Road Closures for April 8 Goldy's Run

Road closures for Sunday, April 8 - Goldy's Run 10 Mile
7:30am-12pm
West River Parkway from 13th Avenue S to E 38th Street
East River Parkway

10 Mile & Relay Course:

5K Course:

The Shops of the North Loop present The North Loop Spring Crawl, April 21

The North Loop Spring Crawl

Saturday, April 21, 2018 from 10:00am-6:00pm

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Loop into spring by shopping the North Loop! Local retailers will collaborate with area artists to celebrate the “coolest neighborhood in Minneapolis.” Grab a “passport” card from your first destination and journey to all of the stores listed. Receive an exclusive stamp from each store for the chance to win amazing prizes. Vote for your favorite spring-themed art installation showcased at participating stores and the winning artist will receive a prize, our way of supporting our local artists! The crawl will culminate with an after-party at The Hewing Hotel featuring appetizers, specialty cocktails, music, fun, and fabulous drawing prizes! To stay up to date on events occurring throughout the day; including fitness classes, restaurant specials, gift card giveaways and discounted services, head to the Shops of the North Loop Facebook page.

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Participating North Loop stores: Bonobos Guideshop - North Loop, C'est Chic Boutique, D.NOLO, Jeromeo Wellness Center & Shoppe, Lappin Lighting, Statement Boutique, Lolë Twin Cities, MartinPatrick 3, Mitrebox Framing Studio, Queen Anna, russell+hazel, Shoesters, North Loop Wine and Spirits 

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Crawl goers are encouraged to use any of the following hashtags when sharing their experiences from the day on social media: #shoptheloop #northloopcrawl #loopintospring

Volunteer for the 2018 Earth Day Cleanup!

Show up at any of 37 Earth Day Cleanup sites on April 21, 9:30 am-noon to help beautify Minneapolis

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB), along with the City of Minneapolis, are proud to host the 24th annual Minneapolis Earth Day Cleanup event on Saturday, April 21, 2018, 9:30 am – noon. 

The Earth Day Cleanup takes place at 37 sites throughout the city, making it the largest community service project in Minneapolis and. Since 2008, more than 19,000 residents have removed more than 158,000 pounds of garbage. A special thank you goes out to 2018 Earth Day Cleanup sponsors Minnesota Lottery, Budget Dumpster and Continental Cement for supporting this important community event.

Volunteers are needed to help pick up trash polluting our parks, neighborhoods and watersheds! It’s free to participate and no registration is required, just choose a site and show up. Bring gloves if you can, otherwise a site coordinator will provide a pair.

Find a detailed list of cleanup sites and more information at www.minneapolisearthday.com or call 612-230-6479.

April 4 E-Newsletter from 3rd Ward Council Member Steve Fletcher

Touring Our Storm Sewer System

Council Members Scroeder, Fletcher, and Ellison with a Public Works Surface Water & Sewers staff member.

Last week, I got the unique opportunity to visit one our City's storm sewers with our Public Works Department. It was an eye-opening and impressive experience to see a critical piece of our City infrastructure that is almost entirely invisible to us, 80 feet below ground, on a day-to-day basis.

Our City sewers were originally built over 100 years ago, and there was one combined system for wastewater and storm water. In recent decades, the City made the necessary investment to fully separate our storm water sewers from our wastewater sewers in order to keep the Mississippi River clean. I'm very glad to report that that investment has paid off: Minneapolis is now one of the few cities in the entire country to have a fully separated system, and to have done so without federal intervention.

As the City grows, however, we continue to put greater pressure on our storm sewers, and the work continues to maintain and upgrade some of our tunnels. 

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City Releases Draft Comprehensive Plan for Public Comment

Last week, the city released a first draft of the City's 2040 Comprehensive Plan. A whole lot of impressive work and planning - particularly by Council President Lisa Bender and Council Member Kevin Reich, as well as by city staff from across the city enterprise - has gone into incorporating three years of community feedback, policy best practices, and a clear vision for equity and sustainability into this document. It includes a set of guiding goals and specific policy ideas that, if we can move them into action, would mean great things for Minneapolis.

This document is very, very good, but it's not perfect. In fact, that's the point of releasing it now. By getting this first attempt at distilling community feedback into a written document, we can move the conversation forward by giving people something clearer to which we can all respond. This will (and should) improve quite a bit in response to public comment in the coming months. With the addition of your ideas and feedback, we can really make this the guiding vision our city deserves.

As you read, try to think of the whole, big picture before getting too focused on a specific policy proposal. Some of these ideas are things we ought to do anyway, and some are things that are only feasible in the context of the entire vision - that's why we call it "comprehensive."

Over the coming months, the City will do extensive outreach to residents to hear their concerns and ideas to improve the quality of life in the City. Comments will be collected at public meetings as well as online through July 22, 2018. That feedback will be taken into consideration as City staff revise the plan for City Council consideration.

The Minneapolis 2040 website is designed to gather feedback, and be an interactive way for us to continue the conversation about our city's values and vision. Please do give your feedback on the website, by email to 2040@minneapolismn.gov, or on Twitter: #Mpls2040 @Mpls2040. 

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Springtime for Public Works: Potholes, Street Sweeping, and Yard Waste Collection!

Street Sweeping: Public Works crews will begin posting spring street sweeping signage on April 16, with the city-wide sweep starting on April 17 and lasting approximately four weeks.

This thorough cleaning of all 1,100 miles of city streets and parkways is done every spring and fall with the goal of keeping our city clean and our neighborhoods livable. Removing the sand put down for winter maintenance, along with trash and decomposing leaves helps to prevent flooding in our streets and keeps our water ways healthy. Our sweepers are already out on the roads, weather permitting, as part of our general spring clean-up, but this dedicated curb-to-curb sweeping ensures that we can get access to all of our city’s streets in the most efficient way possible.

Interactive web tool – You can use a tool on the City’s website to find out when the sweeping crews are coming through your neighborhood! By the Friday before the first week of the sweep, you can go to this page and click on “street sweeping schedule lookup” to find out which week a street is scheduled to be swept. The weekend before that week, you can revisit the website to find out which day of the week the street is scheduled to be swept.

Potholes: We know this is the time of year when potholes become more apparent and we have crews dedicated to this work. Pothole locations can be reported through 311 or on the pothole reporting page of the City’s website. We are currently using a cold patch to improve the drivability of our streets until the asphalt plant is up and running for the season and more permanent patches are installed by our crews.

Yard Waste: Our Solid Waste & Recycling crews will begin collecting yard waste for the 2018 season the week of April 9. This service will be offered weekly, as part of resident’s regular garbage day collection and will continue through the fall.

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First Clean Energy Partnership Board Meeting of 2018

In addition to several City Council committees, I am privileged to serve on a number of external boards and commissions. One such board that I am particularly excited to have a role on is the Clean Energy Partnership (CEP). The Partnership is a first-in-the-country agreement between the City of Minneapolis and our utility providers, Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy, to work collaboratively on efforts to move forward the City’s Climate Action Plan and 2040 Energy Vision. The Board had its first meeting of the year with the new board members on Thursday, March 15th. At that meeting, we voted on the following priorities:

• Lower energy consumption and maximize energy efficiency in all building sectors (commercial, industrial, and residential).
• Make more clean energy (renewable energy and energy efficiency) accessible and available through new inclusive financing tools.
• Make the city more sustainable/resilient through increase local renewable energy.

I see enormous opportunity as we move forward with the specific activities under each of these priority areas to do some groundbreaking work to fight climate change and improve access to and equity in the renewable energy sector. You can learn more about the Clean Energy Partnership here: https://mplscleanenergypartnership.org/

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Green Business Cost-Sharing Program for Energy Efficiency and Solar

Part of the work that has been developed within the Clean Energy Partnership is the City of Minneapolis’s green business cost-sharing programs designed to help the city support a thriving business community and foster a clean, healthy environment.

2018 brought some exciting new updates to the program by adding in a solar program and setting priority on businesses in environmental justice priority areas known as Green Zones.

Businesses can apply now for 2018 programs. Businesses and multi-family residential buildings with four or more units that are willing to invest in cleaner, greener, or more efficient technologies should apply. There are opportunities in energy efficiency, solar, automotive repair, or even manufacturing/industrial projects that produce win-win solutions. There are many solutions already in the marketplace that can reduce environmental impacts.

The funds for the program come from pollution control fees that businesses pay to the City.

Application deadlines are March 1, April 1, May 1, and June 1, 2018.

Find more information about the City’s green business cost-sharing programs here: http://www.minneapolismn.gov/environment/WCMS1P-105418

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Following a technical review of the corridor and feedback from stakeholders, the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, and MnDOT are recommending the installation of a pair of one-way protected bike lanes on University Avenue SE (eastbound) and 4th Street SE (westbound) between Central Avenue SE and Oak Street SE.

These lanes will have a buffer and physical separation. This recommendation is based on a number of considerations, including: 

• Minimizing tradeoffs with other uses along the corridor, including impacts to transit operations, motor vehicle traffic flow, and on-street parking; 

• Flexibility in its design over time: this one-way pair can be implemented through signing, striping, delineators, and some traffic signal modifications, which allows for greater flexibility to modify the design after installation.
• Opportunities for traffic calming on both University and 4th Street, with shorter crossing distances for pedestrians and fewer travel lanes on 4th Street SE. 
• Opportunity to add a full time parking lane on 4th Street SE.

While the recommended design is for a one-way bikeway on University Avenue SE, the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County will continue to monitor bicycle traffic to consider future accommodations or improvements for westbound bicycle traffic. 

The three agencies are sharing the concept with stakeholders in spring of 2018, and will seek Council Approval for the project later in 2018. The project is proposed to be installed in the summer of 2019 in coordination with the Hennepin County resurfacing project on University Ave SE between I-35W and Oak St SE.

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Open Streets 2018 Calendar is Set

The Open Streets calendar is set for 2018 with seven events scheduled around the city! Mark your calendar for one or all seven to explore neighborhoods in a safe, fun, family-friendly environment.

Open Streets Minneapolis is a free event and it's so much fun -- we close major streets to car traffic for the day, opening them up for walking, biking, rolling and playing, and for community groups and local businesses, too.

Find more information at www.openstreetsmpls.org.

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Are you or someone you know interested in shaping city policy on a wide array of issues?

There are many openings on 15 boards, commissions, and committees that provide valuable insights, help shape key policy decisions, and provide community-based input into the City's administration of services. 

 Stay up to date on vacancies, position descriptions, and timelines here. And spread the word to folks you think would be a good fit. Potential applicants can find more information at 612-673-2216 or OpenAppointments@minneapolismn.gov.

The City of Minneapolis is working to redesign our entire public website, www.minneapolismn.gov. As part of the project, Minneapolis residents’ and business owners’ input is needed.

A new website will: 

• Focus on your needs, improving the browsing experience for residents, businesses and City staff.
• Foster improved two-way communication with consistent, high-quality content.
• Be ADA-compliant and accessible to users with disabilities.
• Better reflect the diversity and identity of Minneapolis.

 Please take this survey to share your thoughts and ideas with us!

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Public Safety Community Forums

I serve as Vice Chair of the Public Safety and Emergency Management Committee, and we are hosting two community forums to engage with residents on the work of our committee.

The first was Wednesday, March 28 and the second will be Tuesday, April 10 from 5-7p.m. at Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th St.

These forums are interactive and serve as opportunities for neighbors and City policymakers to work together toward improved community safety in Minneapolis - please join us as we shape this vision together!

5-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 10 at Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th St.

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Good Morning Ward 3 at Kramarczuk's

We held our second Good Morning Ward 3 on March 28 with Long Range Planning Director Heather Worthington and had a great discussion about the City's draft 2040 comprehensive plan.

Join us for our next Good Morning Ward 3 on April 18 with special guests Tom Evers, Executive Director of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation, and Chris Meyer, Minneapolis Park Board Commissioner, to discuss the community's vision for public parks along the riverfront.

Good Morning Ward 3

Wednesday, April 18 from 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.

Kramarczuk's Sausage Company, 215 E Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55414

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Coffee With Your Council Member

Council Member Fletcher will hold regular open community office hours at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays at a rotating neighborhood coffee shop in Ward 3 for constituents to drop by, get to know him, ask questions, and raise any issues you see in the community. 

All are welcome! RSVP on Facebook or just show up. If you want to discuss a specific issue or project, email laura.dorle@minneapolismn. gov and we'll add you to the agenda.

• April 11 – Corner Coffee, 514 N 3rd St Ste. 102, 55401
• April 18 – Mojo Coffee Gallery, 2205 California St NE Ste. 102, 55418
• April 25 – Purple Onion Café, 1301 University Ave SE #1, 55414

Keep an eye on our Facebook Page for all the details on future scheduled events, or contact our office at 612-673-2203.

Build Healthy Habits During the May 1-28 Step to it Challenge

Via an April 4 e-newsletter from Hennepin County:

Registration is now open for Hennepin County’s Step to it challenge, a physical activity program that encourages people of all ages and abilities to become more active. 

The challenge is free and runs May 1 - 28. Participants log their activity on the Step to it website. Almost any activity counts, and everyone who registers is eligible to win prizes.

While the challenge is about getting active, having fun and connecting with others, it also includes some friendly competition between communities.

This year, 23 communities will compete to win trophies for most active community, most active residents and most actively engaged community. The top steppers from each community will receive free Minnesota Twins tickets and recognition on the field at a Twins game.

Elementary schools with the most registered participants will win a visit from a Twins player, conditioning coach and TC Bear. Prizes are also available for workplaces and organizations providing services for adults with disabilities.

Residents can learn more and register for the challenge at steptoit.org.

Overnight Closure on I-35W Begins April 4

Overnight closure details

As crews continue to make progress on the Franklin Ave. bridge, we need another overnight closure on Wed, April 4.

Beginning 10 p.m. Wed, April 4, the access to southbound I-35W out of downtown from 12th St/4th Ave. to southbound I-35W, and the ramp from eastbound I-94 to southbound I-35W will be closed. Northbound I-35W and all other areas of southbound I-35W will remain open.

The access and ramp will reopen by 5 a.m. Thu, April 5.

Upcoming ramp closure at 11th St. begins April 16

In order for us to complete work in the 11th St/Grant St/5th Ave. S area in downtown Minneapolis, and prepare for upcoming construction activities, we need to close the ramp from westbound I-94 to 11th Street for two months.

The 11th Street ramp is scheduled to close on Mon, April 16, weather permitting, and will remain closed through approximately mid-June 2018.

The detour route for the ramp closure is to continue on westbound I-94 to the Lyndale Ave/Hennepin Ave. exit and follow northbound Hennepin Ave to 12th St.

Motorists who use the ramp to access Grant St. and 5th Ave. S will also need to find alternate routes.

Note: Access to 11th St, Grant St. and 5th Ave. S from northbound I-35W will remain open. 

More about this project

To learn more, including all current traffic impacts and detour routes, visit the project website at: www.mndot.gov/35w94. 

Metro Transit bus routes will be impacted as a result of construction. For updated route information, and to sign up for Rider Alerts, visit: www.metrotransit.org/35W. 

Stay connected:

• Visit the project website: www.mndot.gov/35w94
• Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/mndot and Twitter: @mndotnews
• Email the project team at: info@35w94.com
• Call the project hotline at: 612-284-6125 

For real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota visit: http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbXNpZD0mYXVpZD0mbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTgwNDAyLjg3ODI2NzIxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE4MDQwMi44NzgyNjcyMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE4Mjc4Njk0JmVtYWlsaWQ9a2ltQG1pbGxjaXR5bWVkaWEub3JnJnVzZXJpZD1raW1AbWlsbGNpdHltZWRpYS5vcmcmdGFyZ2V0aWQ9JmZsPSZleHRyYT1NdWx0aXZhcmlhdGVJZD0mJiY=&&&107&&&http://www.511mn.org/?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term= or dial 5-1-1 

“The Americans in Tours: 1917-1919” on Display at the Hennepin Gallery, April 3 - May 30

Via an April 2 e-newsletter from Hennepin County:

“The Americans in Tours: 1917-1919” on display in Hennepin Gallery April 3 through May 30

Minneapolis and representatives from Tours, France, a Minneapolis Sister City, are proud to present “The Americans in Tours (les américains à tours): 1917-1919,” an exhibit commemorating the 100th anniversary of World War I that will be on display in the Hennepin Gallery at the Hennepin County Government Center. Thousands of Americans, including Minnesotans, were stationed in Tours, France, and the exhibit features historical photographs and documents marking the arrival of the Americans in Tours, as well as their lives and work.

This special exhibit recalls a unique time in history when U.S. service members served in the Services of Supply (SOS) and the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF). Tours, France, served as headquarters for the SOS. The efforts of Americans in Tours were critical for the success of U.S. soldiers on the battlefield and also laid the groundwork for a lasting connection between the U.S. and France – one that lives today through the Sister City relationship.

Minneapolis and Tours have been connected through the Sister Cities program since 1991. Tours is one of 12 Minneapolis Sister Cities. The Minneapolis program started in 1961 with the signing of the first Sister Cities agreement with Santiago, Chile, with the intent of fostering people-to-people citizen diplomacy. The program, managed by Meet Minneapolis, also includes Cuernavaca, Mexico; Eldoret, Kenya; Harbin, China; Ibaraki City, Japan; Kuopio, Finland; Novosibirsk, Russia; Winnipeg, Canada; Uppsala, Sweden; Najaf, Iraq; and Bosaso, Somalia. For more information about the Meet Minneapolis Sister Cities program, see their Sister Cities website and the Minneapolis/Tours site.

The Hennepin Gallery is free and open to the public Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Hennepin County Government Center, A-level, 300 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis. 

The exhibit is sponsored by and the gallery is a project of Hennepin County Communications.

Mill City Singers Perform with the MacPhail Community Youth Choir at Orchestra Hall

Article by Claudia Kittock, photos by Ryan Ojard

On March 9th and 10th, the Mill City Singers performed a 45 minute concert in the Atrium at Orchestra Hall.  Asked to be part of the Community Partnership program with Minnesota Orchestra, the singers were led by J.D. Steele and Fred Steele. The MacPhail Community Youth Choir joined the Singers at the performance.

Each of the performances were standing room only, and were enthusiastically received. J.D.’s magic includes involving the audience, and there were a number of songs with members of the audience singing, clapping, and moving along with the Singers.

Community Partners also receive tickets to an Orchestra performance. Each of the Singers was able to attend and enjoy the Pink Martini concert.

It was two nights of magic for the Mill City Singers. Does this sound like fun? It is! The Singers are open to all, free of charge, and require only a love of singing and a heart ready to sing about hope and community. If interested, please contact Claudia Kittock at cjkittock@gmail.com.

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About Claudia Kittock

Claudia is a resident of the Mill District. In addition to writing for Mill City Times, she is a founding Board Member of Friends of the Mill District. Claudia is the author of Health Through Chaos, mentors young adults at YouthLink, and has served on the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA).

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Contact: claudia@millcitymedia.org

Early Bird Registration Ends Soon for Minneapolis Bike Tour!

Via a March 27 e-newsletter from Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

Early Bird registration ends this Friday!

Registration is now open for the 2018 Minneapolis Bike Tour, held on Sunday, September 16 at Boom Island! The early bird rate of $25 only runs through Friday, March 31, so visit minneapolisbiketour.com today to sign up.

Tech shirts ($10) and jerseys ($50) will be available for purchase this year and you can view them on our website. If you are interested in purchasing apparel, make sure to click on the merchandise tab when you are going through the registration process.

Register

Annual STEP-UP Mock Interviews to Provide Job Interview Experience to Over 1,500 Minneapolis Youth

Via a March 26 News Release from Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED):

Over 400 Twin Cities business professionals and community volunteers will conduct one-on-one interviews and provide feedback to young people at Minneapolis Convention Center March 26-29

Today through Thursday, March 26-29, over 1,500 Minneapolis youth and 400 Twin Cities business professionals and community volunteers will descend on the Minneapolis Convention Center for four nights for the 15th annual STEP-UP youth employment program mock interviews. These practice interviews match young people (age 14-21) who are preparing for summer internships at top Twin Cities companies, public agencies and nonprofits with experienced volunteers who are eager to share their skills and expertise with our region’s future workforce.

“Minneapolis is a young city—by 2020, a majority of our workforce will be millennials. Youth employment programs like STEP-UP help future leaders develop the skills and gain the experience they need to succeed in the workplace and keep our local economy strong for generations,” said Mayor Jacob Frey.

The mock interviews are scheduled from 4:45 - 6:15 p.m. each night at the Minneapolis Convention Center (Room 200, 1301 Second Avenue South).  The 400-plus volunteers will include employees from over 130 Twin Cities businesses and organizations. 

Prior to the interviews, each STEP-UP program applicant will have completed over 10 hours of work readiness training. The trainings, led by AchieveMpls and certified by the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce, focus on workplace conduct, professional communication, problem solving, interview skills, resume writing and other skills.

“Hosting a STEP-UP intern was a great experience,” said Julia Eagles, a STEP-UP supervisor at Xcel Energy. “It provided an opportunity for our staff to supervise and mentor young people, and introduced our whole team to the workforce of the future!”

The mock interviews allow STEP-UP interns to put their new skills to the test in what is for many their first professional job interview. The interviews last about 10 minutes, after which volunteers coach the interns and provide respectful, candid feedback to help them strengthen their skills and confidence. 

“I benefited from participating in the STEP-UP program in many ways,” said Samuel, a STEP-UP intern at TCF National Bank. “I learned how to interview and be in a corporate setting, and how to properly dress and have a schedule for when to arrive at work and when to complete work. I also gained the experience I needed to find another job in a field I’m interested in.”

About STEP-UP

STEP-UP prepares Minneapolis youth for tomorrow’s careers. As one of the country’s leading youth employment programs, STEP-UP recruits, trains and places more than 1,600 young people (ages 14-21) in paid internships at more than 200 employers each year. With a collective of partners spanning 15 industries and multiple sectors, STEP-UP is the largest and most enduring program of its kind in our region. It’s a backbone of support that unites businesses, schools, nonprofits and the city together in a common goal: to build and strengthen our future economy and the talented youth who will power it. STEP-UP is a partnership of the City of Minneapolis, AchieveMpls, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and Project for Pride in Living.

Learn more about STEP-UP by visiting the program’s website or follow STEP-UP activities and events all year long via @STEPUPMpls on Facebook, Instagram, SnapChat or with hashtag #STEPUPMpls. 

Minneapolis 2040 — Add Your Voice to the City's Draft Comprehensive Plan

Minneapolis 2040 is a draft Comprehensive Plan that shapes how the city will grow and change, including topics such as housing, job access, the design of new buildings, and how we use our streets.

The City is currently reaching out to the Minneapolis community to discuss this draft plan and to encourage review and feedback. Sign up for updates and follow on Twitter to learn about specific opportunities to engage. Please provide your feedback on the draft plan via this website — click here to learn how to comment.

Public input will continue through July 22, 2018, after which City staff will make revisions to the plan and present a final draft to the City Planning Commission and City Council in Fall 2018.

Draft Comprehensive Plan Policies - All Draft Comprehensive Plan Policies

 

2018 Minnesota Brewery Running Schedule

2018 Minnesota Brewery Running Schedule

All events include 5k-ish fun run, free beer, free swag and more! Additional details may vary by event. Cheers to beers!

(See Facebook for links to these events.)

APR 7 Headflyer Brewing BEER RUN! Sat 11 AM

APR 14 Lakes & Legends Brewing Co BEER RUN! Sat 11 AM

APR 21 Utepils Brewing BEER RUN! Sat 11 AM

APR 27 Arbor Day 5k w/ Brewing A Better Forest Fri 6 PM

MAY 5 Pryes Brewing BEER RUN! Sat 11 AM

MAY 6 56 Brewing BEER RUN! Sun 11 AM

MAY 12 Beaver Island Brewing Co BEER RUN! Sat 11 AM

MAY 13 Root Beer Run - 2nd Annual Sun 12 PM

MAY 19 Omni Brewing Co BEER RUN! Sat 11 AM

MAY 20 Indeed Brewing Co BEER RUN! Sun 10 AM

MAY 26 Finnegans Brew Co BEER RUN! Sat 11 AM

JUN 21 0k Brewing BEER RUN! Sat 11 AM

JUN 7 Fulton Brewing BEER RUN! Thu 6 PM

JUN 16 Bald Man Brewing Co BEER RUN! Sat 11 AM

JUN 23 Excelsior Brewing Co BEER RUN! Sat 10 AM

JUN 23 Wayzata Brew Works BEER RUN! Sat 2 PM

JUN 30 Inbound BrewCo BEER RUN! Sat 11 AM

JUL 7 Chapel Brewing BEER RUN! Sat 11 AM

JUL 7 Imminent Brewing BEER RUN! Sat 2 PM

JUL 28 Summit Brewing Co BEER RUN! Sat 9 AM

AUG 46 12Brew BEER RUN! Sat 11 AM

AUG 11 Bent Paddle Brewing Co BEER RUN! Sat 11 AM

AUG 11 Blacklist Artisan Ales BEER RUN! Sat 2 PM

AUG 19 Dangerous Man Brewing Co BEER RUN! Sun 11 AM

AUG 26 Surly Brewing Co BEER RUN! Sun 10 AM

SEP 8 Insight Brewing BEER RUN! Sat 11 AM

SEP 15 Bauhaus Brew Labs BEER RUN! Sat 11 AM

SEP 22 Lupulin Brewing Co BEER RUN Sat 11 AM

SEP 23 Birch's on the Lake BEER RUN! Sun 11 AM

SEP 29 Badger Hill Brewing Co BEER RUN! Sat 11 AM

OCT 6 Sociable Cider Werks (CIDER) BEER RUN Sat 11 AM

OCT 13 Modist Brewing Co BEER RUN! Sat 11 AM

OCT 20 Wicked Wort Brewing Co BEER RUN! Sat 11 AM

OCT 27 Fulton Brewery Spooktacular BEER RUN! Sat 11 AM

NOV 17 Bad Weather Brewing Co Pre Turkey Trot! Sat 11 AM

DEC 1 0.5k Winter Beer Dash! Sat 11 AM

Road Closures for March 24 Hot Dash 5K & 10 Mile

The following roads will be temporarily closed from 7:30am-1:00pm on Saturday, March 24, for the Hot Dash 5K & 10 Mile:

- Stone Arch Bridge
- NE Main Street - from 6th Ave SE to Hennepin Ave
- West River Parkway - from Plymouth Ave to E 27th Ave

Course map and more info.

Geo:Code 2018 is Happening March 24-25 at Central Library

People of all backgrounds and skills will use open data to develop solutions to community challenges at Geo:Code 2018, being held March 24 and 25 at Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall.

During the annual event, civic-minded residents, geographers, technology developers and Hennepin County officials will come together for hands-on presentations, discussions and working sessions. Participants will brainstorm solutions to make county government more transparent and accessible. The event is free and open to people of all backgrounds and interests.

Topics for Saturday, March 24, 9:00am – 5:00pm

Delighting your customer: What does creating a great customer experience look like? Learn service approaches and behaviors to power moments and create experiences.

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Introduction to Usability Testing: See examples of successful usability projects, view a live demo, and learn tips and techniques to start talking with your users.

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Innovation by Design – Rapid Prototyping: Start with user research, create a low fidelity prototype, test the prototype, iterate and create an interactive prototype.

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Story Maps – Visual Storytelling with Maps: Go through the process of telling stories with maps using the ESRI Story Map platform. Bring a computer or tablet to create your own Story Maps in this workshop.

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Crowdsourcing Spatial Data Collection: Learn how to harness the crowdsourcing data collection capabilities of Esri’s online mapping platform, ArcGIS Online.

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Topics for Sunday, March 25, 10:00am – 3:00pm

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Digital Government Listening Session: Help us design a new virtual “doorway” to Hennepin County! Tells us your thoughts and ideas on dealing with usernames, passwords, security questions, and profiles.

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Data and Statutes and Laws, Oh My!: Learn about the laws we have to follow to protect data, and how to request it. In addition, we’ll be discussing what you (the citizens) want from us.

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Data!: Learn about free and open data sources that are available, where they come from and how to use them well.

Book Launch Open House Event for Bill Sullivan's Lemon Jail: On the Road with the Replacements set for April 18 at The Loon Cafe

Via a March 31 Press Release from University of Minnesota Press:

Book launch open house event for Bill Sullivan's Lemon Jail: On the Road with the Replacements scheduled for 6:00 PM, Wednesday, April 18 at The Loon Cafe, 500 N 1st Avenue

 ABOUT THE BOOK:
“Don’t bore us, get to the chorus” is Bill Sullivan’s motto, which will come as no surprise to anyone who opens Lemon Jail. A raucous tour diary of rock ’n’ roll in the 1980s, Sullivan’s book puts us in the van with the Replacements in the early years. Barreling down the highway to the next show through quiet nights and hightailing it out of scandalized college towns, Sullivan—the young and reckless roadie—is in the middle of the joy and chaos, trying to get the band on stage and the crowd off it and knowing when to jump in and cover Alice Cooper. Lemon Jail shows what it’s like to keep the band on the road and the wheels on the van—and when to just close your eyes and hit the gas.

That first van, dubbed the Lemon Jail by Bill, takes the now legendary Replacements from a south Minneapolis basement to dive bars and iconic rock clubs to college parties and eventually an international stage. It’s not a straight shot or a smooth ride, and there’s never a dull moment, whether Bob Stinson is setting a record for the quickest ejection from CBGB in NYC or hiding White Castle sliders around a hotel room or whether Paul Westerberg is sneaking gear out of a hostile venue or saving Bill’s life at a brothel in New Jersey. With growing fame (and new vans) come tours with REM and X (what happens when the audience isn’t allowed to stand?), Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and the Violent Femmes (against their will), and Saturday Night Live, where the band’s televised antics earn the edict You’ll never play on NBC again. Fast forward: You’ll never play Washington, D.C., again. Or Moorhead.

Hiding in fans’ backyards while the police search the streets and pelted with canned goods at a Kent State food drive, the Replacements hit rough patches along with sweet spots, and Lemon Jail reveals the grit and glory both onstage and off, all told in the irrepressible, full-throttle style that makes Bill Sullivan an irresistible guide on this once-in-a-lifetime road trip with a band on the make.

Bill Sullivan has been on tour since the early 1980s. After the Replacements and stints with the Del Fuegos and the Cherrybomz, he was tour manager for Soul Asylum, Bright Eyes, Conor Oberst’s Monsters of Folk, Yo La Tengo, Cat Power, The New Pornographers featuring Neko Case, Spoon, Syl Johnson, Teenie Hodges, and blues legend Jimmie Vaughan. He was co-owner of the 400 Bar on the West Bank of the University of Minnesota.

Art Classes and Workshops at the Northrup King Building

Did you know that some of the artists of the Northrup King Building also offer classes and workshops?

Multiple classes are available in drawing, painting, photography, calligraphy, woodworking & upholstery and more.  

Check out the list of classes available and sign up today.

Minneapolis Music History Project Captures Important Places, Structures, and Buildings in the City to Fully Understand the History of Music in Minneapolis

Engagement Event to Take Place Tuesday, March 20 at Capri Theater

Community members are invited to participate in the new Minneapolis Music Project, an initiative by the City of Minneapolis department of Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) to capture the important places, structures, and buildings that represent the history of music in Minneapolis. The project explores the locations where music shaped the city’s culture starting from 1850 through the 20th century. 

The City has already identified 100 buildings that are related to music history in Minneapolis. Music is such an integral part of Minneapolis’ history and what the city is known for, both nationally and internationally.  This is why the City is turning to the public to share stories and photographs of places where music was performed, purchased, and recorded in Minneapolis.

A series of community engagement activities will take place as part of the project with the next event occurring on Tuesday, March 20 from 6:00pm – 8:00 pm at the Capri Theater, 2027 West Broadway Avenue in North Minneapolis. The event will feature an overview of the Minneapolis Music History Study, a history of the Capri Theater, rarely before scene music related visual images and an opportunity for the public to provide thoughts on the important places in Minneapolis music history and their musical experiences. Refreshments and appetizers will be provided by Breaking Bread Café and Catering and a local music soundtrack will be featured. We will have an Adam Turman print for kids to color their own First Avenue.

People interested are encouraged to share information using the hashtag #mplsmusichistory.

The Minneapolis Music History project is made possible by a grant from the National Park Service. Follow @Growingmpls on Twitter to stay updated on the “Artist of the Week,” presented by the Minneapolis Music History project. The artists that are featured reflect the city’s music history. There is also a must-listen-to song featured from the artist. For complete project details visit the Minneapolis Music History website.

Ryan Companies, Developer Unveil New Riverfront Condo Proposal

By Rick Kittock

On Wednesday, March 14 at 6:00 pm a meeting was held at the Stonebridge Lofts community room to present plans for a new 39 story condo tower to be built on the parking lot of the Padilla office building located at the corner of 11th avenue and west river parkway.  Presenting to a large crowd of Stonebridge and other neghborhood residents were Carl Runck, Josh Ekstrand and Chad Lockwood of Ryan Companies.  Also present was the developer Luigi Bernardi. 

Images of the new "Eleven" building were viewed and audience members asked numerous questions:

- The project will have no underground parking, instead, a 6 story base covering most of the parking lot will serve as a parking garage.

- The 39 story tower will be located in the northeast corner.

- The smallest units will be around 1600 square feet with various floors having only 2 to 5 units.

- There are plans for a 10,000 square foot penthouse.

- The developer indicated that 50% of the units would need to be pre-sold prior to obtaining financing.

- The price range will be $800-$1000 per square foot.

Concerns were raised by the audience regarding traffic flow, parking, lighting and safety, the overall height of the tower as well the view impact on the Stonebridge building as well as the new Legacy condos currently under construction.  Questions were also raised about valuations and property taxes. 

New public meetings are scheduled for March 19 and April 3rd at the Mill City Museum.  The first meeting before the city planning commission is set for April 12.

Hennepin Theater Trust Collaborates With Other Downtown Organizations to Create Community Engagement

Article by Claudia Kittock

Most of us have had the joy of attending a play in downtown Minneapolis, promoted by the Hennepin Theater Trust. An evening of magic and joy is always something to relish. However, did you know that Hennepin Theater Trust is so much more?

The Global Pandemic of Domestic Violence, Location: 730 Hennepin Avenue, Photo credit Steven Lang

breathe, Location: 924 Hennepin Avenue, Photo credit Steven LangOne of their projects, Made Here, is billed as a "walkable urban art experience," connecting people to local art and showcasing Minnesota artists - with projects as diverse as the artists who created them. The spaces used to display the art are empty storefronts or commercial spaces in the West Downtown Minneapolis Cultural District.

If you haven’t heard of Made Here or have no idea where to start, it isn’t that difficult. Made Here is best experienced on foot (or bicycle). You can determine your own self-guided path to explore all the Showcase windows by starting with the information available online. If you're standing in front of a window, just connect to the Made Here website with your smart device.

A panel of 19 artists and art professionals choose the artists and the work. This group of artists are great advocates for Made Here and are passionate about not only the work being done, but the artists themselves.

Another facet of the work Hennepin Theater Trust has created and sponsors is 5 to 10 on Hennepin. This project brings the community together to enjoy unique urban festivities, including live music, family-friendly activities, games, food and public art. The work has attracted national attention, highlighting the power of the arts to spark new community connections and conversations and transforming our city into a thriving, inclusive destination for everyone.

Photo credit Scott Knight Photography

Photo credit Scott Knight Photography

Photo credit Scott Knight PhotographyLast summer, more than 1,200 people participated in 5 to 10 on Hennepin experiences that spanned several several blocks, featuring live performances from over 20 local artists. Musicians performed on the Jack Link’s sponsored Northern Lights Stage. At several of these performances, the Trust provided art supplies for children to create sidewalk art! It was a huge success and will be expanded this summer.

Strong community partnerships were key to the success of 5 to 10 on Hennepin. They worked across a wide range of sectors, integrating the diverse perspectives of local city government, social service organizations, major corporations, small businesses and cultural organizations.

Highlights of this collaborative work:

• Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District (MDID) and Metro Transit supported the transformation of sidewalks into community spaces with more than 50 street performances and 28 days of chess along Hennepin Avenue.
• Salvation Army Harbor Light Center collaborated along with two local artists — Bianca Pettis and Erin Sayer — to create a colorful new mural on the center’s exterior walls.
• Kulture Klub Collaborative teamed up to curate and present more than 30 performances on the Northern Lights Stage presented by Jack Link’s, and develop an enriching arts internship for one of its youth.

Artist Bianca Pettis painting a mural on the Harbor Light Center. Photo by Eric Best

• Minneapolis MAD DADS (Men Against Destruction, Defending Against Drugs and Social Disorder) partnered with the Hennepin Theater Trust and Harbor Light residents to conceptualize their mural project and establish a visible, positive presence at their monthly programs for everyone in the community to feel welcome and safe.

Photo credit Scott Knight Photography

The Chess program is worth another mention. During the summer, chess boards were set up along Hennepin Avenue on Wednesdays from 11 am to 7 pm. It was incredibly popular and the anecdotal information from this program was incredible. Here are a few quotes from participants.

“Kinda crazy, we were both just passing by, we totally just met and started playing, thanks man. This is a great idea. If I knew it was going to be here I would come down all the time.”

“Well, I came down for 5 to 10 with Mad Dad’s to work. Me and this guy just met. Who do you think is going to win? Thank you guys for doing this, it is so good for our community.”

“This is the way I want my town to be. The energy around it is great. Even if I wasn’t playing, it makes me feel better about being here. We actually just met here tonight.”

“We came down together tonight for 5 to 10. This is the first time my wife has played, she’s not bad. Really appreciate all the trouble you have gone through for us to have so much fun.”

Intrigued?  Want to help?  There are a number of ways to participate in these programs from Hennepin Theater Trust.

• Come to events!
• Volunteer!
• Spread the word. These are incredible programs, free to the public, and worth everyone’s time. Let friends and neighbors know what you have learned.
• Donate. Go to https://hennepintheatretrust.org/support-us/donor-program-and-benefits/ to learn about all the ways you can be part of this vital resource.

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About Claudia Kittock

Claudia is a resident of the Mill District. In addition to writing for Mill City Times, she is a founding Board Member of Friends of the Mill District. Claudia is the author of Health Through Chaos, mentors young adults at YouthLink, and has served on the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA).

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Contact: claudia@millcitymedia.org

Experience Thai Massage - Now Available at Bierbrauer Chiropractic

Bierbrauer Chiropractic, located at 221 10th Avenue S in the retail level of the Bridgewater Lofts, recently welcomed Certified Massage Therapist Devin Harwood.

Devin Harwood

With over five years of experience in the industry, Devin's work includes Swedish massage, Thai Yoga Stretching, Tui Na, Relaxation and Deep Tissue. However, his primary work is grounded in Thai and Thai oil massage.

While traditional Thai yoga massage is done on the floor on a mat, Devin prefers to work on a table, otherwise known as “Thai Table Massage,” because it allows the option of getting up onto the table to perform compressions, direct pressure, trigger point therapy, easier application of oils, plus it's less strain on the body being directly over what’s being worked on (similar to the way a chiropractor may work to adjust the back, hips, etc.).

Doing Thai oil massage also offers the options of doing anything from relaxing Swedish massage to deep tissue and all styles in between. Where Thai is traditionally done clothed, Thai oil massage is done in the same way you would get a Swedish or deep tissue massage; allowing you to undress to your level of comfort whilst incorporating various modalities and techniques to let you fully relax and become immersed in relaxation.

A graduate of Aveda Institute, Devin has explored different styles and approaches to bodywork and draws inspiration from Traditional Chinese Medicine, not only with massage but as a life style. He is Registered Yoga Teacher and practices Qi Gong and Tai Chi regularly. His knowledge of posture and alignment enables him to recommend useful stretches that will enhance and lengthen your results. He believes that first and foremost, massage does not have to be painful in order to be effective. In fact, he believes the best work that can be done is to relax and relieve - not just the body, but most importantly, the mind.

Massage services are available Fridays 1p-6p and Saturdays 12p-6p. Book appointments online. Grant yourself the gift of self healing!