Mill District City Apartments included in the April 30-May 1 Minneapolis & St. Paul Home Tour

Mill District City Apartments is #9 on the 2011 Minneaplis and St. Paul Home Tour.

Homes on the free, self-guided 2011 tour will be open Saturday, April 30, 10:00am-5:00pm and Sunday, May 1, 1:00-5:00pm. It will be held April 30 & May 1, 2011 regardless of weather conditions.

The Minneapolis & St. Paul Home Tour is coordinated by Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) and the City of Saint Paul Planning and Economic Development department, with other corporate and non-profit sponsors. They encourage people to stay in the neighborhoods they love, and to maintain and improve the cities’ housing stock. For information, call 612-673-5103. 

Countdown to May 7 Opening Day at the Mill City Farmers Market!

Just 2 weeks until the May 7 Opening Day at the 2011 Mill City Farmers Market!  Here's more pictures from the 2010 MCFM to help get you in the mood...

See you there!  :D

This Weekend in Mill City / April 22 - 24

It's Easter weekend and very quiet in the Mill City, my hometown.  Events this weekend in and around the Historic Mill District of Minneapolis and across the Stone Arch Bridge in Old St. Anthony.

Friday, April 22

SCUBA at the Southern Theater (2 nights)

Live Music at the Aster Cafe

Saturday, April 23

Celebrate Earth Day at MCBA

Washburn A Mill Tour at Mill City Museum

How'd They Do That Workshop at the Guthrie - Arsenic and Old Lace

Live Music at the 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.

Tonight - Celebrate Minnesota Libraries at Central Library

Time: 7:00pm

Location: Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall

Come celebrate the state's beloved libraries and the pubication of the new book, Libraries of Minnesota.
 
'Libraries of Minnesota' features stunning photographs by the popular Doug Ohman and library stories by seven of Minnesota's best known writers of books for children and young adults. Doug will share images from the book and contributing authors Pete Hautman, David LaRochelle, Will Weaver, Marsha Wilson Chall, and Kao Kalia Yang will tell stories about their childhood libraries.
 
Program is free and open to the public. Book sale/signing follows the presentation. Seating is first come, first served.  
  
In celebration of National Library Week. Co-presented by Metropolitan Library Services Agency and Minnesota Historical Society Press.

Dr. Jon Hallberg and Mill City Clinic in The Line

In case you don't subscribe to The Line, here's a link to an article titled "Human-centric" Design Makes Health Care Friendlier that posted today.  It mentions Dr. Jon Hallberg and Mill City Clinic(scroll down to the The "iPod of Clinics" portion of the article).

Minneapolis Locks Re-Open for Commercial Traffic

From TwinCites.com:

The St. Paul District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers this morning opened three locks along the Mississippi River to commercial barge traffic.

River levels have been steadily falling for about a week. The locks are expected to open to recreational traffic Monday.

The Upper St. Anthony Falls and Lower St. Anthony Falls locks in downtown Minneapolis and Lock 1 near Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis were closed earlier this month after the district determined the high waters were unsafe for navigation.

The river rose to a spring high of 19.01 feet in St. Paul March 29 — the eighth highest on record. The river also saw a second crest of 18.71 feet April 11.

At 9:15 this morning, the river was at 15.65 feet. It's expected to drop below flood stage — 14 feet — Friday or Saturday.

Coming to the Mill District - Twin City Trolleys

We recently learned that Twin City Trolleys will have a downtown route on Sundays, 10a-5pm, Memorial Day weekend through October.

Per Tony Jones, Twin City Tolleys General Manager, stops along the route will include (but are not limited to) St. Anthony Main, Stone Arch Bridge, Mill City Museum, Nicollet Mall, Hennepin Avenue, Loring Park and the Sculpture Gardens.

For over 15 years, Twin City Trolley Tours have been providing sightseeing tours, which they refer to as "Transportainment", highlighting the best of Minneapolis.   It's a fun, relaxing way to spend a lazy Sunday enjoying more of the area that would normally be too far to walk, or inconvenient for parking.  You can board, ride for a while, hop off for lunch or to visit an attraction, and reboard for more sights.

Tickets ($25 Adult, $23 Children 2-12 and Seniors 65+) can be purchased direct from the driver, or from miscellaneous outlets.  Please call their office for more information, 612-876-4489, or email info@twincitytrolleys.com.

Tonight - George Rabasa reading from his latest novel Miss Entropia and the Adam Bomb at The Loft

Time: 7:00pm

Location: Target Performance Hall, The Loft, 1011 Washington Avenue South

The Loft presents novelist George Rabasa reading from his latest novel Miss Entropia and the Adam Bomb. George Rabasa is the author of the novels The Wonder Singer and Floating Kingdom, which received the Minnesota Book Award for Fiction. His collection of short stories, Glass Houses, received The Writer’s Voice Capricorn Award for Excellence in Fiction and the Minnesota Book Award for Short Stories. His short fiction has appeared in numerous literary journals, including Glimmer Train, The MacGuffin, Hayden’s Ferry Review, and elsewhere. Rabasa was born in Maine, raised in Mexico, and now lives in Minnesota. Free

Near Perfect Conditions for 9th Annual Race For Justice

Aside from a brisk breeze, participants in the 9th Annual Race For Justice this past Sunday had great weather - cool and sunny.  We caught some of the pack as they crossed the Stone Arch Bridge:

Race for Justice benefits law graduates through the Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) of Minnesota. By subsidizing education debts for dedicated, low-paid public interest attorneys, LRAP helps meet the legal needs of low-income Minnesotans across the state.

More pictures and videos:

Race for Justice 2011 YouTube Playlist    

Race for Justice 2011 Photos on Flickr

Tonight - Japan Meets World at Central Library

Time: 6:30pm

Location: Pohlad Hall, Central Library, 300 Nicollet

Japan Meets World
 
Explore classical and world music from both the eastern and western hemispheres. Performance will feature original works by three Juilliard graduates for violin, flute, cello, voice and dance. Highlights include a solo dancing violinist with fabric.

This project is funded with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Presented in collaboration with the MELSA (Metropolitan Library Service Agency).

Tonight - Rick Springfield at the Guthrie

Time: 7:30pm

Location: Guthrie Theater, Wurtele Thrust Stage

Grammy-award winning artist Rick Springfield has sold over 19 million records and put 17 songs on the Top 40 charts. In the midst of recording what would become the quintessential pop/rock album Working Class Dog, he was cast to play the young, eligible Dr. Noah Drake on the popular daytime drama General Hospital. In the same year, Springfield skyrocketed to the top of Billboard’s charts with Jessie’s Girl and I’ve Done Everything for You. Since then, he has performed for millions of devoted fans over the last three decades and continues to play over 100 shows a year.

Tickets available at the Guthrie Theater Box Office starting Monday, March 14, charge by phone at 612-377-2224 and online.

Check out City Gardens' Flower Mill for Easter Arrangements and Gifts, Decor, Spring Plants, Local Art

Spring has arrived at City Gardens' Flower Mill, 231 10th Avenue South (ground level of the Bridgewater Lofts).  Dan and Kaia have filled their shop with a fun variety of Spring and Easter gifts and decor, and will of course create a most special Easter floral arrangement for you.

You can pick up an Easter Lily anywhere - from the supermarket to a gas station.  City Gardens' Flower Mill isn't about common, discounted plants and flowers.   Dan creates colorful and unique arrangements - the kind that say "I really wanted to show you how much I care".   One of Dans favorite flowers to incorporate into Spring and Easter arrangements is the Hydrangea.

Someone was going to get a nice surprise - here is an order that was ready for pick up:

If the little ones are begging for a bunny for Easter, there are options that won't require feeding and clean up:

 

Fun decorating ideas:

 

Also new at City Gardens' Flower Mill are beautiful floral watercolors by Vicki Underland-Rosow, a Mill District resident.

Mother's Day is May 8!  A one-of-a-kind arrangement from City Garden's Flower Mill will really wow her.  Don't forget, there's free indoor parking - enter on 11th Avenue South.

Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) to be featured on the History Channel tonight, April 17

The Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) will be featured on the premier episode of the History Channel's newest show, America's Wake-Up Call.  Tune in tonight, April 17 at 9:00pm (CST) to the one-hour show that looks at America's infrastructure and the toll that time has taken on it.  Host Timothy Galarnyk, a safety inspector with more than 35 years of experience, sets out to explore the condition of infrastructure in cities throughout the U.S. – uncovering projects and structures that are deteriorating and finding examples that are working.
 
HERC and several other Hennepin County projects, including the construction of the Lowry Avenue bridge and the Hennepin County Transportation Department's use of technology for projects such as snowplowing and traffic signal timing, are featured as examples of how proactive decisions and well-maintained facilities can ensure the safety and efficient operation of our infrastructure.

Turmoil at the Southern Theater

Financial troubles at the Southern Theater were recently reported in the Star Tribune and on MPR.  The McKnight Foundation asked for the return of $300,000 due to concerns of mismanagement.

Countdown to May 7 Opening Day at the Mill City Farmers Market!

Hurray! Only 3 weeks until the May 7 Opening Day at the 2011 Mill City Farmers Market!

Each Saturday until opening day, we'll continue to post pictures and videos from the 2010 MCFM to help get you in the mood...

 

See you there! :) 

This Weekend in Mill City / April 15 - 17

It's a busy weekend in the Mill City, my hometown.  Events this weekend in and around the Historic Mill District of Minneapolis and across the Stone Arch Bridge in Old St. Anthony.

Friday, April 15

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival Opening Weekend at the Festival Central Pavilion

McKnight Artist Fellowships For Writers Poetry Reading at the Open Book

Live Music at the Aster Cafe

Saturday, April 16

The 10th Annual Marcy Arts Partnership Gala at the Soap Factory

Big River Family Day at Mill City Museum

Clicks, Claps and Clunks: Family Event at MacPhail

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival Opening Weekend at the Festival Central Pavilion

Earth Day Clean Up at Father Hennepin Bluffs Park

Childish Films Shorts Fest! at Central Library

Mill City Farmers Market at Local D'lish

Open Book Family Day - Gutenburg Meets Google: The Future of Type in a Digital Age

Live Music at the Aster Cafe

Sunday, April 17

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival Opening Weekend at the Festival Central Pavilion

Race for Justice

Scratch vs. Mix: Which Brownie is Better? at Mill City Museum

Live Music at the 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.

Tonight is Opening Night of the Annual Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival 2011 at St. Anthony Main Theatre @MSPFilmSociety

CELEBRATING THE BEST OF INTERNATIONAL AND INDEPENDENT FILM!
 
The Film Society of Minneapolis-St. Paul 2011 Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival is slated for April 14 through May 5.  They will be presenting over 170 films from some 50 countries at the five-screen St. Anthony Main Theatre.  For three weeks, the Twin Cities celebrates the arrival of the best of international and independent filmmaking in the region.

Click here for daily list of films.

Artspace Project - ArtCube - Still Alive Adjacent to the AAN HQ Project @artspaceusa

It's been some time since we've heard anything on the Artspace project next to the future home of the American Academy of Neurology HQ.  Promising news for the Mill District of Minneapolis.

From The Line:

$15 million ArtCube affordable artist live/work apartments in early stages

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2011

Artspace Projects, Inc. is in the middle of putting together the funding for a $15 million development to go on a parcel near the Guthrie Theater, on the eastern edge of downtown Minneapolis. 

The project, which has been dubbed ArtCube, includes 45 affordable live/work studios for artists; it's similar to another Artspace project in Northeast, called the Jac Flats (which The Line wrote about here), according to Heidi Kurtze, the group's property development director. 

Read the full article...

Signs of Spring in the Mill District

Aaaaaaaah - take a deep breath in, and slowly let it out.  Feel the warm sun on your face.  These past few days have been heaven, and we had a chance to catch some welcome signs of Spring in the neighborhood:

 

The 10-day forecast isn't quite as pretty a picture, but at least the long winter is now just a bad dream that we finally woke up from.

Aloft Senior Sales Manager Featured in Minnesota Meeting + Events Spring 2011 Issue

Gina Kilchenman, Aloft's Senior Sales Manager, is featured in the Spring 2011 Edition of Minnesota Meetings + Events.  Click here to read Rebecca Felix's article.