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.
The following parkways will be temporarily closed July 17 and 20 for these events during these designated times:
July 17 – Life Time Torchlight 5K – 7:30p.m. – 10:00p.m. – West River Parkway from Plymouth Avenue to Portland Avenue. Historic Main Street Parkway.
July 20 – Aquatennial River Blast – 6:00p.m. – 10:30p.m. – West River Parkway from Plymouth Avenue to Portland Avenue.
Yay - the first raspberries of the season arrived at the July 13 Market. Decision time - will they go into Market smoothies, Market parfaits or Market oatmeal?
MCFM Sponsor 222 Hennepin introduced shoppers to the new apartment complex nearing construction completion. The first tenants will be moving in next month, and leasing has been brisk. The ground level Whole Foods store will be accessible to tenants from within the building, and includes a wine shop.
Check out the vintage lunch box Nicholas of Buffalo by Bike uses:
;)
Via a July 12 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board:
Minneapolis Safety Camp Registration Deadline is Tuesday, July 16, 2013.
Minneapolis Safety Camp is a three day camp for youth entering 3rd, 4th and 5th grades fall 2013. Minneapolis Police Officers and Firefighters serve as counselors teaching campers personal and social safety skills in a fun and exciting environment. This year’s camp will be held August 6 – 8, 2013 at Theodore Wirth Park. Topics will include animal safety, crime prevention, first aid, drug awareness, and much more.
The cost to attend camp is $48 for Minneapolis residents and $53 for Non-Minneapolis residents. Registration can be found online at http://www.minneapolissafetycamp.com/. The deadline to register is July 16, 2013. Registration includes snacks, transportation, camp T-shirt, and a lot of fun. Minneapolis Safety Camp is presented by Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Minneapolis Police, Minneapolis Fire Department, Minneapolis Park Police, and Medica.
How are emergency calls handled in Minneapolis? What does it take to plow city streets? How does water get to your faucet? How does a property in Minneapolis get developed? The Minneapolis City Academy program, which begins Sept. 18, is a chance for people to learn about all these things and more. Registration is limited, so to join the Academy register online, or call 612-673-3163.
The City Academy will give residents a behind the scenes look at how Minneapolis City government functions and give them a unique opportunity to meet with and ask questions of City staff and leaders. City Academy sessions will be held weekly from Sept. 18 through Oct. 16 at locations throughout Minneapolis. Each session will focus on one aspect of City government such as public safety, public works, planning and development and fire services. Sessions will run from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The program is open to all Minneapolis residents who are 18 years or older and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Minneapolis City Academy participants will:
•Tour the City’s Strategic Operations Center
•Learn the latest in firefighting techniques
•Discover how the Minneapolis Water Utility is operated and tour the water treatment plant
•Find out how future developments are planned and constructed
•Learn about police procedures
•Find out how taxes are levied and budgets approved
•Ask questions of City government leaders
Hennepin County Public Affairs proudly presents Summer on the Plaza thru August. Enjoy musicians, actors, dancers, educators and more from Noon to 1:00pm on select weekdays on the North Plaza of the Hennepin County Government Center.
Hennepin County Public Affairs arranges all performances, which are uncompensated. In the event of bad weather, performances move inside to the Public Service Level (Skyway Level) of the Hennepin County Government Center.
Here's a list of the upcoming events:
Thursday, July 11, Silver City Millers
Silver City Millers is a bluegrass/old-time music duo with plenty of energy! Their main instrument is guitar, mandolin and harmonica but they also work in some banjo and Appalachian clogging.
Friday, July 12, Armenian Dance Ensemble
This group performs traditional Armenian folk dances in ethnic costumes depicting current and historic styles of music and dance.
Wednesday, July 17, Southside KettleBells
Russian KettleBell Certified Instructor (RKC) Ron Wetzell and members of Southside KettleBells will demonstrate basic KettleBell movements. Hear and see for yourself why Russian KettleBell training is regarded as the most effective and efficient form of training to develop strength and cardiovascular capacity for all ages.
Thursday, July 18, Master Gardeners
Master Gardeners are University of Minnesota-trained volunteers who educate the public about a variety of horticulture topics. This session: How to control Japanese beetles; and tough, reliable plants.
Friday, July 19, K-9s
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office K-9s.
Wednesday, July 24, Celebration Brass Quintet
The Celebration Brass Quintet has developed a wide repertoire in a variety of musical genres, including jazz, Dixieland, ragtime, classical, show tunes and 'golden oldies'.
An opening reception will be held Friday, July 19, from 6:30pm – 9:30pm at Mpls Photo Center, 2400 North Second Street, for Mary Ludington's The Nature of Dogs exhibit. The exhibit will run July 19 – September 1.
Over the last 15 years, Mary has devoted her work to discovering and capturing “the essence” of man’s and woman’s best friend. In The Nature of Dogs exhibit, and accompanying book published by Simon & Schuster, Ludington presents her favorite photos of dogs, covering the full spectrum of breeds.
Each photograph stands alone and speaks volumes about its subject’s unique character and behavior. Grouped together by broad canine categories (Hounds, Non-Sporting, Terriers, Herding, Sporting, Working, Toys), the photographs spotlight a striking diversity of individual dogs. To complement the portraits, evocative commentaries shed light on the origins, history and hallmarks of each featured breed.
Each week at the Market brings more variety and abundance. At the July 6 Market we met Kim and Jonathon of Market Chef Pantry, offering a variety of preserves. Look for a separate Market Chef Pantry post under the Farmers Market blog in the coming week.
Darrold of Sunrise Flour Mill is perfecting the art of baking bread in a dutch oven:
Excerpt from Commissioner Peter McLaughlins July 3 e-newsletter:
The Hennepin County Board, representing 22% of Minnesota's population, will will take public testimony on Tuesday, July 9th at or near 1:30 about a proposed $10 wheelage tax on vehicles in Hennepin County. This wheelage tax would raise $9 million, jump-start needed road and bridge projects, and provide property tax relief. If you have an opinion about this, please join us on Tuesday, July 9th or email me at commissioner.mclaughlin@co.hennepin.mn.us.
Wheelage Tax - Proposal to Jump Start Hennepin County Transportation System
Minnesota state statute now allows for counties to implement a wheelage tax of up to ten dollars per vehicle. To date, Hennepin County has not implemented the wheelage tax to fund road and bridge projects.
A wheelage tax of $10 per vehicle in Hennepin County could raise approximately $9 million a year for the county road systems. The wheelage tax serves as a fee-based way to improve and repair county roads and bridges without raising property taxes.
“This money could jump start our road system and help get it back into high-quality shape, improve safety, save energy, and provide better movement on county roads,” said Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin. “This could also be used to reduce property taxes currently going into the road system.”
Property taxes would be reduced as capital improvements, maintenance and operational needs are aggressively fixed. This proposal would preserve our system by integrating high benefit / low cost safety improvements. It would also yield better pavement within 5 years, instead of the current 10 year time frame. LED bulbs would be installed in intersections to reduce electric costs and extend the life of the bulbs. Signalized intersections on the county network would be synchronized: every $1 Hennepin County spends on this will benefit the County $28 in fuel consumption, delay time, and air quality.
The county has more than 2,200 lane miles of paved roads. It costs $8.6 million per year to repair 140 road lane miles. The county also maintains 450 signals in suburban communities and 329 signals in Minneapolis as well as five flashing signals. There are 147 county bridges and 72 of those are more than 35 years old. Bridge replacement averages about $3 million and $300 thousand for maintenance.
Public testimony will be taken on Tuesday, July 9th at or near 1:30 PM in the Public Works, Energy & Environment Committee chaired by Commissioner McLaughlin.
The Downtown Minneapolis CorePower Yoga invites you to join them each Sunday for “Yoga in the Park.”
All levels of yoga students are welcome, and their hope is that you take this opportunity to not only practice yoga, but to find even deeper connections within your community.
These free classes are held 10:00am – 11:00am every Sunday through August 25 at Father Hennepin Bluffs Park. They are lead by certified yoga instructors from the Downtown Minneapolis CorePower Yoga. Please call 612-375-9642 with questions.
People Serving People, located at 614 South 3rd Street, is seeking volunteers for these July 14th and 15th events:
Chefs for Change are monthly dinners hosted by a local restaurant in PSP’s cafeteria. Duties include assisting our development staff in the set-up, meal service and tear-down required for the evening’s event.
• Requirements: Commit to volunteering for a full evening (5:30 pm – 10:00 pm). Must be at least 18. We will feed you!
• Interested in volunteering? Please email Mallory at mhaugen@peopleservingpeople.org
We need volunteers for Bastille Day Block Party, Sunday, July 14th. We still need 36 more volunteers to help us make this a waste-free event! Click here to complete a volunteer form.
We could not do these event without you! Thank you for your time!
The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board reminds you that the following parkways will be temporarily closed July 3 and 4:
July 3 – Red, White & Boom - Hot Dam 5K 6:30p.m. – 11:30p.m. - Historic Main Street Parkway, Park, Pedestrian Path & Bike Path). A Segment of West River Parkway from Portland Avenue South to Plymouth Avenue North. Stone Arch Bridge.
July 4 - Red, White & Boom Twin City Half Marathon 6:30a.m. – 10:00a.m. - Historic Main Street Parkway & Pedestrian Path. West River Parkway from Portland Avenue South to Plymouth Avenue North. Saint Anthony Parkway Camden Bridge, Columbia Park, Marshall & Neighborhood. Boom Island Park.
July 4 – Red, White & Boom! Celebration 12:00p.m. – 12:00a.m. - Historic Main Street Parkway, Pedestrian Path & Bike Path. Father Hennepin Bluffs Park, Stone Arch Bridge & Mill Ruins Park.
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.
Via a June 28, 2013, Minneapolis Police Precinct 1 Inspector's Update email:
A message from Inspector Schafer
All,
Thank you for another great week in crime fighting. We have experienced a 27% reduction in week-to-date crime, and a 4% reduction YTD in overall crime Downtown. Proactive work continues to increase by double-digits each week, with 80-100% of your efforts in our focus areas during peak times. In my numerous meetings with community partners and business representatives in the downtown area, I have heard nothing but positive comments. We will remain focused on the Nicollet Mall from 1000-2200 hrs. and the Warehouse District from 2200-0400 hrs as well as an overall focus in the Loring Park community, 13th to 15th/Lasalle to Nicollet. These are and will remain our priority.
This week we were also happy to receive (2) new Police Segways, compliments of the DID and hard work by Shane Zahn.
Our Youth Outreach Tent on Nicollet Mall during Thursday's Farmer's Market has been a great success and will continue through the summer. It is staffed by our Police Explorers, PAL, Crime Prevention Interns and our School Resource Officers. Stop by to visit with our young people at 7th and Nicollet.
Please keep up the all of your good work and have a Happy and Safe 4th of July!
Regards,
See it, Own it, Solve it, Do it!
Inspector Bryan D. Schafer | First Precinct |
Minneapolis Police Department | 19 4th Street North |
Minneapolis, MN 55401 | 612.673.2337 office |
For questions, contact:
Renee Allen, Crime Prevention Specialist
Minneapolis Police Department, First Precinct
renee.allen@minneapolismn.gov
(612) 673-5163
Annual Red, White and Boom 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.
On July 4th Father Hennepin Park will offer FREE family activities in the Family Fun Zone from 6:00pm – 9:30pm. Live music will be playing at Mill Ruins Park and Father Hennepin Park from 6:00pm – 10:00pm. There will also be lots of tasty food vendors, so come hungry!
The Red, White and Boom Celebration closes with a spectacular fireworks display along the Riverfront at 10:00pm.
Hot Dam 5K - Wednesday, July 3 - 6:30pm
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. The After Party includes outdoor concert by Rogue Valley followed by the outdoor film Top Gun. Pre-registration is open through Thursday, June 27, 2013. Register Online.
Important Road Closure Information
For a detailed list of road closure information regarding the event please visit the MPRB Road Closure webpage.
Via a June 21 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board:
45-day comment period begins for the draft Above the Falls Regional Park Master Plan
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board invites you to review and comment on the draft Above the Falls Regional Park Master Plan. On the ATF project page you can download the draft plan or the executive summary and learn more about the planning process.
To comment online, please go to the ATF survey page.
ATF Regional Park was created in 2000 and extends for nearly 3 miles along the banks of the Mississippi River from the Plymouth Avenue Bridge to the Camden Bridge. The draft regional park plan includes recommendations for parkland acquisition, parks development, implementation phasing and environmental stewardship. The plan incorporates parts previous plans, including “Above the Falls: A Master Plan for the Upper River in Minneapolis” (2000) as well as “ATF Phase One – West Bank” (2006) and “RiverFirst” (2012).
The Park Board voted to start the 45-day comment period on June 19. Following the comment period, notice will be sent for a public hearing on a date to be determined.
Andrew Caddock, Project Manager
Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
612-230-6470
acaddock@minneapolisparks.org
June 22 was Brain Health Day at the MCFM. To celebrate the day, Market Sponsor American Academy of Neurology (AAN) and its foundation, the American Brain Foundation, were busy handing out 1,000 bike helmets and tote bags.
The Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers(MCCD) and Twin Cities LISC are now accepting nominations for the 2013 Community Development Awards.
The Community Development Awards recognize the people, projects, organizations, initiatives and programs that have substantially contributed to the field of community development in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area by demonstrating innovation, collaboration, inspiration and vision.
A committee will review and score the nominees to determine the winners for each of the six categories. The award recipients will be recognized during the "Art of Collaboration" Community Development Reception and Awards Program event on Wednesday, October 9. The categories include People, Project, Organization and Program/Initiative. Nominations will be accepted through Sunday, July 7.
For more information (including a list of the categories) or to submit a nomination, please visit http://www.mccdmn.org/news-and-events/cdawards. Contact Greg Gramza (ggramza@mccdmn.org) or Tina Homstad (khomstad@lisc.org) with questions.
The following parkways will be temporarily closed June 22 and 23 for these events:
June 22 – Heartbeat 5000 - Historic Main Street Parkway and local streets 6:00a.m. – 12:00p.m.
June 23 – The Guthrie 50 5K - A Segment of West River Parkway from Portland Avenue South to East Franklin Avenue. Historic Main Street Parkway and The Stone Arch Bridge 8:00a.m. - 11:00a.m.
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.
Via a June 20 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board:
Pizza Cruise on Mississippi to Raise Money for Minneapolis July 4 Fireworks
On Wed., June 26, Minneapolis Fireworks sponsor Paradise Charter Cruises and the Mississippi Queen will host a Happy Hour and Pizza Cruise aboard the Paradise Lady to support the Minneapolis July 4 Fireworks.
The cost is $26 for adults and $16 for children under 10. The ticket price includes a Pizza and Dinner Salad Buffet, along with a full cash bar. A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to the Minneapolis July 4 Fireworks fund.
The cruise will depart from Bohemian Flats Park at 6 p.m. and return at 8 p.m. Make reservations online at http://www.twincitiescruises.com/ or call their office directly at 952-474-8058.
Public Contact:
Janelle Klander
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
Event Coordinator
612-867-3184
West River Parkway, between Portland and 11th Avenue South, will be closed June 18 from 8:00am-3:00pm on Tuesday, June 18, due to a crane setup on the road by the City of Minneapolis.
A complete list of current and upcoming parkway closures is available online.
June 15 was one of those perfect Market days. Lovely weather, an army of shoppers, an abundance of wonderful food to choose from, music, art and more. We recently came across this article written by Sue Dietrich of Very Prairie. I hope you enjoy this vendor perspective of the Market as much as Dave and I did.
Kiss My Cabbage debuted these new sampling spoons - great idea!
New! Gluten-free muffins from Solomon's Bakery.
Origami at the Market - the Great White Buffalo appeared at Buffalo by Bike.
Remember to stop by the info booth to learn something new every week!
Dried black locust flowers from Stone's Throw Urban Farm.
Ridin' to the Market in style...
Mill City Times | 35W Bridge Memorial | Mill District Block Party | Mill City Media
Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at 2:00AM