Great Outdoors
Volume 30, Issue 762 • August 8-21, 2024
EDITORIAL
Managing Editor Noah Mitchell 612-461-8723
Editorial Assistant Linda Raines 612-436-4660
Editor Emeritus Ethan Boatner
Contributors Lakey Bridge, E.B. Boatner, Buer Carlie, Natasha DeLion, Alyssa Homeier, Terrance Griep, Elise Maren, Jen Peebles-Hampton, Linda Raines, Alexander Reed, Madison Roth, Gregg Shapiro, Randy Stern, Susan Swavely, Carla Waldemar, Todd P. Walker, Emma Walytka, Spencer White
ADVERTISING
Vice President of Sales & Advertising
Barry Leavitt 612-436-4690
Account Executives
Nathan Johnson 612-436-4695
Richard Kranz 612-436-4675
Sales & Event Administration
Linda Raines 612-436-4660
National Sales Representatives Rivendell Media 212-242-6863
CREATIVE
Creative/Digital Director Mike Hnida 612-436-4679
Photographer Sophia Hantzes
ADMINISTRATION
Publisher Lavender Media, Inc.
President & CEO Stephen Rocheford 612-436-4665
Chief Financial Officer Doug Starkebaum 612-436-4664
Administrative Assistant Michael Winikoff 612-436-4660
Distribution Metro Periodical Partners 612-281-3249
Founders George Holdgrafer, Stephen Rocheford
Inspiration Steven W. Anderson (1954-1994), Timothy J. Lee (1968-2002), Russell Berg (1957-2005), Kathryn Rocheford (1914-2006), Jonathan Halverson (1974-2010), Adam Houghtaling (1984-2012), Walker Pearce (1946-2013), Tim Campbell (1939-2015), John Townsend (1959-2019), George Holdgrafer (1951-2024)
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BY E.B. BOATNER
Intimations Of Mortality
It’s a time of yearning for the Great Outdoors, and I salute those who are going there this summer. I myself would particularly love to hike Arizona’s stunning Antelope Canyon. But that’s not to be. Not this summer at least, and perhaps never (though “Never say never” is my mantra.)
I’m not exactly complaining, but I am learning there’s a time for everything, and at some point one’s abilities drift beyond their “Best by” dates. Those dates of course, vary widely from individual to individual. There’ll be nonagenarians sky-diving or hiking Antelope Canyon, and I say go for it while you can, while your infrastructure and pocket book are both healthy.
When I moved to the Cities I bought a bike and was thrilled to ride again–one of my first Lavender columns extolled riding about Downtown in the twilight. Some folks pedal on indefinitely. I realized something was changing when I fell off my two-wheeler. Nothing dramatic, not injurious–I tilted over with it, to be precise, while stopped. I collected myself, realizing my inner gyroscope was off.
Criticism today has become a major sport. Those that can criticize those who can’t or won’t;
non-participants criticize those in action as “too old,” “too young,” the “wrong sex or gender;” (“What’s he doing playing softball? Sissy?” “Why’s she allowed to wrestle? Must be a dyke!”). I’d wager most nay-sayers’ only exercise is spewing invective.
I’ll not venture into the Great Outdoors, this summer. I’m recovering, estivating before the climate and political changes to come. I’ll not speculate on either, but it was interesting to read that some Houston residents, overwhelmed by Hurricane Beryl’s climate calamities and infrastructure’s inability to cope with same (still struggling after earlier inundations), are planning to relocate.
Just as Abram Lustgarten predicted in On the Move, reviewed here in an earlier “Books” and in Jake Bittle’s 2023 The Great Displacement. Not everyone. Not yet. But enough, and fulfilling predictions that movers predominantly have the wherewithal to relocate and the education to obtain jobs with salaries sufficient to buy new homes and sustain families in new locations.
Listed among the most stressing life events are: Death of spouse or close friend, Moving, Job
loss, Financial changes, Retirement, Birth of a child. All of these may be involved in the wake of one Beryl. Where to live, how to work, to repair or find new lodging, pregnancy and birth during devastation–catastrophes offer infinite permutations and combinations of suffering.
We in the Cities recently had power outages of varying durations. In my apartment it was roughly 1AM to 10:30 AM. As the temp went up and the air thickened, I began to think about the inert elevators, my ice cream puddling, wondering what electrical systems made the toilets flush. Or cease from flushing. I learned how to operate my flashlight App. Nine-and-a-half hours; a drop in the bucket compared to folks in Houston now actively restless after a week without power (at this writing).
I assume Cities folks went on about their business, freezers now freezing and summer plans for the Great Outdoors intact. I have friends (not local) who take frequent cruises and send many photos that I relish. Another has shared photos of mountain-scaling, zip-lining, and white-water rafting; always more eager to view than undergo.
I wish you all happy, safe adventures!
Photo courtesy of Bigstock/travelarium
Jim Nepp
Great Northern Region of Lambda Car Club International
Organization: The Great Northern Region of Lambda Car Club International
Your Name: Jim Nepp
Job Title: Board President for the Great Northern Region
Give us a brief overview of your organization and what services you provide the community:
The Great Northern Region club is a LGBTQ and straight allies car club. Our purpose is to connect with like-minded individuals and experience the joy of the automobile. We enjoy a range of events, car cruises, and gatherings with our fun and supportive community.
The board has organized and planned 15 official club events starting from this past March all the way through mid-October this year. These events are not only Minneapolis/St Paul focused but stretch from Aberdeen, SD to the Madison, WI area.
We are in the midst of planning winter events, sans the cars. The membership has expressed a desire to stay connected all year and not just during the warmer months.
Additionally, if you are a member, we have made it easier for you to connect with other members and plan your own ad hoc event, outside of our official club events.
You don’t have to be an engine geek or motor head to join. Many members, including myself, simply enjoy and appreciate beautiful automobiles. Not only do our members have diverse car interests, we are a diverse club as well. We are not just gay white men. We have straight members, lesbians, people of color, and we will continue to be a welcoming club to all regardless of gender, sexual orientation or ethnicity.
How many years have you been with the organization?
22 years
What’s something unique we should know about your organization?
First, this is a niche; LGBTQ and allies + with a strong interest in cars.
Therefore, when a connection is made between that lone individual who thought they were the only one interested in cars finds us, it’s really a great day!
Photo by Randy Stern
Second, we are an active, friendly, welcoming, fiscally sound organization with a committed leadership team. What that means to our members is that we are dedicated to providing them a robust series of events with multiple options to connect with one another.
Finally, many people travel outside our region for business and pleasure and our chapter is one of over 30 chapters nationwide. Almost anywhere you go, you will find a car friend.
What’s your favorite thing about your position?
I am grateful to former Board President Glenn Wisser for his dedication to re-build this club after a period of membership decline several years ago.
As the recently elected President, I am fortunate to lead a great group of board members who are very devoted to the success of this club!
I very much enjoy meeting new members and deepening friendships with existing members. People energize me with their ideas of how we can continually grow and improve as an organization. It’s also nice when members relate the memories they have about a certain vehicle make or model.
What’s the best thing about participating in and being a part of the LGBTQ+ community?
Camaraderie, friendship, knowledge, education, fun, new experiences…it’s a car club just for you!
Our members socialize with other people interested in cars, campers, vans, SUV’s, trucks. We share information with each other about perspective cars to purchase, or where to find the right part for your car, or just someone to help you with your vehicle.
Plus, you don’t even need to own a car to join. Yep, it’s easy!
Does your organization have anything new, fun or unique happening on the horizon?
We are nearing 70 members, plus we recently added two new member-at-large positions to the board. We have many events planned for this year, but I would envision having even more diverse events for 2025.
Given the input we have received from members, our growth and our expanded board I am confident we will do more, see more and drive more!
If you weren’t holding your current position, what would you be doing?
I would still be an active member of this club, even if I wasn’t on the board of directors. Overall, I am committed to being in service and that means volunteering with other non-profits as well. When not volunteering I like to travel, and my husband and I enjoy entertaining and socializing with friends and family.
For more information, check out these links!
www.greatnorthernregion.com www.lambdacarclub.com
CARLA WALDEMAR
(Bis) Mark the Spot
Leave chest-thumping to the folks on the coasts. While denizens of New York and L.A. can’t wait to tell you how swell it is to exist in their particular paradise, North Dakotans are more circumspect. They’re a modest and conservative lot, not likely to buttonhole you to extol the merits of their state.
So I’ll do it for them. Let’s start in its capitol city, Bismarck. The town arose from the confluence of steamboat traffic on the mighty Missouri River and advent of the railroad in the 1800s. It was named for Germany’s ruler, Otto von Bismarck, in hopes of currying his favor.
Didn’t work. So in typical North Dakota fashion, they set out to grow the city by themselves. In the state’s modest and budget-conscious fashion, its Capitol building boasts no gleaming dome, no marble colonnade. It looks like (and is) an office building of 19 stories, which visitors may tour.
Bob, our guide, offers this intro: “It’s like walking into a work of art”: all Art Deco, with a Prairie wheat motif. Its Hall of Fame hails locals like bandleader Lawrence Welk as well as Teddy Roosevelt—not a native, but he did rough-ride through these parts. Peek into the legislative chambers, the Supreme Court’s room, and, tip-top, an art-filled observatory.
From there, you’ll spot two don’t-miss museums, starting with the Gateway to Science, which debuted in 2023 on a hilltop overlooking the Missouri River. It features 40-plus hands-on stations at which to, say, track your bloodstream’s journey or simulate laser surgery. Adults elbow kids out of the way—it’s that much fun.
The North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum showcases some of the many dinosaur skeletons unearthed in the state, plus an intro to its five Tribal Nations, where, interactively, you can make your choice of arrow to “hunt” bison and listen to settlers’ portraits spring to life to relate their stories.
Drive along Hwy. 1804 and you’ll experience the very same, very untouched landscape that its first explorers traversed. Hit the ground running at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, home of troops stationed under General Custer’s command (tour his house, too). Head next to On A Slant, the Mandan tribe’s village of 1575 with its earth-covered lodges.
Explorers Lewis and Clark over-wintered in Knife River Indian Village, where today its Visi-
Murals in Art Alley 5.5, donuts at Bearscat Bakehouse, Governor’s Mansion, Earthlodge outside of Bismarck. Photos by Carla Waldemar
GAY-FRIENDLY VENUES:
Laughing Sun Brewery
The CraftCade
Brick Oven Bakery (Rainbow heart cookies)
FAR(GO) OUT!
Fargo is to North Dakota what Austin is to Texas: a blue dot in a sea of red. Cruising downtown’s venues, you’ll spot many a welcoming rainbow flag at shops such as LGBT-owned Scribble Lady, offering gay merch including rainbow flags, niceto-naughty greeting cards, and Queer Queen iron-on patches.
Grab breakfast at Marge’s, decorated in shades-of-the-Fifties collections of salt-and-pepper shakers and cookie jars to gird you for a DIY tour of the town’s marvy murals (maps available) and a stop at the Plains Art Museum (free admission), currently showcasing quirky-toprovocative pieces on loan from a queer collector.
Cross over to twin town Moorhead, where the Hjemkomst Center displays a locally-built and sailed repro of a Viking ship, a replica of a medieval Norwegian stave church, and a moving Right to Marry exhibit, complete with heartfelt testimonials.
Visit Brewhalla, a new food hall (think: taproom, oyster bar, local ice cream, a cheese and fish deli, and gift shops) before enjoying dinner at Rosewild, within the rustic-chic Jasper Hotel (Swedish meatballs to Parmesan walleye to hotdish pot pie) or Prairie Kitchen, saluting more meatballs, along with a lefse platter, bison tenderloin and Nordic banh mi.
That—and a whole lot more—is why the town’s mottos is “North of Normal.” Truth in advertising: Bring it on! For info, check out www.fargomoorhead.org. Also scroll through Lavender’s archives for a intro to Fargo story from 2021.
tors Center showcases beautiful beadwork, a traditional earth lodge and its adjoining tobacco garden. This was the village of Sacajawea—the Native young woman who acted as their interpreter along what’s now known as the Lewis & Clark Trail.
Double Ditch Village, vibrant from 1490 until decimated by smallpox the white men introduced in 1785, is the site saluting the remains of 32 lodges: one of the most spectacular archaeological sites in the entire Midwest. At the excellent Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, explore those explorers’ collection of books and gifts for Natives along their journey as well as medicines: a bleeding bowl; dental forceps, a gouger(!). When the river froze over, they wintered among the local Mandan (and nearly starved).
Present-day settler Jake Doan, who runs his family’s 160-acre Black Leg Ranch, which his greatgrandfather homesteaded (“My relatives back in England were a bunch of outlaws, who either fled the law or were hanged”) and where his grandfather was born on the kitchen table, now raises 2,500 head of cattle on the land. “But,” he instructs, “We’re in the grass business. People are raping the land, and we need more raw, clean food, not chemicals dumped into it.”
As land stewards, “We’re not succession-grazing our herd,” constantly moving it all over the property; rather, “intensive mob-grazing: Eat it clean for two days, then let it regenerate for a year. All our cattle are grass-fed and grass-finished.
“My brother has also started a hunting venture; and we’ve launched a brewery (Bison brand). In other words, we’re selling an experience,” he instructs. Soon to come: an event center, maybe a boutique hotel with a farm-to-table kitchen.
Back closer to the outskirts of Bismarck, we visited the United Tribes Technical College and its gift shop (shopping op for beadwork, blankets, books and more), which also tells the story of WW II’s Japanese Internment Camp on the site, with barracks still standing—another shameful moment in American history.
A stroll through Bismarck’s downtown leads visitors to the Governor’s Mansion, a Victorian beauty outside (not so much, inside) harboring juicy scandals to unfold. A stop at the site of Camp Hancock of 1872 shares space with a gay, red-and-black-clad church, the town’s oldest building. (Speaking of old: Two more blocks and you’re at an intriguing antiques mall.)
A murals tour explores now-prettified alleys (close to a dozen vibrant artworks on Alley 5.5 alone), while a DIY art tour visits a cluster of galleries along with the Downtown Artists Co-op (ogle a painted guitar plus elegant beadwork bouquets). Nearby, Capitol Gallery showcases, among others, works by Native artist Butch Thunder Hawk.
Time for dinner. You’ll find ramen, you’ll find enchiladas; you’ll find primo fish & chips at Blarney Stone —but also Bismarck’s spin on hometown fare. Hit Brick Oven for your morning java, complete with pastries galore. Don’t miss Butterhouse, a quietly elegant eatery within original brick walls, where my brunchtime Asparagus Benedict and peach-guava Mimosa made me purr.
Seek fine dining at Pirogue for local spins on Midwest faves. Find donuts galore at Bearscat Bakehouse. Cross the river to sister city Mandan and head to Frieds for plate lunches and homemade pies from the good old days (with prices to match). And maybe, it’s even National Mashed Potato Day. Find out by stopping at Mandan’s National Day calendar company’s HQ to learn which celebrations make the cut on their popular (Target, Walmart) calendars.
For more info, visit www.noboundariesnd.com.
VIRAL PERSONALITY
StanChris Showcasing Our Community
In a predominantly digital world, it’s safe to say that social media and other digital platforms can have just as big of an impact on us as a real-life connection. For LGBTQ+ people, this can help with accepting themselves, finding resources, and connecting with others in the community.
on page 16
Continued
Photo by Maxwell Poth
Many LGBTQ+ content creators aim to use their platform to help strengthen and showcase different aspects of the community. One of those creators is New Hampshire native Chris Stanley.
Chris Stanley, known online as StanChris, is a 24-year-old out gay YouTuber known for his street interview style videos, travel vlogs, and other LGTBQ+-focused content. After coming out in high school, he said watching people on YouTube like Joey Graceffa and Mark Miller helped with accepting himself.
He started creating content during his gap year and has stuck with it for the past five years. His content style has constantly evolved, beginning with Q&A and reaction videos and moving toward street interviews and travel vlogs.
Chris said he was inspired by Billy On The Street, a series hosted by comedian and actor Billy Eichner, and other creators to try out man-on-the-street style videos. He said he didn’t see many people that focused on LGBTQ+ topics. A few years ago he started going around Pride events and asking strangers LGBTQ+-focused questions, which were popular across many platforms. He has these conversations with people from the community and straight people, expanding the conversation and promoting positivity and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community.
Stanley also makes an effort every year to travel to many different Pride throughout June and experience the various communities and variations of Pride. In the past, he primarily went to larger Pride in places like West Hollywood, Rhode Island, and Amsterdam, but this year he went to a smalltown Pride in Morgantown, West Virginia, alongside his usual destinations.
In his YouTube documentary, I Went to the Smallest Pride in America!, Stanley showcases the beauty of small-town Pride and highlights various community voices. Although it was his first time at a small-town Pride, he said it would not be his last.
“Smaller Prides are really a community of people coming together,” he said. “You know for a fact that everyone who’s there is 100% an ally and there’s more sense of community.”
Alongside his normal videos and documentaries, Chris also explores filmmaking with his friend and fellow creator Art Bezrukavenko. The pair released a short film on YouTube called Second Thought, which explores two possible endings to a relationship between the stars of the film, himself and Art.
They wanted to do something for their fans, who always wanted them to be a couple, but Stanley also wanted to explore new avenues and show people that he can create more serious content.
They were able to create the film in two weeks, writing it in one day, raising the money the following week, and filming and editing in the remaining time. The film won three awards from IndieX Film Fest, Rome International Movie Awards, and Round The Globe Film and Music Festival. They are finalists and nominees for other festivals as well.
“We could have just made it for YouTube and not submitted it to anything, but I wanted to have as many people see it as possible,” he said. “I would watch it and give myself goosebumps because I just loved it and the story, so hopefully it keeps having success.”
Chris also makes videos with his 50-year-old boyfriend Bret LaBelle, who starred in Season 33 of Survivor. The pair met over Instagram direct messages when Stanley reached out after seeing him on Survivor and have been together for three years. The couple has been together for three years and
receives mixed reactions from people online due to their age gap.
“Age gap relationships in the gay community are underrepresented, so a lot of people were saying how they love us together and how it’s so great to see,” Chris said.
While he doesn’t know where the future will take him, Stanley said he’s going with the flow and will continue to do things he enjoys. Between more film projects set to come out later this year and continuing his current endeavors, Chris is not done with content creation anytime soon.
Chris met one of his inspirations, Mark Miller, earlier this year, which he said was a testament to how far he’s come.
“It was super surreal because he was my whole inspiration, especially after coming out and I was like ‘This is crazy right not that I’m hanging out with you and we’re making a video,’” he said.
Being able to travel and create your schedule are the perks of being a content creator, but Chris said he also loves being able to meet and connect with people who watch his videos.
“There was this guy who sent me an email saying he had been going to chemotherapy and would watch my videos every day and he said how much it helped him,” Stanley said. “I feel like it’s crazy that I can do that for people.”
Knowing that YouTubers helped him through his journey, Stanley knew he wanted to play a role in that for the next generation and hopefully help people accept the LGBTQ+ community more.
StanChris’ YouTube channel: www.youtube. com/@StanChris
“Keep letting people know that we’re here, we’re gay, and it’s okay,” Stanley said.
Photos by Zack Zerbe Photography
Discovering Your Inner Outdoorsperson with Cory Maria Dack
“You deserve this. You are worthy of this. You belong here.”
That is how Outdoor Adventure Guide, Cory Maria Dack, responds when I ask her what she wishes she had learned about the outdoors earlier in life.
“That is also the number one message that I want to spread to other queer folks, fat bodied folks, immigrants, poor folks, brown folks,” she continues. “You might not see anyone here that looks like you, but you belong here. Don’t ever let anyone convince you otherwise.”
Bubbling, inspirational monologues like this one are par for the course in a conversation with Dack, who has been an outdoor adventure guide for the last twenty years. She has a knack for candidly describing a problem and immediately offering a little hope alongside a solution for that problem. Our conversation got deep, but mostly we covered her background and some recommendations for newbies who want to be more outdoorsy.
Dack didn’t grow up taking family canoe trips or going to summer camp. In fact, it wasn’t until her early twenties, when one of Dack’s friends convinced her to work at a summer camp with her, that Dack did much in the outdoors at all. Working at the summer camp was both a dream come true and a huge adjustment. Not having access to daily showers was tough. Dack remembers taking campers on one-night “camping trips” in a nearby field and thinking to herself, “Wow I am really roughing it.” In comparison to the multi-week back country trips she leads now “roughing it” was a stretch. “I could see the main buildings in the distance,” Dack laughs.
Some of the other staff members took campers out on canoeing trips like the ones Dack guides today, but that initially felt impossible for her. Paddling every day, sleeping in tents every night, and using a map and compass to navigate was intimidating. But Camp Vermilion leadership saw her intrinsic leadership and community building skills and pushed her to try. “They told me, ‘We can teach anyone the technical skills. What we can’t teach are the human skills: how to build community, make good decisions, how to empower children. You already have all of that. We can train you on everything else,” Dack pauses. “That changed the course of my life.” It might have changed her life, but that first trip was far from easy. “I cried every single day on that trip,” says Dack. “But I told myself: ‘Cory Maria, you can do anything for one summer.’ And here I am seventeen summers later.”
Much of the difficulty that Dack faced as an outdoors guide was related to the micro-aggressions she experienced as a fat bodied woman of color in these spaces. Those experiences fueled her desire to become and then stay a guide for almost two decades. “I wanted to make sure that no one else feels as unwelcome as I felt. Especially as a person of color. I faced so much racism and misogyny [and the] fat phobia is rampant in this career.”
Luckily the culture in outdoor spaces has been changing – in large part because of Dack and people like her. “I am so grateful we have affinity groups now because I felt like I was screaming into a void then. There were no other fat people, no other brown people, very few queer people. Now there are.”
There is a diverse array of affinity groups today and they can make a huge difference in fostering a sense of community and belonging in outdoor spaces. “Find affinity groups. Whether it’s for being brown or a fat bodied person or a queer or trans person – a lot even offer intersectionality. Find one you feel safest in so you have a safe environment to cultivate learning.”
These groups can be found online and in person. “I work for Wilderness Inquiry and you can look for trips I’m leading there,” says Dack. “Camp Menogyn through the YMCA is great. BIPOC Outdoors Twin Cities. BIPOC Outdoors Twin Ports. Some of my dearest friends are running those groups.”
If you’re not ready to join a group or go on a trip outside the metro, Dack insists that there is plenty to see and experience within the city limits. “Start small…I always have people find the water,” says Cory. “In Minnesota, we’re so lucky. We might not have giant mountains but Water Is Life.” She lists several local lakes and waterways – including “the cute little one at Loring Park” before moving on to the big ones.
“Minnesota borders the largest lake in the entire world: Mama Superior, Gitchigammi!” she says. “And in the Twin Cities we’re located right on the Mississippi River, near Bdote! It’s the main artery of the whole continental United States.”
Whether you go big with Lake Superior or stick closer to home, being near water is powerful. “Having healing time in nature can happen in the middle of a giant city. There are green spaces all over and those spaces are just as sacred and holy as going to Yellowstone. If your big outside adventure is walking around the Chain of Lakes, heck yes! I’m happy for you. You’re seeing green. You’re seeing blue. That is healing. That is powerful.”
Finding the right gear can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. “Find local things. Facebook Marketplace is the new Craigslist. You can get great stuff at outlets. And definitely borrow stuff before you buy it.”
Specialized outdoor clothing is nice, but budget friendly basics can be just as good. “I hike in my yoga shorts and tank top from Target,” says Dack. “I upgrade to high quality rain gear and footwear…I dabbled in discount rain gear and you just get soaked.”
Dack’s top recommendation for outdoor clothing is REI, partially for the helpful staff and partially because of its inclusive sizing. “I’m a fat bodied person… I’m not the largest of sizes, but even I can’t fit in anything from North Face, Arc’teryx, Fjallraven. REI has gotten really good – it carries up to 4XL in stores. Everybody and every BODY deserves to go on a canoe trip and to have rain gear that fits them.”
If you want to go on a trip specifically with Dack, you can follow her on Instagram @corymaria13 and look her up on the Wilderness Inquiry website. She has also done several amazing, in-depth podcast interviews about her 130+ day source to sea winter canoe trip down the entire Mississippi River. A quick google of her name will bring you to those.
Here’s hoping we see you outside sometime soon. Maybe at the Chain of Lakes. Maybe in the Boundary Waters. Definitely somewhere that you belong.
Photo by Julia Schweitzer
(Opposite page) Photo courtesy of Cory Maria Dack.
“The Call of the Mild”
A New Short Film Starring Minnesota’s Mikah Meyer Reveals Mentorship’s Universal Allure
It’s only been running for a quarter-hour, but the movie already nears its climax. Within the frame, there is a sound, and a heartbeat after its birth, a second sound, an ersatz version of the first is heard. It soon becomes obvious that the first sound is a song, and the second sound is its echo, as if the song has begun singing a song of its own.
They’re the last sounds you’d match with the scenery gracing the screen: a tea-colored, green-garnished river is flanked by sallow cliff faces. The place is called Desolation Canyon, and it lives up to its name.
The song’s song belongs to the rocky ridges, naturally, but the original tune, “A Wade in the Water,” is generated by Mikah Meyer. As impressive as his scale-scratching range is, it might be the least impressive aspect of the man. Mikah Meyer describes himself as “a Minneapolis-based, professional adventurer since 2016, when I set off on a world record, three-year journey becoming the first person to visit all of America’s four hundred plus National Park Service sites in one continuous journey.”
Even more impressively, Meyer became the first openly gay man featured in an outdoors recreation campaign, that of REI. In 2020, in furtherance of his mission to make the outdoors more inclusive, Meyer created the Outside Safe Space Program, which enables the easily identification of adventuring queer people, along with their friends and allies, by the wearing branded rainbow-treed pins, stickers, and patches, along with T-shirts and tank tops.
Mikah Meyer’s current endeavor is Canyon Chorus, a sixteen-minute movie that, like song notes bouncing and re-bouncing off cliff walls, defies easy identification. The film veers from documentary to confessional to nonfiction buddy film like a rubber raft crossing rapids.
Above all, it represents…no, it embodies a literal voice that has rarely been heard in the literal wilderness—a queer voice. “Before 2020, almost every company in the outdoors industry was actively against including LGBTQ+ people or topics in their marketing,” Meyer recounts. “Aside from REI and Eddie Bauer, every brand I approached and encouraged to include LGBTQ+ people, told me some version of, ‘It’s too politically risky. It would offend too many of our customers.’”
But distressing change arrived like a river’s flow, winding and undeniable. Notes Meyer, “After George Floyd was murdered and the United States’ culture became more aware of its deficiencies in inclusion for all forms of diversity, suddenly all those brands, outdoor publications, and the culture wanted to feature LGBTQ+ stories.”
What followed was something most politely described as a sloppy overcorrection. Observes Meyer: “In the rush to check the LGBTQ+ box, many of the stories about me had headlines that were so over the top proof of LGBTQ+ inclusion that the article might as well have read, ‘Gay Guy Does Gay Hike For Gay People to Be More Gay.’”
The end result was a frustrating redundancy. “Nobody who wasn’t already an LGBTQ+ ally would read that article,” Meyer says. “And as an LGBTQ+ advocate, my job is to reach people who can have their hearts and minds changed to accepting LGBTQ+ people.”
In Meyer’s case, that acceptance began with a hard-earned self-acceptance nurtured by Meyer’s college choir class professor, Larry Edwards. “I’ve always wanted to tell that part of my story, a story that at its core has nothing to do with being gay, but just happens to be about someone who is gay,” Meyer declares. “In this case, that relatable topic is the story of someone stepping in as my father figure when my own biological father passed away. That’s something anyone could relate to, regardless of their sexual orientation.”
Canyon Chorus, like all of Meyer’s previous efforts, is meant to build a bridge that can be crossed by potential straight allies. “Those who watch the film will see themselves and their own journeys in the documentary–whether those are LGBTQ+ journeys or just anyone who’s ever felt ‘not enough’ or ‘not perfect enough’ for their culture,” Meyer nuances.
The film’s universal appeal was put to the test at its headwaters. “Canyon Chorus premiered at the 5Point Adventure Film Festival in Carbondale, Colorado, on April 26, 2024, to a mountain town audience clad in flannel and drinking [IndianPale Ales],” Meyer remembers. “Exactly the type of straight audience I wanted to reach with the film.”
And reach them Canyon Chorus did. “The 800-person theater gave us a 35-second standing ovation after the film played, and the festival director said in his five years of working there, he’d never seen the audience do that,” Meyer says. “The reception thus far has been amazing.”
Like a musical note bouncing around the walls of a canyon, the adventurer’s journey into film is just another unit of his lifelong mission of making the world, inside and out, a more inclusive place…and like each note bouncing around the walls of a canyon, it’s taken on a life of its own. Concludes Mikah Meyer: “My number one goal with this film is that anyone watching it will finish it and say to their children, their godchildren, their nieces, their nephews, et cetera, ‘I will love you whether you’re straight or gay or purple’…and make it clear that their love for those in their care is not conditional on them being straight. So the more people who see this film and share it, the closer we’ll get to that goal.”
The Discovery of Mystery Cave State Park
Jamelle Davenport grew up in St. Paul with a love for the outdoors and a sense of competitiveness influenced by her stepfather and male relatives.
“Growing up in a family full of guys made me a tomboy,” she said. “I was always trying to compete on their level –football, baseball, running. I even played on a male soccer team for three or four years.”
From a beginning like that, it’s not surprising to learn that she mastered the four-hour wild caving tour at Mystery Cave in southeastern Minnesota where climbing, crawling, stooping, stretching, and wiggling are required. The thirteen-mile cave is part of Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park. Visitors can participate in four tours: scenic, geology, lantern and wild caving, and reservations are strongly advised.
Davenport is a member of Outdoor Afro, a national non-profit organization that encourages African Americans to learn new outdoor skills and have fun. Members of the local chapter are women with whom Davenport has a lot in common, especially this: they embrace a physical challenge, and work together to achieve a goal. The group is not just women-centric, however.
Continued on page 26
Many of the members are men, and whole families are welcome as well. Recently Davenport went sailing for the first time with the Outdoor Afro group.
“Typically, I think of the wind as a way to cool off,” she said. “But when sailing, you learn that wind plays a pivotal role that makes the difference between life and death. It will tip over the boat if you’re not paying attention.”
That day she noticed wind caps on the water and variations of water color, all indicators that need to be monitored. She said that there are learning moments with everything you do, like learning the importance of wind on water.
Learning moments become key to Mystery Cave visitors who take the wild caving tour for the first time. For example, they learn that teamwork is imperative. Cave manager Dawn Ryan has led wild caving tours for more than 20 years and initially reached out three years ago to the Outdoor Afro Twin Cities group to see if anyone was interested in the 1.6-mile wild cave tour. Five women signed up, the maximum number for this type of tour. Since then, the group has done the wild cave tour at least four times.
“They help each other out,” she said of people who take this tour. “If someone is short and needs a boost, they will get one. If you are climbing and don’t know where to put a foot, someone will help talk you through it. You work as a team in a cave, with a sense of curiosity and the ability to get over your fears.”
Wild cavers, no matter what cave they tour, need to be in good physical shape and know in advance that some cave passages are only three to seven feet high and three to seven feet wide. One short passage is 18 inches tall; most are about three feet tall. With time and practice, some wild cavers become so adept that they can tour in a small group without park staff present. One of them takes the lead.
Now if the above sounds like way too much work, know that there’s a reward at the end, Ryan said. When wild cave tour participants finish up, they are smiling. They feel a lightness following a challenge and it makes them happy.
Davenport said that physical movement outdoors – or in a cave — always makes her happy. Cave exploration came about by accident: while traveling abroad, she booked a wrong tour, took it anyway, and has been caving ever since. As we conducted our telephone interview, she speculated about getting outside afterward for a lengthy hike – in the rain. That’s right, rain or shine, through snowfall or
a blizzard, this woman is walking. A 20-mile hike is nothing. Outdoors, she finds peace, joy, and a place to reflect in the company of trees, clouds and floral scents.
“You can listen to the wind and buzz of insects and feel wide open,” she said. “Walking is the best exercise there is. Outside you can feel free and find joy in whatever you do.”
Last winter the local Afro Outdoors group spent a weekend in Ely, Minnesota where they hiked, ice fished, and went dog sledding. Davenport said that during a sharp turn, she flew off the fast-moving sled and landed on her head. The fall brought the other sledders to a quick halt. “I just got back up; I was fine. I was scared but fine,” she said.
Maybe that attitude has something to do with growing up with brothers and boy cousins, or with deciding to learn something important from every new experience. Or maybe it has to do with being positive and open to learning new skills and letting the outdoors lead the way.
One thing is for certain. When a group of wild cavers finish up, they are exhausted, their confidence is boosted, they are happy with themselves, said Dawn Ryan. You can see it in their faces and their eyes.
For information about Mystery Cave tours at Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park, go to mndnr.gov/tours. Reservations are recommended. For this season, all the wild caving tour slots are taken. For directions to the park, do not rely on a GPS; instead, note instructions on the cave tour page under “How to get there.”
Photos courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Lavender and Quorum as we celebrate the start of Duluth-Superior Pride Weekend Friday, August 30 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Lavender Media is seeking to add a Twin Cities based full time Account Executive to our sales team. We are looking for an outgoing,organized, self-driven & motivated professional with excellent phone, writing and presentation skills. Candidates should enjoy working directly with clients who are interested in growing their business through Lavender advertising and event sponsorships. Candidates must be local. Includes base pay + commission and an employee benefits package that includes group health, dental, life insurance and LTD.
Applicants should have experience with Mac software environment, Excel, Word, social media platforms & database software such as Filemaker Pro. They should exhibit an elevated level of organization, attention to detail, the ability to work as part of a team, effective communication,self direction, enjoys working with new people and has a natural drive to grow.
Please send your cover letter and resume to Stephen Rocheford, President & CEO. stephen.rocheford@lavendermagazine.com
It’s Not A Reach
You Probably Need To Stretch More
The summer is a great time to go outside and get active. From swimming to hiking to running and beyond, there are so many fun things to do outdoors! But diving into (pun-intended) physical activity without knowing how to take care of yourself can leave you feeling sore, or worse, with an actual injury. Of course, there’s more than one way to protect yourself while you enjoy getting a little physical, but one of the most important ways to stay safe is by stretching.
Angie Voight, MD (she/her), a sports medicine physician at Summit Orthopedics, talks about the importance of stretching during physical activity. Voight says, “I do non-surgical orthopedic care which involves diagnosing and treating various injuries and joint pains. I’m very involved in the running community and one of my main goals is to keep people as active and healthy as possible!” Of course, this involves a healthy amount of stretching before and after exercise. Voight sees stretching as both a way to keep the body healthy and flexible, and as a means of treating injuries.
As an avid runner herself, Dr. Voight says, “I personally use stretching before and after running to help decrease areas of tightness and improve my muscle flexibility. I often find it reduces soreness and helps me prepare for more strenuous workouts. I’ve often used stretching to help recover from various running injuries.” Starting a workout or any strenuous physical activity with stretching can help keep you limber and relaxed during your workout, which keeps your body feeling warmed up and ready to go! Stretching as a beginning to the workout and an end helps bookend your activity with care for your body.
It’s important to realize, too, that stretching doesn’t just look like standing with your legs locked, reaching for your toes. In fact, there are much better ways to get a good stretch in. Dr. Voight explains the two main kinds of stretching: “Dynamic (or active) stretching, is a movement-based stretch that involves going through the full range of motion of your given activity. Dynamic stretching can be an excellent way to warm up before sports and it only takes a few minutes to be beneficial. An example of dynamic stretching would be doing drills like high knees, leg swings or skips prior to running. Static (or passive) stretching involves holding a gentle stretch for a period of time and can help with cooling down after activity and decreasing muscle soreness.” Starting your workout or activity with a more active
Angie Voight. Photo courtesy of Angie Voight
stretch can prep your body for movement, while a gentle static stress can help cool you down. It’s important to know the best ways to stretch, so you don’t hurt yourself in your efforts to not hurt yourself! Just like most activities, stretching wrong can be just as damaging as not stretching at all, if not worse.
The benefits of flexibility and stretching go beyond exercise prep, however. Dr. Voight says that at Summit Orthopedics, she and her team of physical therapists use stretching in their rehabilitation programs. She explains, “A lot of our physical therapists will use stretching as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation program after injury, focusing on the areas where you have tightness or lack of motion.” By working to regain mobility and flexibility in injured areas of the body, patients are better able to build strength and recover from their injuries.
Gaining flexibility is also a relatively quick process, especially compared to gaining strength or endurance, which makes it easy to start. Dr. Voight says, “You can see immediate results from stretching if you start today.” And you absolutely should start stretching today. Voight explains, “We tend to lose flexibility with normal aging so it can be very helpful to stretch in order to maintain as much flexibility and mobility as possible.” The best time to start a new good habit is yesterday. The second best time is today—and stretching your muscles is an easy way to help take care of yourself.
In fact, stretching is good for more than just your body. By stretching regularly, you can also enjoy the mental benefits of stretching. Dr. Voight says, “There is some research showing that stretching can trigger the release of endorphins, which can help lower stress and anxiety and improve mood.” As long as you’re stretching gently and listening to your body’s needs, there are no down sides to stretching—it’s a total win-win for your body and mind!
So now you’re sold on stretching and you want to gain flexibility. But… how do you actually do that? Well, the best way is by meeting with the pros, like Dr. Voight and her team! She says, “It can be very helpful to see a physical therapist who can guide you through an appropriate stretching routine and assess any areas of injury, tightness or lack of joint mobility before starting a stretching routine. If you have a lingering injury, it’s important to see a sports medicine physician who can diagnose and treat the issue and guide you in a stretching program.” And Summit Orthopedics is a very welcoming environment to start your stretching journey. Voight says, “I’m a part of the LGBTQ+ community and I want to provide safe, welcoming care to LGBTQ+ individuals.” Everyone should be able to enjoy the benefits of stretching, and the inviting, comfortable environment of Summit Orthopedics makes that ideology into a wonderful reality.
So don’t wait any longer! Enjoy the benefits of stretching your muscles before and after sports, exercise or other strenuous activity! And if you need to schedule an appointment with Summit Orthopedic at one of their many locations, including Woodbury, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Lakeville, Vadnais Heights, and Plymouth, you can call 651-968-5201. Caring for your body and mind is such an important part of daily life, and adding stretching to your routine can be a huge game changer! And that’s not a stretch at all!
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
RANDY STERN
Finding The Meridian
Deep in the woods, only certain vehicles can tackle “The Great Outdoors.” What you’re looking might just surprise you on how well it does when you’re setting foot onto your favorite state park and national forest.
Yet, you seem puzzled. True, this vehicle may remind you of one of our community’s favorites. The one with all-wheel drive, a horizontally opposed engine, and with off-road capability. Actually, we’re referring to the more rugged version of said vehicle. You probably know which one we’re alluding to…
Just to put your active lifestyle selves at ease – your puzzlement might just be rewarded.
Here’s why: Mazda wants to play in the same sandbox as other rugged, off-road capable vehicles. They have done so in the past. However, they are trying to catch the current wave of popularity of such vehicles.
Instead of ruggedizing one of the vehicles in their lineup, they created an all-new vehicle. It arrived a year ago at Mazda dealerships.
The CX-50 is best described as a more wagon-esque, crossover-ish, SUV-like vehicle. It fits somewhere between the CX-5 and the CX-90 as a two-row model. It competes against that vehicle we alluded to, among other vehicles wearing extra body cladding and wearing all-terrain tires.
This specific version of the CX-50 is what Mazda thinks those active lifestyle consumers amongst us want so badly. Something that looks rough, rugged, and raw. They call it the Meridian Edition.
Our 2024 tester certainly looks the part. The extra cladding and trim distinguish the Meridian Edition from the seven other versions of the CX50 Mazda offers. Add 18-inch alloy wheels and Falken Wildpeak all-terrain tires and a hood decal and you’re ready to go deep to the cabin on the lake.
The CX-50 stands on an 8.5-inch ground clearance, which should be fine for rougher, uneven surfaces. Our tester gets the added bonus of a Roof Platform – a Mazda accessory. It is designed to hold everything from a full-sized spare tire, a cooler, kayaks or canoes, extreme camping gear, or a rooftop tent. All of this to encourage some form of overlanding.
If you strip away all of the Meridian Edition’s extras, the CX-50 is truly a Mazda. The KODO – Soul of Motion design language dictates a shieldlike grille with low-profile LED headlamps and horizontal LED tail lamps out back. The roofline is its distinguishing point compared to other Mazda models.
It is worth mentioning that the CX-50 shares its platform with the CX-30 and Mazda3, rather than the CX-5. This dispels the rumors that the popular, venerable, and versatile CX-5 was going away any time soon.
Open any of the wide-opening doors into the cabin and you are greeted with a nicely finished space. The driver is greeted with a combination digital and analog instrument cluster. It offers the information you need with clear readouts. Controls are pretty good overall – including the ones on the steering wheel the climate system.
On top of the center stack is a 10.25-inch infotainment screen. It is too far to reach for us; therefore, you have to use the infotainment knobs and switches on the center console. You can tether your smartphone device
Photos by Randy Stern Continued
Community Connection brings visibility to local LGBTQ-friendly non-profit organizations. To reserve your listing in Community Connection, email advertising@lavendermagazine. com.
ANIMAL RESCUE
Second Chance Animal Rescue
Dedicated to rescuing, fostering, caring for, and adopting out dogs and cats into forever homes.
P.O. Box 10533 White Bear Lake, MN 55110 (651) 771-5662 www.secondchancerescue.org
BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS
Quorum
Minnesota's LGBTQ+ and Allied Chamber of Commerce working to build, connect, and strengthen for a diverse business community. 2446 University Ave. W., Ste 112 St. Paul, MN 55114 (612) 460-8153 www.twincitiesquorum.com
CASINOS
Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
Nonstop gaming excitement with slots, blackjack, bingo and more plus distinctive bars and restaurants. 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd. Prior Lake, MN 55372 (800) 262-7799 www.mysticlake.com
ENVIRONMENT
The Nature Conservancy
TNC is an environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature thrive. 1101 W. River Pkwy., Ste. 200 Minneapolis, MN 55415-1291 (612) 331-0700 minnesota@tnc.org www.nature.org/minnesota
EVENT VENUES
Landmark Center
A classic venue, with a grand cortile and beautiful courtrooms, accommodates celebrations of all sizes. 75 W. 5th St. St. Paul, MN 55102 (651) 292-3228 www.landmarkcenter.org
GRANTMAKERS/FUNDERS
PFund Foundation
PFund is the LGBTQ+ community foundation that provides grants to students and grants to non-profits. PO Box 3640 Minneapolis, MN 55403 612-870-1806 www.pfundfoundation.org
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Aliveness Project
Community Center for individuals living with HIV/AIDS – on-site meals, food shelf, and supportive service. 3808 Nicollet Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55102 (612) 824-LIFE (5433) www.aliveness.org
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Family Tree Clinic
We're a sliding fee sexual health clinic and education center, now in Minneapolis. 1919 Nicollet Ave. Minneapolis MN 55403 (612) 473-0800 www.familytreeclinic.org
Keane Sense of Rhythm
Celebrate your true self with Tap dance! 1st week free, Join us now! 2161 University Avenue W., Ste. 117 St. Paul, MN. 55114 (612) 251-4744 info@tapcompany.org www.tapcompany.org
NAMI Minnesota
(National Alliance on Mental Illness)
Providing free classes and peer support groups for people affected by mental illnesses.
1919 University Ave. W., Ste. 400 St. Paul, MN 55104 (651) 645-2948 www.namimn.org
Rainbow Health
Providing comprehensive health services for LGBTIA+ people, those living with HIV & folks from underserved communities facing healthcare barriers.
701 S. 4th Ave., #1500 Minneapolis, MN 55415
General: (612) 341-2060, MN AIDSLine: (612) 373-2437 info@rainbowhealth.org www.rainbowhealth.org
Red Door Clinic
HIV and STI screening, treatment, education, and referrals. Doxy PEP, nPEP, PrEP, and Reproductive Health. 525 Portland Ave., 4th Fl. Minneapolis, MN 55415 (612) 543-5555 reddoor@hennepin.us www.reddoorclinic.org
LIBRARIES
Quatrefoil Library
Your LGBTQ+ library and community center. Free membership, events, and e-books/audiobooks. Check us out!
1220 E. Lake St. Minneapolis, MN 55407 (612) 729-2543 www.qlibrary.org
MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS
Radio K
Radio K is the award-winning studentrun radio station of the University of Minnesota. 330 21st. Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612) 625-3500 www.radiok.org
MUSEUM
Minnesota Historical Society
Create your own adventure at MNHS historic sites and museums around Minnesota. mnhs.org
Walker Art Center
Showcasing the fresh, innovative art of today and tomorrow through exhibitions, performances, and film screenings. 725 Vineland Pl. Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 375-7600 www.walkerart.org
PERFORMING ARTS
Chanhassen Dinner Theaters
The nation's largest professional dinner theater and Minnesota's own entertainment destination. 501 W. 78th St. Chanhassen, MN 55317 (952) 934-1525 www.ChanhassenDT.com
Children’s Theatre Company
Children’s Theatre Company excites the imagination with world-class familyfriendly theatre for kids, teens, and adults. 2400 3rd Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55404 (612) 874-0400 www.childrenstheatre.org
Guthrie Theater
Open to the public year-round, the Guthrie produces classic and contemporary plays on three stages. 818 S. 2nd St. Minneapolis, MN 55415 (612) 377-2224 www.guthrietheater.org
Lyric Arts Main Street Stage
Theater with character. Comedies, musicals, & dramas in a professional, intimate setting where all are welcomed.
420 E. Main St. Anoka, MN 55303 (763) 422-1838 info@lyricarts.org www.lyricarts.org
Minnesota Opera
World-class opera draws you into a synthesis of beauty; breathtaking music, stunning costumes & extraordinary sets. Performances at the Ordway Music Theater - 345 Washington St., St. Paul, MN 55102 (612) 333-6669 www.mnopera.org
Minnesota Orchestra
Led by Music Director Designate Thomas Søndergård, the Minnesota Orchestra, one of America’s leading symphony orchestras. 1111 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 371-5656, (800) 292-4141 www.minnesotaorchestra.org
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
Leading performing arts center with two stages presenting Broadway musicals, concerts & educational programs that enrich diverse audiences.
345 Washington St. St. Paul, MN 55102 (651) 224-4222 info@ordway.org www.ordway.org
Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus
An award-winning chorus building community through music and offers entertainment worth coming out for! 1430 W. 28th St., Ste. B Minneapolis, MN 55408 (612) 339-SONG (7664) chorus@tcgmc.org www.tcgmc.org
RELIGIOUS & SPIRITUAL
All God’s Children Metropolitan Community Church
A welcoming, inclusive, safe place to explore and discover God’s love for ALL God’s children. 3100 Park Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55407 (612) 824-2673 www.agcmcc.org
Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church
Everyone is welcome at Hennepin Church! Vibrant Worship. Authentic Community. Bold Outreach. 511 Groveland Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 871-5303 www.hennepinchurch.org
Plymouth Congregational Church
Many Hearts, One Song; Many Hands, One Church. Find us on Facebook and Twitter. 1900 Nicollet Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 871-7400 www.plymouth.org
St. Philip's Lutheran Church
We invite and welcome those of every spiritual background, ethnicity, gender orientation, or economic situation. 6180 Hwy 65 Fridley, MN 55432 (763) 571-1500 www.splcmn.org
University Baptist Church
Creating safe and inclusive spaces for 175 years, UBC stands proudly with our LGBTQ+ family. 1219 University Ave. SE Minneapolis, MN 55414 (612) 331-1768 www.ubcmn.org
Westminster Presbyterian Church
An open and affirming congregation, welcoming persons of all sexual orientations, gender expressions and identities. 1200 Marquette Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 332-3421 www.westminstermpls.org
SENIOR LIVING
Friends & Co
Fostering meaningful connections for older adults for 50+ years. Offering quick drop-in chat line, phone & visiting companionship services.
2550 University Ave. W., Ste. 260-S St. Paul, MN 55114 (612) 721-1400 www.friendsco.org
Senior Community Services
Providing non-medical services that meet the changing needs of older adults & support their caregivers. 10201 Wayzata Blvd., Ste. 335 Minnetonka, MN 55305 (952) 541-1019
www.seniorcommunity.org/lav
SOCIAL SERVICES
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
Serving all Minnesotans with personcentered services that promote full and abundant lives.
lssmn.org | (651) 642-5990 | (800) 582-5260
Employment Opportunities | lssmn.org/careers PICS (Partners in Community Supports) | picsmn.org
Pooled Trust | (888) 806-6844
Supported Decision-Making | (888) 806-6844
TRAVEL DESTINATIONS
Discover St. Louis Park
Minnesota’s Sweet Spot! Visit us for exceptional dining, attractions, shopping, hotels and event space.
1660 Hwy 100 S., Ste. 501 St. Louis Park, MN 55416 (952) 426-4047
www.DiscoverStLouisPark.com
Estimates 7am-4:30pm
wirelessly through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Meridian Edition does not come with SiriusXM as a playback option.
Up to five people sit on two-tone leather upholstery. The front seats’ backrests tend to be on the firm side, yet they offer some support on the sides and on the cushion. People who sit in the back get great headroom. However, taller people may have to negotiate the leg room once they settle in behind the front row. Behind those rear seats is 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space. Folding down the rear seats expands cargo space to 56.3 cubic feet.
Powering the Meridian Edition is a 256-horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with up to 320 pound-feet of torque. Keep in mind that these numbers are achieve by only putting in premium fuel. You can put in regular gasoline. However, the turbocharged engine’s performance numbers are reduced down to 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. It sends power onward to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.
We talk about off-road capability on this CX-50. This is easily done through Mi-Drive, short for the Mazda Intelligent Drive Select system. Through a switch, Mi-Drive enables the driveline to be preset for Off-Road and Towing modes by remapping the drive system for each specific purpose.
In short, the Off-Road mode works in the Mi-Drive system. We took it on a test over a twisty dirt road and some unmarked grass areas. The result was solid traction and maneuverability throughout this course. Thanks to the 8.5-inch ground clearance, there is plenty of protection underneath and space to get through some of the more uneven parts of the dirt road.
On the highway, the ride quality felt a bit on the firm side. It would be easy to blame them on the all-terrain tires, but one would expect a softer ride for the purpose it intends to fulfill. Handling and concerning were just fine. No drama thanks to a controlled roll and lean on evasive maneuvers. We also found some noise coming from the Roof Platform adding to some wind and road noise below it.
The steering was actually quite good with a very good radius managing tighter maneuvers. The on-center feel was fine. The brakes responded solidly and had good pedal feel. Normal and panic stops returned great results with solid action down to the wheels.
You can tow up to 5,000 pounds in the CX-50. Tow mode helps to manage the extra load for competent trailer pulling. In our care, we observed a fuel consumption average of 23.1 MPG.
How much does this vehicle cost? Our 2024 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition arrived with a sticker price of $43,860. The Roof Platform was included in that price as an $899 accessory. The 2024 CX-50 lineup starts at $30,300.
After some time in the CX-50 Meridian Edition, we had a tough time trying not to compare this with that vehicle we alluded to – the Subaru Outback Wilderness. It is a favorite of our community and offers some more protection, higher ground clearance, and a softer ride over the CX-50. Yet, the Mazda offers a strong argument for those who rather want something else. Perhaps, something different.
Is this the right vehicle to find your meridian? It could be. We know you have choices for your active lifestyle full of exploring the outdoors. Therefore, the Mazda CX-50 Meridian Edition is a choice to meet your craving to explore the great expanse of this country.
Keith Haring: ART IS FOR EVERYBODY
Now on view
Keith Haring: Art Is for Everybody is organized by The Broad, Los Angeles. The Walker Art Center’s presentation is made possible with lead support from the KHR McNeely Family Fund, thanks to Kevin, Rosemary, and Hannah Rose McNeely.
Major support is provided by Lewis Baskerville, Lisa and Pat Denzer, the Martin and Brown Foundation, the Pohlad Family, and John and Annette Whaley. Additional support is provided by Jan Breyer, Keith Rivers, John Taft and Laura Delaney Taft, and Susan and Rob White.
Keith Haring, Tree of Life, 1985, acrylic on canvas tarpaulin with metal grommets, 115 ⅞ × 142 ½ in. Private collection. ©Keith Haring Foundation