Covering life, work, and play in the Historic Mill District and Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront neighborhoods. Have an opinion, local news or events to share? Contact us.
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!
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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! :)
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.
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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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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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.
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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).
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.
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.
The 10-day weather forecast screams winter, but we're only 9 short weeks away from 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! :D
Location: Mill City Museum, 704 South Second Street
Times: Noon and 2:00pm
Featured tips in this demonstration include clever ways to pack more nutrition into food, how to turn seemingly useless scraps into meals and ways to get more from your food dollar.
Author Rae Katherine Eighmey will feature food and facts from her new book"Food Will Win the War: Minnesota Cooks, Crops, and Conservation during World War I." Eighmey will demonstrate the preparation of whole wheat chocolate cookies, cornmeal and rice waffles, and meatcakes. Samples will be available. After each demonstration, copies of Eighmey's book will be available for purchase, and she will be available to sign them.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mill City Times | 35W Bridge Memorial | Mill District Block Party | Mill City Media
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