditions, frozen pipes, and seasonal flooding. The enhanced capabilities enable the company to handle both residential and commercial restoration projects with greater precision and efficiency.

“We recognize that property damage situations require both immediate response and long-term restoration expertise,” said Scott Clemente, Owner of SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente. “Our investment in advanced technology ensures we can provide Minneapolis property owners with the most effective restoration solutions available.”

The company’s comprehensive approach includes direct communication with insurance adjusters and thorough damage documentation, streamlining the claims process for property owners. This service model has positioned the business as a preferred provider among insurance professionals and property owners throughout the Minneapolis metropolitan area.

SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente maintains 24/7 emergency response capabilities, averaging 60-minute response times for urgent situations. The company’s team of over 65 employees provides coverage across downtown Minneapolis and central Minneapolis neighborhoods, addressing water damage from burst pipes, sewage backups, storm flooding, and equipment failures.

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The technology expansion also enhances the company’s mold remediation capabilities, addressing moisture-related issues that commonly affect Minneapolis properties due to the region’s climate conditions. Advanced moisture detection and air quality monitoring equipment enable more precise identification and remediation of mold problems in basements, crawl spaces, and other vulnerable areas.

Fire damage restoration services benefit from upgraded soot removal technology and enhanced deodorization capabilities. The improved equipment allows for more effective smoke odor elimination and water damage mitigation from firefighting efforts, reducing overall restoration timelines for affected properties.

The company’s damage restoration services encompass both mitigation and reconstruction phases, providing property owners with continuity throughout the restoration process. This integrated approach eliminates the need for multiple contractors and ensures consistent quality standards from initial emergency response through final reconstruction.

As a family-operated business, SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente continues to prioritize community relationships and customer service excellence. The technology investment reinforces the company’s commitment to maintaining industry leadership in restoration capabilities while preserving the personalized service approach that has defined their reputation in the Minneapolis market.

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The enhanced technology capabilities position SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente to address evolving restoration challenges with greater precision, efficiency, and reliability. These advancements strengthen their ability to respond quickly to complex property damage scenarios and reinforce their role as a trusted restoration partner for Minneapolis-area property owners facing unexpected water, fire, or mold damage situations. By combining certified expertise with cutting-edge tools, the team continues to deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes that safeguard properties.

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For more information about SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente, contact the company here:

SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente
Scott Clemente
(651) 564-9277
scott@servpro10278.com
1770 Hennepin Ave B1, Minneapolis, MN 55403

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Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis Blanketed With Snow Overnight

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Minneapolis Blanketed With Snow Overnight


Minneapolis residents woke up to snow on Wednesday, November 26, after the first snowstorm of the season dumped several inches of snow on parts of Minnesota. This footage filmed and posted to X by user @JonathanQ12345 shows snow blanketing a street in Minneapolis’ North Loop neighborhood on Wednesday morning. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), parts of Minneapolis received 2 to 3 inches of snow, while neighboring areas received 4 to 5 inches. Snowfall is expected to end on Wednesday, the NWS said. Credit: @JonathanQ12345 via Storyful



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Former Minneapolis teacher and coach sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting children

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Former Minneapolis teacher and coach sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting children


A former Minneapolis teacher and coach was sentenced to life in prison Tuesday in connection with 12 counts of rape and sexual assault of victims under 13 years old.

Aaron James Hjermstad (Courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Corrections)

Aaron James Hjermstad, 46, pleaded guilty in September to 12 counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving victims under 13 years that took place between 2013 and 2021.

In addition to being sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years, Hjermstad must register as a predatory offender and will be on lifetime conditional release if he is ever paroled.

“My thoughts today are solely with the many victims in this case. What they endured as children is nothing short of horrifying,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. “Mr. Hjermstad is being held accountable, and a sentence of this length removes the possibility of further harm at his hands for decades to come.”

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The attorney’s office said Hjermstad had coached many of the children or one of their family members. Hjermstad worked as a physical education and health teacher at The Mastery School and a basketball coach at Hospitality House Youth Development and Harvest Best Academy.

At the time he was charged, he’d already been convicted for similar assaults against 3 other victims, but he fled the state before he was sentenced.

In December 2021 he was caught in Idaho during a traffic stop. Law enforcement officials found thousands of videos showing him assaulting children. Some of the videos were taken at his Brooklyn Center home including footage with the 12 victims which led to the additional charges.



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