Why We Love Mill City Market Grocery and Deli

Since opening earlier this year, Mill City Market Grocery and Deli (1020 Washington Avenue South) has evolved into a well-stocked neighborhood grocery with an expanding list of products.  Rick and his staff are friendly and accommodating, and the store is always clean and tidy.  

The daily hot entrees and soups are consistently delicious, and the rotisserie chicken is a great instant dinner.  If you like to cook from scratch, there are plenty of options for that too.

It's baking season for me, and thankfully all the ingredients I use are at Mill City Market - from nutmeg to almond extract to cocoa powder.  And with the Mill City Farmers Market closed for the season, it's nice to be able to pop in before work for a few pieces of fresh fruit or veggies.

These are just a few reasons why we love having Mill City Market Grocery and Deli in our neighborhood. We hope anyone who hasn't discovered them yet will do so soon.  They are a true asset to the community.

Above, a Boar's Head representative was at the store October 23 providing samples of their products stocked at Mill City Market Grocery and Deli.

First Resident Moves Into Mill District City Apartments October 25

The Mill District City Apartments onsite sales office opened October 22.  We spoke with leasing agent Dan on Friday evening, and he gave us an update on their fast moving progress. 

The first residents are taking occupancy today, October 25.  A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for November 11, and the fitness center and Living Wall are slated for completion mid-November.

Above, a view of the main entry on Portland Avenue.  The sales office is to the right, directly under the Mill District City Apartments signage. (If you look real close, you can see Dan sitting at his desk.)

New details have been appearing daily on the 2nd Street South side.  Above, the rusted metal trim ties in with the history of the neighborhood.   First floor residents have private entries. 

Above, signage on the corner of Portland and Washington went up last week.  Below, the Living Wall is under construction.  It receives light through a wall of windows overlooking the courtyard.

Mill District City Apartments adheres to the National Association of Home Building "NAHB Green Building Standard".  Below, natural finishings in the lobby are part of the developers commitment to green construction.  Read more on this topic. 

The Plank Road is No More

Our last update on the Plank Road Replacement Project was posted October 11, at which time there was one section of planks yet to be replaced with cement.  

The below pictures were taken while we were out for a stroll this past Friday night.  Although all the planks have now been replaced with cement, the road was not yet open on the Portland side.

  According to an August Star Tribune article, the replacement project was scheduled for completion this October.

Coming Soon - the Mill City Fitness Blog

We're excited to launch the Mill City Fitness Blog on November 1.   We've lined up an expert guest blogger, Andrea Austin, who will contribute fitness tips and amazing client success stories.

Andrea is a Certified Master Personal Trainer with 20 years experience, and is a RealRyder instructor at 501SP1N, 501 Washington Avenue South.  Please visit Andrea's website to learn about her background, credentials and innovative approach to fitness.

We're honored to have Andrea on board as a guest blogger! 

Large Turn Out for Fundraiser to Benefit Mill City Farmers Market and Skyway Business Women's Education Fund

On October 14 the Skyway of Minneapolis Business Women sponsored a Fundraiser and Silent Auction to benefit Mill City Farmers Market and the Skyway Business Women's Education Fund.  The event was held at Local D'Lish, 208 North 1st Street. 

This was Skyway of Minneapolis Business Women's 6th Annual Fundraising event, and the first year MCFM was a beneficiary.  Skyway of Minneapolis Business Women, formed in 1989, is one of 14 member organizations within Minnesota Business Women (MBW).

Per Marjorie Hegstrom, Director, Mill City Farmers Market, "We were honored to be part of this lovely evening celebrating women entrepreneurs, especially the many Mill City Farmers Market businesses that are owned by women, and grateful to receive the generous donation from the event proceeds."

Over 20 locally owned vendors were present, with appetizers catered by Zoie Glass of Lucille's Kitchen Garden.  

Above, Amy Bibeau of Beonia Creations Jewelry was one of the vendors at the Fundraiser.  Amy travels extensively to obtain the perfect stones for her rings and other pieces. 

Rave reviews for the Soap Factory's Haunted Basement!

We spoke with several groups of people who dared to venture through the Soap Factory's Haunted Basement.  Here's what they had to say:

The Haunted Basement is open through October 31, Thursdays through Sundays.

Downtown Condo Development News

We're posting this link in case you missed Jim Buchta's "Developers Returning to Downtown Condos" article in the Sunday, October 17, Star Tribune.

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

Our neighborhood is a haven for dog owners, and we thought it would be beneficial to have an ongoing series specifically for them.  This is the second installment of Pet Park Safety Tips from Curtis L. Sanford, DVM.

Aggressive or fearful dogs, and puppies not fully vaccinated should not be taken to dog parks until they are completely socialized to all sizes and behaviors of dogs. Dog parks are not a place to learn socialization.

Small pet companions and large pet companions should be separated, unless the known companion can interact nicely with other pets.

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.

Research at the Red Stag / Happy Hour Tonight

Something from Nothing: The Mystery of Landscape Patterns

Time: 5:30pm

Location:  Red Stag Supper Club

Look out the window of an airplane and you will likely encounter a sight that U of M Geology & Geophysics Professor Chris Paola describes as "something miraculous." Beautiful, striking, and well-organized landscape patterns are one of the great mysteries in nature.  Join us for happy hour as Prof. Paola discusses what scientists are learning about these fascinating formations.

"Research at the Red Stag" is a new science happy hour sponsored by the National Center for Earth-surface Dynamics / St. Anthony Falls Laboratory. It is a chance to hear about new and exciting work over beer, in a cool bar.  Come talk with the experts about their efforts to address some of the Earth's most pressing problems.  NCED's Research at the Red Stag brings the wonders of science to happy hour.

Progress on the Plank Road Replacement Project

These shots were taken Thursday, October 7:

Mill District residents who access parking via West River Road are now entering from the 11th Avenue South entrance and driving on new cement. 

Access is no longer available from the Portland Avenue entrance while the final section is being replaced.

Father Hennepin Bluffs Regional Park East Falls Feasibility Study

The Minneapolis Riverfront Corporation hosted an Open House at Pracna's on Main October 5 to present ideas for achieving their vision: To create a more vital, world-class riverfront destination that will honor our past and welcome visitors to generations to come.

Jeff Lee of Barr Engineering presented excerpts from the Feasibility Study his firm is currently composing. The Feasibility Study is a prerequisite to obtaining funding for the project. It addresses issues such as sustainability, aesthetics, environmental benefits, and improving visitors experience.  A component of the project is to restore the East Falls. Below are artists' renderings of what two restored water falls might look like:

These falls are referred to as the Northern Limestone Ledge and Southern Limestone Ledge, both of which are in the park area below the Father Hennepin Bluff pavilion.

The East Falls Team is comprised of individuals from 14 organizations.   A follow up public meeting is planned for early December.  When the date, time and location are finalized, we'll post it under the Event section.

Mill City Market This Weekend

Here's the line-up for Mill City market this weekend.  Only 2 markets left.

Bridgewater Residents Supporting Homeless Family Fundraiser

This is from an email sent to Bridgewater Lofts residents from our HOA manager.  Of course, anyone wishing to support this cause is encouraged to attend.  Sounds like fun too!

------------------------------------------

Bridgewater Neighbors,

Join us for an awesome evening of dance and entertainment while helping end homelessness in Hennepin County!

The Bridgewater community supported People Serving People - the largest, comprehensive family focused shelter in Minnesota - with our Holiday drive in December.   And now, we have another opportunity to support goals that are important to all of us:

- Families having a safe place to live
- Children that can attend school and continue their education during difficult times
- Parents that can enroll in job training courses
- Safer communities

Next week, join us for an awesome evening of dance and entertainment while supporting the goals that are important to our community!

SALSA AND SPARKLE
Friday, October 15th
Featuring the music of Salsa del Soul
Salsa and Merengue dance instruction
Solera Restaurant 8-11pm
Tickets: $50
Cash Bar
100% of your ticket price goes to PSP!

The President of People Serving People, Jim Minor, will join us and discuss how we can make a greater impact.

Here's what you can do today:

- Buy Tickets online by October 10th
- Get your dancing shoes ready for the 15th!

Our goals is to raise $15,000 for the organization.  If you can't attend and would like to make a donation, please reference 'Salsa and Sparkle' in the memo line.

Link to event tickets

Please contact Carmen Brace if you have questions.  Thanks for your support!

Carmen Brace
612-708-1691
Carmen.brace@conagrafoods.com

A "New" Waterfall May be Coming to the Mississippi

Everyone's invited to learn about the Minneapolis Park Board's ambitious plans to restore part of the historic waterfall on the Eastside of the river near St. Anthony Main at the:

Eastside Falls Open House

Presentations by:

• Barr Engineering
• Hess Roise Historic Consultants
• Minneapolis Riverfront Corporation

7:00 to 8:30 PM

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Pracna on Main - Inside Courtyard
117 Main Street SE
Minneapolis, Minnesota

501SP1N has Officially Launched

Dawn Doll and her staff of instructors, together with 501F1T, hosted the 501SP1N Launch Party October 1.  501SP1N is an innovative indoor cycling program utilizing the Realryder® and Krankcyle®.

Andria Johnson, above, is one of the Krankcyle® instructors.  Andria met Dawn through a friend, and Dawn has been her trainer for over a year.  Andria is currently working towards becoming an ACE Certified Personal Trainer, and credits Dawn with her healthy lifestyle.

In addition to spin classes, Dawn teaches Pilates.  She is shown above with a piece of Pilates equipment used in her class.

Andrea Austin, Certified Master Personal Trainer with 20 years of experience, is a Realryder® instructor. 

Joe Hegman is a Krankcyle® instructor and Personal Trainer.

501SP1N is located at 501 Washington Avenue South, 3rd Floor.  For more information, call 612-910-1425.

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

Our neighborhood is a haven for dog owners, and we thought it would be beneficial to have an ongoing series specifically for them.  This is the first installment of Pet Park Safety Tips from Curtis L. Sanford, DVM.

Dark colored, overweight, shorter muzzle and large dogs should not be taken to the dog park during the heat of the day because they can develop heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Be sure you know the signs of both. They include excessive panting, their gums getting bright red, and eventually becoming disoriented and collapsing. If your dog is experiencing these symptoms, give it a cold water bath with a hose. On very hot days, even light colored dogs and small dogs should not be taken to the dog park. Most dogs prefer early morning and late evening interaction.

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.

The Minneapolis RiverCurrent - an Additional Source of Information

A life-long Minneapolis resident and long time City of Minneapolis employee who is passionate about our riverfront generates a weekly e-newsletter called the Minneapolis RiverCurrent.  The RiverCurrent covers a larger geographical scope than we focus on with Mill City Times.  For example, there are events and festivals along the riverfront in other parts of the city that you won’t see listed in the Events section of Mill City Times, but they’ll be included in the RiverCurrent.  At the same time, there are going to be items that both venues list – such as a show at the Guthrie.
 
If you would like to subscribe to the RiverCurrent, send an email to: mplsrivercurrent@gmail.com.

A Private Tour of the Soon to be Occupied Mill District City Apartments

Gina Bachmeier, Sales Manager for Mill District City Apartments, gave us an in depth tour of this beautiful 175 unit building located at 225 Portland Avenue.

Already over 35% leased, the 5-story building offers 39 floor plans and a long list of amenities.  Every unit has something special to offer.  For example, first floor apartments facing South 2nd Street and Washington Avenue have private entries. 

Above, a view of the Mill City Museum and Guthrie from the 5th floor catwalk.  (Being a klutz, I didn't actually venture out onto the catwalk - no railing yet.)

All 4th and 5th floor units are penthouses, half of which are two-story floor plans like the one pictured above.

Fireplaces are included in loft floor plans.

Above, other views from various apartments.

Village Green, the developer of Mill District City Apartments, has partnered with a growing number of companies within the Twin Cities to offer exclusive benefits and discounts to employees.  Examples are Target, Cargill and US Bank. Click here for a full list.

At the time of our tour, the retail space on the ground floor (at the corner of Washington and Portland Avenues) had not yet been leased.  

A model apartment and sales office are scheduled to open in October.  We will post the Open House events when those dates are finalized.

Although the courtyard currently resembles a giant sand box, it will be spectacular when finished.  Visit the photo section of their web site for pictures of what the completed complex will look like - inside and out. 

As a side note, I admit we were skeptical when we heard this location was going to be apartments rather than condos.   We felt better when we viewed the Village Green web site earlier this year - it was impressive.  Now, after touring the site with Gina, we think this is a great addition to our neighborhood.

Progress on the Plank Road Project

This shot was taken Sunday, September 26:

From West River Road in the Mill District of Minneapolis.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow in the Mill District

This video and picture don't do justice to the gorgeous rainbow that appeared for a few minutes early Saturday morning (September 25).  A faint double rainbow was visible for about 30 seconds or so. 

From our balcony in the Mill District of Mineapolis.