Boom Island Brewing Company to Host 3rd Annual Boom Days Blowout July 15-17

BOOM ISLAND TO HOST 3RD ANNUAL BOOM DAYS BLOWOUT JULY 15-17

A Summer Celebration of Cuvée de Boom, Music, Food and the Home Brewer

(JUNE 2016) Boom Island Brewing Company is pleased to announce the 3nd Annual Boom Days celebration in honor of Belgian National Day July 15-17th.  Back by popular demand, Boom Days 2016 will be highlighted by the release of increased numbers of the much-anticipated Cuvée de Boom on tap and in bottles.  The weekend will also feature music from a Belgian rapper, a 5K running event, a Home Brew competition, and outdoor games like rolle bolle.

Cuvée de Boom is oak aged and unhopped.  Cuvée consists of 45% Pinot Grigio grapes and 55% Belgian style blond ale.  Cuvée de Boom ages beautifully in its corked and caged 750ml bottle, and is perfect for any occasion.  A larger number of bottles will be made available to the public, but will only be sold on site during Boom Days while supplies last. More details:

Cuvée de Boom – 12.5%ABV

Appearance - Fluffy white head, which quickly dissipates into a light champagne-like effervescent beverage.
Aroma - Light malt that interplays with white plum & grape aroma.
Flavor - Smooth mouth feel from the wine morphs into a collage of champagne, a hint of plum, which lingers into an assertively dry finish.

Schedule of events for Friday, July 15th:

4:00pm:  Boom Room opens/My Burger Food truck on site.  Parking lot reserved for outdoor Belgian themed games, including Rolle Bolle, Sjoelbak, etc.
6:00pm:  Cuvée de Boom release party and 750ml bottle blowout.  Celebratory fanfare provided by the Twin Cities French Horn Club. This fact makes perfect sense when you realize that Boom Island owners Kevin and Qiuxia Welch played French horn professionally in Minneapolis and St. Paul before the brewery became a reality.
7:00pm:  Music by Belgium’s Original Hip-hop rapper Too Tuff, who will drop rhymes in the Antwerp dialect and in English.  Too Tuff and collaborator Halve Neuro had a hit single last year in Belgium called Doedizziet (ft. Too Tuff)
8:00pm:  Jazz by local luminaries Brad Bellows and Friends, featuring Larry Hillman on saxophone

Schedule of events for Saturday, July 16th:

11:00am:  MN Brewery Running Series begins and ends at Boom Island Brewing Company.  For information and to sign up, go to http://www.breweryrunningseries.com/
1:00pm:   Boom Room opens/ Nate Dogs and Betty Dangers Truck Food Truck on site. Parking lot open for outdoor games, including Rolle Bolle, Sjoelbak, etc.

Full slate of bands will perform on outdoor stage, including:
1:30pm:  The Above Average Tuba Quartet
3:00pm:  Crossing Guards, featuring Martin Devaney
5:00pm:  The Bill Patten Trio
6:30pm:  Phantom Tails
8:00pm:  Eleganza!

In addition to the availability of the Cuvée de Boom, on Saturday from 1:00pm to 4:00pm, there will be a special beer release every hour. 

The following beers will made available for a one-hour window only, while the very limited supply lasts:
1:00pm:  Last year’s Home Brew Competition winner, JD Park, will be pouring his prize winning Saison.
2:00pm: Triple Brett, a 7% ABV American Wild Ale, fermented with 3 different strains of Brettanomyces yeast.
3:00pm:  Oude Funk:  A rare, funky and complex ale consisting of a blend of 3-year, 2-year and 1-year old vintages of barrel aged and spontaneously fermented beer.
4:00pm: Oude Funk with Cherries:  An extremely limited supply of the wildly popular marriage of the Oude Funk and locally grown cherries.

Schedule of events for Sunday, July 17th:

Noon:     Boom Room opens with Louisiana Purchase Cajun food on site.
1:00pm: Jason McCann from Cargill will discuss the varieties of malts available to the home brewer.
2:00pm: Taylor Quill from Quill Bros. Hop Farm:  All Things Hop Related.
3:00pm: Touring the Great Breweries of Belgium with Brewer Kevin Welch of Boom Island as Your Guide – Sponsored by Book It Travel.
4:00pm: Jeff Merriman of Northern Brewer will discuss the role of Belgian yeast and fermentation in the brewing process.
5:00pm: Boom Days Home Brew Competition Awards Ceremony

Portions of 3rd Avenue in Downtown Minneapolis Closed June 10-12

Portions of Third Avenue in downtown Minneapolis closedFriday, June 10-12

Via a June 9 e-newsletter from the City of Minneapolis:

Starting tomorrow, sections of Third Avenue South in downtown Minneapolis will close for construction. These sections are expected to reopen to traffic in time for Monday morning rush hour. All cross streets will remain open during the work. Drivers should follow the marked detours (see “detour routes map”).

Beginning at 7 a.m., Friday, June 10, northbound traffic will be detoured as crews will begin removing the median on Third Avenue South between 10^th Street and 11^th Street. One southbound lane will remain open Friday during this work.

From 7 a.m., Saturday, June 11, to 7 a.m., Sunday, June 12, all southbound lanes of Third Avenue between Fourth Street and 11^th Street will be detoured so crews can work on underground water service connections. The northbound lanes of Third Avenue between Third Street South and Washington Avenue will be detoured for this work, and the northbound lanes between 10^th Street and 11^th Street will be detoured as the median removal continues.

Continuing Sunday, June 12, through 7 a.m., Monday, June 13, the northbound lanes between 10^th Street and 11^th Street will be detoured for the median removal work.

Starting at 7 a.m., Monday, June 13, crews will begin restoring the pavement where the median was removed. Third Avenue South between 10^th Street and 11^th Street will have one lane of traffic in each direction. This work is scheduled to be completed by 5 p.m., Wednesday, June 15.

Highlights of the Third Avenue redesign

The median removal work is part of a redesign of Third Avenue South in downtown Minneapolis. The completed project will:

• Install a protected bicycle lane, creating a north-south bicycle connection through Downtown.
• Modify the existing vehicle traffic lanes and turn lanes.
• Provide new greenery and an improved streetscape.

The City is coordinating with numerous development and street construction projects in the downtown area to minimize traffic backups as much as possible. Crews will continue to move north on Third Avenue removing the medians and paving throughout the 2016 construction season. Drivers should follow signed detours and expect changing detours as the project moves north on Third Avenue.

For additional information, visit the project website.

Parkway Closures for June 11 - 12

The following parkways will be temporarily closed June 11 – 12 (9:00pm to 9:00am) for Northern Spark:

West River Parkway - Portland Avenue to 11th Avenue S

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

Holidazzle Announces Lighting Design Competition, Proposals Due June 24

Via a June 6 Press Release from the Minneapolis Downtown Council:

MINNEAPOLIS (June 6, 2016) — The Minneapolis Downtown Council, along with the Intersections: The Downtown 2025 Plan Downtown Experience Committee, announced today a Request for Creativity (RFC) design competition for a creative lighting experience at the 2016 Holidazzle. 

The Creative Lighting Experience aims to become a signature addition to the 2016 Holidazzle event in Loring Park—which will run Thursdays through Sundays from November 25 to December 23—through the creation of a one-of-a-kind spectacle that will create a sense of wonder unique to the City of Minneapolis. 

The goal of the RFC is to entice creative teams with specific experience in the creation of lighting installations to apply. Creative teams could include students, designers, lighting specialists, architects, artists, urban designers or agencies with these capabilities. The RFC overview can be viewed here and proposals must be submitted to jblair@downtownminneapolis.com by Friday, June 24 at 5 pm. 

“Holidazzle’s first year in Loring Park was a success, and our goal is to continue adding ways to make the experience even more special and memorable for those who attend,” said Leah Wong, Vice President of Events and Marketing, Minneapolis Downtown Council. “One way we want to do that in 2016 is to add spectacular lighting to Holidazzle, which will add to the vibrancy and enhance the Minneapolis-centric focus around local people, places, products and activities we highlight during our city’s annual holiday celebration.”

For the Request for Creativity submissions, 3-4 finalists will be selected and invited to interview and discuss their concept with the review committee. From those design submissions and interviews, one winner will be awarded a contract to build their design. 

Submissions for the RFC must include a statement describing your lighting concept, team member biographies, concept illustrations and examples of previous creative work. 

“The Downtown Experience Committee’s goal is to enhance the vibrancy of downtown through events and programming,” said Tom Whitlock, chair of the 2025 Plan Downtown Experience Committee. “Holidazzle is such an important Minneapolis holiday tradition, and we are excited to help enrich people’s experience through facilitating the addition of dazzling lighting this year.” 

Finalists will be announced on July 5, with final presentations to take place the week of July 25 and a winner selected the week of August 1. Design refinements will take place August through September, installation will take place in October and unveiling occurs in November. A budget provided by Holidazzle and sponsors will be allocated for this project. 

For more information on Holidazzle, visit Holidazzle.com or follow along on social media via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #Holidazzle.  

About Holidazzle:

The 2015 and 2016 Holidazzle is managed and produced by the Minneapolis Downtown Council in partnership with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. The 2015 Holidazzle was sponsored by Minneapolis Building & Construction Trades Council, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 292, North Central States Region Council of Carpenters, Painters and Allied Trades International Union, Laborer’s Union Local 563, Egan, Fraser-Morris Electrical Co., Swanson & Youngdale, Hirschfield’s, North Memorial Health Care, CenterPoint Energy, Xcel Energy, Fulton Brewery, NELSON, RipBang Studios—a division of NELSON, DigitalParc, Comcast Business, Indulge & Bloom, dotcom.printing.inc., Warning Lites, Minneapolis Recycles, Premium Waters, Inc., Metro Transit, Star Tribune and Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine. The Downtown Skating Rink was a collaborative effort by the Minneapolis Downtown Council, Minneapolis SafeZone Collaborative and Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board, and is sponsored by VEIT, Kraus-Anderson, Minneapolis Building & Construction Trades Council, Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District, U.S. Bank and Love Your Melon.

About the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board:

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is an independent, semi-autonomous body responsible for the Minneapolis park system.  With 179 park properties totaling 6,801 acres of land and water, the Park Board provides places and recreation opportunities for all people to gather and engage in activities that promote health, well-being, community and the environment.  Its Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, neighborhood parks, recreation centers and diversified programming have made the park system an important component of what makes Minneapolis a great place to live, play and work.  More than 21 million annual visits are made to the nationally acclaimed park system, which was named the number one park system in the nation in 2013, 2014,  2015 and 2016 by The Trust for Public Land’s ParkScore® Index.

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: The 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 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. 

Scenes from the June 4 Mill City Farmers Market

June 4 was Urban Farming Day at the Market. Shoppers had the opportunity to learn how urban farmers grow sustainable food in city lots and gardens thru exhibits from Spark-Y Youth Action Labs, Frogtown Farm and The Good Acre.

I was in the right place at the right time - with Annabella Sardelis of INDIGO & SNOW. As the temperature rose, I shed my sweater and walked away wearing one of her beautiful hand-dyed tops.  I'll feel her hug every time I wear it. :)

What's new at French Nugget? Sea Salt & Coffee Chocolate and a Lavender Mist spritz - they'll make you feel good, both inside and out. 

Happy to see the Wedge Community Co-op now has a pop-up market booth next to the cooking demo area. Stop there for butter, milk and other items previously not available at the Market. Look for a separate Wedge post this week on our Farmers Market blog.

You can sign up online or at the Info Booth to receive a weekly email update on what to look for at the Market.

Our neighbor got a yummy breakfast sandwich from Black Cat Natural Foods.

Chef Jenny Breen prepared Pea & Mint Croquettes with Yogurt Sauce at the Mill City Cooks demo.  Look for a separate post this week on our Farmers Market blog for the delicious pictures.

Story time!

Looks like "the goat" has some competition:  Cosmic Wheel Creamery!  It's on.

Plan Your Night! Northern Spark is June 11, 2016

Northern Spark, presented by Northern Lights.mn, returns for a 6th year on June 11 from 9:00pm - 5:26am.

For the 2016 and 2017 festivals, the theme Climate Chaos | Climate Rising will explore the interconnected, evolving, long-term consequences from climate change, giving local and national artists a platform to help turn a sense of overwhelmment into concrete actions anchored in a realistic and hopeful map for the future.

Here are a few more things to consider as you plan your night!

Seed Saving Bingo. Photo: NorthernLights.mn

Join artists Rachel Breen and Koby Jeschkeit-Hagen for Seed Saving Bingo. Come play bingo and learn about what you can do in your own yard to save seeds and protect biodiversity! The practice of saving and passing down seeds allows humans to play a critical role in fighting climate change. The world’s heirloom seed heritage is irreplaceable and threatened by the rise of monoculture farming, the patenting of seeds, and the endangering of heirloom varieties by genetically modified crops.

Take a seat in the Guthrie Theater for some fast paced education at Nerd vs. Nerd, present by the U of MN's Institute for Advanced Study. It’s scholars vs. artists in a fast and furious throwdown of ideas and inspiration. Thirty scholars deliver five-minute presentations of their work, immediately followed by an on-the-spot creative response by community artists, with the audience voting on which interpretation – scholar or artist – helped them learn the most about the topic.

Future Drawing Near: Future Drawing Here enlists your creativity to imagine and draw alternate futures for our world. Artist Janet Lobberecht invites you to participate in four future designing stations: Rapid Futuring, Reflective Futuring, Systematic Futuring, and Shared Futuring and draw the future where everyone is an agent for change.

FINNEGANS Driving to $1 Million in Donations Back to Community Since Company’s Inception

FINNEGANS Driving to $1 Million in Donations Back to Community

Since Company’s Inception

                                                                   

FINNEGANS Brew Co. to Celebrate 16th Birthday with Largest Giving Campaign to Date Turning Beer Into Food

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (June 1, 2016) -- FINNEGANS Brew Co. is launching a new summer campaign to help drive one million in total donations back to the community since the company’s opening in September 2000. The FINNEGANS Million Dollar Drive will be supported by its beer sales, the Reverse Food Truck fleet, a FINNEGANS MS150 cycling team and a Sweet 16 Birthday Registry with gifts for local food shelves. The campaign will run through the summer with the goal of hitting $1 Million by September.

FINNEGANS has a longstanding tradition of helping out the community. The first of its kind social enterprise has an extensive network of food partners: farms & food shelves through food bank partners, volunteers and a fleet of Reverse Food Trucks that make it all happen. Since 2012, FINNEGANS has funded nearly 394,000 lbs. of food in a five state area (MN, WI, SD, ND and IA). In Minnesota last year alone the fresh produce provided to those in need was funded from 34 farms and went to 78 different food shelves via The Food Group’s Harvest for the Hungry program. Since the launch of the Reverse Food Truck in 2014, an additional $68,037 worth of food has gone back to the community.

Founder and CEO, Jacquie Berglund, noted: "I set out 15 years ago to leave the world a better place than when I got here and our FINNEGANS model has been a great way to do that. I'm thrilled at the prospect of reaching the million dollar mark in donations. Giving our profits away to help those in need and working with an amazing team of staff and volunteers who all enjoy doing good in the community feeds me every day!"

FINNEGANS is calling on community members, businesses and organizations to take part in the Million Dollar Drive by first drinking FINNEGANS beer - the beer that does good. The new Freckled Rooster and Hoppy Shepherd, along with the flagship Irish Amber, will be available in a new Summer Saintly Sampler which includes an exclusive cocktail card featuring all three brews. The profit from all beer sales goes back to fighting hunger in local communities. Another way people can get involved is by participating in the Sweet 16 Birthday Registry. Everything on the registry is something a food shelf or people facing food insecurity needs but budgets often do not cover.

The goal of this campaign is to honor FINNEGANS’ mission of turning beer into food as proclaimed in their manifesto: “We believe in barstool philanthropy. In social innovation building strong communities. And that doing good and having fun play nicely together. We believe in the sweet alchemy of turning beer into food. In lining food shelves with fresh produce from local growers. And that it takes a village to raise a more purposeful pint.”

Check out finnegans.org/onemillion to see progress throughout the campaign and join us in helping turn beer into food for those in need!

FINNEGANS (www.FINNEGANS.org)

FINNEGANS – Turning beer into food. Founded in 2000 in Minneapolis, FINNEGANS is a self-sustaining and inspirational social business. Through the sale of its Amber Ale, Hoppy Shepherd Ale, Dead Irish Poet Extra Stout and now the new Freckled Rooster, FINNEGANS has created an innovative business model that allows the company to create community wealth. How? One hundred percent of the profits are donated to the FINNEGANS Community Fund (501c3) to support hunger alleviation programs in every market where FINNEGANS is sold. FINNEGANS has scaled its giving program to MN, WI, ND, SD and IA. Now, is there a better reason to raise a pint of FINNEGANS?

For the latest information, find FINNEGANS on Twitter and Facebook or visit finnegans.org.

Franklin Avenue Bridge Construction Update

Franklin Avenue Bridge construction update from Hennepin County

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Placing deck panels

Crews continue to work through all of the various weather conditions to recondition the Franklin Avenue bridge. Last week, the first pre-cast deck panel was placed. By the end of the week, 24 of the 350 panels were secured to the new bridge deck. Twenty of the 45 cap beams have been placed to support the new bridge deck. Crews will continue their aggressive schedule - including working over weekends - to place more beams and panels over the next several weeks.

The crane hoists the first new deck panel to the bridge deck.

Crews assist in guiding the deck panel into the correct position.

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Getting a closer look at the new bridge deck

Crew members carefully secure the deck panel to the newly placed cap beams (the cap beams were mentioned in last week's update). 

At this point, two panels have been placed and a third is being moved into position.

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For more information

Hotline: 888-474-8929

Email: franklinbridge@hennepin.us

Website: www.hennepin.us/franklinbridge 

Helping Paws Demonstration at the June 7 Music & Movies in the Park Event at Father Hennepin Bluffs Park

Helping Paws is an organization that trains and places service dogs with individuals with disabilities.  They are sponsoring the June 7 showing of Finding Nemo at Father Hennepin Bluffs Park, part of the Music & Movies in The Parks series. 

There will be an 8:30pm demonstration by Helping Paws service dogs.  Be sure to stop by their information table. Donations are welcome! Helping Paws is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so any contribution you make is tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

Music starts at 7:00pm (Brianna Lane plays June 7), and the movie starts after the Helping Paws demonstration. For full enjoyment of the night, bring a blanket or chair, sunblock and bugspray.  Music & Movies in The Parks is produced by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board.

Way Above the Beer and Bratwurst - THANK YOU to our Vets

THANK YOU to all have, currently are, and will in the future serve this country. (Yes, I realize Memorial Day is not the same as Veterans Day. But while we honor those who gave their lives, it's always appropriate to say Thank You to those who are alive to hear it.)  

MCBA Announces Kickstarter Campaign to Finalize Establishment of the World’s Most Comprehensive Working Rubber Stamp Archive

70,000 individual rubber stamps. 300 sign and educations stamp sets. A collection spanning 120 years. Accessible to all artists in their creative practice.

The mission of the H/G Archive is to preserve historical, rare and unique tools of artistic expression while maintaining their accessibility to artists wishing to incorporate them into their creative practice. It is a living archive where use by artists and researchers is encouraged.

Significant investments have already been made to support the H/G Archive, but for it to succeed they are raising $13,000 as a start-up initiative to cover the costs of cataloging, artist work stations, technology for access, and archival storage. With your help, these rare and unique tools of artistic expression will serve and inspire the arts community for years to come.

Visit the Kickstarter project page to pledge your support and earn unique and inspiring rewards!

Northern Spark Preview - Focus on the Mill City Museum

Northern Spark, presented by Northern Lights.mn, returns for a 6th year on June 11 at 9:00pm.

There's a LOT going on - here's some of what you'll find in and around the Mill City Museum:

Step inside the Mlll City Museum Train Shed, presented by Northern Lights.mn in partnership with Make It. MSP. Inside, #act, #interconnect, and #nourish with a wide variety of creative, interactive projects.

Afterglow Garden feelie boxes. Image: <jɑː↓>

At Christine Baeumler's Backyard Phenology: Tracking Nature’s Cycles in a Changing Climate see how art, science, and place-based observations can come together to catalyze awareness of and action on climate change.

Step into the light at the Afterglow Garden, created by <jɑː↓>, a botanical installation and sensory workshop that highlights a shifting global ecosystem by juxtaposing our climate-present with an imagined climate-future.

Make a wish for the future at Robin Garwood's Wishing Well. Dig for treasure: real coins, where every cent equals 350 tons of the carbon that will be burned worldwide during Northern Spark. And then make your choice. Will you extract the money? Or will you leave it in the ground, as a wish for a future free of catastrophic climate change?

Mill City Museum Train shed, Northern Spark 2015. Photo: Nathan Santos.

Visit Soil Laband, with the help of artists Monica Haller, Sebastian Muellauer, and Nic Jelinski, and U of MN scientists test the soil from your own backyard. Full instructions for how to bring your soil for testing are on our website.

Curve your path toward Gregory Fitz' A Bend in the River, a sculpture composed of cedar replicas of stream bank rehabilitation cribs. The arrangement matches their intended use as an engineered solution to rebuild eroded riverbanks, usually in cold-water trout streams.

Explore your energy at Roger Nieboer's Energeia. Part science ¬fair, part lab¬ practical, and part philosophical inquiry, Energeia will challenge you to reflect upon your own consumption of energy and your individual, ¬ increasingly important role as a human on the planet.

Activities in the Train Shed look to welcome all people to the festival; look for the Radical Welcomers from Make It. MSP. saying hello, and share a bite of food and climate conversation as guests break the Ramadan fast at sunset at the Interfaith Iftar, organized by Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light.

Minneapolis Riverfront, in Pare Lorentz’ “The River”. Movie still: Pare Lorentz

When you need to take a chill out break from all the excitement of Northern Spark's interactive projects, stop by the Mill City Museum and enjoy films old and new about our changing environment.

Instead of burning oil at the drive-in, enjoy outdoor film in the outdoor space adjacent to the Mill City Museum Ruin Courtyard. Curated by Tim Peterson, Latitudes: Artists from Six Continents Reflect on Earth’s Changing Environments will feature recent single channel works by a diverse lineup of six internationally-acclaimed artists, whose selected videos explore a range of topics addressing climate change.

At What Cost: The Films of Pare Lorentz is an all-night screenings of Pare Lorentz’s pioneering documentaries, considering environmental change from the historical perspective of the 1930s. Inside the West Engine House Theater at the Mill City Museum, watch The Plow That Broke the Plains (1936) and The River (1938) highlight the ecological and social catastrophes that culminated in the Dust Bowl and devastating flooding, and promote the New Deal’s solutions to these environmental problems.

Midiyanto, shadow puppeteer.

Sumunarwill present a wayang kulit at Northern Spark, inside the courtyard of the Mill City Museum. In Bimo Gugah (Bimo Prevails), a hero discovers that the volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and drought destroying his country are the result of corrupt leaders. Amidst the climate chaos, people are hungry for change—can Bimo save the day? Performed by master puppeteer Midiyanto, enjoy political commentary and social satire, along with fast action scenes, all to the accompaniment of a full gamelan orchestra. Join us under the stars for an Indonesian tradition you won’t want to miss! 

See more! Go to the Art & Events page, and browse events for Mill City Ruins, Mill City Museum and Mill City Train Shed.

During the Launch Party (7pm-9pm), the Mill City Museum Ruin Courtyard will be host to many ways of nourishing your imagination. This incredible, open-skies location positions you right in the middle of the art you are supporting when you buy a ticket.

Volunteer to Help Out with the 6th Avenue SE Greenway!

Volunteers are needed to help plant on June 4 and care for the 6th Avenue SE Greenway!  Gloves provided, you bring a trowel!

Rain Dates: If a Sunday event, will be rescheduled for Monday night. If the Saturday, June 4, event is rained out, planting will take place on Sunday, June 5.

Click here for all volunteer dates thru October 30.

If you have questions, please contact Cordelia Pierson at cordelia.pierson@gmail.com, or the Marcy-Holmes office: 612-623-7633, office@marcy-holmes.org.

Minneapolis Edges out Saint Paul as Nation’s Best Park System, According to The Trust for Public Land’s 2016 ParkScore® Index

Via a May 26 Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board e-newsletter:

Minneapolis – Minneapolis is the nation’s best park system, narrowly besting cross-town twin Saint Paul, according to The Trust for Public Land’s 2016 ParkScore Index, which was released today by the nonprofit organization. Saint Paul ranked second in the analysis of the 100 largest cities in the United States. Last year, the cities tied for first.

ParkScores are based on three factors: Park Access, which measures the percentage of residents living within a 10-minute walk of a park (approximately ½-mile); Park Size, which is based on a city’s median park size and the percentage of total city area dedicated to parks; and Facilities and Investment, which combines park spending per resident with the availability of four popular park amenities: basketball hoops, off-leash dog parks, playgrounds, and recreation & senior centers.

“Every American deserves to live within a 10-minute walk of a park, and ParkScore helps us measure which cities are meeting that mark,” said Will Rogers, President of the Trust for Public Land.

“We’re honored by the top ranking, but not resting on our laurels. We are working continuously to improve our parks, with a focus on the most racially diverse and economically challenged areas of the city. During the last five years, we have invested significantly in parks throughout the city but especially in north and upper south Minneapolis with new community centers, athletic fields and the first natural swimming pool in North America. With the support of the city and the citizens of Minneapolis, we recently approved a monumental funding plan that will provide an additional $11 million annually into our neighborhood parks,” said Jayne Miller, Superintendent of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.

This Summer "Go Outside" with Events at the Gov Center South Plaza and Target Field Station

Downtown Minneapolis and Hennepin County encourage you to Go Outside this summer!

Head to the Government Center South Plaza and Target Field Station for live music, fitness activities, free reading material, yard games, outdoor movies and more.

* * Government Center South Plaza, June 1 – August 31 * *

Hennepin County Government Center South Plaza (300 S. 6th Street) is a tree-lined, circle plaza with a grassy knoll located between 6th and 7th Streets in Downtown Minneapolis. Stop by the Government Center South Plaza to enjoy an outdoor piano, added seating options, free reading materials and these special events each week:

- Tuesdays, 12 pm – 1 pm: Scheduled performances on the outdoor piano at South Plaza.

- Wednesdays, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm: Enjoy the featured food truck every Wednesday, added yard games, a meditation space and the craft/game cart.

- Thursdays, 6 am – 6 pm: Visit the Downtown Farmers Market every Thursday.

* * Target Field Station Events * *

Target Field Station (335 N. 5th Street) is a dynamic transportation hub that connects Downtown Minneapolis with 500 light rail lines and 1,900 buses each day as well as the Northstar Commuter Rail. But it is also a major entertainment destination. Opened in May 2014, Target Field Station offers a large green space for gathering, a big screen for movies and other viewing opportunities, and an amphitheater for musical performances. Located next to Target Field and nestled into the Warehouse District/North Loop, it is close to downtown residential communities, businesses, entertainment, dining, breweries and coffee shops.

Look for free events and entertainment scheduled at Target Field Station through the Go Outside with Hennepin County program. Events will range from fitness opportunities, a movie series and fun for all ages: Monday Movie Nights, Wednesday Trivia, Sunday Family Days, Aquatennial Events

Preserve Minneapolis Announces 2016 Summer Walking Tours

See the city's history and architcture, from landmarks to hidden gems, with Preserve Minneapolis! The 2016 season runs from June 5 through September 25 and features twenty-four tours.

New topics this year include:

• Black history and its influence on the East 38th Street Community, led by Ward 8 residents and community leaders;
• The second generation of brewer’s houses of Lowry Hill East, followed by a tour of the LynLake Brewery;
• ​A riverfront tour including St. Anthony Falls, Nicollet Island and Boom Island, focusing on the mills, brushes with destruction, and the area’s importance to the original Native American population;
• The small lake cottages built south of Lake Calhoun in the late 1800s, which are now being replaced by much larger homes and the impact of evolving design styles;
• ​The old Minneapolis of Nicollet Avenue from 5th St. to the river, ending with an optional visit to the Mill City Museum.

They're also bringing back several popular tours from the past, including visits to the Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery; the historic theaters of Minneapolis; and the Fort Snelling Upper Post. 

Each tour lasts approximately 90 minutes, and distances vary; please see each listing for specific details. Tickets are $9 each.  More Info

Minneapolis Park and Rec Board Summer Highlights Guide Now Available

Via a May 24 Minneapolis Park and Rec Board e-newsletter:

Never have a dull moment this summer

Plan your summer fun with the help of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board's (MPRB) latest Park Highlights brochure.

The publication features a sampling of MPRB activities, programs and events, destination and excursion ideas, upcoming park improvements and long-term projects underway, registration dates for upcoming sports leagues, volunteer opportunities, and everything else the parks have to offer between June and August.

You can find the brochures at MPRB buildings (including recreation centers), Minneapolis libraries, coffee shops near parks and other Minneapolis locations. The brochure is also available on our website for online viewing and downloading.

Downtown Real Estate: Nitty-Gritty Night with Cynthia Froid Group, June 1

Scenes from the May 21 Mill City Farmers Market

Phil Nusbaum interviewed Ariel Pressman of Seed to Seed Farm and Mike Noreen of Burning River Farm during a live broadcast of Bluegrass Saturday Morning.

Jenny Breen prepared Spring Greens with Risotto during the Mill City Cooks demo. Look for a separate Mill City Cooks article later this week under our Farmers Market blog.

History Hound from the Minnesota Historical Society hammed it up with visitors and vendors. 

Sign your kids up for the Power Of Produce (POP) Club.  It's free, it will introduce them to a new veggie or fruit each week, and they'll receive a $2 token to spend on produce at the Market. Look for POP at the Info Booth.

Talk about addicting - these cheese curds from Cosmic Wheel Creamery are top shelf.  Hint for maximum flavor:  spread them on a plate (trying to not let them touch) and zap them in the microwave for 15 - 20 seconds. Unless you have more willpower than me, you won't be able to stop until the plate is empty.

Above, shoppers enjoyed wine samples from Saint Croix Vineyards; and below, the sweet smells of custom blended teas from Mrs. Kelly's Teas.

New art vendor, Brenda Johnson of Billboard Bags, debuted at the May 21 Market.  Look for a separate article on Billboard Bags later this week under our Farmers Market blog.

Below, The Eddies perform.

The goat! :)

Top Five Reasons to Go to Brasa Premium Rotisserie

Story and Photos by Julie Craven

Before you even walk onto the patio at Brasa Rotisserie there are the smells. From specialties inspired by the traditional flavors of the southern U.S., Caribbean and Mexico, the aromas alone make you think about two things: a local beer and a menu. Chef Alex Roberts, with his Brasa locations and Restaurant Alma, is on the exclusive list of Minneapolis chefs doing amazing things with casual cuisine.

Here are five more great reasons to visit Brasa:

1. The menu has changed a lot in the last two years. Brasa was, and still is, known for shareable, family-style portions and now they've added a plate category. Individual options of their menu favorites. The family option is still on the menu, items that feature their signature, locally sourced and organic ingredients and fair trade coffee and tea.

2. The great outdoors! Patio dining plus stunning weather equals instant amnesia for a Minnesota winter. May 1st is typically when the big doors open, but as the natives know, some years winter tends to hang around, so that date has been subject to change.

3. There are daily specials as well, and the weekend specials sound particularly appealing - ribs and wings! Brasa’s Facebook page is the place to go for live music updates, and the music is oftentimes a month-long residency.

4. The chicken! We ordered chicken two ways: a Rotisserie Chicken Plate, roasted whole with a Creole-style dry rub, and the Pulled Chicken Plate, smothered with a saucy combination of light cream pepper gravy. Both were delicious.

5. Brittany! Our server was a delight, so knowledgable about the menu and enthusiastic with our questions. Brittany's personal favorite entrees are the Rotisserie Chicken and the Slow Roasted Pork. Her favorite sides? Collard greens, rice, and one a bit more unexpected - yucca, thick cut and like French fries with a dipping sauce. She solemnly declared that Brasa, “is the best place to work because everything is so delicious.”

Brittany's advice for first time guests at Brasa? The Rotisserie Chicken with collard greens and the Spicy Masa Corn Cakes. Next time, I'm going for one of the bowl items. The Gumbo Fried Rice with Okra, Shrimp, Peppers Andouille & Scrambled Egg looks absolutely terrific!

Location: 600 E Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN 55414

Website: www.brasa.us

Julie Craven can be reached at julie@millcitymedia.org