After many years of living in NYC with no car, now with a car, I am helpless and clueless when it…read morecomes to navigating all the Minnesota DVS processes (or anything else car-related). I have been to the Midtown Service Center for everything from moving my registration and license to MN to renewing tabs (it's a sticker, MN), etc. I have had nothing but positive experiences, and most of the people who assisted me were also very friendly. I recommend having an appointment, but I have also dropped in as a standby and didn't have to wait too long. There is ample parking across the street in the garage and it is below the midtown exchange, so you can get a bite to eat if you have to wait for a while.

The DMV at Midtown market is the worst. I tried 3 times to go to take care of a simple…read moretransaction, the third time I had an appointment and took an hour off work. I still could not get it done. The woman at the entrance was rude and unhelpful and I witnessed that all of the agents stop working 10 minutes before closing. This location puts Thema and Patty to shame and is why the DMV is viewed with such disgust.

I was 20 minutes early for my name change appointment today but I Went in and the security guards…read morewere great humans! I went to the bathroom and by the time I got out (2 minutes later) and sat down for 5 seconds. Looked at my phone and window 14 was ready for me. I was done and out the door in 5 minutes! 15 minutes before my actual appoitment even technically started! Everyone was so nice and fun and helpful! And parking was a breeze as well! The guards joked with me as I walked out saying, "that was so quick and easy!!"

Everyone is friendly & super helpful. Parking is easy…read more You need an appt to enter the building.

My family was given a really super tour of this fire station on a sunny Saturday morning by two…read morewomen firefighters that worked here. The kids got to see all the equipment, climb on the trucks, sit in the driver's seat, the whole deal. Not only that but they showed us the big kitchen, and where they hang out and watch TV. They get to lounge around a lot, but boy do they have to keep that place spiffy and the truck squeaky clean. Do you know how much water one of those pumper trucks holds? I forget, but it's a lot. We got lucky since while we were there they got a call, and we watched the firefighters get on their gear and the trucks head out. But it gets better, because they literally went next door. So we went out on the sidewalk and watched them in action! Who wouldn't want to be a fire fighter?

As far as Library locations go, the Uptown Branch of the Minneapolis Public Library is a win. When…read moreI went in to use their computers because I had to upload a resume that only uses Internet Explorer (I have a MAC), I realized it had been so long since I used my library card that I had forgotten everything associated with my account. The circulation desk was very supportive and assisted me with everything I needed to do with my account. The only reason I am giving them 4 stars is because of their hours. This branch happens to be open only under 5 pm on most days. No extended hours. They do maintain it well. It is clean and some of the younger users need to remember library etiquette, keeping it a tranquil place. I rarely use the library, but this is a nice location to come in and to have a quiet place to study, read or get involved with reading groups. The focus of this library seems to be focused on employment assistance and does provide library access for our homeless population, which is unheard of in some other major cities requiring people to have some form of identification. So it's good to see that there is some form of outreach to help people to get back on their feet. I also felt the library was very climate controlled. The library was nice and cool compared to the very warm temperatures outside. If there hours were expanded, I would utilize the library more.

This tiny shop is a strange bird on Nicollet. They sell nothing to eat! But considering the…read morediversity of food to be found down the block, I like the idea of having a map store as well. You can stop by and find the country whose cuisine you sampled on your way to a postprandial coffee at Spyhouse. I went in when I was fresh in town, looking for a good map of the city. They had one laminated job that was too focused on downtown and another huge foldy style that included the outer outer suburbs in great detail. I chose the latter. I was also searching for a map of the Middle East, one that would help me find all those cities in the news. Nothing of the sort, at least not highlighting the specific warring regions in question. Oh well. I wonder who gets to choose the area that is on a particular map. The regions they offer seem sort of arbitrary. The nice guy at the counter offered to order me the map I sought, but I didn't want it THAT much. Absolutely the place to go if you need a map. They're happy to order if they don't have it. Maybe a fun ritual before a trip - if it's international or you don't have AAA.

Over the past year, I've taken several graphic design classes at MCAD and would definitely…read morerecommend them. I've taken intro classes in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign as well as an intermediate course in InDesign. While online resources have made these programs somewhat easy to learn, getting a few days of in person instruction has really taken me further. If you've got a weekend to spare, the two-day workshops are really great!

I was able to expand my art experience by using the print shop facilities. Great weekend course!read more

If you are looking for something to do, or entertaining an art lover from out of town, the MIA is…read moreone of those overlooked treasures. I will start with a story. My cousin, a New York City native, was flying from Italy to New York, but couldn't get to NYC because of huge snowstorm, so she was diverted to Minneapolis (ironic, huh?). She happens to be an art teacher with a masters in Art History. Since she was "stuck" here, she asked if she could visit one of the art museums. She told me later that she thought it was probably going to be a 15 minute trip because "Who would believe that Minneapolis could have any art worth seeing, or at least in any quantity." That 15-minute planned visit took FOUR HOURS. She was impressed with not only the artists that are represented, but the quality of the artist's work that is displayed at the MIA. According to her, many museums have the famous-name artists, but not necessarily their "A" rated works. She raved about the diversity of artists, styles, time periods, etc. and kept calling it a min-version of Metropolitan Museum of Art. I explained to her that the museum is filled with donations from wealthy Minnesotans such as the MacMillans, the Daytons, as well as many corporate companies that are headquartered here such as Target, Medtronic, Ameriprise, Wells Fargo, and US Bank. When she got home, she kept telling me how she couldn't believe that it was free and that we actually parked (for free) right in front of the museum. She also told me that it gave her ideas for lesson plans for the next several months. This story exemplifies what we often take for granted. Minneapolis has several world-class museums and this is definitely in the top five. In addition to the permanent collections, there are always special exhibits (which do cost extra) that travel from museum to museum. For example, the Terracotta Warriors, Silver Treasures from Bergen, Norway, Native Photography, 1890 to Now, Ancient Egyptian Art from the British Museum, and a massive showcase of Impressionist masters that attracted 155,198 visitors. Also impressive is the variety of exhibits, such as Star Wars: The Magic of Myth, Dale Chihuly: Glass Installations 1964-1997, and Royal Bronzes: Cambodian Art of the Divine, which included The Reclining Vishnu: The centerpiece was a monumental, thousand-year-old bronze sculpture of the Hindu god Vishnu, which is considered a Cambodian national treasure. This 7-foot-long figure was reconstructed from fragments for the first time in centuries which too a years-long restoration project.

I loved thier special exhibit ( Modern Art and Politics ) and the Tibetan Meditation Room. The…read moreLayout is bizarre and some of my favorite artists weren't represented. The Minneapolis Art Institute is free. The Special exhibit is a special ticket that costs $$ unless you're a member. I went two days and I found free street parking not too far away. When I visited the Prairie Movement featuring Grant Wood and Frank Lolyd Wright I looked for Thomas Hart Benton... He was Missing in Action. MIA has several museum caliber pieces ( by Benton ), in storage. When I asked if they have any American Pop Art, the answer is Yes, but they were all MIA. In MIA's Not on View exhibit. When I asked about surrealism, they said if they have it, it's probably on the second floor. The Layout of MIA is by region and time period. The staff is very helpful at guiding me, but exact answers were challenging. Art is supposed to be for all. MIA has a massive collection, ten percent is on view at any given time. When you visit, you can type in the artist you are looking for on the website. Hopefully you'll be able to see what you seek.

GREAT TIME to view the immense talented of the students during their exhibits-- left me wishing I…read morehad bottomless pockets!! :)

This school did not adapt to COVID well. Unable to use the facilities, students are still paying up…read moreto 58,000/year. Of course the president was kind enough to give a generous $500 back per semester, as if that's supposed to help over six months of classes. Most of the professors are great, some are only focused on their own tastes when in crit. The classes are long, and there is rarely time to complete any assignments as well as classes. I often found myself dropping classes to offset the workload I was given. Most professors don't care that you have 4 additional 10 hour assignments due as well as writing and research assignments, so it continues to pile on. It feels like a scam. I was so excited to be 19 and applying, but now that I'm older I see the way they take in vulnerable artists for their money promising a distinguished degree. What are they even spending it on? Facilities and amenities (especially housing) are RARELY updated. There are only two buildings, one of which is over 100 years old and has barely been touched. I understand paying faculty, but when you're charging 800+ kids 50,000+ per year... you have to wonder. Printing and parking is not free either, they take every spare penny you have. There is a reason I'm not going back next semester, the stress and pain wasn't worth it, even if I graduated, what could I expect? Assistance getting into the job market after school is non-existent. They kick you in the ass with a good luck out the door. If you're an artist, just begin your own practice. Save yourself some time and money. You don't need a degree to be a real artist. Don't waste your money.

Everything was good except the security man behaved with us badly,…read moreAm mother with 3 children 5 yrs 3yrs and 1 yr, and the second I step the door, the security man start yelling, and he cause me stress. And am worry he will do that to mother's...

We had an appointment for my son to take the knowledge test. It was fast and easy but we were not…read moreable to get his actual permit.