Civic Group Proposes Visitor and Interpretive Center for Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam

Via an October 14 Press Release from Friends of the Lock and Dam (FL&D):

MINNEAPOLIS—October 14, 2016—St. Anthony Falls created Minneapolis. Today, the falls are the center of a revitalized riverfront and a chain of riverfront parks and trails that attract over 2 million visitors a year across the Stone Arch Bridge.

A new civic organization, Friends of the Lock and Dam (FL&D) is proposing that the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam, which was closed to navigation last year, be developed into a world-class visitor and interpretive center. However, this vision is threatened by a proposal to put a hydroelectric plant at the site, preempting other uses.

On Tuesday, FL&D filed a motion before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to reject a current proposal from Crown Hydro, LLC to build a hydroelectric plant at the Lock and Dam or at least order an environmental impact statement (EIS). The FERC environmental review of the Crown Hydro proposal is open to public comment until November 2.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a riverfront that is a destination landmark. It’s a site we hope to protect and preserve as a centerpiece for our community, for generations to come,” said Tom Fisher, the director of the Metropolitan Design Center at the University of Minnesota and an FL&D board member.

“If construction of the hydroelectric plant is allowed to proceed as proposed, it will negate the four decades of planning and redevelopment efforts by the City of Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and the National Park Service,” Fisher added.

The Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam is at the center of the Minneapolis riverfront area, adjacent to the iconic Stone Arch Bridge, and in the middle of an 800-acre stretch of the Mississippi designated as a National Register Historic District. In 1988, it became part of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service. Over the past 20 years, the surrounding area has seen over $2 billion in public and private development.

Since the mid-1990s, Crown Hydro has made multiple proposals to construct a power plant on or near the site. In 2005, after a failed attempt to obtain a license, Crown Hydro unsuccessfully sought FERC’s help to take the parkland by eminent domain. These proposals have been strongly opposed by the City of Minneapolis, the National Park Service and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, as well as hundreds of neighborhood residents. Concerns have focused on loss of historic and cultural values, preclusion of public recreation and river access, and noise and vibration impacts from the plant’s industrial operations. 

Friends of the Lock and Dam was formed to create a community-focused initiative to explore public uses of the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam, and to ensure that the proposed hydroelectric plant does not preempt future uses for the site.  

“Crown made their proposal without communicating with the City, Park Board, National Park Service or the community,” said Paul Reyelts, a leader of the RiverFirst effort and president of FL&D. “It is at odds with the Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park Master Plan, adopted last year, which calls for use of the Lock and Dam as a focal point for visitors. It is simply the wrong use of this critical place.” 

FL&D is asking FERC to order a full environmental impact statement (EIS) before further consideration of the Crown Hydro proposal, or to deny it outright as inconsistent with the broader environmental and public benefit requirements for a FERC license.

The FL&D plan, called “The Falls,” is a sweeping vision for the massive 400-foot-long lock and dam structure, designed to integrate with and complement the nearby Water Works Park and the Stone Arch Bridge. Construction of Water Works Park is scheduled to begin in 2018. FL&D has presented a preliminary concept design for The Falls that preserves the character-defining elements of the Upper Lock and adds the following amenities:

• A new 7,500-square-foot visitor center in collaboration with the National Park Service, the City and Park Board
• A 50,000-square-foot interpretive center
• A new one-acre park for events with public access to the Lock and Dam
• Below-grade parking for visitors
• Restaurant and event space
• Observation decks for 360-degree public viewing of the Falls, Stone Arch Bridge and skyline
• Canoe/kayak landing and portage and bike facilities

The estimated $45 million project would be funded through a new public-private partnership. Revenues from concessions, parking and events would be used for ongoing operation and programming. FL&D has already received a pledge of $5 million from a private donor for project planning and development costs. If approved, construction is estimated to begin in the 2021-2023 timeframe in sync with the riverside phase of Water Works Park.

About Friends of the Lock and Dam

Friends of the Lock and Dam is a nonprofit organization of Twin Cities’ citizens interested in Minneapolis’ riverfront preservation and development of riverfront public amenities. Its mission is to generate broad-based public discussion around the development of the Mississippi riverfront and to share a vision for repurposing the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam as a public facility.

Street Closures for October 15 Zombie Pub Crawl

From the Minneapolis Police Department:

This Saturday will bring both Zombies and road closures to Downtown Minneapolis. Check out our Zombie Pub Crawl street closure map, so you can plan your way in and out of downtown accordingly.

Wells Fargo Minneapolis WinterSkate Opens November 25

The Minneapolis Downtown Council, in partnership with the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board and Minneapolis SafeZone Collaborative, announced today that the Wells Fargo Minneapolis WinterSkate will offer free outdoor skating in Downtown Minneapolis this winter.

Wells Fargo Minneapolis WinterSkate will be located in Loring Park and will open on Friday, November 25. The skating rink is free and open to the public daily through the winter skating season.

“It is an exciting opportunity to ensure the Downtown Minneapolis community will have an outdoor skating rink this winter,” said Joe Ravens, Wells Fargo Minnesota Region President. “This partnership is a great way to bring our community together through one of our state’s longstanding traditions.”

The Warming House courtesy of CenterPoint Energy will be open daily during the following hours: Mondays-Fridays 3 pm – 9 pm, Saturdays 9 am – 9 pm, and Sundays 10 am – 6 pm. Hours will be extended by one hour on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during Holidazzle, which runs November 25-December 23. The warming house will also have special hours on December 24 (12 pm – 4 pm), December 25 (closed) and December 31-January 1 (12 pm – 6 pm).

Complimentary skates will be available during warming house hours on a first-come, first-served basis. Sizes and quantities may vary.

“Skating outdoors is such an important part of Minnesota winters, and we’re excited that Wells Fargo Minneapolis WinterSkate will be in downtown Minneapolis this winter,” said Leah Wong, Vice President of Events and Marketing, Minneapolis Downtown Council. “We’re excited for all who live, work, play and explore our downtown area to come out and create memories on the rink right here in the heart of our city.”

In addition to being open daily for public use, Wells Fargo Minneapolis WinterSkate will also host activities and programming throughout the year. More information will be announced throughout the winter season.

“Outdoor skating is a great winter addition to Loring Park,” said Jayne Miller, Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Superintendent. “Our parks are a gathering place for people to come together, and what better way to congregate during the winter than a skating rink. We’re excited to welcome people to Loring Park this winter and enjoy their skating experience.”

For more information on Wells Fargo Minneapolis WinterSkate, visit www.downtownmpls.com/winterskate or follow @MplsDowntown on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #MplsWinterSkate.

Alma Cafe and Hotel Update + October 14 - 15 Events!

Via an October 12 e-newsletter from Restaurant Alma:

We have some news about our opening (and re-opening dates): Alma Cafe & Hotel will open on Friday, November 11th and Restaurant Alma will reopen on Friday, November 25th! We are putting some final touches on our online reservation system and will send an update out next week on how to reserve rooms at The Alma Hotel. 

We are partnering with some friends to bring a taste of the Cafe outside of our walls. Read below to learn more about Cafe Alma at the Fulton taproom and the Northeast Farmers Market.

Alma at the Fulton Taproom!

We are excited to announce the launch of a series of pop-up cafes at the Fulton Taproom in October. 

To kick off the series, on Friday, October 14th, from 4:30–9:30pm, Matti Sprague, Cafe Chef de Cuisine, will serve small dishes from our soon to open cafe menu. Fulton will be suggesting beer pairings to highlight Matti’s menu. 

On Saturday, October 15th, between 5:00–9:30pm, Alma’s chef and owner Alex Roberts will join Matti in serving, and most definitely will enjoy a beer with guests. This will be an opportunity to talk directly with the faces of Alma about what’s to come with the cafe, restaurant and hotel.

Alma is hiring!

We are looking for good people to join our award winning culinary team in our newly built open kitchen.

Shared with Restaurant Alma, the Cafe kitchen will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. The menus are built on the same standards for ingredient sourcing and foundational recipes as our restaurant, but served in an approachable a la carte format. Menus include everything from snacks to full meals and feature a wide range of items including extensive seasonal vegetable preparation, traditional sauces, hearth baked breads, extruded pasta and whole animal butchery.

If you are interested in becoming part of our team, send a cover letter and resume to Matti Sprague (matti@restaurantalma.com).

Bakery pop-up!

Carrie and her team are back in the kitchen (this time our brand new production kitchen) and they are baking again!

On Saturday, October 15th, they will be setting up a stand at the Northeast Farmers Market at St. Boniface Church. In addition to fresh baked tarts, we will have savory and sweet galettes, cookies and pies. Stop by between 9am–1pm to say hi, and to fill your shopping bags. 

Northeast Farmers Market
St. Boniface Church Parking Lot
629 NE 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55413
(corner of University Avenue & 7th Avenue NE)

Preserve Minneapolis Seeks New Board of Directors Members

Preserve Minneapolis looking for a few new members for their Board of Directors. There are a few skill sets they are particulary looking for (detailed below), but they'd love to hear from anyone passionate about preservation in Minneapolis, no matter your background.

To be considered, please send a letter of interest to Board Secretary Kelly Mastin (kmastin@millerdunwiddie.com) by November 1, 2016. 

In your letter, please include comments regarding:

•  Your interest and/or background in preservation in Minneapolis (or elsewhere)
•  How you could help the board and the organization in its mission to improve the quality of life in Minneapolis by recognizing, preserving, and revitalizing the architectural and related cultural resources of the city of Minneapolis
•  Special skills, experience, or interests (etc.) that you would contribute to the board

These positions are for a one-year term, with the possibility of a longer-term extension. The Board meets every other month, in addition to the annual meeting. View current Board of Directors.

Right now, they are seeking new board members (and volunteers - you don't need to be on the board!) with the following expertise:

• Website management (namely, experience with WordPress)
• Bookkeeping/accounting (to advise our treasurer)
• Video production (to assist with creating short videos about our tours and other events)
• Communications

Minneapolis Downtown Council To Honor 2025 Plan Leadership Awards Recipients At Annual Gala On Thursday, October 20

MINNEAPOLIS (October 11, 2016) — The Minneapolis Downtown Council (MDC) announced today the winners of its annual Intersections: The Downtown 2025 Plan Leadership Awards, all of whom will be honored at MDC’s Gala taking place Thursday, October 20 at Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot (225 South 3^rd Avenue). The awards ceremony will begin at 7:30 pm.

The 2025 Plan Leadership Awards, now in their third year, celebrate individuals, organizations and initiatives that helped advance the 2025 Plan’s mission over the past year. The awards focus on specific efforts that fall under the six 2025 Plan committees focused on Development, Downtown Experience, Greening & Public Realm, Transportation, Ending Street Homelessness and Festival of Ideas (MiX). MDC also honors a group or initiative that made an exceptional impact on downtown through its 2025 Plan Impact Award.

“We have an exceptional network of people and businesses within our community that volunteer their time, talents and efforts toward helping us create a vibrant and extraordinary downtown,” said Steve Cramer, President & CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council and Downtown Improvement District. “The 2025 Plan Leadership Awards are our way of saying thank you while honoring those that went above and beyond over the past year.”

This year’s 2025 Plan Leadership Awards recipients include:

• Development: University of Minnesota Task Force co-chaired by David Marquis and Paige Rickert
• Downtown Experience: Northbest: Ads of Minnesota in collaboration with Doug Spong & AdFed MN
• Greening & Public Realm: The Commons
• Transportation: Commissioner Charlie Zelle
• Ending Street Homelessness: YouthLink Peer Street Outreach Program
• Festival of Ideas (MiX): John Sweeney
• 2025 Plan Impact Award:

The Minneapolis Downtown Council issued a call for nominations for this year’s 2025 Plan Leadership Awards in August, asking its members, 2025 Plan committee leadership, volunteers, and the public to nominate individuals, organizations, or initiatives that have impacted the 2025 Plan’s 10 main goals over the past 12 months. Those nominations were compiled and one winner was selected for each of the six 2025 Plan committee areas.

The 2025 Plan Impact Award is an additional award given to recognize an individual or organization that has had significant impact and greatly advanced the 2025 Plan in several areas of its initiatives over the past year.

The University of Minnesota Task Force co-chaired by David Marquis and Paige Rickert focuses on the 2025 Plan’s mission to forge a strong connection with the U of M. This year, the task force worked on projects that helping connect university students and faculty with the downtown business community. In an effort to help our downtown community attract and retain top, up-coming talent, this task force delivered opportunities to accentuate shared objectives and points of connection between potential future employees and the local business community.

Northbest: Ads of Minnesota, a partnership between MDC, AdFed MN and The 2025 Plan’s Downtown Experience Committee, was a new event in 2016 that highlighted the local creative advertising community. The event took place at The Commons in downtown Minneapolis on October 4 and included a big screen that showcased a reel of locally made ads. Doug Spong chaired a curation committee, which also included Sue Crolick, Nancy Rice and Steve Wehrenberg. After a call for nominations, the curation committee received 138 advertisement submissions from 19 local agencies. They then selected the 27 best from the group. Northbest also included food trucks, local craft beer, lawn games and networking, and it led into AdFed MN’s Silver Medal Award presentation.

The Commons, a new 4.2-acre green space located on two city blocks in East Town, opened this summer and provides a new park for the downtown community. The Commons offers a place for people to take a break during the work day, a gathering and connection point, an entertainment destination and much more. The park was designed by Hargreaves Associates, and was a public and private collaborative effort. The Commons is open to the public but can also host events.

Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Charlie Zelle has been a longtime supporter of transportation enhancement. Commissioner Zelle was appointed by MnDOT in 2012 and has served as a 2025 Plan volunteer since the plan was initially conceived in 2010. He has been an advocate and a supporter of enhanced transportation options in downtown Minneapolis and the surrounding region.

The YouthLink Peer Street Outreach Program is a collaborative effort that places youth outreach workers on the street throughout downtown Minneapolis in an effort to connect with and provide resources for youth ages 18 to 23 years old who are experiencing homelessness. The youth outreach workers all have a background of experiencing homelessness themselves. The program offers them a job that helps direct those in need to vital resources in the community. It also offers the youth outreach workers a scholarship to cover the cost of a class at Minneapolis Community and Technical College.

John Sweeney of The Brave New Workshop has been a strong advocate and supporter for the innovation and community gathering nature of the Minneapolis Idea eXchange. He has a passion for putting a spotlight on innovation and solving challenges within our community. Over the past year Sweeney has provided a voice of directional leadership for MiX and is always willing to volunteer and help with upcoming MiX initiatives. This year, Sweeney and Brave New Workshop hosted MiX at their comedy theater and led insight and improvisational exercises to initiate conversation and develop ideas related to MiX’s topic of design thinking within the community.

U.S. Bank Stadium opened in July 2016. Securing the Minnesota Vikings’ new home in downtown Minneapolis was one of the 10 initiatives that the 2025 Plan laid out in 2010, and this goal became a reality when the gates opened this year. The Minneapolis Downtown Council will recognize the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, Minnesota Vikings, Mortenson Construction and U.S. Bank for their collaborative efforts in making this stadium a reality. Not only did it secure a venue that will host both major and daily events, but it also ushered in a wave of development in the East Town area that includes new office space, residential properties, greening, transportation amenities and overall neighborhood vibrancy.

This year’s Minneapolis Downtown Council Gala will include networking, dinner, updates on the 2025 Plan and musical entertainment. Registration is available through October 13 by visiting www.downtownmpls.com/2025awards.

Following the event, photos and logos will be available at www.downtownmpls.com/media. For more information on the Minneapolis Downtown Council Gala featuring the 2025 Plan Leadership Awards, follow @MplsDowntown on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, or use the hashtag #2025Plan.

About the Minneapolis Downtown Council:

Founded in 1955, and one of the most historic central business associations in the nation, the Minneapolis Downtown Council (MDC) is a membership-based entity that works to create an extraordinary downtown. The MDC’s collaborative developments of Intersections: Downtown 2025 Plan was designed to help downtown businesses, community leaders and citizens build on downtown assets and implement future goals. For more information, please visit www.downtownmpls.com.

About the 2025 Plan: 

The Downtown 2025 Plan is a vehicle to help leaders and citizens build on Downtown’s assets and guide its development in ways that reflect the community’s aspirations for a Downtown Minneapolis that is thriving, livable, green, connected and welcoming in the decades ahead. This includes initiatives to double downtown’s residential population, transform Nicollet Mall into a must-see destination, implement a Gateway area and other green elements throughout downtown, create a compelling and walkable environment around the clock, lead the nation in transportation options, end street homelessness, forge connections with the University of Minnesota and more. The 2025 Plan is a Minneapolis Downtown Council initiative established in 2010.

Celebrating the Reconnecting of Franklin Avenue this Saturday, October 15

Celebrating the reconnecting of Franklin Avenue

WHAT:  Bridging our communities – Reconnecting Franklin Avenue, a Franklin Avenue bridge community celebration.

WHEN:  Saturday, October 15, 10:00am to Noon

WHERE:  West end of the Franklin Avenue Bridge in Minneapolis

ACTIVITIES:  Starting at 10:30am, there will be speeches emceed by Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin.

Celebratory remarks will include Minnesota Department of Transportation, members of the state Legislature, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, and Prospect Park and Seward neighborhoods.               

This will be followed by a ceremonial bike ride/pedestrian walk on the bridge to celebrate the new bridge deck’s separated on-road bike lanes, walkways and overlook nooks.

This event is open to the public.

RSVP: Contact Colin Cox at 612-596-7426 or colin.cox@hennepin.us. This will ensure that you have the proper access to parking and to the event.

Scenes from the October 8 Mill City Farmers Market

Plenty of hats, scarves and gloves at the October 8 Market.

Even the guitar picker had gloves on...

Okay, that is man-made ice - but it wasn't melting very fast!

Popcorn and peanuts from the Bean Market.

Can't wait to try this Black Garlic Puree!

Milly the goat!

What is ZeSa? Find Out Oct 14 at Their Grand Opening Celebration!

If you're looking to boost your workout repertoire, be sure to check out ZeSa Fitness during their October 14 Grand Opening Celebration. I've been taking a weekly ZeSa Power class with the lovely Cindy Vavra since late August and love it!

I've done weight training for years, and incorporating these "Activator" platforms has taken me to a new level. Grace and balance have never been my strong suit, so doing everything from curls to planks while keeping steady on an unstable, rotating surface is a welcome challenge. And it's fantastic how such small movements can get the heart rate up in mere seconds.

Shanti Rainey, creator of ZeSa, with Cindy Vavra, Partner and Studio Manager

Oct 9 Street Closures near US Bank Stadium for Vikings Game and the Twin Cities Marathon

The following parkways will be closed from 7:30am-2:00pm** for the Twin Cities Marathon:

Lake of the Isles Parkway (Left side of Lake)
Dean Parkway
W Lake Calhoun Parkway
William Berry Parkway
E Lake Harriet Parkway (Bandshell to Minnehaha Pkwy)
Minnehaha Parkway (Harriet to Godfrey Parkway)
Lake Nokomis Parkway
Godfrey Parkway
West River Parkway (Godfrey to Franklin Ave)
West River Parkway (Portland to 22nd Ave)
East River Parkway (14th Ave to Lake Street)

Route Map - CLICK HERE to review a detailed detour list of each intersection impacted by the Marathon on October 9. ** All street closings by the Stadium for the marathon will end by 9:00am.

Minneapolis closing streets near US Bank Stadium for Vikings game and the Twin Cities Marathon

The City of Minneapolis will close streets around U.S. Bank Stadium for Sunday’s Minnesota Vikings game, which starts at noon, and the start of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon and Medtronic TC 10 Mile race, which happen at 8 a.m. and 7 a.m. respectively. 

Street closings near the stadium for the marathon and 10-mile race
• Beginning at 5:00am Sunday: 
   ◦ Sixth Street, from 11th Avenue to Hennepin Avenue. 
   ◦ Portland Avenue, from Seventh Street South to Second Street South.
   ◦ Fourth Street, from Norm McGrew to Fifth Avenue South.
   ◦ Third Street South, from Chicago Avenue South to Fifth Avenue South.
   ◦ Park Avenue South, from Seventh Street South to Third Street South.

Street closings near the stadium for the Vikings game
• Beginning at 5:00am Sunday: 
   ◦ Chicago Avenue, from Fourth Street to Sixth Street.
• Beginning at 9:00am Sunday: 
   ◦ Fourth Street, from Park Avenue to Interstate 35W.
   ◦ Norm McGrew Place, from Third Street to Fourth Street.

These street closings are for traffic safety and security needs related to a large event. Chicago Avenue, Fourth Street and Norm McGrew Place will reopen about one hour after the completion of the Vikings game.

Washington Avenue Reconstruction Project Update

Via an October e-newsletter from Hennepin County:

Crews began pouring new sidewalks on the north side of Washington Avenue this week between Hennepin and Second avenues. The new sidewalks will remain closed to pedestrian traffic as crews continue with other work behind the curb. The crosswalks at Hennepin and Marquette avenues have reopened.

These sidewalks are the first piece of what will be a greatly improved environment for pedestrians and bicyclists along Washington Avenue. Some other new features will include:

• Curb-separated bicycle lanes (also known as cycle tracks)
• Shorter pedestrian crossing distances at intersections
• Lantern-style lighting for pedestrians
• Street greening and landscaping
• New colored pavers between the cycle track and sidewalk
• Reprogrammed signals that give pedestrians and bicyclists a head start at intersections

In the coming week, crews will be busy:
• Digging tree pits and trenches for new enhanced landscaping
• Installing storm sewer, sanitary and watermain pipes at the intersection of Fifth Avenue
• Pouring the first portion of cycle track
• Installing curbs and gutters between Second and Third avenues
• Installing bases for new lighting fixtures

As work continues to progress, there are a few ongoing and upcoming traffic changes to consider when traveling in the area.

Second Avenue
There will continue to be some short-term lane reductions at Second Avenue while crews complete curbs and other work at the corners of the intersection. Two lanes of traffic will be maintained in each direction. This work is expected to be complete the week of October 17.

Third Avenue
There will be a minor lane adjustment at Third Avenue, as crews begin work in the northwest corner of the intersection. Two lanes of through traffic in each direction will be maintained for this portion of the work. This reduction is tentatively scheduled to occur the week of October 17, or once a northbound lane is opened at the Fifth Avenue intersection.

Fifth Avenue
Crews expect to open one northbound lane at the Fifth Avenue intersection by the end of next week, as they continue to work in the northwest portion of the intersection. They plan to fully reopen the intersection by the end of the month. However, this schedule is weather-dependent and subject to change. Motorists should continue to use the marked detour following Washington Avenue, Portland Avenue and Second Street. Please look for pedestrians crossing Washington on the east side of the intersection.

Award Winning A STRAY to be Screened by the Film Society of Mpls St. Paul Oct 14-27

Showing October 14-27, the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul presents the 2016 Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival Award Winner - Best MN Made Narrative Feature, Musa Syeed’s (Valley of Saints) moving locally made drama A STRAY. Starring Barkhad Abdirahman (Captain Phillips) in a commanding lead performance, A STRAY brings the streets of Riverside Minneapolis and the struggles of a young Muslim immigrant to the big screen in this vivid and moving drama. Desperate to outrun his bad luck, a young Muslim refugee seems like he just might make it until he crosses paths with a stray dog.

Director Musa Syeed and members of the cast and crew will be attending screenings on Saturday, October 14 at 4:20 and 9:45pm — check the film’s webpage on mspfilm.org for additional updates.

MacPhail Announces 2016-2017 Spotlight Series Lineup

The MacPhail Spotlight Series showcases the exceptional talents of MacPhail teaching artists and special guests, providing an intimate listening experience in MacPhail’s state-of-the-art Antonello Hall.

Under the artistic direction of Mischa Santora, this premier performance event is brought to life with collaborations from some of the Twin Cities’ finest artists.

One hour before each concert, you can join us in the U.S. Bank Lobby for a special question and answer session with featured performers.

.

2016 - 2017 Schedule:
 
November 5, 2016: MacPhail Spotlight Series: Jefferson: An American in Paris
February 11, 2017: MacPhail Spotlight Series: Schubert: A love letter to Music
April 8, 2017: MacPhail Spotlight Series: From the Balkans to the Holy Land
May 6, 2017: MacPhail Spotlight Series: Music in the Wild

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Tickets and Info 

Vote For Your 2016 Mississippi Minute People's Choice Award Between Now and Noon on Oct 21

Voting is now open for the Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership's Mississippi Minute Film Festival People's Choice Award. A panel of judges will rate most of the films and award honors in several categories, but the winner of the People’s Choice Award is determined by the general public. The film receiving the most votes by Noon on Friday, October 21, wins.

Using the below link, play each video, and if you like it, click the Like icon. It’s that simple! (If you prefer to Like, Love, Wow or Haha the post on Facebook itself, those will be counted, too.)

Cast your ballot now!

The winners will be announced during the annual Mississippi Minute Film Festival, October 24, at the Mill City Museum. Minneapolis City Council member Jacob Frey, a member of the board of the Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership, will be the keynote speaker. Doors open at 5:30pm and program begins at 6:00pm. Come hear how the Mississippi River is an engine for change in our city.

Street Sweeping Begins October 18

Crews are preparing for the fall street sweeping across Minneapolis. Drivers will need to park out of their way so they can do a thorough job cleaning our roadways.

Minneapolis Public Works will begin the big task of curb-to-curb sweeping and leaf collection on streets throughout the city Tuesday, Oct. 18. During the four weeks of the comprehensive fall street sweep, crews will clean up about 1,100 miles of city streets. To make sure the sweepers can do the best job possible, temporary “No Parking” signs will be posted at least 24 hours in advance so streets will be clear of cars when they’re swept. The first signs will be posted Monday, Oct. 17, and sweeping will begin the next day. Anyone who parks on the street will need to follow street sweeping parking rules or their cars may be ticketed and towed.

Making it easy to follow parking rules: 

• “No Parking” signs – City crews will post “No Parking” signs at least 24 hours before sweeping any streets. Parking will be banned from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the day a street is swept. The “No Parking” signs will be removed as soon as possible after a street has been completely swept to allow people to resume parking. Vehicles not in compliance with “No Parking” signs may be ticketed and towed to the Minneapolis Impound Lot.
• Social media – The City will use Facebook and Twitter to post periodic street sweeping updates and information.
  • Facebook: To “like” the City of Minneapolis Facebook page, go to www.facebook.com/cityofminneapolis.
  • Twitter: To follow the City’s Twitter account, go to www.twitter.com/CityMinneapolis.
• Phone calls to residents – In addition to the “No Parking” signs that will be posted the day before sweepers come through, the City will make about 3,000 automated phone calls each evening to let residents know their street will be swept the next day. There’s no guarantee that the calls will reach everyone, so residents should be sure to check the schedule and watch for signs.
• Interactive web tool – Folks can use a feature on the City’s website to find out when the sweepers are coming through their neighborhoods. The tool will be available by Oct. 14 at www.minneapolismn.gov/streetsweeping. The fall street sweep takes four weeks, and the website will show which week any street is scheduled to be swept. Then, starting on each weekend, the daily sweeping schedule for the upcoming week will display.
• Video

Clean streets mean a healthier environment

Minneapolis is known for its sparkling lakes and waterways, and we want to keep it that way. That’s why protecting and enhancing our environment is one of the City’s top priorities. Street sweeping is one way we work to protect our environment because it keeps leaves and debris from clogging our storm drains and polluting our lakes and rivers. It also helps keep our neighborhoods clean and livable.

Minneapolis streets are swept completely curb to curb once in the spring and once in the fall. Residents should not push leaves, grass clippings, or other debris into City streets – it’s bad for our lakes and waterways, can cause safety hazards, and is against the law. Anything that goes down a storm drain flows directly into our lakes and river, and decomposing plant material in the water encourages the growth of harmful aquatic plants and algae. 

October 10 Job Fair at Central Library Will Connect Job-seekers to Employers with Positions to Fill

Via an October 3 Hennepin County e-newsletter:

The Hennepin County Work and Economic Resource Center will sponsor a career fair on Monday, October 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, 2nd Floor, Minneapolis.

This is part of a series of events to pair employers looking for workers with employees looking for job opportunities. All participating businesses are actively recruiting for multiple openings.

The event is free and open to the public. Click here for more information

This location is served by several bus routes. To find the best one, visit www.metrotransit.org or call 612-373-3333.   

Scenes from the October 1 Mill City Farmers Market

Marty and Darrold Glanville of Sunrise Flour Mill and Jonathan Kaye of Heritage Breads hosted the annual Bread Festival at the October 1 Market.

Guest speaker Chris Boles of Fire & Flour demonstrated his "Slap and Fold" method of working bread dough.

While there wasn't a baking contest this year, local bakers were encouraged to bring in loaves of their bread to sample, and to share the stories behind the recipes.  We live in a community of talented bakers!

Rays of sun work their way thru the train shed, spotlighting shoppers and vendors:

Kids!

Thank you for being a MCFM Sponsor, Mill City Credit Union!

One of life's simple pleasures - a hot breakfast on a cool morning at the Market. :)

Bagels and breads from Baker's Field Flour & Bread:

Milly the Goat!

Remember - in October the Market hours are 9:00am - 1:00pm. :)

Sheriff's Office Jail Mental Illness Study, Crime Tips and Swap Spot

From a September 30 Hennepin County Sheriff's Office e-newsletter:

One-Day Snapshot Study

This past Thursday we announced the results of a major study regarding mental illness in our jail. The study showed that approximately half of the inmates would benefit from or are in need of mental health services while incarcerated in the Hennepin County Jail.

On July 27, we conducted a One-Day Snapshot Study of all inmates in the jail. Study partners also reviewed other verifiable information for the 680 inmates, including medical histories, public court records, incidents during previous incarcerations, and county records from County Departments.

The study showed that 52% of the inmates had confirmed indicators or met other criteria associated with mental illness. 36% of the inmates had a confirmed mental health diagnosis or concern in the jail’s intake health assessment, or had confirmed prescriptions for neuroleptic medications. An additional 16% of the inmates displayed behaviors associated with serious mental illness or had a significant history connected to mental illness.

We conducted this study to better understand the issues our inmates deal with while in our custody, and how we can provide the best possible services. The Sheriff’s Office and other Hennepin County agencies have partnered to identify several innovations that we hope will provide enhanced services for inmates who are mentally ill, including the following new initiatives:

• Registered Nurses will conduct 24/7 health screenings for all inmates during the booking process.
• Housing/Classification decisions for inmates with mental illness will be based upon acuity levels as determined by Jail medical staff.
• Inmates will be provided 24 hours’ worth of medications upon release from the Jail, RN’s from HCMC also will oversee this service.
• The Sheriff’s Office Court “expediter” works to ensure inmates are making reasonable progress through court hearings and evaluations while in custody.

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Anonymous Crime Tips

 Want to partner with us to fight crime? All four of the methods below allow you to submit a crime tip anonymously to the Sheriff's Office. We need your tips about drug activity, cold cases, suspicious activity, or general crime. 

• Call: 1-888-988-TIPS (8477)
• Text: 847-411, start your text with “HCSOtip” then enter your tip
• App: Search "HCSOtip" to download the app
• Online: www.HennepinSheriff.org then fill-out the form

Do NOT use these tip services if you need an urgent response. In case of emergencies, call 911.

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Swap Spot

Do you buy or sell online items from sites like Craig's List? If so, try our Swap Spots for a safe place to conduct in-person transactions.

Swap Spots are designated public places where residents may exchange items that they have purchased/sold online. This allows people to have a public location to make legal transactions. 

Swap Spots are located in the lobby of three Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office facilities. 

• Sheriff's Water Patrol, 4141 Shoreline Drive, Spring Park, MN
• Enforcement Services Division, 9401 83rd Ave. N., Brooklyn Park, MN
• Public Safety Facility, 401 S. 4th Ave., Minneapolis, MN

Swap Spots are available during regular business hours of operation: 8am-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, excluding holidays.

Reflections On Radiance: The Photography of Susan Schaefer

Article by Bob Ingram, photos by Susan Schaefer

Riverview Tower is a Minneapolis condominium high rise overlooking the mighty Mississippi, T.S. Eliot’s “strong brown god,” Huck Finn’s magic carpet into the American soul, and a visual preoccupation of mine each time I visit the upper floor unit of Mill City Times’ reporter and photographer, Susan Schaefer.

Long ago and far away, she and I were married, and only since then have I learned so much more about her, each stay in that welkin aerie and the now unarmed flow of our voices at table and at rest adding leaves of insight and wonder to the book of a life I had only glimpsed through the blinkered eyes of the rude boy I was then, married or no. It is a big life, and fool that I was, I let it pass through me.

But enough of that. Let us talk now of radiance and visibility coaxed from the invisible, to use Susan Schaefer’s very words, that is all taking place in the Lobby Gallery of that same Mississippi-marked Riverview Tower in an exhibition of the photographic art of this same Susan Schaefer, whom I had known only as a writer – albeit talented and lucid – in my green and stumbling years with her.  

There are women from whom festive events – parties, weddings, and the like – provoke a visible radiance, always there, slightly subsumed, but streamlined by the heightened interaction inherent in these social mixes. 

So it was at the opening of Susan’s one-woman Riverview Tower show this past Saturday, September 24th. She flowed among the throng of neighbors and friends, totally into each moment and person: a touch here, a laugh there, a quick discussion of this or that piece. Dance time to inner music. Wonderful to watch.

Which is as it should be because the many photo portraits on the lobby walls partake of this same radiance. She finds it and gently grasps it in her subjects with a simple click of the shutter (not that simple, truth to tell; she studies this art with the quiet dedication of a medieval scholar).

One series of photos I’ve been especially taken with and always thought was a telling concept of Susan’s involves getting everyday people to pose in the Namaste position, hands clasped, fingers pointed up, at chest level. It is Sanskrit-derived and still used as a greeting in India.

Namaste Izzy’s

And my favorite in the Namaste series was taken of workers at the iconic Izzy’s ice cream parlor in Mill City. The red-haired young woman between two of her co-workers moves me in a sweet, complete way: she is her own version of an unconsciously, slyly, shyly modern-day beatific – a budding double-dip saint, if you will.     

Namaste Kieran

Namaste Worker

Fate favors the prepared, and the mailman in the Namaste pictures was actually completing his last day before retirement, and might have been giving prayerful thanks for a career well spent for the public good. Another telling photo in this series has a construction worker posing naturally in front of a heavy-duty machine whose brand name, Vermeer, becomes both part of the image and, of course, a reminder that art is afoot here.

The Director

The woman in a photo titled simply “The Director” makes me wish I worked where she directs. There is a responsible kindness and strength in that face that says more about what we call work in all its elements than a shelf of books in the business section. Sign me up, direct me, we’ll get it done together. I trust you, ma’am.

Chester

On an easel, separate and apart, as he was in real life, sits the portrait of Chester, bearded, top-hatted, the local nomad – alcoholic and grubby – whose jury-rigged lean-to sits behind Riverview Tower’s parking lot, still occupied by his woman. Chester is dead now, and the Riverview receptionist, a pleasant, well-spoken man, said that during the day of the evening opening, he had to inform passing residents who commented on Chester’s portrait, that he had indeed passed away. He said it with a sad, slow shake of his head.

Karla’s Wash

Besides the portraits in the show, there is a photo called “Karla’s Wash,” taken in Plum City, Wisconsin. It is wildly popular each time she has shown it, Susan says, and I think this disarmingly simple shot of drying, flapping wash on a clothesline evokes to those of a certain age memories of when laundry was hung out to absorb the freshness and subtle smells of the clean, fresh air that is part and parcel of the blue-drenched sky overhead in that picture. If I were a marketer at, say, Oxydol, I would grab that photo and build a campaign around it.

Crushed Cans

The happiest, brightest piece at the Riverview is a 2014 photo called “Crushed Cans.” (All the photos were taken beginning in 2014 and most in the last two years, an amazing progress.) In it the local artist Brant Kingman stands before a dazzling panoply of the crushed cans with which he has made part of his wide range of art, a riotous whirligig mosaic of color and texture. His arms are outstretched and the blue of his patterned shirt blends into his kingdom of cans. He is very somber-faced and wearing a beige vest and a light tan, straw pork pie hat. The whole effect is simultaneously one of the seriousness with which he takes his work and the playful, hi res color that is its basis. You want to reach out and shake his hand and wait for him to break down and laugh with you.

Red Door

“Red Door” is just that, yet it could be a magic door: the textures of the worn wood and faded color bring to mind the Walker Evans Appalachian cabin walls of “Let Us Now Praise Famous Men.” What lies behind that red door? Enter and see.

My Lost Yiddish Civilization

Finally, Susan Schaefer has recently been working in collage and the result in the Riverview Tower show is a deeply religious work entitled, “My Lost Yiddish Civilization”, of two parallel strips of her collaged poetry, faded photos of her ancestors, and excerpts from the Kabbalah. It is a thoughtful and thought-provoking work of achieved reverence and respect.

Riverview Tower Lobby Gallery is located at 1920 S. 1^stStreet, Minneapolis, MN. The phone number is 612-338-1920. Hopefully, a call ahead will admit you to see this memorable exhibit that runs until November 25, 2016. Her next one-woman show opens March 21, 2017 at the Birchwood Café in the Seward Neighborhood.

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Editor’s Note: Bob Ingram is a writer/journalist/editor/filmmaker whose work has appeared in Philadelphia Magazine, Atlantic City Magazine, South Jersey Magazine, the Philadelphia Daily News, Philadelphia Weekly, Atlantic City Weekly, the Drummer, and the South Street Star, among others. A recipient of the Philadelphia Bar Association Scales of Justice Award for a story on Juvenile Court, and an award from Sigma Delta Chi, the national journalism fraternity, for a story on Vietnamese refugees, Ingram has also co-written, co-produced and narrated a documentary film about the Boardwalk in Wildwood, NJ, called Boardwalk: Greetings from Wildwood By-The-Sea that airs regularly on local PBS stations.

A Sip of Science Returns to the Aster Cafe October 20

A Sip of Science returns to the Aster Café's River Room on Thursday, October 20, with the topic Invasive Mammals vs Endemics: Who will be voted off the island?

Invasive species are the leading cause of bird extinctions on islands worldwide. Eradication of these animals is an increasingly used conservation tool to protect endemic island species. Protecting biodiversity through conservation actions can be an inexact science and a dirty proposition in a race against time — a high stakes contest to save species, protect populations and preserve biodiversity. Join us as Dr. Julia Ponder talks about the challenges and rewards in the effort to eradicate invasive rodent populations and protect endemic species in the Galapagos Islands.

ABOUT THIS MONTH'S SPEAKER

Julia Ponder is Executive Director of The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She received her degree in veterinary medicine from Texas A&M University and has a Masters in Public Health from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Ponder has presented around the world on avian and raptor medicine. In addition to her clinical work, she is currently focused on the wildlife health component of Ecosystem Health, raptors as sentinels for infectious disease and environmental contaminants, and identifying emerging issues related to raptor health and populations. She has worked with endangered and threatened raptor populations, and consulted globally on raptor health issues. 

Please note - Due to the increased popularity of the Sip of Science program, RSVPs and tickets will be required at the door. Please be sure to RSVP early and bring your ticket to the event!

A SIP OF SCIENCE bridges the gap between science and culture in a setting that bridges the gap between brain and belly. Food, beer and learning are on the menu in a happy hour forum that puts science in context through storytelling. This science happy hour is sponsored by the National Center for Earth-surface Dynamics (NCED) and is a chance to hear about new and exciting research over beer, in a cool bar. Come talk with the experts about their efforts to address some of the Earth's most pressing problems. NCED's A SIP OF SCIENCE brings the wonder of science to happy hour.