Izzy's Painting Completed

Just completed yesterday, the finishing touches make a big impact on the overall aesthetics of the building:

Upcoming 'Summer on the Plaza' Events

Hennepin County Public Affairs proudly presents Summer on the Plaza thru August.  Enjoy musicians, actors, dancers, educators and more from Noon to 1:00pm on select weekdays on the North Plaza of the Hennepin County Government Center.

Wednesday, August 14
Sheridan Zuther is an opera trained singer who sings in a wide range of genres from country to musical theatre and from cabaret to jazz.  This performance will be a tribute to the songs of Bette Midler.
 
Thursday, August 15 
Master Gardeners are University of Minnesota-trained volunteers who educate the public about a variety of horticulture topics.  This session:  What to plant in the Fall, ideas for pumpkins and squash, and Fall cleanup.

Friday, August 16
The Rising Sun is a group of 13 Japanese children who dance traditional Japanese folk dance and sing traditional Japanese songs.

Thursday, August 22
The Satin Dolls & Company are a senior tap dancing performance group.  They entertain throughout the Twin Cities and are also the Senior Dance Team for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx professional basketball teams.

Friday, August 23
Righteous Might is a four-piece original rock band with melodic tunes and introspective thought provoking lyrics.

Wednesday, August 28
Pride of the Prairie is a father daughter bluegrass/old time music duo with plenty of energy!  Their main instruments are guitar, mandolin and harmonica, but they also work in some banjo and Appalachian clogging.

Thursday, August 29
Lehamore-Hudson is a two-man guitar band playing instrumental music in the Americana style - Blues, Rock, Country, Latin and other various styles in their own original music form.

Friday, August 30
Kevin Vincal is a solo dance performer adding life, through movement, to positive music lyrics.

MacPhail Center for Music Expands to Chanhassen

Via an August 8 MacPhail Center for Music e-newsletter:

With sites already in Minneapolis, White Bear Lake and Apple Valley, MacPhail is now expanding to Chanhassen. The new site is located across the street from the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres and will open in January 2014. However, MacPhail will begin offering lessons in the Chanhassen High School this fall until the new site is ready.

"We are proud to welcome MacPhail Center for Music to downtown Chanhassen," says Tom Furlong, city of Chanhassen mayor. "As a premier organization, MacPhail Center for Music will complement other successful organizations in our area that are promoting the theater, music and arts."

Offerings at Chanhassen will include individual lessons for ages 5-adult in flute, clarinet, oboe, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, percussion, voice, piano, guitar, violin, viola and cello; Suzuki talent education beginning as early as 3 to 6 years in violin and cello; group lessons for all ages; music therapy for all ages; Early Childhood Music for ages 6 weeks to 8 years. (Early Childhood Music classes will be held at the Family Learning Center in Chaska until the new site opens in January.)

Lemonade Stand at Gold Medal Park? Brilliant!

Everyone has childhood memories of lemonade stands, whether it was your first stab at entrepreneurship or just getting a cool refreshment on a hot summer day.  Sadly, this is an all too uncommon sight if you live downtown.  We need to make classic childhood activities like this more common downtown.  Even better, proceeds were earmarked for a local dog shelter:

Mill District Block Party - 2013 National Night Out

Dear Friends, Neighbors & Sponsors,

Thanks to all who attended the 2nd largest Mill District Block Party ever.  In spite of severe thunderstorms over 350 neighbors (compared to 375 last year) showed up for food, music & fun!

Thanks to the volunteer planning committee, led by Cynthia Kriha, for their hard work: Allison Austing - Archana Mani - Cynthia Kriha - Dana Kirkemo - Daren Cowan - Dave Tinjum - Doug Cousins - James Eastman - Jim Buchta - John Wirth - Kathy Beenen - Kim Eslinger - Laurie Jones - Linda Willette - Lois Juster - Peggy Lucas - Roland Froyen - Rosalind Fendi - Susan Hanna-Bibus / Thank you!

A special thanks to our raffle donors: Blast Blow Dry Bar - Crooked Pint - Dunn Brothers Coffee - Grumpy's - Guthrie Theater - Kindee Thai - Level One Salon - Litin Party and Paper Company - Maxwell's - Mill City Market - Sea Change - Spaghetti Factory - Zen Box

Thank You to Our Local Business Sponsors

American Academy of Neurology - Coldwell Banker Burnet - Cynthia Froid Group - Izzy's Ice Cream - Kramarczuk's - The Mens Spa - Mill City Farmers Market - Mill City Market - Mill City Museum - Mill City Times - Periscope - Sanctuary Restaurant - StoneBridge Lofts - Sorella Wine & Spirits - Zen Box

View all of the photos from the 2013 Mill District Block Party

Week 14 at the 2013 Mill City Farmers Market

Mother nature could not have been any more gracious for the August 10 Market.  Watermelon and cantaloupe arrived (Yay!), but take note - next Saturday may be the last chance for blueberries.

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Tomorrow / The 2nd Annual “Legal” Weed Party

The 2^nd Annual “legal” weed party

Saturday August 10^th

9:00 a.m.

Park Ave & S. 2^nd street

Help beautify the neighborhood

Bring gardening gloves, hydration (rakes or shovels if you have them)

Garbage bags will be provided.

Sponsored by:  your neighbors

4th Annual Twin Cities Polish FilmFest Runs August 9 - 15

The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul presents the 4th Annual Twin Cities Polish FilmFest Friday, August 9 - Thursday, August 15 at the St. Anthony Main Theatre.

Presented as part of the Twin Cities Polish Festival (August 10-11), the FilmFest will feature screenings of 8 classic and contemporary works of Polish cinema including a free outdoor screening at Aster Cafe, as well as two free "Chopin Celebration" concerts highlighting the works of the famous Polish composer.

More info.

West River/ James I Rice Parkways Trail Improvements

Via an August 5 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board:

Planning for a new project is beginning Tuesday September 3:  West River/ James I Rice Parkway Trail Improvements. Existing trails along the west bank of the Mississippi from Franklin Avenue to Plymouth Avenue will be reconstructed in 2014. An appointed Community Advisory Committee (CAC) will inform the planning occurring in September and October 2013.  Applications for the CAC will be accepted from the public until Friday, August 16 and will be forwarded to the 21 appointers.  Applications are available at the following link (West River / James I Rice Parkways Trail Improvements).

Public meetings (the public is invited) will be held Tuesday evenings 6:30-8:30 pm in the Board Room of MPRB Headquarters, 2117 West River Road, 55411.  Dates of the meetings are as follows:

• September 3
• September 24
• October 1 – Open House to review planning to date
• October 15

For more information contact:

Deborah Bartels, Registered Landscape Architect
Project Manager - Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
2117 West River Road
Minneapolis, Mn. 55411-2227
612-230-6438 direct
512-499-9088 cell

Week 13 at the 2013 Mill City Farmers Market

August 3 was Canning Fest at the Market, celebrated at the Meet Your Vegetables booth and the Mill City Cooks demo.  Both demonstrated you don't have to go thru the intimidating pressure cooker process to "can".  And BTW, Nistler Farms is back!

Special events at the August 3 Market included yoga and Qigong: 

Central Corridor LRT (Green Line) Update

Excerpt from an August 1 Metropolitan Council e-newsletter:

Highlights

Energized train testing
- Testing will begin the week of August 5 and will continue thru September during overnight time periods which will typically be midnight to 5 a.m.
- Trains will run on Washington Avenue from West Bank Station to just beyond Stadium Village Station.
- Road closures will be in place during testing hours to protect vehicles and pedestrians.
- Washington Avenue will be closed from Walnut Street to Huron Blvd.  Access will be provided to local businesses.
- Harvard Street, Walnut Street, and Ontario Street will be closed crossing Washington Avenue.  Access to local businesses will remain open.
- Washington Avenue will be closed to pedestrian thru traffic between Pleasant Street and Harvard Street. Residential and business access will remain open.
- Pedestrians can cross Washington Avenue at the eastern pedestrian bridge, Harvard Street, Oak Street and Huron Blvd.

Closure of Washington Avenue Bridge:

Closure of Eastbound Washington Avenue Bridge

Beginning 5:00am Monday, August 12, thru 11:00pm Friday, August 16.

Traffic Details 
- For eastbound vehicles: from West Bank, eastbound Washington Avenue closed at Cedar Avenue; detour via Cedar Avenue to northbound I-35W to University Avenue/4th Street exit, to eastbound University Avenue.

Sidewalk Details 
- No changes to sidewalk access; the pedestrian deck on the Washington Avenue Bridge will remain open during vehicle deck closure.

Bus Stop Changes
- For eastbound buses: Metro Transit bus stop at Blegen Hall will be closed; use Cedar/ Washington Avenue bus stop.

Pedestrian Deck Details
- No change; pedestrian deck on Washington Avenue Bridge will remain open. 

Construction Hours
- Construction activities will occur during daytime and nighttime hours.

 
Closure of Westbound Washington Avenue Bridge

Beginning 5:00am Monday, August 19, thru 11:00pm Friday, August 23.

Traffic Details
- For westbound vehicles: from East Bank, ramp to Washington Avenue Bridge closed from Pleasant Street; detour via westbound University Avenue to 4th Street to southbound I-35W to exit Washington Avenue to exit. 

Sidewalk Details
- No changes to sidewalk access; the pedestrian deck on the Washington Avenue Bridge will remain open during vehicle deck closure.

Bus Stop Changes
- For westbound buses: Bus stop for Metro Transit and University of Minnesota Campus Connector at Willey Hall will be closed; use bus stop located on 3rd Street Ramp, west of Cedar Avenue for Metro Transit Buses.  Use bus stop at the southeast intersection of 19th Avenue and 2nd Street for University of Minnesota Campus Connector.    

Pedestrian Deck Details
- No change; pedestrian deck on Washington Avenue Bridge will remain open.

Construction Hours
- Construction activities will occur during daytime and nighttime hours.

Congratulations to Bite Squad on a Successful First Year

Looks like we're not the only ones who love Bite Squad.  :)

Mississippi River Fund Announces 2nd Annual River City Revue

Our friends at Mississippi River Fund would like you to know about their second annual River City Revue - a two-part summer series of riverboat tours on the Mississippi River.  Each cruise takes on a different theme, WORK and PLAY, where participants will explore the Mississippi River through art, science, music, games and adventure.
 
Accompanied by live music, storytelling, film, art and games, River City Revue engages the community with a unique and personal perspective of the Mississippi River.

August 7: “Work” is the first theme in the two-part summer series event. Participants will cruise down the river aboard the Jonathon Padelford Riverboat navigating through downtown St. Paul for an intimate view of the working docks and barges of the Mississippi. Live music will be played by Dick and Jane’s Big Brass Band while river workers teach participants how to tie nautical knots. Participants will also judge a ‘shout-boasting’ competition organized by literary magazine Revolver.

August 23: “Play” is the second theme in the summer series. Participants will travel upriver from Harriet Island, toward the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. Live bluegrass music performed by the Eelpout Stringers. Also, passengers will be able to try their luck in a game of “Minnesota Whist,” the local spinoff of a classic card game. Molly Balcom Raleigh designed the beautiful card parlor aboard the riverboat, called Table Talk. Additionally, passengers can win fun prizes by playing R.I.V.E.R. - a bingo game designed especially for River City Revue.

Cost is $15 for non-members and $10 for Mississippi River Fund member for each event. The boat leaves at 7 p.m. from the Padelford dock and will return at the same location at 9 p.m. Tickets are will call. Participants can purchase tickets online. Please check in at the registration table at the Padelford dock no later than 6:50 p.m. the day of the event. 

OMG - Tickets Go on Sale Today for The Soap Factory's 2013 Haunted Basement!

Better get your tickets for The Soap Factory's 7th Annual Haunted Basement today - they sell out fast!

Directed for a second year by Noah Bremer, The Haunted Basement is a fully immersive terror adventure designed to traumatize new visitors and returning Haunted Basement fans alike. With a fiercely demented creative team, consisting of set designers, makeup & costume designers and even olfactory scientists, Bremer has crafted an experience that will disorient and terrify visitors at every shadowy twist and turn.

The 2013 Haunted Basement runs October 3 - November 3.

Welcome to the Guthrie!

As we walk home form the Mill City Farmers Market each Saturday, it's always a pleasure to see this gentleman welcoming people to the Guthrie.

Izzy's Opens July 29 - Freeze it, and they will come...

For a fella who hasn't had much sleep in the past few weeks, owner Jeff Sommers was holding up impressively well when we stopped in around 5:00pm (and again at 8:00pm) on opening day at Izzy's Ice Cream.  I don't know the exact number of customers who poured thru the doors, but it sure seemed like the entire neighborhood turned out to welcome our newest Mill District neighbor at some point during the day.  Welcome, Izzy's - we wish you much success!  :)

Week 12 at the 2013 Mill City Farmers Market

July 27 was Bike to the Market Day, sponsored by our Mill District neighbor, University of Minnesota Physicians Mill City Clinic, located a block down the street from the MCFM. The Mill City Clinic is dedicated to a healthy community, innovative medicine and excellence in health care - an example of which can be found in this recent Minnesota Daily article. 

And by way, SWEET CORN HAS ARRIVED!  Yay! :)

Sawatdee's 30 Year Celebration

Supenn Harrison and her team at Sawatdee invite you to celebrate 30 years of serving delicious food with these special 3- and 6-course meals July 30 - August 3.    

Supenn and her daughter Cyndy were recent guests on KARE 11:

  

Anybody Missing a Belt?

Last I saw, it was on a walking path in Father Hennepin Bluffs Park.

Upcoming 'Summer on the Plaza' Events

Hennepin County Public Affairs proudly presents Summer on the Plaza thru August.  Enjoy musicians, actors, dancers, educators and more from Noon to 1:00pm on select weekdays on the North Plaza of the Hennepin County Government Center.

Wednesday, July 24 - Celebration Brass Quintet
The Celebration Brass Quintet will perform a concert of jazz, Broadway favorites and light classics.  This group was founded by members of the Minnetonka Symphony Orchestra in 2011.
 
Friday, July 26 - BlueStratum
BlueStratum performs original music composed by the group members mixed in with some covers of pop and rock hits from the 50s-80s.  They have been performing in the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota for nearly a decade

Wednesday, July 31 - Kaleiokapilialoha
Kaleiokapilialoha is a hula school with 24 students who love to share the aloha spirit through ancient and modern hula

Thursday, August 1 - CPR Anytime
Attend one of two 1/2 hour sessions: one at noon, the other at 12:30 p.m.  In this short program taught by HCMC staff, learn to perform CPR with your hands only.  Note: Employees who participate will earn one wellness activity credit towards the 2014 Health Incentive.  This training does not replace a CPR certificate program.  

Friday, August 2 - Tower Bells
The Tower Bell Foundation holds bell concerts regularly at Minneapolis City Hall-Hennepin County Courthouse.  All concerts are free and open to the public.  The North Plaza is an optimum listening spot

Wednesday, August 7 - Transitive Nightfall
Transitive Nightfall is an improvisational rock band with a slight tinge of jazz.  You'll hear familiar songs in unfamiliar arrangements.
 
Friday, August 9 - Royal Scottish Dancers 
This performance starts at 12:15pm. The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society is a world wide organization with a branch in Minnesota. They have been together in the Twin Cities for over 35 years keeping alive the tradition of Scottish County Dance.