Downtown Kicks Off August 1 National Night Out with 3pm - 5pm Event

Via a July 31 News Release:

What: National Night Out Kickoff Event
When: Tuesday, August 1, 3-5 pm
Where: Mayo Clinic Square (Corner of Hennepin Avenue and 6th Street North)

National Night Out is an annual event that brings communities and law enforcement together in an effort to get to know one another while raising awareness about how to keep neighborhoods safe. The mpls downtown council and Mpls Downtown Improvement District, with support from Target, are hosting the fourth annual NNO Kickoff Event in downtown, bringing those who live, work and play in our community together for an afternoon of fun and education about how to help each other stay safe.

The NNO Kickoff Event will include:
- Appearances by local law enforcement and public officials
- A pop-up electronic basketball game
- Free giveaways
- Free frozen treats
- Time/Location list of NNO Events in the City of Minneapolis on August 1

Since 1984, Minneapolis has become a national leader in National Night Out participation. Last year, Minneapolis had more than 1,200 registered NNO confirmed events—the most by a city with a population 300,000+ in the country. This year, there will be roughly 20 NNO events in downtown neighborhoods alone.

For more information and additional details on this year’s National Night Out event, follow @mplsdowntown or @MinneapolisDID on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtags #mplsdowntown and #NNO.

Abiitan Mill City Now Offering Respite Care

Via a July 31 News Release from Ecumen:

Abiitan Mill City Now Offering Respite Service

Abiitan Mill City, a luxury senior living community in Downtown Minneapolis, is now offering a respite program for those who need short-term assisted living or memory care services.

Respite care is especially designed for people still recovering from surgery or illness after a hospital discharge or for the loved ones of caregivers who need a break. Also, respite is a practical way to experience Abiitan for those thinking about moving into the community.

At Abiitan, respite care residents receive a personalized care plan for stays as short as one week. For a daily rate of $330, respite residents receive a furnished room and services such as three meals per day, weekly housekeeping and laundry, linens and towels, medication management, assistance organizing transportation to scheduled destinations, an emergency call system and a 24-hour caregiving staff, personal assistance for bathing and dressing, and activity programs. Special health care services may be arranged on request.
 
For caregivers, respite care provides a break from the typical care routine – giving a caregiver downtime while providing the person who needs care with continued attention from qualified staff and access to all the amenities and activities available.

“Respite care offers a safe bridge between the hospital and home,” said Erwan Moison, Abiitan Executive Director. “Respite also is a great way for caregivers to receive a break with the peace of mind that their loved ones will be well cared for and safe.”

Abiitan Mill City, located at 428 S. 2nd Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55401, offers assisted living services, rehabilitation and skilled nursing care and memory care. For more information call 612-378-0200 or visit http://www.abiitan.org/.

About Ecumen
Ecumen is one of the nation’s top 25 largest non-profit providers of senior housing and aging services. Based in Shoreview, Minn., Ecumen operates 36 communities in 8 states — Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Idaho, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee.  Ecumen provides a variety of senior housing options and services including independent living, assisted living, short-term rehabilitation and long-term care communities as well as at-home and community-based services including home care and hospice. Dedicated to empowering individuals to lead richer, fuller lives, Ecumen prides itself on innovation and radically changing the way aging is viewed and understood.  Ecumen, founded more than 150 years ago, was named “Best Places to Work” 10 times by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal and one of Minnesota’s Top Workplaces by the Minneapolis Star Tribune and Minnesota Monthly Magazine. To stay up-to-date on the latest news, find us on Facebook or visit http://www.ecumen.org/.

Scenes from the July 29 Mill City Farmers Market

One of life's simple pleasures - fresh sweet corn - arrived at the July 29 Mill City Farmers Market.

...and a few ears even made their way to Northern Fires' pizza oven!

Thank you to MCFM sponsor Lakewinds Food Co-op! In addition to handing out free shopping totes at the July 29 Market, they introduced shoppers to Lakewinds' new Maker to Market program, plus Jill Holter served as the guest chef for the Mill City Cooks demo. The Maker to Market program currently includes four local companies: Caldo Foods, Gyst, Little Red Hen and Señoras de Salsa. Lakewinds staff provided samples of the Caldo Foods' carota and harissa products, and Jill included Caldo harissa and Gyst pickled golden beets in her demo recipes.

Freak Flag Foods (try saying that 3 times as fast as you can!) is new at the 2017 Mill City Farmers Market. They offer three sauces to "spread it, mix it, dollop or dip it". Look for a separate post on Freak Flag Foods later this week on our Farmers Market blog.

Below, a member of Mixed Precipitation warmed up before they entertained shoppers with an excerpt performance from this seasons Picnic Operetta, ‘Philemon and Baucis–Planet in Peril’.

Liz Plambeck of Universal Pants creates women's and children's clothing using up-cycled clothing, vintage fabric, table linens, and hand-me-down fabric that would otherwise end up in a landfill.

Thank you to Allina Health for sponsoring the Meet Your Vegetables program!

Above, Michael Keyes & Jim Krans provided music from 11a-1p.

I snagged the last carton of seedless European style sandwich pickles (the Cadillac of cukes, IMO), but Deanna assured me there will be more at her Swede Lake Farms booth next week. 

Milly the goat!

My North Series - 52 Minnesota Stories Leading up to the 2018 Super Bowl (Episodes 21-25)

Count down to Super Bowl 52 with this weekly video series of 52 love letters to Minnesota from notable Minnesotans. My North is an editorial video series created by Mpls.St.Paul Magazine and presented by Explore Minnesota. Hear from tastemakers and stylemakers. Artists and athletes. Authors and entertainers. These are their odes to the state they love. Below are episodes 21-25 - click here to see more!

Washington Avenue Reconstruction Update

Via a July 27 e-newsletter from Hennepin County:

Saturday paving on Washington Avenue 

Starting at 7 a.m. on Saturday, July 29, crews will pave the final layer on eastbound lanes of Washington Avenues. 

Expect noise and vibrations

Residents and businesses in the area should be aware that this work will be noisy and there will be vibrations. Bituminous paving is loud and involves a lot of truck operations. The vibrating roller used to smooth out and compact the pavement often shakes the ground.

Expect delays

The paving will be completed under traffic. This means crews will be working alongside traffic. Lane restrictions, including at intersections with flaggers, will occur as paving progresses along Washington Avenue. 

This work is expected to last the duration of the day, weather permitting.

In addition to the county's paving efforts, the City of Minneapolis will be seal coating 3rd Avenue South on Saturday, July 29. The city expects that the 3rd Avenue work will only last the day, weather permitting.

Motorists and pedestrians should expect some delays on Saturday.

Last week, crews paved the first two layers of bituminous, or pavement, on eastbound lanes of Washington Avenue.

Detour remains in place

There is more work that needs to be completed before all lanes can fully open, including special striping for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists throughout the corridor.

As a result, the existing detour will remain in place as crews complete some paving and striping work.

Motorists

For the remainder of the work, motorists should stay alert and follow the signs posted around the area.

All eastbound through traffic must use the detour of 2nd Avenue, 4th Street South and 5th Avenue.

Continued lane restrictions in intersections at 3rd, 4th and 5th Avenues are expected.

Bicyclists 

In addition, bicyclists should continue to stay off the cycle track until the project announces they are open. It is anticipated the lanes will open in August.

Contact us
Website: www.hennepin.us/washingtonavenue
Email: washingtonave@hennepin.us 

The MPRB Wants You to Know: Summer is Sand Wasp Season!

Via a July 27 e-newsletter form the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

Summer means warms days, sunshine and sand wasps. This is the time of year when some park users may see sand wasps swarm and burrow into the sand in tot lots, playgrounds and other Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) properties where sand is present.

Unlike yellow jackets and other types of wasps, sand wasps are not aggressive. While female sand wasps are capable of stinging, they will only do so to defend themselves. Male sand wasps can aggressively guard a territory and will challenge other males (even people) but they lack a stinger cannot harm humans.

Photo Courtesy of the UofM Bee LabSand wasps are small, typically close to 1/2 inch in length and are typically black and yellow. Sand wasps nest individually in burrows but often nest in one small area.

Removing sand wasp nests with pesticides would close the affected area for an extended period and then likely leave trace amounts of pesticides in the sand. Since sand wasps are typically not aggressive, MPRB staff most often recommend leaving them alone until the nesting time is over and they die naturally.

(Note: sightings of other stinging wasps that pose a threat can be reported to Customer Service at 612-230-6400. After verification, MPRB staff may use natural methods to encourage wasps to abandon the nest.)

In addition to sand wasps, other bees and bee hives may be found in the parks. Please be alert and avoid those areas as much as possible. For more information about bees, please visit the University of Minnesota Bee Lab website. 

Applications Now Being Accepted for Master Water Stewards Program

Via a July 26 News Release from Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO):

Looking for a few good neighbors to protect water quality

All across the greater Twin Cities metropolitan area, neighbors are joining together to improve the health of water in their communities and beyond. By becoming trained and certified as Master Water Stewards, they have dreamed up, created and installed projects beyond what they thought possible. Applications are now being accepted for the next cohort of Master Water Stewards who want to make a real difference in their community. 

Freshwater Society developed the Master Water Stewards program in 2013 to equip citizens with the knowledge and skills needed to help improve water quality at the grassroots level. The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) is one of many local watersheds sponsoring MWS classes, and is offering them free-of-charge to eligible residents.

“The Master Water Stewards program is designed to equip ordinary citizens with the skills they need to become leaders for clean water in their community,” said MWMO Executive Director Doug Snyder. “We at the MWMO are proud of our Master Water Stewards and their grassroots efforts to protect our water resources from polluted runoff.”

Master Water Stewards are certified by participating in a broad training curriculum led by experts in the fields of hydrology, stormwater management, water policy, community-based social marketing, and raingarden assessment and installation. They must complete a capstone project that captures rainfall and allows more water to soak into the ground, and lead a community outreach event. Stewards then become a point of knowledge and influence in their communities.

Local graduates include people like Brittany Faust and Kristine Maurer, whose runoff-absorbing landscape at a local café earned an award from the Freshwater Society. Ian Lamers and Liz Reiser built a stormwater treatment train in a residential backyard, while Erin Thomasson and Kathy Johannes lobbied local leaders to consider stormwater management when reviewing development proposals. 

These are just a few examples of Master Water Stewards who are now volunteering their time to protect and improve water quality and habitat in their communities. 

To learn more, citizens can visit https://masterwaterstewards.org/ or attend an upcoming information session at one of the following locations (all applicants welcome at any of the following sessions):

• August 14, 2017 – Freshwater Society, 5:30-6:30 pm, 2424 W. Territorial Rd., Ste. B., St. Paul, MN 55114
• August 29, 2017 – Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, 5:30-6:30 pm, 2522 Marshall Street NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
• September 19, 2017 – Nine Mile Creek Watershed District, 5:30-6:30 pm, 12800 Gerard Dr., Eden Prairie, MN 55346

Or find more dates and times here: https://masterwaterstewards.org/calendar/ 

Accomplishments

Master Water Stewards volunteer 50 hours of community service in their initial year of certification, at least 25 hours each subsequent year, and attend eight hours of continuing education to maintain their certification. To date, stewards have accomplished a tremendous amount through their service. They have:

• Connected with thousands of people through outreach and educational events.
• Installed or planned more than 83 projects, including rain gardens, rain barrels, cisterns, a dry creek bed, and a permeable driveway.
• Prevented more than 1.2 million gallons of polluted stormwater runoff from entering our lakes, rivers, and creeks each year! In the process, these efforts remove silt, leaves, plant material, animal waste, automobile gas and oil spillage, excess salt and other pollutants.

Northeast Minneapolis Icon Celebrates 15 Years of Local and National Prominence

The Sample Room offers “15 Days of Celebration”
$15 sample plate and select beverages at throwback
prices. Running through Sunday, August 6, 2017

Back in July 2002 – fifteen years before the craft-beer boom, before the rehabbing of industrial buildings into tap rooms, fitness centers, workplaces and art galleries, and before becoming a foodie haven for local, organic and small-batch – four partners opened what would become a northeast Minneapolis neighborhood icon: The Sample Room. In July of 2002, Darren Ennis, Sheba C.E. Fideler (co-owners in Sheba Inc, an award-winning event production and graphic design/branding agency), Jim Rosenberg and Christine Bravo initiated and anchored the Minneapolis neighborhood’s renaissance.

“Jim and Christine lived next door and saw the promise of Nordeast,” says The Sample Room co-owner/managing partner Darren Ennis. “After creating our food-forward concept of small plates, which had the legs and appeal for all demographics, the key was to continue executing that concept at a high level while continuing to evolve.”

Since opening, the team has transformed a dark brick, two-story, former beer sampling station and bar on Marshall Avenue into an urban enclave. The Sample Room inducted a fresh menu concept new to the Twin Cities that paid homage to the original Sample Room: small plates of meats, seafood, cheeses and vegetables, sourced from local and often organic farms and makers, along with beverage samplers, or “flights” of wine, scotch and tequila. The restaurant later added beer and spirits flights and an extensive cocktail program.

The plaudits came quickly, from such national publications as the Wall Street Journal, the Travel Network and Food Channel, with Anthony Bourdain also paying a visit. “None of that ensures our longevity, if we’re not, day in and day out, rocking true to form and executing our concept to our highest ability,” Ennis says.

Rather than rest on its laurels, The Sample Room is gearing up for the next 15 years: they currently are partnering with Mississippi Park Connection to utilize Sample Docks for kayak parking and are exploring expansion of service to the docks; expansion of the patio and second level to include Sample Lounge and private event space; and entertainment and events in Gluek Park including yoga, MN Morel Fest, and more.

Serving cocktails and eats daily, The Sample Room is located on the Mississippi River at 2124 Marshall Street NE in a restored turn-of-the century brick building that offers skyline views. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Flickr.

Hours:
The Sample Room opens 11:00am Mon–Fri, 10:30am Sat & Sun
Kitchen is open until 10:30pm Sun–Thurs, Midnight Fri & Sat
Bar is open until Midnight Sun–Thurs, 1:00am Fri & Sat
Brunch is served 10:30am–4:00pm Sat & Sun 
Happy Hours are 3:00pm–6:00pm Mon–Fri, 10:00pm–Midnight Sun–Thurs

Tonight: Mill City Farmers Market’s Tuesday Night Market at The Commons

Mill City Farmers Market’s Tuesday Night Market at The Commons park is Minneapolis' new trusted source for local, sustainable and organic groceries, bringing fresh food, cooking education and live music to one beautiful place. Join over 25 local farmers, artisans and prepared food vendors – rain or shine – this Tuesday night for a unique community shopping experience. Don’t forget your picnic blanket!

Produce Planner
Arugula, bok choi, beets, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, dried beans, fresh herbs, garlic scapes, green garlic, green beans, gooseberries, kale, lettuce, microgreens, mushrooms, peppers, radishes, radicchio, raspberries, salad turnips, snap peas, snow peas, spinach, spring onions, squash blossoms, summer squash, Swiss chard, tomatoes, zucchini and more!

Beer, Wine & Cider
Enjoy your picnic with a tall glass of your choice of beer, wine or cider thanks to Day Block Brewery. Available for purchase at the Day Block Brewery tent.

Dinner
Our farm-to-table vendors have ready made food to-go or to enjoy in the park!
Black Cat – barbecue, rice bowls and more!
Chef Shack – tacos, burgers, and brats
Gorkha Palace – Indian and Nepali dumplings and curries
Northern Fires Pizza
Salty Tart Bakery
Solomon’s Bakery

Live Music
Mudsteppers will be playing live music from 5:30-7:30 in the green music tent located on the southwest corner of the Commons Park!

Meet Your Vegetables
Nutrition and Public Health students lead our Meet Your Vegetables demonstrations at the green Mill City Farmers Market tent. Discover creative, simple ways to prepare seasonal produce and walk away with a delicious sample and recipe card complete with nutrition information! Plus, children ages 3-12 who taste a sample can earn a $2 PoP token to spend on fruits and veggies at the market as part of our Power of Produce club. Learn more.

NOTE - Monitor MCFM's Facebook for any weather-related cancellation updates!

Scenes from the July 22 Mill City Farmers Market

If you missed the July 22 Mill City Farmers Market, stop by the July 25 Mill City Night Market in The Commons, 3:30p-7:30p.

Milly the goat!

New Fitness Studio Coming Soon to the North Loop: ALTR

A new experiential fitness studio, ALTR, is scheduling an August opening in the North Loop. The new concept was designed by two local fitness experts, both formerly of CorePower Yoga - Kari Ament was Chief Operations Officer, and Vincent Amendola was previously Director of Operations.

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Vincent Amendola and Kari Ament, photo provided

   

ALTR will give customers the expertise of a personal trainer delivered in a highly intensive group setting. Fifty minutes of physical and mental intensity with transcendent lighting and immersive sound to create an energetic total body workout utilizing High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). The in-studio lighting effects will be amplified when combined with music tempered to the pace of the workout. The studio will also include a rare custom built spring-loaded floor alleviating pressure on joints.

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Photo credit: Eric Best

 

ALTR is located on the second floor of The Washington building, 121 Washington Avenue N (Washington Avenue N and Second Avenue N). The 4,513 square foot space will have a coffee bar, kombucha on tap, meeting rooms and a communal lounge area.

    

Reach them at 763-639-0879 or connect@altrfit.com. Follow ALTR on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter to keep updated on opening information.

Blood Drive and Giveaways at Minneapolis Visitor Information on Nicollet’s First Thursday Event, August 3rd

Via a July 21 News Release from Meet Minneapolis:

Blood Drive and giveaways at Minneapolis Visitor Information on Nicollet’s First Thursday event

Participants in Memorial Blood Center’s blood drive receive partner giveaways!

Join in on Minneapolis Visitor Information (MVI) on Nicollet’s First Thursday event in August to save lives. On Thursday, Aug. 3 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., MVI is teaming up with Memorial Blood Center and seeking 50 blood drive participants who will receive special perks just for showing up to donate. Interested persons may register at www.mbc.org/searchdrives with the code 4574 to access this blood drive.

Giveaways and offers participants will receive (blood donors only):

• 20 percent discount throughout the day on Love From Minneapolis merchandise (excludes transit sales from Move Minneapolis)
• $25 Fogo de Chao gift certificate
• $2 off Hell’s Kitchen Bloody Mary token
• Free Hell’s Kitchen lemon ricotta hotcakes order coupon
• Minnesota State Fair Blue Ribbon bargain book
• 15 percent off bulk candy bucket certificate to iCandy Sugar Shoppe at Minnesota State Fair
• Chance to win a pair of tickets to one of three great events, including a Minnesota Vikings game, Minnesota State Fair and Minnesota Renaissance Festival

Available to all who stop by:

• 10 percent discount throughout the day on Love From Minneapolis merchandise (excludes transit sales from Move Minneapolis)

First Thursdays are held each month to encourage visitors and Minneapolis locals alike to learn more about Minneapolis Visitor Information and our partners, Love From Minneapolis and Move Minneapolis, as well as highlight community organizations, partners and events. MVI, 505 Nicollet Mall, is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.

ABOUT MINNEAPOLIS VISITOR INFORMATION ON NICOLLET: SHOP. MOVE. FIND.
Minneapolis Visitor Information includes three services in one convenient location:
      
• Shop: Love From Minneapolis offers Minneapolis- and Minnesota-themed apparel, art, specialty foods, souvenirs and gifts, including many made by local artisans. Products are also available at: https://lovefromcompanies.com/shop-minneapolis
• Move: Move Minneapolis (formerly the Commuter Connection) provides services to commuters, carpool information, transit passes, schedules and maps, MnPass and bicycling commuting information and accessories. Visitors seeking help with transit options should make this their first stop downtown.
• Find: Meet Minneapolis staff is available to answer questions, share visitor maps and provide suggestions about things to do in Minneapolis and the surrounding area. The Visitor Information Center in the Minneapolis Convention Center also is available to provide similar information to visitors and convention attendees.

ABOUT MEET MINNEAPOLIS

Meet Minneapolis is a private, not-for-profit, member-based association. It actively promotes and sells the Minneapolis area as a destination for conventions and meetings, works to maximize the visitor experience and markets the city as a desirable tourist destination to maximize the economic benefit to the greater Minneapolis area.

I-94 Construction Project Update

Via an e-newsletter from MNDot: 

Lowry Tunnel project work details

The first stage of the work in and near the Lowry Tunnel is scheduled to be complete early next week. The plan is to shift two lanes of westbound traffic into the westbound side of the tunnel late Mon, July 24. Two eastbound lanes will remain in the east side. If it rains, the work will be pushed to late Tue, July 25.

When the change is made, this will allow the ramps from westbound I-94 to westbound I-394 and from westbound I-94 to Hwy 55 to open.

The ramps from northbound I-35W to westbound I-94, from Hwy 55 to eastbound I-94 and from Fourth Ave. to westbound I-94 will remain closed. 

This configuration will be in place for about seven to 10 days.

Upcoming Portland Ave. Tunnel closure July 20

Beginning 11:00pm tonight, July 20, eastbound I-94 will close at the Portland Ave. tunnel. Motorists will be detoured I-35W S to 46th St. to northbound I-35W to eastbound I-94. The eastbound side of the Lowry Tunnel will be reduced to a single lane and the ramp from eastbound I-394 to eastbound I-94 will also close during this time. These closures will last until 5 a.m. Fri, July 21.

More about this project

Just a reminder: the speed limit in the work zone is 50 mph. In the tunnel it is 40 mph. Trucks weighing more than 9,000 pounds are prohibited for using the Lowry Tunnel. We are still seeing some trucks go through. The State Patrol is nearby enforcing.

For more details on project work, visit: www.mndot.gov/metro/projects/i94brooklyncntr/  

East Town Business Partnership Announces 2017-2018 Business Forum Dates/Topics

Via a July 18 e-newsletter from East Town Business Partnership (Formerly the East Downtown Council):

2017-2018 EAST TOWN BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP
BUSINESS FORUM SERIES

Business Forums take place on the third Thursday of the month from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at various locations in East Town. Registration, networking and lunch starts at 11:30 a.m., with the East Town Business Partnership Update and guest presentations beginning at Noon. 

Here is the 2017-2018 Business Forum Series: 

2017

September 21: Making a Mall for Everyone: The Nicollet Mall Project
A joint business forum with the mpls downtown council celebrating the progress and ultimate outcome of the Nicollet Mall construction including key accomplishments and future programming aspirations for this new public amenity.

October 19: Getting Around in East Town Now and for the Next 25 Years
Transit and access to downtown is a hot topic! This forum will include local and regional leaders talking about transit and access policy and strategies alongside emerging pedestrian, bike, and car technologies that are changing the way we move to and from East Town.

November 16: Super Bowl 52: Let’s Get the Party Started!
Super Bowl 52 Host Committee Leadership providing an overview of all the activities and events of Minnesota’s moment on a global stage.

December 19 (Tuesday) : Innovative Business Models + Start Ups
East Town is becoming a new hub for startup companies! This shared forum with the mpls downtown council will feature successful entrepreneurs discussing the theory and practice behind their success and strategies.

2018

January 18: Helping Businesses Lead on Energy Efficiencies, Waste and Pollution Reductions
This forum will feature subject experts discussing several new and innovative partnerships that are transforming how Minneapolis businesses can play a leading role in new energy efficiencies and waste reductions that are both good for business and the community.

February 15: Destination Transformation 2030 Meet Minneapolis Tourism Master Plan
Executive Leadership from Meet Minneapolis presenting on the long range goal to be a region that hosts 50 million visitors annually through regional branding and marketing and efforts across an array of sectors.

March 15: First Look at the New HCMC Clinic and Specialty Center
$222 million, 377,00 square foot, 40 clinics moved from 9 buildings into one new clinic that is skyway and tunnel connected to the HCMC campus! This shared forum with the mpls downtown council will feature HCMC Executive Leadership sharing unique details about the project.

April 19: A Big, Bold North, Booming East Town Extraaaaavaganza (Annual Meeting)
This meeting will include annual district highlights and emerging priorities. And, our feature presenters, the very popular Theater for Public Policy will provide a humorous and improvised look at what it means to be East Town in the Bold North!

May 17: Water Works + Lock and Dam: All Things Riverfront Development
This forum will feature leadership from the Riverfront Partnership and the Minneapolis Park Foundation giving us a comprehensive look at projects transforming the riverfront for generations to come.

June 21: Celebrating the Opening of the Kraus Anderson Block
The redevelopment of an entire block of East Town is a celebration of urban innovation and best practices for mixed use development. This shared forum with the mpls downtown council will introduce us to all that is new on this block including new housing, the Elliot hotel and restaurant, the Finnovation Center, and the new Kraus Anderson headquarters.

Road Closures for Aquatennial Events, July 19 and 22

Please note the following road closures for these Aquatennial events:

Wednesday, July 19
7pm – 9:00pm  Life Time Torchlight 5K
- West River Parkway - From N 4th Ave to Portland Ave
- Stone Arch Bridge
- SE Main St - From SE 3rd St to 6th St SE
- Third Street South, from First Avenue North to Second Avenue South.
- First Street North, from Hennepin to Fourth Avenue North.
- Fourth Avenue North, from First Street North to West River Parkway.

8pm - 10:30p CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade
Hennepin Avenue will close from Dunwoody Boulevard to Third Street South. Traffic will be able to cross Hennepin Avenue at Fourth Street, Fifth Street, 10th Street, 11th Street, Maple Street/16th Street and southbound on Lyndale Avenue. Also Dunwoody Boulevard will close to traffic, along with the Interstate 394 exit onto Dunwoody Boulevard. These streets will reopen after the parade is finished at approximately 10:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 22 - Aquatennial & Fireworks
8am – 10pm
West River Parkway from 4th Ave to Portland

ZeSa Fitness Founder Selected as a Presenter at the 2017 IDEA World Convention

Via a July News Release from ZeSa® Fitness:

Shanti Rainey, the founder and chief visionary officer of ZeSa® Fitness, a new Minneapolis company, has been chosen as a presenter at the 2017 IDEA® World Convention. This convention is the premier conference featuring the freshest, most diverse educational programming from world-renowned presenters, featuring personal training, sports conditioning, group training, nutrition, business, marketing and much more. This year is the 35th anniversary of the convention and it will be held July 19-23 in Las Vegas, Nevada, with more than 10,000 fitness, wellness, nutrition, business and mind-body professionals gathering from over 60 countries. 

ZeSa® Fitness has taken balance training and functional training to the next level, and it’s unique focus on unstable training redefines strength as the maximum recruitment of ALL muscles – primary, secondary, and tertiary.

At the heart of ZeSa®, and what differentiates ZeSa® from all other programs, is its focus on training on a progressive series of rotating, unstable training platforms called ZeSa® Activators. When a participant is on the platforms, all muscle groups are recruited, including primary muscles as well as stabilizers and neutralizers. While training on the unstable ZeSa® Activator Platforms, the body’s natural bio-feedback system triggers the muscles resulting in the ultimate dynamic and rapid development of strength, agility and balance.

The new ZeSa® Fitness Studio, located in downtown Minneapolis at 1024 Washington Avenue S, is currently the only place you can try the Activators and take classes focused on their use. Those who try them instantly recognize the unique, profound effects on their bodies. The company name of ZeSa® is the Sanskrit word for balance. 

ZeSa Studio offers a variety of classes several times a day, every day of the week. The patented equipment and unique classes were both created to enhance the lives of everyone at all levels of fitness, from workout beginners to fitness enthusiasts and professional athletes. ZeSa® is also effective for people requiring physical rehabilitation.

- - - - -

Editor's Note - I've been practicing at ZeSa® weekly since they opened on the retail level of the Bridgewater Lofts building about a year ago. It is the perfect addition to my weight training and cardio routine because it adds a new dimension that cannot be attained any other way. Shanti and his business partner Cindy Vavra are both fantastic to train with, caring and inspirational. :D

Shanti and Cindy

Scenes from the July 15 Mill City Farmers Market

If you missed the July 15 Mill City Farmers Market - don't despair! The first Night Market in The Commons is Tuesday, July 18, from 3:30p to 7:30p.

The first peppers of the season!

The first Mokum carrots of the season! They ARE the Cadillac of carrots, you know. ;) Find them at Burning River Farm.

Milly the goat!

2017 Minnesota Fringe Festival runs August 3 - 13; Preview Events July 17, 24 and Aug 2

Minnesota Fringe is a Minneapolis­ based nonprofit organization with a mission to connect adventurous artists with adventurous audiences. As one of the largest Fringes in North America, Minnesota’s annual Festival welcomes roughly 50,000 audience members to view more than 160 works culminating in over 800 performances by greater than 1,000 artists on 15 or more stages in late summer.

Fringe shows are 60 minutes or less with a half hour break between each performance. Attendees can purchase a day pass that allows for entry into any show at any venue on that particular day. Venues are chosen in clusters to make traveling to multiple shows simple by walking, biking, personal and public transportation options. Ticket info

Check out these events leading up to the Festival:

Monday, July 17 @ 7:30pm - Fringe Previews #1
Three-minute previews of 30 different shows at the University of Minnesota Rarig Center Thrust stage.
RSVP on Facebook

Monday, July 24 @ 7:30pm - Fringe Previews #2
Three-minute previews of 30 different shows at the University of Minnesota Rarig Center Thrust stage.

Wednesday, August 2 - Touring Artist Showcase @ Mixed Blood
Previews from shows by artists from around Minnesota and across the country.

During the Fesitval:

Thursday, August 3 - Opening Night
Kick things off with a bang by welcoming the 2017 Minnesota Fringe Festival in style.

Friday, August 11 - Volunteer Appreciation Night
Salute the spectacular team of 400 volunteers who make our box offices run like clockwork. This special evening brought to you by Peace Coffee, the official volunteer sponsor who keeps the crew firing on all caffeinated cylinders throughout the 11 days of Minnesota's Summer Theater Crawl.

Saturday, August 12 - Encore Announcement
Be the first to hear this year's winners of the Fringe Encore - the show in each venue that sold the most tickets and gets an encore performance on Sunday, August 13 at 8:30pm. Don't forget to book your reservation before bar close!

Sunday, August 13, Closing Night Party, 10pm at The Triple Rock Social Club, 629 Cedar Ave.
Bid a fond farewell to this year's amazing artists, thank volunteers and staff for pulling off a Herculean happening, and dance 'til you drop with your new Fringe Friends.

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Minnesota Fringe is overseen by a governing board of directors and operated by a year round staff that balloons to nearly 100 seasonal hires leading up to the Festival. They receive critical support from nearly 400 dedicated volunteers logging a combined 5000 hours in just 11 days.

International Youth Choir and a World of Entertainment Featured at Sister Cities Day in Minneapolis July 16

Via a July 12 News Release from Meet Minneapolis:

International youth choir and a world of entertainment featured at Sister Cities Day in Minneapolis July 16

Celebration marks 25^th anniversary of Minneapolis’ Sister City relationship with Harbin, China

This year’s Sister Cities Day celebration in Minneapolis is an afternoon of entertainment honoring our global connections through music, dance and performing arts. This family event is free and open to the public, and it also includes free make-your-own ice cream sundaes and refreshments, while supplies last.

Featured entertainment this year includes Sounds of Hope™, an international youth choir featuring performers from a dozen countries around the world, as well as musicians and performers representing Japan, France, China, Mexico, Somalia and Sweden.

The 10th Annual Sister Cities Day will take place from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, July 16 at Nicollet Island Pavilion. The event is sponsored by Meet Minneapolis and will feature remarks at 2 p.m., with entertainment running all afternoon. The program will also recognize the 25^th anniversary of Minneapolis’ Sister City relationship with Harbin, China.

Highlights of the entertainment throughout the afternoon include:

• Ibaraki Dance Group, representing Ibaraki City, Japan
• Songs of Hope™ youth choir, with performers from a dozen countries
• Robert Everest, representing Tours, France
• Ha Family Lion Dance Troupe, representing Harbin, China
• Somali Museum Dance Troupe, representing Bosaso, Somalia
• Tjärnblom music group, representing Uppsala, Sweden
• Ballet Folklorico Mexico Azteca, representing Cuernavaca, Mexico

Full program details and performance times are available at http://www.minneapolis.org/partners-and-community/sister-cities/sister-cities-day/.

MINNEAPOLIS SISTER CITIES PROGRAM

The Minneapolis’ Sister Cities program was established in 1961 with the signing of the first Sister City agreement between Minneapolis and Santiago, Chile. Additional official sister cities include Cuernavaca, Mexico; Eldoret, Kenya; Harbin, China; Ibaraki City, Japan; Kuopio, Finland; Novosibirsk, Russia; Winnipeg, Canada; Tours, France; Uppsala, Sweden; Najaf, Iraq; and Bosaso, Somalia. 

Minneapolis’ Sister Cities program is managed by Meet Minneapolis and provides global connections and exchanges between international cities and the residents of Minneapolis, with the purpose of creating cultural awareness and fostering mutually beneficial opportunities. These relationships are supported and implemented by local citizen groups in Minneapolis and is recognized by Sister Cities International in Washington, D.C.

Sister Cites International is a program started by President Dwight Eisenhower to foster people-to-people citizen diplomacy. Sister Cities promotes peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation—one individual, one community at a time. The International organization focuses on creating and strengthening partnerships between communities around four key themes: sustainable and economic development, arts and culture, youth and education, and humanitarian assistance.

ABOUT MEET MINNEAPOLIS

Meet Minneapolis is a private, not-for-profit, member-based association. It actively promotes and sells the Minneapolis area as a destination for conventions and meetings, works to maximize the visitor experience and markets the city as a desirable tourist destination to maximize the economic benefit of the greater Minneapolis area.

Meet Minneapolis is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) of the Destination Marketing Association International.

The Minnesota Center for Book Arts Invites You to the 2017 Book Art Biennial

Via an e-newsletter from the Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA):

Our 2017 Book Art Biennial, Shout Out: Community Intervention, Independent Publishing, and Alternative Distribution, is less than two weeks away!

Join us from 6-9pm next Friday, July 21 for a reception for the unprecedented seven (!) exhibitions presented in coordination with the Book Art Biennial. Kick off the Biennial celebrations, mingle with artists and fellow art lovers, and enjoy light refreshments.

This event is free and open to the public. RSVP to the Facebook event here. 

All work will be on view through August 13. Here is a brief overview of the seven exhibitions:

• Amos Paul Kennedy Jr.’s democratic and collaborative project, Open Book Takeover, features 5,000 community-made prints that cover the 55,000 square foot Open Book Building.
• An interactive zine reading lounge, Free for All is in MCBA’s Main Gallery, organized by Twin Cities Zine Fest.
• Guest curator Heid E. Erdrich has gathered Native American voices in the exhibition (About that) Water is Life in MCBA’s Main Gallery.
• Reader’s Art: Control/Alt/Shift, a juried exhibition of artists’ books exploring the politics of control and alternative methods of public discourse, is on view in Open Book’s Cowles Literary Commons.
• End of Times 2, a portfolio of broadsides by 41 letterpress printers organized by Mary Bruno, is on view in the Lerner Bindery Gallery.
• Stamp of Disapproval showcases counter-culture work from MCBA’s S. Helmes and W. Gaglione Rubber Stamp Archive.
• Meander, new work by environmental artist Alyssa Baguss, is on view in the Outlook Gallery.