2016 MiX to Shape Visionary Ideas Through Improv, Impact & Inspiration on October 12

MINNEAPOLIS (September 27, 2016) — The Minneapolis Idea Exchange (MiX), an initiative of the Minneapolis Downtown Council’s Intersections: The Downtown 2025 Plan, will host its third annual gathering on Wednesday, October 12 from 4:30-7:00 p.m. at Brave New Workshop in downtown Minneapolis. Networking begins at 4:30 p.m., with the program beginning at 5:00 p.m.

MiX, a free event that is open to the public, aims to bring all different groups from within our community together to discuss major topics affecting our city in an interactive, engaging and entertaining way.

This year’s event includes insight into the improvisational mindset and exercises by John Sweeney, owner of the Brave New Workshop, as well as interactive questions, networking, food and beverages and a panel focused on discussing the thesis of University of Minnesota’s Metropolitan Design Center director Tom Fisher’s new book, “Designing Our way To A Better World.” Sign up for free online through October 10 at www.minneapolisideaexchange.com.

“Minneapolis has always been an innovative city, and through the 2025 Plan this MiX event will provide an opportunity to bring our community together to engage in thought-provoking dialogue while taking part in an entertaining program,” Minneapolis Downtown Council President & CEO Steve Cramer said. “The end goal is to walk away having discussed opportunities to help create a thriving and more vibrant community for all of us who live, work, play and explore here.”

Those who attend MiX will enjoy a thought-provoking conversation about design thinking—during the event, Fisher will outline the design thinking process leading into audience breakout sessions focused on answering a pointed question while creating one key action. The topics will be centered around transportation, education, economy, the environment and healthcare.

A panel comprised of Dan Collison (East Town Business Partnership), Peter Frosch (Greater MSP) and Sondra Samuels (Northside Achievement Zone) will share stories and foster the discussion. Brave New Workshop will support the conversation through improvisational performances that provide humor and entertainment while moving the conversation forward.

“This year, with the broader vision of an ideas festival in the making, we’re focusing on the process of design thinking,” MiX co-chairs Eric Caugh and Jennifer Gilhoi said. “Design thinking is a way for people to share challenges and their experiences in a conversation that focuses on an open-minded process, not a predetermined outcome. That’s where you get the really collaborative, inclusive and innovative ideas.”

The key to MiX is initiating a compelling dialogue between people of all different backgrounds within our community in an effort to create positive change for the future. To ensure diversity and inclusivity in our conversations, MiX will again tap into our Luminaries. The MiX Luminaries are Minneapolis leaders in areas from government and culinary to manufacturing and the arts.

This will be the third MiX event since officially launching in 2014. It has continued to evolve to provide a forum for the community to come together. Building off the momentum of previous years, MiX is primed as the vehicle to bring Minneapolis’ vision of ideas to a national and global audience—especially as the Twin Cities prepares itself for 10-day festival surrounding the February 2018 Super Bowl, currently titled Bold North.

MiX is supported by The Minneapolis Downtown Council, The Brave New Workshop, Ryan Companies and media partner The Line Media. The evening’s entertainment and beverage sponsors include MacPhail Center for Music and FINNEGANS. FINNEGANS will be providing beer sampling throughout the event, and food will be on-site for participants to enjoy. Attendees may purchase books prior to and during the event including Tom Fisher’s Designing Our Way to a Better World and John Sweeney of Brave New Workshop and Elena Imaretska, co-authors of The Innovative Mindset. All three authors will be available for book signing after the program’s main portion.

About the Minneapolis Downtown Council:

Founded in 1955, and one of the oldest 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 http://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.

About the Minneapolis Idea eXchange:

MiX is a community-powered event that encourages discourse on the topics impacting our city and celebrates the nationally recognized ingenuity and talent rooted in Minneapolis. The Minneapolis Idea eXchange is an initiative of the Minneapolis Downtown Council and supported through community leaders, our MiX Luminaries, including Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges.  For more information, visit http://www.minneapolisideaexchange.com/ or follow along @MiXMpls on Facebook and Twitter.

Scenes from the September 24 Mill City Farmers Market

September 24 was Oktoberfest at the Mill City Farmers Market (in conjunction with the Mill City Museum) which included beer samples from Day Block Brewing, Hops ice cream from Sweet Science Ice Cream, information from local hops grower Mighty Axe Hops, and of course polka music from the Elk River German Band.

Silly boys - they called this a bobble head cabbage...

A group of kids from Phillips Elementary made a stop at the MCFM the highlight of their bike excursion.

Don't forget - next Saturday (October 1) is the annual Bread Festival!

My first encounter with watermelon radishes was at the Sanctuary restaraunt - Chef Patrick had shaved them into delicate spirals for a salad. They can be eaten raw or cooked - I'm going to experiment with grilling some this week.

The meat artisans at Red Table Meats Co let nothing go to waste.  For example, pig ears and tails become dog treats at Barkley's Bistro.

You know cooler weather is on the way when you see Ruth of The Abbey Alpacas at the market.  Her alpaca wool items are soft and super warm.

Milly the goat! :)

Road Closures for Saturday, September 24

The following roads will be closed 8:30am-1:00pm on Saturday, September 24, for Dave Ryan’s Special Olympics 5K and 10K:

- Main Street - From Hennepin Ave to 6th Ave SE
- West River Parkway - From Plymouth Ave to S 4th Street
- Plymouth Bridge and Stone Arch Bridge 

Minneapolis Central Library 10 Year Anniversary Party - November 5

The library party of the decade! On a bright spring day in 2006, the new Minneapolis Central Library opened its doors to an awe-inspired public. A decade later, it's become a beacon of culture, hope, and learning, enjoying over 1.2 million visits per year.

Saturday, November 5, 2016
5:30pm | VIP Reception
6:00pm | Doors Open
6:45pm | Program Begins

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Hennepin County Library - Minneapolis Central
300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Parking is available in the ramp under the library - Access from 4th St.

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Celebrating our storied library...and turning a page after 10 extraordinary years!
- Literary host Marlon James, local author and winner of The Man Booker Prize
- Opening remarks by Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin and Library Director Lois Langer Thompson
- A special appearance from the world-renowned architect of Minneapolis Central Library, César Pelli
- Moving performances from the Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus, legendary soprano Maria Jette, and famed pianist Dan Chouinard
- An honorary tribute to Minneapolis Central champions David Doty and Arvonne Fraser

Purchase your tickets by Saturday, October 28.
Click here or call 612-543-8104
All proceeds will support vital library initiatives. 

‘State of the River Report’ Reveals Progress

MINNEAPOLIS (Sept. 21, 2016) — Over forty years after the passage of the Clean Water Act, a new report on the health of the Mississippi River shows that while progress has been made we must maintain our vigilance and explore new solutions to preserve the health of the river.

The State of the River Report, which was just released by Friends of the Mississippi River and the National Park Service Mississippi National River and Recreation Area unit examines the status and trends of 14 key indicators of the river’s health, including bacteria, phosphorus, nitrate and sediment levels, as well as the river’s viability for recreation and wildlife. It also addresses new or emerging contaminants of concern, such as microplastic fibers and chloride.

“The Mississippi River is a complex natural system, with many factors affecting its overall health and vitality,” said Whitney Clark, executive director of the Friends of the Mississippi River. “‘State of the River’ serves as a report card, helping us determine how the river is doing compared to the past, and which efforts have been effective at improving its health. In short, this report reveals that there has been a great deal of progress, but we must maintain our vigilance and push for new solutions — particularly in regard to agricultural pollution — to adequately conserve and protect the river for generations to come.”

Among the positive trends, bald eagle, mussel and fish populations are increasing, which are signs of a restored river that is home to healthy and abundant wildlife. However, there are also disturbing trends in lead levels for eaglets, and fish consumption advisories are in place throughout the river due to elevated levels of contaminants like PFOS and mercury.

Recreation and aquatic habitat on the river is being increasingly degraded by excess sediments and phosphorus, and some portions of the river are impaired with excess bacteria. Much of this can be attributed to agricultural sources.

Several indicators show disturbing trends and are causes for serious concern moving forward, according to the scientific advisors who helped compile the report: 

1.     River flows have multiplied to worrisome levels (24% increase since 1976). This leads to destabilization and also flushes large amounts of pollution into the river.

2.     Nitrate concentrations have increased substantially (44% increase since 1976), potentially expanding the Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico.

3.     Invasive Asian carp continue to move upstream, threatening aquatic life and recreation throughout much of the state.

4.     A number of additional contaminants, such as triclosan, pharmaceuticals and microplastics  — tiny pieces of plastic shed from everything from car tires to washing our polyester and synthetic clothing — present risks to the river that, while not yet fully understood, are cause for concern due to their potential impacts on human and aquatic health.

“To solve these problems, we need to better understand their causes and consequences,” said John Anfinson, Superintendent, National Park Service, Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. “This report provides a solid base from which to spur a public conversation about how to preserve and improve the river, and develop strategies for doing so.”

Three companion guides have been published with the report, 1) a Stewardship Guide that provides practical steps for individuals to take in their homes, yards and communities to improve the health of the Mississippi River, 2) a brand-new Teacher’s Guide to help teachers and students carry the lessons of the report into the classroom, and 3) Friends of the Mississippi River’s Policy Guide that offers priority actions that federal, state and local leaders can take for the river. The State of the River Report and companion guides are available at www.stateoftheriver.com.

The "State of the River Report" was funded by the McKnight Foundation, the Patrick and Aimee Butler Family Foundation, the Mortenson Family Foundation, the Capitol Region Watershed District, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, and Mississippi Park Connection.

Full report and all guides available to download at www.stateoftheriver.com
About Friends of the Mississippi River: www.fmr.org
About the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area: www.nps.gov.miss

Hennepin Gallery Exhibit: Fusing and Faces - The Quilts of Carol Hancuh on display September 20 - November 27

Carol Hancuh traded paints for fabric five years ago and hasn’t looked back. She uses no kits or patterns; her quilts are original in design, piecing and quilting. Hancuh’s work is influenced by Esterita Austin, who introduced her to the art of fusing. “My first fused quilt was a wall hanging – a face named ‘Bruce’.” The next, “Feed My People,” was of the homeless hungry in America.  It won the President's Award at the Minnesota Quilters 2015 show, was shown at the Houston Festival of Quilts 2015 and published in Quilters Newsletter Magazine in 2016. In September of 2014, she made the 50th anniversary quilt for her church. “Helping Hands” portrays three priests who have served at Mary, Mother of the Church in Burnsville, where the quilt hangs in the sanctuary.

Hancuh, a member of Minnesota Quilters, has done abstracts, one original patterned quilt and several landscapes. Some quilts went to her church's Prayer Shawl ministry, others to silent auctions for non-profit organizations, visiting nurses, safe houses, and dignity quilts for a nursing home. Her quilts can be seen at http://chancuhquilts.com/.

This collection is presented by Minnesota Quilters, Inc. Minnesota Quilters celebrates the art of quilting in all its forms, educates about this time-honored craft, and promotes the work of newly emerging quilt artists at its annual show and other events each year.

The Hennepin Gallery is free and open to the public Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Hennepin County Government Center, A Level, 300. S. Sixth St., Minneapolis. The exhibit is sponsored by Hennepin County Communications.

The Gallery is a project of Hennepin County Communications.

Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District (DID) Announces 2016 Greening & Public Realm Award Winners

MINNEAPOLIS (September 20, 2016) — The Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District (DID) announced today its 7^th annual Greening & Public Realm Award winners, a group that included four new winners among the 12 categories decided by an interactive public vote.

The Greening Awards aim to showcase greening efforts by organizations and companies that help beautify the downtown area through enhancing the public realm. Among the 12 award winners [full list below] in this year’s categories are first-time winners The Living Bus Shelter (Small Green Space Activation), The Times They Are A-Changin’ — Mural by Eduardo Kobra (Public Art), Wells Fargo Towers (Streetscape Green Infrastructure) and The Commons (Public Realm Improvement).

This year’s winners also includes Loring Greenway in the Best Large Green Space category—its seventh consecutive year earning a Greening Award. Target Plaza South Entry (Small Green Space) won its sixth Greening Award, and The Local (Outdoor Café) won its fifth.

“Each year the Greening Awards offer a chance for us to recognize and showcase organizations that truly help take the vibrancy of our downtown to a new level,” said Steve Cramer, President & CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council & Downtown Improvement District. “We congratulate all who were nominated and selected as finalists, and we look forward to seeing what enhanced green spaces will be part of next year’s vote.”

Winners will receive a commemorative Greening Award created by Wood from the Hood, a Minneapolis-based company that reclaims discarded trees from urban neighborhoods and creates high-quality wood products. Each award will display the year the award was issued.

The Minneapolis DID accepted public nominations for green spaces through the middle of August, and finalists were announced on August 25. Voting for finalists remained open from August 25 through September 14.

The finalists, nominated by the public, were selected by members of the Minneapolis DID staff based on criteria including overall year-over-year enhancements as well as continued excellence in adding vibrancy to the public realm.

This year’s results include the following winners:

Small Green Space Activation
• The Living Bus Shelter* — 30.78%
• The Loon Street Café* — 28.11%
• Parklet at 13th & Hennepin (Espresso Royale & Salon Rouge) * — 27.41%
• Living Room Station* —13.7%

Small Green Space
• Target Plaza South Entry — 41.28%
• Federal Courthouse Plaza — 36.58%
• American Academy of Neurology — 22.13%

Large Green Space Activation
• Target Field Station — 43.12%
• Hennepin County Government Center South Plaza — 28.94%
• Convention Center Plaza — 27.93%

Large Green Space
• Loring Greenway — 36.92%
• The Commons* — 34.99%
• Triangle Park — 28.09%

Façade Greening
• Kenosha Building — 40.73%
• JB Hudson — 26.88%
• MSFA Parking Ramp* — 19.72%
• 4Marq Apartments* — 12.68%

Public Art
• The Times They Are A-Changin’ – Mural by Eduardo Kobra* — 63.62%
• Gold Medal Park — 20.14%
• The Horn (Medtronic Plaza Sculpture)* —10.98%
• Greg Gossel Mural* — 5.26%

Outdoor Café
• The Local — 40.16%
• Bachelor Farmer* — 32.22%
• 8th Street Grill — 18.53%
• Mason’s Restaurant Barre — 9.09%

Streetscape Greening
• Target Plaza Commons — 49.14%
• Central Lutheran Church — 38.51%
• The Carlyle — 12.34%

Streetscape Green Infrastructure
• Wells Fargo Towers* — 42.84%
• 1st Street North Streetscape Improvements — 37.99%
• Boulevard Gardens at 4th & Hennepin* — 19.17%

Entryway Greening
• City Hall — 60.84%
• Textile Building* —  23.33%
• Lindsay Lofts* — 15.83%

Public Realm Improvement
• The Commons* — 41.37%
• The Times They Are A-Changin’ – Mural by Eduardo Kobra* — 29.2%
• Bachelor Farmer Outdoor Café* — 7.92%
• Wells Fargo Towers Streetscapes* — 7.09%
• The Horn (Medtronic Plaza Sculpture)* — 4.26%
• Boulevard Gardens at 4th & Hennepin* —  4.02%
• 4Marq Apartments Façade Greening* — 3.43%
• Greg Gossel Mural* — 1.89%
• MSFA Parking Ramp* — 0.83%

Best Neighborhood
• Loring Park — 33.18%
• Mill District — 32.83%
• North Loop — 16.99%
• Elliot Park — 16.99%

* = New Nominee in this category

Scenes from the September 17 Mill City Farmers Market

That cute little bee manning the Great River Coalition booth at the September 17 Mill City Farmers Market is none other than former Minneapolis City Council Member Diane Hofstede. This member-supported nonprofit organization works collaboratively within the community to enhance the vitality of the river environment and create pollinator pathways.

It was a music-filled Market, featuring the Orange Mighty Trio as the main attraction. Prior to their arrival, guests were greeted by two fiddlers and there was a sweet little piano onsite available for anyone to play.

Vegetable humor - compliments of Urban Roots:

Keepin' it clean!

The Market was one of the stops for the Mill City Running The Fast and the Curious scavenger hunt.  (I resisted the urge to help them find what they were looking for.)

Milly the goat! :)

Sept 18 Traffic Alert/Street Closures for Vikings-Packers 7:30p Game

Minneapolis closing streets near U.S. Bank Stadium for Sunday’s Vikings game

The City of Minneapolis will close streets around U.S. Bank Stadium for Sunday’s 7:30pm Vikings game. 

Beginning at 1:00pm Sunday, the City will close:
• Chicago Avenue, from Fourth Street to Sixth Street.

Beginning at 4:30pm Sunday, the City will close:
• 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 stadium event. All streets will reopen about one hour after the completion of the game.

Enneagram Cafe with Becky Gorman at The Loft

Enneagram Cafe with Becky Gorman

Would you like to improve your relationships?  Feel more "in tune" with who you are?  Then you're invited to Becky's Enneagram Cafe.  During these sessions, identify your Enneagram type, learn how it impacts nearly everything you do, and help you find ways to harness the strength of your type.  The Enneagram is used around the world and is a tool proven to improve lives.

4 Saturdays October 1, 8, 22 and 29,   9:00am to Noon

Oct 1:  Your 3 Centers of Intelligence:  Head, Heart, Body

Oct 8:  How the 9 Enneagram Styles Function and Impact You

Oct 22:  Bringing the Enneagram Alive in Your Day-to-Day Life

Oct 29:  How to Optimize Self Care Based on Your Enneagram Type

Boom Island-Nicollet Island Bridge Repairs Open House, October 6

Originally built as a railroad bridge in 1890, the Boom Island-Nicollet Island Bridge was acquired by the MPRB in the 1970s and installed in its current location in the early 1980s.

Via a September 16 e-newsletter from Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

Public invited to review plan to repair bridge between Boom Island Park and Nicollet Island

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) will host an Open House for the Boom Island-Nicollet Island Bridge Repairs project on Thursday, Oct. 6, 6-7:30 pm at MPRB headquarters, 2117 West River Road.

The public is encouraged to attend to learn more and provide input regarding bridge repairs and improvements planned as part of the project, which will provide structural stability for the 126-year-old bridge and improve its overall usability.

At the meeting, closure and detour information and decking and railing options for bridge repairs will be available for public review. All are welcome to attend this public meeting to ask questions and share ideas, comments and concerns.
 
Public Meeting
Date: Oct. 6, 2016
Time: 6-7:30 pm
Location: MPRB Headquarters
Address: 2117 West River Road
Topic: Overview of a project that will repair the Boom Island-Nicollet Island Bridge.

Project Website

MPRB Requests Your Feedback on the 2016 Music & Movies in the Parks Season

Via a September 15 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

2016 Music & Movies in the Parks Complete!

Thank you for a wonderful 2016 season of our Music and Movies in the Parks series!  We truly hope you enjoyed your experience in the parks with us over the summer and will continue to support the program by coming to the shows in the future.

We are asking for one final favor as we wrap up the season.  We are always looking to improve the program, and we're asking you to spare a few moments to fill out our survey.  In doing so, you give us information on ways we can make the 2017 season even better.  Thank you in advance for taking the time to answer our questions!

Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WKYY5ZG

Thank you once again for an enjoyable summer in our Minneapolis Parks!  Check out our Facebook page for more pictures.

YogaFit Offers Free Yoga to Striking Allina Nurses Now thru October 31

Nurses are amazing people who take great pride to care for people, most of whom they don’t even know. YogaFit would like to return the care by taking care of the nurses now. In an effort to help the nurses who are on strike, YogaFit is providing unlimited free yoga classes to all the nurses on strike from today until October 31st.

We have four locations in the metro area – Linden Hills, Loring Park, Northeast Minneapolis and Excelsior. To get started on the free classes, please email Ashok Dhariwal at ashok@mspyoga.com. To learn more about YogaFit, our locations, and our class formats please visit www.yogafitstudios.com.  We have classes for all levels of experience.

Fall Colors Segway Tours run thru November 30

Take in the best fall colors on a Segway Tour! The Minneapolis Magical History Tour runs through November 30. The tour office is located at 125 Main Street SE.  952-888-9200 Facebook

Back by Popular Demand: Preservation Alliance to Host Two Photography Walking Tours

(ST. PAUL, MN – September 13, 2016) Old building and photography enthusiasts have two new opportunities to tour historic neighborhoods while honing artistic skills. The Preservation Alliance of Minnesota (PAM) is excited to host a pair of smartphone photography tours this fall, both of which debuted in the spring of 2016.

Mill District Smartphone Photography Tour
Wednesday, September 28th
5:00pm-8:00pm
A-Mill Artist Lofts
Registration: $25

This evening tour begins at the old/new A Mill Artist Lofts with an introductory drink and presentation by professional photographer Eric Mueller. Mueller goes beyond filters, teaching how to capture the built and natural environment of the neighborhood. 

Art history and architecture professor Kristin Anderson will lead us up Main Street to share historical and architectural context of the area. Participants can employ new photography techniques along this tour as we stop at notable buildings. The tour finishes on the Stone Arch Bridge. PAM is bringing back this tour after its sold-out first run in May.

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Stillwater and Lift Bridge Brewery Tour
Thursday, September 29th
5:30pm-8:00pm
Pioneer Park
Registration: $25, includes flight of beer at Lift Bridge Brewing Co. 

PAM’s second Stillwater tour of 2016 will start at Pioneer Park overlooking downtown. Instagrammer extraordinaire Emily Falkenberg will share favorite photography techniques, and local history buff Sally Erickson will guide the group through the North Hill neighborhood, stopping at the Warden’s House, Lowell Inn, and Isaac Staples Sawmill.

The group will loop back to Pioneer Park and take a sojourn over to the critically acclaimed Lift Bridge Brewing Co. Here, we will enjoy a flight of beer and take a tour of their beautiful beer lab. Beer is included in registration cost.

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These classes are hosted by the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota (PAM), a statewide nonprofit organization that leads and inspires people to connect to valued places in their communities. Whether it’s an old home or storefront on the corner, a rural community’s old high school, or an urban neighborhood’s long-retired factory, PAM works to preserve and protect the bond felt by community members toward these places, the memories such places represent, and the distinct characteristics they display. 

This project has been financed in part with funds provided by the State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society.

Thursday Musical Announces 2016-2017 Season of Thursday Morning Artist Series and Home Programs

Via a September 12 Press Release from Thursday Musical:

MINNEAPOLIS/ST PAUL - Thursday Musical announces its 125^th season for the Thursday Morning Artist Series, including Living Concert Notes with MPR announcer Steve Staruch and composer David Evan Thomas, and the Home Programs.
 
HOME PROGRAMS
 
A time-honored tradition, the Home Programs are the heart of the organization’s membership community. Members of Thursday Musical on October 20, 2016 and April 20, 2017 will open their homes for a total of six programs to season subscribers/members for an intimate, “salon-style” concert experience. Programs will feature several returning performing members and two Thursday Musical debuts by pianist Otto Loehrke (Oct. 20) and mezzo-soprano April Hansen (Apr. 20). Please see thursdaymusical.org/home-programs for a complete schedule.

THURSDAY MORNING ARTIST SERIES

The Thursday Morning Artist Series has been presented since 1892 on Thursdays. It is the organization’s longest-running recital and chamber music series with a legacy of featuring some of the most talented classical musicians in Minnesota. Programs are currently being held at 10:30 a.m. in the acoustically impressive Antonello Hall at MacPhail Center for Music, Minneapolis. Complimentary coffee and donuts are provided in the lobby starting at 10:00 am served by members of Thursday Musical. Detailed program information will be announced throughout the season.
 
Kicking off the season is a free concert on October 6 including a preconcert reception at 9:30 am with Living Concerts Notes hosted by Guest Moderator MPR announcer Steve Staurch.

On the program will be Amy Morris, flute and Mary Goetz, piano performing Malagigi the Sorcerer by Venezuelan-born composer Efrain Amaya and Tango Etude by Astor Piazzolla; the Başgöze – Pinto Piano Duo (Susana Pinto, piano and Pinar Başgöze, piano) will perform works by Brazilian composers Ernesto Nazareth, Zequinha de Abre and Francisco Mignone; and clarinet trio (Janet Greene, Pat O'Keefe, and Nina Olsen) will be performing Eight Bagatelles by local composer Sarah Miller who has been teaching composition and piano at MacPhail Center for Music, Minneapolis,for seventeen years. 

Tickets and Memberships
 
Concert Memberships for the 2016-17 concert season are now available to renewing and new subscribers. Thursday Musical continues its legacy of providing outstanding concert programming at affordable prices. Subscribers can access 12 Thursday Morning Artist Series concerts and 4 Home Programs for under $8 each ($95 general\$85 seniors). (Note: Home Programs are only available to season subscribers.) Subscriptions can be purchased online, by phone or in person at any Thursday Morning Artist Series concert. 
 
Individual tickets for the Thursday Morning Artist Series can be purchased at the door for $15. All concerts are open seating and take place at MacPhail Center for Music, 501 S 2nd Street. For more information, call (612) 333-0313 or visit thursdaymusical.org/membership.

All concerts are at 10:30 AM.

See full Press Release

Scenes from the September 10 Mill City Farmers Market

September 10 was Hunger Solutions Day at the Mill City Farmers Market. Food access for all is key to Mill City Farmers Market's mission of nourishing the community. Staff from Hunger Solution Minnesota were on hand with information on their programs. Hunger Solutions is a comprehensive hunger relief organization that works to end hunger in Minnesota. The organization was created in 2001, as a result of the merger between Minnesota Food Bank Network and Minnesota Food Shelf Association.

The theme of Market Chef Jenny Breen's Mill City Cooks demo was Cooking on a SNAP Budget, during which she provided suggestions on how to incorporate healthy ingredients into nutritious, economical and tasty meals. The Curried Chick Peas with Autumn Vegetables recipe she prepared costs less that $3 per serving. 

YogaFit Studios Northeast conducted a donation-based outdoor class from 9a-10a.

Rosemary in cookies? That's right, and it's a wonderful thing! I'm just thankful there were only 6 in the package or I would have snacked myself into a shortbread stupor...

The info booth is always hoppin'.

Sunflowers! Immediately put a smile on your face, don't they?

A child's body language as to when they no longer want to carry something...

Rug shopping at Art Andes.

Milly the goat!

Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition Expanding to Serve Pedestrians

Via a September 8 Press Release from the Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition:

Minneapolis, MN--The Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition will be expanding its mission to include walking and pedestrian work. Walking and biking in our city makes it stronger and an even better place to live, work, and play. Biking and walking are both fun, healthy, clean, equitable, and efficient ways to get around and are growing rapidly in popularity in Minneapolis.

“I am so excited to be a part of the Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition during this amazing time,” said LaTrisha Vetaw, Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition Board President. “This expansion aligns with the Coalition’s goal to reach out to and serve communities of color. I see this change as a big win for the communities I serve daily and all the citizens of Minneapolis who currently bike and walk, or that will soon be biking and walking.”

The Coalition has worked side-by-side with pedestrian voices on many policy and on-the-ground projects around the city. This change will formalize work the Coalition has been doing already to support walkability through Complete Streets, Open Streets, Safe Routes to School, and more. Walking and biking are increasingly popular in Minneapolis, but there are still far too many unsafe and uncomfortable streets and too many people hit and killed or injured. The Coalition will work to bring forward the voices and perspectives of people walking and in wheelchairs to make streets safer and better for everyone.

“I admire the work the Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition does towards making streets safer, in both incremental, concrete ways, and by shaping policy as they help elected and appointed officials understand the needs and vulnerabilities of people outside cars.” said Julia Curran, a walking advocate and member of the Minneapolis Pedestrian Alliance. “I'm thrilled that they're expanding their circle to include all of us who walk in Minneapolis.”

The Coalition will be taking time to engage with stakeholders over the coming months before defining the specifics of a new mission, vision, name, and initial priorities for pedestrian work in 2017.

The Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition, which formed in 2009, has grown into one of the most influential advocacy organizations in Minneapolis, uniting a network of more than 12,000 people and 1,300 volunteers. The Coalition organizes Open Streets Minneapolis events, which will attract more than 70,000 people this year to walk, bike, and play in car-free streets for a weekend day.

Parkway Closures for Saturday, September 10

The following roads will be temporarily closed Saturday, September 10, from 9:00am - 1:00pm for the Mill City Suds Run:

- SE Main St from Hennepin Ave to SE 6th Ave
- West River Parkway from Plymouth Ave to Portland Ave N 
- Stone Arch and Plymouth Bridges

More info on the race: http://www.millcitysudsrun.com/

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

The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul presents The Beatles: Eight Days A Week - The Touring Years

Next week the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul presents THE BEATLES: EIGHT DAYS A WEEK - THE TOURING YEARS with a special International Premiere event screening on Thursday, September 15 at 7:00pm and for a week-long run starting Friday, September 16 at the Film Society’s St. Anthony Main Theatre.

Academy Award-winning director Ron Howard's new documentary is a behind-the-scenes look at The Beatles’ early years. Exclusively in theaters, each showing includes The Beatles’ newly restored and remastered 35mm concert footage from their iconic Shea Stadium performance in 1965 — the 30 minute HD concert follows the film.