Kim Eslinger
Editor
612-321-8040
kim@millcitymedia.org

Brianna Ojard
Associate Editor

David Tinjum
Publisher
612-321-8020
dave@millcitymedia.org

Claudia Kittock
Columnist / Non-Profits
Email Claudia...

Becky Fillinger
Small Business Reporter
Producer / Milling About
Email Becky...

Michael Rainville Jr.
History Columnist
Email Michael...

Doug Verdier
River Matters

Mill City Times is a not-for-profit community service. We do not sell advertising on this site.

Community Partners

Thanks to our community partners, whose support makes Mill City Times possible:

MILL CITY FARMERS MARKET

With over 100 local farmers, food makers and artists, MCFM strives to build a local, sustainable and organic food economy in a vibrant, educational marketplace.

Visit their website...

HENNEPIN HISTORY MUSEUM

Hennepin History Museum is your history, your museum. We preserve and share the diverse stories of Hennepin County, MN. Come visit!

Visit their website...

MEET MINNEAPOLIS

Maximizing the visitor experience of Minneapolis for the economic benefit of our community, making Minneapolis the destination of choice among travelers.

Visit their website...

MSP FILM SOCIETY

Promoting the art of film as a medium that fosters cross-cultural understanding, education, entertainment, and exploration.

Visit their website...

GREAT RIVER COALITION

Enhancing the Minneapolis riverfront environment—for people and pollinators.

Visit their website...

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Minneapolis Riverfront News

Covering life, work, and play in the Historic Mill District and Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront neighborhoods. Have an opinion, local news or events to share?  Contact us.

Entries by David Tinjum (603)

Wednesday
Dec282011

Job Posting at the McKnight Foundation

Position announcement: Program Officer — Arts

Applications accepted through January 16, 2012

Background. Founded in 1953 and independently endowed by William and Maude McKnight, the Minnesota based family foundation has assets of approximately $1.9 billion and granted about $96 million in 2010. McKnight concentrates resources in the arts, early literacy, the environment, the region and communities, neuroscience, and crop research, and select efforts in Southeast Asia and East Africa. McKnight subscribes to the Minnesota Council on Foundations' "Principles for Minnesota Grantmakers."

The Arts program. The goal of the arts program is to support an environment in which artists are valued leaders in our community with access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. For more in-depth information on McKnight's arts program, click here.

Position purpose. The program officer for the arts program reports directly to the program director. This position is responsible for reviewing letters of inquiry and grant requests, conducting site visits and evaluating applicant capacity for success and for fit with funding criteria. Key to this work is to establish and maintain effective working relationships with grantees, key stakeholders, and other members of the Foundation staff.

Complete details on the McKnight website...

Wednesday
Dec282011

2011 Mill City Flashback - A Dogs Eye View of the Dog Day 5K [Video]

One of our favorite events of 2011.  A variety of breeds zipped across the Stone Arch Bridge during the 2nd Annual Dog Day 5K on June 11. 

Dog Day 5k on the Stone Arch Bridge

Dog Day 5k on the Stone Arch Bridge

Dog Day 5k on the Stone Arch Bridge

Dog Day 5k on the Stone Arch Bridge

Dog Day 5k on the Stone Arch Bridge

Dog Day 5k on the Stone Arch Bridge

Dog Day 5k on the Stone Arch Bridge

Dog Day 5k on the Stone Arch Bridge

Dog Day 5k on the Stone Arch Bridge

Dog Day 5k on the Stone Arch Bridge

Dog Day 5k on the Stone Arch Bridge

Dog Day 5k on the Stone Arch Bridge

Dog Day 5k on the Stone Arch Bridge

Dog Day 5k on the Stone Arch Bridge

Dog Day 5k on the Stone Arch Bridge

Dog Day 5K 2011 on the Stone Arch Bridge

Dog Day 5K 2011 on the Stone Arch Bridge

Dog Day 5K 2011 on the Stone Arch Bridge

2011 Dog Day 5K

2011 Dog Day 5K

2011 Dog Day 5K

2011 Dog Day 5K

2011 Dog Day 5K

2011 Dog Day 5K

2011 Dog Day 5K

See the entire set of 167 photos on Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/millcitytimes/sets/72157626939089942/

Tuesday
Dec272011

2011 Mill City Flashback - The Homegrown Experience on Nicollet Island [Slideshow]

The second Homegrown Experience, organized by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board(MPRB), took place August 21 on Nicollet Island.   This slide show is condensed down from the 1,000+ pictures we captured that afternoon.   Beautiful day, great food and drink!

Tuesday
Dec272011

Video - A Downtown Minneapolis Riverwalk Inspired by the Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership

A walk from the West Bank of the Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront, across the Stone Arch Bridge, through Father Hennepin Park, along Historic Main Street, and down on the East Bank of the Minneapolis Riverfront.

Our walk was inspired by a hike we attended in the winter of 2010 guided by Cordelia Pierson of the Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership. Support MRP - MinneapolisRiverfrontPartnership.org - and the Minneapolis Riverfront.

Downtown Ducks - Downtown Minneapolis River Walk

Saturday
Dec242011

Blanket and Linen Drive at People Serving People

From People Serving People:

Where do I bring blankets and linens?
Please bring clean used or new blankets and linens to our shelter at 614 3rd Street South, Minneapolis, MN 55415. You can drop linens off at any time in the blue “Clothing donations” bin in our parking lot, or bring donations to the loading dock and ring the bell to the garage door.

What is needed specifically?

  • ·         Twin Fitted and Flat Sheets
  • ·         Double Fitted and Flat Sheets
  • ·         Pillow Cases
  • ·         Quilts
  • ·         Heavy blankets

Can I get a receipt for my donations?
If you ring the red door bell at the loading dock, you can get a receipt for your donations from our loading dock area. If you bring your donations during business hours, you may get a receipt for your donation from the security desk in our building right when you walk in.

I have a question – who can I ask?
Email Lauren at
 lrimestad@peopleservingpeople.org if you have further questions.

Friday
Dec232011

News - Mill City Farmers Market 2012 Dates Set

The Mill City Farmers Market 2012 will run from May 12 through October 27, 2012 according to the vendor application on the MCFM website.

Thursday
Dec222011

Thank You, Mill City Commons, for Your Generosity! 

Mill City Commons Members were very generous in their response to the Fourth Annual Turkey, Dressings & Extra Helpings food and clothing drive organized by MCC members Delia and Tyrone Bujold, Barbara Goldner and Linda Willette.

- Members donated a car full of clothes to People Serving People, including job interview and cold weather clothing.

- Five bags of gifts were delivered to Exodus House and Mary's Place at Sharing and Caring Hands.

- Over $2200 in financial donations to purchase food for holiday dinners for 50 families in North Minneapolis.

The food was delivered to Ascension School where Principal Dorwatha Woods had identified 50 families with the most need. Woods told the volunteers "Your choices and generosity will help the families in many ways -- they will live off this food for a week. These children come from low income families, many of whom count on the school lunch program. Over the holidays, it's difficult for families to provide three meals a day." Ms. Wood also shared that she received a note from one of the mothers who said "Woohoo!" It was the largest pork shoulder roast she'd ever seen -- it would provide her family with multiple meals.

Photos courtesy of Linnea Tweed, Executive Director of Mill City Commons:

MCC members Delia and Tyrone getting into their vehicle after meeting five other drivers with 13 volunteers.

Meeting Rainbow Foods manager Jeff Hamm.

One of the Rainbow Foods team helping with the five rolling carts of food.

Loading up the SUV's and unloading at Ascension School in North Minneapolis.

A job well done!

Visit Mill City Commons on the web at http://millcitycommons.org/ to find out how to get involved in future projects.

Monday
Dec192011

The Week Ahead in Mill City / December 19-25

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, December 19

Sounds of Blackness at the Guthrie

Thursday, December 22

Anna Boyer Opening Reception at Open Book

Taste Twin Cities Downtown Minneapolis Skyway Tour

Friday, December 23

Live Music at Crooked Pint Ale House

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Friday
Dec162011

This Weekend in Mill City / December 16-18

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

Friday, December 16

STUCK BETWEEN STATIONS debut at St. Anthony Main Theatre

Live Music at Crooked Pint Ale House

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Tracking Minnesota’s Clean Water Legacy Effectiveness Meeting at McKnight Foundation

Saturday, December 17

Childish Films at Central Library

Farmers Market at Local D'lish

Washburn A Mill Tour at Mill City Museum

Minneapolis Central Friends Children’s Book Sale at Central Library

Live Music at Crooked Pint Ale House

Live Music at Aster Cafe

MCYC Winter Concert and CD Release Party at MacPhail

International Cartoonist Conspiracy Meet-up at MCBA

Sunday, December 18

Vikings and New Orleans Saints at the Dome

Sonomento Winter Concert, Featuring a Performance of Handel’s Messiah at MacPhail

Japan America Arts Forum with Sheila Asato at MCBA

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.

Thursday
Dec152011

Tonight - Community Meeting: Options for the Former Fuji-Ya Restaurant Site on the Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront

Date:  Thursday, December 15

Time:  6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Place:  Mill City Museum, ADM Room, 710 Second Street South, Minneapolis MN 55401

Tuesday
Dec132011

Vandals Strike Pillsbury "A" Mill Water Tower [Photos]

While taking a river walk this weekend Kim and I spotted this, and discussed whether the water tower was recently hit by vandals, or if it had been spray painted long ago.  A search of our photo archive gave us the answer.

Graffiti on the tower captured Sunday, December 11 2011:

Water Tower at Pillsbury A Mill

Photo taken October 22, 2011 showing no graffiti:

Water Tower at Pillsbury A Mill

From the Mill District Block Party, August 2011:

Pillbury A Mill

Tuesday
Dec132011

Tonight - DMNA Board Meeting at Central Library

Time: 6:00pm

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

Website:  Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association

Agenda:

Monday
Dec122011

The Week Ahead in Mill City / December 12-18

Friday
Dec092011

This Weekend in Mill City / December 9-11

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

Friday, December 9

Live Music at Crooked Pint Ale House

Live Music at Aster Cafe

An 'Eventually' Christmas: Holidays at the Mill at Mill City Museum

Mentor Series: Lan Samantha Chang at The Loft

Foodie Gifts Class at Local D'Lish

Ian and Margery of myTalk 107.1 at Wilde Roast Cafe

Saturday, December 10

Raptors of Minnesota at Central Library

History Day Hullabaloo at Central Library

Printing! Printing! Printing! at MCBA

Live Music at Crooked Pint Ale House

Live Music at Aster Cafe

An 'Eventually' Christmas: Holidays at the Mill at Mill City Museum

Guthrie's How'd They do That Workshop: Charley's Aunt

Kevin Kling Book Release Party at MCBA

Mill City Farmers Market's Holiday Market at Mill City Museum

Taste Twin Cities Downtown Minneapolis Skyway Tour

French Christmas Boutique at Our Lady of Lourdes

Sunday, December 11

An 'Eventually' Christmas: Holidays at the Mill at Mill City Museum

Aebleskiver Fun Class at Local D'Lish

French Christmas Boutique at Our Lady of Lourdes

Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership Great River Outing: Snowshoeing North Miss

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.

Thursday
Dec082011

Tonight - Holy Cow! Press Reading: Anthony Bukoski, Ann Iverson, & Catherine Holm at The Loft

Time:  7:00pm

Location: The Loft at Open Book (Performance Hall), 1011 Washington Avenue South
 
Spend an evening with Holy Cow! Press authors Anthony Bukoski, Ann Iverson, and Catherine Holm.

Time Between Trains - Short Stories by Anthony Bukoski

In his fourth collection, Anthony Bukoski brings to life once again the working-class town of Superior, Wisconsin, telling linked tales of its Polish inhabitants in 13 poignant, well-crafted stories.

Anthony Bukoski has published five story collections, including Twelve Below Zero: New and Expanded Edition (Holy Cow! Press, 2008). National Public Radio’s Selected Shorts program have aired readings of Bukoski’s work. A Christopher Isherwood Foundation fellowship winner, the author resides with his wife Elaine in the country outside of Superior, Wisconsin.

Art Lesson
Poems by Ann Iverson

Art Lessons explores the connections between visual art and the written word. By incorporating the words and details from Vincent Van Gogh's life, and by referring to his infamous Sunflower paintings, Ann Iverson's poetry reveals her keen insights into the mysterious interplay between art and poetry, happiness and sadness, God and nature.

Ann Iverson is the author of Definite Space (Holy Cow! Press, 2007). Her poems have appeared on The Writer’s Almanac. She is a Dean of Learning at Dunwoody College in Minneapolis and lives in East Bethel, MN with her husband.

My Heart is a Mountain
Tales of Magic and the Land by Catherine Holm

My Heart Is a Mountain is a collection of eleven fiction stories and one memoir piece. From northern Minnesota to Alaska, from the Dustbowl to Appalachia, from swamps to mountains to the afterlife, these tales blend the magic and the mundane as characters discover themselves, their limitations, and their greatness.

Catherine Holm is an award-winning writer who lives with her husband Chris in rural Cook, Minnesota, on ten acres of boreal forest. Her short stories have been published in several anthologies and chapbooks. She writes about human yearning and how it is shaped by land and place.

Tuesday
Dec062011

Breaking News - What Could Rise from the Ruins of Minneapolis Waterworks/Fuji Ya Site on the Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront? First Public Meeting Scheduled.

Historic Central Riverfront site reinvention explored; Public invited to community meeting.

Time: 6-8:00 PM, Thursday, 15 December

Place: Mill City Museum, 704 South Second Street

The ideas will flow Thursday, December 15, when the Minneapolis Parks Foundation and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board invite the public to participate in a “designer-ask” community meeting about a potential new park along the city’s Central Riverfront.  Dubbed “Waterworks” (former Fuji-Ya Restaurant site) because the city’s first water supply and fire fighting pumping station were located there in the 19th Century, the site encompasses Minneapolis Park Board-owned land between Portland Avenue South and the Third Avenue Bridge, and between First Street South and the Mississippi River.

The community meeting, which takes place 6-8:00 PM at the Mill City Museum, 704 South Second Street, is the first step in a preliminary feasibility study that will explore options for what could be a significant new park destination in downtown Minneapolis.  The Minneapolis Parks Foundation is leading the project in partnership with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, for which it is also a forerunner to the Central Riverfront Regional Park Update master planning process.

Mill City-based architects Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle (MS&R) are the lead designers on the project. Together with financing consultants HR&A Advisors, they will produce design and program options and financial analysis by February 2012.

Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle (MS&R) were the architects responsible for the preservation and development of the Mill City Museum.

“The Waterworks site and riverfront area are important for the convergence of Central Riverfront destinations, including the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, St. Anthony Falls, the Stone Arch Bridge, lock and dam, and the Mill City Museum,” says Mary deLaittre, President of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation, which is funding the project through a private donation.  “Because of the site’s historic and national significance, it’s important that we complete an interdisciplinary study of the site and area within the current social, economic and environmental context, and its compelling geography and history, including ruins of long-razed flourmills.”

The public will be invited to a second community meeting in late February, to critique options and review the team’s findings. The Minneapolis Parks Foundation will announce details about that meeting in January 2012.

Monday
Dec052011

Tonight - Kevin Kling at the Guthrie

Time: 7:30pm

Location: Wurtele Thrust Stage, Guthrie

Kevin Kling returns to the Guthrie in his celebrated one-man-show to spin his hilarious yarn of family tradition and holiday merriment.  Wry tales of Midwestern Americana run from laugh-out-loud bizarre to touchingly beautiful.

Monday
Dec052011

Video - Charlies Aunt Playing at the Guthrie Theater

Widely regarded as one of the most sensational and entertaining farces of all time, Charley's Aunt centers on two Oxford undergraduates in search of a chaperone for a proper visit from their girlfriends. Jack and Charley manage to persuade fellow undergraduate Fancourt "Babbs" Babberley to impersonate a millionaire aunt in this hilarious tale of young love and preposterous deception.

Monday
Dec052011

Tonight - Great River Outing: Tour of Graco

Time: 5:30pm – 6:45pm

Location:  Graco, 88 11th Avenue NE

The Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership invites you on a tour of Graco's site on the Mississippi River and learn what it means to be an engaged neighbor on the Mississippi River.  We will learn about this world leader in manufacturing fluid-handling equipment and systems.  Graco equipment creates Hershey kisses, applies paint to homes, and squeezes tomato paste on pizzas.  In partnership with Graco, Inc.

Registration required.  Please register online.

Monday
Dec052011

The Week Ahead in Mill City / December 5-11

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, December 5

Kevin Kling at the Guthrie

Great River Outing: Tour of Graco

Wednesday, December 7

Winter Root Vegetables Class at Local D'Lish

Breakfast with a Preservationist at the Mill City Museum

Thursday, December 8

Hitting the High Notes Dinner at MacPhail (RSVP by November 28)

Spotlight on Milkweed Editions at Central Library

Holy Cow! Press Reading: Anthony Bukoski, Ann Iverson, & Catherine Holm at The Loft

Taste Twin Cities Downtown Minneapolis Skyway Tour

Central River Forum

Friday, December 9

Live Music at Crooked Pint Ale House

Live Music at Aster Cafe

An 'Eventually' Christmas: Holidays at the Mill at Mill City Museum

Mentor Series: Lan Samantha Chang at The Loft

Foodie Gifts Class at Local D'Lish

Ian and Margery of myTalk 107.1 at Wilde Roast Cafe

Saturday, December 10

Raptors of Minnesota at Central Library

History Day Hullabaloo at Central Library

Printing! Printing! Printing! at MCBA

Live Music at Crooked Pint Ale House

Live Music at Aster Cafe

An 'Eventually' Christmas: Holidays at the Mill at Mill City Museum

Guthrie's How'd They do That Workshop: Charley's Aunt

Kevin Kling Book Release Party at MCBA

Mill City Farmers Market's Holiday Market at Mill City Museum

Taste Twin Cities Downtown Minneapolis Skyway Tour

French Christmas Boutique at Our Lady of Lourdes

Sunday, December 11

An 'Eventually' Christmas: Holidays at the Mill at Mill City Museum

Aebleskiver Fun Class at Local D'Lish

French Christmas Boutique at Our Lady of Lourdes

Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership Great River Outing: Snowshoeing North Miss