The Man Who Talks to Turkeys

The action starts at the 45 second mark.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Giving Thanks for a Great Place to Live [Video]

We originally posted this video in the Spring of 2011 - enjoy!

From Seven & Sixty Productions:

With all the possibilities around the world, what is the “it” that keeps people here in the Twin Cities? We suspected the answer to the question "Why We're Here" was both simple and incredibly nuanced -- worthy of art. We took our camera to the streets of Minneapolis and St. Paul to find people willing to talk, unscripted, on film. The result is our collective love poem to the Twin Cities.

Why We're Here: Twin Cities is a six-minute film that explores what unites us, and unites us here, in the Twin Cities. Filmed on location the spring and summer of 2010 in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, the film features an original score by John Munson of the New Standards, the Twilight Hours, Semisonic and Trip Shakespeare, camerawork by Adam Olson and editing by Sam Heyn.

Visit http://www.sevenandsixty.com/ to post your response and tell us, with all the possibilities that exist in the world, why you’re living where you do.

Produced in association with the Minnesota Culture Club. Visit them at http://mncultureclub.com/

Hunger in Minnesota? You Betcha - 1 in 10 Minnesotans Run Out of Food Every Month [Video]

From Seven and Sixty Productions:

Hunger-Free Minnesota, a statewide initiative designed to reframe hunger as a solvable problem, asked us to create a short piece to help launch their three-year $40 million campaign. Together we agreed that the film should be less about facts and figures and more about the stories of real people needing food assistance in the state. Our idea was to create something that would express our shared humanity and connection. We hope we succeeded.

Filmed in May 2011, we traveled throughout the state and spoke to Minnesotans using food support at food shelves in Rochester, Duluth, and outside the metro area in St. Paul Park.

We were fortunate that one of our favorite musicians, the talented Mason Jennings, agreed to let us use two of his songs in the film. Please, drop us a line and let us know what you think about the film. Thanks for watching.

To see more of our work, visit us at http://www.sevenandsixty.com/

Visit Hunger-Free Minnesota at http://hungerfreemn.org/

Reminder - West River Parkway Closed Tomorrow Morning 8:00am-10:00am

The annual Turkey Day 5K will kick off the Thanksgving Holiday again this year, which will close a few local streets for a few hours in the morning, including 2nd Street South and West River Parkway.

Cub FOODS Distributes 2,000 Thanksgiving Meals for People Serving People families as Part of Unity in Community Campaign

The holidays are a time when families look to celebrate the joy of the season with a traditional turkey meal that includes all of the trimmings.  But for those living on the fringes of homelessness and hunger, it’s difficult to envision securing even the simplest of meals.

This Thanksgiving season, thanks to Cub FOODS, 2,000 free turkey meals will be distributed to formerly homeless families and clients of People Serving People (PSP), Simpson Housing Services, Project Pride for Living and St. Stephen’s Human Services at a special distribution event.

During a November 21 event at People Serving People, 150 families, many of whom used to stay at PSP, were invited to recieve frozen turkeys and dinner ingredients.  Hundreds more families who did not attend the event will receive gift certificates.

“Homeless families have a long journey to stability.  Through the “Unity in Community” effort, Cub is helping PSP and our partner organizations give these families hope for tomorrow and a good start on the road to recovery.  Indeed, Thanksgiving is the one day where everyone deserves a place at the table,” emphasized Daniel Gumnit, CEO, People Serving People.

Special Guests Included:                 
- Mr. Sherman Patterson, Policy Aide for Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak
- Cathy Ten Broeke, Coordinator, End Homelessness, Minneapolis/Hennepin County
- Mary Tingerthal, Commissioner, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency

MinnPost posted a story yesterday on one of the families attending this event.  It's a great example of the difference PSP and events like Unity in Community make.

Unique Floral Arrangement from City Gardens' Flower Mill says 'You're Special'

We are fortunate to have City Gardens' Flower Mill in our neighborhood (231 10th Avenue South, in the Bridgewater Lofts building).  

Every arrangement I've received from Dave - Birthday, Valentine's, or most recently, Anniversary - has been unique and absolutely gorgeous.  He just asks Dan to create something special - and voila, a work of art comes together.

Dan and Kaia's shop is filled with super fresh flowers and lovely gifts.  If you want to show someone how special they are, give them a bouquet from City Gardens' Flower Mill.  612-332-7377 

Mill District Based Foundation Combats Youth Prostitution - from @TheJournalMPLS

From The Journal:

The Women’s Foundation of Minnesota is spearheading a five-year, $4 million campaign to fight the prostitution of girls in the state.

The foundation based in the Mill District has raised $2.6 million so far and plans to award its first round of grants totaling $340,000 to agencies and nonprofits in January.

Read the full article...

The Week Ahead in Mill City / November 21-27

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, November 21

Public Skating at the Dome

Tuesday, November 22

Minneapolis Park & Rec Board Meeting

The Perfect Pair Wine Dinner at Spill the Wine

Wednesday, November 23

The Depot Rink Opens for the 2011-12 Skating Season

Thursday, November 24

Turkey Day 5K

Friday, November 25

Drop the Mic! The Light Within at the Guthrie (2 Nights)

Live Music at Crooked Pint Ale House

Sophia Shorai at Aster Cafe

Northstar Storytelling League Tellabration! at Open Book

Saturday, November 26

Live Music at Crooked Pint Ale House

Brian Bates with Sara Renner at Aster Cafe

Taste Twin Cities Downtown Minneapolis Skyway Tour

Northstar Storytelling League Tellabration! at Open Book

Sunday, November 27

Eating Local Through the Winter Class at Local D'Lish

November 27, 2011, Sunday - The Mad Ripple Hootenanny at the Guthrie

"Gold Medal Plaza" Office Building Planned for Mill District

The office building planned next to the Zenith Condos has a name - Gold Medal Plaza.  Details below:

Download - Gold Medal Plaza

At the Guthrie / Behind the Curtain with "The Sunshine Boys" - Part One

One of the most highly anticipated events of the season will be the union of Guthrie dream team Raye Birk (Faith Healer, Third) and Peter Michael Goetz (1776, The Government Inspector), playing cantankerous vaudeville comedians in Neil Simon's popular comedy The Sunshine Boys, directed by Gary Gisselman (Lost in Yonkers, A Christmas Carol). Despite their comedic chemistry onstage, the one-time famous duo "Lewis and Clark" can't stand each other offstage. The shenanigans that ensue when these seasoned stage partners are coerced to reunite for a CBS television comedy special will likely make this ticket one of the hottest -- and most hilarious -- in town.

The Guthrie Theater is located in the Historic Mill District of Downtown Minneapolis.

This Weekend in Mill City / November 18-20

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

Friday, November 18

Eating Local Through the Winter Class at Local D'Lish

Il Campiello at Open Book (3 nights)

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Live Music at Crooked Pint Ale House

Saturday, November 19

First Pages: Capturing Life-Changing Experiences at Central Library

Printed Holiday Note Cards at MCBA

Washburn A Mill Tour at Mill City Museum

Childish Films at Central Library

Farmers Market at Local D'lish

Northeast Holiday Boutique Crawl

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Taste Twin Cities Downtown Minneapolis Skyway Tour

Live Music at Crooked Pint Ale House

10th Annual Book Arts Festival at MCBA

Sunday, November 20

Turkey Day Leftovers Class at Local D'Lish

Vikings and Oakland Raiders at the Dome

Salon & Supper at Aster Cafe

Weekend Brunch

Saturday & Sunday

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

Reservations recommended

10:00am - 2:00pm

See the menu...

Saturday & Sunday

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

Until 2pm.

See the menu...

Sunday

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

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

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

featuring absolut bloody bar for $5.

also offering fair trade coffee and full bar.

Next Step in Revitalizing Washington Avenue - New Ramp to 35W Near Metrodome May Come Soon

From the Star Tribune:

A planned connection to northbound Interstate 35W near the Metrodome represents the first new freeway access from downtown Minneapolis in about 20 years.

A key City Council committee approved the project Tuesday, setting the stage for a vote by the full council Friday. Slotted for construction next year, the $13.5 million project is expected to improve access and flow on 35W and divert rush-hour traffic from Washington Avenue S.

Read the full article...

No, Thank You MacPhail @macphailmusic

For all you do for children and our neighborhood.  Visit MacPhail Center for Music on Twitter.

[Video] MPRB Meeting 11/9/11 - Public/Private Partnership to Take Over Downtown Parks and Public Spaces?

Resolution to Identify the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board as a Partner with the Downtown Improvement District and to provide $25,000 toward hiring a Consultant to Conduct a Study to Determine the Feasibility and Approach for Creating a Downtown Minneapolis Public Realm Conservancy.

View the Meeting Agenda here...

Download the Resolution and Request for Proposal

View more documents from Mill City Times

Tonight - Publication Reading: Marge Barrett and Joanne Esser at The Loft

Publication Reading: Marge Barrett and Joanne Esser

Time: 7:00pm

Location:  The Loft, 1011 Washington Avenue South

Join two Finishing Line Press authors to help celebrate their new poetry books.

Marge Barrett will read selections from her recent chapbook My Memoir Dress. The poetry chapbook was a finalist in Finishing Line’s critically acclaimed New Women’s Voices Competition. Of the chapbook, acclaimed author Wang Ping says, “Each poem from Memoir Dress is a seed from the rich soil of Minnesota. It may appear small and quiet, but read it slowly, and it blossoms with the smell and color of the prairie, each as hot as the noon sun. Every Minnesotan deserves this book.

MacPhail to Receive Matching Dollars on all November 16 'Give to the Max Day' Contributions

Two great reasons to add MacPhail Center for Music to your Give to the Max Day list:  Your contribution will be matched dollar for dollar thanks to a matching gift from the Classics for Kids Foundation, and your gift will help purchase new instruments for students who cannot afford them.

Help put an instrument in every hand! Click here for MacPhail's Give to the Max Day link.

Descending from Gold Medal Park

Gold Medal Park is located in the Historic Mill District of Downtown Minneapolis.

Video - Mill District of Minneapolis

The Week Ahead in Mill City / November 14-20

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, November 14

Chefs for Change at People Serving People

Wednesday, November 16

Quick Week Night Meals Class at Local D'Lish

'Triple Espresso' Preview at Southern Theater

Publication Reading: Marge Barrett and Joanne Esser at The Loft

Thursday, November 17

Taste Twin Cities Downtown Minneapolis Skyway Tour

Friday, November 18

Eating Local Through the Winter Class at Local D'Lish

Il Campiello at Open Book (3 nights)

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Live Music at Crooked Pint Ale House

Saturday, November 19

First Pages: Capturing Life-Changing Experiences at Central Library

Printed Holiday Note Cards at MCBA

Washburn A Mill Tour at Mill City Museum

Childish Films at Central Library

Farmers Market at Local D'lish

Northeast Holiday Boutique Crawl

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Taste Twin Cities Downtown Minneapolis Skyway Tour

Live Music at Crooked Pint Ale House

10th Annual Book Arts Festival at MCBA

Sunday, November 20

Turkey Day Leftovers Class at Local D'Lish

Vikings and Oakland Raiders at the Dome

Salon & Supper at Aster Cafe

The Soap Factory and Mill Ruins Park Awarded Grants from Partners in Preservation

Partners in Preservation announced the 13 2011 award winners to receive a share of $1 million in preservation grants. Included on that list was The Soap Factory, receiving $70,000 towards the repair of the failing roof of the main building.

Twenty-five historic sites participated in the program, competing for votes on Facebook for a part of the $1 million.  The remaining 12 sites participating in the initiative, including Mill Ruins Park, were each granted $5,000 in funding.