In May we celebrated the ladies, but we could never forget the gentlemen! June kicks off everything we love about summer in Minnesota and the Minneapolis Lakes area, but this month we curated some content for the guys.
If you are a fan of drone photography, you’ll be happy to learn more about the art of OGEE Visuals. Since he and his family have moved to Minneapolis, Omar has been capturing our beautiful landmarks in the most unique ways.
Our homes are never-ending “works in progress,” whether it’s the yard, interiors, organizing, cleaning or making our spaces more livable for families to ebb and flow. NARI’s MSP Home Tour is free and self-guided, helping to spark great remodeling ideas and introductions to local companies who can help transform your existing space for the kings, queens and subjects of your own castle.
Golf can be one of the most wonderful and also challenging sports of all time. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out….there goes your ball – into the water or up in the trees. We’ve included some quick tips on how to perfect your golf swing if you are in need of going back to the basics.
We got some tips from Julie Hansen at Owl Optical in Linden Hills about eyeglasses for the gentlemen, all the way from current trends from the decades, to classic aviators. Julie, Chris and their team can help find the perfect fit and function for your face to make you look amazing.
Our city has so much to offer in the summer season, and sometimes a beverage on a patio in the sun is all it takes to escape the daily grind. We picked just a few of the fun breweries around town where you can sit back and relax.
Finally, for the masters of the grill, we have a recipe for a great steak.
Our team here loves to support local and we encourage you to do the same. As summer season hits, so does Minnesota construction. Since many of our neighborhoods and small businesses are impacted by the disruption, we ask you to go out of your way to continue to support in any way you can because our community is always stronger together.
Happy summer Minneapolis Lakes!
ALEXANDRA PATTY, PUBLISHER @MINNEAPOLISLAKES
PUBLISHER
Alexandra Patty | alexandra.patty@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Sarah Knieff | sarah.knieff@citylifestyle.com
MARKET SUPPORT COORDINATOR
Kassi Miranowski | kassi.miranowski@citylifestyle.com
SALES SUPPORT COORDINATOR
Susan Shannon | susan.shannon@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Sue Baldani, Julie Hansen, Sarah Knieff, Daniel Schowengerdt, Tall Grass Meat Company, Casey Weber
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Lucy Hawthorne, OGEE Visuals, Scott Amundson
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Zach Miller
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard
WHERE
Friends of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts celebrated the 40th Anniversary of Art in Bloom.
The MSP Home Tour, a free self-guided tour, took place on April 27-28 and had 23 stops. Mid-century modern, historic farmhouse, Victorian, ADU, and contemporary – this tour covered the bases. Homeowners showcased their remodels, a community library, murals in St. Anthony Park, and a basement that was lowered. This was a one-of-a-kind tour that celebrated community and shelter in many forms. msphometour.com
Just in time for summer, the Lake Harriet bandshell and pavilion have been repainted from brown to blue as part of planned repairs. Other restorations on the smaller structures will take place in the next few months, however, all events will continue as scheduled. To keep up with the repairs, check out minneapolisparks.org
Picnic, a new restaurant and bar, has opened in Linden Hills, offering a fun twist on American-fare and picnic-style foods. "It is a place where the culinary, potable, and casual social needs of the Linden Hills community will be met. It is a place that will be staffed by the most genuine, talented and caring service industry professionals in the Twin Cities," its website states.
4307 Upton Ave. S | picniclindenhills.com | 612-208-2340
While a young boy in Beirut, Lebanon, Omar Ghrayeb was given a camera, and it changed the trajectory of his whole life. “I’ve always had a camera in a way or another. For a few years, I documented birthday parties, picnics and other happy events,” he says. “As I matured – I’m now 34 – I love going back to those timeline of memories.”
When he moved to Saudi Arabia, he began taking photos underwater. “I lived there for seven years, and while it's a desert on land, it's heaven underwater,” says Omar. “The Red Sea is there, which is rich in corals and reefs, and it’s where I got my scuba diving license. I then got an underwater casing for my Canon camera back then to document those dives.”
Later, he took his talent from the sea to the air. “I've always been an aviation enthusiast,” he says. “Before drones, I flew radio-controlled airplanes when I was in high school. I also started building airplanes and flying them.”
In 2018, Omar and his wife, Dr. Huda Sheheitli, moved to Miami, Florida, where his wife was doing her medical training. It was only supposed to be for a year, but they decided to stay in the U.S. and make it their home.
While living in Florida, he received a drone as a birthday gift and decided to combine his two loves – photography and flying – to capture amazing images from above. He went on to get his Part 107 license from the FAA in order to become a licensed drone pilot.
“When I first started flying these drones, I was inspired by the 365 days of summer down in south Florida and my aerial photography was focused on the beach scenes,” he says.
It was during this time that he founded his online business, Ogee Visuals’ Art Gallery, to offer his works to others.
When he, his wife and son Dani moved to Minnesota in 2020, he was very taken with the changing of the seasons, and when it snowed, he was thrilled. “I was more excited than a three-yearold,” says Omar. “I hadn't lived in a winter city in my entire life before then. I couldn’t wait for the beauty of each season, and I took out my drone many, many times.”
His portfolio grew tremendously, and his photographs began winning national and international awards. His aerial scenery has been exhibited at several galleries in the U.S. and Europe.
“One of my most popular ones is called The Junkyard,” he says. “It's a junkyard of cars here in Minneapolis that are covered in snow along with a yellow forklift. It ended up winning multiple awards and won second place at the Minnesota State Fair in 2022. It's very rewarding for my photos to be recognized by pioneers in photography.”
In addition to displaying his photographs for purchase through Ogee Visuals’ Art Gallery, Omar also showcases his works in many local art shows. “When I was in Florida, I used to participate in smaller scale art shows that were mostly tailored towards tourists on the beach,” says Omar. “It was fun to meet so many people from all over the world. When we moved to Minnesota, I found that the art shows here were of an entirely different scale than what I was used to.”
He applied to several shows last year and was accepted into all of them. “I ended up doing five art fairs, which was really nice. I printed the best of my Florida pictures, the best of my Minnesota aerial shots, and a few abstracts from Lebanon.”
What Omar loves the most about these shows is being able to talk about his photographs with attendees. “While in my booth, I’ve had endless conversations with people about photography and have heard so many nice words.”
When it comes to his intriguing top-down abstracts, he has a description next to each one so people know what they’re viewing. “Each picture has a short story next to it, which kind of opens up a discussion,” he says.
Omar is scheduled to be at the Edina Art Fair at the end of May and beginning of June, and will be at the Stone Arch Bridge Festival on the Minneapolis Riverfront on June 15 and 16. He will also be at the Minnehaha Falls Art Fair from July 19 to the 21.
Today, he and his wife, and now their two children (4-yearold Dani and 2 ½-year-old Reya), are enjoying their lives in Minneapolis. “We go out to the lakes and parks all the time and to the zoo a couple of times a year,” he says.
Omar loves being a full-time photographer and looks forward to continuing to capture unique and interesting subjects. To see and purchase his incredible photographs, visit with him at one of the local art shows, or go to his website. Sharing his creativity with others brings him a lot of joy and fulfillment.
OgeeVisuals.com
“EACH PICTURE HAS A SHORT STORY NEXT TO IT, WHICH KIND OF OPENS UP A DISCUSSION,”
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These Minnesota-Made Taprooms Will Not Disappoint
You know what they say: warmer months are for iced cold beer and spending time with friends. So why not do that in one of the local breweries right in your backyard? Minneapolis has an abundance of Minnesota-owned and operated spots that make for the perfect place to relax with a brewski. The next time you’re needing a cold one, check out one of these nine taprooms that have something for everyone.
ARTICLE BY SARAH KNIEFF
Bear Cave Brewing brings together incredible craft brews, scratch cooking and inviting event spaces. Open seven days a week with 52 available taps serving beer, cider, wine and cocktails. With cutting-edge iPourIt taps and Toast’s Mobile Order & Pay menu, guests are free to enjoy everything that’s offered on their own terms, without compromising customer service. Bring your pups along to the dog-friendly patio and deck. Just grab a tap card at check-in and you’re ready to explore.
1201 Mainstreet, Hopkins | bearcavebrewing.com 952-426-3214
Fulton’s motto is “Ordinary Guys Brewing Extraordinary Beer.” It started out in 2009 with four guys and a garage in the Fulton neighborhood of Minneapolis, and now includes a team of 40, five yearround brews, a variety of hard seltzers and several different rotating series’. The taproom, located right by Target Field, is the perfect place to hang with friends and has a full kitchen menu.
414 6th Ave. N, Minneapolis | fultonbeer.com 612.333.3208
Inbound Brew Co. is a craft brewery and taproom in the North Loop of Minneapolis. The 12,000-square-foot taproom, a converted recycling facility, features German beer hall-style seating, enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, a walk-around bar, and a private mezzanine and barrel room available for rent. In warmer months, the doors are left open and seats are added to the sunny patio. Order from one of 30 craft beer tap lines, rotating seltzers, and seasonal slushies.
701 N 5th St., Minneapolis | inboundbrew.co 612-294-0375
La Doña is a Latin-influenced craft brewery reflecting the Latin experience in Minnesota and promoting accessibility to the craft beer industry. The Minneapolis location offers a large bar with amazing bartenders, cold craft beer, food, plenty of space indoors and outdoors, mini-futbol field, relaxing patio, and live music on Saturdays. The La Doña also hosts multiple public and private events throughout the year within the space.
241 Fremont Ave. N, Minneapolis | dameladona.com 612-315-4613
LynLake raised the curtain in 2014, bringing new life to the century-old neoclassical Lyndale Theater in the heart of Uptown Minneapolis. From traditional to trendy, they brew beer that you want to drink. The taproom features a pop-up kitchen with a rotation of cuisine from guest chefs and food trucks taking up residency every few months. Because there’s nothing better than beer and sunshine, the rooftop patio has ample space to relax and kick back with friends.
2934 Lyndale Ave. S, Minneapolis | lynlakebrewery.com 612-224-9682
Sisyphus offers craft brews in Minneapolis with a weekly rotating tap list, and comedy shows with local and national comedians. You can bring your own outside food to pair with their beers, however, they do have a food truck schedule during the warmer months. The taproom is family-friendly and the outdoor patio is pup-approved.
712 Ontario Ave. W #100, Minneapolis | sisyphusbrewing.com 612-444-8674
STB opened its doors as a family-owned brewery that curates six year-round brews and several barrel-aged beverages that make an appearance regularly. The team continues to expand the menu each year by adding to its brewing capabilities. A spacious taproom and outside patio area allow for large group gatherings or hanging with a small group of friends. Pints, sampler trays, 750ml bottles and growlers are for sale at the taproom.
4848 W 35th St., St. Louis Park | steeltoebrewing.com 952-955-9965
Nestled on the banks of Bassett Creek between the Harrison and Bryn Mawr neighborhoods of Minneapolis, Utepils' 18,000-squarefoot site boasts an iconic Fernweh Taproom and a serene outdoor Beer Garden. When you arrive, you'll be free to immerse yourself in a unique craft brewery experience. They offer a wide variety of delicious beers, perfect for any taste. And with the live music, weekly events, and special festivals, there's always something new to discover. Grab a drink, find a spot in the beer garden and enjoy.
225 Thomas Ave N, Minneapolis | utepilsbrewing.com 612-249-7800
Like most small-scale breweries, Wooden Ship started as a group of friends brewing on a five-gallon system in the garage. Since those humble days of “garage nights” and tastings with friends, Wooden Ship has grown into a seven-barrel commercial brewing system in Minneapolis with a goal of brewing high-quality beer that is both true to style and outside of the box. The taproom is a beautiful little space that is inviting, intimate, and well-suited for the neighborhood.
3300 W 44th St., Minneapolis | woodenshipbrewing.com 612-354-3300
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Aviators, 3D Printed Frames and More
So you’re looking for a new pair of glasses, but you don’t know where to start. With all the frames and styles on the market today, finding the perfect fit can be a daunting task. But don’t worry, Julie Hansen, co-owner of Owl Optical is here to guide you through the current trends in men’s eyewear that aren’t expected to go anywhere anytime soon. From extremes to 3D-printed frames, she covers it all.
Aviators are having a very, very big moment right now. Both the plastic and metal frames are gaining a lot of attention for either sunglasses or regular eyewear. These have come and gone over the years, but they always come back, so purchasing a pair of aviators is a longterm style investment.
Editor’s Note: Aviator sunglasses were originally made in the early 1930s to be worn under the headgear of military pilots. The design of reflective lenses and thin monel, steel or titanium metal frames with a double or triple bridge, was exclusively created for the military, however, the general public were interested in them as well. Later, in 1939, Bausch & Lomb redesigned the frames for commercial use and released them to the public, marketed as the traditional Ray-Ban that everyone now knows and loves.
We are seeing a resurgence of the classic. Take, for instance, the movie Oppenheimer. A lot of those male characters were wearing decade eyewear from the 1940s. The interesting part is that most of those frames were modern, but they just so happened to look old enough to be in the film. Everything from chunky from the 40s, 50s and 60s, to metal frames of the 70s, it’s all coming back. Well, except for the teeny tiny frames from the 90s, which is good because those didn’t look good on anyone.
We offer a ton of brands, including Moscot, Gotti, Yuichi Toyama, Cutler and Gross, and more that do their own spin on decades frames.
Men are either going really chunky or really light – there isn’t much in the middle right now. Toyama makes a lot of chunky eyewear, which are handmade and sell out quickly when we have them in store. On the other side of the spectrum, Moscot does a lot of 70s aviator-style glasses that are made with a super thin metal style. These are super lightweight and look great on everyone.
Editor’s Note: Something interesting to draw attention to is the fact that a lot of these trends Julie is shedding light upon intermingle with each other. For example, above, we are seeing three different trends coming together: aviators, decades and extremes. This makes for a lot of fun styling options.
This is a super cool choice for lightweight frames because you can have them printed in an array of colors and designs. Gotti does a lot of 3D-printed frames in hues of blue, purple, orange and more.
To learn more about men’s eyewear or to schedule an appointment, visit owloptical.com.
4318 Upton Ave. S, Minneapolis | 612-367-4106
Now in its 35th year, the MSP Home Tour provides participants with ideas about how they can make their homes function better for their lifestyles and look beautiful at the same time.
“From a homeowner’s standpoint, the tour is a way to find out how we can think about our most personal and largest investment,” says Beatrice Owen, executive director of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) of Minnesota. “If our home isn't our castle, then let's make it our castle.”
The tour, attended by over 3,500 each year, is free and self-guided. To help participants, a map was distributed in libraries and showrooms across the metropolitan area, mailed to area homeowners, and available at the homes on the day of the tour.
This year, the tour took place on April 27 and 28 and included 23 stops located throughout the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. “We like to choose homes where the homeowners have done the remodel, where a contractor, architect, interior designer or other professional has worked with the homeowner, or where the homeowner acted as the general contractor,” she says.
One of the homes in Golden Valley had a remodel done in the front half of the home. “The homeowners wanted to celebrate their home and make it more functional for the full family,” says Beatrice. “They really made it their own.”
She adds, “This tour is about who lives in the home, so it's a great way for homeowners to talk to one another, share stories and discuss what it's like to work with a professional if they used one. Sometimes we think that architects only work on multi-million dollar homes, but that’s not always the case. They work on a wide variety of homes, and the same is true for contractors and interior designers. Those professionals are available and within reach of many homeowners.” CONTINUED
In addition to homes in Minneapolis, Richfield, Roseville, St. Louis Park and more, there were two non-home stops. These included a former Carnegie Library converted into a non-lending library and Hmong archive, and the Creative Enterprise Zone with over 50 murals on the sides of buildings in the St. Anthony Park area.
“We had kitchens, basements and whole home remodels that were mid-century modern, historic, and brand new,” says Beatrice. “The beauty of this tour is its accessibility to the full community. Many of the homes had homeowners available to answer questions about hiring a professional, doing the remodel themselves, or about
their neighborhood. This tour really is about real homes, real people and real ideas.”
Partners in the tour include a wide variety of industries, community, and professionals.
“NARI is the only association in Minnesota that is dedicated strictly to the remodeling industry,” she says. “We recognize that remodeling happens along a continuum – from a bucket of paint to a full home remodel. Each home is our castle and we celebrate homeowners that want to share their castle with their communities, our community.”
To learn more and take part in this educational and enjoyable tour next year, go to MSPHomeTour.com or NARIMN.org.
Whether you are a new golfer or have been playing for decades, we all want the same thing—to be a single-digit handicap (or better). In some professions, golfing with clients is a must, and slicing off the tee box can kill the deal.
If you are buying clubs off the rack, you aren’t giving yourself the best chance for success. Golf technology is evolving every year, and although you don’t need to buy a new driver each year, if you’ve been playing with the same clubs for 5+ years, it’s time to take advantage of the new equipment. Newer clubs have lower and deeper center of gravity (CG), creating an easier launch off the face. Even off-center strikes can produce a straight shot with the right set of clubs. Any major golf store will fit you for free—just make sure you get the correct length club and size grip. The clubs don’t swing themselves, so don’t neglect instruction and practice, but getting the right equipment is a vital piece of the puzzle.
On drivers and hybrids, some of the newest equipment have premium shaft options off the rack. Generally, a $300 driver has a low-grade $15 shaft that you should change. The shaft is the engine of the club, so getting custom shafts will add distance and forgiveness—guaranteed.
As for the putter, you use it more than any other club in your bag on every round of golf. It should be the most tailored club in your bag.
Get good golf instruction, REGULARLY.
02.
We’ve all heard someone say, “I should get a lesson sometime.” To be effective, you need regular lessons from a PGA certified pro, not just one lesson. Getting quality instruction from the same instructor can turn slices into draws and give you the confidence to play with anyone on any course. Years ago, golf instructors started instruction with chipping and putting and then graduated to the driver. Now, instructors have been pressured to start with the driver because we all want to outdrive our friends. Resist that temptation! Get instruction on your short game and irons first. My friend regularly outdrives me by 50 yards, but my ball is in the hole first most of the time because of my training and practice on the short game.
Read quality golf books for a higher golf IQ.
03.
There are thousands of golf books, but don’t worry, you only need to read a handful of them to up your golf IQ. Here are some top reads: Short game: Dave Pelz’s Short Game Bible by Dave Pelz Mental game: Golf is Not a Game of Perfect by Bob Rotella Mechanics: Practical Golf by John Jacobs Ball flight laws: The Practice Manual by Adam Young (only read the first 50 pages)
Practice your short game every day.
04.
You don’t even have to spend time away from your family while practicing if you don’t have a golf simulator. You can practice putting and chipping on the carpet while watching TV with your family.
Chipping and the bump and run: The only mechanical advice I will give is the most important lesson you can learn in the short game. When you miss your approach shot you must be able to chip the ball within 8 feet of the hole for a one putt. Try this shot from Dave Peltz’s short game book. It gets me up and down from 25 yards out to just off the green.
Instructors have been pressured to start with the driver because we all want to outdrive our friends. Resist that temptation! Get instruction on your short game and irons first.
Nothing describes summer better than a good cookout! And what is a cookout without a good, quality steak and the perfect grilling recipe?
1. Thaw and acclimate the steak. For searing to occur, the proteins in steak need to be heated to at least 310°F. Tossing cold meat onto a hot grill lowers the temperature and can prevent a crust from forming, so it’s important that any frozen steaks are thawed completely before cooking.
2. Salt your steak 30-45 minutes before grilling. This causes the salt to draw moisture from within the steak up to the surface, where it dissolves the salt and creates a brine that gets reabsorbed into the steak where it breaks down tough connective tissues.
3. Oil the grate on the grill, not the steak. Use tongs and a paper towel dipped in vegetable oil to lube your grates.
4. Manage your heat well. Remember that your grill needs to be hot for your steak to get a good sear. But if it’s hot enough to cause your oil to smoke, it’s too hot.
5. Use the 60/40 rule. The best-tasting steaks are seared on both sides and cooked evenly in the middle. The simplest way to do that is to only flip your steak once. The 60/40 rule suggests that 60% of your cook time should be spent on one side, and 40% on the other.
6. Keep the lid closed. It may be tempting to peek, but trust the experts and keep it shut! Opening the lid makes your grill lose heat, which makes steaks cook unevenly.
7. Check for doneness. A meat thermometer will give you the most accurate temperature reading:
• Rare: 120°F
• Medium Rare: 130°F
• Medium: 140°F
• Medium Well: 150°F
• Well: 160°F
8. Let your steak rest. Pull your steaks from the grill once they’re cooked to 5-10 degrees below your target temperature and rest for 10-15 minutes.
SUNDAYS
Linden Hills Farmers Market
Settergrens | 10:00 AM
The Linden Hills Farmers Market takes place every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine, in the parking lot of Settergrens. It offers a dynamic mix of farmers, food producers, and artisans that rotate every week. Support your local growers and makers, and enjoy live music. lindenhillsfarmersmarket.org.
JUNE 1ST - 16TH
Children’s Theatre Company
Based on the books by Arnold Lobel, best friends Frog and Toad embark on a year of adventures together. A Children’s Theatre Company original production and Tony Award winner, this show is full of comedy and music for the whole family. childrenstheatre.org.
JUNE 1ST
Mendota Heights 5K sponsored by Gateway Bank
The Village at Mendota Heights | 9:00 AM
The annual Officer Scott Patrick Memorial 5K Walk/Run sponsored by Gateway Bank will take place on Saturday, June 1 at The Village at Mendota Heights. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with the 5K start time of 9 a.m. All proceeds go to support the athletes of Special Olympics of Minnesota. To register ahead of time, visit the City website or City Hall. mendotaheightsmn.gov.
JUNE 9TH
Sociable Summer Market
Sociable Cider Werks | 12:00 PM
Join Minneapolis Craft Market at Sociable Cider Werks for a summer market! Find dozens of Minnesota makers in the huge outdoor, dog-friendly marketplace. Entry to the market is free, but you need to reserve your spot to shop! mplscraftmarket.com.
JUNE 14TH
Juneteenth with the Minnesota Orchestra
Orchestra Hall | 8:00 PM
In celebration and remembrance in honor of Juneteenth, the annual commemoration of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, the Minnesota Orchestra, alongside guests and members of the Twin Cities community, will perform a program featuring music by African American composers. minnesotaorchestra.org.
JUNE 15TH - 16TH
Stone Arch Bridge Festival
Stone Arch Bridge | 10:00 AM
Named one of the best art festivals in the country, The Stone Arch Bridge Festival features over 200 artists, musicians, culinary artists, a car show, a vintage market, and a family activities area. The festival is located along the banks of the Mississippi River in the North Loop neighborhood, spanning the riverfront area on West River Parkway from Portland Ave. to N 4th St. stonearchbridgefestival.com.
