Starting Friday, June 1: The Plaza on Nicollet

Starting this Friday, June 1, The Musicant Group brings us another way to enjoy downtown life: The Plaza on Nicollet.

Twin Cities River Rats First Show of 2012 Season is Thursday, May 31

The 2012 Twin Cities River Rats season kicks off Thursday, May 31.  Shows are scheduled for 7pm Thursday nights through August 30, and take place at 1628 West River Road (between the Plymouth and Broadway).

The Twin Cities Rivers Rats describe their show as an aquatic Broadway musical featuring multiple water ski acts choreographed to music and built around a theme.

If you haven't already enjoyed a River Rats show, their website is loaded with fun videos to give you an idea of what to expect.  These are free events.

President Obama to Attend Fundraiser at The Bachelor Farmer on Friday

Via a May 26 article in the Star Tribune, President Obama will be in the Cities this Friday, and The Bachelor Farmer is on his itinerary:

Obama is also scheduled to attend a fundraising lunch Friday at the Bachelor Farmer, a Minneapolis restaurant owned by Gov. Mark Dayton's sons Eric and Andrew. The brothers said they couldn't offer additional information but that they're looking forward to "welcoming the president to Minneapolis."

Week 3 at the 2012 Mill City Farmers Market

Part of the fun of the Market is the cooking demo and entertainment, which Mother Nature interfered with for the May 26 Market.  Luckily the rain held off long enough to allow us time to get our shopping done.

Register for the 2012 Mississippi River Challenge Before June 1st and Receive a $10 Hoigaard’s Gift Card!

 This year, the Mississippi River Challenge will take paddlers on a new route, spending the first day on the Minnesota River and the second on the Mississippi River!

We’re very excited about the new route this year! On the first day, paddlers will head 17 miles downstream on the Minnesota River from Bloomington Ferry in the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge to Fort Snelling. After staying overnight at the Fort, paddlers will continue 22 miles on the Mississippi River from Fort Snelling to Grey Cloud Island.

Also new this year, the Mississippi River Challenge offers three route options – a half day, a one day, and a two day paddle. With any of the three options, you will enjoy a beautiful stretch of river paddling as well as festivities and music by the Roe Family Singers at Historic Fort Snelling!

We hope you can join us as we Paddle it! Protect it! in 2012!

Four Minneapolis Parks Among Top Five Most-Visited Regional Parks

Via a May 23 email from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board:

Four Minneapolis regional parks and trails were among the five most-visited regional parks in 2011, according to the Metropolitan Council’s "Annual Use Estimate of the Metropolitan Regional Parks System for 2011" report released Tuesday.

The Minneapolis Chain of Lakes Regional Park was the most-visited regional park with 5.1 million visits in 2011. Mississippi River Gorge Regional Park was No. 3 with 2.3 million visits, Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park was No. 4 with 1.6 million visits and the Minnehaha Parkway Regional Trail came in at No. 5 with 1.5 million visits. The second most-visited regional park was St. Paul’s Como Regional Park, Zoo and Conservatory with 4 million visits.

Other Minneapolis regional parks and trails ranked on the list include Minnehaha Regional Park at No. 7 with 1.4 million visits, Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park at No. 8 with 1.4 million visits, Cedar Lake Regional Trail at No. 11 with 881,000 visits, Kenilworth Regional Trail at No. 17 with 624,000 visits and Victory Memorial Parkway Regional Trail at No. 18 with 614,000 visits.

Walking and biking rank as the top activities in the regional parks system, followed by swimming, jogging, picnicking and relaxing.

Nearly 44 million visits were made to the Metropolitan Regional Parks System in 2011, which is an increase of 7.5 percent from 2010. Minneapolis regional parks saw an increase of more than 330,000 visits, or 2.2 percent, from 2010.

More than 40 percent of visits to regional parks were made in the summer, followed by spring (21.9 percent), fall (21.9 percent) and winter (8.9 percent), while 6 percent of visits were for special events or camping.

The Metropolitan Regional Parks System includes approximately 54,631 acres of parkland and features 38 regional parks, 12 park reserves, 7 special recreation features and 308 miles of regional trails. The park units are owned and operated by the following 10 agencies: Anoka County, City of Bloomington, Carver County, Dakota County, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Ramsey County, City of St. Paul, Scott County, Three Rivers Park District, and Washington County.

For more information about the Minneapolis Park System, visit www.minneapolisparks.org. To learn more about the Metropolitan Regional Parks System, visit www.metrocouncil.org.

Local Bakery Cupcake Competes on Food Network Cupcake Wars May 27

Our Friends at Cupcake have asked us to share their exciting news:

Kevin VanDeraa of Cupcake bakery Minneapolis competes with fifteen previous winning bakers in first ever Cupcake Wars Championship series airing throughout the month of May on the Food Network!  

After winning Cupcake Wars’ Yo Gabba Gabba- themed episode on April 15th, local café and bakery Cupcake, was invited back to compete on the national Cupcake Wars’ Cupcake Champions series.

The top sixteen winning bakers from previous episodes compete, four baking teams at a time, all vying to be the first Cupcake Champion, and take home the $50,000 prize.  The series finale is scheduled to air on June 10th.  Our championship episode has a Glee theme, and the cupcakes will be available for sale in the bakery following the air date.

This will mark Cupcake’s third appearance on Cupcake Wars.  Last summer was Kevin’s first opportunity to represent Cupcake on the show, which had a Bollywood theme, and placed second.  Second time’s the charm, and Cupcake took home first place on the most recent Yo Gabba Gabba episode.

Cupcake has been serving gourmet cupcakes and café food since 2004.

For more information or interviews, contact Kevin VanDeraa kevin@cup-cake.com or Jeanne Lundell at 612-378-4818. 

Follow Cupcake's Food Network progress on their Facebook and Twitter.  Watch Cupcake compete on Cupcake Wars Sunday, May 27, at 7:00pm on Food Network.

Week 2 at the 2012 Mill City Farmers Market

Thanks to Bossy Acres, I discovered pea shoots at the May 19 market.  They taste like the peas we shelled by the bucket as kids for my mom to can.  In addition to filling our market basket, we picked up an herb garden from Paul at Schultz Farm Organics.  I'm looking forward to having fresh basil, rosemary, thyme, chives and other herbs on hand.

3rd Annual Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Photo Contest

Attention photography enthusiasts - the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board(MPRB) announced their 3rd annual 'Picture A Park' photo contest, sponsored in conjunction with People for Parks(PFP) and National Camera.  

Photos and completed entry forms will be accepted between May 1 and September 3, 2012.  Photos from any time of the year may be submitted. The name or location of the Minneapolis park, parkway or lake property is required with each submission.

Click here to view previous year's winners, and check back frequently for contest updates.

The 2012 Mill City Farmers Market Season is Off and Running!

It was an action packed season opener at the 2012 Mill City Farmers Market this morning.  We had fun meeting new vendors, and re-connecting with our vendor friends from previous seasons.  Gotta love that MCFM vibe!

Check out the Mill City Times Farmers Market blog for daily posts highlighting vendors, beautiful food, products, art, sponsors, cooking demonstrations, music, and our weekly "market meal"!  Or, Like us on Facebook and the daily posts will come to you.  :)

New Minneapolis Park and Rec Board Online Meeting Portal is More User Friendly

Via a May 11 email from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board:

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Launches New Online Meeting Portal
 
As part of its commitment to sustainable practices, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is launching a new Online Meeting Portal, which can be easily accessed from the MPRB homepage http://www.minneapolisparks.org/ (under Commissioner Meetings).

The user-friendly portal will allow MPRB commissioners, staff, and interested community members to easily search, access and retrieve Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Commissioner meeting agendas, minutes and related meeting materials on laptops, tablets or other electronic devices.

"The new portal provides MPRB staff and Commissioners with newly streamlined processes and will eliminate the need to print board packets, which oftentimes exceed 150 pages," said Superintendent, Jayne Miller. "As Commissioners and staff learn how to use the new portal during 2012, we will migrate to a paperless board packet. Since we meet more than 25 times a year, this will significantly reduce the amount of paper used by Park Board Commissioners and staff."

Wireless internet is available and meeting attendees are encouraged to access the meeting portal on their electronic device. Commissioner meetings are broadcast live from 5-9 p.m. on the City of Minneapolis Government Meeting Channel 79 on Comcast cable, and online for real-time viewing. Recent meeting webcasts are available for on-demand viewing on the new meeting portal.

Only bi-weekly commissioner meetings are moving to the new portal. MPRB Planning and other department meeting information and materials will remain on the Park Board's website.

For more information about MPRB board meetings or to subscribe to emails about board meetings or other areas of interest, visit http://www.minneapolisparks.org/.
 
CONTACT: Dawn Sommers
Communications and Marketing Manager
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
612-230-6407, dsommers@minneapolisparks.org

CorePower Yoga’s 'Yoga in the Park' Returns to Father Hennepin Park June 3rd

Looking for a way to take your sun salutations outside so you can truly salute the sun? The Downtown Minneapolis CorePower Yoga invites you to join them each Sunday for CorePower Yoga’s, “Yoga in the Park.” CorePower encourages yoga practioners to open their minds and join their breath and movements to the sound of music and nature all around us. 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 will be held every Sunday starting June 3rd and running through August 26th.  All classes are 10:00am – 11:00am at Father Hennepin Bluffs Park (intersection of SE Main and SE 6th Avenue, on the East Bank of the Stone Arch Bridge).

Please call CorePower Yoga Downtown Minneapolis at 612-375-9642 with questions.
 
Items of note:
- Attendees should arrive 15-30 minutes prior to class starting for sign in purposes.
- Students are asked to bring their own mat, towel, water and SUNSCREEN! There is limited shade at the park.
- Classes will be lead by certified yoga instructors from downtown Minneapolis’ CorePower Yoga.

Taste Twin Cities Food Tours Announces New Brewery Tour

Rebecca Pfeiffer recently announced the Twin Cities Brewery Tour, the newest Taste Twin Cities Food Tours offering.

Taste Twin Cities invites you to hop on their bus for a guided beer adventure as they tour 3 local breweries: Flat Earth Brewing, Harriet Brewing, Lift Bridge Brewery.  Whether you're by yourself, with a significant other, or with a group of friends; this Brewery Tour is a great way to safely enjoy an afternoon of beer sampling. 
 
On this tour you will receive VIP brewery tours, beer tastings, learn how beer is made and get an insiders look at the Twin Cities beer culture.  You'll have plenty of time to purchase your favorite beer growler.

Coach bus pick ups are located at Mall of America or Hilton Downtown Minneapolis.  All Taste Twin Cities tours are offered at pre-scheduled days and times, and are also available for private bookings. 

To learn more, visit their website and Facebook, and follow them on Twitter.

Minneapolis Park and Rec Board Releases 2012 Summer-Fall Guide

If you’re looking for great ideas for fun in the sun in Minneapolis, check out the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s (MPRB) 2012 Summer–Fall Guide.

The guide will be mailed to annual patron parking permit holders, and will be available at MPRB recreation centers, Hennepin County Libraries in Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Convention Center mid-May. For more information about the park system or to request a copy of the guide, call 612-230-6400.

$5,000 Can Be Yours - If You Win 'The MOST Amazing Race' on July 21

Time to start preparing if you want to quality for The MOST Amazing Race Twin Cities on July 21!

Award Winning Spanish Language Film ZOMBIE DAWN Comes to Minneapolis May 11-17 With FREE Comic Book Giveaway

Eagle One Media and iFN are proud to announce the nationwide theatrical release of the Spanish language horror action film ZOMBIE DAWN with the film debuting exclusively in the Minneapolis metro area at the AMC Block E Theater from May 11-17.

In a special arrangement with AMC, cinema ticket buyers shall receive a FREE limited edition copy of the ZOMBIE DAWN: Safehouse comic book that contains a prequel tie-in story to the feature film. The complimentary 28 page comic book was specifically commissioned for the film and created by comic industry veterans David A. Rodriguez and Dheeraj Verma and will be bilingual in English and Spanish.

Along with ZOMBIE DAWN, the award winning computer animated horror short HAMBUSTER will be shown before the main horror feature as an added bonus.

ZOMBIE DAWN is an action horror Spanish language film that has won praise for its presentation and kudos for the film makers in assembling such a feature while working with only a micro budget. ZOMBIE DAWN recently won awards at the Zixion Sars film festival in Chile for directors Cristian Toledo and Lucio A. Rojas, and art direction.

Glowing reviews are in regarding ZOMBIE DAWN:

"ZOMBIE DAWN is low budget zombie horror done right. It has that gritty feel as if it were made right about the same time as DAWN OF THE DEAD while embracing films like Peckinpah and the old spaghetti westerns by focusing on a morally grey merc and his men." AINITCOOL.COM

"'Zombie Dawn' Arrives in America with Originality, Micro-Budgeting" YAHOO!

"The passion for the genre is here, down to the trigger happy 'good guys'...there's a cultish charm to everything" INDIEWIRE.COM

Film premise: In 2006 a mysterious incident at a remote mining facility unleashes a zombie horde with an appetite for human flesh. It decimates large portions of the cities and countryside. The only course of action is to rapidly enclose the infected areas and seal them off from the rest of the remaining, living population. Now, 15 years later the tattered remains of the government and the mining corporation responsible where the initial event took place commit themselves to finding out what may have happened at the mining complex. The solution is to covertly send in a group of mercenaries led by a cynical but no-nonsense Colonel and investigative scientists into the quarantined zone to find answers.

Fans of ZOMBIE DAWN can be kept up to date at the official website or Facebookpage.  For additional information, contact Eric Reichert, President of Eagle One Media, Inc., at eagleonemedia@yahoo.com.

Brenda Langton Prepares a Recipe From Her New Spoonriver Cookbook on Kare11

Brenda visited Belinda Jensen on Kare11 this morning.

Brenda Langton and "The Spoonriver Cookbook" Featured in Star Trib Taste Section

Be sure to check out the Star Trib Taste section this week for Beth Dooley's articleon Brenda Langton and "The Spoonriver Cookbook".

Click here for a full list of Book Launch Events. 

In our neighborhood, mark your calendar for 7:00pm Thursday, June 7, when Brenda and Atina Diffley will be at the Mill City Museum for a discussion and book signing.

Tickets Go On Sale May 14 for Debut Season of Mill City Summer Opera

We look forward to enjoying one of the five 8:00pm performances of Pagliacci scheduled for July 12, 14, 15, 18 and 20 at the Mill City Museum.

Anton Treuer Presentation and Book Signing at the Mill City Museum May 15

Ojibwe scholar and cultural preservationist Anton Treuer will give a presentation based on his new book from the Minnesota Historical Society Press. 

White/Indian relations are often characterized by guilt and anger. "Everything You Wanted to Know about Indians But Were Afraid to Ask" cuts through the emotion and builds a foundation for true understanding and positive action.

Mill City Museum hosts the May 15, 7:00pm event.  After the presentation Dr. Treuer will sign copies of the book which can be purchased in the Mill City Museum store.

Click here for more on the book and author from the Star Trib.