Toys for Tots Drop off Site in the Mill District

According to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Minneapolis website, the 2010 local Toys for Tots campaign distributed over 300,000 toys to children in the community.

The need is still great in 2011, and it's easy to contribute a toy or two at a convenient drop off site here in our neighborhood:  Bridgewater Lofts Sales Office at the corner of 11th Avenue South and Washington Avenue South.  Call 612-341-4000 for office hours.  There is metered street parking or free indoor retail parking (entry on 11th Avenue South side).

Click here for a full list of drop off sites in Minnesota (listed in alphabetical order by city name). 

Tonight - Leo Kottke at the Guthrie Theater

Time: 7:30pm

Location: Guthrie, Wurtele Thrust Stage, 801 2nd Street South

For the past three decades, Leo Kottke has pursued a unique musical vision that has placed him among the foremost acoustic guitar stylists of our time. Kottke's ability to embrace folk idioms and pop melodies as readily as he assimilates jazz and classical influences makes him unique among guitar virtuosi.

Over the years, Kottke has worked in the studio and shared concert stages with everyone from Lyle Lovett, Mike Gordon, John Fahey, T-Bone Burnett and Rickie Lee Jones, to Paco de Lucia, Pepe Romero, John Williams, John McLaughlin and Joe Pass. Since the guitarist's 1969 debut, 12 String Blues, recorded live at a Minneapolis folk club, Kottke went on to release over 30 studio albums, consistently winning over new fans while continuing to surprise and delight longtime aficionados.

Zen Box's "Meat and Potato" Recipe on KARE 11 [Video]

Co-Owner/Chef John of Zen Box Izakaya, 602 Washington Avenue South, was recently featured on KARE 11.  He demonstrated a traditional Japanese winter meat and potato dish called Nikujaga.

If you haven't yet had a chance to experience this new Zen Box location, consider treating yourself to a reprieve from the Holiday madness.  Not only is their food delicious, it's simply a welcoming, feel good environment.

The Week Ahead in Mill City / November 28 - December 4

Each Monday morning we provide an easy to reference list of events and activities for the week ahead in the Mill City neighborhood.  Submit your events here...

Monday, November 28

Leo Kottke at the Guthrie

Tuesday, November 29

Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Public Meeting

Upper River Forum

Wednesday, November 30

Elegant Entertaining with Local Flavors Class at Local D'Lish

Thursday, December 1

Members Double Discount Holiday Shopping Weekend at Mill City Museum

Friday, December 2

Live Music at Crooked Pint Ale House

Live Music at Aster Cafe

An 'Eventually' Christmas: Holidays at the Mill at Mill City Museum

Members Double Discount Holiday Shopping Weekend at Mill City Museum

Minneapolis Beard & Moustache Club Meeting at Grumpy's

Winter Wonderland Cocktails Class at Local D'Lish

Saturday, December 3

The Royal Guard at Central Library

Members Double Discount Holiday Shopping Weekend at Mill City Museum

Marbled Paper, Holiday Cards and Ornaments at MCBA

Live Music at Crooked Pint Ale House

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Star Tribune Holiday Cookie Contest Winners at Mill City Museum

Washburn A Mill Tour at Mill City Museum

Guthrie's How'd They do That Workshop: A Christmas Carol

EQ Spoken Word: Remi Kanazi and Jamaica Heolimeleikalani Osorio at The Loft

Sunday, December 4

Talk & Taste: Urban Gardens at Central Library

Members Double Discount Holiday Shopping Weekend at Mill City Museum

Vikings and Denver Broncos at the Dome

Quick Weeknight Meals Class at Local D'Lish

1850s Holiday Party at Ard Godfrey House

Minneapolis Park and Rec Board Posts Winter-Spring Activities Guide

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s (MPRB) new Winter-Spring Guide (November 2011 - April 2012) is available online and at recreation centers and libraries citywide.

The Guide highlights popular recreational opportunities available at parks, lakes and recreation centers throughout Minneapolis, and features activities, amenities, events and sports for youth, teens and adults at recreation centers.

Once winter weather conditions allow, the park system’s award-winning outdoor recreation facilities become available, including ice skating, skiing, snowboarding and tubing. The Guide lists hours for ice rink warming houses, ski chalets, tubing and snowboarding areas and recreation centers.

For updates on your favorite winter activities, sign up for paperless, electronic emails specific to your choice of topics.

HUGE Turn Out for 2011 Turkey Day 5K

It was a perfect Thanksgiving morning for the 2011 Turkey Day 5K (unlike last year's single digit temps and blowing snow), with over 12,000 runners, walkers, wheelers and pets participating.

Giving Thanks for a Great Place to Live [Video]

We originally posted this video in the Spring of 2011 - enjoy!

From Seven & Sixty Productions:

With all the possibilities around the world, what is the “it” that keeps people here in the Twin Cities? We suspected the answer to the question "Why We're Here" was both simple and incredibly nuanced -- worthy of art. We took our camera to the streets of Minneapolis and St. Paul to find people willing to talk, unscripted, on film. The result is our collective love poem to the Twin Cities.

Why We're Here: Twin Cities is a six-minute film that explores what unites us, and unites us here, in the Twin Cities. Filmed on location the spring and summer of 2010 in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, the film features an original score by John Munson of the New Standards, the Twilight Hours, Semisonic and Trip Shakespeare, camerawork by Adam Olson and editing by Sam Heyn.

Visit http://www.sevenandsixty.com/ to post your response and tell us, with all the possibilities that exist in the world, why you’re living where you do.

Produced in association with the Minnesota Culture Club. Visit them at http://mncultureclub.com/

Reminder - West River Parkway Closed Tomorrow Morning 8:00am-10:00am

The annual Turkey Day 5K will kick off the Thanksgving Holiday again this year, which will close a few local streets for a few hours in the morning, including 2nd Street South and West River Parkway.

Cub FOODS Distributes 2,000 Thanksgiving Meals for People Serving People families as Part of Unity in Community Campaign

The holidays are a time when families look to celebrate the joy of the season with a traditional turkey meal that includes all of the trimmings.  But for those living on the fringes of homelessness and hunger, it’s difficult to envision securing even the simplest of meals.

This Thanksgiving season, thanks to Cub FOODS, 2,000 free turkey meals will be distributed to formerly homeless families and clients of People Serving People (PSP), Simpson Housing Services, Project Pride for Living and St. Stephen’s Human Services at a special distribution event.

During a November 21 event at People Serving People, 150 families, many of whom used to stay at PSP, were invited to recieve frozen turkeys and dinner ingredients.  Hundreds more families who did not attend the event will receive gift certificates.

“Homeless families have a long journey to stability.  Through the “Unity in Community” effort, Cub is helping PSP and our partner organizations give these families hope for tomorrow and a good start on the road to recovery.  Indeed, Thanksgiving is the one day where everyone deserves a place at the table,” emphasized Daniel Gumnit, CEO, People Serving People.

Special Guests Included:                 
- Mr. Sherman Patterson, Policy Aide for Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak
- Cathy Ten Broeke, Coordinator, End Homelessness, Minneapolis/Hennepin County
- Mary Tingerthal, Commissioner, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency

MinnPost posted a story yesterday on one of the families attending this event.  It's a great example of the difference PSP and events like Unity in Community make.

Unique Floral Arrangement from City Gardens' Flower Mill says 'You're Special'

We are fortunate to have City Gardens' Flower Mill in our neighborhood (231 10th Avenue South, in the Bridgewater Lofts building).  

Every arrangement I've received from Dave - Birthday, Valentine's, or most recently, Anniversary - has been unique and absolutely gorgeous.  He just asks Dan to create something special - and voila, a work of art comes together.

Dan and Kaia's shop is filled with super fresh flowers and lovely gifts.  If you want to show someone how special they are, give them a bouquet from City Gardens' Flower Mill.  612-332-7377 

Tonight - Publication Reading: Marge Barrett and Joanne Esser at The Loft

Publication Reading: Marge Barrett and Joanne Esser

Time: 7:00pm

Location:  The Loft, 1011 Washington Avenue South

Join two Finishing Line Press authors to help celebrate their new poetry books.

Marge Barrett will read selections from her recent chapbook My Memoir Dress. The poetry chapbook was a finalist in Finishing Line’s critically acclaimed New Women’s Voices Competition. Of the chapbook, acclaimed author Wang Ping says, “Each poem from Memoir Dress is a seed from the rich soil of Minnesota. It may appear small and quiet, but read it slowly, and it blossoms with the smell and color of the prairie, each as hot as the noon sun. Every Minnesotan deserves this book.

MacPhail to Receive Matching Dollars on all November 16 'Give to the Max Day' Contributions

Two great reasons to add MacPhail Center for Music to your Give to the Max Day list:  Your contribution will be matched dollar for dollar thanks to a matching gift from the Classics for Kids Foundation, and your gift will help purchase new instruments for students who cannot afford them.

Help put an instrument in every hand! Click here for MacPhail's Give to the Max Day link.

The Soap Factory and Mill Ruins Park Awarded Grants from Partners in Preservation

Partners in Preservation announced the 13 2011 award winners to receive a share of $1 million in preservation grants. Included on that list was The Soap Factory, receiving $70,000 towards the repair of the failing roof of the main building.

Twenty-five historic sites participated in the program, competing for votes on Facebook for a part of the $1 million.  The remaining 12 sites participating in the initiative, including Mill Ruins Park, were each granted $5,000 in funding.

Star Trib Article on Central Library's Treasures in the Special Collections Room

We were shown the grand entry to Central Library's Special Collections room during a tour last year.  With reservation-only access, I assumed it housed old and rare items of historical significance, but Father Hennepin's 1698 journal?  Now that's old and rare!

Kevin Duchschere's Star Trib article about the Minneapolis Athenaeum, a private subscription library founded in 1859 that gave birth to the Minneapolis Public Library, gives us an idea of what can be found in the Special Collections room.  Click here for the online version. 

Only two items from Minneapolis' original 1889 library were incorporated into the new Central Library.  One is this ornate doorway, which currently serves as the entrance to the Special Collections room on the 4th floor.  The other is a statue of Minerva, the Goddess of Wisdom, which stands at the base of the escalator on the ground floor.

November 3-13 Latin Film Festival Starts Tomorrow at St. Anthony Main Theatre

NOTE - Mention this article in Mill City Times and receive a discounted ticket rate of $7.50! 

CELEBRATING THE BEST OF LATIN FILM FROM AROUND THE WORLD

The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul is hosting the the Twin Cities’ first-ever major Latin Film Festival at St. Anthony Main Theatre tomorrow, November 3, thru Sunday, November 13.   View the 30+ film titles from Central and South America, Mexico, and Spain on mspfilmsociety.org.

The Opening Night Gala will be held at El Bonito Café Aster November 3 at 9:00pm.  After the credits have rolled on our Opening Night Film, join the Film Society and your fellow filmgoers for the Opening Night Party at the Aster Café - right down the hall from the theatre - for a night of Latin-themed food, drink, dance, and entertainment!

Tickets for the Opening Night Gala are available at the St. Anthony Main Theatre Box Office, and include one complimentary Estrella Damm beer, or other beverage option, and complimentary snacks and food provided by Chowgirls Catering.

During the Fest’s ten-day run, audiences can celebrate the diverse world of Spanish language cinema, and enjoy Opening and Closing Night parties. Visiting filmmakers include Gabriel Figueroa Flores (Mexico), photographer son of the celebrated Mexican cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa, here for a retrospective of his father’s work, Trisha Ziff (Mexico), director of the acclaimed documentary THE MEXICAN SUITCASE, and Viviana García Besné (Mexico), director of the festival darling PERDIDA.
 
The Latin Film Festival is produced by The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul.  The Film Society also presents a diverse slate of international, independent, and art-house films year-round on Screen 3 at St. Anthony Main Theatre, as well as the annual Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Film Festival each April.  The Latin Film Festival is part of a series of geographically focused film festivals, the Asian Film Festival in 2010, the Latin Festival in 2011, and the Trans-African Film Festival in 2012, all made possible in part by funding from the Legacy Amendment.   
 
For more information about the Latin Film Festival and other Film Society programming, contact Jesse Bishop at 612.331.7563, or visit The Film Society website. 

And don't forget, mention this article in Mill City Times and receive a discounted ticket rate of $7.50!

East Bank Neighborhood Volunteers Seek to Update Chute Square Park

We've posted a number of articles regarding how enriching our membership to Mill City Commons has been, mainly for the interesting people we've met.  One fellow MCC member is Lou Burdick, who made us aware of a Chute Square Park revitalization project she's involved with.  Located across from Lund's, Chute Park Square is home to the Ard Godfrey House - the oldest existing wood-frame house in Minneapolis.  Lou recently provided us with the following information regarding this project:

Download - Chute Square Park Design

View more documents from Mill City Times

Download - Chute Square Park Press Release 102711

View more documents from Mill City Times

Inspirational Story from People Serving People

From an October 26 People Serving People e-news:

October is Hunger and Homelessness Month, and we wanted to share a story about a homeless child who has taught our staff and volunteers a lot about how much POTENTIAL is in each child who passes through the doors of our shelter.

Because of volunteer and donor support, our Children’s Services and Family Advocacy staff are able to arrange for fun activities for the homeless children and families at our shelter.  One of the programs that we offer is Boy Scouts - a great way for boys to forget about their lives' struggles and concentrate on doing their best.

 

The other day, the scouts had set up a tent in the room, and leaders brought in bugs to show the kids.  While most kids were running around the room in a wild frenzy, one boy, Devin, sat quietly in the tent.  He had found a 3D wooden puzzle and was working to put it together.  No one had told him that it was meant to match together to form an object.  He had simply found separate pieces strewn across the bottom of the tent, and within minutes had completed the complicated puzzle. Later, some of our staff had attempted to put it together - unsuccessfully.

 

This wasn't the first time that Devin stunned our staff with his outstanding mind and manner.  Although he was only 6 years old, he spoke to staff and volunteers with respect and sincerity in a way which made us feel we were talking to an adult.  Curious about everything, Devin enjoys reading encyclopedias in his spare time.  During his stay at the shelter, Devin continually surprised us with his intelligence, kindness and heart.

 

Because of the volunteers and donors that keep our programs going, we can work directly with children like Devin to give them opportunities to discover that they are great and capable individuals – and overcome homelessness with their families.

 

With much appreciation,

 

Lauren Rimestad

Development Coordinator

People Serving People

612-277-0219

Join MacPhail in Two Performances of Handel's "Messiah"

Call for Handel “Messiah” choral singers! Join Sonomento, MacPhail’s premiere choral ensemble, professional soloists and full orchestra, conducted by Craig Fields, in two performances of Handel’s “Messiah.”

No auditions are necessary for chorus members, but there will be a $50 fee.

Rehearsal schedule:
Nov. 21, 28 and Dec. 5 and 6
6:30-9 p.m.
MacPhail Center for Music, 501 S. Second St., Minneapolis, Room 127

Concerts:
Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m., Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Minneapolis
Dec. 18, 6 p.m., MacPhail Center for Music, Antonello Hall

For more information or to sign up, call Craig Fields at 763-229-5426 or email cfields49@comcast.net.

Interesting Things Come to Light When the River is Low

While out enjoying the gorgeous weather this past Saturday, we of course spent time on the Stone Arch Bridge.   With the river being so low right now, you can get a feel for how deep it is in various parts.  As it turns out, it's fairly shallow under the Stone Arch by the East Bank - so much so that if you look real close you can see 3 drowned bicycles on either side of the bridge:

In the above picture, the bicycle is in the lower middle portion of the shot, directly below the left end of the tree trunk.  Below are two of the three bikes (the third picture was too blurry due to angle and lighting).

View the full sized photos on our photoblog here...

Restaurant Week and Charlie Awards Voting Both End Friday, October 28.

Restaurant Week Fall 2011 started October 23 and runs through Friday, October 28. Voting for the Charlie Awards, which you can do once a day online, also ends on the 28th.

In our neighborhood, enjoy great food at unbeatable prices at 'Restaurant Week' participants Sanctuary ($30 Dinners) and Sea Change ($10 Lunches and $30 Dinners).

Neighborhood restaurants who have Charlie Awards entries include Sanctuary, Sea Change, Spoonriver and Zen Box Izakaya.

The Charlie Awards recognizes the exceptional contributions that our Twin Cities metro area food and restaurant industry make to ensure a diverse, vibrant and creative Twin Cities lifestyle and economy.

The November 20 event will be held at the Pantages Theatre, with 90 minutes of live entertainment and highlighting some of the best and brightest in the business. The awards will consist of two components - individuals and businesses honored by their peers and outstanding food recognized by the public and industry leaders. It is affiliated with Second Harvest Heartland, which will receive a portion of the Charlie Awards proceeds.