Chef Patrick Atanalian of Sanctuary on Kare 11

Chef Patrick Atanalian of Sanctuary and Chef Vincent Francoual of Vincent A Restaurant had a scallop throwdown on Kare 11 today:

Mark Your Calendar for the 2012 Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival: April 12-May 3

The Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival runs April 12 - May 3 at the St. Anthony Main Theatre. 

Over it's three-week run, the Festival will exhibit some 300 narrative, documentary, and short films to an anticipated audience of over 45,000.  Now over three decades in age, the MSP International Film Festival is the largest, most anticipated film event in the Upper Midwest. 

Andrea's Kickass Urban Outdoor Bootcamp Comes to the Mill District

Andrea Austin is now offering an outdoor group fitness option in our neighborhood.  Kick off your weekend with Andrea's Kickass Urban Outdoor Bootcamp!

This is an open group that welcomes anyone who wants to meet fun, fitness-minded people.  These pictures from the March 23rd session will show you why this bootcamp is such an insane deal at only $10 per class!

As Andrea explains, "The Mill District area of downtown Minneapolis has grown so much in even the last year!  I decided to organize a Spring/Summer/Fall Outdoor Urban Bootcamp where we "explore" the urban terrain of downtown Minneapolis without any equipment.  This total body movement workout is designed to tone, strengthen, and burn mega calories without using any special gym equipment!  We will use the terrain including nature, buildings, roads, parks, hills, and much more to create a unique workout experience.  Another important note is Minnesotans love to get outside after the long winter months, and I created "Andrea's Kickass Urban Outdoor Bootcamp" to bring getting fit to the great outdoors.  I am looking forward to creating more outdoor inspired workouts soon."

Assisting Andrea teach the Friday Bootcamp is Jill Haom, a certified veteran group-ex instructor with experience in yoga, bootcamp, RealRyder Indoor Cycling, and sculpt classes.

The group meets every Friday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m, starting at the 501F1T parking lot.

Call Andrea at 651-285-3424 to join the class.  Visit her website and Facebook, or email her at austin_training@yahoo.com.  You can also request a free fitness consult.

Breakfast at Spoonriver

We stopped at Spoonriver for breakfast this past Saturday.  The Scrambled Eggs with Chicken Sausage and Thai Tofu & Vegetable Scramble were as tasty as they were beautiful on the plate.

Local Author Announces Release of New Book

John Capecci, a Marcy-Holmes resident, recently notified us of the release of a new book he co-authored with Timothy Cage entitled Living Proof: Telling Your Story to Make a Difference.

Living Proof: Telling Your Story to Make a Difference, a new manual published by Granville Circle Press, is the first comprehensive guide that helps individuals tell their personal stories powerfully to bring about positive change.

Co-authored by John Capecci (Minneapolis) and Timothy Cage (New York), the book is aimed at anyone asking "How do I tell my story and make a real difference?" Capecci, a resident of the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood in the University District of Minneapolis, has been partnering with his co-author for over twenty years. Together, they’ve helped thousands of advocates and hundreds of organizations share their stories, working with a wide range of clients, from "ordinary" people, grassroots activists and first-time speakers, to CEOs, entrepreneurs and some of the best-known celebrities, media personalities and professional speakers in the world.

Minneapolis Turning Out the Lights for "Earth Hour" on March 31

From the City of Minneapolis website:

The Minneapolis City Council approved a resolution Thursday, March 8, to join the “Earth Hour” program again this year to raise awareness of global climate change. 

From 8:30pm to 9:30pm Saturday, March 31, the City will turn off all uses of electricity in municipal buildings that are not required for life, safety or operations. The decorative lighting on the underside of the Stone Arch Bridge will be turned off for the night, and City Hall’s clock tower neon lights will be turned off as well.

Electricity use in Minneapolis accounts for 38 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to global climate change. Participating individuals, businesses, governments and organizations around the world turn off their lights for one hour – Earth Hour – to make a global statement of concern about climate change and demonstrate their commitment to finding solutions.

Earth Hour has grown from a one-city initiative in 2007 to a 5,251 city strong global movement, last year reaching 1.8 billion people in 135 countries across all seven continents.

7K+ Run in the March 17 Get Lucky! 7K Race

"A river of green" is how our neighbors described the streets as the Get Lucky! 7K runners zipped through our neighborhood the morning of St. Patty's Day.

Check out the slide show:

Vote for you Mill District favorites - 2012 City Pages Best of the Twin Cities Readers Poll

City Pages requests your participation in their 2012 Best of the Twin Cities Readers' poll. 

Click here to Vote for your favorite restaurants, shopping, recreation, etc.

I noticed a few of our local businesses have posted the Vote for Us! links on their Facebook page, including Sorella Wine & Spirits and 501F1T.

March 17 Mill City Farmers Market at the Arboretum a Huge Success

It sure was fun seeing our Mill City Farmers Market vendors at the Arboretum on March 17.  We heard reports that some vendors sold out of product - not surprising considering the crowds. 

In addition to my usual favorites, I came away with two new treats -  Chili Chutney from Gorkha Palace and Caraway & Juniper Sauerkraut from Kiss My Cabbage. 

Be sure to mark your calendar for the April 14 Farmers Market, which will take place inside Mill City Museum.

More pictures from the Arboretum:

March 16 Patio Dining in the Mill District

A little slice of heaven in the Mill District - drinks and nibbles on the patio...on March 16!

We started with drinks and the Maine Lobster Deviled Egg appetizer at Sanctuary, followed by Avocado Tempura, Macaroni Potato Salad and Crab Croquettes at Zen Box.  YUM!

Beautiful evening downtown skyline view from the Zen Box patio:

Taste Twin Cities Food Tours Announces New Heart of Minneapolis Tour

Taste Twin Cities Food Tours" is pleased to announce 2012 tour dates for their new Heart of Minneapolis Tour.

Weave your way through the skyscrapers of downtown Minneapolis on a food adventure!  Enjoy VIP service at some of the newest and hottest award winning restaurants and learn the art of local beer making.  Visit quaint eateries that have pride in local ownership, including a favorite since 1932.  You'll leave the tour with a tasty experience of the best food finds Minneapolis has to offer while learning the history of downtown and soaking in the local culture.
 
Sites you will enjoy:  Broadway Theatre District, Mary Tyler Moore Statue, the tallest building in Minneapolis, a building modeled after the Washington Monument, the largest structure ever moved on rubber-wheeled dollies and much more...
 
Scheduled tours available Friday and Saturday, or book a private tour.
 
To learn more, visit their website and Facebook, and follow them on Twitter.

Reminder: Road Closures for the Get Lucky 7K Tomorrow Morning

The Team Ortho Foundation's Get Lucky! 7K Race is 9:00am tomorrow morning, with a starting point of South 2nd Street near Portland Avenue South.  The course travels along downtown Minneapolis and the Mississippi River.

NOTE:  A section of West River Parkway, along with the Stone Arch Bridge and Main Street, will be closed from 8:00am - 11:00am to accomodate the racers.

Coming Soon to the Mill District - Blast Blow Dry Bar

Blast Blow Dry Bar will soon be occupying the space at 940 Washington Avenue South.  That's the corner space next to Mens Dept. on the retail level of Aloft.   This isn't a full service salon - no cuts, colors, manicures, etc.  It's where you go when you need a wash, blow dry and style for a special occasion.   Allison Kaplan first blogged about it on Mpls St. Paul in February.

Follow their progress on Facebook, Website and Twitter.

New Documentary Illuminates Harry Belafonte’s Role in the Awakening of the American Civil Rights Movement and Conscience

The Film Society of Minneapolis/St. Paul Presents:

Sing Your Song is an up-close look at a great American, Harry Belafonte.  A champion for worldwide civil and human rights, Belafonte is one of the truly heroic cultural and political figures of the past 60 years. The film charts Belafonte’s life - from his birth in New York and youth in Jamaica, and return to Harlem in his early teens where he discovers the American Negro Theater and the magic of performing. From there the film follows Belafonte’s rise from the jazz and folk clubs of Greenwich Village and Harlem to his emergence as a star, and as an activist.

Sing your Song presents a look at the Civil Rights Movement through the eyes of an insider, someone who, despite his high profile, wasn’t afraid to spend time in the trenches.  From Harlem to Mississippi to Africa to South Central Los Angeles, Sing Your Song takes us on a journey through Belafonte’s life, work and, most of all, his conscience, as it inspires us all to action! – S2BN Films.

Playing at St. Anthony Main Theater Screen 3

Showing Fri, Mar 16 through Thurs, Mar 22 – Times:

Fri 3/16 and Sat 3/17 at 1:15, 4:00, 7:00, 9:30

Sun 3/18 at 1:15, 4:00, 9:30

Mon 3/19 at 4:00, 7:00, 9:30

Tue 3/20 at 4:00, 7:00, 9:30

Wed 3/21 at 4:00, 7:00, 9:30

Thu 3/22 at 4:00, 9:30

The Week Ahead in Mill City / March 12-18

Above: The latest update to the Mill City Photo Pool...

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, March 12

No events scheduled

Tuesday, March 13

Books & Bars Series at Aster Cafe

Artist talk: MCBA Artist-in-residence Shana Agid at MCBA

Colonel Sibley and the 3rd Minnesota in the Dakota Uprising of 1862 at Central Library

DMNA Board Meeting at Central Library

Wednesday, March 14

Minneapolis Park and Rec Board Meeting

A Sip of Science at Aster Cafe

Todd Boss Publication Reading at the Loft

Thursday, March 15

Taste Twin Cities Downtown Minneapolis Skyway Tour

Friday, March 16

Live Music at Crooked Pint

Live Music at Aster Cafe

20th Annual Beat The Odds Celebration at The Depot

Saturday, March 17

Live Music at Crooked Pint

25 Cent Book Sale at Central Library Book Store

Washburn A Mill Tour at Mill City Museum

Farmers Market at Local D'lish

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Mill City Farmers Market at the Arboretum

Taste Twin Cities Downtown Minneapolis Skyway Tour

Team Ortho Foundation's Get Lucky! 7K Race

Childish Films at Central Library

Sunday, March 18

Japan America Arts Forum at MCBA

This Weekend in Mill City / March 9-11

Above: A recent photo from the Mill City Photo Pool

Events this weekend in and around the Historic Mill District and Minneapolis Riverfront Neighborhoods.  Have an event to share?  Contact us...

Friday, March 9

Live Music at Crooked Pint

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Saturday, March 10

Live Music at Crooked Pint

Mill City Bake-Off Challenge at Mill City Museum

Let's Play Cards! Family Workshop at MCBA

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Taste Twin Cities Downtown Minneapolis Skyway Tour

Talk-It Hennepin Workshop at Central Library

International Cartoonist Conspiracy Meet-up at MCBA

Sunday, March 11

Concerto & Aria Concert at MacPhail

35W Ramp/Lane Closures Alert

From: "City of Minneapolis" <minneapolis@public.govdeli very.com>
Date: Mar 7, 2012 2:26 PM
Subject: I-35W ramps/bridge lane closures alert

Eastbound night lane closures on Washington Ave. Bridge March 7 – 9

All eastbound lanes on the Washington Avenue Bridge will close to traffic overnight on Wednesday, March, 7, Thursday, March 8, and Friday, March 9 from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. All westbound lanes on the bridge will stay open to traffic.

Eastbound lanes will close from the ramp to Cedar Avenue South to the east side of the river. Access to Cedar Avenue will remain open at all times. A signed detour will be posted.

Northbound ramp from I-35W to S 3^rd St. to close Thursday, March 8

The ramp from northbound I-35W to South 3^rd Street will close from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 8 to allow for Central Corridor Light Rail construction.

Traffic will be detoured to Washington Avenue, Chicago Avenue and back to South 3^rd Street. For more information about the project please visit http://www.metrocouncil.org/transportation/ccorridor/centra lcorridor.asp.

Northbound ramp from SE 4^th St. to I-35W to close March 10 - 23

The ramp from Southeast 4^th Street to north bound I-35W will close for a period of two weeks beginning at 6 a.m., Saturday, March 10. The ramp is scheduled to reopen on Friday, March 23. 

During this two-week period, traffic will be detoured north to New Brighton Boulevard in order to access northbound I-35W. This closure is needed to allow crews to work on the water main under the roadway.

Behind the Scenes Women’s Clothing Boutique Now Open

Behind The Scenes, the new women’s clothing boutique located at 1026 Washington Avenue South, celebrated it's Grand Opening on Saturday, March 3.

Owners India and Laura (below) have created a bright, welcoming store offering beautiful (yet affordable) clothing, jewelry, scarves, belts and purses.

Sizes range from 0 to 14, depending on the line.  Styles run the gamut from to casual to dressy, with a sprectrum of gorgeous colors and prints to choose from.

Above, India's mom took a moment to show me one of the many unique pieces available.  As Saturday's crowd would indicate, Behind The Scenes is a much needed shop in our neighborhood - both for residents and women who work in the area. 

 

The store is roomy, there's plenty of dressing room space, and full length mirrors are positioned throughout the store.  The lounge area is a nice touch, too!

Check out this slideshow for an expanded look at the store, clothing and accessories:

Behind The Scenes is open daily (Sun Noon-6p; Fri-Sat 11a-9p; Mon-Thur 11a-8p), and Laura mentioned gift cards will be available soon.  You can follow them on Facebook and Twitter, or reach them at 612-564-4144.

The Soap Factory on WCCO

WCCO was at The Soap Factory yesterday for the opening of the third edition of Art(ists) On the Verge presented by Northern Lights.mn.

AOV is an intensive, year-long, mentor-based fellowship program for emerging artists working experimentally at the intersection of art, technology, and digital culture with a focus on network-based practices that are interactive and/or participatory.

Tomorrow - Once Upon A Time In Anatolia from the Film Society of Minneapolis/St. Paul

"A metaphysical road movie about life, death and the limits of knowledge, “Once Upon a Time in Anatolia” has arrived just in time to cure the adult filmgoer blues." - New York Times

Winner of the Grand Prize at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, Once Upon A Time In Anatolia is the new film from Nuri Bilge Ceylan, the celebrated director of Distant and Climates.

In the dead of night, a group of men – among them a police commissioner, a prosecutor, a doctor and a murder suspect – drive through the Anatolian countryside, the serpentine roads and rolling hills lit only by the headlights of their cars. They are searching for a corpse, the victim of a brutal murder.

The suspect, who claims he was drunk, can’t remember where he buried the body. As night wears on, details about the murder emerge and the investigators’ own secrets come to light. In the Anatolian steppes nothing is what it seems; and when the body is found the real questions begin. 

Showtimes: Fri, Mar 2 - Thu, Mar 8 at St. Anthony Main Theatre
Fri, Mar 2 - Sun, Mar 4: (1:00), (4:00), 7:00, 9:45
Mon, Mar 5 - Wed, Mar 7: (4:00), 7:00, 9:45
Thu, Mar 8: (4:00), 9:45