September 17, 2011, Saturday - Central Library Book Store Fall Clearance Sale (7 days)

Location:  Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall

Fall Clearance Sale

The Library Foundation's Book Store at the Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, will host a 3-week clearance sale from September 8 through October 1. All proceeds benefit the Library Foundation of Hennepin County and programs and services at the Library.

Here are the details:

•WEEK ONE: September 8 - 16: All used books, music, and videos are 50% off.

•WEEK TWO: September 17 - 23: All used items $.25 each.

•WEEK THREE: September 23 - October 1: All the items you can fit into a bag for $2.

For more information, see the website or call 612-543-8102.

September 17, 2011, Saturday - Historic Main Street Tour at Mill City Museum

Time: 1:00pm

Location: Mill City Museum, 704 2nd Street South

Fee: $14 adults, $12 senior citizens, $10 children ages 6-17 and MHS members. Includes museum admission.

Reservations: required, call 612-341-7555

Stroll through the Minneapolis’ oldest neighborhood with a Mill City Museum guide, who will talk about the rich past and exciting future of historic Main Street. The tour will highlight the life in the village of St. Anthony, changes along Main Street throughout the years, and such landmarks as the 1855 Upton Block, 1858 Martin & Morrison Building, Our Lady of Lourdes Church, the Pillsbury A Mill and the Chalybeate Mineral Springs. This tour will begin and end at Pracna Restaurant, 117 Main Street S.E. Tours include admission to Mill City Museum.

September 17, 2011, Saturday - Second Story Reading: LGBT Panel & Reading (Featuring David Levithan) at the Loft

Time: 7:00pm

Location: The Loft, 1011 Washington Avenue South
 
Second Story Reading Series in collaboration with Normandale Community College and Minnesotans United for All Families present a panel discussion about young adult LGBT publishing and literature with Kirstin Cronn-Mills, Pat Schmatz, and David Levithan followed by a reading with authors David Levithan and Brian Farrey.

David Levithan is the author of many acclaimed novels, including The Lover's Dictionary, Boy Meets Boy, The Realm of Possibility, Love is the Higher Law (an IndieBound Top Ten pick), Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist with Rachel Cohn, which was turned into a popular movie, and with John Green Will Grayson, Will Grayson. His latest work is a photographic novel entitled Every You, Every Me, with photographs by Jonathan Farmer. He is also the editor of the Lambda-award-winning anthology The Full Spectrum (edited with Billy Merrell). He is an editorial director and publisher at Scholastic, overseeing the Scholastic Press fiction list, the Crossmedia publishing program, and the PUSH teen imprint.

Brian Farrey is the acquiring editor for Flux, the young adult imprint of Llewellyn Worldwide. Brian studied in Hamline University’s MFA program, where his final project was named Outstanding Fiction Thesis in 2008. His debut novel, With or Without You, was recently published by Simon Pulse. His forthcoming middle-grade novel, The Vengekeep Prophecies, will be published by HarperCollins Children’s in 2012.You can read his painfully boring blog at http://www.brianfarreybooks.com/ or follow his slightly more interesting tweets @BrianFarrey.

Kirstin Cronn-Mills is a novelist and poet. Her first novel, The Sky Always Hears Me and the Hills Don't Mind, was a finalist for the 2010 Minnesota Book Award for Young People's Literature. Her second novel, Beautiful Music for Ugly Children, will be published in 2012. She teaches at South Central College in North Mankato, Minnesota, where she also serves as the faculty advisor for SCC P.R.I.D.E. (People Really Interested in Diversity Education).

Pat Schmatz grew up in rural Wisconsin and received a BS in psychology at Michigan State University and an MA in physical education at the University of California at Berkeley. She published her first novel, Mrs. Estronsky and the UFO (Windstorm Creative) in 2001. Circle the Truth (Carolrhoda Books, 2007) was chosen by Wisconsin Library Association as one of the outstanding books for children by a Wisconsin author, and Mousetraps (Carolrhoda Books, 2008) was awarded the Council for Wisconsin Writers Award for children’s fiction and was a 2009 Lambda Literary Award nominee for best children’s/young adult fiction. Bluefish (Candlewick Press, 2011), Pat’s fourth novel for teens, is a recipient of the 2010 PEN/Phyllis Naylor Working writer Fellowship.

September 16, 2011, Friday - Oktoberfest at Aster Cafe

Time: 6:00pm - 10:00pm

Location: Aster Cafe, 125 SE Main Street

September 16, 2011, Friday - Lunch with MacPhail

Time:  Noon – 1:30pm 

Location: MacPhail Center for Music, 501 2nd Street South

Join us for lunch and an inside look at MacPhail, followed by an up close and personal look and performance of the Yamaha Disklavier piano.  This event will feature technology's role in music education at MacPhail.

Invite a friend and RSVP to an event by calling 612-767-5343.

September 15, 2011, Thursday - Central River Forum: Focus on the East Bank

Time: 6:30pm – 8:00pm

Location: Mill City Museum

The developers of the Pillsbury A Mill will present their plans for this National Historic Landmark. The Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership convenes a quarterly forum in the Central Riverfront concerning issues shaping this area.

Please check the website for time, presenters and other details.

September 15, 2011, Thursday - Bonnie Jo Campbell Publication Reading: Once Upon a River at the Loft

Time: 7:00pm

Location: The Loft, 1011 Washington Avenue South
 
A finalist for the National Book Award and the NBCC Award, and the winner of the ForeWord Review’s Book of the Year Award in Fiction for her critically acclaimed short story collection American Salvage, Bonnie Jo Campbell is one of the most compelling new voices in American fiction. With keen insight, Campbell takes her trademark storytelling wit to new heights in the luminous novel Once Upon a River. Masterfully evoking the sublime American wilderness favored by Annie Proulx and Wallace Stegner, this richly layered tale of love, hardship, self-exploration, and fortitude introduces the truly unforgettable character of Margo Crane and her river odyssey through rural Michigan.

Bonnie Jo Campbell is the author of three previous books, including American Salvage, a National Book Award Finalist. 

This event is free and open to the public.

September 14, 2011, Wednesday - "Seeing the Minneapolis Riverfront Photo Contest" Exhibit Opening Reception

Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Location:  Mill City Museum, 704 South 2nd Street

A reception to celebrate the opening of the new exhibit “Seeing the Minneapolis Riverfront Photo Contest.” The reception will take place on Wednesday, September 14, from 6:00pm-8:00pm in the museum’s Mill Commons. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served and a cash bar will be available. Brief remarks will take place at 7:00.  This event is free and open to the public. 

As part of its "Greening the Riverfront" program series, Mill City Museum invited the public to submit striking images of the Mississippi River and the Minneapolis Riverfront. "Greening the Riverfront," funded by St. Anthony Falls Heritage Board, was a year-long series that highlighted how the Minneapolis Riverfront has been transformed from an industrial center into a catalyst for new ways of thinking about our relationship with nature.

The exhibit is runs through January 2, 2012.

September 13, 2011, Tuesday - Books & Bars Series at Aster Cafe

Times: 

Social - 6:00pm dinner/drink specials
Discussion - 7:00pm-8:30pm

Location: Aster Cafe, 125 SE Main Street

Author:  Brady Udall, The Lonely Polygamist

Books & Bars isn’t your mother’s book club. We provide a unique atmosphere for a lively discussion of interesting authors, fun people, good food and drinks.

Reservations - 612-379-3138

September 13, 2011, Tuesday - Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting

Time: 4:30pm 

Location: Minneapolis City Hall, 350 South Fifth Street, Room 333

Agenda

For Presentation

1. 4344 Dupont Avenue South, P.J. Frey House – Ward 13
Staff: Brian Schaffer, 612.673.2670
Nomination for historic designation.

2. 1121 Hennepin Avenue – Harmon Place Historic District, Ward 7
Staff: Chris Vrchota, 612.673.5467
Certificate of Appropriateness for building and site modifications.

3. 730 Washington Avenue North – Warehouse Historic District, Ward 7
Staff: Chris Vrchota, 612.673.5467
Certificate of Appropriateness for building rehabilitation and alterations.

4. 730 Washington Avenue North – Warehouse Historic District, Ward 7
Staff: Chris Vrchota, 612.673.5467
Historic Variance to reduce the minimum drive aisle width from 22 feet to 14 feet 5 inches.

September 13, 2011, Tuesday - Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association Meeting at Central Library

Time: 6:00pm

Location:  Central Library, Room N-202, 300 Nicollet Mall

The Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association Meeting.

6:00 pm Call to order and introductions
6:05 pm Consideration of agenda
6:10 pm Land Use Update
    - 333 7th Street South (Accenture Tower) Gateway Plaza renovation and sign variance requests – Presentation given by Robert Rothman, Senior Project Manager with AECOM
    - 5th and Nicollet Redevelopment (former Powers building) – Presentation by David Hunt from Design Build Construction, Tom Lund from Opus, and David Graham from ESG Architects
6:25 pm Neighborhood and Community Engagement
    - Continued discussion regarding the 2012 Community Participation Program
6:40 pm Consideration of August 9, 2011 minutes
6:45 pm Consideration of September 2011 Financial Report
6:50 pm Staff report presented by Christie Rock
7:00 pm Board Governance
    - Consideration of amendment to DMNA Bylaws to allow for electronic meetings and email voting
7:10 pm Old business / new business / other business
    - Continued discussion regarding the October 11, 2011, Annual Meeting
       o Award presentation
    - Update on outreach and collaboration with other downtown organization
7:15 pm Adjournment

Next DMNA Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 11, 2011, at 5:00 p.m., at the Hennepin County Central Public Library, in Pohlad Hall.

DMNA Annual Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 11, 2011, at 6:00 p.m.

September 12, 2011, Monday - Meet Artist Sharon D. Stadther at Sanctuary

Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Location: Sanctuary - the restaurant, 903 Washington Avenue South

This Quarter’s Featured Local Artist ~ Sharon D. Stadther
 
Born and raised in Minneapolis, and trained at the College of Arts in California and The Atelier of Northeast Minneapolis, Sharon does nostalgic paintings full of luminosity, depth, spirit and truth.  They capture the uncommon beauty in everyday things. 

 Her show, “The Uncommon in Everyday Beauty”, will continue through October 23, 2011.
 
If you'd like to meet her, she will be at Sanctuary this coming Monday, September 12, from around 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., having dinner with a couple friends.  She would be happy to meet you here as well!  Come see her luminous work.  You might even want to buy one and take it home!

September 11, 2011, Sunday - Riverfront Quest Family Tour at Mill City Museum

Time: 1:00pm

Location: Mill City Museum, 704 2nd Street South

Fee: $14 adults, $12 seniors and college students, $10 ages 6-17 and MHS members. 

Reservations: required, call 612-341-7555

Try out questing with a family-focused tour of the Minneapolis riverfront outside Mill City Museum. The quest includes solving rhyming riddles and searching for hidden boxes with pictures to place in a quest journal that participants can make before or after the tour. Journal materials and admission to Mill City Museum are included in tour cost. Tour is designed for ages 6–11, but can be enjoyed by all ages.

September 11, 2011, Sunday - Kramarczuk's Kielbasa Festival

Time:  11:00am - 6:00pm

Location: Kramarczuk’s Sausage Co., 215 East Hennepin Avenue

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

Enjoy live music and family entertainment, Kramarczuk’s street food and Grain Belt Nordeast, local and European beers on tap. Daily admission of $10 gets you a commemorative beer stein and your first beer is free. Admission is $5 under 21 and for a designated driver. Kids five and under are free.

Tickets are available at Kramarczuk’s and online while supplies last.

September 10, 2011, Saturday - Mill City Farmers Market

Time: 8:00am - 1:00pm

Location: 704 South 2nd Street

Today at Mill City Farmers Market:  Honoring Heirlooms

PRODUCE PLANNER:
Melons, grapes, apples, pears, beets, turnips, parsnips, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, mustard greens, squash blossoms, patty pan squash, sweet corn, winter squash, tomatillos, kale, collard greens, onions, okra, summer squash and more!

WHAT’S NEW:
- Tickets for the Harvest Moon Benefit Dinner by the Riverfront are still available! Make your reservation today, by following this link and support Healthy Foods, Local Farmers.
- Mill City Cook Nick Schneider shows you how to make a “mouthteaser” summer salad – in the shadow of the Stone Arch Bridge.
- Dig Deeper into the economical impact of farmers markets with this article published by the Union of Concerned Scientists.
- New flavor at Aunt Else’s Aebleskivers this Saturday: ground cherry!

Mill City Cooks, 10:00am:
Grilled Corn and Heirloom Tomato Salsa with Chef Heather Hartman and ingredients from Market sponsor, Nash Brothers Trading Company.

Mini Farm, all day:
Stop in to see how the animals from Gale Woods Farm and Three Rivers Park District have grown this season!

Live Music, 11:00am – 1:00pm:
Bluegrass bombshells, The Sodbusters!

Meet Your Vegetables! 9:00am – 1:00pm (while supplies last):
Enjoy the subtle differences in heirloom varieties of peppers with simple preparations and nutritional information provided by UMN Public Health Nutrition grad students. Sponsored by Allina Hospitals & Clinics.

Sponsors: At Allina Hospitals & Clinics, our vision is to help support people in their pursuit of becoming and staying healthy. As a result, we’re working with our communities to address the health issues and identifying ways to encourage physical activity, support healthful eating, and maintain a balanced life.

Art Market, all day:
Barnswallow Garden, Cracked Clay, Aprilerre and Spring Finn

September 10, 2011, Saturday - Taste Twin Cities Minneapolis Riverwalk Tour (Starts at Gold Medal Park)

Taste Twin Cities was created to share our passion of food and enjoy the taste the Twin Cities has to offer.  If you love to eat, try new foods and enjoy a fun experience learning about the history of the Twin Cities, this tour if for you! Reservations.

Tour Facts
•3 hour walking tour of Minneapolis Mill District and Northeast Minneapolis neighborhoods.
•11:30am - 2:30pm
•Flat route with slight inclines and walking down 1 staircase, approximately 1.8 miles, standing most of the time, bathrooms available at some stops.
•6 stops, with tastings at each (enough food for lunch!).
•Tour limited to 12 people, advance tickets required.
•Begins at Gold Medal Park (S 10th Ave & S 2nd Street), located next to the Guthrie Theater, ends in Northeast Minneapolis (Hennepin Ave & SE University Ave).
•$43 (Prepaid at time of reservation)

Tour Description
Hungry for an off-the-beaten path Minneapolis food experience? Join us as we explore one of the city's trendy and historical neighborhoods, Mill District and Northeast Minneapolis. We will share what's hot in the Minneapolis food scene as we visit specialty shops and restaurants that are proud of their commitment to local and sustainable ingredients, and handmade treats. As you participate in tasting mouth watering pasta, compare gourmet cheeses and learn how Danish pastry is made, you'll gain an appreciation for a distinct neighborhood that most tourists never see.

We'll stroll past Museums and Theaters in the Mill District, enjoy gorgeous views the river has to offer and cross over into historical Northeast Minneapolis. You'll learn about the history of both these neighborhoods and visit the oldest street in Minneapolis. You'll taste and chat with other food-loving guests, and leave the tour with a host of restaurant recommendations and discounts for your next trip back to the Twin Cities.

Tastings
•Mouth watering pasta with an amazing atmosphere.
•Specialty Danish pastry baked in front of us, served with a variety of delicious toppings.
•Local cheese and specialty items.
•Variety of Minnesota brewed draft beers (non-alcoholic tastings available).
•European style bakery bread.
•Extravagantly blended gourmet chocolates.
•Award winning coffee including local favorite Noreast Mud (substitute options available).
*Tastings subject to change without notice. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated.

Location
Our Tour begins at Gold Medal Park (S 10th Ave & S 2nd Street).

September 10, 2011, Saturday - Mill City Suds Run

Start Time: 10:00am

Location: Father Hennepin Park

Join the Party!

Welcome to the NEW Mill City Suds Run, brought to you by O'Donovan's Irish Pub!  Join us for this super fun 5K "run, walk or whatever" on Saturday, September 10.  Put on your running shoes, costume if you like and join thousands for the event "formerly known as Blubber Run."

While the name HAS changed, the tradition of this great event will carry on and be better than ever!  If you're not a speedy runner, don't fret, costumes, creativity and a great sense of fun count most in this 5K race. Bring your friends, bring the pet, bring the kids, wear your goofiest outfit, just show up and join in the fun.

About half of our runners do it in costume, the other half are just out for a good run and some very entertaining people watching.

There will be lots of prizes for the Best Costume, Best Group Costume, Best Pet/Human Costume, Best Kid/Adult Collaboration, Fastest Male Runner and Fastest Female Runner. It's a real 5K, with the extra trimmings.  Where else do you get beer at the water stop? Water is optional.

September 10, 2011, Saturday - 2011 Annual Twin Cities HRC Gala Dinner at The Depot

Time:  6:00pm

Location:  The Depot, 225 South 3rd Avenue

The Twin Cities HRCBoard and Dinner Co-Chairs Beth Mejia and Creg Schumann cordially invite you to attend the 22nd Annual Human Rights Campaign Gala Dinner.

The Twin Cities Annual Gala Dinner brings together HRC members, friends, family, equality supporters, and allies for an evening of celebration and inspiration. Featuring a cocktail reception, silent auction, elegant dinner, live entertainment and thought provoking speakers and guests. The Twin Cities HRC Gala Dinner attracts top figures in Minnesota business, politics and entertainment - to promote the cause of GLBT equality for citizens of tour state.

Purchase Tickets

September 10, 2011, Saturday - Soap Factory Morning After Sale

Time: 9:00am – Noon

Location: Soap Factory, 514 Second Street SE

All works remaining after the September 9 $99 Sale will be sold for just $66, and admission is free.

With a new larger format (8” by 10”) and a carefully curated selection of artists, this year promises to be more exhilarating than ever before. All the work is signed only on the back, so you’ll buy what you like and then find out who made it. At the low price of $99 for original art, you’ll definitely find gems you can’t live without. Artists from around the country have donated their works (over 200), and all proceeds support The Soap Factory.

Notable names participating this year include Alec Soth, Chris Faust, Liz Miller and Wing Young Huie.

September 10, 2011, Saturday - Kramarczuk's Kielbasa Festival

Time:  11:00am - 10:00pm

Location: Kramarczuk’s Sausage Co., 215 East Hennepin Avenue

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

Enjoy live music and family entertainment, Kramarczuk’s street food and Grain Belt Nordeast, local and European beers on tap. Daily admission of $10 gets you a commemorative beer stein and your first beer is free. Admission is $5 under 21 and for a designated driver. Kids five and under are free.

Tickets are available at Kramarczuk’s and online while supplies last.

Additional Date - Sunday, September 11, 11 am – 6 pm