Crown Hydro Responds to FERC Notice of Termination

Ice Cream Cones & Gold Medal Park? You Betcha! DMNA Endorses Izzy's Design

Last night the DMNA endorsed the site plan for the Izzy's Ice Cream project across from Gold Medal Park in the Mill District of Minneapolis.

The building has a new design, and in a major change, will include an ice cream parlor where they'll scoop cones and make homemade waffles cones right onsite.  Another significant announcement shared at the meeting was the addition of outdoor seating, including benches and 4 tables.

The project has weathered intense neighborhood opposition, including from Mill City Times, at previous meetings, but encountered almost none at last night's meeting.  The changes announced by Izzy's owner Jeff Sommers last night change the nature of this project significantly.  We think it will be an amenity for the neighborhood, the park, and the visitors from all over the region who use the park daily.

Kudos to Sommers and CPED Project Manager Miles Mercer for listening to the concerns of the community and coming up with a much improved project.

New Documentary Illuminates Harry Belafonte’s Role in the Awakening of the American Civil Rights Movement and Conscience

The Film Society of Minneapolis/St. Paul Presents:

Sing Your Song is an up-close look at a great American, Harry Belafonte.  A champion for worldwide civil and human rights, Belafonte is one of the truly heroic cultural and political figures of the past 60 years. The film charts Belafonte’s life - from his birth in New York and youth in Jamaica, and return to Harlem in his early teens where he discovers the American Negro Theater and the magic of performing. From there the film follows Belafonte’s rise from the jazz and folk clubs of Greenwich Village and Harlem to his emergence as a star, and as an activist.

Sing your Song presents a look at the Civil Rights Movement through the eyes of an insider, someone who, despite his high profile, wasn’t afraid to spend time in the trenches.  From Harlem to Mississippi to Africa to South Central Los Angeles, Sing Your Song takes us on a journey through Belafonte’s life, work and, most of all, his conscience, as it inspires us all to action! – S2BN Films.

Playing at St. Anthony Main Theater Screen 3

Showing Fri, Mar 16 through Thurs, Mar 22 – Times:

Fri 3/16 and Sat 3/17 at 1:15, 4:00, 7:00, 9:30

Sun 3/18 at 1:15, 4:00, 9:30

Mon 3/19 at 4:00, 7:00, 9:30

Tue 3/20 at 4:00, 7:00, 9:30

Wed 3/21 at 4:00, 7:00, 9:30

Thu 3/22 at 4:00, 9:30

Izzy's Project to Include Scooping Ice Cream Cones? Mill City Times Exclusive

Below is a graphic cut from the Izzy's site plan to be presented tonight at the DMNA meeting (see post below).

If the plan is indeed to sell ice cream cones, like a real ice cream parlor, this facility could be a real amenity for the Mill District neighborhood.  Will they be open retail hours?  That would be icing on the cake.  Attend the DMNA meeting tonight to find out!

Thanks to MNdible on Minnescraper Forums for catching this change.

The area outlined in red shows a scooping station and a waffle making station!

Tonight - Izzy's Site Plan Presentation at Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association Meeting

On the Agenda - Presentation of the Izzy's Ice Cream site plan and other planning applications by owner Jeff Sommers, architect David Salmela and CPED Project Coordinator Miles Mercer.

Izzy's Site Plan

Breaking - Izzy's Site Plan & Photos for New Facility Across from Gold Medal Park - Mill City Times Exclusive

We just received this from the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association:

Outrage on the Minneapolis Riverfront - Vandals Deface Pillsbury "A" Mill [Images]

Sometime overnight between Saturday, March 10, and Sunday, March 11, vandals defaced the red tile elevators at the Pillsbury "A" Mill on the Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront.

If you look at one of the closer up photos you can see that the criminal signed his name "Noah" as part of the J.  However, given that the letters are about 8-10 feet high and stretch across the entire building, I would speculate more than 1 vandal was involved.

We took the before picture at 5:45 PM on Saturday, March 10, 2012.  Upon awakening this morning, something seemed amiss while having coffee on our balcony, prompting me to check our photos from the previous evening.

View full size slideshow...

From Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 11:15 AM

From Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 5:45 PM

The Week Ahead in Mill City / March 12-18

Above: The latest update to the Mill City Photo Pool...

Each Monday morning we provide an easy to reference list of events and activities for the week ahead in the Mill City neighborhood.  Submit your events here...

Monday, March 12

No events scheduled

Tuesday, March 13

Books & Bars Series at Aster Cafe

Artist talk: MCBA Artist-in-residence Shana Agid at MCBA

Colonel Sibley and the 3rd Minnesota in the Dakota Uprising of 1862 at Central Library

DMNA Board Meeting at Central Library

Wednesday, March 14

Minneapolis Park and Rec Board Meeting

A Sip of Science at Aster Cafe

Todd Boss Publication Reading at the Loft

Thursday, March 15

Taste Twin Cities Downtown Minneapolis Skyway Tour

Friday, March 16

Live Music at Crooked Pint

Live Music at Aster Cafe

20th Annual Beat The Odds Celebration at The Depot

Saturday, March 17

Live Music at Crooked Pint

25 Cent Book Sale at Central Library Book Store

Washburn A Mill Tour at Mill City Museum

Farmers Market at Local D'lish

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Mill City Farmers Market at the Arboretum

Taste Twin Cities Downtown Minneapolis Skyway Tour

Team Ortho Foundation's Get Lucky! 7K Race

Childish Films at Central Library

Sunday, March 18

Japan America Arts Forum at MCBA

This Weekend in Mill City / March 9-11

Above: A recent photo from the Mill City Photo Pool

Events this weekend in and around the Historic Mill District and Minneapolis Riverfront Neighborhoods.  Have an event to share?  Contact us...

Friday, March 9

Live Music at Crooked Pint

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Saturday, March 10

Live Music at Crooked Pint

Mill City Bake-Off Challenge at Mill City Museum

Let's Play Cards! Family Workshop at MCBA

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Taste Twin Cities Downtown Minneapolis Skyway Tour

Talk-It Hennepin Workshop at Central Library

International Cartoonist Conspiracy Meet-up at MCBA

Sunday, March 11

Concerto & Aria Concert at MacPhail

35W Ramp/Lane Closures Alert

From: "City of Minneapolis" <minneapolis@public.govdeli very.com>
Date: Mar 7, 2012 2:26 PM
Subject: I-35W ramps/bridge lane closures alert

Eastbound night lane closures on Washington Ave. Bridge March 7 – 9

All eastbound lanes on the Washington Avenue Bridge will close to traffic overnight on Wednesday, March, 7, Thursday, March 8, and Friday, March 9 from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. All westbound lanes on the bridge will stay open to traffic.

Eastbound lanes will close from the ramp to Cedar Avenue South to the east side of the river. Access to Cedar Avenue will remain open at all times. A signed detour will be posted.

Northbound ramp from I-35W to S 3^rd St. to close Thursday, March 8

The ramp from northbound I-35W to South 3^rd Street will close from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 8 to allow for Central Corridor Light Rail construction.

Traffic will be detoured to Washington Avenue, Chicago Avenue and back to South 3^rd Street. For more information about the project please visit http://www.metrocouncil.org/transportation/ccorridor/centra lcorridor.asp.

Northbound ramp from SE 4^th St. to I-35W to close March 10 - 23

The ramp from Southeast 4^th Street to north bound I-35W will close for a period of two weeks beginning at 6 a.m., Saturday, March 10. The ramp is scheduled to reopen on Friday, March 23. 

During this two-week period, traffic will be detoured north to New Brighton Boulevard in order to access northbound I-35W. This closure is needed to allow crews to work on the water main under the roadway.

Izzy's Site Plan Presentation at March 13 DMNA Meeting

On the Agenda - Presentation of the site plan and other planning applications by owner Jeff Sommers, architect David Salmela and CPED Project Coordinator Miles Mercer.

Hot & Cold: Warm Evening on the Stone Arch Bridge, Sliding at Gold Medal Park

We were out for a stroll last night, temp in the 50's.  Many others had the same idea:

2 Days ago kids were sliding at Gold Medal Park:

Behind the Scenes Women’s Clothing Boutique Now Open

Behind The Scenes, the new women’s clothing boutique located at 1026 Washington Avenue South, celebrated it's Grand Opening on Saturday, March 3.

Owners India and Laura (below) have created a bright, welcoming store offering beautiful (yet affordable) clothing, jewelry, scarves, belts and purses.

Sizes range from 0 to 14, depending on the line.  Styles run the gamut from to casual to dressy, with a sprectrum of gorgeous colors and prints to choose from.

Above, India's mom took a moment to show me one of the many unique pieces available.  As Saturday's crowd would indicate, Behind The Scenes is a much needed shop in our neighborhood - both for residents and women who work in the area. 

 

The store is roomy, there's plenty of dressing room space, and full length mirrors are positioned throughout the store.  The lounge area is a nice touch, too!

Check out this slideshow for an expanded look at the store, clothing and accessories:

Behind The Scenes is open daily (Sun Noon-6p; Fri-Sat 11a-9p; Mon-Thur 11a-8p), and Laura mentioned gift cards will be available soon.  You can follow them on Facebook and Twitter, or reach them at 612-564-4144.

Free Admission - The Film Society of Minneapolis/St. Paul Neighborhood Night at the Movies

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

6pm reception at Aster cafe

7pm screening of Sing Your Song at St. Anthony Main Theatre

http://www.mspfilmsociety.org/content/sing-your-song

FREE for St. Anthony Main/Minneapolis Riverfront neighbors!

Please RSVP to events@mspfilmsociety.org or call 612.331.7563

"A celebration of singer, actor and social activist Harry Belafonte, "Sing Your Song" does three things only a superior bio-doc can do: Tell a stirring life story, place that life in the context of its times, and portray it with the kind of depth and breadth that makes you wonder why it hasn't been told before." - Variety

Wonderfully archived, and told with a remarkable sense of intimacy, visual style, and musical panache, Susanne Rostock’s inspiring biographical documentary, Sing Your Song, surveys the life and times of singer/actor/activist Harry Belafonte. From his rise to fame as a singer, inspired by Paul Robeson, and his experiences touring a segregated country, to his provocative crossover into Hollywood, Belafonte’s groundbreaking career personifies the American civil rights movement and impacted many other social-justice movements.

Rostock reveals Belafonte as a tenacious hands-on activist, who worked intimately with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., mobilized celebrities for social justice, participated in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, and took action to counter gang violence, prisons, and the incarceration of youth.

Because of his beliefs, Belafonte drew unwarranted invasions by the FBI into both his personal life and career, which led to years of struggle. But an indomitable sense of optimism motivates his path even today as he continues to ask, at 84, "What do we do now?" His example may very well inspire you to action. S2BN Films

Video - Minneapolis Water Works Meeting 2 on Feb 27, 2012

Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle (MS&R), lead architects and HR&A Advisors, economic development consultants, present conceptual designs for the planned Water Works Park on the Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront.  Visit the project tracking page for a complete history of the Water Works project...

Part 1 - Introduction

Part 2 - Analysis & Concepts

Part 3 - Questions & Answers

Update on Monday, March 5, 2012 at 11:20AM by David Tinjum

*Share your comments on the Water Works conceptual development plan, now through March 31, 2012 online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/waterworks2012

The Week Ahead in Mill City / March 5-11

Above: The latest update to the Mill City Photo Pool...

Each Monday morning we provide an easy to reference list of events and activities for the week ahead in the Mill City neighborhood.  Submit your events here...

Monday, March 5

Public Skating at the Metrodome

Tuesday, March 6

No events scheduled

Wednesday March 7

McKnight Screenwriting & Filmmaking Awards Presentation at The Loft

Quarterly Wine Sale & Tasting at Spill the Wine

Thursday, March 8

Book Store Clearance Sale Starts at Central Library (runs to March 31)

Taste Twin Cities Downtown Minneapolis Skyway Tour

Talk-It Hennepin at Central Library

Friday, March 9

Live Music at Crooked Pint

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Saturday, March 10

Live Music at Crooked Pint

Mill City Bake-Off Challenge at Mill City Museum

Let's Play Cards! Family Workshop at MCBA

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Taste Twin Cities Downtown Minneapolis Skyway Tour

Talk-It Hennepin Workshop at Central Library

International Cartoonist Conspiracy Meet-up at MCBA

Sunday, March 11

No events scheduled

The Soap Factory on WCCO

WCCO was at The Soap Factory yesterday for the opening of the third edition of Art(ists) On the Verge presented by Northern Lights.mn.

AOV is an intensive, year-long, mentor-based fellowship program for emerging artists working experimentally at the intersection of art, technology, and digital culture with a focus on network-based practices that are interactive and/or participatory.

This Weekend in Mill City / March 2-4

Above: A recent photo from the Mill City Photo Pool

Events this weekend in and around the Historic Mill District and Minneapolis Riverfront Neighborhoods.  Have an event to share?  Contact us...

Friday, March 2

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Live Music at Crooked Pint

Lunch with MacPhail

Customer Appreciation Day at Coffee Gallery

Saturday, March 3

Grand Opening of Behind the Scenes Women's Clothing Botique

Washburn A Mill Tour at Mill City Museum

Origami and Pop-Up Books Family Workshop at MCBA

Picnic on the Battlefield Opens at Southern Theater

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Taste Twin Cities Downtown Minneapolis Skyway Tour

Art(ists) On the Verge Opening Reception at The Soap Factory

Sunday, March 4

Beginners Tai Chi for Health Class at Open Book

Graze for Good at Spill the Wine

Video - Brenda Langton on FOX 9

Spoonriver owner and Mill City Farmers Market founder Brenda Langton appeared on FOX 9 last week and showed off her Chef skills while making a Ranchy Veggie Pasta Salad:

Tomorrow - Once Upon A Time In Anatolia from the Film Society of Minneapolis/St. Paul

"A metaphysical road movie about life, death and the limits of knowledge, “Once Upon a Time in Anatolia” has arrived just in time to cure the adult filmgoer blues." - New York Times

Winner of the Grand Prize at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, Once Upon A Time In Anatolia is the new film from Nuri Bilge Ceylan, the celebrated director of Distant and Climates.

In the dead of night, a group of men – among them a police commissioner, a prosecutor, a doctor and a murder suspect – drive through the Anatolian countryside, the serpentine roads and rolling hills lit only by the headlights of their cars. They are searching for a corpse, the victim of a brutal murder.

The suspect, who claims he was drunk, can’t remember where he buried the body. As night wears on, details about the murder emerge and the investigators’ own secrets come to light. In the Anatolian steppes nothing is what it seems; and when the body is found the real questions begin. 

Showtimes: Fri, Mar 2 - Thu, Mar 8 at St. Anthony Main Theatre
Fri, Mar 2 - Sun, Mar 4: (1:00), (4:00), 7:00, 9:45
Mon, Mar 5 - Wed, Mar 7: (4:00), 7:00, 9:45
Thu, Mar 8: (4:00), 9:45