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Articles by Kait Ecker
A Banff National Park Trip Has Peak Potential
Moraine Lake in Banff National Park Banff & Lake Louise Tourism Before I knew it, I was screaming. Or, more accurately, squealing like a delighted child. “What?� My startled best friend shouted, nearly swerving the rental car off the road. “Mountains!� I called out, pointing and bouncing in my seat. Misty-eyed and giddy, I caught my first-ever glimpses of the Canadian Rocky Mountains rising up from the horizon.
From Gua Sha to Shiatsu: The ABCs of Massage Therapy
The things that we used to consider self-care—like the occasional massage or acupuncture treatment—are as essential as ever when we reflect on the traumas we’ve endured, and the fight-or-flight state we’ve persisted in. Mentally, physically, emotionally. So what do we do with all that extra weight? We put it in the hands of the experts and let them work on our … well, body of work.
Sit Up Straight! Fixing Your Work From Home Slump
As a relatively tall kid, my mother was always telling me to stand up straight. Unfortunately, I still slouch in adulthood and working from home this last year hasn’t helped either—with no one but my cat and roommate around to judge. The result is painful—literally. Lately, Dr. Amy Horton, a chiropractor at Northwestern Health Sciences University Bloomington Clinic, has been working on neck pain and lower back pain related to prolonged sitting. It seems like pandemic posture is rather widespread.
Just Wondering: How Can I Prevent or Slow Skin Aging?
Welcome to our Just Wondering series, in which local pros tackle your most burning health and fitness questions. Got a question of your own? Send it here! With the quick turn of seasons (dang snow in October), my skin is feeling a bit drier and my fine lines are becoming more pronounced.
Minnesota boss and Somali mediator explain how to make peace at work. Original
After asking for breaks and overtime pay, 11 Somali workers at Salad Makers Inc. found themselves out of work last month. The company cuts fresh produce for retailers like Cash Wise, PepsiCo, and US Foods, and employs some 44 employees at its facility in Moorhead, Minnesota. The labor dispute was so knotty that the two sides couldn’t even agree on what propelled the 11 workers off the job. Management says they walked out and quit; the employees say they were fired.
Minnesota Escapes to Fall For
Leaf Peeping: Sites for Sore Eyes NORTH SHORE Peaks mid-September to early October Iconic for cliffside views of Lake Superior, the North Show is a color-rich destination. While traveling the North Shore Scenic Drive (Hwy. 61) or the North Shore Scenic Railroad, look out for paper birches, aspens, sugar maples, ashes, and silver maples. Honeymoon Trail, tucked into a sugar bush off County Road 2 in the Lutsen area, has earned a reputation as a maple lover's paradise.
Will Covid-19 Kill Tipping?
Lat 14 circa 2018 Photo by Catilin Abrams Lat 14 circa 2018 Photo by Catilin Abrams Tipping is commonplace in restaurants, but over the years it has created a wage disparity between front- and back-of-the-house employees in states like Minnesota that don’t allow tip pooling among employees. Now, the pandemic is giving the hospitality industry an opportunity to rethink its business model, and tipping is clearly on the bubble.
Izzy’s Minneapolis Building for Sale
Izzy’s headquarters in downtown Minneapolis. Courtesy of Colliers As the pandemic continues to shutter iconic institutions, the owners of Izzy’s Ice Cream are planning to sell their downtown Minneapolis headquarters. While the owners plan to continue making ice cream, the location is too expensive for Izzy’s under the current conditions, co-owner Jeff Sommers said.
Foot Health-It's an Actual Thing
Just like your torso, your feet have abs. Focusing on these oft-neglected appendages may not have been the summer health goals you had in mind, but a strong foot core is essential to happy feet and a healthy you.
Nonprofits, Businesses Adjust After Cancellation of Pride Month
Photo by Scruggelgreen/Shutterstock Pride wasn’t the same this year. The Twin Cities LGBTQ+ community found other ways of showing up, through Black Lives Matter protests and virtual gatherings, but nonprofits and businesses that typically make significant revenue from Pride weekend in the Twin Cities have had to adapt their year’s plans to the rapidly changing world.
Addressing Employee Mental Health During Covid-19
Even before the pandemic, some businesses were looking at ways to better support their employees’ mental well-being. Now, as the pandemic drags on and escalates, there’s a renewed sense of urgency as companies face declining productivity and mounting employee stress. Some companies headquartered in the Twin Cities have taken some steps to mitigate this. Target Corp., for example, says it’s investing nearly $1 billion more this year in employee well-being, health, and safety than it did in 2019.
How COVID-19 Has Changed Salad Bars
The days where you could go full When Harry Met Sally Meg Ryan on your salad bar—personally selecting each and every tomato—may be gone. Limiting high-contact surfaces is key in preventing the spread of COVID-19, and standard salad bars are rife with them. In light of Texas’ health regulations for restaurants, Houston’s salad bars have needed to transition from self-serve style to employee-served and prepackaged styles.
Co-working Isn’t Dead Yet
Earlier this month, The Coven’s space in St. Paul reopened at 25 percent capacity. (Photo: The Coven’s Twitter account) Working from home may be losing its appeal after a few months of remote operations, which is something co-working spaces are banking on as the pandemic continues. Many local operations including Industrious, Modernwell, The Coven, and WeWork have begun phased reopenings to more members. Some spaces like Life Time Work have remained open for members in fields considered essential.
New DEED Leader Tackles Economic Issues Facing Immigrants, Refugees
Anisa Hajimumin, Assistant Commissioner, Immigrant & Refugee Affairs of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Anisa Hajimumin has her work cut out for her as the state’s new assistant commissioner of immigrant and refugee affairs. Working under Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development, she’ll examine long-running systems and policies that make it difficult for immigrants and refugees to find work or start a business.
Minnesota Ready Coalition Asks to Remove All Covid Restrictions by June 19
Sandra Burm / Shutterstock Representing almost 60 business organizations, the Minnesota Ready coalition asked Gov. Tim Walz to allow all Minnesota businesses to fully open by June 19. The coalition comprises the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, local chambers of commerce from across all corners of the state, and various business associations.
Best Buy Unveils Reopening Plans
Best Buy Co. Inc. on June 15 will begin allowing customers inside its stores without an appointment. The Richfield-based tech retailer, which closed its stores to customers in March, will continue to offer contactless curbside pickup. Best Buy also has resumed home deliveries, installations, and repairs with proper precautions. In-home consultations, which switched to virtual, will also start back up again.
Legislation Makes PPP Spending More Flexible
“Hospitality in particular has very razor thin margins and none of us can take on extra debt,” said Stephanie Shimp, cofounder of Blue Plate Restaurant Co. (Photo by Caitlin Abrams) The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act signed into law on June 5 eases some restrictions—like the spending timeline and parameters—but the adjustments don’t relieve the frustrations lenders and borrowers have expressed about the forgiveness application process.
Businesses’ Role in Policing, Policy, and Change
Many Minnesotans are at a loss for words after the death of George Floyd. But some local leaders say the state’s business community can play a pivotal role in driving major changes. Tawanna Black, founder and CEO of the Center for Economic Inclusion, said businesses and business leaders do have an impact on policing. The center focuses on strengthening the Twin Cities region’s civic infrastructure and capacity to disrupt systems. One place to start?
After Riots, Business Owners Plan Next Steps
The sounds in Uptown Minneapolis on Friday were overwhelming: broken glass being swept up, numerous power tools and hammers being used to cut and install plywood protection to the windows and doors of nearly every business, the honking of car horns as people held up traffic to take pictures out their windows, and in the distance, the interspersed blaring of sirens.
15 Locally-Connected Podcasts to Get You Out of Your Listening Rut
It seems like everyone and their cousin has a podcast these days, and the Twin Cities is no exception. If your own listening lineup is leaving you feeling a bit uninspired or uninformed, give a Minnesota-connected show a chance. From comedy and true crime to philosophy and music, our local talent contributes a significant amount of content to the podcast-sphere.
Pro to Know: Sarah Martin
After stepping back from design services for a few years while she focused on being a mom, entrepreneur Sarah Martin returned to the design world in 2015 when she founded Beautiful Chaos. Her husband eventually joined, adding renovation and construction in conjunction with her interior design, which instills homes with character-adding details both new and old.
14 Developments to Watch Around the Twin Cities
The past decade saw rapid changes to the Twin Cities’ literal landscape, from the light rail to all the luxury high-rise condos. This coming decade is sure to be no different, with countless developments already in the pipeline. And with so much on the horizon, executive vice president of AIA Minnesota Mary-Margaret Zindern and editor of AIA Minnesota’s Architecture MN Chris Hudson cued us in on some projects and key takeaways the Metro should be keeping on eyes for the next 10 years.
Art Exhibitions Coming to the Twin Cities This Spring
The cold of winter paired with the seemingly never-ending gray feels like it freezes our brains for a bit. But as we prepare to thaw out, it’s the perfect time to give that old noggin a refresh with some local art exhibitions that will make you think, ask questions, and perhaps change your perspective.
Canadian Firm Buys Minneapolis-based Leadpages
Courtesy of Redbrick British Columbia-based software firm Redbrick has acquired Leadpages, a self-described “no-code website builder” based in Minneapolis. Redbrick bought the company’s assets from Leadpages’ parent company Avenue 81 Inc. The purchase didn’t include Drip, another digital firm that Leadpages bought in 2016. Other terms of the transaction weren’t disclosed. Leadpages is the fourth company in Redbrick’s digital portfolio, said Redbrick’s CEO Tobyn Sowden.
International Skiing Competition Melds with Winter Festival
In case you didn't notice, it's still winter. This month, prepare to don your hats, mittens, and thick socks to cheer on the teams at the 2020 Coop FIS Cross Country Ski World Cup Sprint Finals and listen to free live music at the Fastenal Parallel 45 Winter Festival, hosted by the Loppet Foundation at the Trailhead at Theodore Wirth Park.
WCCO Radio Podcasts Move to New Rosedale Center Studio
Podcasting has arrived at the mall. With Rosedale Center focused on providing experiential opportunities, and the audience for podcasts continuing to skyrocket, Fluence Media has partnered with Entercom Twin Cities to open a radio and podcasting studio in the new mall food hall where several WCCO Radio podcasts will now record their shows. Fluence Media founder Blois Olson, a longtime WCCO Radio political analyst and on-air contributor, leads the initiative.
Everything You Need to Know Before Primary Voting
After complaints over the chaos of the 2016 presidential caucuses, Minnesota passed legislation to switch to a primary for presidential nomination. Four years later, we’re in the midst of early-voting for the primaries with the official March 3 primary just around the corner. But Minnesota hasn’t used a primary for the presidential nominating contest since the early ‘90s, says Kathryn Pearson, a professor in the University of Minnesota’s political science department.
The Hammy History of Spamtown, USA
A divisive strike engulfed Austin, Minnesota, 35 years ago when wages were cut at the Hormel meatpacking plant. The small town over 100 miles south of the Metro filled with intensive negativity as people took sides and made difficult choices. There were the strikers, the Hormel Foods executives, the replacement workers, and those who broke picket lines to go back to work. And there were those caught in the middle, like the children, just trying to wait out the longest strike in Minnesota’s history.
How to Get a Bee's-Knees Backyard
Sponsored by the Minnesota State Horticultural Society and Sculptured Earth, this year’s Garden + Home Stage will feature timely and relevant home and gardening topics, with a special focus on turning your yard into a pollinator paradise. “We will feature a wide variety of industry leaders speaking on topics varying from soil health to garden photography and seed starting,” says Lara Lau-Schommer, the community outreach manager for the Minnesota State Horticultural Society.
Shoppe Local
With a lineup of over 30 vendors, the Garden + Home Shoppe is your one-stop shop in finding the perfect individualized touch for your garden and home. Think of it as your neighborhood garden store—dropped right in the middle of the show. This dedicated shopping area at the Home + Garden Show is filled with cash-and-carry items specific to homes and gardens. Think bulbs, succulents, home décor, soaps, garden tools, and yard accessories.
Likely Last Chance to Catch a Johnnie-Tommie Game
The 119-year rivalry of “Johnnies” and “Tommies” will likely come to an end come November in one last football game at U.S. Bank Stadium. With the University of St. Thomas removed from the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, this coming fall will be the football team's last season in the conference as they make the move to Division 1.
Just Wondering: Should I Skip Exercise if I Have a Cold?`
Welcome to our Just Wondering series, in which local pros tackle your most burning health and fitness questions. Got a question of your own? Send it here! The balm for these very cold and very dry winter days comes in the form of very hot and very long showers at night. I’m notorious amongst my friends and family for this habit, and some have argued that it's horrible for my skin. But I want to know: does duration and temp really matter all that much? And how often should we shower anyway?
10 Reasons to Go to Fit Fest
1. Get a Massage Local natural health care institution Northwestern Health Sciences University is back again this year with massage and acupuncture demos at their booth in the Expo. During the scheduled seminars, NWHSU staff will discuss the latest trends in integrative treatments, including natural remedies for headaches, dietary fats and weight loss, and more. 2.
Fun Things to Do This Valentine's Day
Whether you're flying solo, coupled up, or somewhere in-between, ensure your V-Day is free of clichés. Lucky for you (and your boo) there are plenty of decidedly non-cheesy local hearts day events to choose from—from a date night with your fur baby to a murder mystery masquerade. Sip ‘N Bloom Galentine’s Day Don't wait for the blooms to come to you. Treat yourself to a floral design workshop at women's Wayzata boutique Merilou.
Style on the Surface
× 1 of 11 Floor Patterns “We are seeing a lot of patterns in floors, whether it’s herringbone, chevron, or parquet,” says Jim Ganino, regional sales executive at WD Flooring. “Some people are doing their whole house in these patterns or something subtle like a dining room or entryway.” WD Flooring, 515 Washington Ave. N., Ste. 101, Mpls. × 2 of 11 Bold Patterns Using encaustic tiles in bold patterns freshens up a classic material, according to The Tile Shop Blog.
How Worried Should We Be About Coronavirus?
The latest virus creating an epidemic, a more dangerous strain of the coronavirus, has killed 25 people in China to date, according to NPR. With 830 confirmed cases of the virus in China, and the illness spreading globally, including two confirmed cases in the United States, there is rising concern. As of Friday, two suspected cases discovered in Minnesota are included in the 63 possible instances of the virus found across the nation.
Just Wondering: Does Chronic Stress Cause Weight Gain?
Welcome to our Just Wondering series, in which local pros tackle your most burning health and fitness questions. Got a question of your own? Send it here! Taxes are on the horizon, the calendar is progressively becoming fuller, and I can just feel my blood pressure elevate. I've heard that stress produces cortisol, but is cortisol also responsible for weight gain? What can I do to keep my levels in check? “Cortisol doesn’t directly cause weight gain, and in fact, plays a vital role in fat loss.
Ban on Fur Sales Proposed in Minneapolis
Following in the footsteps of cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, the Minneapolis City Council proposed an ordinance banning the sale and manufacture of new animal fur products. Now that the ban has been proposed, there will be public hearings and voting scheduled for the future, says Matt Johnson, lead organizer of the coalition group Fur Free Minneapolis.
Minneapolis Opposes War With Iran
The Minneapolis City Council passed a resolution opposing the war in Iran at their meeting today, calling for immediate de-escalation. “The people of Minneapolis do not want a war with Iran,” lead author of the resolution Council Member Cam Gordon said in the press release.
Ace General Store Wants to Know Your Love Story
While many shops are going through the familiar routine of replacing the cut-out snowflakes for cut-out hearts, switching the holiday hued glitter to pink and red tones, and stocking up on chocolates, somewhere in Excelsior, a little boutique is trying a different approach to Valentine’s Day. In an effort to neutralize a holiday that invokes a strong reaction, Ace General Store owners Dan and Alex Cordell have extended an open call for love letters.
Proposed Promenade to Bridge the Mississippi River Around St. Anthony Falls
Mike Opat, Hennepin County Commissioner for District 1, proposed a flashy new promenade to the county board Tuesday, detailing the possibilities the walkway on the water could provide. After several speakers, a video, and visual renderings of the space, logistical questions were left unaddressed. The project, referred to as Wishbone, would be a 4000-foot, V-like walking bridge on the Mississippi River, connecting to the Stone Arch Bridge and offering views of St. Anthony Falls.
Ice Castles Opening in New Brighton
This weekend marks the opening of the Ice Castles in New Brighton's Long Lake Regional Park. You’ll be able to experience its icy features you know and love, with some new flair, says Ice Castles events director Amanda Roseth. “We have our big ice slide again this year, but a new feature is that it will go through an archway at the end,” she says. There will be the beloved ice throne, tunnels, an igloo, an ice maze, ice towers, and not one, but two fountains and rainbow pixel walls.
"Is This a Room" Puts Reality Winner on Stage
While I wasn’t sure what to expect from a show revolving around a transcript of a federal interrogation, I discovered that there’s nothing like seeing real life recreated before your eyes. Is This A Room: Reality Winner Verbatim Transcription, presented by Tina Satter and Half Straddle at the Walker, creates an atmosphere of increasing tension and escalating panic.
Minnesota Youth Prepare for Model Government Session
This weekend, over 1,500 students from all over Minnesota and western Wisconsin will join for the 66th Youth in Government session at the state capitol. There, the YMCA group will debate over 400 bills addressing an array of issues permeating our state and country, like the achievement gap, affordable healthcare, weapons regulation, homelessness, and police reform. And yes, 400 bills seems like a highly productive weekend. Perhaps the grown-ups in the actual hot seats should take note.
Just Wondering: How Healthy is Intermittent Fasting?
Welcome to our Just Wondering series, in which local pros tackle your most burning health and fitness questions. Got a question of your own? Send it here! New year’s resolutions leave us searching for ways to meet our shiny new goals, and sometimes trendy new dietary habits look like the perfect solution. But just how healthy is something like intermittent fasting? And if that’s not the ideal lifestyle, what are some other ways to be happier and healthier in the new year?
The Fight to End Conversion Therapy in Minnesota
Growing up, many LGBTQ+ youth are not in spaces where they are accepted as who they are. Often, they grow up hearing that being gay is a damnable sin, that it’s an abomination, and there’s something wrong with you if that’s who you are.
The '10s: A Decade in Review
In only 10 years, the Twin Cities has been real busy. Our restaurant scene took risks and succeeded, we have a surprising brewery-per-capita ratio, we voted our hearts out, and saw the landscape of the city change, quite literally, with the addition of giant stadia. When looking at the last decade, it’s hard not to split it into two distinct sections: 2010-2015 and 2016-now. Honestly, pre-2016 fades out for some reason–our brains were congested with an overload of information since then.
Just Wondering: Is This a Cold, Seasonal Allergies, or Worse-Both?
Welcome to our Just Wondering series, in which local pros tackle your most burning health and fitness questions. Got a question of your own? Send it here! I make a point to shimmy out of my desk throughout the day to get my step goal in, and usually meet it in the wintertime–thanks to our iconic skyway system. At what point is walking considered a legit form of fitness? Can it even help you lose weight?
Your Guide to the Last New Year’s Eve of the Decade
While New Year’s may always mean four more months of sub-zero temps in the Bold North, this New Year’s will be different. This New Year’s is not just the end of the year–it’s the end of the decade, people! What better way to wrap up 2019 and start the Roaring-er ‘20s than with drinks (non-alcoholic if that’s your style), live music, dancing, comedy, and a healthy dose of your closest friends.
The Hottest Men in St. Paul
Vulcans. At some point in your life you’ve encountered them. Grown men who, with the notable exception of their villainous black goggles and boots, clad themselves entirely in red, from their jumpsuits to their stocking caps. Saint Paul Vulcans. Maybe you’ve seen them drawing mustaches or Vs on kids at a parade. Maybe they’ve drawn one on you.
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