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.
In spectacular fashion, October 3 kicked off the final month of the 2015 outdoor season.
A budding cheese connoisseur.
Dueling photographers...
Melanie having fun with finger puppets.
Come to the Market hungry - go home with a happy tummy!
The goat! (Nancy - what's going on with that pepper !?!)
What
More than 8,000 soldiers and veterans lives are lost to suicide each year – a fact that is brought into sharp focus through The 8030 Project currently on exhibit at the Hennepin Gallery.
In conjunction with exhibit and Veterans’ Voices Month, two events open to the public will take place in October.
When and where
Thursday, October 8, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., a special screening of “Surviving the Peace,” a film by The 8030 Project artist and curator Mara Pelecis will be held in the Hennepin County Government Employee Development Classroom, A110, on the southwest street level.
Thursday, October 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 22 among us, a panel discussion about returning veterans and mental health services will be held in the Hennepin County Government Center Auditorium, A-level.
Submit your photos
People are invited to submit their own images via 8030project.com. Images will be continually added to the gallery online and images submitted in September will also be added to the Hennepin Gallery in October.
About The 8030 Project
The 8030 Project art installation will continue to be on view in the Hennepin Gallery until October 27. Images featured in the installation are curated from The 8030 Project's open call to create individual memorials for these lost lives. The memorials use everyday objects in everyday spaces; 22 items represent the 22 solders and veteran lives lost each day to suicide. The exhibit is a selection of the submissions with the stories that accompany them as curated by Ms. Pelecis.
The project is sponsored by the Hennepin County Multicultural Arts Committee, in partnership with Forecast Public Art.
Look for more news on the Hennepin County website at www.hennepin.us/news.
Via an October 1, 2015, Hennepin County e-newsletter:
Franklin Avenue Bridge Construction Update
Planning ahead for weekend traffic impacts
Before we get to a construction update, we have important information about weekend traffic impacts to share.
Saturday, October 3
Motor vehicle traffic will be reduced to one lane on the Franklin Avenue Bridge from 5 a.m. to approximately 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 3, for concrete delivery. Flaggers will guide traffic. Please use caution when traveling through the area.
Similar to a few weeks ago, concrete trucks will be on the bridge deck throughout the day, transporting concrete through a hose to equipment located on a barge below the bridge.
The concrete will be used to create a floor of the Pier 3 cofferdam. Previously, crews dove sheet pile to create walls for the cofferdam. Next, crews will drain the water within the cofferdam to create a dry work area. This will allow them to conduct concrete repair to bridge piers normally below water level.
The bike and pedestrian lanes on the south side will remain open.
Sunday, October 4
This Sunday is the annual Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. A portion of the route travels across the Franklin Avenue Bridge. As a result, the roadway will be closed to traffic from approximately 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The bike and pedestrian lanes on the both sides will remain open during the marathon.
An update on construction
Crews have been active around the project site for the past few weeks.
Above water level
Crews continue their work to restore concrete below the bridge deck. This includes work on the piers. Below is a picture of a section of a pier that has been restored using shotcrete. Shotcrete is a special concrete that is applied using a controlled spray.
At and below water level
Crews have also been using the cofferdams in the river to get access to the parts of the pier that are at and below river level. Below is a picture showing concrete removal at one of the piers.
Concrete is being restored in a way that protects the integrity of the structures.
Roadway deck panels
Crews continue to work at the casting yard at Bohemian Flats area up the river. At present, more than 160 of the 366 panels needed for the roadway deck have been completed. All panels will be floated down the river next year and hoisted into place.
Detours and closures
West River Parkway and trail remain closed at Franklin Avenue Bridge. View detour map.
The Lower East River Parkway trail is closed between the East River Flats (University of Minnesota Boathouse) and Cecil Street while crews restore concrete below the bridge deck.
Via a September 29 e-newsletter:
Primrose Park Goodbye Party!
Please join us as we say "goodbye" to our home in Northeast Minneapolis. We will send the store off in style on Friday, October 9, 2015, with wine, sweet treats and 20% off all regularly-priced purchases. We hope you can join the festivities!
Date: Friday, October 9
Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm
Location: Primrose Park, 20 University Avenue NE
Thursday, October 8, 7:00pm - 9:30pm, Solar Arts Building
[NE MINNEAPOLIS. September 28, 2015] In a celebration of the strength and bounty of the local food movement, the Northeast Minneapolis Farmers Market is excited to announce the fourth annual Harvest Gala. Proceeds from the event will be used to fund the activities and mission of the Northeast Minneapolis Farmers Market.
The Solar Arts Building, located at 711 – 15th Avenue NE, is generously donating their beautiful third-floor event space for this year’s Gala, to be held on Thursday, October 8, from 7 pm until 9:30 pm.
The NEFM Harvest Gala features an innovative format that pair’s farmers market vendors and local chefs. Chefs and farmers team up to create tasty appetizers using ingredients sourced from the Northeast Farmers Market. This year, expect eats by Sen Yai Sen Lek, Chowgirls, Red Table Meats, and Lone Grazer Creamery, just to name a few. At the bar, try fine wines, beer from Nordeast Brewers Alliance, and specialty-crafted cocktails by Norseman Distillery.
Flamenco guitarist David Grams will provide live entertainment. A silent auction will feature arts, crafts, certificates and services donated by local artisans, restaurants, businesses and individuals. We’re off to a great start with donations from Park Square Theater, Minnesota Orchestra, Mill City Running, Denny Kemp Salon, Minneapolis St. Paul Film Society and Minnesota Historical Society.
Back again this year... the Garden Stroll, NEFM's version of a Cake Walk, will feature really cool market bags filled with goodies from market vendors and friends.
Admission to the Gala is $15 in advance, and $20 at the door. Advance tickets are available on Saturday, October 3rd at the Northeast Farmers Market, and on-line.
Chowgirls Killer Catering and Norseman Distillery sponsor this event.
The Northeast Farmers Market is located on the corner of 7th and University Avenues NE, in the St. Boniface Church parking lot. The Solar Arts Building is located at 711 NE 15th Avenue.
Friday, November 6 from 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Saturday, November 7 from Noon – 8:00pm
Sunday, November 8 from Noon - 5:00pm
Art Attack is an annual open studio and gallery crawl at the Northrup King Building, in the heart of the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District. The weekend-long event features over 200 artists working in painting and drawing, sculpture, photography, custom furniture, fiber arts, metal, ceramics, glass, hand-crafted and custom jewelry, mixed media, mosaics, textiles, and more.
On Saturday from Noon-6:00pm, TPT’s award-winning weekly art series, MN Original, will be taking over our 3rd floor gallery space with a special guest artist, offering interactive art activities, a MN Original viewing area, and an Instagram takeover.
Music, performace and demonstrations take place throughout the weekend.
Food Trucks:
Friday – Butcher Salt
Saturday – Simply Steve’s and Kabomlette
Sunday – Gastrotruck
A full gamut of moods and music — The Bakken Trio opens their fall performance with the haunting thrumming of Ferdinand Meza’s marimba in Golijov’s remembrance of his friend Mariel, and finish in April with actress Sally Wingert narrating Aaron Kernis’ hysterical piece about futuristic cuisine.
2015 - 2016 Concert Series:
November 22, 2015 MEMORY: Marimba specialist Fernando Meza joins the Bakken for music of composers Rachmaninoff, Golijov and Shostakovich, inspired, in the Russian tradition, by great friendships.
January 24, 2016 JAPONAISE: Cellist Pitnarry Shin plays music from Japanese puppet theater in this program tracing the circles of inspiration to and from Claude Debussy.
April 3, 2016 WHIMSY! Actress Sally Wingert narrates a hysterical spoof on food and foodies in a program for having and hearing fun!
All concerts are at 4:00pm in Antonello Hall of MacPhail Center for Music, 501 S 2nd Street.
Via a September 24 Minneapolis Park and Rec Board e-newsletter:
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board's (MPRB) Youth Volleyball program begins in October and we are seeking volunteer coaches at recreation centers in Minneapolis.
We are also seeking coaches for winter sports programs (basketball, hockey, and wrestling) that begin in November/December.
• Athletes range from 6-18 years old
• Teams practice 1-2 times per week
• Games are scheduled 1-2 nights a week and/or Saturdays
• MPRB will provide orientation for all new coaches
Contact Nicole at 612-499-9258 or email recvolunteers@minneapolisparks.org for more information about coaching and other volunteer opportunities.
Can't coach this Winter? We'll need coaches for Gymnastics, Baseball, Softball, T-ball, and Track and Field this spring, too.
September 26 was Oktoberfest at the Market. Music by the Elk River German Band filled the air as shoppers sampled beer with Indeed Brewing. :)
Romanesco!
Art Vendors Kendra of Ink Orchard and Matthew of Matthew Krousey Ceramics.
The goat!
Don't forget - new hours for October!
Via a September 25 Minneapolis Park and Rec Board e-newsletter:
West River Parkway Slope Repair
Efforts to repair damage done by the West River Parkway mudslide recently encountered numerous challenges. Multiple minor mudslides occurring since the beginning of August 2015 have delayed construction of the two walls most critical to stabilizing the slope. Erosion stemming from those mudslides also created steep embankments below the earthen “bench” used by the contractor to stage drill rigs and other construction equipment.
As a result, that critical construction equipment was removed from the bench and will not return until the contractor can determine the best method to control erosion on the slope.
Due to these unforeseen difficulties, the project is expected to continue through at least December 2015. The parkway and trail remain closed until that time.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board appreciates the public’s patience during this complicated and challenging project.
Visit the project page.
Contact
Robin Smothers
Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
Phone: 612-230-6410
Email: rsmothers@minneapolisparks.org
The MacPhail Spotlight Series showcases the exceptional talents of teaching artists and special guests, providing an intimate listening experience in MacPhail’s state-of-the-art Antonello Hall. Under the artistic direction of Mischa Santora, this premier performance event is brought to life with collaborations from some of the Twin Cities’ finest artists.
This year's series themes:
November 14, 2015 – Caffeinated Bach
February 13, 2016 – BRAZIL!
April 16, 2016 – Taiko Drums to J-Pop
May 21, 2016 – American Poets: From Folk to Hip Hop
One hour before each concert, you can join us in the U.S. Bank Lobby for a special question and answer session with featured performers.
| This week the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) wraps up months of community meetings held throughout the city to gather feedback |
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The 8th annual Minneapolis Underground Film Festival will feature over 110 short films, 40 of which are MN Made. Hosted and sponsored by The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul at St. Anthony Main Theater, the festival showcases underground cinema's most provocative and original work.
Tickets Prices:
Film Society Members – $5.00
General Admission – $8.50
Student/Senior/Child – $6.00
All Access Pass – $120.00
Mill City Commons members have created a Caregiver Support Group and invite other caregivers to join them. This guided discussion group with professional facilitation was created to support MCC members, friends and neighbors who are or have been in a caregiving role … whether involving a parent, spouse, sibling, child or friend. Group members share experiences, issues and concerns as well as give and receive support.
The Caregiver Support Group launches Wednesday, October 7, meeting the first and third Wednesday at a convenient neighborhood location each month from 1:30-3:00 pm for three months. Participants will be asked to pay $60 for the six sessions, regardless of how many sessions they are able to attend.
To join the group or learn more, email info@millcitycommons.org or phone 612-455-3329.
Thank you to Mill City Commons member Lou Burdick for sharing this information with us! :)
Be the welcoming face of the American Red Cross!
If you are looking for an engaging volunteer opportunity right in your neighborhood, the Red Cross has a great opportunity for you. We are looking for volunteers to staff the front desk of our busy Minneapolis office – greeting visitors, answering phones, directing people to classrooms, distributing mail, and assisting with other projects that arise. Some customer service experience and familiarity with computers is helpful.
We are looking for morning coverage (8am – 12:15pm) Mondays through Thursdays, and midday coverage (10am – 4pm) every other Friday. We are located at 1201 West River Road, walking distance from Gold Medal Park.
To start the application process, or to read more about other Red Cross volunteer opportunities, please click here. Please contact kelly.clark2@redcross.org with questions. Thank you!
Crash Course is an un-conference (of sorts) highlighting all things West Bank.
Join us for an introductory crash course into Minneapolis’ coolest neighborhood! We’ll have workshops and events throughout the week (Monday-Saturday) including a fashion show, craft beer tasting, sambusa-making session, neighborhood tours and more. It’s a great way to get to know everything the neighborhood has to offer, and there’s something for everyone!
Hosted by the West Bank Business Association and The Southern Theater, the event is a week-long fundraiser, with proceeds going to support local West Bank nonprofits. For a full list of events and more info visit the schedule.
EVENT DETAILS:
– Monday October 5-Saturday October 10, 2015 Schedule
– Location: The Southern Theater and throughout the West Bank
– Cost: Varies with event – many free options available.
MORE INFORMATION:
For more information about the event please contact: Jamie Schumacher, Executive Director, West Bank Business Association – info@thewestbank.org 612-326-9652
The West Bank Business Association exists to engage the business community in the responsible economic development of the West Bank district while preserving the unique character and heritage of the Cedar-Riverside area.
Via a September 22 Hennepin County e-newsletter:
Pilot design experiments connect Midtown Greenway and nearby destinations
Colorful signage and other temporary design experiments have been attracting the attention of bicyclists and pedestrians at four key access points on the Midtown Greenway in Minneapolis:
• 26th Avenue South
• Bloomington Avenue South
• 10th/11th avenues (at the adjacent greenspace)
• Nicollet Avenue South
Developed by the urban design team at the City of Minneapolis in collaboration with staff from Hennepin County, the Midtown Greenway Coalition and the Lake Street Council, the pop-up improvements include:
• Creative wayfinding signage on fences and bridges over the greenway
• Painted icons and other designs on the pavement
• Bike racks
• Seating and games
Food icons and fence signage at the Nicollet Avenue access point.
The installations, which went up in August and September, are designed to point greenway users to destinations along Lake Street and in nearby neighborhoods. The main goal is to build on the success of the greenway, which has more than 1.5 million users annually, in order to enhance and strengthen nearby residential and business communities. Other goals include making greenway spaces more welcoming and friendly, and helping people in neighborhoods navigate to the greenway.
“Riding or walking on the greenway, especially where it’s below street level, can be disorienting,” says Lisa Middag, a Hennepin County planner. “But so many destinations are literally just a minute away, which makes it convenient to hop off the greenway to grab a bite, run errands, or do other activities. We are working on effective strategies to support and encourage that.”
Data and feedback about the installations will be collected through October through various means, including an online survey. This information will be put to use in developing recommendations for permanent improvements and a wayfinding strategy all along the greenway.
About Hennepin County’s Midtown Community Works program
Over the past 20 years, the county has partnered with the City of Minneapolis, the Midtown Greenway Coalition, the Lake Street Council, and other organizations to develop and support the Midtown Greenway, and to plan for and leverage economic growth in the area. Midtown is the longest-running program of Hennepin County’s Community Works initiative, a collaborative approach to redevelopment in key county corridors that launched in 1994.
This picture was featured in a recent MinnyApple article about the LoLa Art Crawl(in the Longfellow neighborhood). It's by John FairHolton of Just Photos For Humans. He organizes his work by Over-the-Ground, On-the-Ground (indoors and outdoors), and Underground. He has captured some fantastic images - many in our downtown and riverfront neighborhoods.
John named this picture PillsBuddies (they're sitting in framework of the iconic Pillsbury's Best Flour sign). But the first thing that popped into my mind was "You kids get down from there!"
Mill City Times | 35W Bridge Memorial | Mill District Block Party | Mill City Media
Sunday, October 4, 2015 at 7:17AM
