Mill City Farmers Market Kicks Off Season 8 Tomorrow, May 11!

Kick off Mother’s Day weekend at Mill City Farmers Market, this Saturday, May 11, from 8:00am to 1:00pm.

Celebrate the spring harvest by filling your basket with sweet sugar pea shoots, micro greens, herbs, arugula, spinach, carrots, rhubarb, beets, tomatoes, mesclun mix, radishes, starter plants, hanging baskets and patio pots. There will also be lots of bedding plants, and plenty of SEED STARTS: summer squash, melon/watermelon, heirloom tomatoes, peppers and more!

Honor moms with spring flowers and family friendly activities. Kids can get their hands dirty with a free planting activity sponsored by Juut Salonspa.

Be sure to catch the 10:00am Mill City Cooks special kitchen demo with Market Chefs Heather Hartman and Jenny Breen, who will be assisted by their kids in honor of Mother’s Day. They'll be mixing up two delicious sping salad recipes: Wheatberry Salad and Early Greens with Miso and Toasted Almonds!

Meet critically acclaimed Minnesota author Beth Dooley who will be signing copies of her newest book, Minnesota’s Bounty: The Farmers Market Cookbook.

Check out the unique selections at the Art Market, featuring Stone Soup Toys, Ginny Sims, Aprilierre, and Old World Cabinet!

Stop by the Community Booth and meet Budding Farmers. This local nonprofit organization is an innovative enrichment program that connects children with the healthy food found at their local participating Farmers Market or participating Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Farm!  Learn about their cool Budding Farmers Fun Books!

Enjoy music by local gypsy jazz artists, Mill City Hot Club, playing from 11:00am – 1:00pm.

New vendors you'll meet this year include:

Rochdale Farms, offering hand-rolled butter and artisan cheeses.

Encore Farms brings locally harvested dried beans.

Yee Xiong will have local bean and potato varietals.

And welcome back Star Thrower Farm.  OMG - the Skyr!  :D

MPRB's 4th Avenue Playground Receives DID’s Greening Award

Via an May 9 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board:

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s first riverfront play area, the 4th Avenue Playground along West River Parkway, received the Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District’s (DID) Greening Award in their “best park” category.
 
The award was presented during DID’s third annual Greening Awards event Monday, May 6. In addition to the award ceremony, Mayor RT Rybak and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board President John Erwin spoke about the many greening and public realm projects underway, and keynote speaker Adrian Benepe, Senior VP and Director of Park Development at the Trust for Public Land, spoke about the importance of green spaces and public land.

The Greening Awards were initiated by the DID’s Greening Committee to pay tribute to community greening champions in Downtown Minneapolis, and to demonstrate how both small and large greening and public realm projects can transform our environment.

The awards recognize property owners, businesses, and community groups who have created and maintained public green spaces that help to enhance Downtown Minneapolis. On May 6, the DID recognized 20 places that were exemplary in categories ranging from large to small, and summer to winter. For information about the DID Greening Committee and a complete list of Greening Awards for the best entryway, pars, plaza, window boxes, parking lot, outdoor café, storefront greening, urban agriculture and more, visit www.minneapolisdid.com.
 
The Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District (DID) is a nonprofit entity that maintains a higher standard of care and behavior throughout 120 blocks of downtown. It was formed in early 2009 after more than five years of formative planning and advocacy by the downtown business community.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is a premier park system that serves approximately 18 million visits annual to its 197 park properties, including local and regional parks, playgrounds, golf courses, gardens, picnic areas, biking and walking paths, nature sanctuaries and the 55-mile Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway.

The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul to Screen CAESAR MUST DIE May 10-16

After multiple sell-out screenings at the 2013 MSP International Film Festival, CAESAR MUST DIE returns for a theatrical run! The film will screen Friday, May 10, through Thursday, May 16, at The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul's St. Anthony Main Theatre.

 
The theater in Rome’s Rebibbia Prison. A performance of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar has just ended amidst much applause. The lights dim on the actors and they become prisoners once again as they are accompanied back to their cells.
 
SIX MONTHS EARLIER
 
The warden and a theater director speak to the inmates about a new project, the staging of Julius Caesar in the prison. The first step is casting, a process both vivid and energetic. The second step is exploration of the text. Shakespeare’s universal language helps the inmate-actors to identify with their characters. The path is long and full of anxiety, hope and play. These are the feelings accompanying the inmates at night in their prison cells after each day of rehearsal.
 
Who is Giovanni who plays Caesar? Who is Salavtore-Brutus? For which crimes have they been sentenced to prison? The film does not hide this.
 
The wonder and pride for the play do not always free the inmates from the exasperation of being incarcerated. Their angry confrontations put the show in danger. On the anticipated but feared day of opening night, the audience is numerous and diversified: inmates, actors, students, directors.
 
Julius Caesar is brought back to life but this time on a stage inside a prison. It’s a success.
 
The inmates return to their cells. Even ‘Cassius,’ one of the main characters, one of the best. He has been in prison for many years, but tonight his cell feels different, hostile. He remains still. Then he turns, looks into the camera and tells us: “Since I have known art, this cell has turned into a prison.”

Tickets and info.

CorePower Yoga’s 'Yoga in the Park' Returns to Father Hennepin Park June 2nd

Looking for a way to take your sun salutations outside so you can truly salute the sun? The Downtown Minneapolis CorePower Yoga invites you to join them each Sunday for CorePower Yoga’s, “Yoga in the Park.” CorePower encourages yoga practitioners to open their minds and join their breath and movements to the sound of music and nature all around us. All levels of yoga students are welcome and their hope is that you take this opportunity to not only practice yoga, but to find even deeper connections within your community!

These free classes will be held every Sunday starting June 2 and running through August 25.  All classes are 10:00am – 11:00am at Father Hennepin Bluffs Park (intersection of SE Main and SE 6th Avenue, on the East Bank of the Stone Arch Bridge).

Please call CorePower Yoga Downtown Minneapolis at 612-375-9642 with questions.
 
Items of note:
- Attendees should arrive 15-30 minutes prior to class starting for sign in purposes.
- Students are asked to bring their own mat, towel, water and SUNSCREEN! There is limited shade at the park.
- Classes will be lead by certified yoga instructors from downtown Minneapolis’ CorePower Yoga.

501FIT Celebrates 5 Year Anniversary and New Partnerships

Phil Martens and Diana Broschka celebrated 501FIT's 5 year anniversary with an open house this past weekend, using the opportunity to personally introduce guests to their new partners in health, Benessere Body in Balance and Avatar Training Studio.

Below, a row of G-Werx equipment, a group weight lifting method developed by Phil. Each station is set to the individual's level, while the class performs the movements together.

This is the second location for Benessere Body in Balance, a full-service wellness center.  Kay Bashford opened the first location in 2005 across the river at 125 Main Street.  The staff at Benessere believe that maintaining balance of your whole being—body, mind and spirit—leads to healing, serenity, prosperity and joy. Services include Massage, Acupuncture, Neuromuscular Therapy, Chiropractic and Matrix Re-pattern Therapy.

Below, Benessere Massage Therapists Carolyn Hoff and Stephen Wilson, Neuromuscular Therapist Kay Bashford, LAc, MAcOM, Dipl.OM (Acupuncture) Makiko Yamamoto, and Office Manager Nancy Perdew.

Carolyn and Stephen treated guests to soothing massages during the party.

Starting primarily as a ‘by appointment’ personal training studio, Avatar Personal Training Studio has evolved into a group fitness studio offering Barre and TRX Bootcamp training.  Below, Avatar founder Eric Hall stands outside a Barre class in session.

Fresh out of that Barre class and feelin' strong are Sara Weathers and Kitty Orient:

Below, Eric demonstrates Gyrotonics, which he explained is the perfect exercise for anyone with hip/knee/shoulder or low back issues.  As one of only 120 Gyrotonic Master Trainers worldwide, Eric has extensive training in medical clinics throughout the world - helping people with hip, knee, shoulder replacements, as well as herniations and disc degeneration, to move without pain and increase mobility.

Clients, friends and neighbors turned out in full force to congratulate Phil and Diana, and welcome Benessere and Avatar to the neighborhood.

Ward 3 DFL Convention Coverage

There was a huge turnout at the Ward 3 DFL convention on Saturday.  Here's what the press had to say:

Star Tribune

http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/206124721.html?page=all&prepage=1&c=y#continue

http://www.startribune.com/local/blogs/206104391.html

MPR

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2013/05/04/news/dfl-frey-hofstede?

Downtown Journal

http://www.journalmpls.com/news-feed/hofstede-drops-out-of-dfl-endorsing-process

Mill City Times Video - Frey Acceptance Speech

I found your chair...

...it was being held hostage on Washington Avenue.

Minneapolis Queen and Paradise Lady Public Cruises Depart from Bohemian Flats this Season

Beginning Mother’s Day (and through the third weekend in October), the Minneapolis Queen and Paradise Lady Public Cruises will depart from Bohemian Flats Park, 2150 West River Parkway South (below the Washington Ave/U of M Bridge on the West Bank).

Take a narrated sightseeing cruise on the historic Minneapolis Queen Paddleboat, a modern day replica of the grand riverboats that used to ply the Mississippi River. The narrated cruises will take you along the southern trails of the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway and Heritage Trail, along the U of M Campus riverfront, under the stunning 35W Bridge, showcasing views of the St. Anthony Falls, the historic Stone Arch Bridge, amazing river bluffs with views of the amazing downtown Minneapolis skyline.

Click here for the sightseeing and dinner cruise schedule and tickets.

MHS Announces New Minnesota Museums App

May 1 News Release from the Minnesota Historical Society:

New Minnesota Museums App Makes Finding Fun Easier Than Ever

Just in time for the busy summer travel season and Minnesota Museums Month in May, the Minnesota Association of Museums and the Minnesota Historical Society are launching a free Minnesota Museums app that will direct users to the more than 500 museums statewide.

“We are so fortunate in Minnesota to have such a wide variety of museums across the whole state,” said Lin Nelson-Mayson, chair of the Minnesota Association of Museums and director of Goldstein Museum of Design. “This new app makes it easier than ever to find those resources.”

The app, available May 1 for iOS and Android, allows users to browse Minnesota museums by name, category or location. Users can create an itinerary, check off museums they've visited and upload favorite museum photos. The app will also suggest museums based on geographic location. For more information and to download the app, visit www.minnesotamuseums.org/app.

“The Minnesota Museums app is also a great discovery tool for museum-goers. If you’re visiting one museum, the app will suggest others in the area--museums you may never have heard of,” said Jada Hansen, Minnesota Association of Museums Development co-chair and executive director of the Hennepin History Museum.

The Minnesota Museums app was developed through a partnership between the Minnesota Association of Museums and the Minnesota Historical Society.

The Minnesota Museums app is made possible by the Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the vote of Minnesotans on Nov. 4, 2008.

View full News Release online.

501FIT to Host May 3 Party Celebrating 5 Year Anniversary and New Partnerships

Locally owned 501FIThas joined forces with Benessere Body in Balance and Avatar Training Studio.

In conjunction with celebrating their 5 year anniversary, 501FIT is hosting a partnership launch party on Friday, May 3, from 5:00pm - 8:00pm, at their 501 Washington Avenue South location.

While focused on building its innovative G-Werx Program, 501FIT is adding services by joining forces with locally owned Benessere and Avatar.

501FIT expects the Benessere and Avatar partnerships to strengthen wellness outcomes for clients.

Benessere began services at 501FIT, its second location, in January 2013. Avatar began offering Barre, TRx Bootcamps and Gyrotonics training at 501FIT in April 2013.

501FIT cordially invites you to the celebration, click here to RSVP.  At the party, you'll enjoy:

- Appetizers from D'Amico
- Wine Sampling from Famiglia
- Prize Drawing
- Free Chair Massage
- Fun & Socialization

About 501FIT
501FIT is the pilot club for the G-Werx Workout Program. 501FIT opened in January 2008 featuring the G-Werx Program growing from 20 clients to 225 clients as of March 2013. The G-Werx Machine and Workout Program were invented by 501FIT Founder, Phil Martens. 501FIT is committed to providing small group personal training with the service of one-on-one training at sustainable at group fitness rates.

Mission: To provide more clients the opportunity to work with Certified Trainers as a lifestyle!
Services: Group personal training, full-service gym memberships, personal training, fitness consultations

About Benessere
Benessere Body in Balance, a full-service wellness center in Minneapolis, was opened by Kay Bashford in 2005. Benessere believes that maintaining balance of your whole being—body, mind and spirit—leads to healing, serenity, prosperity and joy. The health of clients is at the center of everything they do.

Services: Massage, Acupuncture, Neuromuscular Therapy, Chiropractic and Matrix Re-pattern Therapy.

About Avatar
Avatar Personal Training Studio was founded by Eric Hall in 2005. Starting primarily as a ‘by appointment’ personal training studio, Avatar has evolved into a group fitness programming studio offering BARRE and TRX Bootcamp training. Eric Hall continues to provide Gyrotonics specialty training while pursuing group fitness offerings as a compliment. Eric and Avatar will bring their services to 501FIT in April 2013.

Services: Gyrotonics, BARRE and TRx.

Taste Twin Cities Food Tours Announces New PedalPub Taste - Eat Street Food Tour

Taste Twin Cities Food Tours recently announced their new New PedalPub Taste - Eat Street, starting May 8.

Experience an international variety of food right here in Minneapolis. When you join this tour, you will enjoy food both on the PedalPub and inside select restaurants.  Here's what you can expect:

•Pizza that was named one of the "12 Best Old School Pizzerias" by Minnesota Monthly.
•Featured on Food Network, this place is know for their home-made authentic bratwurst.
•Snappy tex-mex nacho's & cheese dip with fresh fried chips from a legendary spot since 1964.
•Unique German ham and sauerkraut ball.
•Local award-winning authentic Chinese Szechuan Wontons.
•Savory German pretzel served with homemade Bavarian sweet style mustard.
•Sauteed Chinese green beans with garlic.
•Sinfully delicious ice creams made in small batch with all-natural ingredients.
•Mouthwatering sesame noodles from a restaurant that won many local awards.

Click here to purchase tickets.  This tour is also available for a private tour. Please contact info@TasteTwinCities.com for more details.

Reminder - West River Parkway Closed for Repaving Beginning April 29

The segment of West River Parkway from 4th Street South to Franklin Avenue (including ramps) will be closed starting Monday, April 29 for repaving by the City of Minneapolis.  More information about the project is available on the City of Minneapolis website.

Steve Brandt called out this sections of the Parkway in his April 23 StarTrib article.

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Receives 2013 Arbor Day Award

Via an April 26 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board:

Arbor Day Foundation Honors Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
 
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is the recipient of a 2013 Arbor Day Award in honor of its outstanding contribution to tree planting, conservation and stewardship, the Arbor Day Foundation announced this week.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is one of 14 individuals, organizations and companies being recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation during the annual Arbor Day Awards ceremony being held in Nebraska City, Nebraska, on Saturday, April 27.
 
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MRPB) will receive the Excellence in Volunteer Management Award in recognition of its outstanding efforts to mobilize and engage volunteers in tree planting and care within their community.
 
Following a May 2011 tornado that devastated many trees in the City’s Northside, the MPRB led several critical volunteer events to replace the lost trees with young trees brought in from around the country. Nearly 500 people volunteered from neighborhood, civic and corporate groups, meeting the goal of planting 3,100 new trees by the end of 2012.
 
“The tornado was devastating to both our parks and our community,” said Jon Olson, MPRB Commissioner of District Two which includes North Minneapolis. “The Park Board’s priority response to the tornado was helping residents and the Northside neighborhoods.”
 
MPRB Board of Commissioners President John Erwin added that the Arbor Day Foundation recognition underscores the importance of the Park Board’s on-going commitment to the greening of Minneapolis.
 
“Maintaining our urban forest is an important part of our organization’s mission,” Erwin noted. “The year prior to the tornado we planted 5,500 trees throughout the city and in 2012 we planted 6,000 trees, with 3,100 of those trees in the four North Minneapolis neighborhoods hit by the tornado.”
 
“The creativity and hard work of this year’s Arbor Day Award winners enrich our public commons and inspire future generations of environmental advocates,” said John Rosenow, founder and chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board ought to be proud to be a part of this accomplished group.”
 
Since 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has recognized the inspiring and life-changing work of leading environmental stewards and tree planters through the annual Arbor Day Awards. Award winners from previous years include the late Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, the United States Forest Service, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Mary Kay, Inc.
 
###
 
About the Arbor Day Foundation: The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit conservation and education organization of one million members, with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at arborday.org, or by visiting us on Facebook at facebook.com/arborday or Twitter at twitter.com/arborday.
 
About the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board: The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is an independent park system featuring 197 park properties and 6,744 acres of parkland and water. The Park Board’s Forestry Department is instrumental in planting trees and maintaining the urban canopy, both within parks and along approximately 1,000 miles of city boulevards.

CONTACT:
 
Sean Barry
Arbor Day Foundation
402-473-9563
sbarry@arborday.org
 
Robin Smothers
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
612-230-6410
rsmothers@minneapolisparks.org

Two Neighborhood Treasures are Eligible for the 2013 National Historic Landmark Photo Contest

The 14th Annual National Park Service Photo Contest is open for entries through July 9, 2013.

There are just over 2,500 places, objects or districts that are designated as National Historic Landmarks, 25 of which are in Minnesota.  The full list can be viewed here (listed by state, scroll down to page 52), and it includes two of our neighborhood icons, the Washburn A Mill and Pillsbury A Mill.

This contest isn't about just taking a cool picture.  It's about experiencing the site, understanding it's history, and then capturing it in a photograph.

More information.

Tomorrow - Vikings Football Day at the Dome

Time: 10:00AM – 4:00PM

Vikings Football Day Presented By University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital

Bring the entire family to Mall of America Field for Vikings Football Day Presented by University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital on Saturday, April 27th. Follow the NFL draft and enjoy your day playing interactive games, getting autographs from current and former players, food and beverage and much more!

• Player and Alumni Autograph Sessions
• Kids Only Autograph Sessions
• Introduction to Vikings First Round Draft Pick
• Inflatable games
• Football skills area
• Tour of the Vikings Locker Room at Mall of America Field
• Kids Q&A session with a current player
• NFL Draft Coverage
• Vikings Locker Room Store
• Miller Lite End Zone Bar and Food Concessions
• Introduction of the 2013 Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders
• Plus much more!!

Ticket Information
Season Ticket Owners: $5
Kids 12 and Under: FREE
General Admission: $10 per adult

*50% of all proceeds from Vikings Football Day will benefit University of Minnesota’s Amplatz Children’s Hospital.

Tonight - Dining Out For Life at Neighborhood Restaurants

Tonight, consider having dinner at a neighborhood restaurant that's participating in Dining Out For Life.

They will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Aliveness Project and Rural AIDS Action Network. Here is a partial list of participatants (a complete list can be found here):

eagleBOLTbar         Red Stag Supperclub

      Sawatdee      Spoonriver     Zen Box Izakaya     Haute Dish

The Aliveness Project, a local nonprofit organization that provides on-site meals, food shelf & other supportive services for individuals living with HIV/AIDS and their families.

Rural AIDS Action Network(RAAN) serves those affected by HIV/AIDS throughout Greater Minnesota. Their services include medical case management, free and confidential HIV testing, medical transportation assistance, health education/risk reduction and support groups.

April 23 - All in a Day's Work for Mother Nature

At 9:00am this morning it looked like Christmas...

... and by 5:00pm it was Spring! YAY :D

A closer perspective:

I found your mitten...

...you're welcome!

It was by the curb in front of Nye's, in case your were wondering.

Ashley Petroske in REALTOR® Magazine’s 2013 Issue of “30 Under 30”

Ashley Petroske, the Owner and Broker of Real Estate Design, recently joined 29 other professionals in the REALTOR® Magazine’s 2013 issue of “30 Under 30.” The magazine is distributed by the National Association of REALTORS®. Every year, the staff at REALTOR® Magazine selects a group of real estate professionals with potential as part of the issue, including some of the top producers across the country.

Petroske, a Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS® member since 2005, began her career in real estate working at her great uncle's development company, Mendota Homes, Inc., in an administrative capacity. Within weeks she enrolled in real estate classes and spent the next decade representing some of the Twin Cities' leading developers in both a real estate sales and interior design capacity.

How does this tie into our neighborhood?  Per Ashley, "For the last five years I've designed and sold dozens of condos in the Mill District, primarily at the Zenith. In those five years I've fallen in love with the neighborhood, from the Farmer's Market to Spoonriver and of course, the lovely folks that call the Mill District home. Real Estate Design will continue to provide real estate representation while offering integrated interior design services at no additional cost to our clients. We will continue to focus on Minneapolis and in particular the vibrant Riverfront communities while adding experts to our team to offer the same level of service in the surrounding suburbs."

Ashley also mentioned Real Estate Design's "Greenhouse Initiative", which she said is in its infancy, but has already received committments from dozens of people to grow and donate produce to local shelters and all manner of food distribution centers. "By providing the seedlings to our past clients and those whom have caught wind of the program, not only can we reach more people geographically, the genuine interest in growing, harvesting and sharing healthy food with those less fortunate is contagious," she added.

Congratulations, Ashley!

Special Vikings Football Day Offer for EDC Members

EDC Board Member Jeff Anderson from the Minnesota Vikings has a special offer he would like to make to EDC members.  He is offering up to 80 free tickets on a first come, first serve basis to "Vikings Football Day", which is coming up on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Metrodome/Mall of America Field.

This is a family friendly event.  It's an opportunity to follow the NFL draft and enjoy the day playing interactive games, getting autographs from current players, enjoying food and beverage and much more!

• Kids Only Autograph Sessions
• Current Player Autograph Sessions
• Inflatable games
• Football skills area
• Tour of the Vikings Locker Room at Mall of America Field
• Kids Q&A session with a current player
• NFL Draft Coverage
• Vikings Locker Room Store
• Miller Lite End Zone Bar and Food Concessions
• Introduction of the 2013 Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders
• Plus much more!

If you are interested in the tickets, please email Jeff Anderson directly at andersonj@vikings.nfl.net, using the subject line "Minnesota Vikings Football Day Tickets".  He will provide you with up to four tickets for the event.  Please let him know if you are interested by Friday, April 19, before Noon.  

For more information regarding the event, please go to http://www.vikings.com/schedule/draft-weekend/football-day.html.