GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — Black Friday shopping for a Christmas tree may sound like an idyllic family tradition, but it can feel more like a chore in less than idyllic weather. 

“Exactly, not today,” said Liz Villarrealno, who made a brief stop to pick up a tree at the Good Shepherd School in Golden Valley on Friday.  “But it will be fun to be inside in the warmth decorating it tonight… if it unthaws.”

Despite the frigid temps and windchill, the nonprofit saw plenty of traffic at its annual Christmas tree fundraising kickoff.

“We’re staying warm here by the burn barrel but we’re having a great time,” said Joey Tarlson, who helps staff the tree lot as part of the Good Shepherd Men’s Club. “We are all fathers of kids who go to Good Shepherd School here in Golden Valley.”

Proceeds from the tree sales go to the school and the community at large, including a special program that provides 25-30 Christmas trees to families in need.

“We usually hear through the parish, or the school or the people that see us on the news that they either themselves, or the have a friend or a family member in need, that could use a little bit of Christmas cheer,” Tarlson said. “That’s why we’re here. We’re all volunteers, we’re all dads at the school and we’re just here to bring a little Christmas cheer.”

For more information on the Good Shepherd Tree Lot and Christmas Market fundraisers, click here.

YMCA Christmas Tree Fundraisers

The YMCA of the North has been selling Christmas Trees to help raise funds for going on 100 years. This year, that includes tree lots in three locations around the Twin Cities, including the Blaisdell YMCA in Minneapolis.

“All of the proceeds stay here in South Minneapolis for our location,” said executive director Lucia Strand.

All that green will help fund scholarships for kids and families to attend camps, lessons and afford memberships.

Another heartwarming reason to come out and shop on an otherwise frigid day.

“It’s been cold but we’ve been very busy,” Strand said. “We’ve probably already sold about 75 trees and about 25 wreaths.”

For hours and locations for the YMCA Christmas tree lots, click here.

MINNEAPOLIS — Family and friends of Savannah Williams gathered on Friday to commemorate the life of the 37-year-old indigenous transgender woman, exactly one year after her tragic murder in Minneapolis. 

The memorial service, held at Williams’ childhood church in South Minneapolis, was filled with Native American drumming and heartfelt tributes. Gabrielle, Savannah’s younger sister, read aloud love notes written about her sibling, whom she credits with teaching her how to survive.

“A lot of us sometimes don’t even know who we are, but Savannah knew who she was, and she died who she was,” Gabrielle shared.

Savannah, a Native and Cuban transgender woman, was killed by Damarean Bible, who admitted to shooting her in the head after Savannah approached him for a sexual encounter. Bible was sentenced to 30 years in prison, the maximum sentence for intentional second-degree murder in the state.

Kim, Savannah’s mother, spoke of the daily void left by her daughter’s absence. “She used to call me every day, and I miss that call,” Kim said. She described how she now talks to a large picture of Savannah at home, saying good morning and good night to keep her memory alive.

Known for her ability to make people laugh, Savannah’s legacy did not die with her. Amber Muhm, the trans community specialist at The Aliveness Project, announced plans for a mutual aid fund in Savannah’s honor.

“It’s specifically going to be for trans women of color,” Muhm said. “Trans women of color with intersecting identities face a lot of challenges,” Muhm said, adding the aid will help individuals with housing, schooling and food costs among other things.

In September, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said investigators in her office conducted a thorough review to determine whether the killing was motivated by bias, but concluded they could not prove bias beyond a reasonable doubt. The county attorney did say Williams’ murder is part of a pattern of escalating attacks against trans women, particularly those who are of color.

According to the Human Rights Campaign foundation, since 2013, there have been 372 recorded transgender deaths by violence. 

ST PAUL, Minn — Wildlife biologists in Minnesota are asking the public to keep an eye out for elk, bears, and other rare species. 

Elk were “functionally extirpated” by the early 1900s due to overharvest, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The species is returning, but herds only range in the northwest part of the state. 

Biologists are interested in reports of elk outside their known range, the DNR says. You can report sightings of elk so biologists can better understand elk movement in Minnesota. 

Officials are also asking the public to report bear sightings, as the black bear range has been slowly expanding south and west. 

As far as rare species go, there are numerous species of snakes, mammals, and an amphibian the DNR wants people to report when seen. The list of species as well as how to report them can be found here. 

“While the Minnesota Biological Survey regularly searches for many of these species, more eyes are always welcome,” the DNR said on social media. 

Hunters are also encouraged to report daily observations of animals seen to “help broaden our knowledge about other animals you see in the field.”