Work downtown? Check out Summer on the Plaza

Hennepin County Public Affairs is proud presents Summer on the Plaza from now thru August.  Enjoy musicians, actors, dancers, educators and more from Noon to 1:00pm on select weekdays on the North Plaza of the Hennepin County Government Center.

Hennepin County Public Affairs arranges all performances, which are uncompensated. In the event of bad weather, performances move inside to the Public Service Level (Skyway Level) of the Hennepin County Government Center.

Here's a list of the upcoming events:

Wednesday, June 12, Minnesota Magic Baton Team
Minnesota Magic Baton Teams are state, regional and national champions who train at Dance Twirl Minnesota in Eagan
 
Thursday, June 13, Montrose High School
Montrose high school band is a 29 student band, playing songs like "Sweet Caroline, Louie, Louie" and more.  They will be playing a variety of instruments including brass, percussion, and strings
 
Thursday, June 20, Master Gardeners
Master Gardeners are University of Minnesota-trained volunteers who educate the public about a variety of horticulture topics
 
Friday, June 21, Wayzata Summer Band
The Summer Wayzata Summer Band is made up of students currently in grades 6, 7 and 8 who have played instruments in the middle school band program
 
Wednesday, June 26, Transitive Nightfall
Transitive Nightfall plays vintage rock music with an improvisational edge – no two performances ever the same!
 
Friday, June 28, Pam Ritter
Pam is an award-winning performer who plays various types of music on the accordion – popular, classical plus her own compositions

Week 5 at the 2013 Mill City Farmers Market

June 8 was Rhubarb Day at the Market - which of course called for a scoop of Rhubarb Strawberry Sorbet from Sonny's.

Twin Cities Bike Walk Week June 9 - 15

The 2013 Bike Walk Week is the week of June 9 – 15.   Twin Cities residents are encouraged to join others across the country and leave the car at home and bike or walk to work. Live too far from work to bike or walk?  Then mix it up by biking or walking to the bus stop or train station!

Whether you are new to bicycling and looking for a way to get started or are a long-time cyclist who wants to meet others like you, come celebrate at one of the many events throughout the week.

Commuter Pit Stops

Reward yourself with the many perks available at Bike Walk Week pit stops during your commute in the morning or afternoon. Commuter Pit Stops are located throughout the metro on heavily used routes by bikers and walkers. Perks include free bicycle tuneups, free bicycle repair, free refreshments, and prize giveaways. Perks vary by location, click the Commuter Pit Stop links below for the details.

Minneapolis Pit Stops:

Midtown Greenway at Kenilworth Trail  7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.
Commuter Pit Stop: Bryant Square Park  7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.
Midtown Greenway at Hiawatha Trail  7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.
Hiawatha Trail at Cedar Avenue  7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.
Commuter Pit Stop: Loring Park  7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.
Washington Avenue Bridge -West Bank  7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.
Gateway Park at 1st and Hennepin  7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.
Stone Arch Bridge at East Bluff  7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.
Dinkytown at 4th and 15th  7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.

Enter the National Park Service "Explore Your River Art Contest" by July 7

We have a national park in our backyard - the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.

It encompasses a 72 mile stretch of the Mississippi River from Dayton/Ramsey to Hastings, Minnesota. The 54,000 acres of park holds rich historical, cultural, natural and scientific resources.

Share your experience with the Mississippi River through the visual arts - be it photography, paint, pencils, crayons or clay - enter the Explore Your River Art Contest.

The winner will be announced mid-July and will receive official recognition at the 25th Anniversary Reunion August 13. 2013. The prize is an America the Beautiful pass, which will allow free entry to the federal lands for one year. The winner's art will be used in online and print pieces produced by the National Park Service and Mississippi River Fund to represent the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.

How to enter:

1. Visit the river or a park within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. Check out the website for ideas on where you can visit.
 
2. Have an amazing experience and create your art. If you've made a physical piece of art, take a high resolution photograph of it.

3. Pick out two photographs or digital submissions of your art. Name your submissions with this format: First name_Last name_Image name. (Example: Pat_Smith_MississippiRiver.jpg.)

4. Email your submissions to miss_info@ nps.gov. Be sure to include proper name formatting for each, as well as a short 2-3 sentence description of the experience you would like to convey. Also include a phone number where you can best be reached. In the Subject line please put "Experience Your River National Park Art Contest."

News from The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul

Via a June 5 e-newsletter from The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul:

Greetings all you film enthusiasts!   After closing our doors for a week, The Film Society is back and wants you to be the first to experience our grand, brand new projection and sound system at our presentation of NT Live's This House, Thursday, June 6 (that's tomorrow)!    And come right back when we open the acclaimed Yoga documentary One Track Heart: The Story of Krishna Das this Friday, June 7! Finally, make sure you to put the the rest of June's amazing lineup on your calendar. See it all in the Coming Soon section below. Thursday, June 6 and Saturday, June 8: This House. Screening in stunning top-quality digital picture and sound! National Theatre Live presents James Graham's superb new play, a funny and moving political epic! This biting, energetic and critically-acclaimed new play strips politics down to the practical realities of those behind the scenes who roll up their sleeves, and on occasion bend the rules... read more Opening Friday, June 7: One Track Heart: The Story of Krishna Das. Winner - Best Documentary, 2012 Maui Film Festival. An inspirational and spiritually edifying story of young musician Jeffrey Kagel, who gave up a chance at rock 'n' roll stardom to search for meaning and happiness through the teachings of a little known guru named Neem Karoli Baba (or Maharajii) amongst the vastness of the Himalayan foothills... read more

The Film Society Ticket Prices: $8.50 - Regular  |  $6.00 - Students w/ ID / Seniors 62+ / Children under 12  $5.00 - Film Society Members   The Film Society programming screens at St. Anthony Main Theatre, 115 SE Main Street, Minneapolis, MN 55414 The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul 125 SE Main St, Suite 125A, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414 info [at] mspfilmsociety.org | 612.331.7563 | mspfilmsociety.org

Northeast Park Master Plan Community Survey and Meeting Announced

Via a June 4 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board:

Participate in the Future of Northeast Park

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) seeks community participation to develop a master plan for Northeast Park.

A series of community meetings are planned, with the first meeting on June 27. A community survey is now available at Northeast Park Questionnaire or by calling 612-230-6400. Throughout the planning process, members of an appointed Community Advisory Committee (CAC) will work with MPRB staff and consultants to engage the community to develop a preferred plan for the park. The master plan will recommend placement of recreation facilities within the park, and the preferred location for a new recreation facility. The final recommendations of the CAC will be forward to the MPRB Board of Commissioners for review and approval.

Mark your calendar and plan to participate at the following meetings (All meetings are open to the public and will include an opportunity for public participation and/or comment):

Thursday, June 27, 2013 (6:30 – 8:30 pm) CAC & Community Workshop
Where: Logan Recreation Center - 690 13th Ave. NE -Minneapolis, MN 55413
Meeting Focus: Participants will learn about the project and help determine needs for the future.

Wednesday, July 31, 2013 (6:30 – 8:30 pm) Community Workshop – Charrette
Where: Logan Recreation Center - 690 13th Ave. NE -Minneapolis, MN 55413
Meeting Focus: Participants will help shape design concepts for the park.

Saturday, August 3, 2013 (10:00am-12:30pm) CAC & Community Open House
Where: Logan Recreation Center - 690 13th Ave. NE -Minneapolis, MN 55413
Meeting Focus: Review and comment on initial park concepts. From 10-11:30 am the concepts from the charrette will be available for comment and review, then at 11:30 the CAC will meet to review the comments and identify common themes. The community is welcome to attend the full meeting.

Take a survey before July 15! The survey is at Northeast Park Questionnaire or by calling the MPRB’s customer service center at 612-230-6400 for a paper copy. Completed paper surveys can be mailed to, or dropped off at, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Attn: Jennifer Ringold, 2117 West River Road N, Minneapolis, MN 55411.

“This is an exciting opportunity for the Northeast Community. We look forward to your participation in the master planning process for the park,” said Commissioner Liz Wielinski. “There will be many opportunities throughout the project to join the conversation and to share your ideas. Please take the online survey, or attend an upcoming meeting to have your ideas heard.”

The CAC, which is to represent the range of park users, was appointed by Park Board commissioners, other elected city officials, neighborhood associations, and advisory groups. Members are charged with becoming knowledgeable about the project and its scope, understanding and representing the park and recreation needs of the community and park visitors, acting as community liaisons for the project, participating in public CAC meetings, advising MPRB staff and consultants throughout the planning process and recommending to the Board of Commissioners a preferred plan, budget and, if warranted, phasing strategy. The design of the recreation facility will be determined in a future phase of community engagement and will be coordinated with the system-wide recreation facility plan.

As part of the master planning process, current and potential facilities will be evaluated in relation to the community’s park and recreation needs as well as facilities provided in surrounding parks within the northeast Minneapolis area. The outcomes of the master plan and future recreation facility planning will direct future capital investments in the park. The MPRB’s 5-year Capital Improvement Program currently includes $4,000,000 for building and site improvements and $1,150,000 in field and site improvements.

MPRB welcomes everyone to get involved and to share their ideas—look for announcements and upcoming meetings by visiting the project webpage. In addition to the June and July meetings, additional meetings in September and October are anticipated.

The anticipated planning process is as follows: the master park plan to be developed in 2013, a recreation facility plan to follow in 2014, with a construction and groundbreaking date slated for 2015. To receive project updates via email, visit the MPRB Website and click on the red envelope.

The Northeast Recreation Center has been closed since January 1, 2013, to allow for expansion plans at Yinghau Academy. All outdoor activities, leagues, and events are continuing as planned. The Jim Lupient Pool will remain open. For pool information, visit the website MPRB Website or call the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Customer Service line at 612-230-6400.

CONTACT: Questions from the public:
Jennifer Ringold, Manager Community Engagement & Citywide Planning
Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
612-230-6464
jringold@minneapolisparks.org

Tonight - Fundraiser for Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association at Mill & Main

Raise the Roof with MHNA

A Fundraiser for Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association Jun 05, 2013 6:00 to 9:00 PM

MHNA is planning a rooftop party at Mill & Main to ring in the summer, raise some funds and pay tribute to longtime neighbor and past president who has shaped so much of Marcy-Holmes, Arvonne Fraser. Food and beverages of a summer persuasion will be on hand as you mingle with board members and neighbors. Tickets to the event also include exclusive tours of Mill & Main, the new residence nestled along the riverfront. Be the first to enjoy the downtown views from this new vantage point. Tickets are $35. All proceeds benefit MHNA's year-round efforts.  Reservations.

Slow Supper with Chef Jamie Malone at The Soap Factory

Looking for a special date night - or maybe just a unique dining experience?  Consider Slow Supper with Chef Jamie Malone, being held at The Soap Factory on Sunday, June 23, at 8:00pm.

It's part of The Brooklyn Brewery Mash as a benefit for Slow Food USA, which kicked off at SxSW Interactive in Austin. (If you're a regular at the Mill City Farmers Market, you may recall seeing a Slow Food Minnesota booth.)

Slow Supper is a dinner party collaboration between the culinary cultures of Brooklyn and other cities, held in unique locations.  Previous suppers have been held on a farm in Austin, in an abandoned building in downtown New Orleans, a re-purposed meat packing plant in Nashville, and an arboretum in Baltimore.

It's also a benefit dinner party, with proceeds going to Minnesota's Land Stewardship Project. 

Click here for tickets and more information.

Check out the Menu

Things We Find On The Beach (passed Hors d’oeuvre)
Brooklyn Summer Ale Cocktail & Brooklyn Silver Anniversary Lager

Langoustines/ hot olive oil/ chile/crustacean essence
Brooklyn Crochet De La Rouge Riesling (Ghost Bottle)

Shaved abalone/ asparagus/ bone marrow/ yuzu/ chili
Brooklyn Sorachi Ace

Grilled octopus/ salsa verde/ Spanish peppers/ pimento/ smoked farro
Brooklyn Local 1

Chicken breast/ bandaged cheddar/ cauliflower/ hops/sweetbreads
Brooklyn Wild 1 (Ghost Bottle)

Chocolate cremeux/ brownie/ black currant/ malt
Brooklyn Black Ops

There will also be an event at Haute Dish on June 19.

Mill City Update / Vikings Stadium & Downtown East Redevelopment, Food Truck in the Mill District for Lunch Today

MARK YOUR CALENDARS
June 24, 6:30-8:00PM
Open Book, 10th & Washington Ave S.

Come see a joint presentation by the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority and Ryan Co. on the new Vikings Stadium and the Downtown East Redevelopment projects and learn how they might transform Downtown East.

Co-sponsored by the Mill District Neighborhood Association, the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association, The Elliot Park Neighborhood and the East Downtown Council.

Note: This event is being held in lieu of our standard MDNA meeting.

FOOD TRUCK IN THE MILL DISTRICT FOR LUNCH TODAY
http://millcitytimes.com/news/food-truck-1st-mondays-in-the-mill-district.html

NORTHEAST PEDAL PUB RACES ON SUNDAY
http://www.northeastminneapolis.com/pedal-pub-race/

***NOTES FROM THE MAY MILL DISTRICT NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING***

GOLD MEDAL PARK UPDATE
Council Member Lisa Goodman & Dr. William MgGuire

Council Member Goodman and Dr. MgGuire reported that significant progress has been made on financing of, and a legal framework for, securing a long term solution for Gold Medal Park. 

Show your support for Gold Medal Park by "Liking" it's Facebook page:
http://Facebook.com/GoldMedalPark

WATER WORKS PARK/SCHERER-HALL'S ISLAND PARK/RIVERFIRST/CENTRAL RIVERFRONT UPDATE
Mary deLaittre, President, Minneapolis Parks Foundation & Andrew Caddock, MPRB Project Manager

Riverfront Project Resources:

Scherer/Hall's Island Park
http://riverfirst.com/2013/05/02/video-3d-animated-halls-island-and-riverfront-park-experience/

Water Works
http://mplsparksfoundation.org/projects/water-works/

Central Riverfront Master Planning
http://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=1396

RiverFirst
http://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=1352

CROWN HYDRO/HALL'S ISLAND RECONSTRUCTION
MPRB President & Commissioner John Irwin provided an update on the Crown Hydro Project at St, Anthony Falls and the Hall's Island Reconstruction legislation:

The Minnesota Legislature passed a bill approving the planned reconstruction of Hall's Island as part of the Scherer Park project on the East Bank of the Minneapolis Riverfront:
http://riverfirst.com/2013/05/24/news-halls-island-a-go/

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission recently issued a 60 notice to Crown Hydro:
http://millcitytimes.com/community/crown-hydro.html

Week 4 at the 2013 Mill City Farmers Market

June 1 was Backyard Chicken Day at the Market, and both Oliver H. Kelley Farm and The Urban Chicken Keeper provided shoppers with an up close look at their colorful hens.

Food Truck 1st Mondays in the Mill District

Cynthia Froid Group invites the neighborhood to join them in supporting "Food Truck 1st Mondays in the Mill District".  This coming Monday, June 3, will feature the Chef Shack Food Truck from 11:00am - 1:30pm at 709 2nd Street South.

 

The Picture a Park Photo Contest and Free Photography Classes!

Via a May 29 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board:

Photo Contest returns for fourth year to highlight beauty, events and fun in Minneapolis parks

Sign up NOW for free photography classes taught by National Camera Exchange instructor - first class offered Sat June 1

Take your best shot! The Picture a Park Photo Contest has returned for the fourth consecutive year.  New this summer, several free indoor and outdoor photography classes are being offered, with the first class from 10am-Noon this Saturday, June 1, at Nokomis Recreation Center.

Learn how to take better photographs using your SLR, point and shoot or cell phone camera. Space is limited and pre-registration is required, so register today! Future classes will be held June 22 at Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Recreation Center, July 20 at Minnehaha Falls, and August 3 at the Rose Garden.

Sponsored by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB), People for Parks (PFP) and National Camera Exchange, the Photo Contest is designed to highlight photos taken year-round in Minneapolis parks.

Contest Categories
• Beauty in the Parks – Capture the everyday beauty within the parks, including wildlife, historic sites and breathtaking views.
• Events in the Parks – Photograph a whimsical event or community celebration in Minneapolis Parks.
• Fun in the Parks – Document a fun park activity, such as a concert, movie, bike ride or picnic.
• Photos by Youth – Budding photographers age 17 and younger can submit photos of their favorite Minneapolis Parks in any of the three subject areas – beauty, fun, events.

The next time you’re walking around the Chain of Lakes, riding your bike around the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, attending an event in the parks or simply playing in a neighborhood park with friends, bring a camera and take a few photos. Photo contest entries can depict people, activities, events, nature and places in the Minneapolis Park System from any time of the year.

The contest is open to amateurs of all ages, Minneapolis residents and non-residents, with categories for both youth and adults. Photos must be unpublished, color, and taken within the Minneapolis Park System. Photographs from all seasons are encouraged and accepted. Photographers can submit up to three entries. There is no entry fee.

Prizes will be awarded for contest-winning photos, including gift certificates, Annual Patron Parking Permits, and water park and winter recreation passes. A public vote will take place online in September to choose among a selection of entries as the People’s Choice Award winner. Photo contest winners also have the opportunity to have their photo appear on the 2014 Annual Parking Permit, distributed to nearly 7,000 park patrons.

All photos and entry forms must be submitted online by Sept. 2, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. through the National Camera Exchange website.

Complete contest rules and guidelines as well as previous contest winning photos are available for viewing online.

Parkway Closure June 2 for Minneapolis Marathon

From the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board:

The following parkway will be temporarily closed June 2, 2013, for Minneapolis Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay 7:00a.m. – 3:00p.m.: West River Road/Parkway from Lowery Avenue North to Godfrey Parkway at Minnehaha Park. Godfrey Parkway at Minnehaha Park and Historic Main Street Bike Path, Pedestrian Path and Parkway.

Please note that the duration of the closures is subject to change based on the event's start and finish times.

A complete list of current and upcoming parkway closures is available online.

HCSO Downtown Minneapolis SafeZone Initiative

From a May 23 Hennepin County Sheriff's Office e-newsletter:

The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office will begin additional patrols in downtown Minneapolis as part of the annual summer SafeZone initiative that begins on Memorial Day.

The Sheriff’s Office partners with the Minneapolis Police Department, Metro Transit Police, the Downtown Council, and the Downtown Improvement District to keep the downtown safe for people, who work, live, shop, and visit downtown. Sheriff’s Office deputies and law enforcement officers from the other partner agencies will walk the downtown beat in a proactive, high-profile effort to prevent crime and respond to public safety issues.

Since 2005, the SafeZone has been in place every year during the summer months. The SafeZone patrols are scheduled for afternoon and evening hours beginning May 27 and concluding Labor Day weekend.

Week 3 at the 2013 Mill City Farmers Market

The Twins broke their 10-game losing streak, and the weather finally cooperated for the Market - it was a good day!  But especially so at the MCFM, where shoppers could leisurely choose their purchases, and enjoy the cooking demo, Native American dances performed by students of the American Indian Magnet School, and some toe-tappin' music by the Petticoat Rustlers.

April Showers Bring May Flowers, but...

...look what May showers bring!

New Segway Tour: The Insider Tour

Here's a new Segway tour to try: The Insider Tour.

It's described as an exhilarating loop through downtown, beginning at the Minneapolis Convention Center, that will give you an insiders perspective to our great city, including Loring Park, Nicollet Mall, the Guthrie Theater, the Minneapolis riverfront, Gateway Park, and the Theater District.

The Insider Tour has limited availability and is offered at 8:30am on the following dates:
 
June 3, 10, 17, 24
July 1, 2, 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
August 7, 14, 21, 28

Call 952-888-9200 for reservations.

Amendment to Close the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock Passes Senate

From FMR:

Last week an amendment introduced by U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar to fight Asian carp passed the Senate as part of the “Water Resources Development Act” (WRDA). The amendment, cosponsored by Senator Al Franken, would close the Upper St. Anthony Falls lock within a year to help stop the spread of the invasive species.

“Asian carp not only pose a serious threat to Minnesota’s environment, they also threaten the recreation and fishing industries that play a key role in the state’s economy,” Klobuchar said last Thiursday after the vote. “Today’s action is a significant step forward to help the state take action to protect Minnesota’s waterways so we can keep this invasive species from wreaking havoc on our lakes and rivers.”

Read more...

Central Corridor LRT (Green Line) Update

Excerpt from a May 22 Metropolitan Council e-newsletter:

The first time a light rail vehicle (LRV) appeared on the Central Corridor LRT (Green Line) was April 28. A railcar mover towed the LRV from Minneapolis to St. Paul to verify width clearances between the sides of the vehicle and catenary poles and wayside equipment. The railcar mover was used because crews are still installing the overhead wires that will power the trains.
 
Once the installation of wires is complete, test runs will begin this fall. The outcome will determine the line’s opening date in mid-2014.

Below, LRV being towed to West Bank Station.

The Central Corridor links five major centers of activity in the Twin Cities region: downtown Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota, the Midway area, the State Capitol complex and downtown St. Paul. These areas currently contain almost 280,000 jobs. By 2030, this number is expected to grow to 345,000 jobs.

When it enters service in 2014, the Central Corridor LRT Project will be known as the Green Line.

Register Your Bicycle with the Minneapolis Police Department

Every year, thousands of bikes are lost or stolen in Minneapolis.

Many are recovered, but due to a lack of proper identification, only a small percentage are ever returned to their owners.

The Minneapolis Police Department has created an easy, on-line way to register your bicycle.  Using this link below, enter your contact information, bike serial number, and the bike make and model.  In the event your bike is lost or stolen, and subsequently recovered by the MPD, other agencies or city departments, they'll be able to return it to you quickly.

How?
•  Register online any time.
•  Call 311--be sure to have your bike’s serial number ready.
•  311’s app: minneapolismn.gov/311  to register using your smart phone.

Why?
 •  It could increase the chances of a stolen or lost bike being returned to the rightful owner--recovered bikes can be checked against our registered bikes database.
 •  It’s FREE
 •  It’s easy—just a few minutes!
 •  Registration could assist in identifying incapacitated riders without IDs.

Questions?  Contact:

Luther Krueger, Crime Prevention Analyst
Minneapolis Police Dept., Strategic Information/Crime Analysis Division
350 S. 5th Street, Room 100 City Hall + Minneapolis MN 55415
612-673-5371 + Luther.Krueger@MinneapolisMN.gov