The Week Ahead in Mill City / April 23-29

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 23

NT Live Filmed Presentation of She Stoops to Conquer at the Guthrie

Tuesday, April 24

Taste Twin Cities Food Tours Minneapolis Riverwalk Tour

Wednesday, April 25

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

Stone Arch Patio Party at The Depot

Breakfast with a Preservationist at the Mill City Museum

Laurel Poetry Collective Reading at The Loft

Thursday, April 26

2012 Miller Lite Vikings Draft Party

Dining Out For Life at Neighborhood Restaurants

East Downtown Council Annual Meeting

DNA Day at Central Library

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

Friday, April 27

Book Arts Roundtable: Daniel Kelm at MCBA

Spotlight Series at MacPhail

Live Music at Crooked Pint

Saturday, April 28

Beauty and Brains Event at Behind the Scenes

Taste Twin Cities Food Tours Heart of Minneapolis Tour

Andrew Bird: Fever Year Afterparty at Aster Cafe

Taste Twin Cities Food Tours Minneapolis Riverwalk Tour

FLO(we){u}R Opens at The Soap Factory

DNA Day at Central Library

'Eco-Papermaking: Handmade Recycled Paper' Family Workshop at MCBA

'Eco-Upcycled Books: Repurposing Everyday Objects for an Original Book' Family Workshop at MCBA

Guest Chef: Rhubarb Renaissance with Kim Ode at Mill City Museum at Mill City Museum

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

Prohibition and Organized Crime in Minneapolis at Central Library

Latin Dance Night at Crooked Pint

Village Green 21st Annual Splash Day Benefit for Ronald McDonald House at Mill District City Apartments

Sunday, April 29

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

This Weekend in Mill City / April 20-22

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 20

Honors Recital at MacPhail

WomenVenture Pathways to Success Conference at The Depot

Mentor Series: Leslie Adrienne Miller at The Loft

Live Music at Crooked Pint

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

Live Music at Crooked Pint

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

Readers Write - Say No to Parking Variance for Pillsbury A Mill Project

From neighbors on the East Bank:

We're long time residents of Minneapolis and currently live in the MHNA. We also love the Central Riverfront District. We urge you to vote no on the parking variance being sought for the A Mill project. The historic parking ratio for the A Mill requires 290 spaces. If the variance is granted, the number of on-site parking spaces will be reduced to 204 or 70% of what's required under historic guidelines. If the buildings are important enough to save, shouldn't we honor the parking guidelines put in place to protect the historic neighborhood? Furthermore, this variance could have been avoided under a comprehensive development plan for the entire site. Please consider that when the bank foreclosed and took possession of the entire A Mill site, there was plenty of land available to avoid a parking variance. Because the bank decided to split the property in two (either to maximize their profit or to minimize their loss), it created an on-site parking shortage for the A Mill piece. Please take the long-term view in keeping with the historic preservation of the neighborhood - even if it means waiting for the next development proposal on this parcel.

- Melanie and Rob Stanek

Here's a link to the meeting agenda for the Zoning and Planning Committee hearing scheduled for this morning:

http://www.minneapolismn.gov/meetings/zp/WCMS1P-091187

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

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.

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

Andrea's Kickass Urban Outdoor Bootcamp Comes at Mill Ruins Park

Andrea Austin is now offering an outdoor group fitness option in our neighborhood.  Kick off your weekend with Andrea's Kickass Urban Outdoor Bootcamp!

This is an open group that welcomes anyone who wants to meet fun, fitness-minded people.  These pictures from last Friday will show you why this bootcamp is such an insane deal at only $10 per class!

As Andrea explains, "The Mill District area of downtown Minneapolis has grown so much in even the last year!  I decided to organize a Spring/Summer/Fall Outdoor Urban Bootcamp where we "explore" the urban terrain of downtown Minneapolis without any equipment.  This total body movement workout is designed to tone, strengthen, and burn mega calories without using any special gym equipment!  We will use the terrain including nature, buildings, roads, parks, hills, and much more to create a unique workout experience.  Another important note is Minnesotans love to get outside after the long winter months, and I created "Andrea's Kickass Urban Outdoor Bootcamp" to bring getting fit to the great outdoors.  I am looking forward to creating more outdoor inspired workouts soon."

Assisting Andrea teach the Friday Bootcamp is Jill Haom, a certified veteran group-ex instructor with experience in yoga, bootcamp, RealRyder Indoor Cycling, and sculpt classes.

The group meets every Friday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m, starting at the 501F1T parking lot.

Call Andrea at 651-285-3424 to join the class.  Visit her website andFacebook, or email her at austin_training@yahoo.com.  You can also request a free fitness consult.

The Week Ahead in Mill City / April 2-8

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 2

No events scheduled

Tuesday, April 3

Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission Public Meeting

Book Launch Party: Europe on Five Wrong Turns a Day at Honey

Wednesday, April 4

Minneapolis Park and Rec Board Meeting

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

'When it Rains, it Pours!' Dinner at Spill the Wine

Thursday, April 5

The 30-Days Foundation Benefit Dinner at Spill the Wine

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

What's in Dragonfly's Box? at Central Library

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

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

Food Trucks Coming to Mill Ruins Park & Father Hennepin Park

A proposal to allow food trucks at Minneapolis Parks, including Mill Ruins & Father Hennepin parks was met with enthusiasm by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board last week.  The proposal awaits final approval by the Board.

See the document embeded below for details on the proposal.

This Weekend in Mill City / March 30 - April 1

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, March 30

Publication Party and Reading: Joyce Sutphen, with Regula Russelle and CB Sherlock at MCBA

Live Music at Crooked Pint

Artist Talk at The Soap Factory

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Saturday, March 31

Givens Black Books: Community Reading Campaign at Central Library (Registration Required)

Washburn A Mill Tour at Mill City Museum

'April Fool's Book: Now You See It, Now You Don't!' Family Workshop at MCBA

Sunday, April 1

World Without Genocide 5K Legacy Run/Walk at the Metrodome

30 Days of Biking Year 3 Kickoff at Gold Medal Park