Kim Eslinger
Editor
612-321-8040
kim@millcitymedia.org

Brianna Ojard
Associate Editor

David Tinjum
Publisher
612-321-8020
dave@millcitymedia.org

Becky Fillinger

Small Business Reporter
Email Becky...

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MILL CITY FARMERS MARKET

With over 100 local farmers, food makers and artists, MCFM strives to build a local, sustainable and organic food economy in a vibrant, educational marketplace.

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HENNEPIN HISTORY MUSEUM

Hennepin History Museum is your history, your museum. We preserve and share the diverse stories of Hennepin County, MN. Come visit!

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MEET MINNEAPOLIS

Maximizing the visitor experience of Minneapolis for the economic benefit of our community, making Minneapolis the destination of choice among travelers.

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MSP FILM SOCIETY

Promoting the art of film as a medium that fosters cross-cultural understanding, education, entertainment, and exploration.

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Enhancing the Minneapolis riverfront environment—for people and pollinators.

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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.

Entries by Kim Eslinger (4223)

Saturday
Jul212018

Scenes from the July 21 Mill City Farmers Market

Excellent selection of produce at the July 21 Mill City Farmers Market, including celery from Burning River Farm, sweet corn from Prairie Hollow Farm, plus okra and ground cherries from Bean Market. Every week brings more variety!

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

Heirloom tomatoes - how can something so freaky be so delicious? 

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

This week's featured product from Lakewinds Food Co-op was ProCured Mushroom JerkyLakewinds Food Co-op, a MCFM sponsor, is a great place to find locally made, small batch foods, and Procured Mushroom Jerky is now part of Lakewind's Maker to Market program. 

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

This week's Meet Your Vegetables recipe was Green Bean Tomato Feta Salad.

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

Milly the goat!

July 21, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market 

Friday
Jul202018

Illuminate the Lock Returns to the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam in September

Via a July 20 e-newsletter from Northern Lights.mn:

Artist concept sketch, Returning the River by Mike Hoyt, Dameun Strange and Molly Van Avery, 2018. Courtesy the artists.

We are pleased to announce that Returning the River, an experimental, participatory opera about the Mississippi River that explores collective dreams of freedom by Mike Hoyt, Dameun Strange, and Molly Van Avery has been selected for the next Illuminate the Lock project, September 20-22, at the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam.

Returning the River is a night of poetry, projection, and music that illuminates a future where both rivers and people are liberated, where we celebrate wildness, and where we practice reciprocal relationships between all bodies of water, including one another's. The project consists of a series of visual projections by Mike Hoyt, a soundscape arranged by Dameun Strange, and singers above and in the Lock performing a libretto by Molly Van Avery. Audience members will be invited to sing and hold water drawn up from the Lock to talk to or listen to, then pour back into the river to make its way to the sea.

Illuminate the Lock is a partnership between Northern Lights.mn, Mississippi Park Connection, and the National Park Service with support from the Saint Anthony Falls Heritage Board and the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Wednesday
Jul182018

Minneapolis 2040: Comment Period Continues Through July 22

Via a July 17 e-newsletter from the City of Minneapolis:

Comment Period Continues Through July 22

If you have already provided your feedback on the plan, thank you! If you haven’t weighed in yet, you have until July 22 to comment on the draft Comprehensive Plan. The draft plan is available at minneapolis2040.com, with opportunities to comment throughout the website.

Below are ways you can comment:

- Comment on individual draft policies. Explore the policies by navigating through the goals or topics.
- Comment on the proposed Land Use and Built Form Maps via the interactive map.
- Download the Meeting-in-a-Box tool kit to host your own engagement meetings and report back.
- Send us an email with your comments. Attach formal correspondence in response to this draft plan, or even a photo of a place that represents your vision for the future of Minneapolis. Our email address is 2040@minneapolismn.gov.

What's next?

Staff will take the comments received through July 22 and use them to revise the draft plan. A revised draft will be released in late September, with consideration by the City Planning Commission in late October and the full City Council in December. The approval process will include a formal public hearing at which anyone can submit written comment or speak in person. Specific dates and times will be announced later this summer. Please stay connected to the process by:

- Following us on Twitter @Mpls2040
- Signing up for our email list

Wednesday
Jul182018

11th Avenue S Redesign Update from Council Member Fletcher

Friends –
 
This week, city staff from the Public Works Department came back with me to the Stonebridge to present a significantly revised plan to address the traffic concerns residents have raised about 11th Ave. S. from the river to Washington Ave.  I was really happy with the work our staff accomplished on this plan, and most attendees at the meeting seemed to agree. I know some people weren’t able to attend, and I’ve heard anecdotally that the notice didn’t get to everyone it should have, so I wanted to re-cap the meeting and send the presentation so you can get up to speed.  I’m happy to meet up or check in by phone if you have questions or comments you want to share and weren’t able to attend.
 
Here's the presentation (attached), which includes a plan for the intersection of 2nd and 10th to slow down traffic, an innovative plan for the intersection of 2nd and 11th to make that intersection safer and more appropriate, and a new layout for 11th Ave. S. between 2nd and Washington.
 
Some highlights:

  • A refuge area in the middle of 2nd Street at 10th, creating a MUCH safer crossing for pedestrians, and to cause cars to slow down.
  • A ‘protected intersection’ design at 2nd Street and 11th will limit cars’ ability to turn at unsafe speeds, as many currently do.
  • Parking is eliminated on the Bridgewater side of 11th Ave, eliminating sightline barriers that were making it unsafe to turn out of the driveway.
  • At Washington, 11th Ave will have a right turn lane, a through lane, and a left turn lane, which should ease traffic back-ups and make it easier to navigate.
  • Extended the left-turn lane toward Washington, so that more cars can wait there to turn without blocking the whole street.
  • Maintains safe, protected bike lanes.  

Also worth noting: Jono Cowgill tells me the Park Board is considering a stop sign at 11th and the Parkway, based on our feedback.
 
There were a couple of follow-up items based on feedback we’ve received at the meeting and since the meeting: 

  • Traffic safety staff will look at sight-lines at 12th and 2nd to see if eliminating a parking space or two at that intersection would create better visibility for cars turning off of 12th.
  • Some people feel strongly that we need a left turn lane on the Northbound side of 11th Ave S, as we currently have. There are significant trade-offs to squeezing in an additional lane there beyond eliminating those four parking spaces, so we’re having engineering re-look at that question to see if it’s possible without messing too many other things up. Ultimately, if traffic is flowing better, the extra lane in that direction wouldn’t be needed, and if we shorten the Southbound left turn lane to make room for a Northbound lane, we could jam up Southbound traffic and still be making that turn harder rather than easier. So, it’s not a simple question, and we probably won’t reach consensus. No matter which choice we make on this question, we’ll need to monitor traffic (as PW staff has committed to doing) to make sure we’ve made the best decision for how to use the limited space. Lanes can be repainted, so we can try something and then make adjustments.

Again, thanks to everyone who has invested time in providing feedback and helping us improve this traffic design. We’ve really gotten something significantly better because so many in the community have worked together on this. 
 
En avant,
Steve
 
Steve Fletcher
Council Member, Ward 3
City of Minneapolis – City Council
350 S. Fifth St.  - Room 307
Minneapolis, MN 55415
612-673-2203
steve.fletcher@minneapolismn.gov

 

11TH AVENUE SOUTH REDESIGN PRESENTATION
11TH AVENUE SOUTH REDESIGN PROJECT WEBSITE

11th Avenue S Protected Bikeway 

Tuesday
Jul172018

July 17 is National Tattoo Day!

Submitted by Minnesota musician, Rob Morgan: 

Happy National Tattoo Day!

Whether you’ve been thinking about getting your first tattoo or simply curious about what it’s like, this entertaining audio guide is guaranteed to replace any hesitation, fear or questions you may have with informed confidence.

Join Rob & Sarah Morgan with special guests Jorge Janelle Figueroa as Janelle gets her first tattoo. While doing so, Rob will explain “The Five P’s Of Getting Your First Tattoo” (Place vs Person, Price, Process, Pain and Post-Care).

 “A Guide To Getting Your First Tattoo”

WARNING: Listening to “A Guide To Getting Your First Tattoo” may cause sudden and undeniable urges to get a tattoo and has been known to invoke sudden spikes in confidence, transforming the listener into a go-to “Tattoo Expert" in their circle of friends.

Podcast: Rob Morgan Is A Curious Person

Tuesday
Jul172018

Road Closures for Aquatennial Events, July 18 and 21

Wednesday, July 18th - Life Time Torchlight 5K
7pm – 9pm
West River Parkway - From N 4th Avenue to Portland Avenue
Stone Arch Bridge
SE Main Street - From SE 3rd Street to 6th Street SE

Saturday, July 21st - Aquatennial & Fireworks
8am – 10pm
West River Parkway from 4th Avenue to Portland Avenue

Sunday
Jul152018

Scenes for the July 14 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

Based on this sampling of produce, I'd say summer is officially in full swing at the Mill City Farmers Market!

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers MarketFor items on the more exotic side, check out the Bean Market - you'll find produce such as water spinach (left, with the long, skinny leaves) and Chinese long beans.

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers MarketRyan Billig of Tempah Tantrum got a visit from his toddler.

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

Lakewinds Food Co-op, a MCFM sponsor, is a great place to find locally made, small batch foods. Below, Jen's Jars and 3 Bear Oats were two product lines promoted by Lakewinds as part of their Maker to Market program.

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

Below, Well Rooted Teas, Radiate Activewear and United Goods are all new MCFM vendors for the 2018 season.

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

Below, Jim Benson of Crookedwood made some specially shaped scraping paddles for use by bakers who keep a canister of sourdough starter on hand. Pick up a sourdough starter sample from Sunrise Flour Mill and create your own sourdough batch at home.

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

It just wasn't possible to capture the detail and beauty of these metal figures from House of Talents:

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

So many gorgeous flowers! Pick up a ready-made bouquet, or create your own arrangement.

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

Milly the goat!

July 14, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

Friday
Jul132018

Restaurant Week, Summer 2018: July 15-20

Restaurant Week

Celebrate the best of Twin Cities dining with a week's worth of great deals in some of the Twin Cities trendiest and best restaurants from July 15 - 20. Participating restaurants will serve two to three course, prix fixe menus for just $10 to $35 per person. (beverage, tax and gratuity not included)

Click this link for the list of participating downtown restaurants.

Wednesday
Jul112018

Tickets for the October 24 Minnesota Sports Awards Now on Sale

Via a July 11 Press Release from Meet Minneapolis:

The second annual awards gala, presented by Sports Minneapolis, recognizes
Minnesota’s top athletes and coaches

Today, Sports Minneapolis, powered by Meet Minneapolis, announces tickets are now on sale for the second annual Minnesota Sports Awards. The gala event will take place on Oct. 24, 2018, at U.S. Bank Stadium and will feature the top athletes in the state as well as local sports celebrities. The Minnesota Sports Awards, presented by Sports Minneapolis, recognize the outstanding achievement of high school, collegiate and professional athletes, many of whom will be on hand for the evening’s awards ceremony.

Nominations are still being accepted for deserving athletes, including the Professional Athlete of the Year presented by FOX Sports North (FSN), as well as the Minnesota Sports Moment of the Year, the Courage Award, sponsored by TRIA, plus a new award for Minnesota’s Coach of the Year. The deadline to nominate high school and collegiate athletes is July 15.

Awards will be given in the following categories: 

  • High School Athlete of the Year (Male/Female)
  • Collegiate Athlete of the Year (Male/Female)
  • Professional Athlete of the Year – presented by FOX Sports North
  • Coach of the Year
  • Minnesota Sports Moment of the Year
  • Courage Award – presented by TRIA

The public is invited to attend this event which includes a silent auction, dinner and an entertaining awards ceremony featuring the winning athletes and coaches, as well as a number of high-profile sports celebrities. 

  • Oct. 24 at U.S. Bank Stadium
  • Tickets start at $195
  • Purchase online
  • Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
  • Show begins at 7:30 p.m.

A portion of the proceeds from the Minnesota Sports Awards will benefit the Sanneh Foundation, created by former Major League Soccer player and native Minnesotan, Tony Sanneh.  The Sanneh Foundation seeks to support and empower youth through programs targeting both physical and emotional well-being.

The second annual Minnesota Sports Awards will be carried live by FSN across multiple digital platforms and rebroadcast at a later date.

Wednesday
Jul112018

Updates from Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO)

Excerpts from the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) July 10 e-newsletter:

Westminster

Exploring the High-Tech Stormwater Reuse System at Westminster Presbyterian Church

In January, Westminster Presbyterian Church opened the doors to its new $48 million, 49,000-square-foot addition along the Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. The church and its landscape are a case study in environmental leadership. Learn how Westminster and its partners pushed the envelope on sustainability with a state-of-the-art stormwater reuse system that is a first of its kind in the city.  More Info

Four Fun Ways to Experience the Mississippi River this Summer

If you live in the Twin Cities and haven’t spent time up close and personal with the Mississippi River, you’re missing out. It’s hard to think of another major metro area that has a national park running through the middle of it, and with lots of free or low-cost ways to enjoy the river, there’s no excuse not to get out and experience this natural icon.

Whether you’re into paddling, biking, hiking, wildlife-spotting or just some shoreline relaxation, the Mississippi River has something to offer you. Below is our summer guide to experiencing the river. We’re obviously biased toward things happening inside our watershed, so feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments. What’s your favorite way to enjoy with the river?  More Info

Hall's Island Restoration

Wondering what the deal is with that new island near downtown Minneapolis? This video explains all. Learn how the restoration of Hall's Island will benefit people, wildlife and water quality in the Mississippi River. Watch on YouTube

Monday
Jul092018

2018 Sister Cities Day is July 22 at Nicollet Island Pavilion

Sister Cities Day at Nicollet Island Pavilion

Sunday, July 22nd, 1-5 PM, at the Nicollet Island Pavilion

Come be part of this annual event where we celebrate over 40 years of being part of the Sister Cities program. All 12 of the Minneapolis Sister Cities will be celebrated with a FREE Ice Cream Social and gathering at the Nicollet Island Pavilion. This family event features multi-cultural entertainment, children activities, ice cream and refreshments. The event highlights all of Minneapolis’ International Sister Cities, with a special spotlight this year on the 10th anniversary of our Sister City with Cuernavaca, Mexico!

This even is free and open to the public.

Minneapolis Sister Cities Day Official Program:

1:00 - Welcome remarks: Bill Deef, SVP Public Affairs – Meet Minneapolis
Announcer for the program: Michael Hernandez, Director of Visitor Services – Meet Minneapolis

1:05 - Speaker: Teresa Olson, Honorary Consul of Chile in Minnesota
Minneapolis - Santiago, Chile Sister Cities

1:10  - Iraqi American Reconciliation Project
Minneapolis - Najaf, Iraq Sister Cities
Speaker: Jessica Belt

1:15-1:35 - Songs of Hope - a performing arts summer camp representing countries from around the world

1:40 - Minneapolis Ibaraki City Sister City Association
Speaker: Karl Reinhard 

1:40-2:00 - Japanese Dancers from Ibaraki City, Japan

2:00 - Remarks from elected officials
Melvin Tennant, President & CEO – Meet Minneapolis
Recognition of the 10th Anniversary of Minneapolis and Cuernavaca, Mexico Sister City Relationship
Speaker: Columba Reyes, Chair – Minneapolis Cuernavaca Sister City Association

2:15-2:35 - Ballet Folklorico Mexico Lindo

2:40 - Speaker: Ralph Beha, Chair – US China Peoples Friendship Association – MN Chapter
Minneapolis – Harbin, China Sister Cities

2:45-3:15 Hongde Choy Li Fut Lion Dancers
Hongde Choy Li Fut Kung Fu Students

3:15 - Speaker: Degha Shabbeleh – Minnesota Friends of Bosaso
Minneapolis – Bosaso, Somalia Sister Cities

3:15-3:35 - Somali Museum Dance Troupe

3:40 - Speaker: Coventry Cowens, International Leadership Institute
Minneapolis – Eldoret, Kenya Sister Cities

3:45 - Speaker: Representative of Minneapolis Kuopio Partnership
Minneapolis – Kuopio, Finland Sister Cities

3:50 - Speaker:  Gail Beske, President – Minneapolis Tours Sister Cities
Minneapolis – Tours, France Sister Cities

3:55 - Speakers: Katie Fournier and Miranda Striegel, Co-Chairs – Minneapolis Uppsala Friendship Committee      
Minneapolis – Uppsala, Sweden Sister Cities     
 
4:00-4:20 - Twin Cities Swedish Folk Dancers

4:30 - Enso Daiko – Taiko Drumming Group (TENT)

Sunday
Jul082018

Scenes for the July 7 Mill City Farmers Market

Three new vendors debuted at the July 7 Mill City Farmers Market: Sudify, Furniture by DeGarmo and Root to Rise Kitchen.

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers MarketSusan Storck of Sudify transforms objects found in nature into wearable pieces of art.

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers MarketTamara and TiAnna DeGarmo of Furniture by DeGarmo use wood sourced from local sawmills that salvage wind fallen trees to create  furniture, kitchen accessories and other homewares.

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers MarketHeather Klein's Root To Rise Kitchen is a 100% plant-based food business. All their dishes are made from scratch using high quality, mostly organic ingredients.

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

Yes! Raspberries are finally here! :)

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

Milly the goat!

July 7, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

Saturday
Jul072018

“Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” Art Exhibit Opening at The Mill Yard at Stonebridge Lofts, July 18

The Mill Yard presents a new show, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, showcasing local artists. Dr. Seuss’ “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” is an upbeat, humorous and inspirational ode to life and the places it takes us. For many, these ‘places’ are geographical locations. For some, these ‘places’ are not physical at all. Rather, they may be social, emotional, spiritual ‘rooms’ to which we retreat to rest and relax, ponder, ask questions or be inspired. You're invited to come, be inspired, prodded, reminded, and encouraged just as Dr. Seuss encourages and inspires us in his book.

At The Mill Yard opening reception, local chef Jessi Peine's food truck, Peeps Hot Box, will be parked out front selling world street foods inspired by seasonal ingredients. Andrew Zimmern of Food Network said, "Peeps Hot Box is one of the best food trucks I've ever eaten at anywhere in the country." All attendees will receive an Izzy Buck to help satisfy your sweet tooth. Plus, the Misfits Coffee truck will be here too!

Facebook, Twitter, Contact: TheMillYard.Stonebridge@gmail.com

GALLERY AND ARTIST DETAILS:

Jim Dryden
The New House
Jim Dryden, a native of North Dakota, is a painter and sculptor. His work frequently deals with themes of partnership, connectedness and intimacy. He is a graduate of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, a founding member of Form + Content Gallery, and a member artist of Traffic Zone Center for Visual Art. The pieces Jim has selected for The Mill Yard are specifically about time and place. 
“From the autobiographical series Love|Hate, these paintings represent a timeline of the places I come from, have been to, and hope to go. A farm in North Dakota, a white, clapboard, country church, a pink sand beach on Lake Superior, a secluded fish pond, a new home still in the dream stages. These are the times and places that connect me to my past, future, family, and community.” 
Jim’s art is represented in numerous collections including the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, the University of Minnesota Tretter Collection, Walker Art Center, the Weisman Art Museum. Web site: http://www.jimdryden.net/
.
Margaret Grill
The Old Neighborhood Thanked HerMargaret Grill is a visual artist inspired by place, a sense of home, and landscape. She has worked as a visual artist for more than 10 years and exhibited with a diverse group of galleries and venues. In her own words she is “inspired by process, specifically the fluid, flexible, and messy process of painting. My initial inspiration is worked out through a repetitive progression of drawing, collage, and washes using water-soluble oils. Layering media allows me to illustrate complex ideas into a visual language. This process is then evident in my finished work, as the layers of paint appear in varying degrees of transparency, an effect that speaks to passing time, flux, and my hand as an artist. As a painter, I capture the change I see in the landscape, as I feel it allows me to better understand my place in the world. Change can be beautiful, exciting, unexpected and disconcerting.” 
She has selected art for The Mill Yard with the hope it inspires viewers to observe their own landscapes and ask questions about the changes they see. Web site:  mgrillpainting.com
.
Kevin Peters
Spring BloomKevin Peters Fine Art was born out of the conclusion that adding beauty to this world is indeed a worthwhile, venerable pursuit. Kevin began as a hobbyist landscape painter while living in southern Cambodia, but capturing what the eye sees and putting it on canvas quickly began to lose his interest. He wanted to begin “painting things not of this world...deeper things...things of the heart, soul, and, mind”. This desire, along with months of self-study, gave birth to Kevin’s signature abstract painting style. The Minneapolis-based artist has selected pieces for The Mill Yard that are created to represent the essence of the innermost “happy place,” sometimes called the soul.
 
“My hope is that each of these pieces fills you with a sense of tranquility and happiness, reminding you to take the time to go to your happy place... which may not be a literal place at all!”
Email: kevinpeters.fineart@gmail.com
.
Jane Weis
Valley FarmJane Weis began her 25-year painting career with watercolor, then acrylic, and now oil and pastel. She has engaged in a range of artistic mediums including woodcut printing, designing and building furniture, cabinet making and museum archival framing. She considers herself a Midwestern regional artist and says, “much of my art is born from my affection for the rolling hills and deciduous trees of the Midwest.” Jane loves to travel for the excitement of new food, people, enormous cities, small towns, landscapes, vineyards and nature. And, “I love to come home.  To feel the peace and familiarity of coming home brings a unique joy to me.” The pieces she has selected for The Mill Yard are paintings and pastels of her rural landscapes, farmscapes, and sky paintings from Minnesota, Nebraska, Colorado and Maine. “All beautiful places.”  Web site:  janeweispaintings.com
.
Sara Zhang
In Kitchen #1
‘By day,’ Sara Zhang is a NASA scientist in Washington, DC; however, she has been drawing and painting since she was a teenager in Shanghai, China, where she was born and raised.  Sara is primarily a self-taught artist, but travels the world for business and pleasure to study the work of ‘masters.’ With a trained mind and eye she analyzes what makes a work of art truly great, and then launches into the hard work of honing her creative skills.  Soft pastel is Sara’s preferred medium because it gives her the flexibility to express the fleeting moments she finds in everyday life.  The pieces specifically painted for The Mill Yard “Oh the Places You’ll Go” exhibit are of everyday kitchen scenes.
“I don’t think I am alone in feeling the kitchen is a favored room at home… In these little vignettes, I hope to evoke memories of tastes, smells, sounds, conversations and more; memories of when we connected with each other; memories of laughter and love.” Email: saraqzhang@gmail.com
.
Tia Keo
Tia Keo has spent much of her life exploring the intersections of art, craft, design and architecture. Growing-up with architect father, David Salmela, meant she developed an artistic approach to engaging with the world from a young age. After graduating with a degree in architecture, she and her husband co-founded Silvercocoon as a means to work on creative projects across disciplines. Several years later she launched her laser cut jewelry collection under the Silvercocoon label with a solo-trunk show in the Walker Art Center shop. In 2017 she received a MN State Arts Board Grant to help her expand her jewelry practice into metal. The grant became a catalyst for creating new metal jewelry, expanding into metal sculpture, and for developing a daily watercolor practice that has exceeded 400 days. A solo exhibition “Three Sixty Five” will feature all the work she generated across disciplines in the span of a year at the American Swedish Institute from June 30 to August 5, 2018.  Web sites:  silvercocoon.com  &  tiakeoart.com
.
The Mill Yard at Stonebridge Lofts

The Mill City. Residents celebrate our area’s industrial heritage of the mighty Mississippi River and the mills. Today, what we see are the most recognizable Minneapolis landmarks. However, this is only part of the story. Rail lines were key to Minneapolis’ growth, and were particularly integral to the Mill District, bringing in wheat and timber and shipping out flour and lumber. We also honor the history of the mills, the reason for the rail yard’s existence. The Mill Yard aims to be both a gathering place for art and artists and a conduit by which art can be shared with and disseminated into the wider community. 

The Mill Yard at Stonebridge Lofts thanks Luke Kleckner, Condo Development and Sales, for his generous sponsorship.

Friday
Jul062018

2018 Fringe Festival Updates

It's alive!

Explore the line up. Build your schedule. Plan you adventure at minnesotafringe.org.

And for the first time, you can choose between our signature Day Passes -- or purchase admission for a single show.

Because more choice means more adventure!

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

Wait, what's this whole "single show versus Day Pass" thing?

Yes, it's new! Check out this video guide on this year's Festival admission options.

Grab a single show token for admission at the door -- it's just $10. Plus we guarantee a portion of the house will always be available for walk-up sales.

Like to plan? Great. Advanced reservations are $15.

OR...

Pay one price, and skip the lines for the rest of the day. Get your Fringe Binge on.
 
Weekday Day Passes: $19
Weekend Day Passes: $25

Regardless of your purchase, 70% of your ticket goes directly to the artists whose show(s) you're seeing!

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Fringe...with Benefits
 
Be part of the community helping Fringe go round, year-round. Buy now to take advantage of all offerings for the upcoming year. You’ll receive tickets to year-round Fringe programs and performances, a Festival VIP Pass ($220 value) -- good for any any show, any day, at any venue  -- a ticket to Five Fifths, and other goodies.

Learn more, and join now.

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We need YOU to make our Festival Season a success!

Volunteering is a powerful way to support our adventurous artists - while seeing shows for free! Sign up now to help.

Thursday
Jul052018

Water Works Update: Excavation and Masonry Rehabilitation Planned This Fall

An artist's rendering of the "City Steps" section of Water Works

Minor construction work to unearth and preserve historic riverfront remnants may begin soon

Excavation and masonry rehabilitation may begin soon at the future site of Water Works. Construction bids are still under review, but if everything is approved work will begin in July or August 2018. Limited construction is expected to continue through the fall and winter, with more extensive new construction planned for 2019.

First Street South may experience some minor impacts as work progresses on Water Works, but access to adjacent residential properties will be maintained and no closures are anticipated. Construction is not anticipated to impact West River Parkway or the adjacent trail.

Water Works is a park development project overlooking St. Anthony Falls and the Stone Arch Bridge. One of the signature projects in the RiverFirst vision, Water Works will bring visitor services and recreational and cultural amenities to one of Minnesota’s most highly-visited destinations.

Thursday
Jul052018

The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul presents Lumières Françaises, July 13-19

Lumières Françaises

A week-long film festival celebrating the brightest talent in French language independent cinema presented by the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul at the St. Anthony Main Theatre.

Lumières Françaises introduces an exciting new generation of rising francophone talent on both sides of the camera, from rebellious comedies to exquisite dramas, and vivid documentaries:

Before Summer Ends - Le Brio - C'est la vie - Fortuna - In Bed with Victoria - Kiss Me! - Orchestra Class - Paris Prestige - See You Up There - Speak Up

Tuesday
Jul032018

MPRB Kicks Off Superintendent Search with Website and Community Listening Events

Via a July 3 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) has officially begun its search for the next Park Board superintendent. 

Led by local recruiting firm KP Companies, the nationwide search kicked off the with a dedicated website – www.MPRBSuperSearch.com. The website will be a place for Minneapolis residents, park patrons and the public to get the latest updates about the superintendent search process.

Information available on www.MPRBSuperSearch.com includes details about the search process, search-related community surveys and listening events, and other important dates and deadlines.

“The Board of Commissioners is excited to begin the process of finding the next leader of our number one park system,” said MPRB Board President Brad Bourn. “We’re confident we’ll find the best superintendent to continue to build upon our work and create an even more inclusive park system for everyone who calls Minneapolis their home.”

Four community listening events are planned across Minneapolis:

Tuesday, July 10, 6–8pm, Lynnhurst Recreation Center, 1345 W Minnehaha Parkway

Thursday, July 12, 6–8pm, Longfellow Recreation Center, 3435 36th Ave S
Thursday, July 19, 6–8pm, Bottineau Recreation Center, 2000 Second St. NE
Monday, July 23, 10am–Noon, Webber Community Center, 4400 Dupont Ave. N

Applications open July 12. Detailed information about the superintendent position, desired qualifications and the application process will be available on the website on July 12.

Former MPRB Superintendent Jayne Miller left the Park Board in February 2018 to take a position in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Superintendent Emeritus Mary Merrill was selected to act as interim superintendent through October 31, 2018.

Monday
Jul022018

Event Parkway Closures for July 4 and July 14

There will be temporary road closures for the following events:

July 4 - Red, White & Boom 5K, Half Marathon
6am - 12pm
Main Street, West River Parkway, Victory Memorial Parkway, Webber Parkway, Stone Arch Bridge
 
July 4 - Red, White & Boom Fireworks
Various Times
Main St SE from Merriam Ave to 6th Ave SE - 2pm-11pm 
3rd Ave SE from Main St SE to 2nd St SE - 2pm-11pm
West River Pkwy from 4th Ave to 11th Ave - 4:30pm-11pm
3rd Ave S Bridge (Central Ave SE) - 9:15pm-10:30pm
Stone Arch Bridge -  closed to cyclists from 9:30-10:30pm

July 14 - LifeTime Fitness Triathlon
7:30am - 1:00pm
Nokomis Parkway - All Around Lake
Minnehaha Parkway - From Lake Nokomis to Lake Harriet
Lake Harriet Parkway - All Around Lake
Godfrey Pkwy - From Minnehaha Pkwy to West River Pkwy
West River Parkway - From Godfrey to S 4th St

Sunday
Jul012018

Scenes for the June 30 Mill City Farmers Market

Shoppers met three new vendors at June 30 Mill City Farmers Market: St. Pops, Gohan Sushi and Onkkafirte (featuring the Spin'N'Serve).

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers MarketSt. Pops are naturally sweetened, free of dairy, gluten, soy and nuts, and very refreshing!

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers MarketKou Kue working on a Tuna Poke order.

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers MarketBeautifully crafted Spin'N'Serves by Dan Onkka of Onkkafirte

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

Congratulations to Therese Moore of 3 Bears Oats, whose pre-made steel cut artisan oatmeal meals will now be stocked in the freezer section of Lakewinds Food Co-op (a Mill City Farmers Market sponsor).

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

Milly the goat! :)

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market 

Sunday
Jul012018

Something you don't see every day...

...a car meticulously lined with wine corks.

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market

June 30, 2018 Mill City Farmers Market