Covering life, work, and play in the Historic Mill District and Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront neighborhoods. Have an opinion, local news or events to share? Contact us.
The public comment segment of the September 11 hearing at which the measure was approved. A look at the research calls some of the rhetoric into question:
http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/224151211.html
;)
Via a Sept. 17 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board:
MPRB Superintendent Jayne Miller and newly sworn in Park Police Chief Jason Ohotto
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) recently appointed Jason Ohotto as the new Park Police Chief and was sworn in by Superintendent Jayne Miller in front of full crowd in the Board Room at the MPRB Headquarters on September 11.
In this new position, Chief Ohotto will be responsible for the overall management and direction of all services, functions and operations of the Park Police Department. Additionally he will plan, coordinate and direct year-round, citywide Park Police activities and services to ensure that the mission, goals, policies and priorities of the MPRB are incorporated into the department activities and services.
“As a decorated member of the Minneapolis Park Police Department, Jason has over 17 years of committed experience to protecting our communities and keeping our parks safe,” said MPRB Superintendent Jayne Miller. “Jason is a proven leader with a clear vision and a high-level of understanding of what it takes to ensure safe parks, facilities and recreation programs throughout Minneapolis. It is through his hard work and tireless efforts that Jason has been able to establish authentic relationships with park staff, elected officials and community members to solve – and prevent – crime and safety issues in our parks.”
Ohotto first joined the Minneapolis Police Department as a Park Patrol Agent in 1995, serving in that role through 1998. From 1998 through 2004 he served as a Minneapolis Park Police Officer and as a Park Police Sergeant from 2004-2012. In 2012, Ohotto was promoted to Park Police Lieutenant and has served as Captain of the Minneapolis Park Police department since February of this year. Ohotto holds a Master of Public and Non-Profit Administration Degree with a concentration in Law Enforcement Organizations from Metropolitan State University in St. Paul. During Ohotto’s career with the Minneapolis Park Police Department he has received the Award of Merit, the Lifesaving Award and twice has received the Medal of Commendation from the Minneapolis Police Department.
“It is my great honor to accept this position and continue my work for the greatest park system in the country. In my view, people are what make Minneapolis parks so special,” said Chief Ohotto. “I truly appreciate all the support I have felt from staff, Commissioners and residents over my career and especially the last six months. Please know that I believe my job is to support the work being done in the field and I am thankful each day that I am able to serve alongside this dedicated staff!”
A lot of people in the neighborhood recognize Michael "MJ" Johnson from Sorella Wine & Spirits. But what you might not know is that he's the Founder of The Minneapolis Beard and Moustache Club.
MJ and a fellow member recently won Gold Medals at The National Beard and Moustache Championships in New Orleans. He won in the Imperial Partial Beard category and Marc McShane won Gold in the Amish Beard category.
MJ also made the top 4 for Best in Show. Check out this video!
Email reservations to megan@mcfarlandcomm.net, using “Nicollet Mall RSVP” in the subject line.
Day Block Brewing Co., a "pizza based" brewpub is preparing to open this fall. They are currently renovating the former Spill the Wine space at 1105 11th Ave S next door to Grumpy's in the historic Day Block building and hope to open in 2013. They will be brewing craft beers in the refurbished basement of their new digs.
We're eager to welcome our new neighbors, so we'll be tracking this one closely.
Visit them on the web at http://www.dayblockbrewing.com/
September 14 was Sweet Corn Day at the Market. It was celebrated with piles of sweet corn at vendor stands, and corn recipes at the Mill City Cooks demo and Meet Your Veggies booth. Time to start filling the freezer with those sweet little yellow kernels for savoring this winter.
Simply amazing - still no rain, yet the farmers continue to out do themselves each week.
Yoda the squash! :)
Braucher's Sunshine Harvest Farm was one of the Mill City Farmers Market vendors featured in the Minnesota Cooks calendar.
Darrold from Sunrise Flour Mill demonstrates the pizza dough toss:
The Loft and Minnesota Premiere Publications (Southwest Journal, The Journal, and Minnesota Good Age) have teamed up to offer the Loft's Fall Writing Contest.
Last year's winner, Sally Franson, will judge the entries and one winner will receive a $150 Loft gift certificate, $100 in gift certificates to Parasole restaurants, and publication in the Southwest Journal, The Journal, and Minnesota Good Age. Deadline is Thursday, October 3 at 11:59 p.m.
Contest Details: Eclipse
A good portion of the world will experience a total solar eclipse on November 3, 2013. Write a story, 800 words or less, that incorporates an eclipse.
Mill City Museum's 10th Birthday Party runs Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. This video describes how it came to be:
The following parkways will be temporarily closed September 14-15, for these events and designated times:
September 14 – Mill City Suds Run: Historic Main Street Parkway, West River Parkway Plymouth Avenue North to Portland Avenue 10:00am to 2:00pm
September 15 – Minneapolis Bike Tour: Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway. All Lake Harriet Parkway All Lake Calhoun Parkway, All Lake Nokomis, All Theodore Wirth Parkway, Webber-Victory Memorial, All West River Parkway/Road, All Lake of the Isles Parkway 7:00am to 2:00pm
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.
The 2013 Minnesota Cheese Festival takes place September 14 and 15 at the MN State Fair Grounds. It is one of the country's largest celebrations of regionally produced cheese and cheese-related products. Look for the following three MCFM Vendors, along with Market Sponsor Organic Valley at this years Festival.
Rochdale Farms was named in honor of the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers, home to the original consumer cooperative launched in 1844 in England. Rochdale Farms thinks that the pioneers had the right idea, which is why all Rochdale Farms products support local farmers and help local food cooperatives - all part of the effort to grow local communities.
The folks at Shepherd's Way Farms believe in hard work, creativity, respect for the land and animals, and a focus on family and friends. The small, family farm is located 7 miles outside of Northfield, across from the Big Woods State Park. They have a small flock of approximately 200 dairy ewes and is an active part of the local food community.
Singing Hills Goat Dairy is a small artisan goat cheese dairy farm near Nerstrand that produces fresh chevre, feta, curds and yogurt from its on-farm certified cheese plant. Their goat herd can be found on 25 acres of rolling grassland that border Big Woods State Park.
Organic Valley Co-op was created 25 years ago by a handful of farmers from southwestern Wisconsin who shared the belief that a new, sustainable approach to agriculture could help family farms and rural communities survive. Once pioneers of organic agriculture, Organic Valley Co-op is now an established leader, producing only organic products and building a future for sustainable family farming across the country.
NOTE: Tickets are limited - advanced sales only. You can save $2 on an Adult Session ticket by entering code ILOVECHEESE when buying tickets online.
Magna Health and Fitness announced yesterday that construction is complete and their location at 616 South 3rd Street (in the American Trio building) is now open.
With more than 7,400 square feet, their full-service facility is equipped with six treatment rooms, an industrial fitness center, group training, private fitness, meditation and an expansive yoga studio. For more information, call 612-424-6840 or visit the website.
Welcome to the neighborhood, Magna! :)
Sponsored by the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District, the first debate of the general election featuring all Minneapolis Third Ward City Council candidates was held last night at the Ritz Theater.
Participating were: Jacob Frey (DFL Endorsed Candidate), Kristina Gronquist (Green Party Endorsed Candidate), Diane Hofstede (DFL Incumbent Councilwoman), Michael Katch (Libertarian Endorsed Candidate).
The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul presents Girl Rising on September 18.
Girl Rising spotlights the stories of nine unforgettable girls born into unforgiving circumstances. Girls like Sokha, an orphan who rises from a life in the garbage dump in Phnom Penh, Cambodia to become a star student and an accomplished dancer; Suma, who writes songs that help her endure forced servitude in Nepal and today crusades to free others; and Ruksana, an Indian “pavement-dweller” whose father sacrifices his own basic needs for his daughter’s dreams.
Peter Zenner and Josh Fazeli, a BFA graduate from the Guthrie Theater are working on an exciting event to bring a new twist on Shakespeare to the Mill District. Here's a preview of the presentation Peter and Josh will give at the next meeting of the Mill District Neighborhood Association:
WHEN - Monday, September 16, 2013 / 6:30 – 8:00 PM
WHERE - Mill City Museum
6th Floor ADM Conference Room
Enter at 710 2nd Street South - Arrive early to assure a seat
View the full agenda - http://milldistrict.org/meetings/
Light up St. Anthony Falls? Open the Pillsbury A Mill tunnels to the public? Bring a restaurant to Boom Island? A park in the North Loop? Should Gold Medal Park be preserved? A music festival on the Central Riverfront?
Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board President John Irwin will share his ideas for the riverfront at the next meeting of the Mill District Neighborhood Association on Monday, September 16 at the Mill City Museum.
WHEN - Monday, September 16, 2013 / 6:30 – 8:00 PM
WHERE - Mill City Museum
6th Floor ADM Conference Room
Enter at 710 2nd Street South - Arrive early to assure a seat
View the full agenda - http://milldistrict.org/meetings/
Based on a concept from Laurie Jones, a Central Riverfront resident, the Minneapolis Riverfront HOA Collaboration started out as a committee of the Mill District Neighborhood Association. After enlisting 14 Central Riverfront condos from both sides of the river, they're taking this fledgling collaborative to the next level.
Currently, membership is comprised of representatives from:
607 Washington - Bridgewater - Carlyle - Cobalt - Humboldt - LaRive - Metropolitan Lofts - Park Ave - Phoenix - River West - Stone Arch - Washburn - Whitney - Zenith.
The general boundaries of the collaborative, for now is defined as Condominiums bounded by Hennepin Avenue to the north, University Avenue to the east, 35W to the south, and Washington Avenue to the west.
Their newly minted Mission Statement:
To enable collaboration and facilitate communication between HOAs.
To enhance both individual and collective HOA interests.
To share best practices of:
Find out more on Monday, September 16 at the next meeting of the Mill District Neighborhood Association.
WHEN - Monday, September 16, 2013 / 6:30 – 8:00 PM
WHERE - Mill City Museum
6th Floor ADM Conference Room
Enter at 710 2nd Street South - Arrive early to assure a seat
View the full agenda - http://milldistrict.org/meetings/
Join us at the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District candidate forum. This will be the first debate of the general election featuring all Minneapolis Third Ward City Council candidates.
WHEN: Tuesday, September 10 | The doors open at 6:00pm and the program starts at 7:00pm
WHERE: The Ritz Theatre | 345 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis
There will be a social hour after the program.
Invited guests: Jacob Frey (DFL Endorsed Candidate), Kristina Gronquist (Green Party Endorsed Candidate), Diane Hofstede (DFL Incumbent Councilwoman), Michael Katch (Libertarian Endorsed Candidate).
The parcel pictured above at 800 Washington Ave S was once slated to become the new Headquarters for Artspace, but the financing never fully materialized.
The City of Minneapolis is preparing to put up a For Sale sign again. Be among the first to learn about this key parcel in the Mill District from Ann Calvert, Principal Project Coodinator for City of Minneapolis CPED on Monday, September 16 at the next Meeting of the Mill District Neighborhood Association:
WHEN - Monday, September 16, 2013 / 6:30 – 8:00 PM
WHERE - Mill City Museum
6th Floor ADM Conference Room
Enter at 710 2nd Street South - Arrive early to assure a seat
View the full agenda - http://milldistrict.org/meetings/
Event: Mill City Museum's 10th Birthday Party
Date: Saturday, Sept. 14 and Sunday, Sept. 15
Time: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Place: Mill City Museum, 704 South Second Street, Minneapolis MN 55401
Phone: 612-341-7555
Email: mcm@mnhs.org
Website: http://www.millcitymuseum.org/
Mill City Museum Celebrates 10 Years with Free Admission and Programming, Sept. 14 and 15
In 1971, the Washburn A Mill was added to the National Register of Historic Places, in 1983 it was designated a National Historic Landmark, and in September 2003 it opened as the newest addition to the Minnesota Historical Society's network of historic sites and museums.
On Sept. 14 and 15, come celebrate Mill City Museum's 10th anniversary and find out why visitors say it's a "must-see" cultural attraction. Admission will be free the entire weekend.
Mill City Museum's 10th Birthday Party runs Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
Throughout the weekend families can explore the museum. Mill City Museum describes in compelling, multi-sensory and hands-on ways how industry, nature and people came together to make Minneapolis the "Flour Milling Capital of the World" from 1880 to 1930. The story comes to life through the Water Lab, Baking Lab and Flour Tower, an eight-story elevator ride that enables visitors to experience the powerful, noisy, industrial process that turned wheat into flour. A rooftop observation deck offers sweeping views of the Mississippi River, St. Anthony Falls, the Stone Arch Bridge and Mill Ruins Park. Mill City Museum also includes a gift shop and café.
Brief history of Mill City Museum
Originally designed by Austrian engineer William de la Barre and declared the world's largest flour mill after its completion in 1880, the structure housing Mill City Museum was nearly destroyed by fire in 1991.
After the City of Minneapolis, working through the Minneapolis Community Development Agency, cleaned up the rubble and fortified the mill's charred walls, the Minnesota Historical Society announced its intention to construct a milling museum and education center within the ruins.
Faced with how to preserve the ruins of this historically significant site while building a modern museum, the Society turned to Thomas Meyer, principal of Minneapolis architectural firm Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle, Ltd. Construction on the museum began in March 2001.
Meyer's design left intact many features of the original mill, including flour bins, milling machinery, the engine house, rail corridor and a wheat house. Ruins of the historic mill are showcased in the 100-by-100 foot open-air courtyard. And limestone, brick, concrete and steel were used within the museum to emphasize its industrial origins.
About the Minnesota Historical Society
This summer explore more than 500 museums statewide with the free Minnesota Museums app, brought to you by the Minnesota Association of Museums and the Minnesota Historical Society. Browse Minnesota museums by name, category or location; create an itinerary, check off museums you've visited and upload favorite museum photos; plus the app will also suggest museums based on geographic location. The Minnesota Museums app is made possible by the Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the vote of Minnesotans on Nov. 4, 2008.
The Society’s calendar of events is posted online at events.mnhs.org/calendar. The website also has information about all of the Society’s programs, museums and historic sites.
The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. The Society collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs and book publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, the Society preserves our past, shares our state’s stories and connects people with history.
There's a drought going on, but you'd never know it when strolling through the September 7 Market, which was overflowing with abundance.
Swede Lake Farm's answer to the "Izzy Scoop"?
A rainbow of purchases from the Market :)
Mill City Times | 35W Bridge Memorial | Mill District Block Party | Mill City Media
Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at 7:23AM