Minneapolis Riverfront News
Covering life, work, and play in the Historic Mill District and Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront neighborhoods. Have an opinion, local news or events to share? Contact us.
Entries by Kim Eslinger (4225)
Thursday, November 26, 2015 at 5:29AM
Road Closures for November 26 Turkey Day 5K
Be aware of temporary street closures on Thanksgiving morning from approximately 7:30am - 11:00am (depending on the section of road) for the Turkey Day 5K. Click here for a larger map.
Here's the Upcoming Line Up from The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul
Here's what's on tap in the coming weeks from The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul (playing at the St. Anthony Main Theatre):
VICTORIA - Screening November 26 (Thanksgiving Day) thru December 3.
Shot in one single two-hour-and-eighteen-minute take with no cuts, no CGI, and no cheap tricks. Victoria, a young woman from Madrid, meets four local Berliners outside a nightclub. Sonne and his friends promise to show her a good time and the real side of the city. But these lads have gotten themselves into hot water: they owe someone a dangerous favor that requires repaying that evening. As Victoria’s flirtation with Sonne deepens into something more, he convinces her to come along for the ride. And later, when things become more ominous and possibly lethally dangerous for Sonne, she insists on coming along. As the night takes on an ever more menacing character, what started out as a good time quickly spirals out of control. As dawn approaches, Victoria and Sonne address the inevitable: it’s all or nothing and they abandon themselves to a heart-stopping race into the depths of hell.
- - -
MEDITERRANEA - Screening December 4 thru December 10.
Small Business Saturday Event: The Minneapolis Rock Art Experience at Day Block
The Minneapolis Rock Art Experience
FREE ADMISSION Website - Facebook
Saturday, November 28, 4:00pm - 10:00pm at Day Block Brewing (2nd floor Day Block Event Center)
Join Day Block Brewing Company as we host the second annual Minneapolis Rock Art Experience, a free event showcasing the work of local painters, illustrators, photographers and multi-medium artists. Expect a full evening focused on local artists and their artistic works themed specifically around music. Artwork will be on display and available for purchase! There will also be live music (TBA) and painting, amazing food and local artisan brews by Day Block Brewing Company!
Come on down and celebrate "Buy Local - Small Business Saturday" by supporting local art in true Minneapolis style!
Artists to include:
•Johnny Hanson
•Kristi Lemair
•Jeff Trohdahl
•Chuck Hues
•Jesse Brodd
•Tatiana Katara
•Scotty Rohr
•Steve Schell
•S.J.Gray
Mississippi East Bank Trail Update from MPRB
;)
Via a November 23 Minneapolis Park and Rec Board e-newsletter:
Construction bids solicited this winter, work begins in spring
The Mississippi East Bank Trail project will be bid in early January 2016. Construction begins as soon as weather permits spring 2016 and the multi-use trail will be open to the public by Sept. 1, 2016.
The trail will begin at Boom Island Park. Its route weaves north through the Scherer site, Graco property and Sheridan Memorial Park. Then it curves east at the BNSF railroad tracks near 16th Avenue NE and terminates near the 1600 block Marshall Street NE. The project page contains an updated map of the trail route.
The concept plan for the trail was approved by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation (MPRB) Board of Commissioners in December 2014 after a community engagement process. The necessary easements through the Graco property and parcel purchases from BNSF railroads were completed during the summer 2015. The federal government authorized the project for bidding in September 2015.
Trail alignment through the Scherer site was modified in July 2015 to accommodate other planned projects. The MPRB will soon seek development proposals for Parcel D located along the east and north edges of the former Scherer Brothers property. The MPRB is also working to obtain permits to reconstruct Hall’s Island in the Mississippi River, a 2017-2018 project involving extensive earth moving and re-grading.
Please visit minneapolispark.org/planning to find more information on this project and other planning projects.
About this project
The Mississippi East Bank Trail is a capital improvement project located along the east bank of the Mississippi River in Above the Falls Regional Park. In 2012, the project was awarded $1 million in federal funding through the Transportation, Community and System Preservation program. The new .75 mile multi-use trail will form one segment in a series of trail loops envisioned by RiverFIRST, linking the east and west banks of the Mississippi and providing access to the river for adjacent neighborhoods.
Contact:
Deb Bartels
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
Phone: 612-230-6438
Email: dbartels@minneapolisparks.org
November 21 Mill City Farmers Market - Much Gratitude
The Saturday before Thanksgiving - a most thankful time at the Mill City Farmers Market.
Dr. Harold Wilkins of Goldfinch Flowers - showing his wild side.
Best gift idea ever - Market tokens! :)
Award winning cheese from Shepherd's Way Farms.
Beth Dooley signed copies of her latest cookbook, The Birchwood Cafe Cookbook.
Shoppers enjoyed complimentary chair massage courtesy of Ambient Gallerie.
The goat!
See you at the next indoor Market - Saturday, December 12, 10a-1p! :)
Rocky and Troy: High Above the Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls
More of the silly photo series - The Adventures of Rocky and Troy. Recently they were checking out the sites from the Endless Bridge of the Guthrie Theater, including the Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls.
Vigil to Remember MN Victims of Impaired Driving Scheduled for November 22
During the holiday season each year, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) gathers to remember the victims and survivors of impaired driving crashes. You are invited to attend the ceremony.
Please remind friends and family to plan ahead for a safe and sober ride this holiday season and every day of the year.
Event: MADD Candlelight Vigil of Remembrance & Hope
Date: Sunday, November 22, 2015
Time: Program begins at 3p.m.
Location: The Woman's Club, 410 Oak Grove Street, Minneapolis, MN 55403
More: If you have lost a loved one due to impaired driving and would like them to be recognized during the memorial, please contact Amee at 651-523-0802 or amee.krogfus@madd.org
West River Parkway Update!
Via a November 19 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board:
West River Parkway to reopen by January 1 for winter season
The continued warm and relatively dry weather has benefited construction progress to repair the mudslide which occurred along West River Parkway on June 19, 2014.
Five walls are needed to repair the hillside. Wall three near the hospital and Wall two near the parkway are the most critical to the stability of the slope and are the most challenging to construct.
Eight-four micro-piles, the foundation for Wall three, are drilled and grouted and Veit & Company has begun to pour the concrete cap. Earthwork below the cap and construction of the vertical face of the wall will follow.
The drilling of vertical footings for Wall two has also begun.
As a result, Veit & Company is on track to re-open the parkway and trails at the end of December 2015. Some construction items will remain for the 2016 construction season and will require an additional four to eight weeks of parkway closure in late spring and early summer.
West River Parkway is also affected by the reconstruction of the Franklin Avenue Bridge by Hennepin County. The parkway under the west pier of the bridge will be closed from April-October of 2016 for the bridge deck replacement. Parkway and trail traffic will be detoured.
The MPRB appreciates the public’s patience during this complicated and challenging project.
New Downtown Park Designs Go on Display in December
Via a November 19 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board:
New Downtown park designs go on display in December
Please visit one of three open houses scheduled Dec. 3, 8 and 10 to view and comment on designs
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) invites the public to examine and comment on designs for parks and open spaces in downtown Minneapolis at one of the three open houses scheduled in December. These concepts were created after months of listening, careful planning and creative design work.
Stop by any time 6-8 pm to view the concepts created and chat with project staff. The designs for every downtown park will be available at every meeting.
North Area Open House
Thursday, Dec. 3, 6-8 pm
MPRB Headquarters—2117 W. River Road
East Area Open House
Tuesday, Dec. 8, 6-8 pm
Elliot Recreation Center—1000 E 14th St.
South Area Open House
Thursday, December 10, 6-8 pm
Loring Community Arts Center—1382 Willow St.
________________________________________
About this project
The MPRB's Downtown Service Area Master Plan will set the vision for future park and recreation development and improvements in the downtown area. It will establish a new, urban model for service delivery, maintenance, funding and operation of parks in downtown Minneapolis.
This project is part of a joint effort between the MPRB and City of Minneapolis to improve parks and public spaces downtown. The cooperative work done on the MPRB's Downtown Service Area Master Plan and the City of Minneapolis' Downtown Public Realm Framework is known collectively as Pathways To Places: Shaping Downtown Together.
If You Love Maps, November 18 is Your Lucky Day!
November 18 is GIS Day. GIS Day provides an international forum for users of geographic information systems (GIS) technology to demonstrate real-world applications that are making a difference in our society.
At a local level, Hennepin County offers many maps and tools for residents and businesses made possible through GIS technology. As part of international GIS Day, Hennepin County invites you to explore maps and applications that can help you access data and information from across Hennepin County.
Natural resources interactive map
Allows users to locate detailed information on vegetative cover, natural resource corridors, soils, wetlands, floodplains, geology, topography and the ecological significance of an area. View the natural resources interactive map.
Transportation map
This map provides county residents and visitors an up-to-date comprehensive picture of what is taking place on roads within its borders. View the transportation map.
GIS open data
The county GIS open data site hosts over forty spatial datasets that are available to residents free of charge and without license agreement. View the GIS open data webpage.
You can also sign-up for email or text message notifications about maps, services and open data from our GIS team. Click here to subscribe.
Hennepin Becomes First Minnesota County to Achieve ‘Bicycle Friendly Community’ Status
Via a November 16 Hennepin County e-newsletter:
Hello bike friends —
The League of American Bicyclists has named Hennepin County a Silver-level Bicycle Friendly Community, the first such distinction for a Minnesota county!
Thank you for your support, advocacy and for biking — you are responsible for much of the activity that earned us Silver status. The League of American Bicyclists takes a holistic approach to evaluate the cycling environment as a whole, not just miles of bikeway (though our 651 miles helps).
Previously, Hennepin County’s highest designation was honorable mention. We're now in elite company — no standalone county in the nation has higher status. Levels from the League of American Bicyclists are bronze, silver, gold, platinum and diamond and are valid for four years.
Of course, being named Silver does not mean our work is done. Besides adding 20 miles a year to the network, we have a lot of work ahead of us to make biking in the county safe, comfortable and accessible to people of all ages and abilities. Today, though, take a moment to pat yourselves on the back for helping to make great progress.
You can read more about Bicycle Friendly Community status and the other communities selected at www.bikeleague.org/community.
Share your stories: #ridehennepin and www.hennepin.us/ridehennepin
For questions about biking in Hennepin County contact:
Kelley Yemen, Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator
kelley.yemen@hennepin.us or 612-543-1963
Rocky and Troy: Gold Medal Floor
Last week we kicked off a silly photo series - The Adventures of Rocky and Troy. Recently they were checking out the sites from the Endless Bridge of the Guthrie Theater. To the West they marveled at the Gold Medal Flour sign.
Is There a Demand for Winter Farmers Markets? YES!
November 14 was the first indoor Mill City Farmers Market of the 2015-2016 Winter season, and it was packed with very happy people.
I was blown away by the spectacular array of produce available - it was like an autumn market.
Nistler Farms is again taking orders for Christmas trees, which will be available for pick up at the December 12th Market.
Local author B.J. Carpenter signed copies of her cookbook, Come, You Taste, featuring traditional dishes from the Iron Range.
The MCFM continues to promote the Power of Produce program during the winter markets, encouraging kids to try new fruits and vegetables, and get involved with making healthy food shopping choices.
I wonder what this little cutie spent her token on...
Cherry Flowers of Page & Flowers is now offering coffee bag wall art. Those burlap bags are great weed barriers in the garden, but the graphics on some of them just beg to be made into art. Cherry does all the work for you - they're ready to hang.
Jeremy from Cherry Tree House Mushrooms debuted Reishi and Dark Chocolate brownies, along with Smoked Shiitake mushrooms (I used them in a batch of sweet potato soup - yum!)
The goat!
The next indoor Market is Saturday, November 21, 10am - 1pm.
A Goodbye and Thank You from the Piazza on the Mall
On December 31, 2015 The Piazza on the Mall will officially be decommissioned, making way for the redevelopment of the space for the expansion of Westminster Presbyterian Church and the construction of a new, enhanced plaza, based in large part on the lessons and successes of the Piazza. The Piazza came into being three years ago because of this redevelopment initiative and we are indebted to Westminster for their vision and generosity to the public realm.
A Lasting Legacy as a Pioneering Public Space
Over the last three years its been our privilege to pioneer a number of public space concepts at the Piazza, and to now see these spreading to other spaces in the region, including:
- High quality, free, moveable seating
- Games and and activities that are not secured, free and open to the public at all time
- The idea that we can affordably retrofit underperforming plazas, parks, and lots to be centers of life and activity
- Inclusive music making for those of all abilities through the Social Jam Sessions (pictured above)
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
As we close out this 3-year project, The Musicant Group would just like to say: Thank you!
- To Westminster Presbyterian Church for making this project happen through their vision and commitment to their surrounding community
- To all the visitors to the Piazza over the years. It brought us joy to see those of all ages and cultures enjoying the space, together. Because of you it was a model for what the civic and social life of our city could be
- To all of the performers and artists that graced the space: musicians, fire throwers, curlers, dancers, yogis, actors, and more! Your talents and energy made the space come alive!
- To Troy and Patrick of ThreeSeven Design, who built the most unique gaming equipment I've ever seen in the Twin Cities
- And, finally, to The Musicant Group team members who worked tirelessly to make the place what it was over the years, including: Katie O'Neil, Ross Hackenmiller, Joe Giant, and Mike Janasz
Nothing Says Goodbye Like a Public Sauna
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Max Musicant
Founder and Principal
The Musicant Group
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Holidazzle Returns November 27 - December 20, This Year in Loring Park
The Minneapolis Downtown Council in partnership with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board recently announced the schedule of events and new look for the 2015 Holidazzle, which will include a downtown Minneapolis skating rink located in Loring Park.
This year’s Holidazzle is free and open to the public, and will take place in Loring Park. Holidazzle will begin the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 27 and run Thursdays through Sundays, concluding on Sunday, December 20. Operating hours will be 5-9pm on Thursdays and Fridays, and 11am-9pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
MacPhail's 2015-2016 Spotlight Series Premiers Saturday with "Caffeinated Bach"
The 2015-2016 MacPhail Spotlight Series premiers this Saturday, November 14, with the performance of “Caffeinated Bach”. If you've never attended a Spotlight Series event, you might want to add it to your list of must-sees. Here's a glimpse at what to expect:
Washington Avenue Lane Closures This Week
Via a November 9 Hennepin County e-newsletter:
Washington Avenue (County Road 152) preliminary work related to reconstruction between Hennepin Avenue and Fifth Avenue South
Preliminary field investigations
Prior to next year's work on Washington Avenue, crews will be doing preliminary exploratory work. One of the activities, related to utility location identification, will occur this week.
Lane closures this week and weekend
Because of this utility related work, there will be lane closures on Washington Avenue between Hennepin Avenue and Fifth Avenue South during the week of Monday, November 9.
Crews will be on site starting Tuesday, November 10, and may need to use brief closures to access key areas.
In addition, there will be extended lane closures for more extensive work. These are anticipated to occur:
• Between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Friday, November 13
• Between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 14
• Between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday, November 15
This timeline is subject to change due to weather conditions.
Project overview
Hennepin County, in coordination with the City of Minneapolis, is reconstructing Washington Avenue South (County Road 152) between Hennepin Avenue and Fifth Avenue South.
The project received approval of the preliminary layout from the Minneapolis City Council in 2014. Detail design is in progress and is anticipated to be completed in late 2015. Utility work is anticipated to begin in early 2016 in preparation for full roadway reconstruction later in 2016 and 2017.
For more information:
Nathan Ellingson, project engineer
nathan.ellingson@hennepin.us
612-596-0375
www.hennepin.us/residents/transportation/washington-ave-mpls
New Photo Series - The Adventures of Rocky and Troy
I was introduced to this line of crazy ceramic critters - Primordials - via Facebook posts by one of our favorite local artists, Alison Price. They're the creation of ceramic artist, Jennifer A Murphy. (You can find Alison's and Jennifer's work at the Tres Leches Art Gallery in the Northrup King Building.)
Initially they didn't appeal to me - I found them to be a bit off-putting. But they slowly grew on me, and I kept thinking of how fun it would be to photograph them around our neighborhood. We picked these two guys up during Art Attack! this weekend. Jenny's Primordials are all one-of-a-kind, with their name etched into a leg. The orange and yellow fellow is Rockea (which doesn't quite roll off the tongue, so we call him Rocky), and the little guy is Troy.
This is the beginning of what I hope will be a long-running silly series - The Adventures of Rocky and Troy. Below, they join us for brunch at Day Block Brewing. Let the fun begin!
Northeast Farmers Market Announces 2015-2016 Winter Markets
The Northeast Farmers Market recently announced their Winter Market will be located in the Solar Arts Building, 711 15th Ave NE. Support local food vendors and artisans during the winter months and celebrate the community spirit of the Market. Expect music, children’s activities, and more. Facebook Event Page Vendor List
