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

The Sounds and Scenes of Summer - Free Music and Movies in Minneapolis Parks

More than 250 free outdoor concerts and movies, sponsored by Comcast, will be hosted in Minneapolis parks this summer as part of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s (MPRB) Music and Movies in the Parks program.

Music in the Parks
Lake Harriet Band Shell (Monday–Saturday at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 2 pm and 5:30 pm)
Nicollet Island Park (Mondays at 7 pm)
Father Hennepin Bluffs Park (Tuesdays at 7 pm)
Minnehaha Park (Wednesday–Friday at 7 pm)
Bryant Square Park (Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 pm)
Theodore Wirth Park (June 14, July 12, August 16 at 7 pm)

Movies in the Parks
Monday through Saturday evenings at more than 45 neighborhood parks throughout the summer. Movies start 15 minutes after sunset.  2016 Movie Themes are:  New Releases - Family Favorites - Minnesota Connection - Movies That Inspire - The Classics - Action Adventure

Concerts and movies are free, and everyone is welcome to attend. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, pack a picnic, and don’t forget bug spray! For the most up-to-date schedules and weather related information, visit www.mplsmusicandmovies.com. You can also get these updates by following Music and Movies on Twitter and Facebook.

Franklin Avenue Bridge Construction Update

 

Crews are working extended hours to meet the aggressive schedule of
removing and replacing the bridge deck before Labor Day.

Large sections of concrete have been sawed and removed from nearly
half of the bridge deck. The typical size of each concrete section
being removed measures 12 feet by 28 feet and weighs more than 25
tons.

As panels are removed, they are lowered onto barges in the river
below and transported by trucks to a crushing yard. They then
separate the concrete from the steel and recycle.

Cranes are positioned along the bridge to assist in deck panel removal.
In total, there are five cranes onsite - each focusing on a different
section.

Crew members assist as a crane is used to remove a deck panel.

To support the new deck, new deck beams have been fabricated. They
are made offsite and transported to the bridge site.

With the deck panels removed, crews can place the new deck beam using
a crane.

In the context of constructing bridges, ABC stands for "Accelerated
Bridge Construction." The ABC period on the Franklin Avenue bridge
began after crews closed the bridge to traffic on May 8.

A growing trend across the United States, ABC aims at reducing the
duration of traffic impacts. For example, this bridge should only be
closed to traffic for 17 weeks rather than up-to-two years that it
might otherwise take.

To achieve the goal of being complete by Labor Day, 366 deck panels
were manufactured ahead of time. They are ready to be floated down
the river on barges and lifted into place by cranes.

Celebrate National Historic Preservation Month by Entering the #Mplspreservation Photo Contest

May is National Historic Preservation Month! The City of Minneapolis department of Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) is calling all photographers to participate in a photo contest to celebrate the historic resources that make our city a special place to live.

Minneapolis has 170 locally designated landmarks and 15 historic districts. Capture the characteristics of these places for a chance to be featured in the City of Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission’s annual report, the City’s Heritage Preservation website and other CPED websites.

Rule alert: all photos should not contain identifiable people. To enter the contest, post your photo on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook with the hashtag #MPLSpresevation by Tuesday, May 31. By entering, submissions may be used by the City of Minneapolis in future prints and digital publications, with proper credit to the photographer. Winners will be announced in early June. View map of Minneapolis Landmarks and Districts. 

Sunday, May 22: 2-for-1 Admission at Mill City Museum and other MN Historical Society locations

Governor Mark Dayton has declared today, Wednesday, May 18, Minnesota Museum Day. In honor of this day, the Minnesota Historical Society announced new opportunities for guests to visit historic sites and museums for free, including:

This Sunday, May 22, a 2-for-1 deal at the Minnesota History Center, James J. Hill House, Mill City Museum and Split Rock Lighthouse. Just mention #mnmuseumday where you buy tickets.

Minnesota Museum Day is offered in conjunction with International Museum Day, a time to celebrate the role museums play in building strong communities.

Northrup King Artists Featured on MN Original

Maggie Thompson and Leslie Barlow have their art making studios in the Northrup King Building.  

Both women were recently featured on public TPT's MN Original.

Maggie Thompson uses textiles to create cozy knitwear and fine art projects exploring themes of identity and grief.  View the MN Original segment on Maggie.

Oil Painter Leslie Barlow explores multiculturalism, identity and the idea of "otherness" through the uses of figure and narrative elements.  View the MN Original segment on Leslie.

Streetscapes Walking Tour: Skid Row Minneapolis: A tour of the old Gateway District

Take a trip into the historic heart of Minneapolis. Today it’s center of a revitalizing downtown, but once it was home to the largest Skid Row in the upper Midwest. Urban redevelopment swept away nearly 200 buildings in the early 1960s, but enough remains of the old city to enable a journey of imagination into a streetscape of cheap bars, flophouses and rescue missions. Your guide is James Eli Shiffer, a Star Tribune editor and columnist, and the author of the new book, “The King of Skid Row: John Bacich and the Twilight Years of Old Minneapolis.”

More info and Tickets

Teddy Bear Clinic Invites Children to Explore HCMC’s Pediatric Emergency Department - May 21

Teddy Bear Clinic invites children and their friends to explore HCMC’s pediatric emergency department

Visiting an emergency department for the first time can be scary – but not on Saturday, May 21 from 8-10 AM when kids are invited to bring their Teddy Bears to Hennepin County Medical Center’s (HCMC) Emergency Department for a special Teddy Bear Clinic.

“The goal of this free event is to expose children to the medical environment before a traumatic situation occurs,” explains HCMC emergency physician Dr. Ashley Strobel. “In addition to preventing trauma, we hope to help children feel more comfortable in this setting and with the procedures that occur during a typical emergency department visit. Allowing Teddy – or any other stuffed animal – to participate demonstrates the friendly nature and loving goal of a visit.”

Teddy Bears visiting the emergency department on May 21 will be “admitted” and may have a variety of procedures performed including blood pressure and heart rate checks, injections, stitches, x-rays, or a splint or bandage placed on their paws.

The Teddy Bear Clinic may be a special occasion, but Teddy Bears are welcome in the emergency department anytime. In fact, parents are encouraged to have their child bring their Teddy Bear or any item that will add to their comfort (electronic games, favorite toys, blanket or doll).

While these familiar items can be helpful, Dr. Strobel reminds parents that they are their child’s source of strength and security during an emergency visit. “Being honest about what might happen and reducing anxiety are important. If a procedure is required in the emergency department, parents can help ease the anxiety by talking to them, calming and supporting their child. They can also remind their child that the doctor or nurse is doing something to make them feel better.”

This is especially true for a child’s biggest fear – the needle. HCMC is implementing a poke plan to minimize injection anxiety with the goal of becoming an “ouch-less” emergency department. This is accomplished with the use of creams, sprays, medications, and even laughing gas.  HCMC’s Child Life Specialists also play a key role in providing activities to help distract children from painful procedures.

“As a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center we have a duty to our community to provide the highest level of pediatric emergency and surgical care,” says Dr. Strobel. “And part of the healing experience is to reduce anxiety for the child and family during traumatizing and stressful situations in an unfamiliar hospital environment. Knowing what may happen and having a special friend like Teddy navigate those experiences can minimize these fears.”

In addition to the Teddy Bear examinations, the Teddy Bear Clinic will feature Teddy bear repairs and sew-ups, trauma prevention activities, ambulance and fire truck tours, and free bike helmet give-ways (while supplies last). For more information go to hcmc.org/teddy.

For more than 120 years, Hennepin County Medical Center has successfully taken care of critically injured and ill children. That experience makes a huge difference when a child’s life is at risk. HCMC is a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center with the right people and equipment in place, ready to care for critically injured children from the time of injury through rehabilitation.