DeRUSHA: Yia Vang's Mantra May Give Hope When Minnesota Needs It
PLUS: Excelsior + Shakopee Openings, Great Pre-Twins Game Deal, Beard Award Winners
DOWNLOAD DIALOGUE: ALWAYS MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER
So much has changed since we last talked. Saturday morning we woke up to news that there was a political assassination of a suburban neighbor, former Speaker of the MN House Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark. Is this who we are? Is our course and highly personal political conversation partially to blame? Have we lost our way? How do we find the path?
I interviewed Yia Vang for my DeRusha Eats podcast this week, and he told me the story of his dad escaping the village and how he led a group of Hmong refugees out. Yia recounts his dad telling the story (about 40 minutes into this episode): “We heard the Communist soldiers were moving in. We went back to our village. I had my machete and my rifle. We had to constantly be moving. We knew if we could cross the river we’d get to Thailand and be safe.” They’re in the mountains, they can’t see the way out, but they knew they had to always be moving forward TOGETHER.
Listen to the podcast on Apple Pod, Spotify, or Audacy
Yia’s words have sat with me all week. He used it as a guiding principal for Vinai and how he leads his team. We all can use it in this time of uncertainty and crisis. Always moving forward together.
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TOO BUSY TO DOWNLOAD?
Karyn Tomlinson, Bucheron and Yia get James Beard Awards
Excelsior’s Noodle Bar opens, Shakopee’s Mega-Dining-Plex too
Young Joni Closes in a Rent Dispute
Big River Pizza Lowertown Closing, Owner Cites Safety Concerns
ST. PAUL GETS A BEARD AWARD! Long time newsletter readers know what an advocate I’ve been for Myriel and Karyn Tomlinson - I’m so thrilled that she got recognized as Best Chef: Midwest for her work in St. Paul. And same is true for the team at Bûcheron, to be named best new restaurant in the U.S. is amazing. Thoughts in MNMO: http://fluence-media.co/3TsIGVu
Here’s my chat with Jeanie Janas Ritter after Bûcheron’s win:
Long-form interview with Karyn from November 27
YOUNG JONI IS CLOSING IN A RENT DISPUTE: It sucks. http://fluence-media.co/45YnJZW Last service (If the staff stays working) is September 14.
BIG RIVER PIZZA IN LOWERTOWN CLOSING: VIA facebook: “the current political and policy landscape in St. Paul has made it increasingly difficult to ensure the safety of our employees.” http://fluence-media.co/4e6xFTc
HOYO SAMBUSA MOVES OPERATIONS: From a dream to a new commercial kitchen at Midtown Global Market, Matt Glover + Miriam Mohamed talk HoYo (coming soon to Lunds & Byerlys) - YT: http://fluence-media.co/4kSMATR AUDIO: http://fluence-media.co/4k9t8kE
$15 BURGER & BEER AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL MINNEAPOLIS?
And then add on that bottle of wine. This is a crazy deal - before the first pitch, head to Riva Terrace for the Twins Special: a Riva Smashburger + Summit Twins Pils for just $15 during home games. The Twins are home today through Thursday too. Plus we love the Happiest Hours at Riva Terrace: 4-6pm M-Thu and all day Sunday. Come for lunch, dinner or Wed-Sat. you can get late night drinks until 10p. Menu is here: https://fluence-media.co/4kAB0MN And mark your calendar for next Friday 3-6pm, the free summer party on the roof. Details here: http://fluence-media.co/3HL11uq Four Seasons is a Download Partner.
OPEN OR OPENING:
Shiki in Excelsior: Noodle bar opened above Parlour Thursday. “It’s all about slurping ramen, sipping bright cocktails, and soaking in the buzz,” said Brent from Jester Concepts. Only 30 seats, check in on the wait-list online at shikinoods.com
North Star Deli: Chef Pedro Walcott’s Kingfield Mpls sandwich shop with a North Star Hockey flair opened Wednesday. IG: http://fluence-media.co/43OIDJF MENU: http://fluence-media.co/4l4Ofp0
Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar: Near Canterbury in Shakopee, opens Saturday. Massive trackside patio. “We’re proud to bring something new to Shakopee,” this is a huge “resort-style” place with food, drinks, games, says Joe Berg, co-owner.
Old Southern BBQ in Excelsior: Opens Wednesday, former Nauti Bowl location by Excelsior Brewing.
GET SOCIAL: POSTS FROM DERUSHA
Reflections on jumping into breaking news coverage of the manhunt and assassination on LinkedIn: http://fluence-media.co/3ZDCldz
Kudos to the woman who got me involved in the U of M’s Children’s Hospital, Elizabeth Patty is retiring: http://fluence-media.co/3G4jVvJ
My former TV coworker Pauleen Lee is leaving, she shared her first moment on air with me: http://fluence-media.co/4lcfSwh
WHAT COULD YOU DO THIS WEEKEND:
FORGOTTEN STAR BREWING SUMMER MARKET: SATURDAY: 30 vendors, live vinyl DJ all day, Minnesota Beer Choir in the beer garden from 4-6PM [link on facebook.com]
CLARE V. TRUNK SHOW: Alyssa loves Clare V. handbags and shirts. Born in MN, she comes back a lot, trunk show at Paris Dining Club SAT & SUN 10-6p (4p Sunday). ClareV.com
LED ZEPPLIN COVER BAND AT TURF CLUB: Zepparella – The Led Zeppelin Powerhouse http://fluence-media.co/4kJA2Om
TWINS TICKETS! Huge homestand with Milwaukee in town this weekend and Saturday is the 612 Saturday deal inside gate 34 until first pitch: $6 drinks, $1 snacks, and $2 food - for all fans at the ballpark.https://fluence-media.co/44a01Yt
HOPKINS FOOD TRUCK FEST: Saturday 50 trucks http://fluence-media.co/43KDXoe
TWIN CITIES JAZZ FEST: Friday/Saturday free in St. Paul http://fluence-media.co/3T0Wgzo
BACK TO THE 50s CAR SHOW: State Fair http://fluence-media.co/3SZtEq4
ART FESTIVALS: WAYZATA http://fluence-media.co/3ZA1PII EAGAN [link], MAPLE GROVE ARBOR LAKES [link]
PERHAM TURTLE FEST: Take a road trip! http://fluence-media.co/45s3uDW
WHAT AM I DOING THIS WEEKEND?
Family in town Friday night for Sam’s grad party Saturday afternoon! Sunday night I’m honored to emcee the Twin Cities Golf Classic dinner for the American Cancer Society - super excited to start a bigger partnership helping raise money and fight for cures!
RT RYBAK on MPLS Foundation Suing the EPA + emotions on Melissa Hortman: http://fluence-media.co/40erPcG
VIDEO FROM THE WCCO RADIO YOUTUBE CHANNEL:
I don’t get too political in this newsletter, because I try to call out bad activity when I see it, I’m not on one side or the other. But the President making our state crisis personal is something I had to talk about: http://fluence-media.co/4kRmosG
THE INFINITE WORKDAY: Shocking new info on how long we all are working
Dan Cook says Thursday is the worst day of the week: