Nicollet Mall Closed for Repaving Approximately 4 Weeks

Beginning at 9:00am on Monday, April 11, Nicollet Mall will close for repaving.  This project is expected to last four weeks.

During the project, buses will be detoured as follows:
 
Buses will travel on Hennepin Avenue between Washington Avenue and 11th/12th Streets, using Lasalle and 11th/12th Streets between Grant and Hennepin. Board northbound buses on Grant at LaSalle or at any stop on Hennepin.
 
Board southbound buses on Nicollet at Grant or at any stop on Hennepin.
 
Note: On the North end of their trips, Route 18 buses will travel on Washington to Marquette to 1st Street North to Hennepin. They will not serve 3rd Street.
 
For questions, contact:
Renee Allen, Crime Prevention Specialist
Minneapolis Police Department, First Precinct
renee.allen@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
612-673-5163

Spoonriver Chefs Show "The Human Do.ing" How to Cook Healthy

By now most people have heard about Blue Cross Blue Shield's campaign with Scott, “The Human Do.ing”, who has been getting in shape while being on display at the Mall of America. 

Recently, Brenda Langton and Sarah Jean of Spoonriver visited Scott and showed him how to incorporate a variety of healthy foods into his diet.

It's Wine Week at Sanctuary!

Through April 16, buy one glass of wine and get a second glass for 10¢!

Sanctuary, 903 Washington Avenue South, is featuring two outstanding wines you will not want to miss!  The Ferrari Carano story is a classic tale where an Italian Ferrari fell in love with an American Carano and settled in California.  Their babies?  Truly outstanding wines!  We're featuring these two: 

Ferrari Carano Cabernet Sauvignon ~ rich and jammy $12
Ferrari Carano Fume Blanc ~ crisp, balanced and refreshing $9

Sanctuary serves these wines at excellent prices normally, but during wine week, you can enjoy these two at a steal!

Update on Pillsbury A Mill Complex

Here's a linkin case you missed Jennifer Bjorhus' April 7 Star Trib article regarding possible new life for the Pillsbury A Mill Complex (plus the interesting reader comments).

Countdown to May 7 Opening Day at the Mill City Farmers Market!

Finally - Spring is really here, and we're only 4 weeks away from the May 7 Opening Day at the 2011 Mill City Farmers Market!

Every Saturday until opening day, we're posting pictures from the 2010 MCFM to help get you in the mood...

See you there! :D

Water Power Park Opens Today, April 7

Experience the power of the mighty Mississippi River as it flows over St. Anthony Falls!

Water Power Park is accessible from Main Street just across from St. Anthony Main, and provides the closest possible approaches to the falls.

 

West River Parkway Will be Closed April 7 - 8 Between 22nd Avenue and Fourth Street.

The Central Corridor Project Office has changed the format of the construction updates for West Bank and East Bank in Minneapolis.  These two updates are now combined into one update for the area to provide information in a more complete format.  Construction on one can affect travel to the other bank.

Updates are sent out every Friday. Schedules subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances! Check here frequently for updates. 

West Bank Overview
Click here for an overview of 2011 work planned on the West Bank, including the Washington Avenue Bridge.

Minneapolis Animation                   
Click hereto view an animation of LRT along Washington Avenue to Stadium Village.

30 Days of Biking

There was a 30 Days of Biking articlein the April 5 Star Trib Variety section.  We watched from our balcony as that group gathered atop Gold Medal Park for their Kick Off Ride this past Friday night:

Delicious Mill City Farmers Market Spring Preview Party at Spoonriver

Last night Brenda Langton, along with her Spoonriver and Mill City Farmers Market (MCFM) staffs and select vendors, hosted a Spring Preview Party at Spoonriver.  Seeing familiar faces from the Market and sampling yummy food, combined with the early evening sun, helped put the unusually long winter behind us.

The place was packed, and if you weren't able to attend, here's what you missed:

 Above, Brenda with Spoonriver Chef, Heather.  Below, Jeffrey started us off with an intoxicating concoction.

Above, Jesse Haas, MCFM Assistant Manager, and Aaron Reser, MCFM Market Manager, greeted guests. Below, attendees enjoying themselves:

Below, Spoonriver Chef Heather describes the delicious, colorful salad she created for the Preview Party.

Spoonriver Chef Stephanie skillfully whipped up buttermilk crepes with goat cheese, herbs and chioggia beets:

 Josh Resnik of Wild Idea Buffalo Company served buffalo brisket hash with mashed potatoes:

Steven Read of Shepherd's Way Farms provided samples of Big Woods Blue, Shepherds Hope and Friesago cheeses:

Zoie Glass (below, left) of Lucille's Kitchen Garden gave me a crash course in ways to enjoy their gourmet jellies.

 Lesley Powers of Bliss Gourmet Foods served up several varieties of granola.  (It doesn't matter which flavor you choose - it's all delish.)

Fereidoon (Fred) Golchin of French Nugget offers a guilt free pleasure comprised of 100% dark chocolate, almonds, honey and raisins:

Even if you missed the party, you can still become a Friend of the Market and donate any amount towards the sustainability of the Mill City Farmers Market.  Don't forget to mark your calendar for Saturday, May 7 - Opening Day! :)

Mill District Business Spotlight: Aloft and wxyz bar

Aloft Minneapolis, the hip, 155-room hotel located at 900 Washington Avenue South, opened in the Mill District on August 8, 2008.  It is part of the Starwood family, and guests earn Starpoints with each stay.

Jenai Sele, Sales & Social Media Manager, (below) took a break from her busy schedule to give us a tour and provide insight on what makes Aloft not only a great choice for lodging, but for neighborhood events as well.

A native of Grand Forks, Jenai has been with Aloft since moving to Minneapolis two years ago.  She held positions at the front desk and as Sales Coordinator prior to her promotion this January to her current position.

Below, the wxyz bar and lounge area look out onto the courtyard.   You can just hang out, or shoot a game a pool, play shuffleboard or other games.

The wxyz bar has a tasty selection of appetizers, including (but not limited to) pizza, burgers, quesadillas and tator tots.  Happy hours are 5p-7p and 10p-Midnight.

While Aloft doesn't offer room service, their "re-fuel" station - including sandwiches, salads, fruit, snacks, etc. - is open 24 hours.

Other amenities include:
 - 24-hour access to workout facility
 - Pool open 6a - 10p
 - Sundry shop
 - Free shuttle within a 5-mile radius
 - On-site washer and dryer
 - Meeting room facility for up to 75, with in-house food and beverage service and full AV package.

Click here for additional amenities.

There are adjoining rooms available, and this property has one suite with a King bed and full living area including dinette (with a downtown view, of course).  The rooms are comfortable and designed efficiently.  Lack of bathroom counter space is my number one beef with hotels, so I was really impressed with the ample counter space here.

Aloft offers an $89/night "condo" rate for guests of Mill District residents.  A Nice Ride station was recently installed on Washington on front of the hotel.

Sample events that both Mill District residents and hotel guests can enjoy:

- Friday night DJ's spin from 9:30pm-1:30am.

- New in March, 2011 - guests can show their room key at the Guthrie ticket desk for 50% off the price of a select shows.

- A popular offering started in 2010, Aloft's package deal including a BBQ followed by a show at the Guthrie. 

- Returning April 4 - live music every Wednesday night.  Weather permitting, it's in the courtyard.  If the weather isn't nice, it's in the lounge area.

- In addition to corporate meetings, Aloft also hosts special events. For example, Fashion Week is coming up, and there will be a Runway Show on April 8. 

With all the picturesque spots for wedding photos in our neighborhood, it not surprising that Aloft is popular with wedding parties.  Starting in May, they average up to 3 wedding couples per week.

Jenai loves technology and social media.  Follow Aloft on Facebook and Twitter.

Final note, and it's rather embarrassing, I've always pronounced the name "AY-loft" - it's actually ah-loft.  Dah.

The Benefits of Being a Mill City Commons Member - An Ongoing Series

Earlier this year Dave and I became members of Mill City Commons.  We joined for a number of reasons, including the ability to attend interesting member-only events, meet fascinating people, and to have more of a hands on role in helping with their various fundraising activities. 

Unfortunately, our schedules prohibit us from attending as many events as we'd like.   For example, last week more than 30 members enjoyed hearing New York Times columnist and PBS News Hour contributor David Brooks talk about his latest book, The Social Animal.

This week members will have the opportunity to attend two educational and interesting tours. 

The first will provide a first hand look at how emergency 911 operators and police and fire dispatchers perform during a tour of the Minneapolis Emergency Communications Center.  The second is a tour of the Goldstein Museum of Design's latest exhibit, Smart House, Livable Community, Your Future.  This exhibit explores the housing trend of aging in place.  Mill City Commons is sited at the exhibit as an innovation village supporting this trend.  Included will be the premier screening of "Smart House, Livable Community," a tpt production based on the exhibition.

To learn more about Mill City Commons, please visit the website, or contact Linnea at 612-455-3329 or linneatweed@millcitycommons.org.

Up to 40% off Over 2,600 Wines at Sorella's thru April 16

We stopped by Sorella Wine & SpiritsFriday night for some Blue Moon, and literally had to wade through the crowd of customers who were enjoying the in-store wine tasting and Spring Wine Sale.

 

You can follow Sorella on Twitter and Facebook.

Hennepin County Commissioner Updates

April 1 e-newsletter Board updates from Jan Callison, Hennepin County Commissioner:

FY2012 Federal Funding Requests Approved:

- Hennepin County Medical Center: $500,000 for family medicine residency educational facilities and equipment;
- NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center: $18 million for North Minneapolis Community Wellness Center;
- 911 Dispatch Center:  $3.5 million for technology;
- Juvenile systems integrations:  $700,000 for technology to move critical data electronically between justice partners;
- Electronic data and information sharing:  $900,000 for develop,ent and enhancement;
- Minneapolis Interchange:  $21 million for project development; 
- Southwest Transitway:  $1 million for environmental studies and project development
- I-35W and Lake Street:  $6 million for road and transit access from Lake Street<<Nullam felis>>

March 29, 2011:

- A policy to ban use of tobacco products on all county property was approved.  All county sites must be completely tobacco-free by December 31, 2011.
- Victory Memorial Drive re-dedication is scheduled for June 11.  This year is the 90th anniversary of the World War I memorial which recently underwent a $6 million restoration and renovation.
- County commissioners return pay and encourage employees to take special leave without pay to help address county budget deficits.
- Approved the use of the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) exterior walls for an artistice light projection display highlighting processes from within the facility that convert waste to energy.  The light display is part of the Northern Lights' Northern Spark Art Festival June 4-5
- The board, acting as the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA), approved Kimle-Horn and Associates, Inc. to conduct the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Bottineau Corridor for transitway development.
- The board accepted a $347,548 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to continue providing intensive case management services for multi-problem, chronic shelter-using families.
-The board approved an agreement with Project for Pride in Living Enterprisses, Inc. (PPL) and The Network for Better Futures to help increase reuse/recycling efforts while providing job training and living-wage jobs for hard-to-employ individuals.
- The board re-appointed or appointed several residents to citizen advisory boards.

For video and minutes of County Board meetings: Hennepin County website.   

Nice Ride is Back!

Well, at least the parking station is, but the bikes can't be far behind... Last night an 18-bike Nice Ride station was installed in front of the Aloft on Washington Avenue South.

Spring is finally here! :)

Countdown to May 7 Opening Day at the Mill City Farmers Market!

We're only 5 short weeks away from the May 7 Opening Day at the 2011 Mill City Farmers Market!

Every Saturday until opening day, we'll be posting pictures from the 2010 MCFM to help get you in the mood...

See you there!

Volunteer Opportunities at the 2011 Mill City Farmers Market

Join Mill City Farmers Market as a VOLUNTEER and help keep them celebrating "Healthy Foods, Local Farmers" for its 6th season!
 
Living Green Expo
Represent Mill City Farmers Market at the Living Green Expo! Market Staff will be busy hosting Opening Day at MCFM, so we need your help spreading the good word at this great event! 
 
Make Dirt, Not Waste!
Interested in minimizing waste and promoting composting in your community? Volunteer as a Zero Waste Educator (ZWE) and help sustain the 1st Zero Waste market in Minnesota! ZWEs staff Zero Waste stations to direct and educate customers on waste diversion and zero waste opportunities. 
 
Mill City Cooks 
Mill City Cooks is our weekly cooking demo featuring market goods. This role includes assisting market chefs Nick Schneider and Heather Hartman with set-up, demo food prep, plating & serving samples and is ideal for novice or experienced foodies!

Events & Office
Occasionally we need help during the work week on various projects behind the scenes, including making signs, stuffing envelopes and more! 
 
For more information about the volunteer opportunities at the market, visit the website, or contact volunteers@millcityfarmersmarket.org.

Annual Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival Set for April 14-May 5, 2011 at St. Anthony Main Theatre

CELEBRATING THE BEST OF INTERNATIONAL AND INDEPENDENT FILM!
 
(Minneapolis, Minn.) The Film Society of Minneapolis-St. Paul has announced that the 2011 Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival is slated for April 14 through May 5 - presenting over 170 films from some 50 countries at the five-screen St. Anthony Main Theatre. For three weeks, the Twin Cities celebrates the arrival of the best of international and independent filmmaking in the region.
 
Included in this year’s programming is a great slate of French films marking the Year of France in Minnesota.  Also noteworthy: an impressive group of music-themed films, and the ever-popular Minnesota-Made Showcase.  In addition, the festival will host many visiting filmmakers from all corners of the globe participating in panel discussions and presentations, and attending a host of festival receptions and gala events.
 
In fact, Michael Henry Wilson and Carole Wilson, the filmmakers behind South Africa’s Reconciliation: Mandela’s Miracle, will attend the festival!
 
As a part of the Minnesota-Made Showcase, we are thrilled to host the Minnesota sneak preview of Stuck Between Stations on our closing night, directed by Brady Kiernan, and featuring the likes of Sam Rosen, Zoe Lister Jones, Michael Imperioli, and Josh Hartnett. What’s more, we are excited to announce that director Brady Kiernan will attend the showing!
 
In addition, we are proud to present Minnesota producer Harvey Cook as he displays his work on the film King of Luck, documenting life on tour with Willie Nelson and Billy Bob Thornton.
 
Reconciliation: Mandela’s Miracle
Documentary
Directed by Michael Henry Wilson
South Africa, 2010, in English
Nelson Mandela saved his country from bloody civil war and dismantled the system of apartheid through the spirit of reconciliation. Reconciliation: Mandela's Miracle details the events that lead up to what South African's have coined "Mandela's miracle," a strategy that shepherded in a peaceful transition from apartheid to a democracy. It is driven by the notion that even the most terrible tyranny can be overcome through reconciliation, as both the oppressed and the oppressors need to be liberated from the vice-grip of prejudice and injustice. Additionally, we visit Clint Eastwood on the set of Invictus. His outsider's perspective finds in Mandela an exemplary hero who broke down an inhumane ideology after having been its most notorious victim: "a Biblical figure" whose wisdom will be a source of inspiration for future generations. He sums it up simply: "The world needs people like him."  -Michael Henry Wilson
 
Broken Dreams
Documentary
Directed by Fathia Absie
USA, 2010
Broken Dreams is documentary film about the Vanishing Somali youth of Minneapolis, MN, home to the nation’s largest Somali immigrant community. Most of these boys left Somalia as refugees when they were very young. Some of them came here in the United States as toddlers while some of them were born outside Somalia in refugee camps and elsewhere. These boys were the lucky ones who have been given the opportunity to come to the United States of America as refugees. Many of these young men had a bright future and were pursuing their American dream, when somehow they decided to just give up everything and to go back to Somalia to fight alongside Al-Shabab, the terrorist group that has links to Al-Qaida. 6 of them are now dead and were killed when the rest of the group, and 16 or more are missing in action. No one knows there whereabouts. This documentary tells the story of some of the deceased boys and their parents. This is the first time that these parents openly talked about the hopes and dreams of their sons. This documentary talks to the community leaders, imams and the youth in order to examine how this story affected the entire Somali American community in the U.S. -Fathia Absie, director
 
Aftershock
Narrative
Directed by Xioagang Feng
China, 2010, Mandarin with English subtitles
Seven-year-old Fang Deng is enjoying a tranquil summer night with her parents and younger brother, not knowing that in a few hours her father will be gone and her mother will make a decision that will haunt her life for the next 32 years.
On the early morning of July 28, 1976, the northern Chinese city of Tangshan is flattened by an earthquake that measures 7.8 on the Richter scale.
The disaster kills more than 240,000 residents, including Fang Deng's father. Now, her mother, Li Yuanni, has to make a decision. Her two children are both buried underneath a thick cement slab, and saving either one of them will put the other's life at risk. Li Yuanni can only hear her son from the debris, and she is running out of time, so she chooses to abandon Fang Deng, unaware that her daughter is conscious enough to realize what the decision means for her. But Fang Deng eventually survives and grows up with adoptive parents until another major earthquake 32 years later brings her back to her lost family.
 
Wrecked
Narrative
Directed by Michael Greenspan
USA/Canada, 2011, in English
A man wakes up in a mangled car in the middle of the woods, covered in blood, with a dead body in the backseat, a gun on the floor, and no idea who he is. Through the static of the half-working radio, he learns that three men are wanted for double murder, and the name of one of the suspects matches a debit card he finds in the car. Discovering a bag of cash in the trunk, he begins to connect the dots and tries to come to terms with the fact that he’s probably a vicious criminal on the run. Then the hallucinations start. Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody almost one-handedly carries this intense psychological thriller. Director Michael Greenspan and writer Christopher Dodd have crafted a tense, unnerving story of man against nature, and the depths of the unhinged mind.
 
For more information about the 2011 International Film Festival and other Film Society Programming contact Ryan Oestreich, at 612 331-7563, or visit the 2011 Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival website.

Where Does Your Garbage Go? Watch This HERC Video to Find Out

On March 19 we posted an article about the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) tour enjoyed by Mill City Commons members.

The March issue of Hennepin County Green Notes included a great video of the facility:

To sign up for future issues of Hennepin County Green Notes, send an e-mail with "subscribe" in the subject line to greennotes@co.hennepin.mn.us. 

Construction on Minneapolis' First Rooftop Garden Scheduled for People Serving People

People Serving People(PSP), located at 614 South 3rd Street, provides emergency housing and community services that assist families experiencing homelessness in becoming self-sufficient and reconnected with the community. 

At the March 21 Chefs for Change fund raising dinner at PSP, we learned about urban gardening and plans for the upcoming PSP Rooftop Garden Project - the first of it's kind in Minneapolis.  The garden will be used to grow vegetables and herbs for meals served at PSP.  It will also be integrated with their Culinary and Early Childhood Programs.

The evening started with a view of the rooftop prior to start of the project:

We were welcomed by Craig Lewis, President/CEO, and over the course of the evening we heard from people involved with this project.  Below, Nick Schneider, a Chef at Spoonriver, presented information on Urban Agriculture in our community and other cities and countries.  One example he cited was Growing Power, Incin Milwaukee. Nick will serve as PSP's Project Manager for the Rooftop Garden Project.

Above, Brenda Langton of Spoonriver described the organic courses she and her team created for the evening.   She shared her passion on topics such as teaching people the importance of sustainable and organic food production, healthy eating to counter the countries growing rate of obesity, and the Mill City Farmers Market (which Brenda founded in 2006).

Ecological Gardensof Minneapolis has been contracted for the Rooftop Garden Project.  Their cornerstone rooftop farm is located in Richfield.  Lindsay Rebhan (below),  Designer and Project Manager from Ecological Gardens, described the planning and materials needed for this project.

 

Lindsay explained the various needs and challenges they consider when planning for a harsh environment such as the roof of a 10-story downtown building.  That list includes, but is not limited to:  Incorporating self-watering containers, maximizing sun angles, raised beds with light soil, onsite composting, "insectory islands" which grow flowers to attract bees and other beneficial insects required for healthy gardening, and trellises for vertical gardening.

Mill City Times plans to post weekly pictures of the project progress from start to finish.

Above, Linnea Tweed, Executive Director of Mill City Commons, spoke about the value of community to Mill City Commons members and Mill City residents, and the importance of being involved with fund raising activities for organizations such as People Serving People.

Amy Jenkins, PSP Director of Development, fielded a Q & A session at the end of the night.  One person inquired as to how this project differs from the Central Library roof.  Amy explained the library has a "green roof", with the purpose of moderating the building temperature and preventing rain run off from transporting pollutants to the river.  That green roof is not constructed to handle food production.

Regarding the Chefs for Change event, Amy stated, "We are excited about how much interest this event generated for the Rooftop Garden.  This project is revolutionary in so many ways and will have a positive impact on our community and the families at People Serving People.   We look forward to future events that will involve key leaders in our community and an Open House in August to celebrate the harvest.”

Unrelated to the Rooftop Garden Project, I'd like to add a suggestion.  As you plan your philanthropic activities this year, please consider contributing items on PSP's ongoing Donation Needs List:
 
• Alarm Clocks
• Blankets, Quilts, Comforters, Bedspreads
• Feminine hygiene products
• Sleeping bags
• Inflatable mattresses
• Children's books (new or gently used)
• Formula (powdered)
• Strollers
• Diapers (sizes 3 through 6)
• Wipes
• Pull Ups

Also, to get a first hand look at the incredible work being done at PSP, the next 'Arms Around Our Shelter' tour is scheduled for 8:30am to 9:00am on Thursday, March 31. Coffee and breakfast will be served after the tour. You'll see what's being done to help end family homelessness.

Ramps and West River Parkway Closures While LRT Bridge is Built Over I-35W

MINNEAPOLIS - March 25, 2011 - Announcement from the Metropolitan Council - Central Corridor Project Office

Two Interstate 35W ramps will close for several months as crews prepare to build a bridge over the interstate to join Central Corridor and Hiawatha Light Rail Transit tracks.

On March 30,  the Fourth Street ramp to southbound I-35W will close until July 2011. The alternate route is the entrance ramp from eastbound Washington Avenue to southbound 35W.

On April 4, the ramp from northbound I-35W to the Washington Avenue East Bank exit will close until the end of November 2012. An alternate route to the East Bank will be the Fourth Street SE/University Avenue SE exit from I-35W.

West River Parkway to close for two days in April

Other closures are in store for adjacent areas to the east.  Work to strengthen the Washington Avenue Bridge to carry Central Corridor trains will close West River Parkway and the adjacent bike trail April 5 and 6.  These closures will be from 7:00am to 7:00pm both days. The closures will facilitate work on the bridge piers.
 
Cedar ramp to westbound Third to close mid-April to mid-September

In mid to late April, work will close the Cedar Avenue ramp to westbound Third Street until mid-September 2011 when it will reopen in a new configuration with two-way traffic. Detour information will be provided in future weekly construction updates for Minneapolis at http://www.centralcorridor.org/ under the construction section.

The work will relocate the Metro Transit bus stop to the southwest ramp; no other changes are planned to bus service as a result of the ramp closure. This work is the first phase of rebuilding the ramps and creating a signalized intersection just west of Cedar Avenue. Central Corridor tracks will be built in the middle of Washington Avenue under Cedar Avenue where they will turn and head south to where they will merge with Hiawatha tracks on an existing bridge over I-35W between the Cedar Riverside and Metrodome stations.
 
More detailed information will be made available about additional ramp closures and detours for this area at http://www.centralcorridor.org/ and distributed via a weekly electronic construction update. The public can sign up for these updates online.
 
About the project: 

The Central Corridor Light Rail Transit Project will link downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis along Washington and University avenues via the state Capitol and the University of Minnesota. Construction began in late summer 2010 on the planned 11-mile Central Corridor line, and service will begin in 2014. The line will connect with the Hiawatha LRT line at the Metrodome station in Minneapolis and the Northstar commuter rail line at the Target Field Station. The Metropolitan Council will be the grantee of federal funds. The regional government agency is charged with building the line in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The Central Corridor Management Committee, which includes commissioners from Ramsey and Hennepin counties, the mayors of St. Paul and Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota, provides advice and oversight. Funding is provided by the Federal Transit Administration, Counties Transit Improvement Board, state of Minnesota, Ramsey and Hennepin counties' regional railroad authorities, city of St. Paul, Metropolitan Council and the Central Corridor Funders Collaborative. The Central Corridor LRT Project website is http://www.centralcorridor.org/.