Week 5 at the 2012 Mill City Farmers Market

June 9th's Market theme was Brain Food.  Market shoppers swarmed The American Academy of Neurology tent for complimentary bike helmets and water bottles.

American Academy of Neurology Bike Helmet Giveaway at June 9 Mill City Farmers Market

Look for our newest Mill District neighbor, the American Academy of Neurology, at Saturday's Mill City Farmers Market.

Northern Spark Launch Party [Video]

Saturday June 2 was the launch of the Northern Spark Festival and the ceremonial lighting of the Stone Arch Bridge. Check northernspark.org for more events leading up to the festival night on June 9th!

Sunset at St. Anthony Falls

From Friday night out and about:

Minneapolis Marathon in and Around Our Neighborhood

The 2012 Minneapolis Marathon runners took off from The Depot at 6:30a Sunday, and finished up at the gorgeous riverside setting of Bohemian Flats.  Know someone who ran? Visit the website for race results.

Also see Amelia Rayno's Star Trib online article regarding the growing popularity of races in the Twin Cities. 

Week 4 at the 2012 Mill City Farmers Market

After last week's rain out, things were back to normal at the June 2 market.  Brenda Langton shared the exciting news that Discovery Channel Canada was at the market shooting footage for a special featuring the highlights Minneapolis.  In addition to MCFM, Spoonriver will be the only Minneapolis restaurant included in the special.  We'll share details as they become available.

Below, Darrold from Sunrise Flour Mill demonstrated how to toss their new pizza dough.

This Special Summer Tasting Menu is a Party! June 14

At the Sanctuary

http://www.sanctuaryminneapolis.com/

Free Summer Programs From Hennepin County Library

Looking to learn and grow while having fun this summer? Hennepin County Library is collaborating with many community organizations and businesses, including The Guthrie, Institute for Arts, MacPhail Center for Music, Bakken Museum, Three Rivers Park District and many others, to present hundreds of free, enriching arts and cultural programs for kids, teens, and adults that begin in June.

Here are a few examples:

The Guthrie Theater will present more than two dozen workshops for children, teens, and adults as part of the Library’s “Act Out” series. Teen arts educators trained by the Minneapolis Institute of Arts will teach two dozen “Art Out of the Box” workshops for kids.
 
MacPhail Center for Music early childhood music specialists will lead hands-on music activities for young children at seven libraries.

I learned about this program through the Hennepin County Library's newsroom.  Click here for the full article.

Today at the Mill City Farmers Market

It's Backyard Farmyard Day at the Mill City Farmers Market:

The Depot Introduces New Friday Burger Bar

Introducing: the Friday Burger Bar all summer long on the patio

11am - 2pm / $9.95 for the burger of your choice, one side (fries, chips or onion rings) and a scoop of Häagen Dazs ice cream!

Choose your burger - Beef, chicken, turkey or veggie, then select one of the options below or create your own!

BURGER OPTIONS
Muffaletta Burger: Ham, salami, mortadella, provolone and olive relish

Italian Burger: Prosciutto, pepperoni, capicola, mozzarella and marinara

The Bacon Buster: Sausage wrapped in bacon and onions with cheddar cheese

The South Westerner: Pico de Gallo, pepper jack, chipotle mayo and butter lettuce

Big Fat Greek Burger: Cucumber, red onion, avacado, feta and yogurt

The Cheese Head: Swiss, cheddar and American

Tonight - Riverfront Revealed! at Stone Arch Roof Deck

Time: 5:30pm - 6:30pm

Location: Stone Arch Lofts, 600 2nd Street South (Reservation Required, Exclusively for Riverfront Residents)

Get the scoop on what's happening today, what's coming up, share with your neighbors, and enjoy an unprecedented evening out on the beautiful Stone Arch Lofts Deck!  This is your chance to speak one-on-one with our local riverfront vision leaders.

RSVP to info@minneapolisriverfrontpartnership.org

Refreshments provided by the Cynthia Froid Group.

Tonight - Twin Cities River Rats First Show of 2012 Season

The 2012 Twin Cities River Rats season kicks off Thursday, May 31.  Shows are scheduled for 7pm Thursday nights through August 30, and take place at 1628 West River Road (between the Plymouth and Broadway).

The Twin Cities Rivers Rats describe their show as an aquatic Broadway musical featuring multiple water ski acts choreographed to music and built around a theme.

If you haven't already enjoyed a River Rats show, their website is loaded with fun videos to give you an idea of what to expect.  These are free events.

Summer Camps at MacPhail Center for Music Begin June 11

Join MacPhail Center for Music this summer at one of the many camps being offered for ages 3 – adult.  It’s not too late to sign up for the following camps:

 • Early Childhood Music Camps: Animals on Parade for ages 4-6, June 11-15;  Music Around the World (Minneapolis and Apple Valley) for ages kindergarten – first grade, June 11-15, Apple Valley and June 18-22, Minneapolis; Make and Play Those Instruments (NEW) for ages 4-6, June 18-21, Silverwood Park, June 25-28, Apple Valley and July 16-19, White Bear Lake. 

• Mallet Keyboard Camp for ages 14-18, June 18-22

• Percussion Camp for ages 11-14, July 9-13

• Composing for Video Games for ages 13-18, June 25-20

For more information or to register go to: http://www.macphail.org/ or call 612-321-0100.

Starting Friday, June 1: The Plaza on Nicollet

Starting this Friday, June 1, The Musicant Group brings us another way to enjoy downtown life: The Plaza on Nicollet.

Tonight - What's Up with Downtown Parks? At the Central Library

Topics will include the Water Works / Fuji Ya project, Gateway Park, and even touch on Gold Medal Park.

Tonight - Music in the Park at Father Hennepin Bluffs Park

Time: 7:00pm

Location: Father Hennepin Bluffs Park (East Bank of the Stone Arch Bridge)

Tonights entertainment:  Tim Casey & the Martyrs - Rock'n roll/power pop hitmakers

What to bring:  Blanket or chair, sunblock and bugspray, picnic basket. 

Reminders:    Watch our facebook or twitter page for weather cancellations of the evening festivities.  Post photos on our facebook page of you enjoying the concerts. Support the artists by picking up a CD or other merchandise.

Enjoy Music and Movie combo nights: 
Tuesdays at Father Hennepin Bluffs Park
Fridays at the Lake Harriet Bandshell (beginning June 9th).

Questions or comments? Email us at concerts@minneapolisparks.org 

Music & Movies in The Parks is produced by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board.  Enjoy more than 250 FREE concerts and movies in Minneapolis parks this summer!

Twin Cities River Rats First Show of 2012 Season is Thursday, May 31

The 2012 Twin Cities River Rats season kicks off Thursday, May 31.  Shows are scheduled for 7pm Thursday nights through August 30, and take place at 1628 West River Road (between the Plymouth and Broadway).

The Twin Cities Rivers Rats describe their show as an aquatic Broadway musical featuring multiple water ski acts choreographed to music and built around a theme.

If you haven't already enjoyed a River Rats show, their website is loaded with fun videos to give you an idea of what to expect.  These are free events.

President Obama to Attend Fundraiser at The Bachelor Farmer on Friday

Via a May 26 article in the Star Tribune, President Obama will be in the Cities this Friday, and The Bachelor Farmer is on his itinerary:

Obama is also scheduled to attend a fundraising lunch Friday at the Bachelor Farmer, a Minneapolis restaurant owned by Gov. Mark Dayton's sons Eric and Andrew. The brothers said they couldn't offer additional information but that they're looking forward to "welcoming the president to Minneapolis."

Week 3 at the 2012 Mill City Farmers Market

Part of the fun of the Market is the cooking demo and entertainment, which Mother Nature interfered with for the May 26 Market.  Luckily the rain held off long enough to allow us time to get our shopping done.

Register for the 2012 Mississippi River Challenge Before June 1st and Receive a $10 Hoigaard’s Gift Card!

 This year, the Mississippi River Challenge will take paddlers on a new route, spending the first day on the Minnesota River and the second on the Mississippi River!

We’re very excited about the new route this year! On the first day, paddlers will head 17 miles downstream on the Minnesota River from Bloomington Ferry in the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge to Fort Snelling. After staying overnight at the Fort, paddlers will continue 22 miles on the Mississippi River from Fort Snelling to Grey Cloud Island.

Also new this year, the Mississippi River Challenge offers three route options – a half day, a one day, and a two day paddle. With any of the three options, you will enjoy a beautiful stretch of river paddling as well as festivities and music by the Roe Family Singers at Historic Fort Snelling!

We hope you can join us as we Paddle it! Protect it! in 2012!