February 8 at the Mill City Farmers Market; Exciting News

I overhead someone say, "I wish they had these winter markets every Saturday."  Me too.  :)

And now for the exciting news...

During the February 8 Market, Dave began introducing Mill District resident Rachel Kahn to vendors.

Rachel is a gluten free food writer and wellness consultant, whose philosophy is 'healthy food is decadence inspired'. She will be meeting with MCFM vendors and doing in-depth pieces on products near and dear to her heart, such as Kiss My Cabbage's lacto-fermented creations and Sunrise Flour Mill's Turkey Red Heritage Wheat.

Learn more about Rachel at http://www.loveself.org/. You can reach her at rachel@loveself.org, www.loveselfmagazine.com

Dave and I can't wait to start sharing Rachel's upcoming articles!

Tomorrow! Mill City Farmers Market at the Mill City Museum

Join us tomorrow from 10:00am - 1:00pm for the Mill City Farmers Market inside the Mill City Museum! 

What: A bustling marketplace of over 40 local vendors where you can shop for everything from squash and spinach to wild rice, local honey, maple syrup, pastured meats, eggs, specialty cheeses, baked goods, kimchi, preserves, hand-made artisan gifts, heart-shaped chocolates and other indulgences for Valentine’s Day!

Produce Planner: potatoes, onions, carrots, shallots, cabbage, beets, parsnips, rutabagas, spinach, frozen raspberries, and MORE!

Live Music, 11 am – 1 pm: Back by popular demand: Moonlight Duo! Featuring an eclectic mix of traditional Southern roots music, bluesy old-time songs, and Appalachian and Irish dance tunes spiced with Cajun and country swing.

Featured Local Artists: Crookedwood, The Ink Orchard, The Abbey, Matthew Krousey Ceramics, Heinz Brummel, Old World Cabinet, Aprilierre, and Christy Wetzig Ceramics.

Additional Mill City Farmers Market 2013-2014 Winter Market dates:

March 8
March 15 (at the Arboretum, Chanhassen)
April 12

New Webster School Public Feedback Meeting Scheduled for February 18 at RiverWest

Minneapolis Public Schools are planning to re-open the Webster School in the fall of 2015. The Downtown Minneapolis School Initiative - a joint committee of the North Loop Neighborhood Association, Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association and Elliot Park Neighborhood - is hosting a 7:00pm meeting on Tuesday, February 18, to collect your thoughts and ideas for the new Webster School. The meeting will take place at RiverWest (Condominium Social Room), 401 South 1st Street.

All neighbors and families impacted by this new school are invited to attend and provide feedback.

Contact Adam Schiff, adamdschiff@gmail.com, or Eric Laska, elaska@gmail.com, with quesitons.

The Bakken Trio Returns to MacPhail February 16 with Passion From the Pampas...

Upcoming Film Festivals from The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul

Check out these upcoming Film Festivals from The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul, starting with the 5th Annual Minnesota Cuban Film Festival, playing every Thursday from February 20 - March 27:

 

February 1 at Izzy's - All Purchases Will Help Support People Serving People

It's a win-win for everyone - stock up on the ice cream you love while helping support the important work at People Serving People.  On February 1, a portion of each purchase at Izzy's Ice Cream goes to support People Serving People, and helps move families from homelessness to self-sufficiency.

Carnaval Brasileiro Scheduled for March 8 at Muse Event Center

Carnaval Brasileiro, now in its 12th year, celebrates with TWO shows at Muse Event Center March 8.

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan 23, 2014 -- It’s time for winter's biggest party, "Carnaval Brasileiro 2014" (Brazilian Carnival)! On March 8, over 80 singers, drummers, samba dancers, and artisans will transform Muse Event Center into an authentically festive Brazilian cultural experience!

Guitarist/vocalist Robert Everest and his ten-piece group Beira Mar Brasil host Carnaval Brasileiro. Everest is a world music expert and leads a band steeped in the sounds of Brazil -- Samba, Baião, Frevo, and other dance-inducing styles from throughout the country. Singer and samba dancer extraordinaire Dandara Odara will join Everest on stage. Direct from Salvador da Bahia, Brazil’s famous party-loving city, Dandara performs at over 50 carnival celebrations around the world each year in Europe, North America, and of course, Brazil. 2014 will mark her eighth straight appearance in Carnaval Brasileiro of the Twin Cities.

In addition to Dandara, Everest, and Beira Mar Brasil, other performers will include the fifty drummers from Brazilian percussion ensembles Batucada Do Norte and Drumheart, professional samba dancers Edilson Lima and Vanessa Luiz from São Paulo, Brazil, and the Brazilian martial arts group Omulu Capoeira Guanabara.

Carnaval guests will be able to purchase true Brazilian drinks, try out carnival masks created by master Brazilian artisan Goretti, or have their face and body painted (just like they do it in Rio!).

This year’s event will include an all-ages afternoon family matinee (with mask and instrument making, dance lessons, and face painting for kids). Both afternoon and evening shows will take place at one of the premier venues in the Twin Cities, the newly opened venue Muse Event Center (formerly Trocaderos, completely renovated).

The annual Carnaval, celebrated throughout Brazil, lasts nearly a week and has roots dating back to the 1700s. Like Mardi Gras, Carnaval is an all-out party with music, masks, dancing, food and drink - a final blowout before Lenten traditions kick in for the Easter season. This Minneapolis edition of Carnaval falls a week after it is celebrated in Brazil, allowing for so many of the special guests to come to Minneapolis.

Beira Mar Brasil, a band with over 15 years of history, features Brazilian music veteran Robert Everest on guitar, cavaquinho, and vocals. He is joined by keyboards, bass, drums, a horn section, and multiple percussionists. The group has performed at prestigious events, including the 15th Anniversary of the Sculpture Garden at the Walker, the planet Ordway series at the Ordway and at the 2011 Children’s Heartlink Gala. Everest has toured throughout the world, has performed with Manhattan Samba in New York, and has appeared at the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's annual gala in the Twin Cities. Special guest Dandara, who has been referred to as the "Brazilian Tina Turner," has performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival and other premier events in cities including Los Angeles, Paris, London, and Lyon. 

DATE:      Saturday, March 8, 2014
TIMES:     2 pm (doors at 1:30) Special All-ages Family Matinee
                9 pm (doors at 8) 18+ Full Brazilian Music, Dance, & Drink Extravaganza
VENUE:    Muse Event Center, 107 3rd Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55401
TICKETS: 2 pm Afternoon Show: $10 in advance, $15 at the door
               9 pm Evening Show: $17 in advance, $25 at the door
        
Tickets available after Feb. 1 at www.carnavalbrasileiro.org

Magna Health and Fitness Will Be a 2014 CSA Drop Site for LTD Farm

 

Magna Health and Fitness recently announced they will be a 2014 CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) drop site LTD (Livng the Dream) Farm.

Photo credit - LTD Farm website  

Dr. Tara Schug explained, "Magna wanted to become a CSA drop site because it directly speaks to our core mission statement 'to teach people to be healthy for life'.  A big part of this is a lifelong commitment to healthy eating and a diet rich in clean, wholesome, locally-sourced foods.  By providing easy access to fresh produce and proteins, we are encouraging our community to live more healthy lives.

LTD Farm was recommended to us by a local health coach and friend of Magna, Jenni Floring. She blogs about her personal health struggles and shares some great recipes that she created using items from her CSA from LTD Farm last summer.  Her story and recipes can be found at www.thehealingplate.blogspot.com.

After researching many options, it was obvious that LTD farm offers great variety, has a farming philosophy that aligns with Magna's core philosophy, and has an easily maneuverable website to serve it's members."

Click here for more information on LTD Farm's CSA program.

Day Block Brewing Company Officially Opens Monday, January 27

We're excited to welcome our newest Mill District neighbor, Day Block Brewing Company, 1105 Washington Avenue South.  They officially open tomorrow, January 27, at 3pm.

Below, Partners Chris Hahn, Jeff Hahn and Cory Williamson raise a toast, each with a glass of their favorite brew.

Last week the staff invited us to a Happy Hour preview of their beers and menu.  The following are a few samples to whet your appetite.

We started with the Bacon Flight and Pickle Flight from the Snack menu.  Both are based on daily selections.  Each bacon cup includes a specially paired dipping sauce.

Next, we sampled three specialty pizzas, starting with Hungry Hungarian (Sour cream spread, Hungarian bacon, sausage, pickled onion, dill, ricotta):

Followed by the Taco Truck (Flank steak, radish, cilantro, pickled jalapeno, onion, cotija cheese):

... which I thought would be my favorite hands-down, but then we were introduced to the Bahn Mizza (Gochujang mayo, Vietnamese pork, scallion, pickled slaw, cilantro, maple-soy glaze) - wow!:

We finished off with cheesecake.   The one we sampled was peanut butter cup, but the flavor will change daily.

With each sample, Head Brewer Paul Johnston (pictured below in the bibs) and Chef/General Manager Joe Williams (to the left of Paul), explained how to pair beer with food.  They also discussed Day Block Brewing Company's philosophy on using locally-sourced ingredients.

Check out the What's on Tap? page for details on the current five brews.

The second floor is available for events, such as weddings and corporate meetings.  Drop them a line at contact@dayblockbrewing.com or call 612-617-7793 for more info.  Follow Day Block Brewing Company on Facebook to keep up with their latest happenings.  You might even get a chance to savor a "Hot Scotchie"!

Kare11 Segment on 35W Bridge Technology

In case you missed this piece when it aired last week:

June 14, 2014: Grand Opening for METRO Green Line

Via a January 22, 2014, e-newsletter from the Metropolitan Council:

(St. Paul) - Light rail between Minneapolis and St. Paul will link Twin Cities residents to neighborhoods and the two downtowns starting Saturday, June 14, with free rides and day-long community celebrations, Metropolitan Council Chair Susan Haigh said today.

“Starting service 60 years to the month after the last streetcar left the Twin Cities is fitting.” said Haigh, whose work on the METRO Green Line (Central Corridor LRT) dates back to her days on the Ramsey County Board.  “For me, seeing two vibrant downtowns, numerous job, education and medical centers, and, tens of thousands of people connected by this project is the most exciting part.”

The 11-mile corridor between the two downtowns links Union Depot in St. Paul’s Lowertown to the State Capitol complex, Midway, University of Minnesota and Target Field.  As the region’s second light rail line, the METRO Green Line will connect to the Blue Line (Hiawatha) at Downtown East Station.

The mid-June opening will allow the line to serve baseball fans attending Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game at Target Field in July.

The opening is nearly six months earlier than required by the Federal Transit Administration, which is funding half the $957 million project. The project is on budget.

The project created 5,445 construction jobs and $252 million in construction payroll, with workers coming from more than 60 Minnesota counties ranging from the Canadian border to Iowa. The METRO Green Line also created 177 permanent operations and maintenance jobs for downtown St. Paul and has spurred more than $1.7 billion in development along the line.

Event planning for opening day is underway, with the help of the Central Corridor Funders Collaborative, and involvement of the surrounding communities and businesses. Following a 9 a.m. speeches and ceremonial ribbon cutting at Union Depot, festivities and events for all ages are being planned from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at Union Depot Station, Central Station, Western Avenue Station, Victoria Street Station, Hamline Avenue Station, Raymond Avenue Station, Stadium Village Station and West Bank Station.  Metro Transit will offer free rides on the METRO Green Line and all other rail and bus routes June 14-15.

“The Central Corridor Funders Collaborative is a proud partner in planning and raising funds for the opening weekend,” said Polly Talen, program director for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and co-chair of the Funders Collaborative.  “We want to celebrate the opening of the line and all the neighborhoods along the way. Our intention is to help make possible large, community-driven celebrations on opening day that will acknowledge the community contributions to this line.”  Talen explained that station-area events will reflect the distinct flavor of the various neighborhoods and communities on the corridor and provide an opportunity for riders to experience what the communities have to offer.

Haigh thanked and acknowledged project partners, including the Federal Transit Administration and the Minnesota congressional delegation, Counties Transit Improvement Board, the State of Minnesota, Hennepin and Ramsey counties and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. She noted that both cities went above and beyond in encouraging and creating vibrant neighborhood development with excellent bicycle and pedestrian access along the line. Haigh heaped significant praise on the businesses and institutions, and community organizations along the corridor.

“This transit investment is finally on the verge of paying off for so many business owners, customers, students and others along the corridor. I can’t thank them enough for their patience and guidance during construction.  I am anxious for all of them to experience the vitality and renewal that has already begun along this light rail line and will continue far into the future,” Haigh said.

Project partners highlighted the significant impact opening the METRO Green Line will have on the entire region and the regional transit system.

Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, Chair of the Counties Transit Improvement Board and the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority noted, “The Green Line will re-twin the Twin Cities and move the regional transit system forward for everyone.  This will become the impetus for investment in other lines critical to the east metro.”

"From early planning studies almost 30 years ago to this moment, Ramsey County has understood the imperative of a central transit line connecting our Capitol city with neighborhoods, major institutions and Minneapolis,” said Commissioner Rafael Ortega, Chair of the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority. “We made significant financial investment into the planning, development and construction of this line and eagerly await opening day to be celebrated at Union Depot, our historic multi-modal transit hub.”

Regional business leaders also praised the project, highlighting its role in economic development.

“Nine years ago, the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Chambers launched the Central Corridor Partnership to ensure that this line would be built on time and on budget. It is exciting to see both of those objectives realized in the emergence of the Green Line, a vital link in the transit infrastructure necessary to support a thriving region,” said Todd Klingel, president of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber. 

 “The opening of the Green Line opens a new chapter in the storied history of the Twin Cities. Connecting the two downtowns, through the heart of the urban core, this line will spur economic development and provide dependable, consistent transit options in the years to come,” said Matt Kramer, president of the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce.

Updates to the June 14th celebration will be posted at www.metrotransit.org/greenline. Chick here to view a fact sheet on the project.

The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning organization in the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. The Council runs the regional bus and light rail system and Northstar commuter rail, collects and treats wastewater, coordinates regional water resources, plans regional parks and administers funds that provide housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income families. The Council board is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Governor.

Tonight: Pete Hohn Artist Reception at Carbon Chroma Gallery in the Northrup King Building

Pete Hohn is an award winning photojournalist for the Minneapolis Tribune and Rochester Post Bulletin. He captured Twin Cities life from the 1950s - 1980s.

Carbon Chroma Gallery, located in the Northrup King Building, is hosting an Artist Reception tonight, January 18, from 6-9pm. Pete's retrospective is on exhibit thru January 25.

Tonight! Neighborhood Meeting: Ryan Companies Downtown East Redevelopment Update at Open Book

Ryan Companies Downtown East Redevelopment Update

Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm

Location: Open Book, 1011 Washington Avenue South

The Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association, Elliot Park Neighborhood, Inc., the Mill District Neighborhood Association, and the East Downtown Council are co-hosting a joint neighborhood meeting tonight, January 16, 6:30pm at Open Book.

The joint meeting is an opportunity for Ryan Companies to give downtown residents and businesses an update on their Downtown East Redevelopment Project. This project was approved by the City’s Community Development Committee on Tuesday, December 10, and approved by the full City Council on December 13.

The Film Society of Mpls St. Paul Presents THE CRASH REEL January 10-16

THE CRASH REEL is screening January 10-16 at The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul's St. Anthony Main Theatre.

This eye-popping film seamlessly combines twenty years of stunning action footage with new specially-shot verité footage and interviews as it follows U.S. champion snowboarder Kevin Pearce and exposes the irresistible but potentially fatal appeal of extreme sports. 

View Trailer.

Parkway Closures for January 1, 2014

The following parkways will be temporarily closed January 1, 2014, for these race events:

January 1 – Polar Dash 14 Mile, 10K & 5K:  9:00am – 2:00pm – East River Parkway

January 1 – Life Time Fitness Commitment Day 5K:  6:30am – 10:30am – West River Parkway from Plymouth Avenue North to Franklin Avenue South

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.

Street Closures Around Metrodome for December 29 Vikings-Lions Game

The City of Minneapolis will close several streets around the Metrodome as a security measure for the Minnesota Vikings game versus the Detroit Lions this Sunday.

Beginning at 10:00am, Sunday, December 29, the City will close the following streets:

· Fifth Street, from 11th Avenue to Park Avenue
· Chicago Avenue, from Third Street to Sixth Street
· Fourth Street, from Park Avenue to I-35W
· Norm McGrew Place, from Third Street to Fourth Street

These roads will reopen approximately two hours after the completion of the game.

For real-time information for lane closures and construction in downtown Minneapolis, see the right-of-way permiting map.

New: Science on Screen Series from The Film Society of Mpls St. Paul

The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul, in collaboration with the Bakken Museum, is pleased to present Science on Screen, a new series of occasional screenings and discussions on science in film. The series is made possible through a grant by the Coolidge Corner Theatre, with support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

Science on Screen launches with a special presentation of James Whale’s 1935 The Bride of Frankenstein, and a pre-reception and introduction of the film and commentary by Rebecca Bergman.

By all accounts, including that of the late great Roger Ebert, this is the best of the Frankenstein films. Inspired by Mary Shelley's masterpiece, this brilliant, funny, satirical film explores the making of the Monster’s mate, with Boris Karloff (the Monster) and Elsa Lanchester (Mary Shelley). The restored print, highlighting the film’s great use of light and shadow, camera angles and architecture, is a revelation on the big screen. The film’s connections to Medtronic and to the Bakken Museum, both founded by Earl Bakken are many, including the use of electricity in medicine and the "in vitro" pacemaker used in the film by Dr. Frankenstein, which inspired Bakken to invent the modern pacemaker.

The first event is scheduled for Wednesday, January 15, 2014. Tickets are $15 General / $10 Film Society & Bakken Members, which includes light food, speaker, film and cash bar.  More Info, Purchase Tickets.

Aster River Room, 125 SE Main Street
5:00-7:00 Pre-Reception
6:00-6:45 Film Intro and commentary by Rebecca Bergman

St. Anthony Main Theatre
7:00-8:30 Film Screening
Informal Post-screening gathering at Aster Cafe River Room

Merry Christmas to our Mill District Neighbors!

Wishing you a delicious Holiday filled with family and friends. :)

Bridge Connecting Boom Island and Nicollet Island Closed

Via a December 23 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

Beginning Friday, December 20, 2013, pedestrians may have noticed barriers at both ends of the old railroad/pedestrian bridge over the Mississippi River east channel from Boom Island to Nicollet Island to prevent vehicles, including Park Board maintenance vehicles, from crossing the bridge.

The closure follows a City of Minneapolis inspection report that notes the advanced state of deterioration of the superstructure below the bridge deck.

The Park Board has been informed that the bridge can still carry pedestrian traffic, so the bridge remains open for walkers and cyclists.

Park Board maintenance staff will continue to remove snow from the bridge using non-vehicular methods.

The Lifetime Fitness Commitment Day 5K race on January 1, 2014 will go on as scheduled following their planned route.

This Video Will Lure You to Aster Cafe

While checking out their upcoming events, I noticed this video on Aster Cafe's website and felt the need to share it.

PS - Their lemon pie is sooooooo good!  :)