Idris Goodwin -- These Are The Breaks at The Loft

Time: 7:00pm

Location: The Loft, 1011 Washington Avenue South

Equilibrium Spoken Word: Idris Goodwin -- These Are The Breaks

Book release performance and celebration with Lisa Brimmer, Guante and Ed Bok Lee. Idris Goodwin is an award-winning playwright, poet and essayist who uses hip hop arts to create original genre-defying performances. His widely produced works have been supported by the The National Endowment for the Arts, The Ford Foundation, The National New Plays Network, The Hip Hop Theater Festival and The Illinois Arts Council. 

Sonoma Wine Seminar at Sorella Wine & Spirits

Time: 5:30pm-7:00pm 

Location: Sorella Wine & Spirits, 1010 Washington Avenue South

Reservations Required - 612-339-4040
 
Sonoma Winemaking with a brief historical perspective by Kathy Jones of Heck Estates.

The talk will be illustrated with one dry rose and seven reds highlighting Sonoma's key varietals and distinct growing regions. We'll be tasting some special wines from Kenwood's Jack London Series along with some items from Valley of the Moon and finishing off with one very special surprise.

Tonight - Paula Poundstone at the Guthrie

Time: 7:30 pm

Location: Guthrie Theater, Wurtele Thrust Stage

Appearing on stage with a stool, a microphone, and a can of Diet Pepsi, Paula Poundstone is famous for her razor-sharp wit and spontaneity. Paula's commentaries can be heard on NPR's Morning Edition and read on the Huffington Post, and she is one of the most popular panelists on NPR's hilarious weekly news quiz show, Wait Wait…Don't Tell Me. It's impossible to attend a Paula Poundstone performance without marveling at her ability to interact spontaneously with audience members, who leave her live shows often leave complaining that their cheeks hurt from laughter.

Tweaking Exercise Routine to Enhance Marathon Training

This week I met Deb, who was already in great shape prior to seeking out a personal trainer.

As you'll learn in the video, Deb is now training for her first marathon.  Working with Andrea Austin will help assure her success.

Email Andrea at andrea@tweakmyworkout.com if you'd like to try a complimentary RealRyder spin class at 501SP1N, or if you have a fitness or nutrition question. 

Tonight - MacPhail Spotlight Series: Keys of Love and Death

Time: 7:00pm
Location:  MacPhail Center for Music, Antonello Hall, 501 South 2nd Street

This collection of pieces thoughtfully weaves together the composers’ own stories of love and loss. Experience this unique piano concert that dramatically conveys the complex emotions of love and death through intricate and tender music.

More info...

Today - Washburn A Mill Tour at Mill City Museum

Time: 1:00pm

Location: Mill City Museum

Fee: $12 adults, $10 seniors and college students, $8 children ages 6-17 and MHS members. Tour includes museum admission.

Reservations: required, call 612-341-7555

Get an in-depth look at the historic Washburn A Mill complex and the award-winning Mill City Museum building. A museum interpreter will take visitors into the building's many nooks and crannies, highlighting the lives of the men and women who worked there, how the building functioned during its peak flour milling years and the many changes to the building over time. Also covered will be the challenges of preserving the 120-year-old, fire-damaged building; its art, architecture and interior design; and the St. Anthony Falls Historic District.

Although many parts of the mill can be explored during regular museum visits, this is the public's only opportunity for a guided tour through the entire museum building.

Washington Avenue Bridge Delays Start Saturday, February 26

This Central Corridor Light Rail Transit News Advisory was recently issued:

MINNEAPOLIS - Feb. 23, 2011 - People headed Saturday to University of Minnesota men's basketball and hockey games and other East Bank events can expect delays on the Washington Avenue Bridge due to work on the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit Project. 

Drivers should use either the Tenth Avenue or Interstate 35W bridges as alternate routes to reach Williams and Mariucci arenas and other campus destinations via University Avenue.

Weather permitting, crews on Saturday will close the bridge's inner lanes to traffic to remove a median at the east end of the Washington Avenue Bridge.  Traffic will be restricted to one lane each way on the outer lanes. Drivers can expect continued delays next week as crews remove the median on the west end of the bridge.

Drivers will see more lane shifts beginning in early March, when traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction on the north side of the bridge. This change is needed to make room on the south side of the bridge to erect equipment so construction can begin in late March to replace the bridge's vehicle deck and add double tracks for Central Corridor trains.

In 2012, traffic will be shifted to the newly built south side while the vehicle deck is removed on the north side.

Cyclists and pedestrians on the upper deck of the bridge will continue using the north side this year and be shifted to the south side in 2012.

Crews have been working on the piers under the bridge off of West River Parkway in Minneapolis since late 2010. There are no anticipated impacts from this work to pedestrian and bike paths along the parkway nor are there anticipated impacts to those traveling on the bridge or under it via the parkway. Work in 2011 and 2012 will include adding girders and other design elements to strengthen the bridge.

Heavy construction on Washington Avenue on the East Bank will begin after classes end in mid-May. At that time, vehicles will be removed from the avenue between Pleasant and Oak streets during construction. The avenue will be converted into a transit-pedestrian mall from Pleasant to Walnut streets with two tracks in the middle and one lane on each side for emergency vehicles and cyclists. This work will continue through 2012.

More detailed information will be made available online at www.centralcorridor.org and distributed via a weekly electronic construction update. The public can sign up for those updates online.

For answers to frequently asked questions about the bridge and how LRT will change Washington Avenue through the University of Minnesota, see: http://www.metrocouncil.org/transportation/ccorridor/ccWABfaq.htm

Hennepin County Libraries Update

I recently received a notice that the newly renovated Hennepin County Library-Northeast (2200 Central Avenue NE - artist's rendering below) will reopen on Saturday, April 2.

Also mentioned in the notice: "Hennepin County Libraries are nationally recognized as one of the top library systems in the United States. The 41-libraries serve 1.2 million residents in Hennepin County and offer about 5 million books, CDs, DVDs, electronic resources and other items in more than 40 languages, as well as over 1,775 public computers."
 
We of course have the incredible Central Library close by on Nicollet, with it's seemingly endless array of programs for both children and adults. 

If an onsite visit isn't feasible, there's 24/7 online access to items such as the Hennepin County Library catalog, electronic databases and other online resources, the program calendar, information about the Library Foundation of Hennepin County, and other library information. 

Tonight - Free Restorative Yoga Class

Time: 6:30PM

Location: The Zenith, 901 South 2nd Street

Victoria Rico is hosting a Restorative yoga class in penthouse #904 at the Zenith.  Space is limited - the first 15 folks to call text or email Victoria will enjoy a yoga class with beverages and snacks after class.  To make a reservation for a free yoga class at the Zenith Condominiums contact Victoria at 612.554.7755 or victoria@victoriarico.com

More info...

Show Off Your Vocal Talents at Grumpy's

In case you missed it, Grumpy's (1111 Washington Avenue South) was featured in Alex Gaterud's February 21 Star Trib articleregarding the resurgence of karaoke. 

Tonight - 'Telling True Stories Panel' at The Loft

Time: 7:00pm

Location: Open Book, 1011 Washington Avenue South

Admission:  $10 admission/$5 for Loft members, ASJA members and students. (Tickets available at the door. No advance ticket sales.)

Telling True Stories: 

Three Award-Winning Writers Talk About Literary Journalism
Panel discussion with Deborah Blum, Michael Perry and J.C. Hallman

The future of publishing may be in flux, but one thing remains constant:  There will always be a need for writers who can tell a good story.  This panel brings together three master storytellers to discuss their craft and to examine the role of narrative journalism in the 21st century.

More info...

Today - Anime Showcase at the Central Library

Time: 4:30pm–6:30pm

Location: Pohlad Hall, Central Library

Anime Showcase:  Hayate the Combat Butler
 
Grade 7 and up. Don’t miss this chance to watch an amazing line-up of Japanese animation on the big screen! Anime Twin Cities and Teen Central have teamed up to offer something for everyone. Cosplay encouraged.

Sponsored by the Anime Twin Cities.

Tonight - Randy Newman at the Guthrie Theater

Witness an American-music legend as he performs favorites including Louisiana, Leave Your Hat On, Feels Like Home, I Love to See You Smile and You've Got a Friend in Me live at the Guthrie Theater.

More info...

Only 4 Days Left for CorAzoN's Consolidation Sale

CorAzoN's Consolidation Sale, with savings of up to 70% off, ends February 24.

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

Dave and I became members of Mill City Commons(MCC) in January.  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, time constraints keep us from attending all the events we'd like to.   Linnea Tweed, Executive Director at MCC, filled us in on an event we missed this past week:

"We had no idea how timely our February Compleat Scholar topic on the Egyptian civilization would be when we scheduled it last summer. Our speaker, Professor Steven Derfler, Ph.d., was in Egypt in January and returned to the USA one day before the political protests started. He included recent events in his presentation on the history of Egyptology and shared some amazing pictures. Our partnership with the University of Minnesota makes these exclusive classes available to members right here in our neighborhood."

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

CorAzoN Closing Washington Avenue Location, Consolidat​ion Sale February 15 - 24

We received the following notice from Susan Zdon, owner of CorAzoN, who recently finalized plans to consolidate her store locations to the Lake Street shop.

We are consolidating our 2 locations down to one. That means we are closing the downtown Washington Avenue store (but we will have our Lake Street at the Mississippi River store continue to do business as usual).
 
At the Washington Avenue location (ONLY at the Washington location) we will have a sale from Feb 15-Feb 24th.  All categories of merchandise will be on sale.  The sale will start at 30-50% off.  The next mark down will be 40-60% and finally 50-70%.  It is merchandise and a few fixtures.  We would love to have people come in and shop but also say hello - and if needed get directions to our ongoing store on Lake Street.
 
Thank you to all our customers over the years who have become friends, the many creative artists who have shown work with us, and all of you who have helped make CorAzoN successful. Please come and shop the great bargains at the Downtown Washington closeout sale.

And then please continue to visit us at Lake Street. 4646 East Lake Street at River Road 55406.  Telephone 612-276-0198.
 
All the Best
Susan and the CorAzoN Staff

Those of us living/working in the Mill District will miss having CorAzoN here - from the neat selection of merchandise and friendly staff to the irreverent cards.  And, of course, the fun artist parties...

Pet Care Tips - An Ongoing Series from Curtis L. Sanford, DVM

This is the seventh installment of Pet Tips from Curtis L. Sanford, DVM.

There are several ways you can care for your pet’s teeth every day. A complete home dental care program for your pet often will include brushing as well as a special pet food that helps care for your pet’s teeth while he or she eats.

Even if you aren’t able to brush your pet’s teeth every day, by incorporating a special pet food into your pet’s daily routine, you can provide the dental care needed to keep your pet healthy. Be sure to discuss the options with your veterinarian to determine which are right for your pet.

Brushing Your Pet´s Teeth

1) Introduce a brushing program to pets gradually. Avoid over-restraining your pet and keep brushing sessions short and positive. Praise and reassure your pet throughout the process.

2) At first, dip a finger into beef bouillon for dogs or tuna water for cats. Rub the soaked finger gently over the pet’s mouth and teeth. Again, make the initial sessions short and positive.

3) Gradually, introduce gauze over the finger and gently scrub the teeth in a circular motion.

4) Finally, introduce a soft toothbrush designed for pets. Special pet toothbrushes are available from your veterinarian or specialty pet store. Don’t use toothpaste designed for people because it could upset the animal’s stomach.

Minneapolis Veterinary Hospital is currently offering 10% off all Dental related items for the months of February and March.

Dr. Sanford is a Veterinarian and Owner/Founder of Minneapolis Veterinary Hospital in the Mill District.   He can be contacted at 612-746-0300 or mplsvet@live.com.

He Knew it Was Time to Start Working Out When His Wife Said...

Doug and Pam have been married for 12 years.   After the wedding, Doug stopped working out - fast forward 3 or 4 years, and an eye opening statement from Pam made him realize he needed to make a change.  They were shopping on a rainy day, and Pam was watching Doug run to the car.  When he got in the car, she blurted out, "Your boobs jiggle more than mine!".  It was then that Doug decided he needed to get back in shape.  As you can see below, he's kept that commitment and he and Pam enjoy working out together.

  

Email Andrea Austin at andrea@tweakmyworkout.com if you'd like to try a complimentary RealRyder spin class at 501SP1N, or if you have a fitness or nutrition question. 

Beautiful Array of Valentine's Flowers and Gifts at City Gardens Flower Mill

Valentine's Day is Monday!  City Gardens Flower Mill owner, Dan Seefelt, took a few moments to show us some of the gorgeous fresh flowers and gifts available to melt your sweetie's heart.  Call Dan today at 612-332-7377 to place your special order.

 Or how about a flower that lasts forever:

Sorella Wine & Spirits has that Perfect Wine for a Special Valentine

When we asked Stacey at Sorella Wine & Spirits for an example of a current special that would work well for Valentine's, she recommended Mumm Napa.  I'm no connoisseur, but the description sounded wonderful: "Crisp and elegantly styled, with floral apple and yeasty spice aromas that lead to layered flavors of baked pear, citrus and creamy vanilla."