Minneapolis Riverfront News
Covering life, work, and play in the Historic Mill District and Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront neighborhoods. Have an opinion, local news or events to share? Contact us.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at 8:42AM
Minnesota Vikings / Green Bay Packers Fan Challenge November 19
I noticed this Event on the Red Cross web site:
The Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers are known for their rivalry on the football field. To kick-off their second showdown this season, both teams are encouraging their fans to also support patients in need by donating blood or platelets through the American Red Cross on Friday, November 19, 2010. The team that has the most people turn out to donate earns extra bragging rights on and off the field.
All blood and platelet donations made at American Red Cross blood drives and donor centers in Minnesota on Friday, November 19 will count for the Minnesota Vikings. Donations in Wisconsin will count for the Green Bay Packers.
Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to find a blood drive near you in Minnesota on November 19. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in good general health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
“The best part about this rivalry is that no matter which team triumphs on the field, patients in need of lifesaving blood transfusions are the ultimate winners,” said Geoff Kaufmann, CEO of the local American Red Cross Blood Services Region. “By giving blood on November 19, donors can support their hometown team while helping to ensure a stable blood supply.”
“Many of our terrific fans say they ‘bleed purple.’ Well, now’s their chance to prove it,” said Brad Madson, Minnesota Vikings executive director of community relations. “This is a terrific way to enjoy our Packers rivalry while helping a very important cause.”
The American Red Cross partners with 129 hospitals in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and more than 3,000 nationwide, providing lifesaving blood products and specialized laboratory services.
There is an American Red Cross Donor Center in our neighborhood at 1201 West River Parkway.
First Mill City Snowman of the Season
Saturday morning was a beautiful winter wonderland (at least for those of us who didn't have to drive or shovel snow). Around 9am we trudged down to Dunn Bros. for beans, and got a few shots along the way:
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And finally, a diehard worker washes windows on the newly leasing Mill District City Apartments:
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CORRECTION: This Weekend in Mill City
We inadvertently published items for the wrong dates in todays post for events this weekend. The article has been updated with the correct events for this weekend.
This Weekend in Mill City / November 12-14
Events this weekend in and around the Historic Mill District of Minneapolis:
Friday, November 12
New Work by MCBA/Jerome Book Arts Fellows at MCBA
Lionel Popkin: There is an Elephant in This Dance at the Southern Theater
Saturday, November 13
Discover Saturday: Minnesota Black Bears at the Children's Library
Cowboy Versus Samurai Opens at the Guthrie
Thanksgiving Paper Dinner at MCBA
MacPhail Free Family Music Event
Guest Chef: Shefzilla, Stewart Woodman at Mill City Museum
Volunteer Biennial: A Very Much More Opening Reception at the Soap Factory
Lionel Popkin: There is an Elephant in This Dance at the Southern Theater
How'd They Do That Workshop: The 39 Steps at the Guthrie
Sunday, November 14
Jazz Off the Charts at MacPhail Center for Music
Southern Songbook - Lush Life at the Sourthern Theater
Weekend Brunch
Saturday
Brunch at Spoonriver
Reservations recommended
10:00am - 2:00pm
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.
Saturday & Sunday
501 Club Hash House Brunch
Vice President and Mrs. Mondale Featured on MPR
Mill District residents Walter and Joan Mondale were interviewed recently on Minnesota Public Radio on the topic of their long, love filled life together. A couple of mentions are made about one of the landmarks of our neighborhood:
"Today, the Mondales live in a loft overlooking the Stone Arch Bridge in downtown Minneapolis. The walls are decorated with political mementos, memoribilia and artwork. Joan has worked or taught in the arts for decades, earning her the nickname Joan of Art."
"One of their favorite things to do is walk across the Stone Arch Bridge. Even after decades in public life, Joan and Walter Mondale are still humbled when people recognize them on the street."
Listen to the interview here:
Read the story on MPR here...
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/11/10/walter-joan-mondale-profile/
Former President Jimmy Carter, left, and former Vice President Walter Mondale walk together after helping build a Habitat for Humanity home in Minneapolis, October 6, 2010. (MPR Photo / Jefferey Thompson)
Opening reception for Coffee House and Toothpaste Press at Open Book - From Letterpress to E-book
Minnesota Center for Book Arts is pleased to host an exhibition celebrating over 25 years of Minneapolis-based Coffee House Press and its letterpress predecessor Toothpaste Press, founded by Allan Kornblum. See how Coffee House Press has grown from a small mimeographed poetry magazine called Toothpaste to an independent nonprofit publishing company with international reach and an award-winning history of excellence.
With introductory comments from Emilie Buchwald, the opening reception will spotlight founder Allan Kornblum who will present on the the genesis and history of Coffee House and Toothpaste, with refreshments to follow.
The exhibition will be on display through January 9, 2011.
Opening reception: Coffee House and Toothpaste Press: From Letterpress to E-book
at the Open Book Cowles Literary Commons
Thursday, November 11; 6:45pm
Location: Open Book at 1011 Washington Avenue South
Mill District City Apartments Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Tour
Mill District City Apartments - already 35% leased - held it's official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on November 10.
Wielding the scissors in the below video are (left to right) Elliot Jaffee, President, US Bank, Minneapolis City Council Member Lisa Goodman, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and Jonathan Holtzman, CEO, Village Green.
A tour of several furnished models followed the ribbon cutting. We started at the living green wall just off the lobby.
From there we continued on to the 2-story model:
And the first floor model:
At the end of the tour, Dan waives farewell from the private 2nd Street South entry of the first floor model.
Dan mentioned the underground garage has 300+ bike racks, 2 car wash bays and a Pet Spa.
For apartment leasing information, contact Diane Tidwell at 612-886-3780, or millpropmgr@villagegreen.com. Click here for Floor plans, rates, etc.
Pet Park Safety Tips - An Ongoing Series from Curtis L. Sanford, DVM
Our neighborhood is a haven for dog owners, and we thought it would be beneficial to have an ongoing series specifically for them. This is the fourth installment of Pet Park Safety Tips from Curtis L. Sanford, DVM.
All dogs can benefit from training classes, which are offered by Canine Coach in South Minneapolis (42nd Avenue & 54th Street), Twin Cities Obedience Training Club on Broadway in Minneapolis, and Bark Busters (John Pilati-Warner: 612-360-3492).
Dogs "in heat" should never be brought to a dog park because the female dog could cause male dogs to fight. However, other dogs can benefit from visiting dog parks. The positive effects include exercise, less pent-up energy, social contact, and mental stimulation. Dog owners also socialize and exercise at these parks.
Dr. Sanford is a Veterinarian and Owner/Founder of Minneapolis Veterinary Hospital in the Mill District. He can be contacted at 612-746-0300 or mplsvet@live.com.
History of the City of Minneapolis - Part 1
This is a great read if you're researching the history of Minneapolis, but maybe not for a casual read. Published in 1893. Author: Isaac Atwater.
35w Bridge Memorial to be completed by August 1, 2011
Visit the 35W Bridge Memorial website:
http://35wbridge.org/dedication-of-memorial/
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board last Wednesday approved West River Parkway as the site for the Remembrance Garden – a memorial to the Aug. 1, 2007 collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis.
While no start date was given for construction to begin, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak committed to the memorial being completed in time for a August 1 formal dedication - the 4 year anniverary of the bridge collapse.
Download artist renderings of the memorial here...
The site of the 35w Bridge Memorial is in the Historic Mill District of Minneapolis.
Finalists Chosen for Riverfront Design Competition [Video]
Video of the Minneapolis Riverfront Design Competition Press Conference
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and Minneapolis Parks Foundation, with Creative Partners, University of Minnesota College of Design and Walker Art Center, announced the Minneapolis Riverfront Design Competition finalists yesterday:
Ken Smith Workshop | New York City
Stoss Landscape Urbanism | Boston
Tom Leader Studio | Berkeley
Turenscape | Beijing
The teams‘ collective work includes award-winning riverfront and industrial reclamation park projects, in places such as Shanghai, Memphis, Toronto, New York City, Dubai, Milwaukee and London.
Fifty-five design teams responded to the RFQ, and the 13-member jury noted that the quality was exceptionally high. Says Bill Morrish, MR|DC jury member, and Dean of the School of Constructed Environments and Associate Dean, Parsons The New School of Design in New York City, “The four teams we short-listed comprise innovative and inspirational people who will work very hard to create great concepts for the Minneapolis riverfront.” Learn more about their work on the Teams page.
Each team will produce 21st-century parks designs for 220 acres of parkland and the surrounding neighborhoods along both sides of the 5.4-mile stretch of the Mississippi River from the Stone Arch Bridge in the historic downtown Mill District to the city’s northern limits. The winning design will be a comprehensive, integrated vision for the Upper Riverfront that establishes parks as the engine for economic development, transforms the river into a connector rather than a barrier between east and west banks, and refocuses Minneapolis toward what is one of the three great rivers of the world.
Learn more...
• Ken Smith Workshop, [PDF] New York.
• Stoss Landscape Urbanism, Boston.
• Tom Leader Studio, Berkeley, Calif.
• Turenscape, Bejing, China.
Signs of Mill City
The North Star Woolen Mill Sign at Night
The Northstar Mill is located in the Historic Mill District of Minneapolis.
American Red Cross Blood Donor Center Open Today and Waiting for Your Donation
You benefit too when you donate at the Red Cross:
- It feels great to donate!
- You get free juice and cookies.
- It's something you can spare – most people have blood to spare... yet, there is still not enough to go around.
- You will help ensure blood is on the shelf when needed – most people don't think they'll ever need blood, but many do.
- You will be someone's hero – in fact, you may help as many as three people with just one donation.
Location: American Red Cross Minneapolis Blood Dononation Center, 1201 West River Parkway
Time: 10:45am - 5:15pm
Donation Types: Blood
Phone: 800-448-3543
Mill City Museum Job Posting
The Minnesota Historical Society seeks applicants for an Interpreter I to engage, educate, and entertain visitors to the Mill City Museum and present lessons to school groups using a variety of interpretive and performance techniques to communicate historical information. This is a part-time, regular position (832 annual hours) located at the Mill City Museum in Minneapolis, MN.
For complete details visit http://www.mnhs.org/about/jobs/836.html
Cool Things are Always Happening at CorAzoN
CorAzoN, 1026 Washington Avenue South, is a real gem of a gift shop in our neighborhood.
This past Friday night, they hosted a book release party for "when words get in the way" by John "Charlie" Hanson. Below is a video from the publisher in which Charlie shares the inspiration for his book.
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Below, Charlie with Sue Zelickson, well known locally as the former host of WCCO Radio’s Food for Thought, the Sue Zelickson Awards, and the Sue Z Says section of Minnesota Monthly.
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On the same night, a new taste sensation was debuting at CorAzoN: Buttercrisp Toffee by S-Squared Sweets. Below are Suzanne Kane and Susie Greupner with their milk chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate varieties.
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Their product ingredients include hormone-free butter, California almonds and Callebaut Belgian chocolate. I sampled the milk chocolate variety - YUM! A great hostess gift, stocking stuffer, or treat to share with company or co-workers.
The next book signing event is scheduled for Friday, December 10, when Jodi Hillswill be at CorAzoN with her latest work "friend'.
Click here to join the CorAzoN 'rare' email list - be notified of art openings, events, and sales.
This Weekend in Mill City / November 05-07
Events this weekend in and around the Historic Mill District of Minneapolis:
Friday, November 5
Mentor Series: C.J. Hribal at The Loft
Saturday, November 6
Holiday Note Cards (Beginners) at MCBA
Equilibrium: Doug Kearney at The Loft
A Disappearing Number at the Guthrie
Sunday, November 7
An evening with Eileen Myles at The Loft
Vikings vs. Cardinals at the Dome
Weekend Brunch
Saturday
Brunch at Spoonriver
Reservations recommended
10:00am - 2:00pm
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.
The Siren Has Been Silenced
At 1:00 pm yesterday, the first Wednesday of the month, the siren was silent. Great news for the neighborhood, and the family with the 5 month old baby living right next to it.
See update from original article below:
Ruth from City Council Member Lisa Goodmans' office called this morning with good news - the siren has been deactivated! The City is searching for a new location, and I've been put in touch with the person in charge - stay tuned for more as it becomes available.
Wish I could say it was the result of this story, but the truth is far less dramatic. The truth is heartening as well - all it took was one phone call to City Council Member Lisa Goodmans' office and some behind the scenes work by Ruth. Our immediate neighborhood is now just a little bit better place to live, and I've had a positive first experience working with the City of Minneapolis. Thank you Ruth and Council Member Goodman.
BTW - to be fair to the City of Minneapolis, they did not put the siren next to residential buildings, the siren has been at this location for many years. The buildings actually went up near the siren.
Park Vista Condos Inch Closer to Approval
Last week the Minneapolis Zoning and Planning Commission recommended the City Council approve an appeal by Shamrock Development to increase to number of parking spaces allowed at the proposed Park Vista condo development across from Gold Medal Park in the Historic Mill District of Minneapolis.
At its Sept. 7 meeting, the planning commission approved the conditional-use permit for the Park Vista project. On the parking issue, the planning commission approved 1.8 parking spaces per residential unit. The planning commission also added the condition that Stanton provide a shared car, such as HourCar, at the project.
Stanton appealed, making a case for 1.85 spaces per residential unit and protesting the shared-car requirement. Stanton's number includes the 10 visitor parking spaces - seven more than are required by the city. Stanton is proposing underground parking, not a surface parking lot.
The appeal goes before the full council at its meeting on Friday November 5, 2010.
Replaced Stretch of West River Parkway Now Completely Open
We've seen a noticeable reduction in traffic on South 2nd Street since West River Road between 11th Avenue South and Portland Avenue recently opened to through traffic from end to end.
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