Fourth Annual Foodie 4 Mile Run Benefiting the Northeast Farmers Market Saturday, May 21

Fourth Annual Foodie Four Mile Run Benefiting the Northeast Farmers Market Saturday, May 21, 2016 Opening Day of the Market
Registration Now Open

[MINNEAPOLIS – May 16, 2016] The Northeast Minneapolis Farmers Market announces The Foodie Four Mile: Race to the Market. It will be a fun run held Saturday, May 21, starting at 8:00 a.m., one hour before the Market opens the season.

Organizers say that the event's purpose is threefold, encompassing a fun run, a fundraiser, and celebration of the 2016 season Market opening. Costumes, dogs and strollers are welcome. This is a zero waste event.

The four mile course will be an excellent opportunity for runners and walkers of every skill level to enjoy a run or walk in Minneapolis' most historic and beautiful areas. The run starts in Northeast at B. F. Nelson Park (400 Marshall Street NE), winds along the Mississippi River through the St. Anthony West, Nicollet Island, and St. Anthony Main districts. After crossing the Stone Arch Bridge, the second half of the run will go through the wooded west side riverfront parks and Boom Island Park.

A portion of the event proceeds will also go to The Food Group's Harvest for the Hungry program. Harvest for the Hungry purchases fresh, locally-grown produce from Minnesota and Wisconsin farms to provide to Minnesota households facing hunger.

As a “Foodie Rally,” the run is a unique opportunity for fitness-conscious foodies to celebrate the Market's seventeenth season, enjoy awesome post-race treats, receive unique dish towel and market bucks to spend at the market during the 2016 season. Runners are encouraged to make it a “Foodie Four and a Quarter” by jogging to the Market to spend their bucks at the market after enjoying refreshments at the finish line.

The Northeast Farmers Market is located on the corner of 7th Avenue NE and University Avenue NE in the St. Boniface Church parking lot.

For more information and to register go to: http://www.active.com/minneapolis-mn/running/distance-running-races/foodie-4-mile-2016?int

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Contact: info@northeastmarket.org

Foodie Four Mile
Saturday, May 21st 2016
8:00 am
Pioneers Statue, B.F. Nelson Park

Northeast Farmers Market
Saturday, May 21st – October 22nd
9:00 am to 1:00 pm
University and 7th Avenues NE Minneapolis

SUSAN SCHAEFER PHOTOGRAPHY at Grain Belt Bottling House for Art-A-Whirl

Minneapolis, MN, May 16, 2016 - Mill City Times reporter/photographer Susan Schaefer will be one of the artists showing in the historic Grain Belt Bottling House, 79 Thirteenth Avenue N.E., Minneapolis, MN, 55413, balcony level. Hours are: Friday, May 20th, 5 - 10pm, Saturday, May 21st, 12 - 8pm, and Sunday, May 22nd, 12 – 5pm.

Susan will show recent work from: her Portraits of Empowerment: Women’s Wellbeing book and exhibition, the Minneapolis Photo Center “Portraits” exhibit, the University of Minnesota Fine Arts student photography show, select Miksang Contemplative prints, and her new Mississippi River Bridges series. Fine arts prints, books, watercolor cards, and a lush tropical 2017 Contemplative Calendar will be available for purchase.

The artists of the historic Grain Belt Bottling House will kick off with a festive food, wine and  beer event at Friday evening’s opening. Be sure to begin your art adventure at the historic Grain Belt Bottling House.

Art-A-Whirl has been named one of the United States’ premiere art events, attracting up to 30,000 art seekers during its weekend long extravaganza.

Scenes from the May 14 Mill City Farmers Market

In case you missed the May 14 Mill City Farmers Market - here's a few pics to give you an idea of what you missed. 

Asparagus units are referred to as "spears", but this one from Sweed Lake Farms is more like a javelin!

The goat! :)

May 20 - Bike to Work from Northeast with Council Members Frey and Reich (and after-work Whirlygig! with Indeed Brewing)

Bike to Work with Council Members Frey and Reich

Bike to work with Council Members Frey and Reich on Friday, May 20. The ride will leave from the Nice Ride Station at 22nd Avenue NE and Central Avenue NE at 7:45 and will end at Government Plaza in downtown Minneapolis. The route will wend through Northeast and Southeast Minneapolis neighborhoods and then across the Stone Arch Bridge.

Register

WHEN May 20 at 7:45am - 8:45am
WHERE Nice Ride Station,  2200 Central Ave NE Google map and directions

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After Work Bike Ride to Indeed Brewing Company's Whirlygig 2016!

5:00pm: Meet at Gold Medal Park
5:30pm: Ride to Indeed Brewing (711 15th Ave NE) for Music, Food, and FUN!
$1 entry goes towards Indeed We Can

Details

WHEN May 20 at 5:00pm - 6:30pm
WHERE Gold Medal Park 

Mill City Summer Opera - Sweeney Todd - General Public Tickets go on Sale Monday, May 16

Mill City Summer Opera tickets for their fifth season, July 15-24, are going on sale to the general public on Monday, May 16th! The performance is Sweeney Todd and excitement is building with artistic director David Lefkowich and talent. See their Facebook page for Barber Seat features on performers.

Pre-sale tickets went on sale May 9th, and general tickets will go on sale Monday, May 16th. Ticket prices for all nights except opening night range from $35 through $125, based on location of seats.  Tickets typically sell out within five days, but please note about 35 $35 seats are held for rush for each show. First come first serve!

Ticket info.

Northern Spark Updates - Get Ready for June 11!

Experience new realities at Northern Spark View this email in your browser

Helado Negro sparks the night We're so excited to announce our headliner for this year's Opening Ceremony, Helado Negro. Coming on the heels of opening for a sold-out Devendra Banhart show at the Walker Art Center, Helado Negro will help you start your Northern Spark night off with a bang. Roberto Carlos Lange, the voice and mastermind behind the act, celebrates his Ecuadorian roots, performing futuristic tropical rhythms with bilingual English and Spanish lyrics. Join us at the Minneapolis Convention Center Plaza for family friendly pre-festival activities with the Creative City Challenge Winner Wolf and Moose. The fun begins at 5:30 pm on June 11th, followed by the Opening Ceremony with Helado Negro and Minneaolis Mayor Betsey Hodges beginning at 8:30pm! #interconnect Play all night at Game Bar Game Bar returns to Northern Spark for a second year, with an all-night celebration of video games about climate change from around the world, presented by Northern Lights.mn and GLITCH. Sponsored by Fulton Brewery, the Game Bar invites you to witness and engage with games across platforms and formats—enter alternate realities, projection installations, custom arcade cabinets; sit down for a board game; or pick up a deck of cards. Featuring a variety of games curated by Evva Kraikul and Tyler Stefanich, Game Bar hosts an interactive lounge inside the Mill City Museum. With games Minnesota, Italy, the Czech Republic, and China, a dozen oversized screens will allow visitors to watch and play, while a roving console backpack brings the games right out to the audience. GLITCH promotes the exploration of digital games as a culture, career, and creative practice. They work to educate, inspire, and equip emerging talent with the tools for success in the digital game and simulation fields. #perceive Step Into Another World Step into a new fully immersive medium when you visit Virtual Reality: The New Frontier, an international selection of independent virtual reality works. The lineup includes some of the most compelling narrative and documentary VR storytelling being independently created today, plus specially selected pieces simRvR, Let's Go Crazy, and Black Lives Matter MPLS by local Minnesota artists. Presented in collaboration with the Walker Art Center, Sundance Institute's New Frontier Program, and Northern Lights.mn. simRVR by Bill Gorcica, Mark Gill, Matt Julius, Kristian Twombly invites you to witness the growing toxicity of a river, and how the smallest changes impact the farthest reaches of our food web. Black Lives Matter MPLS by Chuck Olson allows you to experience one peaceful night at the Black Lives Matter protest in North Minneapolis this past winter. In Let's Go Crazy, also by Chuck Olson, witness Dem Atlas perform a tribute to Prince in front of thousands of fans who gathered in front of First Avenue after his death. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Sundance Institute's New Frontier program has provided the highest level of curation in this emerging field since 2007. Incorporating fiction, non-fiction and hybrid projects to showcase innovations in storytelling as it intesects with technology, performance, film, art and music, he works featured in Virtual Reality: The New Frontier will be available for viewing at Northern Spark on June 11 and at the Walker Art Center until Thursday, June 16, and for download at sundance.org/vr #move Be a part of the magic - volunteer! There are so many ways to volunteer for Northern Spark! Come join the team to help out with the thrilling project Virtual Reality: The New Frontier. This collaboration between the Walker Art Center, Sundance Institute's New Frontier Program and Northern Lights.mn will showcase compelling virtual reality works from local, national and international artists. Volunteers help out in 3-hour shifts, which means that you can both volunteer for Northern Spark and participate in it! Lots of roles and times are still available. Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 11th and sign-up to volunteer at 2016.northernspark.org/about/volunteer.   Want to hear more? Watch this video to see why our Northern Spark volunteers keep coming back! #act Enjoy a Fulton at the Launch Party We are pleased to present Fulton Brewery as a sponsor for the 2016 Launch Party. Founded in 2009 and now a local staple, Fulton produces the vast majority of their beer at their Northeast brewery. Did you know they are Minneapolis' first taproom? Perhaps you'll find yourself there enjoying a pint during MN Craft Beer Week, and then you'll buy yourself a launch party ticket or two. What could be better than a Fulton enjoyed with friends under a Twin Cities sky before an all-night art festival? In this spirit, current and new subscribers of the Northern Lights.mn newsletter can enter to win Launch Party tickets here! Winner will be announced on May 24. Kick off Northern Spark's 6th year and start your adventure with artistic food curated by Marin Restaurant and Bar & Mill Valley Kitchen, Wise Acre, Black Sheep Pizza, The Third Bird, Al Vento, Eastside, Heyday, Alma, Forepaugh's and more. Enjoy beverages from Fulton Brewery and Lionheart Cider as you listen to music from jazz hip-hop group Doks Robotiks, along with K.Raydio and Bae Tigre! Golden Hour: 7-8 pm ($125 and $250) / Musical guest Doks Robotiks, an energetic, eight member jazz hip-hop group with special guests. Artistic hors d’oeuvres and a SPARKling beverage. VIP balcony seating available. Launch Party: 8-9 pm ($60) / Another set from Doks Robotiks and additional special guests. Artistic hors d’oeuvres and a delicious array of beverages. #act now and get your tickets to the Launch Party today! The Launch Party is presented by the Northern Spark 2016 Host Committee. Leah Gilliam: Artist Talk and Lesberation Game Play Test Saturday, May 21st at 2pm Juxtaposition Arts, 2007 Emerson Ave N, Minneapolis Free! Leah Gilliam talks about her art and tech careers followed by a play session of Lesberation: Trouble in Paradise, a story-telling game where players navigate the social and political complexities of a lesbian commune. Leah Gilliam’s long career of making media continues to expand the horizons of technology-based art in relationship to culture. An accomplished film/videomaker, new media artist, coder, strategist and game designer, Gilliam brings race, gender and sexual orientation into sharp conversation through interactive projects. Her interests range from the obsolescence of technology to the cultural and imaginative implications of human contact with Mars. More recently, her analog board games create a low-tech space for people to have real-world conversations through fantastical scenarios. RSVP on Facebook Now Hiring: Partnership and Outreach Coordinator Northern Lights.mn seeks a Partnership and Outreach Coordinator to support the partnership work of the Northern Spark festival. Apply by May 27th, 2016. Click here for more info!

What's up next with The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul

They Will Have To Kill Us First: Malian Music In Exile Opening May 13 | 35th MSPIFF Official Selection | program: New Releases British director Johanna Schwartz's vibrant documentary follows musicians in Mali in the wake of a jihadist takeover and subsequent banning of music. Featuring original music by 35th MSPIFF special guests Songhoy Blues. ...read more

The Invitation Opening May 13 | 35th MSPIFF Official Selection | program: Dark Out Malicious intentions seem to be on the menu in Karyn Kusama's brilliantly paced thriller centering on a man who attends a suspicious dinner party hosted by his ex-wife Eden and new husband David. ...read more

Marguerite Opening May 20 | program: New Releases In this hilarious tragicomedy set in 1920s France, a wealthy baroness, respected patron of music and the opera, and passionate singer decides to take her performance from salon to stage, unaware of the unfortunate truth that she is the worst singer in the history of opera. ...read more

What We Become Opening May 20 | 35th MSPIFF Official Selection | program: Dark Out The Johansson family are looking forward to a quiet summer in their idyllic suburban Danish town, but in the blink of an eye, things go from blissful to berserk when a horrifying plague tears through the community. ...read more

Catching the Sun May 26 at 7:00pm | program: Community Screen Catching the Sun asks the hard questions of how a clean energy economy may actually be built, through the stories of unemployed workers seeking to retool at a solar jobs training program in Richmond, California. ...read more

Blue Velvet: 30th Anniversary Opening May 27 | program: New Releases At once beautiful, horrifying, erotic and surreal, this 1986 controversial masterpiece created by famed auteur David Lynch and featuring Dennis Hopper in his unforgettable role as Frank Booth returns to theaters in celebration of its 30th anniversary.

Westbound I-94 ramp to Fifth Street closing May 18 through June 1

Via a May 11 e-newsletter from MnDOT:

I-94/Seventh Street Ramp: 2015-2016 Construction  -  Closure Details

You will be unable to access Fifth St. from westbound I-94 in Minneapolis beginning Wed, May 18 at 1 a.m., weather permitting. The ramp will remain closed through Mon, June 1.

If you are intending to access Fifth St. from westbound I-94, please follow the posted detour: northbound Cedar Ave, to westbound Washington Ave, to Fourth Ave. 
The closure is needed while crews continue to reconstruct a new westbound I-94 bridge/ramp to Seventh St. in downtown Minneapolis.

The work is part of a larger project that includes realigning the existing westbound I-94 exit to Fifth St. by constructing a new section of ramp that will redirect traffic exiting westbound I-94 to Seventh St. instead of Fifth St. 

Additional work includes installing a traffic signal system and making accessibility improvements for pedestrians at the intersection of Seventh St. and 13th Ave.

This project is a collaborative effort of the city of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Department of Transportation that will:
•Improve mobility and access to downtown Minneapolis from westbound I-94.
•Reduce congestion on downtown area streets.
•Improve pedestrian safety at Seventh St./13th Ave. intersection

For more information, visit: mndot.gov/metro/projects/i94minneapolis/.

For real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota visit http://www.511mn.org/ or dial 5-1-1.

Road Closures for May 12 Medtronic TC 1 Mile

On Thursday, May 12, West River Parkway from Portland to 13th Avenue, along with 2nd Street S and 11th Avenue S, will be closed to traffic from approximately 6:00pm-8:30pm for the Medtronic 1 Mile.  More Info

Public Invited to Watch a Trash Sort at HERC, May 12

Via a May 9 e-newsletter from Hennepin County:

Hennepin County seeks a treasure of information in the trash

As part of a new waste study, Hennepin County is digging into residents’ garbage to learn more about what they are throwing away and what opportunities we are missing to recycle more. The study involves sorting trash into new categories that will provide better, more specific information about what could be recycled now but is not, and what opportunities need to be developed to increase recycling in the future. The effort is part of getting to our goal of recycling 75 percent of waste by 2030.

What
Watch a waste sort in action, find out what we’ve already learned, and see examples of the types of materials – recyclable and not recyclable – that are currently in the trash.

When
Thursday, May 12 at 11:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m. – Arrive, get safety equipment and view samples of materials pulled from the trash
11:45 a.m. – Media tour of waste sort
Noon – County officials and recycling experts available for interviews

Who
County officials and experts in waste reduction and recycling will be available for interviews.

Where
Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC), 435 North 5th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401.

Enter the HERC Administration Building and the Visitor’s Center through the Target Field Station parking ramp.

Transit and parking information
Take the METRO Blue or Green lines to Target Field Station, or park at the Target Field Station pay ramp (enter at Fifth Ave. and Fifth St, by Caribou Coffee). Members of the media who need parking for a live-feed signal should contact Maria Baca at 612-348-7865.

Attire and safety information
For safety reasons, visitors must wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, a hard hat, and a safety vest on the HERC's tipping floor, where the waste sort is taking place. Hats and vests will be provided.

About the waste study
The study will examine trash from a cross-section of Minneapolis. After sorting the trash into material categories, the county's study will characterize the materials based on what already is recyclable in residential recycling programs and what materials currently go in the trash. Additionally, comparing the waste sort data to socioeconomic information from the different neighborhoods will help uncover trends in recycling behaviors that will inform future education and outreach efforts.

A secondary sort will examine the waste by “retail” categories, or where consumers buy products in a store and where waste is generated in their homes. This will answer questions such as: Are the packaging or durable goods we are buying recyclable or not? How could we create more opportunities to recycle, reduce, reuse or repair these materials? From what areas of a store and our homes are we generating a lot of trash or missing recycling opportunities?

About recycling in Hennepin County
In 2015, 46 percent of waste generated in Hennepin County was diverted to recycling or organics recycling. The recycling rate in the county has increased steadily but slowly over the past few years. Recycling alone has increased by 5 percent since 2010.

However, significant changes in behavior and waste management methods will be needed to achieve the county’s goal of recycling 75 percent of waste by 2030. This waste study will provide a better understanding of what is still in the trash and what changes will be needed to increase recycling enough to meet our goals.

Learn more about the county’s efforts to reduce waste and increase recycling in the 2015 Hennepin County Recycling Progress Report.

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Closed for Reconstruction Project

Via a May 9 Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board e-newsletter:

Sculpture Garden will undergo complete reconstruction

A rendering illustrates planned improvements to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is now closed for a reconstruction project that will rebuild its failing infrastructure, breathing new life into the beloved Minnesota cultural institution.

The project includes the complete reconstruction of deteriorated and inadequate infrastructure such as irrigation, drainage and stormwater systems and other physical assets. The upgrades will also increase accessibility with new walkways and a larger bathroom facility and improve energy efficiency by converting Cowles Conservatory into an open air pavilion. Work is expected to take about a year, with a grand reopening planned summer 2017.

The Sculpture Garden will remain closed until the project is completed. For more information visit the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Reconstruction project page.

3rd Avenue Reconstruction Tentatively Proposed to Begin the Week of May 24

Via a notification from the City of Minneapolis:

The City of Minneapolis Council is preparing to proceed with the redesign project on 3rd Avenue S between 1st Street S and 16th Street E. The project limits are shown on the attached map.  The scope of the project includes the installation of a protected bicycle lane, modifications to the existing street to a primarily four lane configuration, and new landscaping opportunities along 3rd Avenue S.  The approved configuration is located on the project website link below. The construction is tentatively proposed to begin the week of May 24th with the commitment of maintaining access to the adjacent properties.  To determine the staging and flow of the work we are coordinating with the numerous development and street construction projects in the downtown area.  We will continue to share information as it is developed.  For additional information on projects, please visit the City of Minneapolis Public Works Traffic Alerts page: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/traffic/index.htm  

You will see the following work tasks begin this year:
•  Removal of center medians and replacement with asphalt pavement;
•  Construct water connections for green space;
•  Adjustments to utility man hole covers;
•  Mill and Overlay on selected blocks to correct the grade from the median removal;
•  Seal Coat of roadway;
•  Temporary and permanent traffic markings; and
•  Signal system improvements.

The roadway reconfiguration will be started in 2016 and opened to traffic over the winter.  Other project work is expected to resume and be completed in 2017.  Activities planned for 2017 include remaining segments of seal coating, permanent traffic markings, irrigation systems and plantings.

We will continue to provide you information as the project proceeds and should there be time sensitive questions or issues that arise, please contact us:

Construction Manager: Elisha Langat at 612.673.5974
Design Manager:  Chris Engelmann at 612.673.3274

Additional information can be found on the project website: www.minneapolismn.gov/cip/future/WCMS1P-150686

West River Parkway Slope Repair Project Update

Via a May 6 Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board e-newsletter:

Repairs on track to wrap up in July; parkway, trails remain closed until Franklin Avenue Bridge reopens this fall

The West River Parkway Slope Repair project is expected to be complete at the end of July 2016. However, West River Parkway and the adjacent trails will remain closed from 4th Street South to 25th Street South until Hennepin County reopens the Franklin Avenue Bridge, which closes to all traffic May 8 and is scheduled to reopen this fall.

We understand the extended closure of West River Parkway has frustrated and inconvenienced many Minneapolis residents and park users and we appreciate the public's patience while work is performed on this extraordinarily challenging project. 

See Project page for updates on the remaining work schedule and project history.

Minneapolis Downtown Council Announces Explore Downtown Living Event

Via a May 5 e-announcement from the Minneapolis Downtown Council:

Free Explore Downtown Living Tours Return Saturday, May 21
                                               
What:    Explore Downtown Living
When:   Saturday, May 21 from 10 am-5 pm
Where:  Central Business District, Downtown East/Mill District, Loring Park, North Loop, Northeast

Explore Downtown Living is a FREE event that lets you tour Downtown Minneapolis and all it has to offer at your own pace. On May 21, visit 29 residential communities and tour their amenities while learning about their surrounding neighborhoods and getting a sense of what the community has to offer.

New properties taking part in May’s event include  700 Central, Bolero Flats, District 600, Edition, Eitel Building, Marquette Place, Mill City Quarter, One Ten Grant and The Metro Apartments.

Sign up for Explore Downtown Living at www.exploredtliving.com, and use an online interactive map or printed Field Guide to help you navigate around downtown.

Last year’s Explore Downtown Living showcased approximately 8,500 unit tours. May’s event features more residential communities coming on board. View the full list and map here: www.exploredtliving.com/map.

Participants can walk or bike from location to location, and they can also enjoy free parking at select spots. Plus, participants can enjoy discounts and freebies from the following local businesses. The full list of restaurants, retail shops, fitness organizations and more can be viewed at  www.exploredtliving.com/partner-offers.

Explore Downtown Living is an initiative of the Minneapolis Downtown Council’s Intersections: The Downtown 2025 Plan’s Development Committee, which aims to double the downtown population to 70,000 by the year 2025.

Earth Day 2016 Results = Impressive

From a May 5 Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board e-newsletter:

The Minneapolis Earth Day event on Saturday, April 23 helps with the greening efforts of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and creates a more beautiful environment throughout Minneapolis Parks. Thank you to Cargill for sponsoring the event and to all of our volunteers for coming out and making this event a huge success.

We collected 1,640 pounds of metal, 640 pounds of recycling and a whopping 8,100 pounds of garbage!

If you participated in this event we are seeking feedback about what we can do to improve the event in the future. Please take just five minutes to complete this survey. 

Mill City Farmers Market May 7 Opening Day Herb Giveaway from Cynthia Froid Group

Mill City Farmers Market Sponsor Cynthia Froid Group is again treating shoppers to a free herb plant as part of the 2016 outdoor season Opening Day festivities.  If you receive the below post card in the mail this week, bring it to the Green Earth Growers booth at the May 7 Market for your choice of a rosemary, basil or oregano plant.  No post card? You can also Like them on Facebook, or sign up onsite with your email to receive your gift (you’ll be notified of their future events and giveaways in the Minneapolis community).

Riverplace Market Opens June 1 - Wednesdays thru September

FARMERS MARKET OPENS ON MINNEAPOLIS RIVERFRONT

Sentinel Property Management Corp will host Riverplace Market, a new community based farmers and artisan market. It will be located on the cobblestone courtyard of Riverplace, in a prime location at Hennepin and Main Street on the beautiful Mississippi riverfront.

Riverplace Market is set to open its inaugural 2016 season on Wednesday, June 1st. The market will operate Wednesdays from 3pm to 7pm, rain or shine, through the end of September.

"We have a nice selection of vendors at the market." said Mary Waldrop, Sentinel’s Regional Asset Manager.  “Customers can expect to find farm fresh produce, baked goods, flowers, sauces and spices, honey, nuts and products from local artisans as well as food trucks each week."

Updates and announcements can be found on the market’s social media outlets @riverplacemkt, Facebook or Instagram.

New artisans and food producers are welcome to apply to participate in the market. Limited single spaces are still available for select weeks. Contact, Stephanie Hansen at 651-983-4766 or by email at Stephanie@stephaniesweeklydish for the latest availability.

Preservation Photo Contest to Celebrate National Historic Preservation Month

Preservation Photo Contest to Celebrate National Historic Preservation Month

May is National Historic Preservation Month! The City of Minneapolis department of Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) is excited to invite you 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. We want to see how you can capture the character of these places!

CPED is encouraging individuals to share their best photos of Minneapolis landmarks or scenes from historic districts to celebrate the benefit of these places to our city. To enter the contest, snap a photo and post it on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook with the hashtag #MPLSpreservation by May 31, 2016.

The winners will be announced in early June and three winning photos will be featured in the Heritage Preservation Commission’s annual report, the City’s Heritage Preservation webpage, and other City of Minneapolis department of Community Planning and Economic Development webpages.

NOTE: Photos should not contain identifiable people. Submissions may be used by the City of Minneapolis in future print and digital publications, with proper credit to the photographer.

Map of Minneapolis landmarks and historic districts

Opening Day At The Mill City Farmers Market - May 7

Via an April 28 Press Release from the Mill City Farmers Market:

Opening Day brings new vendors, great food, and lots of family activities for Mother’s Day weekend!

The rooster is crowing. It is Opening Day for the Mill City Farmers Market on Saturday, May 7th. Shop fresh spring produce, local artisans, and celebrate Mother’s Day with fragrant bouquets and fun family activities from 8am to 1pm. Enjoy the much-awaited growing season at this downtown market located in between the Guthrie Theater and the Mill City Museum.

Join Juut Salonspa all day to plant flowers and herbs or dust off your chef hat for the free cooking class at 10:30am with Chef Jenny Breen and her daughter in the Mill City Cooks kitchen. Young market-goers can stop by the Information Booth to get a taste of seasonal vegetables from the Power of Produce kids’ sampling table. Plus, lively music from local sensation Roe Family Singersstarts at 11am, and Hennepin County Master Gardeners will be answering your spring gardening questions.

Local breakfast and lunch are served all day, so come hungry for pulled-pork hash, sweet-potato tacos, sweet and savory crepes, Nepali dumplings, and more seasonal favorites. Remember to bring your grocery list so you can relish the spring harvest with fresh asparagus, spring greens, carrots, baby beets, kale, rhubarb, pasture-raised meats and eggs, fresh artisan pastries and much, much more! Remember you can find healthy, spring recipes at the Information Booth and in the market’s recipe archives at millcityfarmersmarket.org.

This season, the market welcomes the return of many wonderful vendors as well as several new: Abrothecary, owned by local butcher and Chef Andrew Ikeda, introduces a variety of frozen and ready-to-eat bone broths and soups to the market. Cosmic Wheel Creamery will be bringing aged and fresh farmstead cheeses from their small heard of Jersey cows in Clear Lake, Wisconsin. Heritage Breads, a familiar face to winter market regulars, will continue to sell hand-made artisan breads made from Sunrise Flour Mill grains. The Mill City Farmers Market will also be expanding to the other side of 2^nd Street on Chicago Avenue in front of the American Academy of Neurology building for 11 weeks later this summer (Saturdays from June 25^th to Labor Day Weekend). Additional new vendors joining the market in the expansion include: Food Building, Serious Jam, Sift Gluten Free Bakery, the Twisted Shrub, Bee Brews, and many more!

EBT is accepted at the Mill City Farmers Market. The information booth offers EBT tokens and matching ten dollar Market Bucks to all SNAP participants.

Founded in 2006 by acclaimed local chef Brenda Langton and the Mill City Museum, Mill City Farmers Market has earned a reputation for its promotion of healthy eating and sustainable agriculture. Located at 704 S. 2nd Street in downtown Minneapolis, the market runs every Saturday May through October from 8am to 1pm. More information can be found at www.millcityfarmersmarket.org.

Construction of New Mississippi East Bank Trail Begins Soon

Via an April 27 Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board e-newsletter:

Critical two-way, off-street trail within Above the Falls Regional Park opens this fall

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is pleased to announce construction of the new Mississippi East Bank Trail begins in early May. The .75-mile trail along the Northeast Minneapolis riverfront will open this fall.

The two-way, off-street trail will serve both pedestrians and bicyclists. It will extend north from Boom Island Park through the Scherer site, the Graco property and Sheridan Memorial Park. Its alignment curves east at the BNSF railroad tracks near 16th Avenue NE and terminates at Marshall Street NE. Bicyclists and pedestrians will share the southern half of the trail until Sheridan Memorial Park, where a separate pedestrian trail will break out and run next to the bike trail until it reaches the BNSF tracks.

The Mississippi East Bank Trail project page contains an aerial map of the trail’s alignment through Above the Falls Regional Park. This new trail is one segment in a series of Upper Riverfront trail loops envisioned in the RiverFirst initiative.

Read the full news release on our website.