The Beat Monthly, Ed. 1, May 2022

BY SEAN BAKER

IN 2015, FORMER MAYOR ARDELL Brede set forward an ambitious goal of making Rochester energy net-zero by 2031. The procla mation positioned the city as an early adopter in the movement to begin mitigating the effects of climate change.

But turning political will into action isn’t always easy — and despite significant prog ress, including a pledge from Rochester Public Utilities to transition its electricity to 100 percent renewable resources — the city remains a long way from becoming carbon-free.

The city’s latest goals set a benchmark for reducing green house emissions by 30 percent by 2035, and 80 percent by 2050. Both are below the targets set by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which calls for a carbon-free future midway into this century.

The latest IPCC report warns that while political and economic decisions are the primary drivers of conflict, climate change will continue to grow “as a threat to global and local stability.” It says that climate impacts are only likely to worsen in the years ahead as the world continues to warm, “with growing adverse effects on economies, ecosys tems, and human health.”

Idso, the 2019 recipient of the Mayor’s Medal of Honor for Sustainability, said more aggres sive action will need to be taken to address what he described as a “climate emergency.”

“We have been more ahead on the desire to do something than we have been actually doing any thing, in my opinion,” said Idso, who helped organize the city’s first EarthFest. “We don’t have another planet. We only have one planet, and we need to start living that way.”

RPU SHIFTS TOWARD RENEWABLES

In 2019, the RPU board made a historic commitment — over the next decade it would commit to weaning off fossil fuels in favor of renewable energy sources like wind and solar.

In doing so, the Rochester municipal power agency joined only a handful of others in the state pursuing such an aggressive timeline.

“I would say it’s unique that we are actually doing this in 2030 — that we will be able to get to 100 percent renewables by then,” said

renewing its contract with the Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, which now sup

Sutton also noted that while RPU’s goal is to rely on 100 per cent renewable energy, there

plies the majority of its energy, only 25 percent of which comes from renewable sources; much of the rest comes from coal.

RPU also purchased 138 acres of land on Valleyhigh Drive in northwest Rochester where it is developing a 10-megawatt solar field. The solar field is a mile stone investment, though it will only cover a fraction of the total energy needed, with RPU buy ing into other sources to fulfill demand.

“Just to give some scale, it takes 138 acres for 10 [megawatts]; we need 500 megawatts of renew ables,” said Sutton. “That’s going to take some time, and that’s a billion-dollar plan.”

With Rochester’s population expected to continue growing, Sutton emphasized conservation

will be times — such as during extreme weather events — when there won’t be enough renew ables online to meet demand.

For those scenarios, RPU is rec ommending an investment in a natural gas turbine or battery resource to provide back-up.

Still, Sutton said, any use of natural gas or another resource would be offset by the renewable energy produced through RPU’s commitment. He estimated that the use of a turbine or battery would be limited to less than 5 percent of the year.

“As long as the wind is blowing or the sun is shining, those units will be online,” said Sutton, add ing that the shift to renewables is expected to add less than $2 per month to the average residential customer’s energy bill.

WHAT ABOUT OTHER EMISSIONS?

While Idso has been a pro ponent of the RPU plan, call ing it a “great opportunity for Rochester,” he does have con cerns about the city’s ongoing dependency on fossil fuels for heating and transportation.

“Those are going to be the tougher ones to really bite off,” said Idso.

Today, electricity accounts for about 50 percent of the city’s energy use, with the remaining half coming from heating build ings and operating vehicles. Given Rochester’s population trajectory, the latter are expected to continue to increase even as the city’s electric supply shifts green.

Letter from the Editor

Thank you for picking up this copy of The Beat Monthly, a new project from Med City Beat.

Our goal is to use this pub lication to share some of our best original content, including stories that warrant a deeper dive. This month, that includes an in-depth look at Rochester’s renewable energy goals and a feature on the flavors of a Ramadan, as told by three local Muslim women.

We also devote a good amount

of ink to previewing upcoming events and entertainment. As this project evolves, we also see opportunities to expand the pages to include more commu nity submissions, from com mentary to various forms of artistic expression.

All the while, you can trust we are crafting this publication with the same journalistic integrity you have come to expect from our digital channels. And if you have thoughts on how we can

make the most of this project, please shoot me a note at sean@themedcitybeat.com.

Finally, I would like to thank everyone who made the project possible; notably my partner, Sarah, and her team at White Space. This was truly a group effort.

IN BRIEF

ROCHESTER TO ROLL OUT ELECTRIC BUSES

Battery-powered buses will soon be buzzing through Rochester — representing two milestones for Rochester Public Transit: the first electric vehicles in the fleet and the first 60-foot articulated models. The goal is to have them hit the streets in June. The buses will be used on Route 560X, which runs between downtown and the IBM and fairgrounds park-and-rides.

CAFÉ TO OPEN INSIDE A GREENHOUSE

SPACE RESEARCH NOW IN MAYO'S ORBIT

Mayo Clinic scientists are look ing to learn more about the effects of space travel on human health, as part of a recent trip to the International Space Station by Axiom Space. Mayo said research from the flight — which represents the first private, all-ci vilian mission to the ISS — could help inform longer-haul trips in the future, such as a potential mission to Mars.

SOME WORKERS NOT RETURNING DOWNTOWN

MEET THE TEAM

SEAN BAKER — Editor BRYAN LUND — Writer, Crossword Editor LEXIE PITZEN — Writer ANNA MATETIC — Writer WILLIAM FORSMAN — Photographer

SARAH MILLER — Brand Strategist

AUDREY HUNT — Creative Director

BRIANA BEYERSTEDT — Brand Designer

JULIA HURLEY — Brand Designer

An entrepreneurial husbandand-wife duo are starting a new café concept that will allow customers to enjoy a cup of espresso in a plant-filled tropi cal retreat — without having to leave Rochester. Michelle and Shawn Fagan plan to open Café Aquí sometime this spring in an expanded greenhouse space at Sargent’s garden center. The menu will feature “top-notch espresso drinks” along with some food options and a healthy dose of chlorophyll.

Despite more companies begin ning to call back remote workers, Mayo Clinic says it will stick with its Covid-era strategy of allow ing the 2,900 staff who were previously based in downtown Rochester to continue work ing off campus a majority of the time. This includes staff in human resources, marketing, public affairs, legal, and IT. In the place of the typical office, Mayo has set up new collabora tion spaces for staff returning to campus as needed.

“What can we do to start mit igating the effect of those emis sions?” asked Lauren Jensen, the city’s sustainability coordinator, during a recent presentation to the city council.

Jensen outlined a number of strategies, from shifting away from single-occupancy vehi cles to incentivizing developers to build more efficient homes. She also noted the potential for more electric-fueled vehicles and buildings.

One example she pointed to is a proposed $15.6 million project to electrify the heating and cooling needs of downtown buildings, including City Hall, the Rochester Public Library,

Mayo Civic Center, and other privately-owned buildings.

“We continue to look at dis trict energy systems, and how those can grow and be built in other areas of our community,” said Jensen. “It makes it really easy to electrify a large amount of square footage of buildings.” (Jensen also noted that Mayo Clinic, the city’s largest employer has started looking at a decar bonization plan, though no time line has been set.)

The scope of the city’s strat egies, however, has been met with some skepticism. Councilor Nick Campion suggested that if the city is truly concerned about sustainability, it should start

thinking more broadly about the impacts of new construction in the city.

Describing some of the talk around sustainability as “win dow-dressing,” Campion said the city should be measuring the environmental impacts to devel opments — such as sprawling housing projects — on a regular basis, rather than revisiting the topic from time to time.

“I know we are concerned about sustainability, but our hesitancy to do really basic changes that would promote this — maybe, to me, that’s a measure of where we’re at,” said Campion.

Hawa Camara seeks to help others stand Together Against Breast Cancer

BY LEXIE PITZEN

WHEN HAWA CAMARA DECIDED to start Together Against Breast Cancer, a nonprofit organization providing support to people with breast cancer, she drew inspira tion from her own experience. Camara was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2017 in St. Cloud, Minn., after being misdiagnosed three times in her home country of Guinea. She chose to receive treatment at Mayo Clinic, which brought her to Rochester.

“I myself kept my disease a secret from family, from friends for four years because of the cultural back ground I came from,” she said, “and the be lief that when you have cancer, you’re almost seen in society as worthless or used or seen as dead when you’re very well alive.”

After receiving her diagnosis, she kept it private for four years because of stigmas surrounding cancer. Camara said her battle with breast cancer prompted her to want to bring more awareness to the disease and work to destigmatize it. This led her to found Together Against Breast Cancer in 2021. The binational nonprofit organiza tion aims to serve people in the United States and Guinea, as Camara said the medical system in Guinea is “almost nonexistent” for cancer patients.

One of the long-term goals of the organization is enhancing cancer care in Guinea by training medical professionals, providing equipment and, eventually, establishing a radiation treatment facility.

Camara said other goals of Together Against Breast Cancer for both Guinea and the United States include raising awareness of breast can cer by providing “a culturally appropriate education to women from different backgrounds dealing with breast cancer.”

The nonprofit also plans to create a supportive community for both breast cancer patients and their caregivers. Starting in April, the orga nization will host Zoom support meetings in two separate groups: One group for stages one through three and another group for stage four.

“The reason for that is that the more advanced you are in your stages, the more isolated you become,” Camara said.

She said people with breast cancer in stage one, two or three often need to feel hope that their treatment can still bring a cure, but stage four patients go through “totally different circumstances” and need a different form of support. She wants the support meetings to bring a sense of community and togetherness to patients in every stage.

Currently, Together Against Breast Cancer is starting to become active in the Rochester community by working with kids to make greeting cards for local breast cancer patients. Camara said people who want to get involved with Together Against Breast Cancer can visit the

The Beat Crossword

01 “Bridge Over Troubled Water” singer, Sept. 2018, Mayo Civic Center

04 Cheap ’s is for the course, most recent performance, Nov. 2021, The Castle

“Here I go again on my own…”, Oct. 1987, Mayo Civic Center

Pyrotechnics, make-up, one long tongue, Dec. 1987, Mayo Civic Center

11 Folk-revivalists who looked for answers in the wind, Oct. 1988, Mayo Civic Center

They came from the desert on a horse with no name, Aug. 2015, Mayo Park

Left an “Amish paradise” to play here, Oct. 1996, Mayo Civic Center

Bob Marley and the , Aug. 2016, Mayo Park

This guy is “Bad to the Bone,” Aug. 2012, Mayo Park

Surf-rockers who made pleasant Pet Sounds, April 2002, Mayo Civic Center

Minneapolis rapper, poet, most recent performance, Sept. 2021, Forager Brewery

The “All Star” act of last summer, July 2021, Mayo Park

It’s not hot in here, it’s hot in “herre,” July 2019, Olmsted County Fairgrounds

25 Brought Rochester into the “Danger Zone,” March 1991, Mayo Civic Center

90s Metal band, also head protection, July 2014, Olmsted County Fairgrounds

Modern country star, or a house of worship, July 2006, Mayo Park

DOWN

02 School's permanently out with this guy, May 2010, Mayo Civic Center

03 This country luminary took country roads home, June 1987, Mayo Civic Center

05 Rochester’s soulqueen, upcoming performance, May 2022, Med City Marathon Finish Line Festival

06 Alias of Robert Zimmerman, most recent performance, Aug. 2012, Mayo Civic Center

07 Cannabis enthusiast, highwayman, Aug. 2004, Mayo Field

08 Duluth band, or run over by shelled reptiles, March 2014, Mayo Civic Center

15 All she wants to do is have some fun, May 2011, Mayo Civic Center

organization’s website, www.ecsguin.com.

“The community needs to really rally around these patients,” she said, “because cancer is probably not the only thing killing them, but it’s also the solitude of it that’s killing them." Camara also had advice for people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. She encouraged them to embrace the information they have from their care teams and accept their emotions. “It’s okay to cry,” she said. “Every emotion you’re feeling right now, it’s okay. But after those emotions, believe that there is hope. There is hope at the end of the tunnel."

17 Nu-metal band who got “Down with the Sickness,” Nov. 2008, Mayo Civic Center

This band is “alright, they just seem a little weird,” June 1988, Mayo Civic Center

“You’re to blame” for their punctured heart, March 1987, Mayo Civic Center

Country music star, vaccine funder, Nov. 2005, Mayo Civic Center

Courtesy Together Against Breast Cancer

BY ANNA MATETIC

WHEN SOMEONE MENTIONS

Ramadan, the first thing many of us think of is a month of fasting from all sustenance, food and water. But Ramadan is not just a time for doing without. It is a celebration and food is a big part of that celebration.

Fasting time ends at sundown, when Muslim families first break their fast with dates. Khadija Ali, a Rochester resident originally from Somalia and her family eat dates and drink water. Tarteel Elsheikh's North Sudanese tra dition calls for dates and juice. The Algerian tradition followed by Soraya Belfodil calls for milk with their dates. Then comes the feast.

“‘Iftar’ means ‘to open a fast’ and it is the meal eaten after sunset during the month of Ramadan,” explained Ali. “We

have late night feasts because we are getting ready for the next day’s fast ...and another feast before the sun rises.”

This morning meal is called “suhur.” In addi tion to being a celebra tion of Ramadan, these meals also help sustain those who are fasting during the daylight hours.

The iftar meal is then usually started with a traditional soup. Soup is a common theme woven into the fabric of Ramadan.

“This soup is very important,” explained Belfodil. After a day of fasting, “it is gentle on your stomach.” Her Algerian soup is made with meat, usually lamb or beef, and includes chickpeas, tomatoes, and spices.

Ali’s family makes a hearty soup with goat meat, tomatoes, carrots, and spices. The recipe is

“My mom cooked it for us and she taught me the recipe. I do it with my family…so it’s like some thing that continues.”

For Elsheikh, Ramadan means her mothers cooking and that includes a milk-based soup with tomatoes, onions and spices, such as dried okra powder and cumin.

Another common theme with the soup; all of the recipes

BY LEXIE PITZEN

A LOCAL MOSQUE HAS RECEIVED a $1.5 million state grant to cre ate job training opportunities for Rochester’s underserved communities.

The mosque, Masjed Abubakr Al-Seddiq (MAAS), received a Targeted Community Capital Project (TCCP) grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) grant in March. Sixteen organizations across the state received the

grant, which amounts to only 11 percent of all applicants, and MAAS is the only recipient based in Rochester.

“It was a very competitive grant, and we are very thank ful that our application was accepted,” said Rashed Ferdous, chair of the mosque’s board of directors.

MAAS is located on North Broadway Avenue downtown. According to Abdullahi Adan, a member of the MAAS board

of directors, the mosque acts as a community center for “people from different walks of life,” including Rochester’s East African population.

Projects that use TCCP funding are required to focus on work force, education or economic development programs, or help underserved communities. The mosque plans to use the grant to create new workforce training opportunities for Rochester’s immigrants.

Local mosque wants to help Rochester become a city that “works for all”

“This grant will help the Rochester community and local businesses to hire workers,” said Ferdous. “The mosque is attended by a diverse group of people, both local and new immigrants from East Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe and others. We hope to tap into this workforce and partner with local employers to train them for employment. We hope to con tribute positively to help grow the local economy.”

MAAS plans to renovate the second floor of its space to pro vide classrooms for education and job training, including train ing opportunities for informa tion technology, coding, health professions, child care, and bus driving. Along with training, the mosque also plans to offer job placement assistance.

Adan said the mosque aims to help address Rochester’s wealth gap and help immigrants thrive, and the job trainings are “just a

involve some type of grain. For Belfodil, this grain is called “frik,” a crushed green wheat. Ali and Elsheikh serve their soups with something akin to oatmeal.

Ramadan is also the time for our Muslim neighbors to slow down and reflect on their per sonal connections with their faith, their community, and their world. Reinforcing connec tions with your community and charity play a large part in this month-long celebration.

For the local Sudanese com munity, everybody becomes family. Thus, you will often find the entire community gathered together on a Saturday with each family bringing dishes to share. “It’s good to share foods…,” said Elsheikh, “...It’s one of things that Ramadan is all about. Share your blessings with other people and be thankful for what you have.”

It is customary to invite others to Ramadan meals. A Muslim family might invite those who

are single or who don’t have family that live close by. “It’s a way for you to give back,” said Ali.

“Ramadan is for us to remem ber the poor, the people that can’t eat, they can’t provide for themselves,” said Belfodil.

In the weeks leading up to Ramadan, children are taught how to fast in short increments.

“They have to fast for a halfhour or an hour,” said Belfodil.

During this time frame, the children participate in a short fast and abstain from food and drink. These beginner fasts are also a cause for joy and celebra tion. “We celebrate the day that she is fasting or he is fasting,” said Belfodil, “It’s amazing.”

Khadija, Soraya, and Tarteel. Three women from different geographies who were brought together in a place called Rochester. The similarities of their faith and differences in their food and traditions are interwoven with the threads of

“This [Ramadan] is a good reminder when you are hungry [from fasting] that some people are going through a worse situ ation,” said Elsheikh, a Rochester resident originally from North Sudan. “So what are you doing to help them?”

a community. Threads that cre ate the beautiful tapestry that is Ramadan.

Ramadan Kareem. Ramadan Mubarak.

small part in trying to remedy and find a solution for that.”

“We hope to see a city of Rochester that works for all,” he said, “and where many of the immigrant communities that come are able to own homes, they’re able to have a stable fam ily, they’re able to grow academ ically and get upward mobility.”

MAAS partners with many other organizations for commu nity engagement, including the Muslim Coalition of ISAIAH,

which represents many mosques in Minnesota to promote racial, religious, and economic equality for underserved communities.

Adan said investing in these communities can benefit Rochester as a whole.

“Our growth is a win for all of Rochester. It’s not just for our community, but it’s for the entire community here as well."

Photographs by William Forsman

Down by the Riverside

30th season to feature Mavis Staples, John Waite, En Vogue

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAMER

Mavis Staples and R&B vocal group En Vogue are among the acts scheduled for the 30th sea son of the Down by the Riverside concert series, Rochester Civic Music announced Monday.

The series is scheduled to begin on July 10 with Twin Cities rap per Nur-D, and run six consecu tive Sundays through August 14.

hit-maker John Waite (also of Bad English).

The series finale will feature a tribute to one of the all-time great rock and roll bands, with Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening taking the stage. Bonham is the son of legendary Zeppelin drum mer John Bonham.

The shows, to be held in the greenspace behind the Mayo Civic Center, are free to the pub lic. Since it is a city park, spec tators are allowed to bring in

lawn chairs, blankets, and cool ers. On-site concessions are also available.

Opening acts will be revealed at a later date, Civic Music said.

CHECK OUT THE MUSIC HERE!

Other headlining performers in the lineup include rising country artist Brittney Spencer and 80s

Courtesy Rochester Civic Music

Annual spring marathon is back up and running

FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2019, the Med City Marathon, pre sented by ActivePT, is returning to spring. The race has been a pillar of the Rochester events calendar since its inception in 1996, and for its return-fromCovid-year, race organizers aim to make a whole weekend out of the event for runners and non-runners alike.

“We are trying to create this whole feeling of it being a mar athon weekend, right? We want to make it inviting for everybody in the community to come out. Maybe you're just a person that just wants to watch to see what it's all about this year. Yeah, come down. You can enjoy the live music and cheer people on the finish lines” says race direc tor Evin Haukos.

The weekend kicks off at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 28, with the TerraLoco Health and Fitness Expo. In addition to shoes and the like, race organizers have invited local artists to showcase their work. The expo is where racers will check in to receive their race packet, but the public

is welcome to attend, too.

The 5K run, sponsored by Altra Federal Credit Union, is the first footrace of the weekend. It kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 28.

The course winds along the Zumbro River and ends at the downtown finish line. It is USA Track & Field certified, and measured to a precise length of 5,000 meters, or 3.1 miles. Do not let its official-ness detract from the fun of a 5K, however.

“The truth is, any body can do a 5K. I really believe that,” says Haukos. “Even if you feel like you're not ready, if you want to walk it, just enjoy it. Come on out.”

In addition to the individual 5K race, this year, organizers have introduced a 5K team chal lenge. The challenge pits teams of five against one another for a fun contest meant to inspire camaraderie. It’s aimed at busi ness groups, but open to anyone

who wants to field a team.

There is also a kids race, com plete with medals. Kids partici pate for free, thanks to sponsor GLK Orthodontics.

After Saturday’s races, the Finishline Festival area prom ises live music and a free beer (to those who ran). The Med City Block Party runs from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and is open to any one. The masterful Annie Mack will play a set Saturday night.

The big race goes down on Sunday, May 29.

At 5:20 a.m. that morning, shuttles will start transporting runners from downtown to the Rochester International Airport, the location of the starting line for the full marathon, half mar athon, and 20 mile run.

At 7 a.m., the starting pistol will fire for each race.

The full marathon course takes runners from the airport all the way into downtown Rochester. The half-marathon’s course makes for a quick run — it begins at elevation and goes downhill the whole way.

As with the previous evening’s

5K races, Sunday’s long races culminate with a party at the finish line, complete with live music and free beer (again, only for runners over the age of 21).

In 2021, Haukos estimates that 1,500 — 2,000 people ran in total across the events. This year, they’re hoping for a return to form — closer to 4,000 people.

“It's time for a fresh start, fresh look for everything,” Haukos

says, about the rebrand and new logo.

“The last couple of years have been chaotic for everybody in the racing industry,” says Haukos. “There's no doubt in our mind that everybody is ready to finally get back to our normal year with this event being in May.”

UPCOMING EVENTS

COMMUNITY BIKE SWAP

Saturday, May 7

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Armory Lot, 200 N Broadway

JUST IN TIME FOR THE BALMY temps of cycling season, the Rochester Community Bike Club - Pata de Perro is hosting their annual bike swap. With a $10 donation, you gain access to the Armory parking lot, where you can shop for a new ride or sell/ donate your old one.

FRESH AIR FITNESS

Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays

Tuesdays & Thursdays

5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Central Park Saturdays, 10 a.m. in Peace Plaza

THIS FITNESS SERIES FEATURES

Yoga in Central Park, Zumba in the Peace Plaza, and free gulps of Minnesota’s glorious spring air. The evening sessions feature dance, yoga, and senior classes, while Saturdays are for Zumba. Just bring a water bottle, a yoga mat, and, if the grass is wet, a towel.

ROCHESTER PRIDEART ON THE AVE

Saturday, May 21Saturday, May 21

12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Soldiers Field Park 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Slatterly Park Neighborhood

THE SLATTERLY PARK NEIGBOR hood’s annual celebration of the arts invites Rochester to walk through the historic neighbor hood and take in the work of over 50 local artists, including painters, jewelers, musicians, glass blowers, metal workers, and more. The event culminates with the installation of a permanent boulevard sculpture.

ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR September 25, 2021, but post poned due to Covid, this annual, inclusive, and family friendly celebration of Rochester’s LGBT community happens May 21 at Soldiers Field. The event will feature an array of vendors and musical performances by Audrey Robinson, Suzy Plays Guitar, fAABAulous, Hair of the Dog, and Rebel Queens.

PREMIERE OF INTO THE WOODS

Thursday, May 19

7 p.m., Rochester Civic Theatre

INTO THE WOODS’ JAMES LAPINEpenned plot features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondeheim. It weaves together the characters of Brothers Grimm fairy tales, such as Rapunzel, Cinderella, and Jack (of Jack and the Beanstalk fame). Accompanied by the Rochester Symphony Orchestra. Tickets are $28 for adults, $25 for seniors, and $20 for students. The show runs until May 29.

Courtesy Med City Marathon