Dog Lover? Photographer? Both? Check Out The Nature of Dogs Exhibit at Mpls Photo Center

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.

More information.

Week 9 at the 2013 Mill City Farmers Market

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:

Proposed $10 Wheelage Tax on Vehicles in Hennepin County

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.

CorePower Yoga’s “Yoga in the Park”

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 is Seeking Volunteers for July 14 and 15 Events

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!

Parkway Closures on July 3 and 4 during Red, White and Boom!

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.

News from the 1st Precinct

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

The MPRB Invites You to Enjoy Red, White and Boom!

Annual Red, White and Boom 4^th 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 4^th 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.

Submit Your Comments for the Above the Falls Regional Park Master Plan Draft

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 

Week 7 at the 2013 Mill City Farmers Market

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.

Do You Have a Nomination for the 2013 Community Development Awards?

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.

Temporarily Road Closures June 22 and 23

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.

June 26 Pizza Cruise on Mississippi to Raise Money for Minneapolis July 4 Fireworks

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 Temporary Closure on June 18

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.

Week 6 at the 2013 Mill City Farmers Market

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...

Tomorrow, June 15: Solstice River XVII/Global Water Dances at Stone Arch Bridge

If you're on the Stone Arch Bridge tomorrow evening around 7:00pm and you notice some interesting goings on - it's the 17th annual Global Water Dances.  From the bridge you'll see the surrounding landscape come alive with dancers on rooftops, kayaks, and riverbanks for Solstice River XVII. Minneapolis is one of over 60 cities on six continents creating this year's event.

Global Water Dances is a series of dances performed on the same day throughout the world, bringing local and global attention to water quality issues.

The event is free and open to the public, the event will be held rain or shine. Click here for more information on the Minneapolis Global Water Dances event. Live streaming is available on that site if you are unable to be out and about.

I've attended the previous two years - click on these links for pictures: 2011 and 2012.

The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul Brings Opera to Aster Cafe

Becoming Traviata
Pre-screening Party and LIVE OPERA Performance
with opera conductor/director Craig Fields
and an outstanding cast of opera singers

Monday, July 1, 2013
6-7:30 pm
Aster Cafe River Room
125 SE Main St, Minneapolis

$25 General / $20 Film Society Members
Ticket Includes:
performance & discussion | hors d’oeuvres & cash bar
Screening of Becoming Traviata
Purchase

Guthrie Theater 50th Anniversary Free Community Celebration Day June 23

The Guthrie Theater is planning a once-in-a-lifetime theater-wide gala honoring 50 years of the Guthrie.

The celebration will take place on Sunday, June 23, 10:00am - 4:00pm, in and around Guthrie Theater, 818 Second Street South.

This is a neighborhood-wide family event, featuring free activities for all ages. Kick off the day outside with an invigorating 5K run throughout the surrounding historic district, then come inside to get behind the scenes and enjoy a wide variety of free activities. Activities in the theater will include:

· Welcome by Artistic Director Joe Dowling
· Self-guided behind-the-scenes backstage tour
· Story-making class for kids ages 4 to 10
· Sampler classes for ages 10+ including acting games, stage combat, tap dance, physical comedy and musical theater
· Sampler classes for adults including voiceover, playwriting and presentation skills
· Family-friendly performance of Milly and Tillie by Minneapolis' Open Eye Figure Theatre in the Dowling Studio
· Costume promenade featuring artistry from the Guthrie Costume Shop
· Talks on Guthrie history and the building's architecture and an all-day retrospective slideshow in the McGuire Proscenium
· Face painting, tattoos and cookie decorating
· Special effects demonstration on the Wurtele Thrust Stage
· Food samples by Sea Change

Activities in the neighborhood will include:
· 5K Run and 50-yard dash
· Mill City Farmers Market
· Toy Truck Players

No tickets required. Click here for more information or call the Anniversary Line at 612-225-6350.

Work downtown? Check out Summer on the Plaza

Hennepin County Public Affairs is proud presents Summer on the Plaza from now 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:

Wednesday, June 12, Minnesota Magic Baton Team
Minnesota Magic Baton Teams are state, regional and national champions who train at Dance Twirl Minnesota in Eagan
 
Thursday, June 13, Montrose High School
Montrose high school band is a 29 student band, playing songs like "Sweet Caroline, Louie, Louie" and more.  They will be playing a variety of instruments including brass, percussion, and strings
 
Thursday, June 20, Master Gardeners
Master Gardeners are University of Minnesota-trained volunteers who educate the public about a variety of horticulture topics
 
Friday, June 21, Wayzata Summer Band
The Summer Wayzata Summer Band is made up of students currently in grades 6, 7 and 8 who have played instruments in the middle school band program
 
Wednesday, June 26, Transitive Nightfall
Transitive Nightfall plays vintage rock music with an improvisational edge – no two performances ever the same!
 
Friday, June 28, Pam Ritter
Pam is an award-winning performer who plays various types of music on the accordion – popular, classical plus her own compositions

Week 5 at the 2013 Mill City Farmers Market

June 8 was Rhubarb Day at the Market - which of course called for a scoop of Rhubarb Strawberry Sorbet from Sonny's.