Mississippi River Forum September 26

Mississippi River Forum: Live from the Storm Drain: Monitoring Stormwater Pollution in Minneapolis

Friday, September 26, 8 – 11 am

Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, 2522 Marshall Street NE

You are invited to join the National Park Service for the Mississippi River Forum--your opportunity to learn about issues impacting the Mississippi River and to make sure other decision makers understand your perspective.

Drinking water and sanitary wastewater are critical components of our water lives, and Mississippi River Forum participants have had the recent opportunity to tour drinking water treatment plants and wastewater treatment facilities. Stormwater—the water that runs over land during storms or after a winter thaw—is a third critical factor. However, stormwater is not treated before it enters waterbodies such as the Mississippi River, and we don’t often know what kind of pollution, specifically, is in this runoff.

The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) has a unique monitoring program to help determine what’s in the stormwater entering the Mississippi River. Come learn how the MWMO is monitoring stormwater pollution and visit one of its outfall monitoring sites on the river. Don’t miss this opportunity to see a cutting-edge pollution monitoring program first-hand! Light refreshments provided. Free. RSVP to lark_weller@nps.gov.

PLEASE NOTE: Participants will meet at MWMO’s offices for an initial presentation. In order to reduce pavement runoff, there are only 15 parking spots in the MWMO parking lot, so please be prepared to utilize street parking. After the presentation at MWMO, those interested in touring a stormwater outfall will carpool to the site. Access to the site requires walking on uneven surfaces and hillsides, and the tour will take place rain or shine. If you have mobility concerns, please contact Lark Weller at 651-293-8442 or lark_weller@nps.gov. Those choosing to join the tour will be asked to carpool with others to the site from MWMO’s offices. The Mississippi River Forum is made possible by the generous support of the park's charitable partner, the Mississippi River Fund and the McKnight Foundation.

Mill City Times Newsletter September 15, 2014

“Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time.”
― Marian Wright Edelman


TONIGHT – WHO’LL SAVE ST. ANTHONY FALLS?

Mill District Neighborhood Association Meeting
Monday, September 15 from 6:30pm-7:30pm
Mill City Museum, Main Floor Commons

Special guest presenters:

Raymond Dehn, State Rep. District 59b
Jamie Long, District Director for Congressman Keith Ellison
Jacob Frey, City Council Member, Ward 3

Will the falls run dry two years from now?  Three new hydro projects propose to divert water from flowing over St. Anthony Falls - Crown Hydro, A Mill Hydro, and Symphony Hydro.  One existing facility - Xcel Energy - is planning to ask permission to increase the amount they divert.

Individually, each of these projects warrant close scrutiny.  Should all 4 gain approval, the falls could be effectively shut off for weeks, even months, every year.  Learn details on each of these projects, and hear new policy initiatives from our elected officials.

Open to the Public - Learn what can be done, and share your opinion:
Monday, September 15 from 6:30pm-7:30pm
Mill City Museum, Main Floor Commons

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TUESDAY NIGHT - MEETING #1 FOR NEW EAST BANK BIKE & PEDESTRIAN TRAILS
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) will be constructing a new trail for bicyclists and pedestrians along the east bank of the Mississippi from Plymouth Avenue north to Marshall St. NE near the BNSF railroad bridge.  MPRB invites you to three meetings to help plan the trail:
http://millcitytimes.com/news/public-meetings-for-new-east-bank-bike-pedestrian-trails.html

HEADLINER CHEF FOR RAMEN ATTACK ON CONAN O'BRIEN
Chef Keizo Shimamoto, Chef/Owner at RAMEN.Co NYC & Berg'n, creator of world famous original 'Ramen Burger' featured on Conan.  The Ramen "Massive" Attack is Sunday, September 28 at the Mill City Museum Train Shed.
http://teamcoco.com/video/ramen-chef-keizo-shimamoto-secret-ingredients

NORTH LOOP TO KEEP HISTORIC BRICK ROADS
The fastest developing neighborhood in Minneapolis is also one of the toughest areas on vehicles and their suspension systems. You could call it the “North Loop Bounce” — the feel of driving over brick streets built for a different century.
http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2014/09/10/mpls-wants-to-keep-north-loops-classic-brick-roads/

THURSDAY - EAST DOWNTOWN COUNCIL FORUM
Time: 11:30am to 1:00pm
Location: Valspar's Applied Science and Technology Center, 1101 S. Third Street (map)

"Committed to Corporate Growth in the East Downtown."
The first business  EDC Business Forum of the 2014-2015 season is coming up on Thursday, September 18, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. It will take place at Valspar's Applied Science and Technology Center.
http://millcitytimes.com/mill-city-minneapolis-events/september-18-2014-thursday-east-downtown-council-forum.html

THURSDAY NIGHT - ELLIOT PARK NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING
The Building, Land Use & Housing Committee (BLUH) will meet Thursday, September 18 at 7 p.m. (Winter hours!) at the Elliot Park Recreation Center, 1000 E. 14th Street.

AGENDA
Soccer Field & Parks Report:  Anita Tabb, District 4 Park Commissioner
Armory Project:  Doug Hoskin
Stone Mountain Pet Lodge

UPDATES
Tailgating
Kraus-Anderson

VALSPAR MOVING HEADQUARTERS BACK TO MILL DISTRICT
Valspar Corp. will move its headquarters back to the 111-year-old building on the east side of downtown Minneapolis that it left in 2009.  In January, about 270 corporate employees will return to the former headquarters building at 3rd Street and 11th Avenue S., which underwent a $30 million renovation and reopened in June as an R&D center for the paint and coatings company. The R&D center houses 110 scientists.
http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/274681811.html

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

RIVER PARKWAY SLOPE REPAIR TO START SPRING OF 2015
http://millcitytimes.com/news/barr-engineering-approved-to-head-west-river-parkway-slope-r.html

RAMEN "MASSIVE" ATTACK
http://millcitytimes.com/news/zen-boxs-2014-ramen-massive-attack-coming-to-the-mill-city-m.html

[DOWNLOAD] NICOLLET ISLAND - EAST BANK SMALL AREA PLAN (DRAFT)
http://millcitytimes.com/news/download-nicollet-island-east-bank-small-area-plan.html

[DOWNLOAD] MARCY HOLMES NEIGHBORHOOD MASTER PLAN AND DINKYTOWN BUSINESS DISTRICT PLAN (DRAFT)
http://millcitytimes.com/news/download-marcy-holmes-neighborhood-master-plan.html

[VIDEO] BLACK HELICOPTERS BUZZ THE GUTHRIE THEATER
http://millcitytimes.com/news/video-black-helicopters-buzz-the-guthrie-theater.html

MISSISSIPPI RIVER CRITICAL AREA RULEMAKING COMMENT DEADLINE EXTENDED TO SEPTEMBER 30
http://millcitytimes.com/news/mississippi-river-critical-area-rulemaking-comment-deadline.html

SOAP FACTORY - TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR UNHINGED IN THE HAUNTED BASEMENT
http://millcitytimes.com/news/tickets-now-on-sale-for-the-soap-factorys-unhinged-in-the-ha.html

WATER WORKS DESIGN NEARING COMPLETION
http://millcitytimes.com/news/water-works-design-nearing-completion.html

[VIDEO] HILL'S FOLLY: JAMES J HILL AND THE STONE ARCH BRIDGE
http://millcitytimes.com/news/video-hills-folly-james-j-hill-and-the-stone-arch-bridge.html

[VIDEO] PILLSBURY A-MILL HYDRO PROJECT - PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 27
http://millcitytimes.com/news/a-mill-hydro-project.html

$100M THRESHER SQUARE DEVELOPMENT FILLS DOWNTOWN EAST GAP
http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/263918271.html

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THE WEEK AHEAD
Get the highlights for the week of September 15:
http://millcitytimes.com/news/the-week-ahead-in-mill-city.html

STAY UP TO DATE
News from the Central Riverfront Neighborhoods of Minneapolis:
http://Facebook.com/MillCityTimes

*Note: The next meeting of the Mill District Neighborhood Association is Monday, October 20 at the Mill City Museum.

Week 19 at the Mill City Farmers Market

September 13 was an eventful day at the Market.  In addition the overwhelming selection of produce, meats, cheeses, canned and dried items, etc., there was the 4th Annual Bread Festival and baking contest, crop art with OHK Grange, Oliver H. Kelley’s Farm introduced kids to farm animals, plus music by the Roe Family Singers and demonstrations by Compatible Technologies International.

A little veggie humor...

Pam from Prairie Hollow Farm continually introduces us to something new.  Saturday, it was this hen-of-the-woods mushroom:

And then she proceded to build a snowman with the puffball mushrooms...

Yes, it's getting to be that time of the year for hats and mittens.  I love my hat from Barn Swallow Garden.

By some odd coincidence, both Ames Farm and Swede Lake Farm had conjoined produce:

The goat!

MPRB “Rolls Out” New Recycling Program and Revamped Park Waste Management System

Via a September 12 Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board e-newsletter:

Beginning this week, visitors to Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board neighborhood and regional parks will notice new trash and recycling receptacles.
 
Gone are the decades-old round green (waste) and blue (recycling) cans. In their place, park patrons will see dark gray plastic carts for waste and blue carts for one-sort recycling. Minneapolis residents will be especially familiar with the new carts, as they are the same as are used by Minneapolis residents at home.

Old:

New:

 
"Sustainability is one of the Park Board's core values, and park patrons have always been good about recycling when the option was available," said Liz Wielinski Commissioner District 1 and Park Board of Commissioners President. "This just makes recycling an even easier choice."
 
All waste carts will be paired with a recycling cart. More carts will be placed in heavily used areas such as playgrounds, basketball courts, wading pools to accommodate higher usage. (The old metal waste and recycling containers are expected to be removed by mid-October.)
 
As part of the City of Minneapolis solid waste and recycling program, park staff will move neighborhood park waste and recycling carts to the curb on specified pick-up days. Just as for Minneapolis residents, most nonhazardous items except for clothes, food, waxed coated cups, Styrofoam and yard waste can go into the single-sort recycling bins. Everything else from plastic to metal to glass is recyclable.

Each year, more than 21 million visits are made to the nationally acclaimed Minneapolis park system, comprised of 251 park properties totaling nearly 6,800 acres of land and water.

Click here for the entire article.

Parkway Closures for September 13 - 14

The following parkways will be temporarily closed September 13 - 14 for these events:

September 13 – Mill City Suds Run 10:00am to 2:00pm  Main Street from 6th Ave to Hennepin Ave – West River Parkway from Portland to Plymouth Ave.
 
September 14 – Minneapolis Bike Tour7:30am to 2:00pm – Grand Rounds, including - West River Parkway –Nokomis Parkway – Minnehaha Parkway – Lake Harriet Parkway – Lake Calhoun Parkway –Cedar Lake Parkway – Theodore Wirth Parkway – Webber-Victory Memorial Parkway – St Anthony Parkway – William Berry Parkway. Each road section will open as the last biker rides through.
 
Please note that the duration of the closures is subject to change based on the event's start and finish times.

A complete list of current and upcoming parkway closures is available online.

Hennepin County Board Sets Max Property Tax Levy; Publishes Public Meeting Dates

Via a September 11 Hennepin County e-newsletter:

Hennepin County board sets max property tax levy, increase of 2.75 percent.
Increase to owner of median-value home will be $36.

The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners approved a maximum property-tax levy for 2015 of $699.9 million – 2.75 percent higher than the 2014 levy.

“Setting the maximum levy is just the beginning of this process,” said Commissioner Jan Callison, chair of the capital budget and finance committee. “We will have a series of public meetings to hear our residents thoughts on this proposal and to look thoroughly at the budget proposal.”

The impact of the proposed maximum property tax levy, along with the proposed property tax levies for the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority and Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, is an approximate increase in property taxes of $36 or 3.8 percent for a median-valued home of $219,600.

Including 2015, Hennepin County’s property tax levy has increased by an average of just 0.19 percent per year over the past four years. Changes in state and federal funding have made the county more reliant on the property tax levy to fund programs.

The board is required by state law to adopt a maximum levy in September. It may later approve a levy that is lower than that maximum, but it cannot set the levy higher than the maximum adopted today.

In November, property owners will receive a notice that shows the impact of the county maximum levy on their property, as well as the impact of taxes proposed by other local units of government, such as cities and school districts.

The board, acting as the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HCHRA), also set a maximum HCHRA property-tax levy of $7 million.

Acting as the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA), the board also set the maximum property-tax levy for the HCRRA at $27 million.

The board will conduct an official public meeting to gather public comment about the proposed budget and levies on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 6 p.m. The board also set a public hearing for the county’s 2014-2018 capital improvements budget followed by a hearing on proposed changes to fees for county services on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 9:30 a.m.

The proposed Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority levy and budget will be discussed Tuesday, Nov. 4, and the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority levy and budget will be discussed Tuesday, Oct. 14– both immediately following the board meeting (which starts at 1:30 p.m.)  and also at the budget meeting Dec. 2.

The final county, Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority and Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority budgets and tax levies will be adopted on Tuesday, Dec. 16, beginning at 1:30 p.m.

County Administrator David Hough presented the proposed 2014 Hennepin County budget to the board on Tuesday, Sept. 9. The board will launch a series of budget hearings beginning in October to discuss the budget and gather public input. The meetings can be viewed live on Metro Cable Network/Channel 6 or online at www.hennepin.us/boardmeetings.

All budget meetings are held in the Board Room on the 24th floor of the Hennepin County Government Center, 300 S. Sixth St. in downtown Minneapolis and are open to the public.

Budget public hearings and meetings:

Thursday, Oct. 9
Public hearing for health budget from 9:30 a.m. to noon

Tuesday, Oct. 14
Public hearing on Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority levy and budge tbeginning at 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 21
Public hearing for operations and library budget from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Thursday, Oct. 23
Public hearing for the county’s 2014-2018 capital improvements budget at 9:30 a.m.
Public hearing on proposed changes to fees for county services at 10 a.m.

Monday, Oct. 27
Public hearing on public works budget from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Upcoming Book Signings with Mill District Author, Judith Borger

Meet Mill District resident and author, Judith Borger, at one of these upcoming book signing events for her latest book, WHO BOMBED THE TRAIN?, the third Skeeter Hughes mystery:

September 27, Noon - 2:00pm at ONCE UPON A CRIME, 604 W 26th Street, Mpls
November 5, 4:30pm - 6:00pm at Totally Criminal Cocktail Hour, The Dock Café, Stillwater

Minneapolis Parks Foundation Names New Executive Director

Via a September 10 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park Foundation:
 
Minneapolis Parks Foundation Names New Executive Director and Director of Individual Giving

Incoming Executive Director Tom Evers brings 20 years of experience guiding philanthropy for parks and youth programs

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. - The Board of Directors of the Minneapolis Park Foundation has selected Tom Evers from Playworks Minnesota and formerly of The Trust for Public Land to lead the organization as its new Executive Director. The Minneapolis Parks Foundation (MPF) is an independent non-profit that seeks to enhance the community’s economic, environmental, civic and cultural health by helping to create the Next Generation of Parks™, including RiverFirst and Water Works.

Evers has focused his career on strategically guiding organizations dedicated to parks, land conservation, and youth development. He will take the helm October 1, from Peg Birk, who has served as Interim Executive Director since March 2014.

Jennifer Downham also joins MPF this month, in the newly created position of Director of Individual Giving.

Read the full release on our blog >>

Mill City Times Newsletter September 8, 2014

“Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.”
― Booker T. Washington, Up from Slavery


NEXT MONDAY – WHO’LL SAVE ST. ANTHONY FALLS?

Mill District Neighborhood Association Meeting
Monday, September 15 from 6:30pm-7:30pm
Mill City Museum, Main Floor Commons

Special guest presenters:

Raymond Dehn, State Rep. District 59b
Liz Wielinski, MPRB President
Jacob Frey, City Council Member, Ward 3

3 new hydro projects propose to to divert water from flowing over St. Anthony Falls - Crown Hydro, A Mill Hydro, and Symphony Hydro.  1 existing facility - Xcel Energy - is planning to ask permission to increase the amount they divert.

Individually, each of these projects warrant close scrutiny.  Should all 4 gain approval the falls will be effectively shut off for weeks, even months every year.  Learn details on each of these projects, and hear new policy initiatives from our elected officials.

Learn what can be done, and share your opinion:
Monday, September 15 from 6:30pm-7:30pm
Mill City Museum, Main Floor Commons

MISSISSIPPI MINUTE VIDEO COMPETITION DEADLINE EXTENDED
The deadline for entering has been extended! Enter your One Minute-Long Film/DVD visual essay on the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. Updated deadline: Noon Central Time, Monday, Sept. 15, 2014.  More details on entering:
http://millcitytimes.com/news/mississippi-minute-video-competition-deadline-extended.html

TOMORROW NIGHT - "TRAPPED BY HISTORY: THE PAST AND FUTURE OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER"
When: Tuesday, September 9, 7 pm
Where: Northrop, 84 Church Street SE,  Best Buy Theater

River Life and the Institute for Advanced Study at the University of Minnesota are very pleased to announce the program "Trapped by History: the Past and Future of the Upper Mississippi River" by National Park Service Superintendent John Anfinson.
http://millcitytimes.com/news/tomorrow-night-trapped-by-history-the-past-and-future-of-the.html

RIVER PARKWAY SLOPE REPAIR TO START SPRING OF 2015
At its September 3 meeting, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Board of Commissioners approved a professional services agreement with Barr Engineering to provide design, engineering, and construction oversight for the permanent repair of the landslide along West River Parkway area near 4th Street South.  More details:
http://millcitytimes.com/news/barr-engineering-approved-to-head-west-river-parkway-slope-r.html

PUBLIC MEETINGS FOR NEW EAST BANK BIKE & PEDESTRIAN TRAILS
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) will be constructing a new trail for bicyclists and pedestrians along the east bank of the Mississippi from Plymouth Avenue north to Marshall St. NE near the BNSF railroad bridge.  MPRB invites you to three meetings to help plan the trail:
http://millcitytimes.com/news/public-meetings-for-new-east-bank-bike-pedestrian-trails.html

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

SOAP FACTORY FUNDRAISER
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/revamp-the-soap-factory

RAMEN "MASSIVE" ATTACK
http://millcitytimes.com/news/zen-boxs-2014-ramen-massive-attack-coming-to-the-mill-city-m.html

[DOWNLOAD] NICOLLET ISLAND - EAST BANK SMALL AREA PLAN (DRAFT)
http://millcitytimes.com/news/download-nicollet-island-east-bank-small-area-plan.html

[DOWNLOAD] MARCY HOLMES NEIGHBORHOOD MASTER PLAN AND DINKYTOWN BUSINESS DISTRICT PLAN (DRAFT)

http://millcitytimes.com/news/download-marcy-holmes-neighborhood-master-plan.html

[VIDEO] BLACK HELICOPTERS BUZZ THE GUTHRIE THEATER
http://millcitytimes.com/news/video-black-helicopters-buzz-the-guthrie-theater.html

MISSISSIPPI RIVER CRITICAL AREA RULEMAKING COMMENT DEADLINE EXTENDED TO SEPTEMBER 30
http://millcitytimes.com/news/mississippi-river-critical-area-rulemaking-comment-deadline.html

SOAP FACTORY - TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR UNHINGED IN THE HAUNTED BASEMENT
http://millcitytimes.com/news/tickets-now-on-sale-for-the-soap-factorys-unhinged-in-the-ha.html

WATER WORKS DESIGN NEARING COMPLETION
http://millcitytimes.com/news/water-works-design-nearing-completion.html

[VIDEO] HILL'S FOLLY: JAMES J HILL AND THE STONE ARCH BRIDGE
http://millcitytimes.com/news/video-hills-folly-james-j-hill-and-the-stone-arch-bridge.html

[VIDEO] PILLSBURY A-MILL HYDRO PROJECT - PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 27
http://millcitytimes.com/news/a-mill-hydro-project.html

$100M THRESHER SQUARE DEVELOPMENT FILLS DOWNTOWN EAST GAP
http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/263918271.html

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THE WEEK AHEAD
Get the highlights for the week of September 1:
http://millcitytimes.com/news/the-week-ahead-in-mill-city.html

STAY UP TO DATE
News from the Central Riverfront Neighborhoods of Minneapolis:
http://Facebook.com/MillCityTimes


*Note: The next meeting of the Mill District Neighborhood Association is Monday, September 15 at the Mill City Museum.

Tomorrow Night - "Trapped by History: the Past and Future of the Upper Mississippi River"

"Trapped by History: the Past and Future of the Upper Mississippi River"

Tuesday, September 9, 7 pm

Northrop, 84 Church Street SE,  Best Buy Theater

River Life and the Institute for Advanced Study at the University of Minnesota are very pleased to announce the program "Trapped by History: the Past and Future of the Upper Mississippi River" by National Park Service Superintendent John Anfinson.

The Mississippi River today has become an artifact of human construction because of human changes to biological and physical systems over the past 150 years. Navigation improvements, floodplain levees, a refuge and even early biological manipulations have transformed the upper Mississippi River’s physical and ecological character. A key question we face today is: Are we trapped by that history, or can we make changes that will ensure that the river’s ecosystems are healthy and abundant?

In his presentation, Dr. John O. Anfinson will try answer these questions and hint at where the upper Mississippi River may be headed. Anfinson’s talk is part of a series of public events associated with the John E. Sawyer Seminar “Making the Mississippi: Formulating new water narratives for the 21st century and beyond.” The Sawyer Seminar is funded by the Andrew Mellon Foundation. This program is free and open to the public. For more info, visit:

http://www.northrop.umn.edu/events/trapped-history-past-and-future-upper-mississippi-river

Mississippi Minute Video Competition Deadline EXTENDED

DEADLINE EXTENDED TO SEPTEMBER 15, 2014

MINNEAPOLIS MINUTE FILM FESTIVAL; ONE RIVER: ONE MINUTE, YOUR VISION

Presented by the Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership

Call for Entries

The deadline for entering has been extended! Enter your One Minute-Long Film/DVD visual essay on the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. Updated deadline: Noon Central Time, Monday, Sept. 15, 2014.

Create your vision that showcases an appreciation for ─ or the future potential of ─ the urban riverfront in Minneapolis. Inform, energize and inspire – all in 60 seconds!

Submit your entries: www.mississippiminute.org

Public Meetings for New East Bank Bike & Pedestrian Trails

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) will be constructing a new trail for bicyclists and pedestrians along the east bank of the Mississippi from Plymouth Avenue north to Marshall St. NE near the BNSF railroad bridge.  MPRB invites you to three meetings to help plan the trail.

Place: MPRB Headquarters - 2117 West River Parkway

Time: 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Dates: see below

• Tuesday, Sept. 16 Meeting #1 - Project background and neighborhood preferences.
• Tuesday, Oct. 7 Meeting #2 - Trail alignment options and discussion.
• Tuesday, Oct. 28 Meeting #3 - Final plan and next steps.

If you require language translation or other accommodations, please contact 612-230-6472 at least 2 business days in advance of the meeting.

612-230-6574 (Soomaali) 612-230-6573 (Español) 

Barr Engineerin​g Approved to Head West River Parkway Slope Repair

From a September 8 Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board e-newsletter:

At its September 3 meeting, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Board of Commissioners approved a professional services agreement with Barr Engineering to provide design, engineering, and construction oversight for the permanent repair of the landslide along West River Parkway area near 4th Street South.

The parkway and trails at the base of the river bluff were closed in late June after heavy rain caused soil, vegetation and debris from a 100-foot section of the hillside to slip, covering West River Parkway and sliding into the Mississippi River. The slide jeopardized Fairview-University Medical Center equipment and pavement at the top of the bluff, which have been relocated or temporarily stabilized.

As a temporary solution, MPRB and Fairview-University Medical Center contractors have covered the slide area with a fabric casing to minimize rainfall erosion. However, a permanent strategy to restore the bluff has yet to be determined. The section of West River Parkway between 4th St. S. and Franklin Ave. remains closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic because of the instability of the slide zone

Barr Engineering estimates their work will require three months of investigation and engineering. They also recommend avoiding construction in the cold weather months due to frozen ground water and winter temperature fluctuations. Accordingly, permanent slope repair construction is expected to begin in spring of 2015 and last three to four months.

For more information and to sign up for timely email updates visit the West River Parkway slope reconstruction project page.

Week 18 at the Mill City Farmers Market

September 6 brought the much anticipated ginger and a variety of squash to the Market, along with a new mascot - a bold squirrel!  :)

What's in the water at Seed to Seed Farm? That's a serious karalabe!

Jeremy of Cherry Tree House Mushrooms had this Turkey Tail Mushroom on display.  Apparently the Turkey Tail mushroom can help rebuild the immune system in people with a wide range of cancers.

The goat!

And a few more of the squirrel...

MPRB to Host Concert at Father Hennepin Bluffs Park Sat, Sept. 6

Via a September 5 email from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board:

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is hosting a FREE concert to wrap up the end of another successful summer!  Nationally known artist Goapele will be headlining a talented group of performers that will take the stage starting at 4 pm on Saturday, September 6 at Father Hennepin Bluffs Park, 420 Main St. SE, Minneapolis. 

With this concert, the Recreation staff of the Park Board will be outreaching to community members and concert attendees, identifying the many wonderful volunteer opportunities within the park system.  We have a goal of growing our volunteer program and expanding programs to enhance the experiences of youth in Minneapolis. 

Do you have talents in mentoring kids on life skills?  Kids need adult mentors to achieve their potential and discover their strengths. 

Can you help provide academic tutoring?  Underachieving students need positive tutors to help get over their academic challenges.

Do you coach?  With more coaches each season, more kids can get individualized sports skill development and have a better overall chance to succeed in their sports endeavors. 

Do you enjoy helping at special events?  Almost all Park Board events could use more volunteers!

Do you have other skills that would benefit the community?  We are always looking to enhance the lives of others through new programs and opportunities.

Consider attending this concert to have a wonderful evening, but also sign up to give back to the city we all love.

September Lineup from The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul

September offerings from The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul.  :)

September 5 - 11: The One I Love

The highly anticipated debut feature from acclaimed author Charlie McDowell, The One I Love is an original tale that continues to showcase McDowell's keen observations of human relationships with a distinct and comedic voice. The One I Love, written by Justin Lader, was produced by Mel Eslyn and executive produced by Mark Duplass who stars opposite Elisabeth Moss.

September 5 - 11:  Alive Inside: A Story of Music & Memory

Alive Inside: Alive Inside: A Story of Music & Memory reveals a remarkable, music-based breakthrough in the therapy and treatment of dementia. Social worker Dan Cohen works with filmmaker Michael Rossato-Bennett to document the magical benefits of music for those who are left to languish in silence. Including conversations with renowned neurologist Oliver Sacks and musician Bobby McFerrin as well as powerful firsthand experiments, this inspiring film demonstrate how connecting the elderly to the music they love not only combats memory loss but also supplements a broken health-care system often indifferent to interpersonal connections.

September 11: MinnAnimate

 
MinnAnimate is a festival of animation made in Minnesota (and in other places just over the border). It will feature work made by animators ranging in age from second grade to seniors, from professional and student animators, and representing a broad range of animation styles. What all the pieces have in common is imagination.
This year's festival will also include scenes from animation created in public places around the twin cities during the spring and summer.

September 12 - 18: The Starfish Throwers

Worlds apart, a five-star chef, a twelve year-old girl, and a retired school teacher discover how their individual efforts to feed the poor ignite a movement in the fight against hunger. Award-winning chef Narayanan Krishnan, fighting against the caste system in India, quits his job to begin a life of cooking and hand-delivering fresh meals to hundreds of people in his hometown. Katie Stagliano’s planting of a single cabbage seedling when she was nine years old blossoms into Katie’s Krops, a non-profit with 73 gardens dedicated to ending hunger. Retired middle school teacher Mr. Law battles personal health issues as he hand delivers more than a thousand sandwiches nightly to the hungry in Minneapolis. This documentary tells tale of these remarkable individuals and the unexpected challenges they face. Despite being constantly reminded that hunger is far too big for one person to solve, they persevere and see their impact ripple further than their individual actions.

September 16 and 21: Opera on Screen

A unique series featuring recorded performances from some of the world's most spectacular opera companies.

September 19 - 25: THE ZERO THEOREM

 
Set in a future London, THE ZERO THEOREM stars double Academy Award® winner Christoph Waltz as Qohen Leth, an eccentric and reclusive computer genius plagued with existential angst.
He lives in isolation in a burnt-out chapel, waiting for a phone call which he is convinced will provide him with answers he has long sought. Qohen works on a mysterious project, delegated to him by Management (Matt Damon), aimed at discovering the purpose of existence - or the lack thereof - once and for all.
But his solitary existence is disturbed by visits from the flirtatious Bainsley (Mélanie Thierry), and Bob (Lucas Hedges), Management’s wunderkind son.
Yet it is only once he experiences the power of love and desire that he is able to understand his very reason for being.

Downtown Families MPLS to Host September 27 Event

Downtown is becoming more family-oriented.  Find out more at this September 27 event hosted by Downtown Families MPLS.

 

Help Select The Winners of the Downtown Greening Awards!

This summer property owners, businesses, employees, residents, and visitors nominated dozens of different properties for the 2014 Summer categories. Each nominated location was evaluated by a panel of greening experts to select the finalists in each category.

Through this survey you will have the opportunity to help select the winners of the 2014 Summer categories by voting for your favorite location in 10 different categories. This survey takes about 5 minutes to complete and your answers are confidential.

Click here to vote.

Zen Box's 2014 Ramen "Massive" Attack! Coming to the Mill City Museum Train Shed September 28

Do you remember the Ramen Attack! block party Zen Box Izakaya held last year? It was an overwhelming success.  This year's event - Ramen "Massive" Attack! - will be held Sunday, September 28, Noon - 6pm.  However, to better accommodate the ramen-crazed crowd, it will be held at the Mill City Museum train shed.

Zen Box Chef John Ng will be joined by these world-class Ramen Chefs:

- Chef Jack Nakamura, Executive Chef at Sun Noodle 'Ramen Lab'
- Chef Mihoko Obunai, Chef at Southbound, Atlanta, GA, also former contestant on network show 'Top Chef'
- Chef Keizo Shimamoto, Chef/Owner at RAMEN.Co NYC & Berg'n, creator of world famous original 'Ramen Burger'

In addition to fantastic food, brews and sake, there will be performances by Crankshaft and The Gear Grinders, SOLID GOLD, Mu Performing Arts Daiko, and Seven Dragons Kempo Karate.

More exciting details coming soon.  We can't wait! :D

Webster/Downtown School Welcomes New Principal

Ms. Ginger Kranz has been appointed principal of the new school at Webster, which will open for the 2015-16 school year. Ms. Kranz brings over 20 years of experience as an innovative, results-oriented teacher and leader. She recently served as an instructional leader for Minneapolis Public Schools, supporting principals and teachers and serving as a steering committee member for the new Ramsey Middle School.

Ms. Kranz is currently pursuing her doctorate in organizational leadership, policy and development at the University of Minnesota. She also has certification in the AMS Montessori Middle School Program and the Chicago Urban Education Program, which focuses on bringing cultural and global awareness into the classroom setting.