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.
Via an August 20 Minneapolis Park and Rec Board e-newsletter:
The MPRB is seeking to fill a vacant community position on the Homegrown Minneapolis Food Council. The Homegrown Minneapolis Food Council brings together key partners from local government, area businesses, community organizations, non-profits, and residents to build a healthy, local food system.
Zen Box Izakaya's popular Ramen Attack! returns to the Mill City Museum trainshed on Sunday, September 27, 1:00pm - 6:00pm.
Mill City Museum is partnering with Zen Box to celebrate the restaurant’s fourth year anniversary and benefit the Children’s Cancer Research Fund. The event includes ramen tasting featuring Zen Box Chef John Ng and world-renowned ramen chefs, beer, cooking demos by local chefs, music and Japanese cultural performances. Net proceeds from food and beverage sales will benefit the Children’s Cancer Research Fund.
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August 15 was Immigrant Farmer Day at the Market. I picked up a beautiful variety of peppers at the Minnesota Food Association/Big River Farms booth. Big River Farms is a program of Minnesota Food Association (MFA), whose mission is to build a sustainable food system based on social, economic and environmental justice through education, training and partnerships. Currently 13 farms are enrolled in the Big River Farms training program, representing 8 different cultures.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) promotes environmentally sound, socially beneficial and economically prosperous management of the world's forests by setting standards for responsible forest management. You can choose responsibly-grown forest products by looking for the FSC logo on wood and paper products. Visitors to their booth got to spin the wheel for a free product, and add their thoughts to the message board on what they love about forests.
Love these new salt bowls from Christy Wetzig Ceramics.
Below, rolling pins from Crookedwood - the tiger maple is my favorite.
A budding photographer - love it! :)
The first pears of the season from Ames Farm - so good!
When you need to get around the Market quickly...
Sameh Wadi of Saffron Restaurant was the guest chef for the Mill City Cooks demo. He prepared an Heirloom Tomato and Melon Salad and also signed copies of his book The New Mediterranean Table.
You might recognize Zero Waste volunteer and MCFM Board Member Kathy Klink. Kathy discussed composting with the cooking demo audience.
Fun soap shapes from Olsen Naturals.
The goat!
Week 2 of Yoga at Gold Medal Park saw participation almost double, with 48 neighbors attending. Kudos to Claudia Kittock and Joan Bennett for launching this program.
As I was heading over the Farmers Market Saturday morning I crossed paths with a number of men and women carrying yoga mats and towels and I knew exactly where they heading - to the second of six free yoga classes sponsored by the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA) at Gold Medal Park. Attendance doubled over the first week!
While geared towards beginners, all yogis are welcome to these weekly 8:00a Saturday sessions. Please join us next Saturday morning! Plan to arrive 5 - 10 minutes before class to sign in, meet the instructor and get settled in for an hour of "you" time. :)
An added bonus to this class is that there's plenty of room to spread out. Anyone who's been in an overpacked, confined class knows how distracting and uncomfortable it is to worry about touching the person next to you.
MN Limited, LLC. and Michels Corporation, two authorized CenterPoint Energy contractors, will continue installing natural gas pipeline in the following locations:
2nd Street N., from 2nd Avenue N. to 1st Avenue N.:
• Please anticipate intermittent driving lane closures along 2nd Street N. in the areas of construction.
• The parking lane is closed at the southeast corner of 2nd Avenue N. and 2nd Street N.
• The right turn lane is closed from 2nd Avenue N. to 2nd Street N.
• The right turn lane is closed from 2nd Street N. to 1st Avenue N.
• Construction is anticipated to continue through Labor Day, weather permitting.
Near the intersection of 2nd Street N. and Hennepin Avenue:
• One northbound Hennepin Avenue lane is closed at the intersection.
• The east sidewalk and bike lane along Hennepin Avenue is closed.
• Construction is anticipated to continue through Labor Day, weather permitting.
Please visit our website often to receive project updates, traffic alerts and any anticipated road or lane closures. For further information, please contact Ashley Osteraas at 612-321-5546 or Ashley.Osteraas@centerpointenergy.com. Thank you.
July 13, 2015
http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=8f6c56dbc480e00dba78e6fbe&id=874e10c300
July 6, 2015
http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=8f6c56dbc480e00dba78e6fbe&id=5022b65720
June 29, 2015
http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=8f6c56dbc480e00dba78e6fbe&id=132592137c
June 22, 2015
http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=8f6c56dbc480e00dba78e6fbe&id=5286976407
Time is running out to participate in Pathways to Places, the public realm master plan being developed by the City of Minneapolis and the MPRB. They've created an innovative mapping tool for feedback that's actually kind of fun to use.
From Minneapolis CPED: Tell us about how you use downtown parks and public space. We want to know more about what you do and how you get around. This interactive map allows you to share ideas about a specific park or place, the path you take to get there, and how you’d improve the experience.
Please click here to share your thoughts…
Explanation:
The City of Minneapolis has launched a planning process for the development of the Downtown Public Realm Framework Plan. The Downtown Public Realm Framework Plan is a thematic plan, led by the City’s Department of Community Planning and Economic Development. It is a guiding policy document for the management of the pedestrian experience in key areas of the city, and is focused on guiding the enhancement of priority streets and urban spaces. This plan will be developed during the same time as the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board (MPRB) develops their Downtown Service Area Master Plan.
“A successful downtown public realm does not operate in a vacuum, and should not have boundaries congruent with publicly owned space,” said Council Member Jacob Frey. “If we expect developers and businesses to make investments that benefit the public realm (and we do), the City must be specific in vision. I am very excited to say that we are dead on track to create a framework that achieves this goal.”
The Downtown Public Realm Framework is the City’s plan to provide unified guidance to inform and coordinate the work of public and private entities that shape the public realm. The Downtown Public Realm Framework includes an inventory of existing policies, practices, and elements in the public realm. It is intended to inform and guide outcomes in capital planning, site plan review, and public/private partnership toward the coordinated enhancement of the public realm. A Public Realm Framework is a guiding policy document for the management of the Right-of-Way. The purpose of Public Realm Frameworks is the creation of a unified document for the public realm within a certain geographic area. The document will address connections, networks, assets and conditions.
“Minneapolis is on the rise. As the growth of our urban core continues, we know we need to look beyond single projects or development sites - we need to think holistically about shaping the experience of being downtown,” said City of Minneapolis Director of Long Range Planning Kjersti Monson. “If we can establish a shared vision for the public realm, and if we can ensure that every stakeholder is aware of that vision, and understands how they can to contribute to it, then we can pull together to make this the most livable downtown in America.”
The City of Minneapolis’ Downtown Public Realm Framework will run on a parallel and integrated track with the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board’s process to create a Downtown Service Area Master Plan (DSAMP). The two processes will result in separate but integrally related documents, the Downtown Public Realm Framework and the DSAMP, which will jointly create the Pathways to Places initiative, for the entire network of downtown public spaces and corridors. The Downtown Public Realm Framework and the DSAMP will each be adopted by their respective elected bodies.
These events are brought to us by Northern Lights.mn, a roving, collaborative, interactive media-oriented arts agency from the Twin Cities for the world. It presents innovative art in the public sphere, both physical and virtual, focusing on artists creatively using technology, both old and new, to engender new relations between audience and artwork and more broadly between citizenry and their built environment.
Aaron Dysart, Alma Lights project proposal.
Join us on Wednesday, August 19, 6:00 - 7:30pm, for an update of 12 artists' in process work on Alma Lights: Laura Bigger, Aaron Dysart, James Garrett Junior, Jess Hirsch, Ifrah Mansour, Wil Natzel, Molly Reichert + Sean Higgins, Robin Schwartzman, Piotr Szyhalski, Peter Haakon Thompson, JoAnn Verburg
Alma Lights is a temporary arts hub in partnership with Restaurant Alma that will support a range of artist installations at the Alma building (528-530 University Ave SE, Minneapolis) throughout the summer, prior to Alma’s upcoming expansion. Read more about the project, including artists' concepts, here.
Alma lights opens Wednesday, September 16th, 7-11pm with a ticketed pre-opening reception with Restaurant Alma at 5pm. Food and drink will be available for ticket holders.
Other viewing hours: Friday, September 18, 9pm – midnight; Saturday, September 20, noon – 7pm; Sunday, September 21, noon – 5pm.
Want to help out?
Want to be a part of this temporary art space? We need volunteers to help staff Alma Lights during its open viewing hours. Email ady@northern.lights.mn if you're interested.
Visit us at Open Streets this Sunday
The Franklin Avenue Bridge public information team will be at this Sunday's Open Streets Minneapolis event. This is your opportunity to learn more and ask any questions you might have about the project.
The event: Open Streets Minneapolis on Franklin Avenue
The day and time: From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 16
Where we will be: The Franklin Avenue Bridge project will be near 27th Avenue. Look for the big orange Hennepin County public works truck.
More information about the event is available on the Open Streets Minneapolis website.
Project information updates
Cofferdams sealed last weekend
Last Saturday a number of concrete trucks rolled into the construction area, allowing for crews to seal the first two cofferdams in the river. Crews will now temporarily drain the water within the structure and conduct concrete repairs to areas of the bridge piers normally below water level.
Continuing work and ongoing closures
•The contractor is working on a platform to restore concrete below the bridge deck.
•West River Parkway road and trail remain closed at Franklin Avenue Bridge through October 2015. View detour map.
•The Lower East River Parkway trail is closed between the East River Flats (University of Minnesota Boathouse) and Cecil Street while crews restore concrete below the bridge deck.
Being safe around the work zone
Thank you for slowing down and paying attention in work zones. Staying alert and dedicating your full attention to driving keeps you and our crews safe.
Contact information
Hotline: 888-474-8929
Email: franklinbridge@hennepin.us
Project website
Via an August 13 e-newsletter from the City of Minneapolis:
For first time in Downtown, Minneapolis residents will have the opportunity to explore and enjoy their neighborhood streets without the presence of motorized traffic. Join us in bringing together local businesses, families and neighbors to bike, walk, socialize, play and shop in a car-free environment on Washington and 1st Avenue, August 23, 2015 11:00am - 5:00pm.
Sign up for a short volunteer shift to help Open Streets roll into Downtown and get a free 2015 Open Streets Mpls t-shirt! At least 80 volunteers are needed to power the inaugural Downtown Open Streets. Volunteers are a crucial part of keeping these events safe and fun. So come be a part of the magic and help transform downtown into a biking and walking oasis! Learn more and sign up for one of the many great volunteer opportunities that support Downtown Open Streets here.
Thanks to all our volunteers that make Open Streets Mpls possible. See you on the Street!
Open Streets is an initiative of the Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition, presented by the Center for Prevention at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota and co-sponsored by the City of Minneapolis.
Open Streets events bring together local businesses, families, and neighbors to bike, walk, socialize, play and shop in their communities in a car-free environment.
Want to Volunteer?
http://www.openstreetsmpls.org/os_general_volunteer
Thanks to months of planning and the efforts of a hardworking group of volunteers led by Cynthia Kriha, last week's Mill District National Night Out (NNO) party was a huge success. This year's attendance was estimated at 525.
New this year was a kid's play area, which speaks to the growing number of young families in the neighborhood.
During the party, $438 was raised for People Serving People as part of the Dollar$ for Diaper$ drive.
The Rich Lewis Band provided perfect background music for the event.
And of course, plenty of tasty food and drinks!
Many thanks for all everyone who made the event a success. See you all at the next NNO - August 2, 2016!
MINNEAPOLIS (August 10, 2015) — Help your favorite green spaces in Downtown Minneapolis get recognized through the 6th Annual Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District (MDID) Greening & Public Realm Awards.
The Greening Awards, an MDID initiative since 2010, celebrate outstanding examples of greening and placemaking that improve public space in Downtown Minneapolis. Winners are selected by public vote at MinneapolisDID.com/GreeningAwards. The vote will be open Aug. 10 through Aug. 24.
This year, 35 unique finalists selected through an interactive public nomination process were divided into 12 categories based on the project’s characteristics and size. Among the finalists selected were 17 new nominees—a sign of the growing diversity of greening in the downtown area—as well as nine past winners. Eight of last year’s 11 winners are nominated again this year, including five-time winners Loring Greenway and Target Plaza South Entry.
“Greening in the public realm is essential to creating a vibrant and thriving downtown. We as a community have put a great emphasis on sustaining and building upon our green spaces in downtown Minneapolis,” said Steve Cramer, President & CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council and Downtown Improvement District. “The Greening Awards help us celebrate these continued efforts, and we hope residents, employees and visitors alike will vote to help give acknowledgement to these deserving spaces—large and small.”
This year’s vote also includes a new category that focuses on downtown neighborhoods. Greening is an important aspect of every community, and this year’s Greening Awards will acknowledge the area of downtown that has produced the best greening according to the public.
Winners will receive a commemorative Greening Award created by Wood from the Hood, a Minneapolis-based company that reclaims discarded trees from urban neighborhoods and creates high-quality wood products. Each award will display the year the award was issued.
The MDID Greening Awards are intended to inspire all to work toward making downtown greener and more vibrant. The MDID’s mission through the Greening Awards is to encourage all downtown businesses and organizations to participate in the greening effort.
The public is encouraged to vote by visiting www.MinneapolisDID.com/GreeningAwards and clicking on the interactive vote link. Each category will showcase the finalists along with a photo of each location for easy viewing and identification. This year’s 12 categories include the following finalists:
Small Green Space Activation
· IDS Center PARKLOT presented by Bank of America*
· Piazza on the Mall
Small Green Space
· Assisi on 9th Park
· Target Plaza South Entry
Large Green Space Activation
· Convention Center Plaza
· Government Plaza
· Peavey Plaza
· Target Field Station
Large Green Space
· Elliot Park*
· Loring Greenway
· Loring Park*
· Triangle Park
Façade Greening
· 500 S. Washington*
· 5th Street Towers
· Kenosha Building
· Seven Event Destination
Open Space Green Infrastructure
· MCTC Plaza Rain Garden
· Target Field Station
Outdoor Café
· 8th Street Grill
· Dakota Jazz Club
· Red Cow*
Streetscape Greening
· 222 Hennepin
· Central Lutheran Church*
· The Foundry Home Goods*
Streetscape Green Infrastructure
· 5th Avenue Lofts/Security Warehouse*
· American Academy of Neurology
· RiverStation Condos*
· Spoon & Stable*
Entryway Greening
· Aloft Minneapolis
· Cynthia Froid Group*
· Goldberg Bail Bonds*
· Martin Patrick 3*
Public Realm Improvement
· 5th Avenue Lofts/Security Warehouse Lofts*
· Central Lutheran Church*
· Convention Center Plaza
· IDS Center PARKLOT presented by Bank of America*
· Soccer Field at Elliot Park*
· Spoon & Stable*
· The Foundry Home Goods*
Best Neighborhood
· Elliot Park*
· Loring Park*
· Mill District*
· North Loop*
*-New Nominee in this category
The public is encouraged to not only vote on a winner for each category but to also celebrate greening on social media year-round. Send your greening photos to @MinneapolisDID on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #GreenAwardsMpls.
For more information, visit www.minneapolisdid.com/greeningawards or log onto Facebook, Twitter or Instagram searching @MinneapolisDID.
About the Minneapolis Downtown Council:
Founded in 1955, and one of the oldest central business districts in the nation, the Minneapolis Downtown Council (MDC) is a membership-based entity that works to create, preserve, and enhance a vital and engaging experience for the people who visit, work, shop and live in Downtown Minneapolis. The MDC’s collaborative developments of Intersections: The Downtown 2025 Plan was designed to help downtown businesses, community leaders and citizens build on downtown assets and implement future goals. For more information, please visit http://www.downtownmpls.com/.
About the Downtown Improvement District:
Founded in early 2009, after more than five years of formative planning and advocacy by the downtown business community, the Minneapolis DID delivers higher levels of service to make downtown cleaner, greener, safer and more vibrant throughout a 120-block area, as is the case with most Business Improvement Districts. For more information, visit http://www.minneapolisdid.com/.
We’ll start with a view of St. Anthony Falls and end at The Mill City Ruins, where we’ll practice the writerly skills of observation and sensory exploration through written words and images.
Celebrate summer at the first annual SotaFest!
Kindred the Family Soul headlines an afternoon of music and fun in picturesque Parade Stadium August 29
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is excited to partner in the first annual SotaFest happening August 29at Parade Stadium, located at 400 Kenwood Parkway. Doors open at 1 pm, music starts at 2 pm and festivities will continue throughout the afternoon framed underneath one of the best skyline views in the city.
A portion of the proceeds collected helps create opportunities for kids in Minneapolis parks by funding scholarships for youth programming.
“We appreciate having the opportunity to partner with People for Parks, 89.9 KMOJ and Bachelor Boy Entertainment in putting on another great summertime event in Minneapolis while also helping more of our city’s youth enjoy park activities,” said Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Assistant Superintendent Nick Williams.
Nationally-renowned act Kindred the Family Soul headlines a lineup studded with dynamic performers, including Church and the Dirty Thought, Mike De’Cole, Chris Lawrence, Audiyo Element, Hustle Rose and MPLS.
Food trucks and local product vendors will also be on hand.
SotaFest is an 18+ event. Advance tickets are available onlinefor $25 and at the door for $35. Concert-goers can park for $5 at Dunwoody College across the street from Parade Stadium.
Volunteers for SotaFest are still needed. Volunteer assignments include entrance gate monitors/ticket takers, parking crew, ticket sales, stage monitors, and more.
Each volunteer will receive entry to the concert and one additional ticket. View and sign-up for volunteer assignments and shifts here: http://www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F0449AFAC22A6FB6-sotafest or email Nicole Zappa at nzappa@minneapolisparks.org with questions about volunteering.
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Event Details Who:Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, People for Parks, 89.9 KMOJ-FM and Bachelor Boy Entertainment What: An afternoon of music, food and dancing headlined by nationally-renowned act Kindred the Family Soul When: Saturday, August 29. Doors open at 1 pm; music starts at 2 pm Where: Parade Stadium Why: Proceeds help fund youth programming scholarships for Minneapolis park activities Cost: $25 in advance; $35 at the door |
The first of six free yoga classes sponsored by the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA) took place August 8 at Gold Medal Park. While geared towards beginners, all yogis are welcome to these weekly 8:00a Saturday sessions. I've been practicing for two years and found it to be a relaxing start to the weekend.
DMNA Board Member Claudia Kittock explained, "Yoga in the Park began with a brainstorming session between DMNA and Emanuel Housing. Our first class attracted almost 30 people from all across downtown. The teacher, Haley Lasche, did a wonderful job of welcoming each student and leading us through an hour of beginning yoga."
Above, instructor Haley Lasche, Claudia Kittock, and DMNA Outreach and Program Coordinator, Joan Bennett.
Please join us next Saturday morning! Plan to arrive 5 - 10 minutes before class to sign in, meet the instructor and get settled in for an hour of "you" time. :)
August 8 was Youth Day at the Market, featuring the Oliver Kelly Farm animals, Mill City Cooks youth-led demo, Power to Produce program, kid tatoos from Oink Outings and the Minneapolis Public Schools Food Truck.
Power of Produce (a national program, new to MCFM this year) continues to be very popular. It was featured is this recent Star Trib article.
Shoppers sampled beet hummus from the Minneapolis Public Schools Food Truck and learned more about the farm-to-school efforts going on in our public schools. They were also promoting the 4th Annual Farm to School Community BBQ.
Metal artists Made By Liz P and Primitive Precision debuted at the August 8 Market. Look for a post featuring Liz and Hans on our Farmers Market blog later this week.
The very talented Orange Mighty Trio entertained shoppers.
Chinese Long Beans - sometimes referred to as Yard Long Beans - so good!
Love at the Market. :)
The goat!
Should the current Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Assosciation (DMNA) become two independent neighborhood associations?
The DMNA serves both the Downtown East and Downtown West neighborhoods. On September 21, DMNA Members will vote to accept or reject a resolution to form two independent neighborhood associations that would serve East and West respectively. Anyone who lives, works or owns property in Downtown East or West is eligible to vote.
To prepare our two neighborhoods for this vote, four informational meetings/feedback sessions will be hosted by the DMNA and facilitated by City staff. This will be your opportunity to learn the details of this proposed change and provide input on the future of our neighborhood association(s).
INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS & FEEDBACK SESSIONS
Tuesday, August 18
Guthrie - Dowling Studio, 818 S 2nd Street
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Monday, August 24
New Century Theatre, City Center
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Wednesday, September 9
Open Book - 1011 Washington Avenue S
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Thursday, September 10
Central Library - Pohlad Hall, 300 Nicollet Mall
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
MEMBERSHIP VOTE ON THE PROPOSAL TO FORM TWO INDEPENDENT NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS
SEPTEMBER 21 - DMNA BOARD MEETING
THE DEPOT RENAISSANCE HOTEL, 225 3rd AVE S
5:45 pm - 8:00 pm
Via an August 7 Hennepin County e-newsletter:
WHAT'S HAPPENING
Motorists traveling the Washington Avenue Bridge (County Road 122) over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis will encounter traffic closures starting at 6 a.m. on Monday, August 10, 2015. These closures will allow Hennepin County to complete a routine bridge inspection.
The marked detour uses Pleasant Street SE, University Avenue SE/Fourth Street SE and I-35W.
DETAILS
The closures will occur as follows:
•Eastbound traffic will be closed starting at 6 a.m. on Monday, August 10 through 12 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12
•Westbound traffic will be closed starting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, August 12 through 4 p.m. on Friday, August 14.
IMPACT TO BICYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIANS
There should be no impact to bicyclists or pedestrians using the top level of the bridge.
MORE INFORMATION
See active projects on our interactive road construction map.
Learn more about how transportation is connecting people to places.
CONTACT Colin Cox at colin.cox@hennepin.us or 612-596-7426 with questions about this bulletin.
Tickets available at http://mspfilm.org/ or at the box office before each show.
Now Showing thru August 6 - A LEGO BRICKUMENTARY
Now Showing thru August 6 - THE YOUNG AND PRODIGIOUS T.S. SPIVET
August 7 thru 13 - CARTEL LAND
August 8 at 7PM - I AM CHRIS FARLEY (One Night Only)
August 14 thru 20 - KURT COBAIN: MONTAGE OF HECK
August 14 thru 20 - PEOPLE, PLACES, THINGS
August 17 at 7PM + August 22 at 1PM - NT LIVE: A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
August 20 at 7PM - TANGO NEGRO: THE AFRICAN ROOTS OF TANGO
August 21 thru 27 - MARSHLAND
August 21 thru 27 - THE PUBLIC DOMAIN
August 28 thru September 3 - Z FOR ZACHARIAH
August 31 at 7PM + September 5 at 1PM - NT LIVE: THE AUDIENCE (2015 Tony Award Winner starring Helen Mirren)
TICKETS available at: http://mspfilm.org/ or at the box office before each show.
Mill City Times | 35W Bridge Memorial | Mill District Block Party | Mill City Media
Thursday, August 20, 2015 at 6:22PM