Live at the 501 Club / Matt Dodge

Singing Blackbird by the Beatles, from an acoustical set last Thursday.

Live Music Venues in our Neighborhood

When it comes to live music, there's something for everyone in our neighborhood. 

Some of the venues are season specific, such as the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board's "Music in the Parks" concert series and Mill City Museum's "Mill City Live" series.  Others may be nightly, weekly, or special events you need to watch for. 

For example, the Guthrie offers single night engagements, such as Keri Noble on September 27 and Max Weinberg on October 25.

I was surprised to learn in a recent Star Trib article that the Aster Cafe at 125 SE Main Street in St. Anthony Main now offers live music Wednesday thru Saturday.

In addition to recitals, the MacPhail Center for Music hosts special engagements such as the Spotlight Series.  This series features MacPhail faculty with special guests, providing an intimate listening experience for lovers of classical, jazz and opera. 

The 501 Club has live entertainment at least 5 nights a week. As a general rule the 501 site has links to the performers' sites, allowing you to get a feel for their music if you're not familiar with the name/band.

During the summer, wxzy at the Aloft has live music on Wednesday nights in their courtyard.

The Southern Theater occasionally features music.  A winter treat to look forward to is Alisa Weilerstein & Gabriel Kahane on February 18 & 19, 2011.  More Info.

Sometimes Grumpy's has live music - call or check online.

We strive to list as many of these shows in the Events section as possible, but inevitably we might miss a few.  If you're aware of an upcoming show that is missing from the Events section, please let us know.

Our Neighbors in the North Loop Need Help with this Special Project

We are fortunate to have so many beautiful parks just a stroll away.  But wouldn't it be nice for those of us with young children or grandchildren to have a fully equipped playground as well?   That dream is coming true where 4th Avenue North meets West River Parkway.    Earlier this month, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board released an update entitled "Preparations for construction of 4th Avenue playground underway".

The article mentions the location of this new playground as 4th Avenue North and James I. Rice Parkway (rather than West River Parkway).  I wasn't familiar with James I. Rice Parkway, but a quick Google search yielded a description on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board's web site:

"Part of the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, James I. Rice Parkway extends West River Parkway along the Mississippi River through downtown Minneapolis from Portland Ave. S to Plymouth Ave. N. Featuring paved walking and cycling paths, riverside hiking trails, picnic areas and beautiful scenery, the two-way parkway is as much a destination as it is a passage.

Heading north from Mill Ruins Park and the Stone Arch Bridge, James I. Rice Parkway passes under the 3rd Avenue Bridge, goes past the main Minneapolis Post Office and First Bridge Park, where it passes under the Hennepin Avenue Bridge. From there the parkway continues past the Federal Reserve Bank and under the NicolletIsland railroad bridge before intersecting with 4th Ave. N, which allows easy access the city’s Warehouse district and North Loop neighborhood. From 4thAve. the parkway winds along until reaching the Plymouth Avenue Bridge, at which point, James I. Rice Parkway reverts to West River Road.

The central riverfront parkland along James I. Rice Parkway presents a picturesque site for weddings, and offers ample recreational opportunities. Multiple tree-shaded picnic areas feature tables, grills, benches and horseshoe pits. Paved paths take park goers from the river’s edge at St. Anthony Falls, past interpretive and artistic installations and across pedestrian bridges near the sandstone culvert where Bassett’s Creek used to enter the Mississippi River. Other nearby recreation destinations include Orvin “Ole” Olson Park, Boom Island Park and Nicollet Island Park.

Opened in October, 1987, the parkway is named for James I. Rice, a longtime state legislator from northeast Minneapolis, who was an instrumental figure in funding the development of regional parks."

In addition to the donors listed in the article, there are other fund raising initiatives going on.  For example, a number of downtown restaurants are hosting fund raising dinners.  In our neighborhood, Spill the Wine is participating October 12.  For additional fund raising opportunities, visit the North Loop Neighborhood web site.

We'll be sure to take pictures and post progress updates whenever our strolls take us outside the Mill District.  

Don't Miss this Exciting Music Event at the MacPhail Center for Music!

Mill City Commons invites our neighborhood to join them on Tuesday, September 28, for this special event:  No Auditions Necessary: Gospel Sing-Along with J.D. Steele! at MacPhail Center for Music.

If you're not familiar with J.D. and his siblings, check them out at http://www.thesteelesmusic.com and you'll quickly learn what all the fuss is about.

Please RSVP by Friday, September 24.  See our Events section for full details.

Ceresota - What's in a Name?

We recently enjoyed Mill City Museum's "Engineering the Falls: Walking Tour by History Player William de la Barre" (like all their tours, it was marvelous).  Of the many interesting facts and quips our guide provided, one was regarding the name "Ceresota".  He explained the name is a combination of "Ceres" (in ancient Roman religion, Ceres was a goddess of agriculture, grain crops, fertility and motherly relationships) and "sota" for the last two syllables of our state.

As part of our ongoing series, Signs of Mill City, we previously posted a picture of the prominent Ceresota mural.

Work Recently Started on the West River Parkway Plank Road Replacement Project

MCFM Fall Harvest Dinner is a Huge Success

My guest Roni and I were among the first arrivals to the Mill City Farmers Market Fall Harvest Dinner last night, which allowed us time to admire the beautiful Fall-themed decorations in the Mill City Museum train shed and courtyard.  The MCFM Fall Harvest Dinner is an important annual fund raising event for this non-profit organization.

Every dish had a wonderful flavor and texture.  Until attending this Dinner, I had no idea how delicious smoked trout and collard greens were.  Yum!

 

The organic, sustainable gods were smiling down on the event - assuring the entertainers could perform in the open air and further adding to an enjoyable evening.  

On a side note, the MCFM is currently seeking an Executive Director.  Please see this earlier article for details.

The American Red Cross is in our Neighborhood

Did you know the Twin Cities Area Chapter of the American Red Cross headquarters is in our neighborhood?  They are located at the corner of West River Parkway and 13th Avenue South, and there is a Blood Donor Center on site (open 4 days a week, call 1-800-RED-CROSS for availability).

In addition to the Blood Donor Center, a number of classes are also offered at this location.  Examples include CPR, First Aid and Babysitter Training.

Until taking the time to review their web site, I wasn't aware of all the services offered by this organization.  Check out the How We Help section - it's amazing.

This Weekend in Mill City / September 10-12, 2010

It's a busy weekend in Mill City, my home town.  Events this weekend in and around the Historic Mill District of Minneapolis:

Friday, September 10

Tater Tot Hotdish at Mill City Market & Deli

Riverfront Oktoberfest

Guthrie Backstage Tour

Wine Tasting at Sorella Wine & Spirits

Kramarczuk’s Kielbasa Festival – “Meat Us in Nordeast”

Live Music at the 501 Club

Saturday, September 11

Mill City Farmers Market

Riverfront Oktoberfest

Family Music Event at MacPhail

The Master Butchers Singing Club Opening Night at the Guthrie Theater

Guthrie Backstage Tour

Kramarczuk’s Kielbasa Festival – “Meat Us in Nordeast”

Kitchen Harvests: World War I Tips for Getting the Most from Your Food

Engineering the Falls: Walking Tour by History Player William de la Barre

18th Annual James Page Blubber Run

Live Music at the 501 Club

Sunday, September 12

Riverfront Oktoberfest

Mill City Farmers Market Fall Harvest Dinner

Guthrie Backstage Tour

Railroad History Tour

Weekend Brunch

Saturday

Brunch at Spoonriver

Reservations recommended

10:00am - 2:00pm

See the menu

Sunday

Brunch at Spill the Wine
1101 Washington Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55415
612-339-3388

brunch buffet 10am- 2pm Sunday
$12/person (kids 3 and under eat free, 4-12 years are 1/2 price!)

includes: eggs, bacon, french toast, hash browns, fresh salad and fruit, pastries, build your own omlette bar and more...

featuring absolut bloody bar for $5.

also offering fair trade coffee and full bar.

New 35W Bridge Memorial Design Unveiled - Memorial Garden to Feature Water Wall and 13 I-beams

The new design was shown at a small ceremony attended by survivors of the 35W bridge collapse and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak across the street from Gold Medal Park.

From the Star Tribune -

The memorial will include a water wall in which the names of survivors will be etched, as well as 13 illuminated steel I-beams, each dedicated to one of the 13 people who died in the collapse.

From Kare11 -

Thirteen lighted columns with names of Interstate 35W bridge collapse casualties are the focal point of a planned memorial that city officials hope will be completed by next year's fourth anniversary.

and

A special wall will include the names of 145 people who survived the rush-hour collapse. An

overlook of the Mississippi River will offer views of the new bridge where traffic zooms by a few hundred feet away.

From Mill City Times - Below is a close-up shot taken through a chain link fence:

Design from oslund.and.associates -

   
 
 
  

Interview with Brenda Langton, owner of Spoonriver

In case you missed Lisa Gulya's recent City Pages articles (under The Hot Dish section), here are the links to her 2-part interview with Brenda Langton, owner of Spoonriver and founder of the Mill City Farmers Market:

Spoonriver's Brenda Langton: Chef Chat, Part 1

Spoonriver's Brenda Langton: Chef Chat, Part 2

Getting Around in our Neighborhood

I counted 13 ways to get around in our neighborhood:

  1) Walk
  2) Car - your own or hired
  3) Bus 
  4) Light Rail  
  5) Bicycle - your own or Nice Ride 
  6) Pedi Cab  
  7) Motorcycle/scooter
  8) Segway 
  9) Horse-drawn carriage
10) Pedal Pub
11) Skateboard
12) Rollerblades/Inline skates
13) Kayak/Canoe (Ok, probably not practical for getting to work, but it's still transportation!)

Did I miss anything? Let me know.

We recently used Twin Town Pedicabs for a ride to the a Twins game.  Our driver, Annie, was a hoot.  It was a very relaxing alternative to the busy pre-game Light Rail.

Take the Fire Safety Quiz and Help the Minneapolis Fire Department!

Take the online Fire Safety Pledge Program Quiz and the MFD could be awarded a $10,000 Grant.

HOW SAFE IS YOUR HOME FROM FIRE?  Test your fire safety knowledge, and at the same time help Minneapolis Fire Department, by taking an online fire safety quiz.  This quiz is sponsored by Liberty Mutual’s “Be Fire Smart” fire safety resource center, which will reward the departments with the most quiz-takers with a $10,000 grant to support their fire-education and prevention outreach efforts.  To take the quiz, go to:  www.befiresmart.com  and take the quiz in the “Fire Safety Pledge Program”.  Be sure to list Minneapolis Fire Department as your local fire department!  Although a name, email, zip code, and telephone are required to submit the quiz, this information is NOT used to solicit Liberty Mutual Insurance.  It will be used to notify participants of the department winners after the competition is over, end of October.

Questions? Contact: Casidy Anderson, Community Risk Reduction Officer
Minneapolis Fire Department, 350 South 5th Street #127, Minneapolis, MN 55415
612-919-7790  casidy.anderson@ci.minneapolis.mn.us

Downtown Traffic Alert - Today, September 2

Expect extra traffic during the first concurrent Twins and Vikings games tonight, September 2nd.  As many as 100,000 people could fill Target Field and the Metrodome.

The City of Minneapolis, Metro Transit, the Minnesota Twins, the Minnesota Vikings, and many other partners are working together to mitigate traffic congestion as much as possible and to spread the word to people who are living, working or visiting Downtown this evening. 

Minneapolis Central Library Tour

It's amazing how many places there are to tour around here! Last night we took the 6:30pm public tour of the Minneapolis Central Library. 

David Jones provided us with over an hour of interesting facts, figures, features and history of this beautiful facility.

The incredible Children's area offers 40 world languages. According to David, 80% of Minneapolis kids have a library card.

The Central Library's Grand Opening was in May, 2006.  At the time it was built, the library was 30% more energy efficient than what was required by code. One reason is the green roof.  It features 7 inches of soil and 50 varieties of ground cover.  Whatever rain water the roof doesn't absorb is routed to a conduit underground - so no run off.  Another benefit is the rooftop temperature stays moderate on hot days, both extending the life of the roof and saving on cooling costs. 

The building has two sides - the public area and storage/operations - separated by the library commons.  Each floor on the public side features a fireplace and special artwork.  The above picture of  violin artwork is from the 3rd floor, which houses music, art, drama, literature and over 1,000 periodicals.  

Only two items from Minneapolis' original 1889 library were included in the new Central Library. First, the statue of Minerva, the Goddess of Wisdom. Second, an ornate doorway (above), which currently serves as the entrance to the Special Collections room on the 4th floor.

I have to confess this was my first time visiting the Central Library. Even so, without all the background and interesting facts David provided, I wouldn't have the same appreciation had I just dropped in. Here are a few fun facts:  

360,000 square feet above ground

250 underground parking stalls

The staff answers 900,000 inquiries per year

There are over 7,000 cookbooks on the 2nd floor

2.5 million pieces of material are housed at the Central Library

40% of the material that goes out is Fiction, and half of that is in electronic format

There is an Adaptive Technology area for people with special needs

Take the tour!

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

We’d like to acknowledge all the people in the community who provided suggestions, contacts, background and other assistance as we created this site. 

Special thanks to Michele Strusz of Gittleman, Kit Richardson of Schafer Richardson, Ana Armstrong and Judy Boeckel of MacPhail Center for Music, Tom Meyer of Meyer Scherer & Rockcastle, Ltd., Marjorie Hegstrom of the Mill City Farmers Market, and Ann Calvert of the City of Minneapolis.  Also, the Mill City Museum staff who are present at the various tours have been wonderful. 

Finally, many thanks to the numerous residents, employees and business owners we’ve talked to over the past months.

We appreciate your input - it has helped us build the foundation of Mill City Times.

Kim Eslinger, Editor

Mill City Resident

What's that smell??

If you led me down Washington Avenue blindfolded, I could tell you exactly when we reached the Portland Avenue intersection.  Seriously, what IS that smell?

After crossing that intersection 100's of times since moving to the neighboor in September 2009 (we walk a lot), I decided to investigate.  First, I tried the Sewer & Storm Drain Unit.  They knew exactly what I was talking about, and referred me to the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services(MCES). 

Tim O'Donnell of MCES promptly returned my call.  He explained that there are two vents as part of a carbon odor control system in the SW corner of that intersection.  Air goes in one vent and out the other. While some exhaust is needed, it should not be accompanied by pungent odor.

The good news is they have been monitoring the situation, and are scheduled to check on the odor filtration system in the near future.  Tim said he'd give me a follow up call when there was something new to report.

A side note - Both the person I spoke to at the Sewer & Storm Drain Unit and Tim at MCES were responsive, pleasant and willing to take the time to discuss/explain the situation.   In addition to these two fellows, I've also talked with 311 staff a few times.  It seems we tend to hear more negative comments than positive when it comes to government employees, but I'm happy to report my interactions have all been positive.

Mill City Farmers Market seeks Executive Director

The Market is seeking an Executive Director to help lead this growing organization and build on the successes of the first five years. Since the first season, the market has more than tripled the number of vendors, increased average attendance to 3,000-5,500/week, become Minnesota's first 'Zero Waste' farmers market, and been voted City Pages 'Best Farmers Market' two years in a row. As the market moves to the next phase of organizational growth the board is looking for an executive director to grow the organization through strong fundraising and strategic collaborations, while maintaining the commitment to sustainability and exceptional vendor/product quality.

The Position and Candidate Specification Document  

Above the Falls Sports - Fun and Exercise on the Mississippi

I met Bob Schmitz of Above the Falls Sports at the Mill City Farmers Market this morning.  From May through October they offer kayaking, canoeing and open water rowing on the Mississippi River.

Safety and skill development are key aspects of this fully insured operation.   Before allowed to venture out solo, users are qualified with an initial instruction session.  Upon completion, users receive an ATFS certificate, giving them access to boats without further instruction.

Guided Tours range from 1 hour (the “Lunch Break”) to full day “Marathon Tours”.   Corporate outings and a Twilight Supper Cruise are also offered.  Self-equipped paddlers receive a 15% discount off the price of their trip.

Above the Falls Sports promotes the use of the river accessed from downtown Minneapolis.   River access is within walking distance from their shop.  Check out this unique urban adventure!

Plans for the 35W Remembrance Garden to be Announced Soon

The 35W Remembrance Garden will honor the 13 dead and 145 injured as a result of the 2007 I-35W bridge collapse.

According to an August 25 article in the Star Tribune, more funding than expected in now available for the memorial thanks to a recently announced $1.5 million contribution from a legal settlement. The donation comes as part of the $52.4 million settlement reached to settle claims from the collapse.

Final plans could be presented to the public in as few as three weeks, and once families sign off the work can begin.

The proposed site is 11th Avenue South at West River Road:

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