Lights Out at the Pillsbury A Mill on the Minneapolis Riverfront

The Pillsbury A Mill has been dark since last week.  We've been unable to find out why, but we'll keep asking around...

Dessert at the Aster Cafe - Perfect+

While meandering around this past Friday night we noticed the dessert menu posted outside the Aster Cafe.   The brownie ala mode (with ganache AND caramel, of course) and lemon pie drew us in.

The place was hoppin', but General Manager Rick Oknick was kind enough to secure a table for us on the patio.  Our desserts did not disappoint.  The lemon pie was very similar to a key lime (my fave).  And the brownie?  Well, the brownie was perfect all by itself, but adding the other three components kicked it up to perfect+.

Check out Aster Cafe on their website and Facebook.  In addition to good food, they have live music, open mic nights, host the Books & Barsseries and more.  Look for an Oktoberfest celebration next weekend.

Job Posting at MacPhail Center for Music

Associate Director of Individual Gifts

Job Summary

This position is responsible for the development of major individual and planned gifts for the MacPhail Center for Music. The Associate Director is responsible for identifying new major individual gift prospects and upgrading and renewing existing donors with major gift capacity. This position will develop and actively implement plans to increase major individual giving at MacPhail, primarily through direct donor contact and face-to-face visits, as a critical factor to meet fundraising goals.

Experience

Education: Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent. Master’s degree preferred.

Knowledge and Skills: Ability to promote and successfully solicit major gifts by identifying prospects, managing portfolio of major donors, designing and implementing cultivation and solicitation strategies with timely follow up and stewardship. Demonstrates excellent communication skills (oral and written); Basic knowledge of organizational and program planning and budgeting; Ability to work independently with highly developed organizational skills; Passion for and commitment to the mission and goals of MacPhail; Strong prospect research skills; Excellent relationship building skills; Ability to handle significant workload; meet deadlines and accomplish set funding goals; High integrity and ability to maintain confidences.

Experience - Required: Five years experience in development with an emphasis on building individual relationships, proficiency with Microsoft Office Professional Suite.

Experience - Preferred: successful track record in fundraising; familiarity with major gift societies; familiarity with Planned Giving vehicles; a working knowledge of Raiser’s Edge software.

Physical Demands: Required to sit for up to 8 hours of time at keyboard. Infrequent lifting, carrying.

Transportation: Vehicle, valid driver’s license and ability to drive required for attendance at off-site meetings, presentations and events.

How to Apply

Send cover letter and resume to resume@macphail.org.

The Week Ahead in Mill City / September 12-18

Bright and early 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, September 12

Meet Artist Sharon D. Stadther at Sanctuary

Tuesday, September 13

Books & Bars Series at Aster Cafe

Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting

Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association Meeting at Central Library

Wednesday, September 14

"Seeing the Minneapolis Riverfront Photo Contest" Exhibit Opening Reception

Thursday, September 15

Central River Forum: Focus on the East Bank

Nicollet Island Tour Sponsored by Preserve Minneapolis

Bonnie Jo Campbell Publication Reading: Once Upon a River at the Loft

Friday, September 16

Oktoberfest at Aster Cafe

Lunch with MacPhail

Saturday, September 17

Oktoberfest at Aster Cafe

Mill City Farmers Market

Art, Politics and Censorship at The Soap Factory

Taste Twin Cities Minneapolis Riverwalk Tour (Starts at Gold Medal Park)

Judith Yates Borger Book Signing at Sorella Wine & Spirits

Childish Films at Central Library

Central Library Book Store Fall Clearance Sale (7 days)

Historic Main Street Tour at Mill City Museum

Second Story Reading: LGBT Panel & Reading (Featuring David Levithan) at the Loft

Sunday, September 18

Ukrainian Heritage Festival

Minneapolis Bike Tour

Railroad History Tour at Mill City Museum

Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Dome

Breakfast at the Newly Opened Crooked Pint Ale House

The Crooked Pint Ale House, 501 Washington Avenue South, opened at 7am Saturday, September 10.   We dropped in for breakfast before heading off to the Mill City Farmers Market.  

I opted for the caramel apple walnut french toast (above), which had a nice apple/sauce/walnut ratio.

They did a beautiful job renovating the former 501 Club space.  Removing the wall between the two levels really opened it up, and the new stage area is a huge improvement - both in size and location.

We spoke with Manager Matt Saffert, who filled us in on some of the upcoming and ongoing events and activities. Check out the schedule online.

Welcome to the neighborhood, Crooked Pint Ale House, and thank you for bringing us early morning weekend breakfast option!

Week 19 at the Mill City Farmers Market

Only five more Saturdays to take advantage of all the wonderful food, education, arts and entertainment the Mill City Farmers Market has to offer.

 

Grumpy's Offers Evening Food Delivery

From the September 9 Secrets of the City e-news:

Grumpy's Partners with MPLS Courier for Downtown Delivery

You can now get a Grumpy Burger and a beer brought to your house, if you live in downtown anyway. Grumpy’s Bar & Grillin downtown Minneapolis tells us last night was the first night the resto started offering a new (and FREE) bike delivery service through MPLS Courier. From 5 to 10 p.m., the folks at MPLS Courier will deliver from the full menu at Grumpy’s to 7 corners, Loring Park, and beyond and will even make a stop at Sorella Wines & Spirits to round out your evening noshing. Eventually Grumpy’s may expand to offering delivery during lunch, but for now they’re just gauging interest in this new service.

Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA) part of Minneapolis Museum Day, September 24

From the September 9 Secrets of the City e-news:

Mpls Museum Day Set for September 24th

Has there been a “museum crawl” around Minneapolis or St. Paul yet? If not, September 24th would be a great day to start one. The Smithsonian will be bring their 7th Annual Museum Day to Minneapolis; the event will be “a day of knowledge and tradition” that follows the format of Smithsonian Magazine‘s nationwide Museum Day, a full, and free, “celebration of education and culture.” Participating Minneapolis museums include the Hennepin History Museum and the Minnesota Center for Book Arts, and you can get free entry to the museums with a downloadable Museum Day Ticket from Smithsonian Magazine‘s website. For more information, visit Smithsonian Magazine‘s Museum Day website.

This Weekend in Mill City / September 9-11

Events this weekend in and around the Historic Mill District of Minneapolis and across the Stone Arch Bridge in Old St. Anthony.

Friday, September 9

Creative Placemaking: Challenges and Opportunities in 2011 at Central Library

Soap Factory $99 Sale

Kramarczuk's Kielbasa Festival

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Saturday, September 10

Mill City Farmers Market

Taste Twin Cities Minneapolis Riverwalk Tour (Starts at Gold Medal Park)

Mill City Suds Run

2011 Annual Twin Cities HRC Gala Dinner at The Depot

Engineering the Falls at Mill City Museum

Music Around the World Early Childhood Music Sing-along at MacPhail

Soap Factory Morning After Sale

Kramarczuk's Kielbasa Festival

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Sunday, September 11

Riverfront Quest Family Tour at Mill City Museum

Kramarczuk's Kielbasa Festival

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Weekend Brunch

Saturday & Sunday

Brunch at Spoonriver
750 South 2nd St (at Chicago Ave S)
Minneapolis, MN 55401
612-436-2236

Reservations recommended

10:00am - 2:00pm

See the menu...

Saturday & Sunday

Brunch at the Aster Cafe
St. Anthony Main
125 SE Main Street
Minneapolis, MN 55414
612-379-3138

Until 2pm.

See the menu...

Sunday

Brunch at Spill the Wine
1101 Washington Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55415
612-339-3388

brunch buffet 10am- 2pm Sunday
$12/person (kids 3 and under eat free, 4-12 years are 1/2 price!)

includes: eggs, bacon, french toast, hash browns, fresh salad and fruit, pastries, build your own omlette bar and more...

featuring absolut bloody bar for $5.

also offering fair trade coffee and full bar.

People Serving People Book Drive on KARE11

Repair Starts on 35W Bridge Memorial

A worker was onsite today repairing caulking in preparation of the letters being replaced after the vandalism that occurred the day after the memorial was dedicated.  He did not know when the work would finish, but thought the letters would be replaced soon.

Lively Up Your Melons [Video]

Who knew melons could be so much fun...

Segways Near Mill Ruins Park

A short clip...

New Website for Twin Cities' Bikers: Cyclopath

Per a September 7 notification from Secrets of the City, the U of M released a new open source site that shares information about bike routes around the Twin Cities called Cyclopath. The site uses info from MnDOT, The Met Council, and the United States Geological Survey for its data source.  According to the notice, the creators also hope to use the site’s interactivity to build a community to share their bike route tips and tricks.

Reminder - Important MPRB Meeting Tonight Regarding the Fuji Ya "Waterworks" Project

Re: The Fuji Ya site near Mill Ruins Park on the Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront.

Please attend the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board meeting and hear firsthand details on a concept that has the potential to be the most important redevelopment project of the next 20 years on the West Bank of the Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront.

The first change has already been put in place - the Fuji Ya site is now being referred to as the "Waterworks" site.  As part of this process a Non-Appointed Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) will be formed, allowing every interested citizen to be involved with, and even vote on, the final proposal.

The MPRB will hear a presentation and vote on a proposal from the Minneapolis Parks Foundation regarding redeveloping the former Fuji Ya site on the Minneapolis Riverfront.

Time: 5:00-8:00 p.m.

Location: MPRB Administrative Offices, Board Room Suite 255

Address: 2117 West River Road

View background material here...

Crooked Pint Ale House Opens This Saturday

According to a sign on the front door, the newest restaurant in the neighborhood opens at 7:00 AM this Saturday, September 10.

IMPORTANT MINNEAPOLIS RIVERFRONT MEETING - SEPTEMBER 7

Re: The Fuji Ya site near Mill Ruins Park on the Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront.

Please attend the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board meeting and hear firsthand details on a concept that has the potential to be the most important redevelopment project of the next 20 years on the West Bank of the Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront.

The first change has already been put in place - the Fuji Ya site is now being referred to as the "Waterworks" site.  As part of this process a Non-Appointed Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) will be formed, allowing every interested citizen to be involved with, and even vote on, the final proposal.

Date: 9/7/2011

Time: 5:00-8:00 p.m.

Location: MPRB Administrative Offices, Board Room Suite 255

Address: 2117 West River Road

The MPRB will hear a presentation and vote on a proposal from the Minneapolis Parks Foundation regarding redeveloping the former Fuji Ya site on the Minneapolis Riverfront.

4.3 That the Board adopt resolution 2011-174 captioned as follows:

Resolution 2011-174 Resolution Approving a Partner Agreement with the Minneapolis Parks Foundation and Establishment of a Non-appointed Citizen’s Advisory Committee Process for Preliminary Visioning and Implementation Study of the Waterworks Site in Downtown Minneapolis.

The Full Resolution, The Staff Report, The Contract

Download the Fuji Ya - Waterworks Site Resolution, Staff Report and Contract from Minneapolis Park Board

Background Info from the June 15, 2011 Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Meeting

Paul Reyelts of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation presented a vision for the former Fuji Ya site on the Dowtown Minneapolis Riverfront at Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board meeting on Wednesday, June 15, 2011.

Presentation by Paul Reyelts, Minneapolis Parks Foundation Board Treasurer and Board Member at the June 15, 2011

Meeting Notes

Working on this idea for the past year

- Believe it has “broad interest and support for the development of a public reuse plan” for the site.

- Plan to attract private resources to support development of the site

- Intention is that the site would be dedicated to public use, not for private use

- Site is not addressed in the Minneapolis Riverfront Development Initiative (MRDI)

- Proposal would be complimentary to the MRDI

Four major reason to give focus and priority to the Fuji Ya site:

1. The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) owns the land

2. Site is very close to Downtown Minneapolis

3. If properly developed, the site could be the major Downtown gateway to the river and to the Stone Arch Bridge

4. The Stone arch Loop already has an estimated 3/4 of a million visitors annually passing near the site

The proposal would enhance the experience for visitors and at the same time develop revenue generating opportunities that support the financial sustainability of the sites amenities.

The Proposal:

Minneapolis Park Foundation will engage a team of professionals that has agreed to develop a Phase 1 Fuji Ya site master plan and program.

Paul Reyelts will fund these services through the Minneapolis Parks Foundation (MPF).

The MPF Executive Committee will oversee the development of the plan.

Only Public use of the site is envisioned.

Paul Reyelts does not live near or own property in the vicinity of the Fuji Ya site.  Nor does he have any personal or financial interest in this proposal.

The MPF will coordinate with the MPRB on getting Citizen input the MPRB Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) process.

The goal of Phase 1 is the creation of a visual presentation summarizing the findings of the MPF and a recommended vision for the site development, along with next steps in the development process.

Assuming that the site master plan has the support of the MPRB, the MPF, and the community, Paul Reyelts is prepared to provide “material financial support” for the development project, and with the MPF he will champion private sector fundraising efforts.

Motivation:

Like the Founders of the Minneapolis Park System, the MPF and supporters want to leave a legacy for future generations. This premise is the reason behind Paul Reyelts commitment.

Timing:

Hope that CAC will start within the next month.

Phase 1 process completed in a 3 month timeframe.

MPRB Commissioners Reactions:

Commissioner Anita Tabb – “This has a lot of very exciting potential.” “I’m delighted to see people have a real interest in Downtown Minneapolis.” “I think projects like this will continue to make our city a great place to be, and hopefully attract more people to Downtown.”

Commissioner Scott Vreeland – “What we have there is this great treasure with 7 different archeological ruins that can be accessed.”

Board President Erwin – “This is not only a wonderful gift you’re giving the Park Board, but this is a great kick-off for the Foundation to help the Foundation a key project that they focus on that I think will be successful…it’s a broader area than just the Fuji Ya site itself…the site extends all the way to the 3^rd Ave Bridge…

Fuji Ya Site Background

1968: Fuji Ya moved to 420 S. 1st St. in Minneapolis, a chic riverfront structure of glass, oak and rough cedar, designed by architect Newton Griffin, based upon a plan by Shinichi Okada. It was constructed over the ruins of the 1878 Standard Mill. Owner Reiko Weston bought the land, 2.7 acres, for $20,000 in 1961.

1990: Fuji Ya closes. After extensive litigation, the Minneapolis Park Board buys out the Weston family for $3.5 million in an out-of-court settlement.

Background on Mr. Reyelts

Paul Reyelts served as the Executive Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of The Valspar Corporation, a global leader in the coatings industry, from April 1982 until February 2008. He remained an Executive Vice President of Valspar Corporation until his retirement in May 2009. In addition, Mr. Reyelts serves on the Board of Trustees of Minnesota Public Radio, the Advisory Board of the University of Minnesota College of Design and the Minneapolis Parks Foundation Board.

Background on the Fuji Ya aka "Waterworks" Site from MSR

Download Fuji Ya - "Waterworks" Redevelopment Report from MSR

Central Library is Seeking 'Homework Hub' Volunteers

Central Library, along with several other Hennepin County Libraries, is recruiting Homework Hub volunteers to work with youth after school on literacy and homework related projects - reading, math, history, language arts and more.

Volunteers must have some experience with school age children and commit to working once a week, for as little as 3 hours, at a Homework Hub location for a semester. This is a great opportunity to make a huge difference in a child's life.

Training is provided. A criminal background check is required. You can apply online at the Library website. Additional volunteer opportunities can be viewed on the Library's volunteer page.

Slide Show from the August 21 Homegrown Experience on Nicollet Island

The second Homegrown Experience, organized by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board(MPRB), took place August 21 on Nicollet Island.   This slide show is condensed down from the 1,000+ pictures we captured that afternoon.   Beautiful day, great food and drink!

Week 18 at the Mill City Farmers Market

Happy Labor Day weekend - already??  Summer is coming to end, and if you haven't visited the Mill City Farmers Market yet, you only have six more opportunities this season.

Below, a peach tomato from Prairie Hollow Farm.  Although you can't really tell from the picture, the skin has a faint fuzz on it. 

Seems like every week we run into someone we haven't seen for a while.  This morning it was Paulette Salo, who you may recognize as a vendor from last year's Market.  Paulette painted some gorgeous vegetable and fruit pictures for our kitchen and dining areas last summer.