2nd Annual Mississippi Minute Film Festival - Entries in; Vote for Your Favorite!

Mississippi Minute Film Festival

Entries in; Vote for Your Favorite!

Winners Screened October 26 at Riverfront Summit, Mill City Museum

October 4, 2015: Minneapolis, MN: All films are in for the 2^nd Annual Mississippi Minute Film Festival, an event of the Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership (MRP.) Judging is now underway; MRP is asking people to vote for their favorite film to win the Festival’s People’s Choice Award. Voting is online at www.mississippiminute.org. A one minute trailer showing some of the entries for this year’s Festival is available on You Tube at: Mississippi Minute Trailer.

“We have an exciting and creative batch of new films entered in this year’s Festival,” notes Kathleen Boe, executive director of MRP. “We are encouraging folks to watch this year’s films online and vote for their favorite!” she said.

All category winners and runners-up, plus a Best of Show and a People’s Choice Award, will be screened October 26, 2015 at MRP’s Riverfront Summit, 5:30 p.m. at the Mill City Museum. The Summit is free and open to the public.  Guest speaker is John Anfinson, Superintendent of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.  Learn more about the National Park Service’s upcoming 100 year celebration and this one-of-a-kind park in the midst of our city.

            Judges for this year’s Mississippi Minute Film Festival are:

• Whitney Clark, Executive Director, Friends of the Mississippi River
• Lisa Goodman, Council Member, Minneapolis City Council
• Brenda Langton, owner/founder of Spoonriver Restaurant; founder of the Mill City Farmer’s Market,
• Tom Meyer, Founding Principal, Meyer, Scherer and Rockcastle, Ltd
• Dean Otto, Program Manager, Moving Image, Walker Art Center
• Blong Yang, Council Member, Minneapolis City Council

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Community Quote of the Week

Our West Bank Human Landmark Has Left Us

Submitted by Susan Schaefer, Riverview Tower Resident

Photo credit: ©2015 Susan Schaefer

The Last Cigarette

Saturday 10/3/15 10PM

I felt privileged to have had a slice of time with the man in the top hat and tails who has been a West Bank fixture for years, and my neighbor. Today, returning from a photo shot at Mill City Farmer’s Market I felt an uncanny pull as I walked by his infamous encampment directly next to my building, Riverview Tower, tucked under the 10th Avenue Bridge. Had I done as my entire being was directing me, I might have become the last person to see the man so many Twin Citians know as Chester alive. But I didn’t follow my instincts. And tonight, after an evening out with friends at Seven Corners, I returned home to find law enforcement quietly conducting their business exactly at Chester’s outlier campsite home. I knew without even asking that this man whom I photographed was no longer among us.

I am sure the formal details will emerge, but it seems he died of natural causes.

According to our building’s evening attendant, his female companion of years, Marcia, asked to call the police, explaining that she had found Chester “cold and motionless”.

Most old timers in our building had a great fondness for this enigmatic outsider who rode a bicycle throughout the West Bank and Dinkytown, most often soliciting change from passersby. But the afternoon I snapped my portrait on a Dinkytown corner, Chester had just given his last cigarette to another homeless young man. That’s the only Chester I knew. I hope there’s a peg in heaven for his top hat.

Drs Susan Schaefer, APR, is a communications consultant, executive coach, corporate trainer, university professor, writer, published poet, and former newspaper editor and publisher.

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Editors Note - 

Here is a Star Trib article about Chester (a.k.a Bruce, a.k.a. Charlie) from May, 2014 - Chester's West Bank Hideaway is Changing.

In case you're not familiar with Chester's home camp, it's located under the 10th Avenue Bridge on the Midtown Greenway bike route by the Bluff Street Park.  Dave took these pictures this morning, October 4:

 

A couple of videos from one of our Facebook followers:

Week 22 at the 2015 Mill City Farmers Market

In spectacular fashion, October 3 kicked off the final month of the 2015 outdoor season.

A budding cheese connoisseur.

Dueling photographers...

Melanie having fun with finger puppets.

Come to the Market hungry - go home with a happy tummy! 

The goat! (Nancy - what's going on with that pepper !?!)

Free Events Honoring the Voices of Soldiers and Veterans

Free events honoring the voices of soldiers and veterans

What

More than 8,000 soldiers and veterans lives are lost to suicide each year – a fact that is brought into sharp focus through The 8030 Project currently on exhibit at the Hennepin Gallery.

In conjunction with exhibit and Veterans’ Voices Month, two events open to the public will take place in October.

When and where

Thursday, October 8, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., a special screening of “Surviving the Peace,” a film by The 8030 Project artist and curator Mara Pelecis will be held in the Hennepin County Government Employee Development Classroom, A110, on the southwest street level.

Thursday, October 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 22 among us, a panel discussion about returning veterans and mental health services will be held in the Hennepin County Government Center Auditorium, A-level.

Submit your photos

People are invited to submit their own images via 8030project.com. Images will be continually added to the gallery online and images submitted in September will also be added to the Hennepin Gallery in October.

About The 8030 Project

The 8030 Project art installation will continue to be on view in the Hennepin Gallery until October 27. Images featured in the installation are curated from The 8030 Project's open call to create individual memorials for these lost lives. The memorials use everyday objects in everyday spaces; 22 items represent the 22 solders and veteran lives lost each day to suicide. The exhibit is a selection of the submissions with the stories that accompany them as curated by Ms. Pelecis.

The project is sponsored by the Hennepin County Multicultural Arts Committee, in partnership with Forecast Public Art.

Look for more news on the Hennepin County website at www.hennepin.us/news.

Parkway Closures for October 3 and 4

The following parkways will be temporarily closed October 3-4 for the events listed:

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October 3 - Slutwalk Minneapolis - 8:30am-1:00pm

Main Street - From Hennepin Ave to 6th Ave SE West River Parkway - From Plymouth Ave to S 4th Street Plymouth Bridge and Stone Arch Bridge Special Event Details

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October 4 - Medtronic Marathon & 10 Mile - 6:30am-2:00pm

Marathon Course – Lake of the Isles Parkway (Left side of Lake), Dean Parkway, W Lake Calhoun Parkway, William Berry Parkway, E Lake Harriet Parkway (From Bandshell to Minnehaha Parkway), Minnehaha Parkway (From Harriet to Godfrey Parkway), Lake Nokomis Parkway, Godfrey Parkway, West River Parkway (From Godfrey to Franklin Ave).

10-Mile Course - West River Parkway (From Portland to 22nd Ave), East River Parkway (from 14th Ave to Lake Street) 

Franklin Avenue Bridge Closure and Construction Updates

Via an October 1, 2015, Hennepin County e-newsletter:

Franklin Avenue Bridge Construction Update

Planning ahead for weekend traffic impacts

Before we get to a construction update, we have important information about weekend traffic impacts to share.

Saturday, October 3

Motor vehicle traffic will be reduced to one lane on the Franklin Avenue Bridge from 5 a.m. to approximately 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 3, for concrete delivery. Flaggers will guide traffic. Please use caution when traveling through the area.

Similar to a few weeks ago, concrete trucks will be on the bridge deck throughout the day, transporting concrete through a hose to equipment located on a barge below the bridge.

The concrete will be used to create a floor of the Pier 3 cofferdam. Previously, crews dove sheet pile to create walls for the cofferdam. Next, crews will drain the water within the cofferdam to create a dry work area. This will allow them to conduct concrete repair to bridge piers normally below water level.

The bike and pedestrian lanes on the south side will remain open.

Sunday, October 4

This Sunday is the annual Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. A portion of the route travels across the Franklin Avenue Bridge. As a result, the roadway will be closed to traffic from approximately 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The bike and pedestrian lanes on the both sides will remain open during the marathon.

An update on construction

Crews have been active around the project site for the past few weeks.

Above water level

Crews continue their work to restore concrete below the bridge deck. This includes work on the piers. Below is a picture of a section of a pier that has been restored using shotcrete. Shotcrete is a special concrete that is applied using a controlled spray.

At and below water level

Crews have also been using the cofferdams in the river to get access to the parts of the pier that are at and below river level. Below is a picture showing concrete removal at one of the piers.

Concrete is being restored in a way that protects the integrity of the structures. 

Roadway deck panels

Crews continue to work at the casting yard at Bohemian Flats area up the river. At present, more than 160 of the 366 panels needed for the roadway deck have been completed. All panels will be floated down the river next year and hoisted into place.

Detours and closures 

West River Parkway and trail remain closed at Franklin Avenue Bridge. 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.

Project Website

Primrose Park to Close Northeast Shop with an October 9 Goodbye Party

Via a September 29 e-newsletter:

Primrose Park Goodbye Party!

Please join us as we say "goodbye" to our home in Northeast Minneapolis.  We will send the store off in style on Friday, October 9, 2015, with wine, sweet treats and 20% off all regularly-priced purchases. We hope you can join the festivities!

Date:  Friday, October 9

Time:  6:00pm-9:00pm
 
Location:  Primrose Park, 20 University Avenue NE

Local Law Firm Founder to Retire

Larry Zelle Retires From Practice of Law to Form Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice

MINNEAPOLIS – September 29, 2015 – Zelle Hofmann Voelbel & Mason announces the retirement of Larry Zelle, a founder of the firm, effective October 1, 2015.  After a legendary career as a trial lawyer, Zelle will leave the active practice of law to serve as an arbitrator or mediator in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) proceedings.

“There comes a time in the life of a trial lawyer when one stops looking ahead to the next victory. Yet, we have a need to stay active and productive. That is our nature. This is my time” said Zelle. 

During his legal career, which began in 1959, Zelle earned his reputation by obtaining successful results for clients in many high-profile cases including: the MGM Grand fire; the Hyatt Regency Hotel walkway collapse; the General Mills Cheerios product recall; the Bhopal, India disaster; and the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack in New York, among others.

“Over the years, as we have grown Zelle Hofmann, added practice lines and expanded internationally, Larry has been a constant force in the firm and has been instrumental in building a legal powerhouse,” said Dan Millea, a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. “He leaves a legacy that includes his unselfish mentoring of those young partners who became the leadership of the firm in the 21st century and his development of an institutional client base that continues to be a significant part of the firm’s success. Most importantly, he has been an essential role model to all of our lawyers, by insisting that the Zelle firm provide the highest quality of legal services to its clients. The firm is grateful for Larry’s many contributions.  We wish him well as he launches the next phase of his distinguished career.”

About Zelle Hofmann:

Zelle Hofmann Voelbel & Mason LLP LLP is an international litigation and dispute resolution law firm with offices in Boston, Dallas, London, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia and San Francisco. The Firm excels at handling insurance, antitrust and other complex litigation on both a national and global scale. The Firm also has an affiliate office in Beijing, People’s Republic of China. For more information about Zelle Hofmann, visit www.zelle.com. For more information about the firm’s Zealous Women initiative, visit www.zealouswomen.com.

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LOCAL FARMERS, CHEFS, AND ARTISTS TEAM UP FOR HARVEST GALA

Thursday, October 8, 7:00pm - 9:30pm, Solar Arts Building

[NE MINNEAPOLIS. September 28, 2015] In a celebration of the strength and bounty of the local food movement, the Northeast Minneapolis Farmers Market is excited to announce the fourth annual Harvest Gala.  Proceeds from the event will be used to fund the activities and mission of the Northeast Minneapolis Farmers Market.

The Solar Arts Building, located at 711 – 15^th Avenue NE, is generously donating their beautiful third-floor event space for this year’s Gala, to be held on Thursday, October 8, from 7 pm until 9:30 pm.

The NEFM Harvest Gala features an innovative format that pair’s farmers market vendors and local chefs. Chefs and farmers team up to create tasty appetizers using ingredients sourced from the Northeast Farmers Market.  This year, expect eats by Sen Yai Sen Lek, Chowgirls, Red Table Meats, and Lone Grazer Creamery, just to name a few. At the bar, try fine wines, beer from Nordeast Brewers Alliance, and specialty-crafted cocktails by Norseman Distillery.

Flamenco guitarist David Grams will provide live entertainment. A silent auction will feature arts, crafts, certificates and services donated by local artisans, restaurants, businesses and individuals. We’re off to a great start with donations from Park Square Theater, Minnesota Orchestra, Mill City Running, Denny Kemp Salon, Minneapolis St. Paul Film Society and Minnesota Historical Society.

Back again this year... the Garden Stroll, NEFM's version of a Cake Walk, will feature really cool market bags filled with goodies from market vendors and friends.

Admission to the Gala is $15 in advance, and $20 at the door. Advance tickets are available on Saturday, October 3^rd at the Northeast Farmers Market, and on-line.

Chowgirls Killer Catering and Norseman Distillery sponsor this event.

The Northeast Farmers Market is located on the corner of 7^th and University Avenues NE, in the St. Boniface Church parking lot. The Solar Arts Building is located at 711 NE 15^th Avenue.

Art Attack 2015 - November 6 thru 8

Friday, November 6 from 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Saturday, November 7 from Noon – 8:00pm
Sunday, November 8 from  Noon - 5:00pm

Art Attack is an annual open studio and gallery crawl at the Northrup King Building, in the heart of the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District. The weekend-long event features over 200 artists working in painting and drawing, sculpture, photography, custom furniture, fiber arts, metal, ceramics, glass, hand-crafted and custom jewelry, mixed media, mosaics, textiles, and more.

On Saturday from Noon-6:00pm, TPT’s award-winning weekly art series, MN Original, will be taking over our 3rd floor gallery space with a special guest artist, offering interactive art activities, a MN Original viewing area, and an Instagram takeover.

Music, performace and demonstrations take place throughout the weekend.

Food Trucks:
Friday – Butcher Salt
Saturday – Simply Steve’s and Kabomlette
Sunday – Gastrotruck 

The Bakken Trio’s 2015 - 2016 Concert Series at MacPhail Center for Music

A full gamut of moods and music — The Bakken Trio opens their fall performance with the haunting thrumming of Ferdinand Meza’s marimba in Golijov’s remembrance of his friend Mariel, and finish in April with actress Sally Wingert narrating Aaron Kernis’ hysterical piece about futuristic cuisine.

2015 - 2016 Concert Series:

November 22, 2015  MEMORY:  Marimba specialist Fernando Meza joins the Bakken for music of  composers Rachmaninoff, Golijov and Shostakovich, inspired, in the Russian tradition, by great friendships.

January 24, 2016  JAPONAISE:  Cellist Pitnarry Shin plays music from Japanese puppet theater in  this program tracing the circles of inspiration to and from Claude Debussy.

April 3, 2016   WHIMSY!    Actress Sally Wingert narrates a hysterical spoof on food and  foodies in a program for having and hearing fun!

All concerts are at 4:00pm in Antonello Hall of MacPhail Center for Music, 501 S 2nd Street.

Upcoming Events at 1010 Washington Wine & Spirits

For wine and whiskey lovers, a few events of interest:

September 30th,  Susan and Anthony Truchard will be conducting a tasting of award winning Napa Valley wines from Truchard Vineyards  6:30 PM – 8:30 PM at the Aloft Hotel.  Please call  612-339-4040 to reserve a spot at this free tasting

October 9th,  Gordon & MacPhail  is a private bottler of small lot scotch whiskies.  We will be doing a very interesting tasting from 6:30 PM-8:30 PM.  Please call the store to reserve a spot for this free tasting.  If the response is large enough we will move it off site.

October 17th, Bobby Kacher, the revolutionary importer of outstanding French wines will be doing a seminar on Burgundy wines 4:00PM-6:00 PM.  This promises to be one of the truly outstanding wine tasting events of the year in Minneapolis!  Please call the store to reserve a spot for the tasting.  Again, depending on demand we may move this off site, but in the neighborhood.

MPRB is Looking for Volunteer Coaches for Winter Youth Sports

Via a September 24 Minneapolis Park and Rec Board e-newsletter:

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board's (MPRB) Youth Volleyball program begins in October and we are seeking volunteer coaches at recreation centers in Minneapolis.

We are also seeking coaches for winter sports programs (basketball, hockey, and wrestling) that begin in November/December.
• Athletes range from 6-18 years old
• Teams practice 1-2 times per week
• Games are scheduled 1-2 nights a week and/or Saturdays
• MPRB will provide orientation for all new coaches

Contact Nicole at 612-499-9258 or email recvolunteers@minneapolisparks.org for more information about coaching and other volunteer opportunities.

Can't coach this Winter? We'll need coaches for Gymnastics, Baseball, Softball, T-ball, and Track and Field this spring, too.

Week 21 at the 2015 Mill City Farmers Market

September 26 was Oktoberfest at the Market. Music by the Elk River German Band filled the air as shoppers sampled beer with Indeed Brewing. :)

Romanesco!

Art Vendors Kendra of Ink Orchard and Matthew of Matthew Krousey Ceramics.

The goat!

Don't forget - new hours for October!

The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul - October Line Up

 

Now showing thru October 1 - RACING EXTINCTION (program: New Releases)

Now showing thru October 1 - COOTIES (program: Dark Out)

September 25 thru October 1 - A BRAVE HEART: THE LIZZIE VELASQUEZ STORY (program: New Releases)

September 28 at 7PM + October 4 at 1PM - NT LIVE: THE BEAUX STRATAGEM (program: Stage on Screen)

September 30 + October 1 at 7PM - ATTACK ON TITAN: PART ONE (program: Cinema Sugoi!)

October 2-6 + October 12-15 - FINDERS KEEPERS (program: New Releases)

October 2 + 3 at 9:45PM - DEATHGASM (program: Dark Out)

October 7-11 - Minneapolis Underground Film Festival

October 12 at 7PM + October 18 at 1PM - RSC: OTHELLO (program: Stage on Screen, Royal Shakespeare Company)

October 16-22 - DUKHTAR (program: New Releases)

October 20 at 4:30PM - THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING (program: New Releases)

October 20 + 21 at 7PM - MY FAIR LADY 50TH ANNIVERSARY (program: Anniversary Film Classics)

October 22 at 10PM + October 24 at 7PM - ATTACK ON TITAN: PART TWO (program: Cinema Sugoi!)

October 23 thru November 5 - EXTRAORDINARY TALES (program: Dark Out)

ADMISSION: New Releases*: $8.50 General, $6 Students/Seniors, $5 Film Society Members, $6 Matinee before 5PM

ADMISSION: National Theatre Live & Royal Shakespeare Company: $20 General, $15 Members, $10 Students

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT: mspfilm.org or at the box office before each show

 

Twitter: @mspfilmsociety

Facebook: facebook.com/mspfilmsociety

Instagram: @mspfilmsociety

Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCNxBq4COftrxK3e4fYremyg

#MSPFILM

West River Parkway Slope Repair Update

Via a September 25 Minneapolis Park and Rec Board e-newsletter: 

West River Parkway Slope Repair

Efforts to repair damage done by the West River Parkway mudslide recently encountered numerous challenges. Multiple minor mudslides occurring since the beginning of August 2015 have delayed construction of the two walls most critical to stabilizing the slope. Erosion stemming from those mudslides also created steep embankments below the earthen “bench” used by the contractor to stage drill rigs and other construction equipment.
 
As a result, that critical construction equipment was removed from the bench and will not return until the contractor can determine the best method to control erosion on the slope.
 
Due to these unforeseen difficulties, the project is expected to continue through at least December 2015. The parkway and trail remain closed until that time.
 
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board appreciates the public’s patience during this complicated and challenging project.
 
Visit the project page.
 
Contact
Robin Smothers
Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
Phone: 612-230-6410
Email: rsmothers@minneapolisparks.org

Building Local Energy Democracy w/ Council Member Jacob Frey

Minneapolis’ own Community Power invites our neighbors in the 3rd Ward to an engaging and informative conversation about the possibilities for our city’s energy future.  We’re proud to have Jacob Frey, our 3^rd Ward City Council Representative, joining the conversation to voice support for clean, equitable energy and, simultaneously, champion solutions specifically for Ward 3 communities.

Together we’ll discuss:

-          Community Solar Gardens

-          Local Green Jobs Training

-          Minneapolis’ New, First-in-the-Nation, Clean Energy Partnership

-          Community Solar Investment

-          The Nature & Impacts of our Power Grid

-          What this means for your Energy Bill

And, especially for your information and convenience, Local Solar Developers and a Green Jobs Trainer, will be on-hand to connect with you about new and ongoing solar projects and job training in Minneapolis.

For food, fun, folks, facts and savings on your energy bills, join your neighbors at the Marcy Open School on Tuesday, September 29^th between 6 and 8pm for a truly Powerful Conversation.

Please contact Marcus Mills with any questions, or to RSVP (not required)

At: 612-623-0809 or marcus@communitypowermn.org

MacPhail Center for Music Announces 2015-2016 Spotlight Series Dates and Themes

The MacPhail Spotlight Series showcases the exceptional talents of teaching artists and special guests, providing an intimate listening experience in MacPhail’s state-of-the-art Antonello Hall. Under the artistic direction of Mischa Santora, this premier performance event is brought to life with collaborations from some of the Twin Cities’ finest artists.

This year's series themes:
  November 14, 2015 – Caffeinated Bach
  February 13, 2016 – BRAZIL!
  April 16, 2016 – Taiko Drums to J-Pop
  May 21, 2016 – American Poets: From Folk to Hip Hop

Tickets and more info.

One hour before each concert, you can join us in the U.S. Bank Lobby for a special question and answer session with featured performers.

  

Share Your Opinions to Help Shape the Future of Minneapolis Parks

This week the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) wraps up months of community meetings held throughout the city to gather feedback

Closing the Gap                      Share your opinions to help shape the future of  Minneapolis parks This week the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) wraps up months of community meetings held throughout the city to gather feedback on what may be the most comprehensive planning effort in its 130-year history. If you were unable to make any meetings this summer there are still two ways to get informed and weigh in on this major planning effort. The video below offers a brief overview of Closing the Gap. After the video please take this 15-minute survey to help determine the future of neighborhood parks in Minneapolis. MPRB is also hosting a public forum titled “Closing the Gap: Insider Insights for Park Funding” on Tuesday, September 29, 6-8:30 pm at the Walker Art Center. At the forum representatives from Seattle, Indianapolis, Portland and New York City will share how their cities tackled similar funding challenges. Read the full news release on our website.