Nearly 92% of Americans are concerned about microplastics harming human health, lakes, and wildlife. That’s according to a recent survey released today by the University of Minnesota’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences. The CFANS release says experts have raised concerns about the “impacts of plastics breaking down into our waterways, soils, and food supply.” Microplastics are “extremely small pieces of plastic debris” resulting from the disintegration of consumer products. The release coincides with Earth Day, whose theme this year is “Planet vs. Plastics,” as decl ..read more

Organ Concert What: Sarah Davachi, solo organ When: April 23 Where: Northrop, 84 Church Street SE, Minneapolis Composer and performer Sarah Davachi makes her Northrop debut with an evening of solo organ works featuring her signature textural and harmonic experimentation on the Northrop Aeolian-Skinner Opus 892 as part of the Liquid Music | Northrop Series. Joe Satriani and Steve Vai Jon Luini Guitar Greats on Tour What: Satch-Vai Tour When: April 24 Where: State Theater, 805 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis Guitar legends Joe Satriani and Steve Vai’s musical careers have been intertwined for ne ..read more

Chef Jorge Guzmán is making nachos. Yes, the same guy who made it as a James Beard Award nominee twice for Best Chef: Midwest (Petite Leon and Surly Brewer’s Table) is making nachos with shredded lettuce that remind me of the ones my mom used to make on a sheet pan before watching Sunday football games. Guzmán’s version is all you want it to be: great chips, pickled jalapeños, shredded lettuce, no Velveeta but a nice mild white melty cheddar. And it’s a great metaphor for what the new Chilango on Lake Street in Minneapolis is and isn’t: it is a neighborhood restaurant, it is fun, it is approa ..read more

“Below freezing” and “subzero temperatures” are generally not phrases anyone jumps for joy upon hearing; even for hearty Upper Midwesterners whose lungs and bones have become well accustomed to this region’s frigid effects of howling northerlies and bitter wind chills. But those two phrases were realities that quickly normalized when I joined Minnesota Ice in 2021 as manager of the manufacturing facility in St. Paul. Having spent the previous 17 years of my professional life cooking and leading hospitality kitchen teams as a chef, the about-face in physical work environments was stark. It was ..read more

As Minnesota leads the nation with thoughtful cannabis regulations that allow for access to low-dose products, more Minnesotans than ever are adding cannabis drinks to their summer lineup. One of the favorites and bestsellers is WYNK—a light, balanced, and delicious zero-calorie cannabis-infused seltzer. Imagine the flavor of your favorite local seltzer crossed with the buzz of a light beer. WYNK’s effects kick in within 15 minutes and last over an hour, making it an easy alternative to rosé, hard seltzer, or beer, but without the hangover or sugar. And guess what? More Minnesotans than ever a ..read more

  Bananas seem to get all the love when it comes to making good use of overripe and not-so-pretty fruit when they are turned into delicious banana bread. Well, it’s time to show some affection for the less-than-shiny apples still hanging out in your fridge. In honor of Earth Day on April 22, whip up a batch of these apple cookies, which are a great way to use up the aging fruit rather than throwing it away. While you are enjoying your homemade cookies, you can also feel good about doing something to help avoid food waste and think about more ways to do so throughout the year. Food is bei ..read more

Holzinger Lodge Trail Visit Winona Southern Minnesota BELMONT PARK LOCATION: Jackson, 43.81993963095932, -95.02855401338513 TYPE: Unpaved DISTANCE: 5.3 miles DESCRIPTION: This 80-acre park is rich with history and natural beauty. Located on the east bank of the Des Moines River, this trail has switchbacks, berms, and jumps that drop 120 feet into the river valley. PARKING: Available on-site. LEVEL: Easy to difficult COST: Free INFO: 507-847-2525; co.jackson.mn.us BLAZING STAR STATE TRAIL LOCATION: Albert Lea, 43.642570657540055, -93.32250720864288 TYPE: Paved DISTANCE: 6 miles DESCRIPTION: A p ..read more

The March/April cover of Minnesota Monthly Designed by Ted Rossiter What makes a restaurant qualify for a “Top 75” best-of list? Minnesota Monthly launched a Top 75 Restaurants project online at minnesotamonthly.com/top-75-restaurants at the beginning of the year. The editorial team spent a lot of time thinking about the finalists as we created our most ambitious list-based project in my time as a critic for the magazine. We wanted a comprehensive group that readers could bookmark for a fun weeknight out as well as that special celebration. We wanted the taco joints and pizza places, as well a ..read more

Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail Courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Minnesota boasts thousands of miles of bike trails: paved and unpaved, urban and rural, super short and very long. It’s a great state to be a cyclist, but that abundance of choice can be overwhelming. Where do you even start pedaling? Luckily, Minnesota is also full of talented cyclists who spend as much time tearing up the trails as they do just about anything else, so we caught up with some of them to ask: What’s your favorite bike trail in the state? Some prefer to crush gravel, while others pound o ..read more

  Junk Bonanza Market What: Junk Bonanza Spring Market When: April 18-20 Where: Canterbury Park, 1100 Canterbury Road S., Shakopee Now in its 18th year, one of the Midwest’s premier antique and vintage events returns to Canterbury Park with curated design trinkets and treasures for the home, cabin, garden, and outdoor décor. Timely Satire What: ‘The Cradle Will Rock’ When: April 18-21 Where: Heart of the Beast/Avalon Theatre, 1500 E. Lake St., Minneapolis This satirical comedy from An Opera Theatre focuses on the corruption of capitalism and corporate greed against people’s r ..read more