Grand Opening Celebration for Dinkytown Greenway Phase 3

The grand opening celebration of the Dinkytown Greenway - Phase 3 took place July 20. This new trail project provides a direct bicycle and pedestrian connection from the East Bank of the University of Minnesota to downtown Minneapolis by utilizing a tunnel under I-35W.

Council Members Jacob Frey and Cam Gordon lead bike rides from Gateway Park and TCF Bank Stadium, respectively, to meet up at the Bluff Street Park for an opening ceremony and ribbon cutting at 1:30pm. In addition to Frey and Gordon, speakers included Mayor Hodges, Minneapolis Park and Rec Board Commissioner Scott Vreeland, Hennepin County 4th District Commissioner Peter McLaughlin and several others. Following the ceremony, the group departed on a ceremonial ride thru the tunnel.

Council Member Jacob Frey addressing the crowd

The inaugural ride through the Dinkytown Greenway tunnel under I-35W

Photos from the event

Week 11 at the Mill City Farmers Market

Well, hello, you spectacular blueberries! We've been expecting you.  :D

There are plenty of cheese options at the Market to pair with chocolate from French Nugget.

The wait is over - Wild Run Salmon is back.

Orange Mighty Trio!

The Market staff conduct ongoing quick-to-answer surveys throughout the season to gain insight on what draws people to the MCFM.

Display of the Day goes to Down in the Valley Bakehouse.  Their wonderful gluten-free treats used to be displayed inside a case. At the July 19 Market, everything was out in the open, making them pretty irresistible.

This was the first Market in 5 years that Lynne Reeck of Singing Hills Goat Dairy wasn't able to attend - so The Goat got to wear her hat.

We shop 'til the bags are full! :)

July 25-31 Programming from The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul

Showing July 25-31: Multiple Goya Award winning Beatles infused road movie: LIVING IS EASY WITH EYES CLOSED.  More info here: http://mspfilm.org/films-and-events/living-is-easy-with-eyes-closed/

Showing July 25-31:  Mysterious coming of age drama starring Silas Yelich, Peter Scanavino, Lili Taylor: THE COLD LANDS.  More info here: http://mspfilm.org/films-and-events/the-cold-lands/

July 26 One night only: As part of The Film Society’s Dark Out genre film series is Award winning Spanish director Manuel Martin Cuenca’s deliciously bizarre romance: CANNIBAL. More info here: http://mspfilm.org/films-and-events/cannibal/

Updated summer schedule here: http://mspfilm.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/society.summercalendar.1.pdf

Film Society upcoming Programming Calendar here: http://bit.ly/UrKz5z

Start Planning - 2014 Minnesota Fringe Festival Starts in 2 Weeks!

 

Minnesota Fringe Festival  July 31 – August 10

The Minnesota Fringe is an 11-day uncurated performance festival featuring original theater, dance and musical productions. Founded in 1994, the Minnesota Fringe is one of the oldest and largest fringe festivals in the country.

Check out the website - you can sort by Show (there are 169), Tickets (Single show, Multi-Show Passes, Kids Passes, Student Passes, Ultra Pass), or Venue (there are 19).  With so many options, it's a good idea to start planning now!

Friends of the Hennepin County Library Announces 2014 Talk of the Stacks Line Up

Talk of the Stacks is a reading series exploring contemporary literature and culture, held at the Minneapolis Central Library. Programs are free and open to the public. Seating is first come, first served. Programs begin at 7 pm. Doors open at 6:15 pm. Books are available for sale and signing. Signing follows lecture.

Funding provided by National Endowment for the Arts.
Additional support provided by MinnPost and Magers and Quinn Booksellers.

Upcoming Events

August 11 Talk of the Stacks with J.A. Jance

September 10 Talk of the Stacks with Lorna Landvik

October 11 Talk of the Stacks with Steven Pinker

 

October 30 Talk of the Stacks with Dana Cowin

 November 18 Talk of the Stacks with Michael Bazzett

Great River Road Public Open House - July 21 at Boom Island

Via a July 14 News Release from the Mississippi River Parkway Commission of Minnesota:

The public is invited to participate in activities to help guide a new Minnesota Great River Road Corridor Management Plan. This summer, the Great River Road project team will be providing opportunities for the public to share their stories, places and connections they have with the Mississippi River and the land along the scenic byway.

Open houses are scheduled to be held at locations along the Mississippi River, in Minneapolis, St. Cloud, Winona, Bemidji, Grand Rapids and Brainerd.  Please join your neighbors on Monday, July 21, at the Boom Island Park Picnic Shelter, 724 Sibley Street NE, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.

The Great River Road is a National Scenic Byway consisting of a series of roads which follow along the route of the Mississippi River through 10 states; the longest 575 mile stretch winds through the state of Minnesota. From the headwaters of the Mississippi at Lake Itasca to the scenic bluffs leading to the Iowa border, the byway presents an opportunity to experience the natural, cultural and historical connection Minnesota has with the mighty Mississippi River.

The project also offers online opportunities to learn more about the Great River Road Corridor Management Plan or to participate in an online survey. Visit the Minnesota Great River Road website at http://www.mnmississippiriver.com/ or join our river exploration using Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram using @GreatRiverRdMN or Great River Road MN.

To request an ASL or foreign language interpreter, or other reasonable accommodations, call 651-341-4196 or email info@mnmississippiriver.com.

Dinkytown Greenway Phase 3: Grand Opening Celebration and Ride

Via a July 14 e-newsletter from the City of Minnapolis:

Please join the community this Sunday, July 20th for the grand opening celebration of the Dinkytown Greenway - Phase 3. This new trail project provides a direct bicycle and pedestrian connection from the East Bank of the University of Minnesota to downtown Minneapolis. Beginning at 1:00 p.m., Council Member Frey and Council Member Gordon will lead bike rides from Gateway Park and TCF Bank Stadium, respectively. The group rides will meet near the intersection of 20th Avenue South and Northern Pacific Bridge Number 9 for an opening ceremony and ribbon cutting at 1:30 p.m.

Event Details:

• What: Dinkytown Greenway - Phase 3 Grand Opening Celebration and Ride
• Who: Mayor Hodges, Council Members Frey & Gordon, and community members
• When: Sunday, July 20th, 2014
  • 1:00 p.m. - Pre-ceremony rides depart from TCF Bank Stadium and Gateway Park
  • 1:30 p.m. - Opening ceremony and ribbon cutting with Mayor Hodges. After remarks, join officials for a ceremonial ride through the tunnel.

An event flyer with a map is attached. We hope to see you there!

• DTGreenway3_GrandOpeningFlyer.pdf

Week 10 at the Mill City Farmers Market

July 12 - the first tomatoes of the 2014 Market season!

Display of Day - WEI.  I don't recall seeing Wheat Grass at the Market before.

This week Sonny's Ice Cream featured a French Lavender gelato, using lavender from French Nugget.

Loon Organics makes it easy for you - they include a pesto recipe with each bag of fresh basil.

Whoa - that is one gigantic radish! Is it starting to grow a twin?

It's too early!

The goat!

Reminder - Temporary Street Closures Monday, July 14

The Mill City Museum will be hosting a 5,000 person invitation-only Major League Baseball All-Star Gala the evening of July 14.

I've seen a number of road closure postings, all with conflicting info.  Here are some of the postings:

- Traffic will be reduced to one lane on West River Parkway on July 13, and the parkway will be completely closed on July 14.
- West River Parkway, from 4th Avenue North to 13th Avenue South – Closed 7 p.m. Monday to 1:30 a.m. Tuesday. The section of the parkway from Portland Avenue to 11th Avenue South will close all day Monday until 10 a.m. Tuesday.
- 2nd Street South, from Portland Avenue to 11th Avenue South – Closed from 9 p.m. Monday to 1:30 a.m. Tuesday. Side streets along this stretch will also be closed to Washington Avenue during this time.
- July 14- All-Star Gala - 12:00a.m. to 9:00:p.m. - West River Parkway - Between 11th Ave and Portland Ave.

We can't vouch for any of these.  Just be aware that Monday night might get tricky for some buildings in and around the Mill District - so plan accordingly!

Mpls.St.Pa​ul Magazine'​s Restaurant Week is July 20-25

Mpls.St.Paul Magazine’s Restaurant Week started in 2007 in an effort to connect Twin Cities food enthusiasts with the best in Twin Cities dining. Participating restaurants will serve two course lunches for $10-$20 and three-course dinners for $15-$30 (beverage, tax and gratuity not included).

Click here for more info and to view the list of restaurants in our riverfront neighborhoods.

West River Parkway Remains Closed as Soil Testing Begins

Via a July 9 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board:

A section of West River Parkway remains closed as the Minneapolis Park Board, Fairview Hospital and engineers work to determine the stability of the slope above the parkway that collapsed on June 19. Due to the slope’s sharp angle and shifting, wet surface, moving the soil boring testing equipment into place has proved more challenging than anticipated. However, engineers are now expected to begin core sample testing today, July 9.

Patron safety is the Park Board’s primary concern. Until soil samples are taken and analyzed and the area is determined to be safe, West River Parkway will remain closed between 4th Street and the Franklin Avenue Bridge. This includes the parkway and the adjacent pedestrian and bike trails. Trail users are unable to travel beyond the barricades and fencing installed on both sides of the impacted area.

The parkway detour for motorized vehicles, cyclists and pedestrian traffic follows Franklin Ave E to Riverside Ave to 4th Street S. Trail and parkway users approaching the area from the south will access the detour at Franklin Ave. Trail and parkway users approaching the area from the north will access the detour at 4th Street S. Detour signs are posted along the detour route.

Cynthia Froid Group Invites You to View the Amazing River Rats Water Ski Show from a Kayak

As a special “Thank You” for the support of their clients and neighbors, the Cynthia Froid Group invites you to join them during Aquatennial week to view the Amazing River Rats Water Ski Show from KAYAKS (their treat!).

Details:

Wednesday, July 23, 6:30pm - meet at Above the Falls Sports, 120 3rd Avenue N.

RSVP by Friday, July 18, to admin@cynthiafroid.com,
or call Kyle at 612-568-8571.

The group will return at 9:30pm.

  

MPRB Announces Pollinator Party: A Celebration of Bees

Editors Note:  While this event takes place outside of our usual riverfront coverage area, we recognize the interest and concern many of our neighbors have for honey bees, and felt it was important to share this information.

Via a July 7 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board:

Pollinator Party: A Celebration of Bees
It’ll be a honey of a party!

Have you heard the buzz? Honey bees and wild bees play a major role in the productivity of American agriculture through the pollination of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds.

Join us for the 2014 Pollinator Party on Thursday, July 24, from 5 – 8 p.m. at Lyndale Park Gardens on the east side of Lake Harriet. The party will be on the open lawn just north of the Peace Garden. This event is free. Enjoy a picnic in the park - food and beverage will be available for purchase from La Loma Tomales.

The Pollinator Party brings together bees, scientists, beekeepers, food, and live music. This annual event also provides an opportunity for people of all ages to celebrate the life and work of honey bees and native bees.

At dusk, enjoy the Disney movie “Wings of Life” which offers an intimate and unprecedented look at butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, bats and flowers.

Event details:

- Learn about honey bees and urban bee keeping
- Discover the life cycles of honey bees and wild bees – and sample Minnesota honey
- Mother Earth Gardens will be on hand with native plants and information about making your own backyard bee-hospitable.
- Earn a cone of ice-cream made with honey
- Discover the wild bees of the park – help catch, identify, and release bees
- Engage in Art in the Park with the Minneapolis Institute of Arts
- Meet Elena Hoffman, the 2014 American Honey Princess
- Make seed bombs with Eggplant Urban Farm Supply
- Learn about native bee nests with the Xerces Society
- Get arty with Bee Swell
- Learn about skin care from bee products with Worker B
- Book signing for “Pollinators of Native Plants” with author Heather Holm
- Learn about monarchs with Monarch Joint Venture
- Get honey recipes from MN Honey Company
- Play the pollination game with the MN DNR's Biological Survey
- Learn how to protect bees and other beneficial insects with Pollinator Revival
- Listen to live music from: Pop Wagner, Dreamland Faces and the Brass Messengers

Event partners include the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, University of Minnesota Bee Lab and Bee Squad, the Bell Museum and the Beez Kneez.

The 2014 Pollinator Party is sponsored by sponsored by KFAI 90.3 Fresh Air Radio.

Please visit the MPRB’s website for more information about beekeeping programs and events in our parks!

Week 9 at the 2014 Mill City Farmers Market

The previous late night revelry of the Independence Day Holiday had no affect on the July 5 Market bustle. The first raspberries of the season arrived at the Market today - and they didn't last long. We couldn't pass up a surprise late season batch of tender asparagus from Prairie Hollow Farm.  The Star Trib was at the Market interviewing Melanie Ebertz of Art Andes and master weaver Wilber Quispe for an upcoming Duets feature in the Lifestyle section - can't wait to read it!

One of the many breakfast options at the Market...

Garlic scapes trying to escape?

I can sum up these new Bourbon Marshmallows from Very Prairie real quick: MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM-MMMMMMMMMMM!

The goat!

Oops - it was such a busy morning we totally spaced out the "Display of the Day" shot.  Look for it next week. In the mean time, this ice cream cone from Sonny's pretty much sums up a great day at the Market - delicious summer joy.  :)

Happy Independence Day! Here's What's Happening!

The day starts at 6:30am in Father Hennepin Bluffs Park with the Red, White & Boom! TC Half Marathon, which runs through scenic Northeast Minneapolis, ending on the beautiful Stone Arch Bridge.

Live Music and Family Activities 6pm-10pm

Join friends and family in Father Hennepin Park for FREE family activities in the Family Fun Zone. Live music will be playing at Mill Ruins Park and Father Hennepin Bluffs Park.

Fireworks 10pm

The Red, White and Boom Celebration closes with a spectacular fireworks display along the Riverfront at 10pm.
View More Information

July 24 Riverfront Vitality Forum: What's Next for the Upper Harbor Terminal?

Via a July 2 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership:

Minneapolis Upper Harbor Terminal –  What's Next for the 48 Acres of Riverfront Property?
 
With the closing of the Upper Harbor Terminal along the Mississippi Riverfront in North Minneapolis at the end of 2014, 48 acres will be available for development.
 
Join a panel of local experts as we discuss the question:     
 
How do we redevelop in a way that both creates jobs and provides a meaningful place to live, work and interact with our environment?  What does that mean in an urban setting?
 
The panel will be kicked off by City Council President Barb Johnson.  The panel includes experts from the City, Park Board, Metropolitan Council, development community and the National Park Service, including:

•Joe Mullery, Northside neighborhood resident, Minnesota House of Representatives
•Gary Cunningham, Council Member, Metropolitan Council
•John Anfinson, Interim Superintendent, National Park Service
•Kjersti Monson, Director of Long Range Planning, City of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development
•Kristin Guild, Business Development Manager, City of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development
•Bruce Chamberlain, Assistant Superintendent for Planning, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
•Kit Richardson, Principal, Schafer Richardson

Time: 6pm to 7:30pm
Location: Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, 2522 Marshall Street NE

Space is limited. Click here to reserve your ticket now!

Your Input is Needed on New Rules to Protect the Mississippi River

Via a July 1 e-newsletter from Friends of the Mississippi River:

Attend a public meeting on the draft MRCCA rules in July. Let's make sure the public's support for strong river protections is heard loud and clear by the DNR.

The DNR has released draft Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA) rules and opened their public comment period which will close August 15, 2014.  Your voice, values, and concerns need to be heard to protect, enhance, and restore the Mississippi River corridor and the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA) in the Twin Cities area for generations to come.

1) Attend an upcoming DNR meeting
Three public information meetings are scheduled:
 
Wednesday, July 16th - 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Greenhaven Golf Course (courtesy of City of Anoka)
2800 Greenhaven Road, Anoka, MN 55303 
 
Tuesday, July 22nd - 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Nova Classical Academy
1455 Victoria Way W., St. Paul, MN 55102 
 
Thursday, July 24th - 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Schaar's Bluff Gathering Center (Spring Lake Park Reserve)
8395 127th Street E, Hastings, MN 55033
Get more information about these meetings

Download a printable meeting flyer

2) Submit written comments
For submission information and tips on written comments, please visit the DNR's site.

Interested in more information?

1) Visit FMR's Critical Area webpage

2) Contact us! 

Irene Jones, River Corridor Director
ijones@fmr.org
651-222-2193 x11

Alicia Uzarek, Policy Advocate
auzarek@fmr.org
651-222-2193 x29

Sound Point Provides Audio Tour of METRO Green Line Public Art

Via a Metro Transit e-newsletter:

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – (July 1) – METRO Green Line customers can experience another dimension of public art at new light-rail stations with Sound Point® – an interactive audio tour offered by Metro Transit and Minnesota Public Radio.

Each of the 18 new Green Line stations – from Union Depot Station in Lowertown St. Paul to West Bank Station on the Minneapolis campus of University of Minnesota – features public art representative of its surrounding community. The stories behind the artworks can now be discovered through first-person recorded interviews with the artists themselves. Sound Point interviews can be accessed by mobile device via texting a short code or scanning a QR code printed on posters at each station. Interviews are also available online through Green Line station pages at metrotransit.org.

“There are millions of stories related to the neighborhoods served by the Green Line,” said Metro Transit General Manger Brian Lamb. “Public art at stations helps express the unique stories of those communities and Sound Point allows artists to express the stories behind these inspiring works.” 

“MPR knows how to tell stories with sound, and now mobile devices let us share stories about a place with listeners who are standing right there," said Jeff Jones, MPR's Sound Point producer. "It's great that there are 18 brand new works of public art spread across our cities. This partnership allows Green Line riders to learn directly from the artists who created them."

Metro Transit and MPR have previously collaborated on a Sound Point tour of the Northstar Commuter Rail line that runs from Target Field in Minneapolis to Big Lake, Minn. The Northstar audio tour is available at metrotransit.org/northstar. Other Sound Point locations around the state include the Enger Tower in Duluth and public art and murals in Minneapolis.

Direct links to METRO Green Line station pages:

> Union Depot
> Central
> 10th Street
> Robert Street
> Capitol/Rice
> Western Avenue
> Dale Street
> Victoria Street
> Lexington Parkway
> Hamline Avenue
> Snelling Avenue
> Fairview Avenue
> Raymond Avenue
> Westgate
> Prospect Park
> Stadium Village
> East Bank
> West Bank

In addition to Sound Point, the posters at each Green Line station feature photos and descriptions of the surrounding neighborhood. Content was developed in collaboration with neighborhood groups from each station area to provide residents and visitors additional history and information about communities along the Central Corridor.  

Metro Transit is a service of the Metropolitan Council. Customers boarded buses and trains operated by Metro Transit more than 81 million times in 2013.

Minnesota Public Radio® (MPR) operates a 45-station radio network serving nearly all of Minnesota and parts of surrounding states. Reaching 900,000 listeners each week, MPR and its three regional services — MPR News, Classical MPR and The Current — produce programming for radio, online and face-to-face audiences. Programs produced by MPR’s parent company, American Public Media™, reach more than 18 million listeners on more than 900 radio stations nationwide each week. A complete list of stations, programs and additional services can be found at minnesotapublicradio.org.  MPR meets all 27 of the Charities Review Council (CRC) Accountability Standards. Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio. Data are estimates only.

Week 8 at the 2014 Mill City Farmers Market

This beautiful array at the Seed to Seed Farm stand gave Dave the idea of highlighting a "Display of the Day" for the remainder of the 2014 season.   Honorable mention to Women's Environmental Institute for their creative use of a shopping cart. :)

You will never be disappointed by the cool treats from Sonny's stand.  However, they had an exceptional flavor at the June 28 Market - Goat Cheese Honey with Herbs Gelato.  They incorporate ingredients from Market vendors in some of their creations, and this one featured Singing Hills Goat Dairy and Ames Farm.

Good Lord!  Check out the size of these dandelion greens!

Not a Market Member yet?  You should be! Every week you can take advantage of deals throughout the Market wherever you see these green and orange flags:

Every Wednesday the MCFM sends out an e-newsletter (the Mill City Beet) outlining what's happening at the next Market (including which vendors will have specials that week).  Sign up and get the most out of the Market!

The goat!

Reminder - Streets Closures for Pride Parade on Sunday, June 29

Minneapolis will close several streets downtown on Sunday, June 29, for the Ashley Rukes GLBT Pride Parade. The following streets will be closed:

Beginning at 8:00am:

◦ Hennepin Avenue will close from 8th Street S. to 9th Street S. for the Pride Block Party.
◦ 3rd St. S. will close for staging of the parade from Hennepin Ave. to Portland Ave. S. Cross traffic will be allowed at all times.
◦ Hennepin Avenue will close from 3rd Street South to Spruce Place. Cross traffic will be allowed as normal until 10:30 a.m.
◦ Some cross traffic will be restricted from crossing Hennepin Avenue. Traffic will be allowed to cross Hennepin at 4th, 5th, 7th, 10th, and 11th streets.
◦ Spruce Place will close from Hennepin Avenue to Yale Place.
◦ Yale Place will close from Spruce Place to Loring Park.

These streets will reopen following the parade at about 3:00pm.