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/. 

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

We're only 6 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!  :) 

MacPhail Center for Music Seeks CEO

MacPhail Center for Music, one of the largest and most dynamic community music schools in the country, seeks an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to lead the Center at an exciting and ambitious moment in its history. MacPhail seeks an enterprising and inspiring leader who will grow the organization and explore opportunities to leverage the organization's considerable strengths, working in partnership with a dedicated board of directors, faculty and staff.

Established in 1907, MacPhail is the premier center for music education in the Upper Midwest. It serves over 8,400 students of all ages, employs more than 170 teaching artists, and partners with 64 school and community service organizations to deliver high-quality music education programs to a wide range of audiences. MacPhail is a stable and steadily growing nonprofit arts organization committed to a mission of high quality teaching, educational access, and service to the community. The state-of-the-art performance and teaching headquarters is located at 501 South 2nd Street.

Click here for more information.

My First RealRyder Spin Class at 501SP1N

Andrea finally convinced me to try a 45 minute RealRyder class at 501SP1N. The instructor for Tuesday's 7pm RealRyder class is Kristi Hicks.  Kristi also utilizes Andrea as her Personal Trainer, and will be the subject of an upcoming success story.

You may recall from previous postings that the RealRydercycle is more intense than a regular spin bike in that it allows you to turn and move as though you're riding a real bike - thus providing a full body work out.  It's a unique experience, and I felt a little wobbly during this first class.  Even though I wasn't able to keep up with Kristi - I let my limited coordination and a touch of "saddle soreness" hold me back - I quickly worked up a sweat.  The music was butt-kickin', and the class ended with a thorough stretch routine. 

I must say the people who do RealRyder are a happy bunch.  If you're looking for a group cardio experience, it's a great place to start.  If you're new to spinning (or, like me, haven't been on a bike in years), I would definitely suggest requesting a padded seat cover.  Also, it might be helpful to wear a pair of gloves - I noticed several people in class wore them. Even though the handle bars are padded, my hands got a little sore. Kristi intermittently incorporates push ups in her routine, which puts some pressure on the hands (again, just depends how hard you're working).

Click here for a list of all the classes offered at 501SP1N.  If you're not sure which class/classes would be best for you, 501SP1N's partner, 501F1T, offers a 1 Free Week Pass, which allows you to try as many Spin Classes you can handle, along with access to 501F1T's facility and 1 G-Werx Group Strength Class.

Winter Parking Restrictions End in Minneapolis

On May 21, the City of Minneapolis issued this parking update:

Effective immediately, Minneapolis has lifted the Winter Parking Restrictions. The restrictions went into effect on Dec. 17, 2010 after snow accumulations narrowed many streets, making it difficult for fire trucks, ambulances, and other emergency vehicles to navigate in some neighborhoods. Limiting parking to one side of most neighborhood streets created more reliable access for emergency responses.
 
Our recent mild temperatures and sunnier days have melted snow along city streets, widening them far enough that the Fire Chief, Public Works officials, and other public safety officials have determined the restrictions can be lifted. With this melting, we are now seeing better conditions on most city streets.

Beginning March 21, normal parking rules again apply on city streets. Signs added to some narrower Snow Emergency routes that limited parking to one side of the streets will soon be removed, however drivers should continue to follow those posted signs as long as they are in place.
 
It was the seventh snowiest winter in Minneapolis with the city receiving more than 80 inches of snow from Nov. 2010 to March 2011, and the City declared eight Snow Emergencies – a record. The public’s cooperation in following the restrictions greatly aided emergency responders in their work to serve folks in Minneapolis.
 
Although the Winter Parking Restrictions have been lifted, it is still possible to have additional Snow Emergencies until April 1 (by ordinance the City can’t declare Snow Emergencies after April 1). Drivers should be mindful of the normal Snow Emergency rules and procedures and check the City’s 348-SNOW hotline, the Web, or the many other Snow Emergency notification tools if we receive more snowfall.
 
For questions, contact:
Renee Allen, Crime Prevention Specialist
Minneapolis Police Department, First Precinct
renee.allen@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
(612) 673-5163

Yoga Insights with Victoria Rico

Submitted by Victoria Rico

Spotlight on two Minneapolis Yoga Instructors:  John Robert Shaw and Inanna Jessup

John Robert Shaw

John is sincere in saying that the yoga journey has positively influenced many aspects of his life and physical being along withthose with whom he has practiced and had the honor to teach. The opportunity to practice and teach Bikram and Corepower yoga is a supreme blessing that continues to and will forever impact his earthly and spiritual existence.

Inanna Jessup

“What I love about teaching yoga is the ability to move energy through a room, and through a community. I love that when people walk through the studio doors, they feel at home.  They feel THIS is a part of their day where they can be themselves and take CARE of themselves.  It is such an honor to be a part of that experience.”

While the featured yogi have divergent stories, it is interesting that both John and Inanna were initially drawn to Bikram Yoga.  The Bikram (Hot Yoga) practice is intense, systematic, evenly paced and meditative.   John took a Bikram class looking to refresh his body and mind after over 25 years as a runner, biker, and health club rat.

Inanna, who spent years as a competitive gymnast, found herself in Philadelphia, in fashion design school.  After 8 hours hunched over a sewing machine, hot yoga was the perfect holistic medicine for neck and back pain from previous gymnastics injuries.  Please look for both John and Inanna on the schedule at CorePower Yoga at 501 Washington Avenue South.  To learn more about their extensive teacher training, please look for them on the CorePower Yoga website.  If you live in the neighborhood please ask about special pricing on yoga classes.

Click here for the full article, including an in-depth Q&A with both yogi, under the Mill City Times Fitness Blog.

Mill City Farmers Market is Hiring Day Staff for the 2011 Season

The Mill City Farmers Market is currently hiring day staff for the 2011 market season.  Click on these links for more info:

- Market Day Staff: Info Booth

- Market Day Staff: Kitchen

Super Sweet Grapefruit - Another Reason to Visit Mill City Market Grocery & Deli

I've been enjoying the grapefruit from Mill City Market Grocery and Deliat least 5 days a week for about a month now.   Even though they count as part of the 'daily five', they seem more like a naughty dessert because they're so incredibly sweet.  Yum!

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

We're only 7 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 and videos from the 2010 MCFM to help get you in the mood...

See you there!  :)

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

Dave and I became members of Mill City Commons earlier this year.  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. 

The latest members-only event we attended was a tour of the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center(HERC), located at 417 North 5th Street (next to Target Field).  Mark Zaban, a Hennepin County Engineer, provided our group with the history of HERC, an overview of how garbage is converted to energy, numerous facts and figures, and a walking tour through the actual facility. 

You may recall one of the concerns for Target Field's location was that Twins fans would be assaulted with foul air from HERC.  That turned out to be a non-issue.  In fact, standing just outside the building there was no indication that it was a waste conversion facility.  That's because there are a number of pollution control mechanisms in place.

Imagine 15 football fields, each piled 15 feet high with garbage.  According to Mark, that's how much landfill space is saved each year by processing garbage at HERC.  Unfortunately, it's cheaper to throw garbage in a landfill than it is to run a facility like HERC. 

Below are a few pictures from our tour.  View the full set of pictures here.

The below graph tells a disturbing story.  The production of plastics (Generation) has sky-rocketed since 1960, yet the amount being recycled (Recovery) is still just a blip on the radar.

 

HERC operates 24/7.  Below, Michael mans a bank of monitors and keeps in contact with workers in other areas of the facility.

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

2011 Minneapolis Earth Day Clean Up Scheduled for Saturday, April 16

Mark your calendar for 9:30am-Noon on Saturday, April 16, to join the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board for the annual Minneapolis Earth Day Clean Up.

It’s easy to get involved - no pre-registration is required.  Volunteers can choose from a lengthy list of Clean Up sites.  In our neighborhood, it's Father Hennepin Bluffs Park, 100 6th Avenue SE (the East Bank side of the Stone Arch Bridge).

About Earth Day Clean Up  
   
A collaborative effort between the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) and City of Minneapolis Solid Waste and Recycling, the Minneapolis Earth Day Watershed Clean Up was initiated in 1995 to draw attention to the water quality improvement needs of Minneapolis’ lakes and the effects that individual actions have on urban water quality.

The goal of Earth Day is to provide a volunteer experience and environmental education to Minneapolis residents and park users. This annual event involves cleaning major watersheds and water bodies in the City of Minneapolis including: the Chain of Lakes, Lake Nokomis, Lake Hiawatha, Powderhorn Lake, Diamond Lake, Shingle Creek, Minnehaha Creek, Bassett’s Creek and the Mississippi River.

Environmental Education is a key part of the Clean Up. Onsite programs offer volunteers the opportunity to learn about various issues affecting our environment and community today.  The programs are designed for individuals of all ages.

Past programs included:

River/Stream water testing presentations
Stream erosion/pollution presentations
Recycled art programs for youth
Birdhouse building
Wildlife effects of pollution
Water-cycle education games

Know a Teen Who Needs a Job? Central Library Offers Assistance

Hennepin County Library will hold its 5th annual Teen Job Fair on Saturday, April 2, Noon-3:00pm at the Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall.  Admission is free. 
 
Hennepin County teens can meet employers from more than 30 businesses, find out about jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities, and attend workshops on job hunting, job applications, and job interviewing. 
 
The Teen Job Fair is geared to teens in Grade 8 and up, although most employment opportunities are for teens age 16 and up. 
 
Last year, more than 1,000 youths attended the Teen Job Fair and more than 30 employers participated.  So far this year, the Mall of America, Conservation Corps of Minnesota, Ben and Jerry’s, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, and other businesses have signed up to participate. 
 
For more information about the Teen Job Fair, go online or call 952-847-8049. 
 
Here are several additional Teen Job Assistance Events (held in the Doty Board Room at the Central Library):
-  Thursday, April 7, 4:00pm–5:00pm  - Interview Skills 
-  Thursday, May 5, 4:00pm–5:00pm  - Resume Tips
Register online or call 952.847.8000.
Grade 8 and up. 

'Seeing the Minneapolis Riverfront' Photo Contest Sponsored by the Mill City Museum

 Mill City Museum invites you to enter your photographs of the Minneapolis Riverfront that reveal the relationship of people to the environment in the past and present.

Judges will be looking for striking images of the Mississippi River and the Minneapolis Riverfront that show the relationship between people and the environment past and present, what that relationship has meant to different people in different times, and the positive and negative consequences of our use of the land and waters. Ideal photographs will convey a sense of place of the Minneapolis Riverfront and will address the way people use the riverfront and its resources. Photographs can focus on the environmental success stories or on the work yet to be done. 

Winning photographs will be framed and displayed in the museum’s lobby in July and August 2011. Honorable mention photographs will be displayed nearby in a high definition slide presentation.

This photo contest is part of "Greening the Riverfront" a year-long series of programs highlighting how the Minneapolis riverfront has transformed from an industrial center to a center for new ways of thinking about our relationship with nature. The series includes the exhibit “Seeing the Big River: The eco-art work of Peter L. Johnson," on display in the museum’s Mill Commons through May 16, 2011. Johnson’s photographs, found-object sculpture, and video invite us to see the Mississippi River in new ways, and help viewers discover beauty amidst environmental damage. He will be one of the contest jurors.

Click here for eligibility, entry information, etc.

Mill District Business Spotlight: Level Salon

Although we've walked by Level Salon countless times since moving to the neighborhood, it wasn't until a recent visit that I discovered what a cool place it is.  Located at 903 Washington Avenue South, owner Gary Anderson and his staff recently celebrated the salon's 5 year anniversary.

Gary (pictured above) co-owned Take Five on First for 17 years prior to opening Level Salon.  He loves the energy of the Mill District neighborhood, and was careful to incorporate the original beams of the 100+ year old building into the salon's sleek design. 

Below, sample pieces from Level Salon's first art show grace the wall.  Gary featured the work of Bulgarian artist Silvia Yordanova for this first event, and it was a smashing success.  The next art show is planned for later this year. 

The old beams work well to frame a product display:

The space Gary started with was a blank canvas.  He worked with an architect to ensure the limited square footage was utilized efficiently, functional and visually pleasing.

But let's be honest.  A salon can have a great location and snazzy appearance - neither of which matter if it's missing the most important element - terrific people.   Level Salon excels there, as well. There are 9 stylists, serving both men and women clientele.  Services include haircuts, color and highlights, manicures and pedicures, and eyebrow/lip waxes.   

They also offer special occaison styling.  Being located across the street from the Aloft makes it convenient for wedding parties.  Check out some wedding photos on Level Salon's Facebook page.

As Mishon (below) explained to me during what could qualify as the worlds best pedicure, the team has worked together with Gary for many years, and are like family. 

It's been a long time since my last pedicure - mainly because memories of a sadistic technician who cut my toe still haunt me.  Mishon, on the other hand, was very gentle, yet very thorough.  If you're in need of a pedicure, or looking for a gift certificate idea, you can't go wrong with Mishon.

I'll be heading back to Level Salon in the near future for a hair cut with Jeffrey. 

Neighborhood Volunteer Opportunities at People Serving People

People Serving People, 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. 

They currently have the following volunteer needs:

Meal Server

Serve breakfast, lunch or dinner to PSP guests and assist with clean-up as necessary.

Breakfast: 7:30am - 9:00am                     
Lunch: 11:30am - 1:00pm                   
Dinner: 4:15pm - 5:45pm
Must be at least 12 (children 12 - 15 must be accompanied by an adult).  Great for groups: 2-3 volunteers for breakfast, 4-6 volunteers for lunch and dinner.

Building Beautification

Assist our housekeeping department with duties including general upkeep of the building and donation sorting.
Monday-Friday: 8am - 4pm (2 hour shift)             
Weekends: 8am - 2pm (2 hour shift)
Requirements: Must be at least 12 years old (children 12 - 15 must be accompanied by adult).

Children's Activity Assistant

Help our staff facilitate games, crafts and group activities with children ages 3 - 17.
Fridays: 5:15pm – 7:30pm
Sundays: 12:45pm – 3:15pm
Requirements: Must be at least 18.

Click here to fill out an online volunteer application. 

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

Be sure to mark your calendar for May 7 - we're only 8 short weeks away from Opening Day at the 2011 Mill City Farmers Market!

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

See you at the Market!

Mill District Business Spotlight: Bierbrauer Chiropractic

I recently met with Dr. Chris Bierbrauer of Bierbrauer Chiropractic, located at 221 10th Avenue South in the Bridgewater Lofts building.   The soothing spa aroma puts you into relaxation mode as soon as you enter the office.  His website states it's "a new kind of Chiropractic care", and I quickly learned exactly what that meant. 

After earning his degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1995, Dr. Bierbrauer practiced in Green Bay, Chicago and Platteville.   All the while, he knew there was a better way to treat patients, and about 10 years ago he started looking at soft tissue work.   Since establishing his own practice here in the Mill District in November 2008, he now concentrates on two soft tissue methods - the Active Release Technique and the Graston Technique.  This is what sets Bierbrauer Chiropractic apart from other practices.

Below, Dr. Bierbrauer demonstrates how he uses specific tools to manipulate nerves at the muscle level.  This allows him to zero in on issues ranging from carpal tunnel syndrome to tennis elbow.  He cited an example of a patient suffering from "calf contracture" - her calf muscles were so tight they felt like bone, and she was unable to stand flat-footed.  Soft tissue treatments were the effective treatment for her.

Patients range from newborns to seniors, although a large percentage are athletes - runners, iron men, triathletes, skiers and weight lifters.  In fact, Dr. Bierbrauer's first patient was a pitcher from an AL Central Team in town for a game against the Twins.  Although his office wasn't officially open yet, he was sought out because of his ability to perform the tissue treatment needed for this professional athlete.

A colicky baby may be in need of a single adjustment to provide relief.  The birthing process can be tramatic - all the manipulating can cause immobility in the neck from the cranial nerve that comes off the brain stem. 

Dr. Bierbrauer explained the efficiency of soft tissue treatments.   He does not subscribe to the old ways of scheduling X visits per week for X number of weeks.  Rather, he spends more time with a patient during a visit, and only schedules a follow up if it's needed.  (So this old joke does not apply here: "How many chiropractors does it take to screw in a light bulb?  Only 1, but it takes 36 visits.")

Dr. Bierbrauer lives in North East with his wife, Missy Wilson, a Graphic Designer for Duffy & Partners (another Mill District business).

Pedestrian Advisory Committee Seeking Members - Application Review Process Begins April 4

Minneapolis' Pedestrian Advisory Committee, created 5 years ago, is charged with advising the Mayor and City Council on policies, programs and actions for improving pedestrian safety, mobility, accessibility and comfort; for promoting walking for transportation, recreation and health purposes; and for strengthening the linkage between the pedestrian environment and public transportation.

The committee is composed of 15 voting members who reside or own a business in the City and who have an interest in promoting walking and improving the pedestrian environment in Minneapolis.

There are eight Council-appointed vacancies for a term beginning July 1, 2011, and expiring June 30, 2013. These positions will remain open until filled, with the application review process to begin on Monday, April 4.

The committee also includes non-voting members from City Departments and partner agencies with an interest in and impact on pedestrian issues to provide expertise on pedestrian issues and to serve as a liaison between the committee and City departments and partner agencies.

Click here for more information, including the application process.

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

Dave and I became members of Mill City Commons 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. 

The next fundraising event to be hosted by Mill City Commons is coming up in a few weeks: Chefs for Change.  It takes place Monday night, March 21, at People Serving People, 614 South 3rd Street.

This special Chefs for Change dinner will be created by Brenda Langton of Spoonriverand feature bountiful garden hors d'œuvres, wine and discussion. The focus of discussion will be on urban gardening and the development of a rooftop garden at People Serving People. Attendees will experience the unique flavor of Spoonriver, as well as learn about issues affecting the local community.  You don't have to be a member of Mill City Commons to attend, but reservations are required.  In addition to doing something good for the community, this would be a great chance to meet current Mill City Commons members.

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