Minnesota Twins 2B Brian Dozier and Pentair Volunteers to Clean Mississippi Riverfront

Via a July 1 Press Release from Pentair:

Minnesota Twins 2B Brian Dozier and Pentair Volunteers to Clean Mississippi Riverfront
Group supporting Minneapolis Parks Foundation’s Water Works project

The Minnesota Twins (represented by second baseman Brian Dozier) and Pentair volunteers will partner with the Minneapolis Parks Foundation to clean the Mississippi riverfront at Mill Ruins Park near the Stone Arch Bridge in downtown Minneapolis on Thursday, July 9th at 10 a.m.

Pentair, which helps customers around the world reduce, recover and reuse water, provides the technology that cleans water from the Mississippi River for more than 500,000 residents in the Twin Cities. The area surrounding the river near the Stone Arch Bridge is being developed as an innovative public space that will help protect the river, provide recreation opportunities and reveal historic features.

WHO: Twins Second Baseman Brian Dozier
          75+ Pentair volunteers
          Minneapolis Parks Foundation
          Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
          Mill City Museum

WHERE: Mill Ruins Park near the Mill City Museum

WHAT: Riverfront clean-up

WHEN: July 9, 2015, 10:00 -11:30 a.m.

Pentair’s innovation in water reuse is evident at Target Field, where the Minnesota Twins turn to Pentair technology to capture and clean rainwater that’s then used primarily to clean stadium seats, saving approximately 2 million gallons of water each year.

As a growing global population puts increasing demands on resources, Pentair helps customers produce more food, energy and efficiencies from each drop of water. The company delivers industry-leading products, services and solutions for its customers' diverse needs in water and other fluids, thermal management and equipment protection. With 2014 revenues of $7 billion, Pentair employs more than 30,000 people worldwide.

The Minneapolis Parks Foundation, which partners with the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, is an independent 501c3 dedicated to community investment in the nation’s top park system. It’s the private-sector leader of the RiverFirst initiative and Water Works, two design-based adaptive reuse parks projects on “America’s fourth coast,” the Mississippi River.

Red, White and Boom, Hot Dam 5K & Road Closure info

Celebrate the 4th of July during Minneapolis Red, White and Boom, a two-day celebration hosted by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. The event, held along the downtown Minneapolis Riverfront, features live music, great food, fun activities for the whole family, and the grand finale – fireworks!

On July 4, Father Hennepin Park will offer FREE family activities in the Family Fun Zone from 6 pm to 9:30 pm. Activities include balloon twisters, caricature artists, hair painters and face painters. Live music will be playing at Mill Ruins Park and Father Hennepin Park from 6 pm to 10 pm. The Red, White and Boom Celebration closes with a spectacular fireworks display along the Riverfront at 10 pm.

Important Road Closure Information

These streets will be closed to vehicles during the dates and times provided.

July 3, 2015

◾6 pm: Main Street between Merriam and Sixth avenues
◾6:30 pm: West River Parkway, Eighth Avenue Bridge, East Island Avenue (Nicollet Island), Merriam Street, Main Street
◾All roads should be clear by 8 pm

July 4, 2015

◾2-10:30 pm: Main Street between Merriam and Sixth avenues, Third Avenue South between Main and Second streets
◾4:30-10:30 pm: West River Parkway between North Fourth and 11th avenues
◾9-10:30 pm: Third Avenue Bridge closed to pedestrians and vehicles
◾9:30-10:30 pm: Stone Arch Bridge closed to cyclists

Creative City Market: Thursday July 9, 4-10PM

Creative City Market: Thursday July 9, 4-10PM

On the second Thursday of July, August, and September the public is invited to the Minneapolis Convention Center Plaza to participate in evening under the setting sun, celebrating the act of making, surrounded by MN made art, wares, and performance, including:

• A beer garden featuring selections from the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild from the Craft Bar and Lounge at the Minneapolis Convention Center
• Filfillah Food truck serving traditional Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine
• The onsite creation of art installations through public-artist collaborations
• Live music and performances
• A central lawn to relax, play, and linger
• An outdoor evening market featuring local artists, artisans, and makers
• MN Made movie at sunset, presented by the Minneapolis St. Paul Film Society. July 9th will feature The Okee Dokee Brothers’ Through the Woods: An Appalachian Adventure

Creative City Market is a program of the Creative City Challenge, which is presented by the Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC), the Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy Program of the City of Minneapolis and Meet Minneapolis, Convention & Visitors Association, in collaboration with Northern Lights.mn. and is being produced by The Musicant Group in partnership with Pablo Jones.

Creative City Market: Call for Vendors for July, August and September Events

Excerpt from a June 25 Northern Lights.mn e-newsletter: 

Creative City Market: Call for Vendors

As part of the Creative City Challenge, Northern Lights.mn will be presenting the Creative City Market on the second Thursday evenings of July, August, and September from 4pm - sunset. We are looking for creators, makers, technologists, artists and art that reflect diverse communities and ways of thinking to participate. We’re looking for original work, simple to complex, large and small, including but not limited to, homemade objects-of-interest, engineering one-offs, artisan/cultural crafts, one-of-a-kind inventions, hand-crafted furniture and more. Find out more about the call here and submit your proposal here.

Submission deadlines:
7/2/15 for July 9th Market
8/6/15 for August 13th Market
9/3/15 for September 10th Market

We are also looking for survey seekers for these events. A small stipend will be available. If you are interested in being a survey seeker, please contact ady@northern.lights.mn for more information.

Week 8 at the 2015 Mill City Farmers Market

The American Academy of Neurology held their annual bike helmet giveaway at the June 27 Market. Down the block, shoppers enjoyed wood fired oven pizzas from Northern Fires for the first time.  Look for separate posts with more pictures and info on both of these later this week on our Farmers Market blog.

Welcome back, Mokum carrots - oh, how I've missed you!

Strawberries!

The Market staff gathers feedback from shoppers with these quick survey boards.  The next time you see them on display, please take a minute to participate.

Below, the proud owner of a log from Cherry Tree House Mushrooms, which has been inoculated with mushroom mycelium and ready to fruit (not sure if this one is a shiitake or oyster).

Crisp and mild, kohlrabi is fantastic in a slaw.

Shoppers enjoying a meal on the plaza steps had a view of the HeartBeat 5000 racers on the Stone Arch Bridge.

The goat!

Minnesota Center for Book Arts 30th Anniversary Gala and Presentation of the 2015 MCBA Prize is July 25

Excerpt from the June 26 Minnesota Center for Book Arts e-newsletter:
 
30 years?! Why, we don't look a day over 29!

Help us celebrate this wonderful milestone on Saturday, July 25, at our 30th Anniversary Gala, the centerpiece of this year's Book Art Biennial.

Begin the evening at 7:00pm in MCBA’s gallery and studios. Enjoy a variety of wines, summery cocktails and other refreshments; hors d’oeuvres and savory bites with a farm-to-table flair; and live music by the Jimmy Kennedy Jazz Trio, while you mingle with artists and special guests.

The MCBA Prize award ceremony convenes at 8:30pm, hosted by Minnesota Public Radio arts producer Marianne Combs! Marvel at this year's five finalist works, and witness the announcement of the winner. At the close, honor the winner with a champagne toast, artisan coffees by Blue Ox Coffee, and decadent French petits-fours, macarons and tartlettes from Patisserie Margo.

A limited number of VIP tickets are available; the VIP package includes an exclusive pre-reception (6:30-7:30pm) where you can enjoy a tasting of craft beers from Dangerous Man Brewing and artisan spirits by Norseman Distillery, along with hand-tied soft pretzels by Patisserie Margo and a variety of other sweet and savory pairings. VIP attendees will also have the opportunity to meet the honorees and experience the finalist artworks in an intimate setting. Free parking is available at Open Book and adjacent lots.

Reserve your tickets today!
Purchase online at BookArtBiennial.org or call The Shop at 612-215-2520.

The Anniversary Gala and MCBA Prize award ceremony are presented in conjunction with Book Art Biennial 2015 (July 23-26), a series of workshops, exhibitions, presentations and performances that explore contemporary practice in the book arts. The 2015 Biennial Symposium will continue a tradition of stimulating critical thinking and dialogue. New this year is a free citywide Book Arts Art Crawl in celebration of MCBA’s 30th Anniversary; participating venues include MCBA, Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), the Walker Art Center Library, and Form + Content Gallery. For more details on Symposium programming or to register, visit BookArtBiennial.org.

June 27 Road Closures for the HeartBeat 5000 Race

The following parkways will be temporarily closed from 8:30am to 11:30am June 27 for the HeartBeat 5000 Race:

Main Street SE from 5th Avenue SE to Hennepin Avenue
West River Parkway from Plymouth Avenue to the Stone Arch Bridge
HeartBeat 5000 Course Map

Please note that the duration of the closures is subject to change based on the event's start and finish times.

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

Metro Transit is Providing Free Rides to the 17th Annual Twin Cities Jazz Fesitval

The 17th Annual Twin Cities Jazz Fesitval is June 25-27.  If you're planning to attend, Metro Transit will get you there for free - just print a pass!

The Twin Cities Jazz Festival is a free family-friendly event attracting over 30,000 people to the vibrant, joyful sounds of jazz. Events are held in and around Mears Park in St. Paul’s historic Lowertown neighborhood.

This Saturday, June 27 - #NicestDayEver Giveaway

Help our Nice Ride Minnesota system set a new daily record for the most rides taken this Saturday, June 27, from 9:00am – Noon, during the #NicestDayEver.

Hop on a Nice Ride bike and be part of history! The Minneapolis Foundation and Nice Ride will provide complimentary helmets and 24-hour Nice Ride passes from 9 am to noon at select stations, including one along the riverfront.  Nice Ride staff will be on hand to fit helmets and show first-time users how the bike sharing system works. Bring your friends and enjoy the #NicestDayEver! More information.

Helmets & passes will be provided at these stations:
•Loring Park Station (North side near Harmon Place)
•100 Main St. SE (St. Anthony Main)
•Theodore Wirth Beach (Glenwood Ave.)
•Midtown Greenway & 5th Ave. S
•Lake St. & Knox Ave. S
•Minneapolis Farmers Market (Border Ave. and 3rd Ave. N)

Locate stations with Nice Ride’s online station map.

Neighborhood Walking Group

This is simply an informal gathering of neighbors - the group decides the route.  :)

Week 7 at the 2015 Mill City Farmers Market

For the second Saturday in a row we woke up to rain.  But the weather quickly turned around for the June 20 Market, and it got downright steamy by the time the Mill City Cooks demo started. Good thing Surly Brewing Co was on hand sampling some of their craft brews!

Northern Waters Smokehaus is a new Vendor this year.  Look for a separate post later this week under our Farmers Market blog.

Get ideas on how to use in-season produce from the Meet Your Vegetables team. Look for a separate post later this week under our Farmers Market blog.

Viola blossoms from Seven Songs Organic Farm.  :)

Is it just me, or does it look like there's a giant bread hand coming out of that basket?

Wilber's back! Visit ArtAndes to learn his story, as told by Melanie Ebertz (who happens to be one of my favorite people!).

The goat!

Northern Spark by the Numbers

Via a June 19 Northern Lights.mn e-newsletter:

Thank you to all of our artists, partners, attendees, donors, sponsors, and volunteers. You rock.

Attendees: 53,000
Artists and performers: 110
Projects: 75
 Organizational partners: 31
 Hours trending on Twitter: 25 hours, 50 minutes
 Hours at #1 in Minneapolis on Twitter: 11
Facebook views during the week of the festival: 62,000
Instagram likes: 1,270
Website page views: 238,792
Unique website visitors: 84,162
Nice Ride trips: Over 1,500, setting a new one-day record for Sunday
Metro Transit free rides: 2314
Food trucks: 18
Website crashes: 50 billion times. (Sorry about that.)
Pancakes served: 500
Prairie Vespers served: 372

We look forward to seeing you next year, June 11, 2016, at dusk.

Northern Spark is free for everyone to attend, but we rely on you for support to make it happen. We still need your help to meet our goal for individual giving before the end of the fiscal year, June 30. If you enjoyed Northern Spark, please contribute generously.

UPDATE - Bridge 9 Closure Postponed to Monday, June 22

Via a June 18 City of Minneapolis e-newsletter:

The Bridge 9 portion of the Dinkytown Greenway will be closed Monday, June 22 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Bridge 9, which carries the Dinkytown Greenway over the Mississippi River, will be closed to all bicycle and pedestrian traffic during this time for work on the bridge. The nearby 10th Ave and Washington Ave bridges over the Mississippi River will remain open to bicycle and pedestrian traffic.

This is a rescheduling of the closure originally scheduled for Friday, June 19. Bridge 9 will remain open to bicycle and pedestrian traffic tomorrow.

See the bicycle and pedestrian detour page for bicycle and pedestrian detour information throughout city.

The Northeast Farmers Market is Exanding to Thursdays at The Grain Belt Apartments

Northeast Minneapolis Farmers Market at The Grain Belt
July 9th – September 24th
Thursdays, 4:00pm – 7:00pm

(MINNEAPOLIS – June 18, 2015) Celebrate our new expansion and the community spirit of the Northeast Farmers Market on a Thursday evening!

The Northeast Minneapolis Farmers Market is pleased to announce the opening of a new weekday market at The Grain Belt Apartments.

In addition to the Saturday market, we will bring a variety of vendors to this new location every Thursday from 4pm-7pm, July 9th through September 24th. Enjoy the same great live music while visiting with new friends and familiar faces. We’ll bring you fresh, locally grown produce, flowers, baked goods, jam, specialty foods, cold treats, a food truck and more.

**********************

Northeast Farmers Market at The Grain Belt

Thursdays, 4:00pm-7:00pm
 July 9th – September 24th, 2015
 1215 Marshall Street NE    
Minneapolis, MN 55413
http://www.northeastmarket.org/
http://www.thegrainbeltmpls.com/

Road Closures for June 20-21 Stone Arch Bridge Festival

Via a June 18 Minneapolis Park and Rec Board e-newsletter:

The following parkways will be temporarily closed June 20-21:
 
June 20 - Stone Arch Bridge Festival - 9:00am to 10:00pm
SE Main Street from Merriam Street to 6th Avenue.
3rd Ave from 2nd Street to SE Main St. (Access for Residents)
6th Ave from 2nd Street to Stone Arch Bridge (Access for Residents)
 
June 21 - Stone Arch Bridge Festival - 9:00am to  9:00pm
SE Main Street from Hennepin Ave to 6th Avenue
Merriam Ave (Bridge)
3rd Ave from 2nd Street to SE Main St. (Access for Residents)
6th Ave from 2nd Street to Stone Arch Bridge (Access for Residents)

CenterPoint Energy Project Status Update for Downtown Minneapolis

MN Limited, LLC. and Michels Corporation, two authorized CenterPoint Energy contractors, will continue installing natural gas pipeline in the following locations:

Hennepin Avenue, from Washington Avenue N. to 2nd Street N.:
•Crews continue to install pipe along the east sidewalk of Hennepin Avenue.
•Crews will be working 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday for the next two weeks.
•No parking is allowed along northbound Hennepin Avenue. The bike lane and sidewalk are also closed.  
•Please anticipate intermittent lane closures for eastbound and westbound Washington Avenue N. traffic.

2nd Street S., from 3rd Avenue S. to MacPhail Center for Music:
•Crews continue to work eastwards in this area.
•Parking lots and ramps remain accessible.

2nd Street S., from 5th Avenue S. to Portland Avenue S.:
•From Monday, June 22nd to Friday, June 26th, this road will be closed.
•Local businesses and parking ramps will remain open.

At the intersection of 2nd Street S. and 9th Avenue S.:
•This intersection will be closed until approximately Friday, June 19th.
•Access to businesses will remain open.

At the intersection of 2nd Street S. and 11th Avenue S.:
•Crews are working west of this intersection  
•The intersection is open and restored.

MPRB's Annual 4th of July Celebration

Celebrate the 4th of July during Minneapolis Red, White and Boom, a two-day celebration hosted by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. The event, held along the downtown Minneapolis Riverfront, features live music, great food, fun activities for the whole family, and the grand finale – fireworks!

On July 4, Father Hennepin Bluff Park will offer FREE family activities in the Family Fun Zone from 6 pm to 9:30 pm. Activities include balloon twisters, caricature artists, hair painters and face painters. Live music will be playing at Mill Ruins Park and Father Hennepin Park from 6 pm to 10 pm. The Red, White and Boom Celebration closes with a spectacular fireworks display along the Riverfront at 10 pm.

Hot Dam 5K

Friday, July 3, 6:30 pm Register

There’s still time to register for the Hot Dam 5K! Take in the beautiful view of the Minneapolis skyline as you enjoy a walk or run on the most scenic course in Minneapolis, which includes Historic Main Street and the Stone Arch Bridge.

Funds raised will benefit the firework fund for future Red, White and Boom Celebrations in Minneapolis. After Party includes outdoor concert by Chris Koza followed by the outdoor film “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”. Pre-registration is open through Tuesday, June 30, 2015.

NEW DATE: Cynthia Froid Group Ice Cream Social Moved to July 15

NOTE:  The Ice Cream Social originally scheduled for June 17 has been move to July 15.

Thank you to Cynthia Froid and staff for the hosting this fun event!

Participate in the July 4 Great Mississippi River Photo Shoot

Great Mississippi River Photo Shoot

Take a picture anytime between sunrise and sunset on July 4th, 2015 to enter the Great Mississippi River Photo Shoot.

A general description of the photo, the location, and who took the photo should be sent to irishvoyageur@aol.com and will be used to create a composite of river photos from Lake Itasca to the Gulf.

Here's a collection of photos taken by multiple photographers along the length of the Mississippi River on February 1, 2015:

Bridge 9 Portion of Dinkytown Greenway Closed on Friday, June 19

Via a June 15 City of Minneapolis e-newsletter:

The Bridge 9 portion of the Dinkytown Greenway will be closed Friday, June 19 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Bridge 9, which carries the Dinkytown Greenway over the Mississippi River, will be closed to all bicycle and pedestrian traffic during this time for work on the bridge.

The 10th Ave and Washington Ave bridges over the Mississippi River will remain open to bicycle and pedestrian traffic.

See the bicycle and pedestrian detour page for bicycle and pedestrian detour information throughout city.