Get Together With Your Neighbors at the April 25 Stone Arch Patio Party!

Mark your calendar for a little unwind time at the Stone Arch Patio Party on Wednesday, April 25.

Bountiful Trip to the April 14 Mill City Farmer Market

Mill City Farmers Market vendors set up shop in the Mill City Museum on April 14.   We filled our basket with a weeks worth of heaven...

Don't forget - the first outdoor Market is May 12!

Taste Twin Cities Food Tours Announces New Winery Tours

Rebecca Pfeiffer recently announced Drink Tours, the newest Taste Twin Cities Food Tours offerings.

Join Taste Twin Cities on a tour of three of the premier wineries located along the St. Croix River Valley in our River Road Winery Tour or views of the country side on our Country Side Winery Tour.
 
Start the afternoon on a luxury coach bus learning about the mysteries of wine and the wondrous tales of the area you're traveling through.  You will also enjoy three wineries that include a personal vineyard tour, learning how wine is made, food pairing or box lunch, sample wine at every winery and a souvenir wine glass. You will have time to purchase your favorite bottles of wine for your enjoyment on our coach or save it for a special occasion.
 
Coach bus pick ups are located at Mall of America or Hilton Downtown Minneapolis.  Scheduled tours available Saturdays May - October, or you can book a private tour.  (Up to 25 people per tour.)

The Country Side Wine Tour
Visits three wineries to the west of the Twin Cities: Woodland Hill Winery, Sovereign Estate Vineyard & Winery and Parley Lake Winery.

The River Road Wine Tour
Features Cannon River Winery, Northern Vineyards Winery and Valley Vineyard on the east side of the metro area.

The $75 five to six hour winery tours include fascinating histories of the wineries and geographies, a private tour of the vineyard, a chance to see first-hand how wine is made, tastings at each winery stop as well as one food pairing, and a souvenir wine glass.

All Taste Twin Cities tours are offered at pre-scheduled days and times, and are also available for private bookings. Each one of the tours is perfect for any number of activities, including corporate outings, wedding events (grooms’ dinners, bridal showers, bachelorette parties, etc.), girls’ days out, an adventurous date and almost any other occasion you can think of.

 To learn more, visit their website and Facebook, and follow them on Twitter.

Neighborhood Volunteer Opportunities at People Serving People

People Serving People, located at 614 South 3rd Street, provides emergency housing and community services that assist families experiencing homelessness in becoming self-sufficient and reconnected with the community. 

This week is Volunteer Appreciation Week, and PSP extends their appreciation to everyone who contributed to the 30,000 hours of volunteer time last year.

As they celebrate their volunteers this week, they would also like to share a couple of fun volunteer opportunities at the shelter.  They have a need for babysitters to watch children of parents who are using the Technology Center.  There is also have a need for meal servers for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week in their cafeteria, helping to serve nearly 1,000 meals each day.  Email Mallory at mhaugen@peopleservingpeople.org to find out more.

Click here to fill out an online volunteer application. 

The Week Ahead in Mill City / April 16-22

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

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

Monday, April 16

Ingrid Michaelson at the Guthrie

Tuesday, April 17

Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission Public Meeting

Chefs for Change at People Serving People

Wednesday, April 18

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

Minneapolis Park and Rec Board Meeting

Farmers Market Dinner at Spill the Wine

Graywolf Press Publication Reading: D.A. Powell at The Loft

Thursday, April 19

DADA STRIKES BACK: A Cabaret at Open Book

Everybody's a Critic: Twin Cities Food Writers at Central Library

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

Opening Exhibit at Mill City Museum: Growing Strong: How Farmers Markets Nourish People, Communities and the Planet

Friday, April 20

Honors Recital at MacPhail

WomenVenture Pathways to Success Conference at The Depot

Mentor Series: Leslie Adrienne Miller at The Loft

Spring Wine Sale and Tastings 2012 at Sorella Wine & Spirits

Saturday, April 21

Taste Twin Cities Food Tours Heart of Minneapolis Tour

Taste Twin Cities Food Tours Minneapolis Riverwalk Tour

2012 Earth Day Clean Up

Farmers Market at Local D'lish

Guthrie's How'd They do That Workshop: Time Stands Still

'Seeds For Sprouts' Family Workshop at MCBA

Children's Book Sale at Central Library Book Store

Washburn A Mill Tour at Mill City Museum

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

Childish Films at Central Library

11th Annual Marcy Arts Gala at The Soap Factory

Second Story Reading Series at The Loft

Sunday, April 22

Complimentary Workshop: An Introduction to Tai Chi at Open Book

Gorilla Yoga at Boom Island Park

Rock Bottom 5K for Hunger

This Saturday - Indoor Farmers Market at the Mill City Museum

Above: scenes from the previous indoor market at the Mill City Museum

Come on down to Mill City Museum this Saturday, April 14th, where the Mill Commons will be transformed into a bustling marketplace of locally produced quality food and gift items. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. visitors can shop for everything from CSA shares to maple syrup to freshly milled grains and flours, spinach, tulips, and artisan cheeses.

Tonight Kicks Off 2012 Minnesota Monthly Wine Week at Sanctuary

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

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

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

Reservations.

This Weekend in Mill City / April 13-15

Above: A recent photo from the Mill City Photo Pool

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

Friday, April 13

Live Music at Crooked Pint

Mentor Series: Marlon James at The Loft

The House on Mango Street Opens at The Southern Theater

Spring Wine Sale and Tastings 2012 at Sorella Wine & Spirits

Saturday, April 14

Taste Twin Cities Food Tours Heart of Minneapolis Tour

Live Music at Crooked Pint

Taste Twin Cities Food Tours Minneapolis Riverwalk Tour

Flavor of the Infinite: Food Poems at The Loft

Mill City Farmers Market Spring Preview at Mill City Museum

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

International Cartoonist Conspiracy Meet-up at MCBA

Paint it Green: Full Circle at Central Library

Snow White: Old and New at Central Library

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

François Rabbath in Concert at MacPhail

Sunday, April 15

Race for Justice 5K Run/Walk

Spotlight Series at MacPhail

Spring Maintenance Scheduled for Stone Arch Bridge Next Week

Via an April 12 email from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board:

Spring maintenance of the Stone Arch Bridge will begin the week of April 16 and is expected to continue at least through the week of April 30. Crews from the City of Minneapolis Bridge Department will wash the bridge, seal cracks, and tuck-point the stone masonry. The bridge will remain open to the public during this work.

Gold Medal Park Moment

From the top of the hill at Gold Medal Park in the Mill District of Minneapolis.

Next Week - Opening Exhibit at Mill City Museum: Growing Strong: How Farmers Markets Nourish People, Communities and the Planet

Time: Opening Reception - 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Location:  Mill City Museum, 704 South 2nd Street

Growing Strong: How Farmers Markets Nourish People, Communities and the Planet

Music by Light of the Moon, Cash bar

This exhibit celebrates the many ways that farmers markets serve Minnesota communities. While supporting renewed interest in sustainable farming and local food, this exhibit shows that farmers markets help fill a growing desire to make our communities more connected, livable and vibrant. Through a combination of photomurals and first-person storytelling, visitors will explore the importance of farmers markets both now and throughout history.

"Growing Strong" was created by North Node Consulting in partnership with Avant Garden Photography, Kidzibits, Renewing the Countryside, and Hello Industries.

The exhibit, which runs through July 22, 2012, is located in the museum’s central Mill Commons, and is free and open to the public during regular museum hours:  Tuesday-Saturday, 10am - 5pm; Sunday Noon - 5pm.  Also open Mondays in July and August: 10am - 5pm.  (Closed Easter Sunday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.)

Tonight - A Sip of Science at Aster Cafe

Time: 5:30pm

Location: Aster Cafe, 125 SE Main Street

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

Ever hear of Frontenac? La Crescent? Marquette?

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

About Dr. Cotter:

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

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

Repairs Have Started on Washburn Crosby Elevator No. 1

Photos taken this morning:

Tonight - Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association Board Meeting

Time: 6:00pm

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

Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association

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

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

WHAT:      

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

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

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

WHEN/WHERE:

Road closure begins Monday, April 9

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

ABOUT:

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

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

The current exterior repair project will stabilize deteriorated elements:

• The bin roof will be replaced,

• the headhouse roofing will be repaired and stabilized,

• the exterior grain bin concrete will be repaired, and

• the headhouse windows/door openings will be secured.

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

The Week Ahead in Mill City

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

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

Monday, April 9

Twins' 2012 Home Opener!

"Gatherings" A Foreword Anthology Reading at The Loft

Tuesday, April 10

Books & Bars Series at Aster Cafe

Talkin' Baseball at Central Library

Make This: Non-Traditional Comic Arts at Central Library

DMNA Board Meeting at Central Library

Wednesday, April 11

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

A Sip of Science at Aster Cafe

Thursday, April 12

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

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

Spring Wine Sale and Tastings 2012 at Sorella Wine & Spirits

Friday, April 13

Live Music at Crooked Pint

Mentor Series: Marlon James at The Loft

Live Music at Aster Cafe

The House on Mango Street Opens at The Southern Theater

Spring Wine Sale and Tastings 2012 at Sorella Wine & Spirits

Saturday, April 14

Taste Twin Cities Food Tours Heart of Minneapolis Tour

Live Music at Crooked Pint

Taste Twin Cities Food Tours Minneapolis Riverwalk Tour

Flavor of the Infinite: Food Poems at The Loft

Mill City Farmers Market Spring Preview at Mill City Museum

Live Music at Aster Cafe

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

International Cartoonist Conspiracy Meet-up at MCBA

Paint it Green: Full Circle at Central Library

Snow White: Old and New at Central Library

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

François Rabbath in Concert at MacPhail

Sunday, April 15

Race for Justice 5K Run/Walk

Spotlight Series at MacPhail

Nice Ride Bikes at Aloft

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

West River Parkway Closure Begins Monday, April 9

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

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

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

Blast Blow Dry Bar a Step Closer to Opening

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

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

Follow their progress on Facebook, Website and Twitter.

This Weekend in Mill City / April 6-8

Above: A recent photo from the Mill City Photo Pool

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

Friday, April 6

Live Music at Crooked Pint

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Lunch with MacPhail

Saturday, April 7

Taste Twin Cities Food Tours Heart of Minneapolis Tour

Minneapalooza at Crooked Pint

Taste Twin Cities Food Tours Minneapolis Riverwalk Tour

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

Live Music at Aster Cafe

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

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

Sunday, April 8

No events scheduled