Tonight - A Sip of Science at Aster Cafe

Time: 5:30pm

Location: Aster Cafe, 125 SE Main Street

A Sip of Science:  Geology and the Terroir of Wine Growing in Minnesota

Ever hear of Frontenac? La Crescent? Marquette?

These are Minnesota cold-hardy wine grapes, specially bred to bear full crops even after the vines experience the cold of Minnesota winters. The University of Minnesota has been in the grape-growing business since the late 1880s, and today, the University is recognized as having one of the top wine grape programs in the United States. Minnesota wines have won awards in both national and international competitions, and the Upper Mississippi Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) is now is largest appellation (region for wine growing) in the world.
 
Join glacial geologist Dr. James Cotter as he illustrates how the challenges of wine growing in the Minnesota climate are met with the development of new grape species and innovative growing practices. He will also discuss how the geologic context for wine grape growing may provide insight on the future of wine making in Minnesota.

About Dr. Cotter:

Dr. James Cotter has been a professor in the Geology Department at the University of Minnesota-Morris since 1984.  He specializes in glacial geology, authoring over 25 papers on the subject.  In 1989 he was awarded the University of Minnesota, Morse - Alumni Award for outstanding contributions to undergraduate education and in 1997 he was named to the University of Minnesota Academy of Distinguished Faculty.  In 2000, Cotter received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mentoring (PAESMEM Award).  He speaks and leads field trips regularly on the geology of wine growing and terroir. 

A SIP OF SCIENCE bridges the gap between science and culture in a setting that bridges the gap between brain and belly. Food, beer and learning are on the menu in a happy hour forum in which researchers pair with musicians, artists and storytellers to put science in context through storytelling.

Repairs Have Started on Washburn Crosby Elevator No. 1

Photos taken this morning:

Tonight - Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association Board Meeting

Time: 6:00pm

Location:  Central Library, Room N-202, 300 Nicollet Mall

Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association

Historic Grain Elevator Preservation Project to Begin Monday, April 9 - West River Road to Be Closed Weekdays

Traffic along West River Parkway to be diverted, Mill City Museum to remain open.

WHAT:      

The Minnesota Historical Society is undertaking a major exterior repair project on the Washburn Crosby Elevator No. 1, located adjacent to Mill City Museum. The elevator is part of the historic Washburn “A” Mill Complex, a National Landmark and contributing property within Minneapolis’ St. Anthony Falls Historic District.

In order to create a construction safety perimeter, a section of West River Parkway will be closed to automobile and pedestrian traffic during the week. Bicyclists will also be re-routed.

Mill City Museum will continue to operate normally, with no disruption to current programming.

WHEN/WHERE:

Road closure begins Monday, April 9

The Parkway will be closed Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., from 11th Avenue South to Portland Avenue. Construction will be completed by Nov. 30, 2012.

ABOUT:

Built between 1906-1908 by the Haglin Stahr Company of Minneapolis the elevator was one of the first large scale concrete grain storage facilities with exposed circular bin construction in the country.

The Washburn Crosby Company, which became General Mills in 1928, operated the grain elevator until the mid-1980s. In 1988 the City of Minneapolis acquired the historic structure. The Minnesota Historical Society purchased the property in 1998 in preparation for the redevelopment of the Washburn “A” Mill Complex into Mill City Museum.

The current exterior repair project will stabilize deteriorated elements:

• The bin roof will be replaced,

• the headhouse roofing will be repaired and stabilized,

• the exterior grain bin concrete will be repaired, and

• the headhouse windows/door openings will be secured.

 The project team includes MacDonald & Mack Architects, Meyer Borgman Johnson Structural Engineers, CMPI and Cy-Con, Inc. This project has been reviewed and approved by the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission, the National Park Service’s Mississippi National River & Recreation 

The Week Ahead in Mill City

Above: The latest update to the Mill City Photo Pool...

Each Monday morning we provide an easy to reference list of events and activities for the week ahead in the Mill City neighborhood.  Submit your events here...

Monday, April 9

Twins' 2012 Home Opener!

"Gatherings" A Foreword Anthology Reading at The Loft

Tuesday, April 10

Books & Bars Series at Aster Cafe

Talkin' Baseball at Central Library

Make This: Non-Traditional Comic Arts at Central Library

DMNA Board Meeting at Central Library

Wednesday, April 11

Range of Motion 'Tough Enough Bootcamp' at Mill Ruins Park

A Sip of Science at Aster Cafe

Thursday, April 12

Opening Night Party for the 2012 Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival

Midwest Photo Safari: "Minneapolis Nights" Mill Ruins Park and the Stone Arch Bridge (Thursdays and Fridays)

Spring Wine Sale and Tastings 2012 at Sorella Wine & Spirits

Friday, April 13

Live Music at Crooked Pint

Mentor Series: Marlon James at The Loft

Live Music at Aster Cafe

The House on Mango Street Opens at The Southern Theater

Spring Wine Sale and Tastings 2012 at Sorella Wine & Spirits

Saturday, April 14

Taste Twin Cities Food Tours Heart of Minneapolis Tour

Live Music at Crooked Pint

Taste Twin Cities Food Tours Minneapolis Riverwalk Tour

Flavor of the Infinite: Food Poems at The Loft

Mill City Farmers Market Spring Preview at Mill City Museum

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Goldy's Run (10 Mile, 5K and Kids Run)

International Cartoonist Conspiracy Meet-up at MCBA

Paint it Green: Full Circle at Central Library

Snow White: Old and New at Central Library

Guest Chef: Eat More Vegetables with Tricia Cornell at Mill City Museum

François Rabbath in Concert at MacPhail

Sunday, April 15

Race for Justice 5K Run/Walk

Spotlight Series at MacPhail

Nice Ride Bikes at Aloft

Nice Ride bikes are back for the season in front of Aloft at 9th & Washington Ave. S.

West River Parkway Closure Begins Monday, April 9

Via an April 6 email from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board:

Due to a Minnesota Historical Society (MHS) construction project at Mill City Museum, the West River Parkway road and trail will be closed between 11th Ave S and Portland Ave weekdays only, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., beginning April 9. Detour signage will be posted by the contractor. Please check the MPRB Temporary Road Closures page for ongoing information and for other scheduled closures due to events. Access will be maintained at Portland Ave for area residents.

The MHS project will rehabilitate the historic Washburn Mill elevators, the white silos adjacent to the Mill City Museum. For further information click here, or call the Mill City Museum at 612-341-7555.

Blast Blow Dry Bar a Step Closer to Opening

We noticed some signage go up outside the soon-to-open Blast Blow Dry Bar at 930 Washington Avenue South.  That's the corner space next to Mens Dept. on the retail level of Aloft.

A recent Star Trib article explained the "blow-dry bar" concept.

Follow their progress on Facebook, Website and Twitter.

This Weekend in Mill City / April 6-8

Above: A recent photo from the Mill City Photo Pool

Events this weekend in and around the Historic Mill District and Minneapolis Riverfront Neighborhoods.  Have an event to share?  Contact us...

Friday, April 6

Live Music at Crooked Pint

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Lunch with MacPhail

Saturday, April 7

Taste Twin Cities Food Tours Heart of Minneapolis Tour

Minneapalooza at Crooked Pint

Taste Twin Cities Food Tours Minneapolis Riverwalk Tour

Winning Recipes from the Pillsbury Bake-Off at Mill City Museum

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Equilibrium: Tara Betts and Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha at The Loft

Midwest Photo Safari: "Minneapolis Nights" St. Anthony Main

Sunday, April 8

No events scheduled

Celebrate the 2012 Minneapolis Monthly Wine Week at Sanctuary

April 13 - 22 is Minnesota Monthly Wine Week, with participating restaurants offering select Wine Week wines by the glass — the first glass is full price, the second is just a dime.

In our neighborhood - head to Sanctuary, where they'll be featuring the following wines:

Ferrari Carano Fume Blanc - "Aromas of lime, kiwi, citrus, melon and a touch of grass are complemented by flavors of grapefruit, lemon, mango, and guava...."  
 
Ferrari Carano Cabernet Sauvignon - "Ripe black cherry aromas delight along with
fresh boysenberry, spicy essences of clove, cedar and tea. Up-front flavors of juicy blackberry, vanilla and cola are complemented by lingering notes of dark chocolate."

Reservations.

Festival Catalogue Now Available for the 2012 Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival

The Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival runs April 12 - May 3 at the St. Anthony Main Theatre. 

Click here to download the Official 2012 Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival Catalogue.  It contains all the information you need to make the most of your Festival experience.   Film synopsis, screening schedule, events and panel schedule, and much more!

Prefer a hard copy?  The Official MSP International Film Festival catalog will be available soon at the St. Anthony Main Theatre, the Film Society offices in St. Anthony Main, and a number of locations throughout the Twin Cities.

30 Days of Biking Kickoff at Gold Medal Park

30 Days of Biking Year 3 Kickoff took place at Gold Medal Park on Sunday, April 1.   Nice turn out!

30 Days of Biking has one rule: Bike somewhere every day for 30 days — around the block, 20 miles to work, whatever suits you — then share your adventures online.

Related: Star Trib Video

Andrea's Kickass Urban Outdoor Bootcamp Comes at Mill Ruins Park

Andrea Austin is now offering an outdoor group fitness option in our neighborhood.  Kick off your weekend with Andrea's Kickass Urban Outdoor Bootcamp!

This is an open group that welcomes anyone who wants to meet fun, fitness-minded people.  These pictures from last Friday will show you why this bootcamp is such an insane deal at only $10 per class!

As Andrea explains, "The Mill District area of downtown Minneapolis has grown so much in even the last year!  I decided to organize a Spring/Summer/Fall Outdoor Urban Bootcamp where we "explore" the urban terrain of downtown Minneapolis without any equipment.  This total body movement workout is designed to tone, strengthen, and burn mega calories without using any special gym equipment!  We will use the terrain including nature, buildings, roads, parks, hills, and much more to create a unique workout experience.  Another important note is Minnesotans love to get outside after the long winter months, and I created "Andrea's Kickass Urban Outdoor Bootcamp" to bring getting fit to the great outdoors.  I am looking forward to creating more outdoor inspired workouts soon."

Assisting Andrea teach the Friday Bootcamp is Jill Haom, a certified veteran group-ex instructor with experience in yoga, bootcamp, RealRyder Indoor Cycling, and sculpt classes.

The group meets every Friday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m, starting at the 501F1T parking lot.

Call Andrea at 651-285-3424 to join the class.  Visit her website andFacebook, or email her at austin_training@yahoo.com.  You can also request a free fitness consult.

The Week Ahead in Mill City / April 2-8

Above: The latest update to the Mill City Photo Pool...

Each Monday morning we provide an easy to reference list of events and activities for the week ahead in the Mill City neighborhood.  Submit your events here...

Monday, April 2

No events scheduled

Tuesday, April 3

Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission Public Meeting

Book Launch Party: Europe on Five Wrong Turns a Day at Honey

Wednesday, April 4

Minneapolis Park and Rec Board Meeting

Range of Motion 'Tough Enough Bootcamp' at Mill Ruins Park

'When it Rains, it Pours!' Dinner at Spill the Wine

Thursday, April 5

The 30-Days Foundation Benefit Dinner at Spill the Wine

Midwest Photo Safari: "Minneapolis Nights" Mill Ruins Park and the Stone Arch Bridge (Thursdays and Fridays)

What's in Dragonfly's Box? at Central Library

Friday, April 6

Live Music at Crooked Pint

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Lunch with MacPhail

Saturday, April 7

Taste Twin Cities Food Tours Heart of Minneapolis Tour

Taste Twin Cities Food Tours Minneapolis Riverwalk Tour

Winning Recipes from the Pillsbury Bake-Off at Mill City Museum

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Equilibrium: Tara Betts and Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha at The Loft

Midwest Photo Safari: "Minneapolis Nights" St. Anthony Main

Sunday, April 8

No events scheduled

World-renowned Artist Scheduled to Perform at MacPhail April 14

World-renowned French double-bass player, soloist, and composer François Rabbath will perform in an 8:00pm concert at MacPhail Center for Music on Saturday, April 14.

The importance of François Rabbath to the development of double bass playing can be compared with that of Paganini to the violin.

Born in Aleppo, Syria, François discovered the double bass at the age of 13 when one of his brothers brought an instrument home and allowed him to experiment with it.  After nine years of work in Beirut, François saved enough money to move to Paris.  While in Paris he began to earn his living as an accompanist for Jacque Brel, Charles Aznavour, Gilbert Becaud, Michel Legrand and others.  In 1963 he made his first of many solo record albums.  Although never advertised or promoted, the Phillips album Bass Ball became one of the most sought after recordings of its time.From 1964 he became active composing much music for movies and the theater.  At the same time he started to play solo recitals, first in France, then throughout Europe. His American debut was in Carnegie Hall in 1975.

François Rabbath's uniqueness stems from his refusal to accept any traditional limitations.  Whether performing his own fascinating compositions, the music of others or the classical repertoire, one is always moved by his profound musicianship and dazzling virtuosity.  You quickly discover that he brings you such a sense of security that the most difficult passages sound effortless.

Tickets - $20 for Adults; $15 for students and seniors ages 55 + To order tickets call: 612.767.5250

Co-presented by MacPhail Center for Music, McNally Smith College of Music (MSCM) and The University of Minnesota School of Music.

May 1 Deadline for Submitting Entries to 2012 Ten Second Film Festival

May 1 is the entry submission deadline for the 2012 Ten Second Film Festival. 

This year the Festival takes place on a new night—June 9th—as part of Northern Spark, the dusk-to-dawn arts festival in Minneapolis and Saint Paul.  The Ten Second Film Festival runs at The Soap Factory, 514 Second Street SE.

Submissions guidelines.

Festival emcees this year will be the Twin Cities’ newest sketch comedy troupe, The 3rd Kind.

Food Trucks Coming to Mill Ruins Park & Father Hennepin Park

A proposal to allow food trucks at Minneapolis Parks, including Mill Ruins & Father Hennepin parks was met with enthusiasm by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board last week.  The proposal awaits final approval by the Board.

See the document embeded below for details on the proposal.

People Serving People Shares 30 Stories, Plus Special Pricing for April's Chefs for Change Dinner

From the March 29, 2012, People Serving People e-newsletter:

We love our supporters and like nothing more than to share how you have helped the children and families that have stayed at People Serving People, find their way home.
 
One parent at our shelter shared, "Because of People Serving People, I was able to get into a housing program where my girls will get help with their school work. This has been my dream. Because of my learning disability, I have never been able to help with their homework- I can sleep a little easier knowing that they will get help with things I cannot help them with."
 
Another parent shared, “We felt so blessed being able to stay in a clean and safe place, while we got the chance to get back on our feet. The day care staff was great and I loved watching them with my kids. Thank you People Serving People for giving us hope."
 
Thank you to all of our donors, staff, volunteers and everybody who make these stories possible. Your commitment has helped thousands of children and families over the last 30 years.
 
To read all 30 stories of hope or learn how you can help a family find their way home, click here.

April 17 Chefs for Change Dinner Multiple Ticket Special
 
Also, we're having a deal on tickets to our April 17 Chefs for Change dinner- 4 tickets for $200 - a $100 savings! April's Chefs for Change dinner is being prepared by Chef Brahim Hadj-Moussa, known adoringly in the community as Chef Hadj, and will be Mediterranean Cuisine. For more information or to purchase tickets please contact Takara Henegar at (612) 277-0258 or purchase tickets here.

This Weekend in Mill City / March 30 - April 1

Above: A recent photo from the Mill City Photo Pool

Events this weekend in and around the Historic Mill District and Minneapolis Riverfront Neighborhoods.  Have an event to share?  Contact us...

Friday, March 30

Publication Party and Reading: Joyce Sutphen, with Regula Russelle and CB Sherlock at MCBA

Live Music at Crooked Pint

Artist Talk at The Soap Factory

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Saturday, March 31

Givens Black Books: Community Reading Campaign at Central Library (Registration Required)

Washburn A Mill Tour at Mill City Museum

'April Fool's Book: Now You See It, Now You Don't!' Family Workshop at MCBA

Sunday, April 1

World Without Genocide 5K Legacy Run/Walk at the Metrodome

30 Days of Biking Year 3 Kickoff at Gold Medal Park

Volunteer at the Mill City Farmers Market

From Mill City Farmers Market:

 VOLUNTEER with MCFM and help us celebrate "Healthy Foods, Local Farmers" for our 7th season! 

Make Dirt, Not Waste!

 

Interested in minimizing waste and promoting composting in your community? Volunteer as a Zero Waste Educator (ZWE) and help sustain the 1st Zero Waste market in Minnesota! ZWEs staff Zero Waste stations to direct and educate customers on waste diversion and zero waste opportunities.  We are recruiting volunteers for the upcoming market season, beginning Saturday, May 12th! 

 

Mill City Cooks  

Mill City Cooks is our weekly cooking demo featuring goods from market vendors. This role includes assisting market chefs Nick Schneider and Heather Hartman with set-up, demo food prep, plating & serving samples and is ideal for novice or experienced foodies!

For more information about the volunteer opportunities at the market, visit our website or contact Kate.