Kare11
Making Minneapolis more accessible for people with disabilities
Guthrie Byard is taking on a new role to break barriers for people with disabilities in the city.
MINNEAPOLIS — The city of Minneapolis is investing in accessibility by hiring the first community specialist for people with disabilities.
Guthrie Byard joined the staff after working in the disability justice field for the last fifteen years. The city hopes Byard will use his knowledge to make the community more accessible and inclusive.
“This work is really both professional and personal for me,” Byard said. “I have a sister with a developmental disability, and growing up with her, I really realized that there needed to be a lot more advocacy with individuals with disabilities.”
Part of Byard’s job is to keep the city in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and identify and help remove barriers to ensure equal access to city programs, services and activities.
“With this role being full time, 100% focused on people with disabilities, [the job is] really looking for new avenues for inclusion, and for city officials to hear more about what is or isn’t working, what is or isn’t accessible or usable in the city so they’re making more informed decisions,” Byard said. “I think at the end of the day, that’s what’s really important for a transparent and accountable city government.”
Karen Moe, the Director of Neighborhood and Community Relations, has high hopes for Byard and his new role.
“I think Guthrie and others in our city are interested in actually looking at how we center people with disabilities first and foremost, and that means not just making accommodations afterward, but on the front end, asking ‘What are your hopes and dreams?’ or ‘What are the things you need in order to be able to access our city?'” Moe said.
Since this is a new position in the city, Byard said he aims to make the role a “conduit for individuals to be able to express their self-advocacy, regardless of their abilities.”
Watch the latest local news from the Twin Cities and across Minnesota in our YouTube playlist:
WATCH MORE ON KARE 11+
Download the free KARE 11+ app for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and other smart TV platforms to watch more from KARE 11 anytime! The KARE 11+ app includes live streams of all of KARE 11’s newscasts. You’ll also find on-demand replays of newscasts; the latest from KARE 11 Investigates, Breaking the News and the Land of 10,000 Stories; exclusive programs like Verify and HeartThreads; and Minnesota sports talk from our partners at Locked On Minnesota.
Lola’s Lakehouse on the shores of Lake Minnetonka in Waconia has opened their Jingle Bar with tasty seasonal cocktails.
WACONIA, Minn. — ‘Tis the season for festive celebrations, and Lola’s Lakehouse on the shores of Lake Minnetonka in Waconia has just the gift: their Jingle Bar with tasty seasonal cocktails.
The Jingle Bar is serving such creations as the rum-based Grinch Boot (a “mean one,” we’re told), the Stoli and citrus Santa Clausmopolitan, and a mint-and-coffee combo know as the Dirty Snowman.
General manager Ryan Sathre stopped by KARE 11 Saturday to demonstrate another of the featured drinks: the snowflake martini.
Snowflake Martini
- 2oz vanilla vodka,
- 1oz Disaronno velvet
- 1oz Trader Vic’s White Chocolate
Shaken and strained into coup glass. Top with whip cream and sprinkled with crushed candy canes.
Lola’s Lakehouse is located on East Lake Street in Waconia. The Jingle Bar will be open until the end of the year, with reservations available in the dining room and gift card specials. Find out more information on the Lola’s Lakehouse website.
The Minneapolis restaurant is celebrating the season with its first-ever Jingle Giles celebration.
MINNEAPOLIS — Earl Giles Restaurant and Distillery is getting in the Jingle Giles spirit for the holiday season.
The Minneapolis restaurant has transformed its space into a winter wonderland through the end of the year, complete with fully decked halls, a 16-foot Christmas tree, and thousands of lights.
Guests can look forward to festive pop-up events, themed seasonal cocktails and dishes, and live entertainment.
Executive Chef Matt Reisenger stopped by KARE 11 Saturday to share one of the feature items: Pickle Dip!
Pickle Dip
- 8 oz Philly cream cheese
- 1 Cup Sour cream
- 1 C Duke’s mayo
- 2 whole cloves fresh garlic
- 2 oz. fresh dill
- ½ Cup bacon fat
- 6 strips crispy bacon, chopped
- 2 green onions minced
- ½ jar dill pickles
- ½ C dill pickle liquid
- Salt to taste
- Bake the bacon until crispy in an oven @ 350º F. Reserve the fat.
- Microwave the cream cheese until softened and whisk with mayo and sour cream.
- Mince the garlic, chop the dill pickles, and add the pickle liquid all to the mix
- Add salt at your discretion!
- Garnish the dip with the chopped bacon and minced green onions.
- Serve with chips or crackers. Or your hands.
Earl Giles Restaurant and Distillery is located at 1325 Quincy St NE in Minneapolis. Visit their website for more information.
Instead of being a schlub, try on a new look to kick off 2025 in style. The folks at J.H. & Sons at Galleria have some ideas that might help.
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — A new year brings new opportunities, including a chance to remake your style.
Guys, if you’ve got New Year’s plans and don’t know what to wear, the folks at J.H. & Sons Clothier have plenty of ideas. They say upping your game for New Year’s can be the first step in your 2025 makeover, whether the event is formal, completely casual or somewhere in between.
Kevin Luedke from J.H. & Sons stopped by KARE 11 Saturday with a few friends to show off three looks that might work for you. Their goal is to make every client experience effortless and enjoyable while bringing the best in menswear from across the world.
J.H. & Sons has locations at the Galleria in Edina, Sioux Falls, SD and Omaha, NE. Stop by their website to learn more.
When a teen’s medication stopped working, he decided to try a surgery that could stop his episodes for good
Lola’s Lakehouse Jingle Barm recipe for a snowflake martini
In Christmas message, Pope Francis criticizes gossip among Vatican staff
When a teen’s medication stopped working, he decided to try a surgery that could stop his episodes for good
Lola’s Lakehouse Jingle Barm recipe for a snowflake martini
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings