New Paddle Share Stations Bring Kayak Rental to the Minneapolis Riverfront!

A rendering of the new paddle share station coming soon to North Mississippi Regional Park

Via an August 4 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

Pilot program will allow park users to rent kayaks and explore Mississippi

New agreements between the National Park Service’s (NPS) non-profit charitable partner Mississippi Park Connection (MPC), the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) created a pilot program that will bring “paddle share” stations to Minneapolis’ Upper Riverfront this summer.

The NPS and its partner, Mississippi Park Connection, hope to launch the pilot program in late August, pending all necessary permits and approvals.  Read more

About Paddle Share Stations

Paddle share stations are similar to a bike share stations like Nice Ride Minnesota, but there are some differences. Once the program launches, users go online to www.paddleshare.org (not available yet, targeted for late August) to reserve kayaks for a specific date and time, review safety precautions and a safety video, sign a waiver and pay for the reservation.

Once the reservation is paid, users will receive a code that unlocks a station on the selected date and time at either North Mississippi Regional Park (near Kroening Interpretive Center) or the MWMO Stormwater Park and Learning Center, enabling them to get all necessary equipment (kayak, paddle, life jacket). Check with the NPS for times staff and volunteers will be available onsite to help explain the paddle share program and share information about the river and the national park.

Users can paddle upriver or downriver, but the rental equipment must be returned to the return station at Boom Island Park (on the southern edge of the park next to the existing canoe racks) before the allotted time is up. All stations are aligned with Nice Ride Minnesota bike share stations so users are able to paddle downriver and then bike back to where they started. Check Nice Ride bike availability and transit schedules at www.rivertripplanner.org. 

Announcing the Temporary Closure of Restaurant Alma and the Opening of Café, Hotel and Restaurant Alma

Via an August 2 e-newsletter from Restaurant Alma:

ALMA “2.0”: Restaurant, Café and Hotel

In 2013, fourteen years after the opening Restaurant Alma, the wonderful opportunity came along to purchase our building, and together as a team we began the journey of expanding the Alma experience to include an all-day cafe and boutique hotel. We also planned some much needed renovations to the original restaurant space. The process has taken longer than we expected, presenting many challenges and great learning experiences along the way. Most importantly, our work with the Minneapolis City Council, Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association, and many supportive neighbors, ultimately resulted in changes to the city lodging ordinance: allowing the operation of small hotels in Minneapolis (for the first time in nearly 100 years), and breathing life into our new concept.

The Temporary Closing of Restaurant Alma

Alma “1.0“ will serve the last dishes from our Summer Menu on Friday, August 12th. Unavoidably, we must close for three months to connect the restaurant and cafe kitchens and to make significant mechanical and equipment upgrades. At the same time, the dining room will be undergoing renovations to improve the comfort of the guest experience, while also preserving the feel and layout of the original space. To reserve a table before August 12th please reserve via our website or call the restaurant after 2pm at 612-379-4909.
 
Perhaps the most important goal for us in the next seventeen years is to keep Alma very much the same. Since our first day of business we have believed in the saying, “a kitchen is only as good as the last meal it served,” knowing it applies equally to customer service. We believe our continued success is dependent on maintaining this humble—yet imperative—standard. One thing is for sure: the magic of excellent food and exceptional hospitality is never something we can turn into a simple recipe or set of instructions. We will continue our pursuit of excellence until the last plate is served at Alma 1.0, during our closure and preparations, and into the future with the arrival of Alma “2.0” this fall.

Our projected reopening date is the week of November 7th, 2016, landing almost seventeen years from our opening day in 1999. To share our progress and more about our expansion, we would like to invite you to read a weekly blog on our website, where we will chronicle construction progress, special events, design, menu development, hiring, and profiles of our dedicated team while we prepare for our first day as a restaurant, cafe and hotel.

Booking Hotel Alma

We are launching our online hotel-booking site to the public on Saturday, October 1st. To honor you, our longtime guests, we will be offering room reservations for mid-November stays, by invitation only. Expect another email from us in late September with a promotional code to book. 

Tonight - August 2: 2016 National Night Out in the Mill District!

Location: On the Chicago Avenue Mall (between Humboldt Lofts & the Guthrie)

National Night Out is an annual nationwide event that encourages residents to get out in the community, holding block parties and getting to know their neighbors as a way to encourage crime prevention. It's a great way to promote community-police partnerships and enjoy a Minnesota summer evening surrounded by friends and family. For more information, see the Minneapolis NNO mission statement.

Gather with your Mill District neighbors 6:00pm-9:00pm and enjoy:

• Beverages (Day Block and Fulton beers, wine, water and lemonade) and snacks
• Family Fun Zone with the SPARKit trailer sponsored by the Cynthia Froid Group
• Music - Rich Lewis Band
• Izzy Pops compliments of Betsy Lucas
• Food trucks (food for purchase) Chef Shack and Peeps Hot Box
• Community Giving Challenge: Dollars for Diapers for People Serving People. Please bring a few dollars for the diaper fund.
• The City is dropping off two temporary bike racks for block party attendees to use tonight. Feedback is appreciated as we continue to work with the City on temporary bike racks for various events.

Thank you to the hardworking group of volunteers led by Cynthia Kriha for consistently making the annual Mill District National Night Out (NNO) party a success! If you'd like to volunteer to help with clean up or the snack table, please contact Cynthia at 612-940-3827.

Last year's attendance was estimated at 525. Here are some scenes from that party:

Washington Avenue Reconstruction Project Open House, Aug 4 at Open Book

Via an e-newsletter from Hennepin County:

Project Construction Open House

You are invited to an open house for the Washington Avenue (County Road 152) reconstruction project.

Time and date: 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 4

Location: Open Book's Target Performance Hall at 1011 Washington Avenue S

There is no formal presentation. You can come at any time.

Project leaders will be at this informal event to provide you with an overview of the project, including information about the different stages of the project, details about the various improvements and overviews of the detours and traffic changes during construction.

About this project

Hennepin County, in coordination with the City of Minneapolis, is reconstructing Washington Avenue South (County Road 152) between Hennepin Avenue and Fifth Avenue South.

When complete, the project will:

•Add dedicated turn lanes at key intersections
•Provide more space for pedestrians and shorten crossing distances at intersections
•Provide one-way cycle tracks, or protected bike lanes

To learn more about the project, visit www.hennepin.us/washingtonavenue.

Project contact:
Stan Lim, project engineer
612-596-0292

Scenes from the July 30 Mill City Farmers Market

July 30 was Youth at the Market Day.  Farm2School and the Minneapolis Public Schools' Food Truck were on hand with information on bringing food direct from the farm to schools, samples and games. Look for a separate post on these organizations later this week on our Farmers Market blog. 

Shoppers were treated to a preview of Donald Giovanni in Cornlandia: A Picnic Operetta, which is touring in August and September.

Lobster mushrooms from Prairie Hollow Farm:

Milly the goat!

Dr. Kyle Traynor Joins Bierbrauer Chiropractic

Dr. Chris Bierbrauer, principal practitioner at Bierbrauer Chiropractic, 221 10th Avenue S, is pleased to welcome a new member of the team, Dr. Kyle Traynor.

Dr. Traynor uses a hands-on, whole-body approach to treatment, utilizing both Diversified and Thompson techniques, and customizes his treatments to each individual. He has extensive training in working with athletes, both professional and amateur. He is a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP) as appointed by the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians. This training allows him to better understand the different kinds and physiological causes of sports injuries, thus enhancing the treatment of his patients. He enjoys treating children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly alike.

Dr. Traynor specializes in:

• Low-back and neck injuries
• Running injuries, especially hips and feet
• Overuse and misuse injuries
• Soft tissues – ligaments and tendons
• Occupational and ergonomic strains and stresses
• Arthritic aches and pains

Born and raised in River Falls, Wisconsin, Dr. Traynor graduated with a B.S. in Exercise Science, with a concentration in physiology, from the University of Sioux Falls in 2006. He received his doctorate in chiropractic from Northwestern College of Chiropractic in 2009, and comes to Bierbrauer Chiropractic from Orthology Physical Wellness in Minneapolis.

Dr. Traynor lives in Lake Elmo, Minnesota, with his wife, Morgan, and two daughters, Leighton and Dylan. He enjoys hunting, fishing, watching sports, and taking walks with his family.

About Bierbrauer Chiropractic

Dr. Chris Bierbrauer is a well-established chiropractor with a popular practice in downtown Minneapolis, near the Guthrie Theater, Mill City Clinic, and the new US Bank stadium. The clinic treats a wide range of conditions with a full spectrum of chiropractic care. In addition to traditional chiropractic adjusting methods, Dr. Bierbrauer is certified in two extremely effective soft-tissue techniques, Graston Technique and Active Release Techniques (ART), now the treatment of choice for professional and amateur athletes – and countless other patients – around the globe. Dr. Bierbrauer is also a certified BodyZone professional and a proud IronMan sponsor.

For appointments, call 612-332-4414 or register online.  You can also find the clinic on Facebook.

Hours:

 Dr. Bierbrauer: M-Th, 8-12 & 2-6

 Dr. Traynor: M-W, 8-12 & 1-5; F, 8-12 & 1-4

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Editor's note - Both Dave and I have been treated at Bierbrauer Chiropractic over the past 5 years, both with excellent results. There's no reason to be in pain when relief is so readily available!

Now Showing & Coming Soon to the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT: mspfilm.org or at the box office before each show. Enjoy! :D

Now Showing thru August 4 - HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE -  Film Society’s St. Anthony Main Theatre

July 29-August 4 - NUTS! -  Film Society’s St. Anthony Main Theatre

July 30 at 1pm - NTL: THE AUDIENCE - Film Society’s St. Anthony Main Theatre

August 4 at 7pm - CAR WASH - Screening at the Capri Theater - 2027 West Broadway, Minneapolis 55411

August 5-11 - THE SEVENTH FIRE -  Film Society’s St. Anthony Main Theatre

August 5 at dusk (8:30pm) -  THE WIZARD OF OZ  - Free screening at the Uptown Art Fair, 1323 West Lake Street, Minneapolis, 55415

August 15 at dusk (8:30pm) - INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE  - Free screening at Gold Medal Park, 2nd Street and 11th Avenue South, Minneapolis, 55415

August 18 at 7pm - YARN - Film Society’s St. Anthony Main Theatre

August 19-21 - CZECH THAT FILM - A touring program of eight new and classic Czech films. Film Society’s St. Anthony Main Theatre

August 24 at dusk (8:30pm) - MEDICINE OF THE WOLF -  Free screening at Silverwood Park Amphitheater, 2500 County Rd E, St. Anthony, 55421

August 26-September 8 - SOUTHSIDE WITH YOU - Film Society’s St. Anthony Main Theatre

September 1 at 7pm - MIDDLE OF NOWHERE - Screening at the Capri Theater - 2027 West Broadway, Minneapolis 55411

September 8 at 9pm - ONE MORE TIME WITH FEELING - One night special screening of Nick Cave documentary. Film Society’s St. Anthony Main Theatre

September 15-22 - THE BEATLES: EIGHT DAYS A WEEK - THE TOURING YEARS - Film Society’s St. Anthony Main Theatre

September 19 at 7pm + September 24 at 1pm - NTL: A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE - Film Society’s St. Anthony Main Theatre

October 6 at 7pm - DEAR WHITE PEOPLE - Screening at the Capri Theater - 2027 West Broadway, Minneapolis 55411

November 3 at 7pm - HALF PAST AUTUMN: THE LIFE AND WORKS OF GORDON PARKS - Screening at the Capri Theater - 2027 West Broadway, Minneapolis 55411

November 11-17 - CINE LATINO - The 4th edition of one of the nation’s largest Spanish & Portugues language film series returns.

December 1 at 7pm - DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST - Screening at the Capri Theater - 2027 West Broadway, Minneapolis 55411

December 2-8 - DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST - Film Society’s St. Anthony Main Theatre

A Few Volunteers Needed for the Mill District NNO Party, August 2

Our annual National Night Out party is Tuesday, August 2. The Mill District party location is the Chicago Mall between the Guthrie and Mill City Museum Train Shed. NNO Organizer Cynthia Kriha is looking for a few volunteers to help at the snack and dessert bar (mostly refilling the bowls/plates).  You can reach her at ckriha@msn.com for more info.  Thanks, and we'll see you at the party!  :D

Last year's attendance was estimated at 525. Here are some scenes from that party:

Scenes from the July 23 Mill City Farmers Market

Mother Nature cut short the July 23 Market, but the early shoppers were rewarded with the best selection of the 2016 season so far.

Check out this impressive piece of edible art from Swede Lake Farms:

...and then this happened:

The Market has so much to offer - be sure to visit the vendors along the Chicago expansion area in front of American Academy of Neurology (AAN).  I ran into a neighbor this morning who wasn't aware there were fresh noodles available from Dumpling & Strand this year, and that they even have her favorite - soba!

In addition to bringing your grocery list to the Market, bring your gift list too. Every week there is a line up of quality items by talented local artists. Today, it was Adam Gruetzmacher, Aprilierre, Willful, House of Talents and Billboard Bags. 

In the case of House of Talents, founder Kate Herzog has a showroom in Suite 615 of the Traffic Zone Center for Visual Art building at 250 3rd Avenue.  The items she offers are from African artists, and the money they receive from House of Talents helps them obtain health care, education and other services. 

By 10am the vendors where taking down the tents in anticipation of a pending storm.  I was startled at how naked it looked.

Milly the goat getting gussied up.

New Izzy's Flavor - Dessa’s Existential Crunch - Debuts at July 27 Event to Benefit The Bridge For Youth

Dark Brown Sugar and Creme Fraiche ice creams, flavored with Jameson Irish Whiskey and Disaronno Originale amaretto, mixed with praline pecan pieces and a crunchy cashew brittle.  

Mmmm-mmmm-mmmm, yes?

Want to be one of the first to sample this tasty new creation? Pick up a ticket for the July 27 Izzy's Rooftop Ice Cream Social with Dessa. Proceeds go to The Bridge for Youth, so you might want to pick up a few tickets and bring some friends, because that's a very worthy cause to spend your money on!

City of Minneapolis Celebrates Grand Opening of The Commons with Community Today

Via a July 21 Press Release from the City of Minneapolis:

Thursday, July 21, 2016 (Minneapolis, MN) – Elected officials, partners, and community members gathered today to celebrate the grand opening of The Commons, a 4.2 acre, dynamic green space located in the heart of downtown that aims to engage all of Minneapolis’ diverse communities.

Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges; Council Member Jacob Frey; Pat Ryan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ryan Companies US, Inc.; Mark Wilf Owner/President of the Vikings, and Mary Margaret Jones, President of Hargreaves Associates kicked off the opening ceremony. Event attendees forwent a traditional ribbon cutting and tossed blue and green Frisbees into the air to officially commemorate the opening. The event featured food trucks, dance performances by Asian Dance Team, free yoga by CorePower Yoga, and a variety of lawn games in a program designed to exemplify the many activities that will take place in The Commons.

“The Commons is a vital new extension of the city’s footprint, a new space downtown to connect diverse communities from across the city,” said Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges. “As the anchor for the ongoing transformation of Downtown East, the Commons is a green space for all residents, visitors and communities. It will connect the city and its people together and provide new opportunities for healthy outdoor activities as Minneapolis continues to grow.”

“Every great city has a world class downtown park, and today we deliver the first block of our very own,” said Council Member Jacob Frey.  “The Commons is the kitchen table for our city – the place where everyone can gather and connect. Bring on the picnic blankets, soccer balls, and Frisbees because this downtown park is primed for action.”

The Commons is a key part of the broader, five-block Downtown East development project that has brought over $400 million of investment in new office towers for Wells Fargo, housing, retail, parking, and a hotel to an area that resisted development for decades. The East Block officially opened today and includes: a great lawn, promenades, areas for play, and plantings.  The West Block will open next month.

“The Commons is the “crown jewel” of the $2 billion Downtown East development,” said Pat Ryan, Ryan Companies US, Inc. CEO and co-chair of The Commons fundraising committee.  “This largely neglected area of Downtown East has been transformed by Wells Fargo, US Bank Stadium, Radisson Red, and the Edition Apartments.  The Commons is a gathering place for all of Minneapolis to celebrate this live-work-play city.  I am proud of the public-private partnership that has brought The Commons to life.  Great cities have great people who work together to create a great environment.  It is a privilege to lead the fundraising efforts with Mayor Betsy Hodges.”

In early 2015, the City hired a team lead by the internationally recognized landscape architecture firm, Hargreaves Associates, to design The Commons beyond a flat, grassy field as was originally negotiated.  After a year of intensive community engagement including four community meetings and feedback from over 2,500 survey responses, the design was finalized and construction began by Ryan Companies in the fall of 2015.

“Today is just the beginning!  We have been honored to guide the design process for this transformative, destination open space for the City of Minneapolis – a welcoming and inclusive public landscape, which we are eager to watch emerge and evolve over the coming years.  The participation of the public and stakeholders has been exceptional, resulting in a vision for The Commons that truly incorporates the needs of all users,” said Mary Margaret Jones, President of Hargreaves Associates.

The Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District (DID) will operate The Commons through 2016. Green Minneapolis, a nonprofit public-private conservancy is working with the City on an operating agreement for 2017 and beyond.  To date, Green Minneapolis has raised over 14 million in supporting the fundraising effort for The Commons. The City has a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) to transfer fee title of the property to MPRB and lease it back and be responsible for its operations.

“The City of Minneapolis, in partnership with many philanthropic businesses and individuals, has invested, designed, and built a first-of-its-kind green space for the City and the State—a tremendous accomplishment,” said David Wilson, Chairman of the Green Minneapolis Board. “Now comes the most important part— bringing the park’s potential to life for everyone in our community.  For this we will need continued support and investment to ensure the park is well maintained, programmed, and cared for.” 

Donors to the green space thus far include Wells Fargo, Ryan Companies, The Minnesota Vikings, Valspar, U.S. Bank, The Pohlad Family Foundation, Julia Dayton, Jay and Page Cowles, The Edward J. Phillips Family Foundation, Piper Jaffray, CenturyLink, The David Wilson and Michael Peterman Family, Target Corporation, Carlson and the Carlson Family Foundation, Land O’Lakes, Thrivent Financial, Veit USA and Xcel Energy.

For more information on upcoming events or to learn how to reserve The Commons for activities visit www.CommonsMpls.com.

Parkway Closures for July 20 Torchlight 5K

Via a July 19 Minneapolis Park and Rec Board e-newsletter: 

July 20 - Life Time Torchlight 5K - 7:00pm to 9:00pm
West River Parkway - From N 4th Ave to Portland Ave
Stone Arch Bridge
SE Main St - From SE 3rd St to 6th St SE

*Please note that the duration of the closures is subject to change based on the event's start and finish times.  A complete list of current and upcoming parkway closures is available online.

Additionally, Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis will be closed July 20 from 7 p.m. until approximately 10:30 p.m. for both the Torrchlight 5K and the 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, 10^th Street, 11^th Street, Maple Street/16^th 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.

Also - the following streets will be closed from 7 to 8:30 p.m.:

• 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.
• West River Parkway, from Fourth Avenue North to Portland Avenue.
• Main Street, from Third Avenue SE. to Sixth Avenue SE.

Interactive Map Can Help People Stay Cool and Safe During this Week's Heat Wave

Via a July 18 Hennepin County e-newsletter:

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch which will be effective through the end of the week.

The heat index is expected to reach 105 to 110 degrees during afternoon hours.

Hennepin County Public Health has created an interactive map to help residents who don't have air conditioning at home or work to find public places to escape the summer heat. Young children, senior citizens and people who are sick or overweight are most vulnerable.

Maps are available for desktop and mobile devices.

The project is a collaboration between Hennepin County Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Hennepin County Public Health.

Find a way to keep cool

To assist in escaping the heat, a link to our mobile mapping application shows cool options throughout Hennepin County including locations to Salvation Army buildings, libraries, recreation centers, movie theaters, and shopping malls.

People can make the map close and personal by zooming in on a specific neighborhood; users then can click on individual cooling locations for an address, days and hours of operation, contact information and a website link, when possible.

Dig into mapping data

The application is only one part of a larger initiative to make public information more usable for Hennepin County residents. Other projects include park maps, public health information, construction, property values and taxation. Applications are scattered throughout the county website, but several additional maps can be found at www.hennepin.us/gis. Users familiar with GIS software can also download data directly.

Scenes from the July 16 Mill City Farmers Market

July 16 was Mississippi River Day at the Market. Community booths included The University of Minnesota Raptor Center, Mississippi Park Connection, Friends of the Mississippi, Great River Coalition, and Big River Magazine.

Mill City Farmers Market Founder Brenda Langton wore eagle earrings in honor of the live eagle visiting with the Raptor Center. Thank you to the McKnight Foundation for sponsoring the Raptor Center booth.

Stangler Works debuted with beautifully crafted wood skateboards, ping pong paddles, household items, jewelry and more.  Look for a separate post later this week on our Farmers Market blog.

Freshly harvested garlic, snap peas and three colors of beans from Swede Lake Farms.

Guitarist Ben Glaros provided background music for shoppers taking a break on the steps.

It's officially blueberry season - yay!

Occasionally the Market staff conducts shopper surveys. If you see these boards set up, take a minute to participate.

This little guy is contemplating a honeycomb from Ames Farm.

Baker's Field Flour & Bread, the newest addition to the FOOD BUILDING, joined The Lone Grazer and Red Table Meats at the Market.  Look for a future separate post about Baker's Field on our Farmers Market blog.

The okra and peppers are in - you can add gumbo to the menu now!

Celina Kane of Hat Make had a lovely display of her summer hats at the July 14 Market.  (Look for a separate post later this week on our Farmers Market blog.)  Melanie Ebertz of ArtAndes is a Hat Make customer. Her new hat was a perfect match for the display of rugs.

Milly the goat!

 

Mississippi Park Connection and Mia Offer Masterpieces of Nature

Via a July 14 Press Release from Mississippi Park Connection:

19 museum-worthy views celebrate the Mississippi River’s only national park during the National Park Service Centennial year

SAINT PAUL, MN, July 14, 2016 – As part of the festivities surrounding the National Park Service Centennial year, Mississippi Park Connection and Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) are bringing art to the national park in the heart of the Twin Cities. The partnership is in conjunction with “Seeing Nature: Landscape Masterworks from the Paul G. Allen Family Collection,” a wide-ranging exhibition of 39 spectacular landscape paintings spanning five centuries, which will be on display at Mia through September 18, 2016. 

From July through September, museum-style frames in various sizes will appear at 19 scenic locations throughout the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area to highlight the stunning artistry that exists within these natural landscapes. Each location in the park connects visitors back to one of the thrilling vistas on display at Mia.

“We wanted to engage everyday park visitors in the National Park Service Centennial celebration. By creating visual frames for people to look through, we aim to reveal the grandeur of our river and nurture a greater appreciation for our national park," said Katie Nyberg, executive director, Mississippi Park Connection.

Park visitors are invited to take a picture and to share in social media with the tags #parkconnection and #seeingnature, and images will be available online alongside photos from other park enthusiasts at artsmia.org/seeing-nature/mia-national-park-service, where a map of all locations is available.

“The exhibition reveals the power of landscape to locate the viewer in time and place”, said Kim Huskinson, senior manager, marketing & insights at Mia. “We hope museum goers and park visitors will enjoy the opportunity to record, explore, and understand the natural and manmade world.”

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI PARK CONNECTION 
Mississippi Park Connection is the proud nonprofit partner of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, a national park in the Twin Cities. Its mission is to build and strengthen connections between people and the Mississippi River, and build community support for this national treasure. Through education, stewardship and community engagement, Mississippi Park Connection provides opportunities for people to have a national park experience right in the Twin Cities.

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL RIVER AND RECREATION AREA
The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area was established as a national park in 1988 to protect, preserve, and enhance the nationally significant resources of the Mississippi River. Starting in the Dayton-Ramsey area and ending just south of Hastings, the Mississippi River changes character more within this 72-mile park boundary than in its entire 2,350-mile course to the Gulf of Mexico.

ABOUT THE MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ART
Home to more than 89,000 works of art representing 5,000 years of world history, the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) inspires wonder, spurs creativity, and nourishes the imagination. With extraordinary exhibitions and one of the finest wide-ranging art collections in the country – Rembrandt to Van Gogh, Monet to Matisse, Asian to African, Mia links the past to the present, enables global conversations, and offers an exceptional setting for inspiration.

General admission to Mia is always free. Some special exhibitions have a nominal admission fee. General admission for “Seeing Nature” is $20. 

City of Minneapolis Invites Public to Attend the Grand Opening of The Commons on Thursday, July 21

On Thursday, July 21, the City of Minneapolis will host a grand opening of The Commons, 424 4th Street S  from 11:30am-1:00pm.

The event will take place on the East Block of the park and feature food trucks, a free yoga class by Core Power Yoga, dance performances by Asian Dance Team, and additional activities.  A brief program with comments provided by Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges; Council Member Jacob Frey; Pat Ryan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ryan Companies US, Inc.; and Mary Margaret Jones, Senior Principal of Hargreaves Associates will take place at 12:00pm.  Following the remarks all event attendees will be invited to participate in a commemorative Frisbee toss.

The Commons is a 4.2 acre, new public green space downtown bounded by Park Avenue and 4th and 5th Streets.  The Commons was designed as a place for respite, everyday activities, and events large and small for residents, workers, and visitors.

Everyone is invited to attend the grand opening celebration.  For more information on The Commons visit http://www.commonsmpls.com/.

Schedule of Grand Opening Events:

11:30am
Asian Dance Team
Food Trucks

12:00pm
Program with brief comments by Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges, Council Member Jacob Frey, Pat Ryan and Mary Margaret Jones

12:20pm
Commemorative Frisbee Toss

12:20-1:00pm
Asian Dance Team
Food Trucks
Core Power Yoga free class
Free play activities

July 19 is Pre-registration Deadline for Primary Election

Via a July14 Hennepin County e-newsletter:

Contact: Ginny Gelms, Hennepin County elections manager, 612-348-9289
Carolyn Marinan, Communications, 612-348-5969

July 19 is pre-registration deadline for primary election

Absentee vote today at Hennepin County Government Center

Hennepin County eligible voters have until Tuesday, July 19, to pre-register for the state primary, which will occur August 9. Save time on election day. Register to vote or check your voter registration status at www.mnvotes.org.

Voters who register to vote after July 19 will be included in the registered voters log for the general election on November 8.

Absentee voting

All eligible voters may now vote using an absentee ballot for the state primary, instead of voting in-person at the polling place on primary day.

All eligible voters in Hennepin County may cast their absentee ballot in person at the Hennepin County Government Center, 300 S. Sixth Street, Minneapolis. Hours are 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday with extra hours on Saturday, August 6, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Absentee in-person voting is also available at most city halls across Hennepin County and at the Early Vote Center in downtown Minneapolis at 217 S. Third Street. Each city location can accommodate voters who live in that particular city.

For information about voting and elections in Hennepin County, visit www.hennepin.us/elections.

Community Keg House is Closing

Via a July 12 e-newsletter from the Community Keg House:

 

Community Keg House is Closing

We wish to announce Community Keg House is closing as of today (Tuesday 7/12). We have loved building Community and all the people who have worked and occupied this space. It saddens us to close the Keg House greatly. We live and work in Northeast. We love Northeast. It meant a great deal to see so many support our efforts.

It is our goal to transfer ownership to another party who can carry on where we have left off. Pass along the message that Community Keg House is looking to sell to the right buyers. We are now actively looking to transfer this space to new ownership. We have a turnkey operation here and we feel confident another party could make this space awesome.

All for now. Thanks for your patronage and we hope to be open again soon!

Please direct all inquiries here: nate@communitykeghouse.com

- - -

Editor's Note:

Their location is 34 13 Avenue NE, in the Grain Belt building complex.

In the Works: People Serving People's Center of Excellence for Resilience (CoE)

People Serving People (PSP) recently announced an expansion. To complement their current shelter at 614 3rd Street S, they are developing a Center of Excellence for Resilience (CoE) at 2400 Park Avenue S. This program will combine early childhood education, school age support, and parental engagement direct services to homeless and at-risk children and their families with research, development, and training to improve the field of family resilience and trauma-informed education and service.

The new Center of Excellence for Resilience will not only advance PSP's work preventing homelessness in the community, it will strengthen their programming and operations at the current shelter.

3rd Annual Mississippi Minute Film Festival is Scheduled for Oct 24; Entry Deadline for 60-Second Films is Sept 15

In the midst of the Twin Cities is one of the greatest natural wonders in the world: the Mississippi River and the National Park Service’s only park focused on the river: the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. In celebration of the National Park Service’s Centennial, this year the Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership is expanding the Mississippi Minute Film Festival to include the entire 72 miles of this unique riverfront park.

Create and enter your One Minute Film/DVD visual essay about the river. Make a film showing your own vision and appreciation for the Mississippi River; choose your location(s) from anywhere in the entire 72 miles of this unique riverfront park. Do your best to make us laugh, make us cry, astound us - all in 60 seconds!

For the competition, the 72 mile Mississippi River National Park has been divided into four categories:

• Upper Mississippi: Dayton and Ramsey to Minneapolis City Limits

• Minneapolis Riverfront: Minneapolis northern city limits to Ford Dam

• St. Paul Riverfront: Ford Dam to St. Paul southern city limits

• Lower Mississippi: St. Paul southern city limits to Hastings/Point Douglas

The purpose of the Mississippi Minute Film Festival is to inform, energize and inspire how and why the river enlivens our city. Films will be judged by a selected judging panel of experts.  Awards premiered and announced at the Partnership’s annual event, the Minneapolis Riverfront Summit, on Monday, October 24, at the Mill City Museum at 6:00pm. Minneapolis City Council Member Jacob Frey will be the main speaker.

Originality applauded! For full terms and conditions, file formats and “How to Submit,” see www.mississippiminute.org

All entries must be received ONLINE by end of day, 9/15/16.

Awards will be given in each Category/Best of Category and Runner up; plus a Viewer’s Choice Award and Best of Show Award. Judges to be announced.