August 4, 2011, Thursday - Twin Cities River Rats Show

The 2011 Twin Cities River Rats shows are scheduled for 7pm Thursday nights through August 25, and take place at 1628 West River Road (between the Plymouth and Broadway).

The Twin Cities Rivers Rats describe their show as an aquatic Broadway musical featuring multiple water ski acts choreographed to music and built around a theme.

If you haven't already enjoyed a River Rats show, their website is loaded with fun videos to give you an idea of what to expect.  These are free events.

August 4, 2011, Thursday - Range of Motion Wellness Workout at Mill Ruins Park

Time:  5:00pm

Location: Meet at the base of the Mill City Ruins parking lot, past the lock and dams.

New wellness workouts scheduled for Northside, Riverside, and the Mill Ruins! 5:00pm on Thursdays, starting Thursday July 28 to September 29.

Embracing the American College of Sports Medicine’s “Fitness is Medicine” campaign, there’s a new fitness offering in Minneapolis that promises to strengthen, not weaken, your fitness resolve. These classes, offered by Range of Motion (ROM) Wellness are offered at three accessible locations.These hour-long sessions are only $5 each and will take you on a short warm-up, body-weight strengthening exercises, and a stretching cool down. E-mail reservations are strongly encouraged (include date) but anyone is welcomed to attend.

August 4, 2011, Thurday - Mill City Live: Outdoor Music Series at Mill City Museum

Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm

Location: Mill City Museum, 704 2nd Street South

Performers:  The Hypstyrz and The Mighty Mofos

Fee: $5 per person; includes admission to Mill City Museum. Free for MHS members.

The Twin Cities’ most explosive outdoor concert series is back for an eighth season with a slate of bands curated by music writer Jim Walsh. Featuring legendary performers from the heyday of the Minneapolis sound, these concerts will riff on American music in a gorgeous riverfront setting every Thursday from July 7 through Aug. 18. Admission includes the concert and entrance to the museum from 4 to 9 p.m. Food and drink by D’Amico Catering available for purchase.

August 3, 2011, Wednesday - Scherer Brothers Site Clean up Plan reviewed at MPRB Meeting

Time: 5:00pm

Location:  Minneapolis Park and Rec Board, 2117 West River Road

Information regarding the environmental clean up plan for the former Scherer Brothers property, located at 9 9th Ave NE and 900 Sibley St NE, just north of Boom Island Park, will be presented to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and the public during the regular board meeting August 3.

The environmental assessment of the property, as well as the proposed cleanup plan and other documents, will be available for review on the MPRB website or at the MPRB offices, 2117 West River Road, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To review the documents at the MPRB offices, contact Cliff Swenson at 612-230-6473 or cswenson@minneapolisparks.org. Written comments on the plan will be accepted through August 15 by David Jaeger, Supervisor of the Contaminated Lands Unit at Hennepin County: david.jaeger@co.hennepin.mn.usor Hennepin County Department of Environmental Services, Suite 200, 417 North Fifth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401. The County will coordinate with the MPRB and the MPCA in responding to substantial comments.  More information.  

August 2, 2011, Tuesday - Minneapolis History Pub Crawl with Mill City Museum

Time: 7:00pm-9:00pm

Location: Tour begins and ends at Mill City Museum, 704 South Second Street

Fee: $25 ($20 MHS members)

Reservations: required, call 612-341-7555

Discover the richness of Minneapolis history, and slake your thirst with some fine beverages along a single road: Washington Avenue. Travel down this busy but underappreciated street to see the importance of railroads, warehousing, flour milling,, immigration, entertainment, and vice to the story of the Mill City.  A trolley will take participants through the neighborhoods along Washington from 35W to Plymouth, with stops at significant historic places and two watering holes in historic buildings. Ages 21 and up only. Drink purchases are not included in the tour price. Drink specials will be made available at participating locations.

August 2, 2011, Tuesday - Section 106 Consultation Meeting to Receive Input on the Design of Proposed Renovations to the Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory of the U of M

Time:  6:30 – 8:30 pm

Location:  Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory Auditorium, 2 Third Avenue SE

The National Science Foundation (NSF) gives notice of a Section 106 consultation meeting, pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act, to receive input on the design of proposed renovations to the Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory (SAFL) of the University of Minnesota. In response to a proposal from the University of Minnesota (UMN) highlighting the need for renovations to SAFL to permit it to continue to support forefront research, NSF has awarded funds to UMN to develop a design for the renovations and, if the design is satisfactory, to cover the cost of some of the renovation work.

A preliminary design has been developed that, in addition to interior renovations, also includes enhancement of the Outdoor Stream Laboratory that forms part of SAFL and the installation of an elevator shaft. NSF invites interested members of the public to provide comment on the preliminary design and input to inform the final stages of the design process. To provide an opportunity for public engagement with interested parties, NSF is coordinating a Section 106 consultation meeting with the following meeting objectives:
1. Review the preliminary (schematic) design for the proposed renovation
2. Describe the scientific objectives of the proposed renovation
3. Receive comments from interested parties regarding whether there are adverse effects on any historic properties within the Saint Anthony Falls Historic District and, if so, ways to avoid, minimize or mitigate those effects. A second opportunity for public engagement is to provide comments through a web-site: www.saflr3.umn.edu.

Those interested may view there a copy of the preliminary design, as well as learn more about the mission of SAFL and the planning of the renovation. Comments on the preliminary design may be emailed to ari@nsf.gov. To be considered in the design process, comments must be received before August 15, 2011.

Click here for related KSTP article.

August 2, 2011, Tuesday - Grand Opening of the 4th Avenue Playground

Time: 5:30pm Program & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Location: The 4th Avenue Playground is located at the intersection of James I. Rice Parkway (West River Parkway) and 4th Avenue North.

Join the Grand Opening Celebration of a special addition to the Minneapolis Mississippi riverfront - a nature-inspired and sawmill-themed play area on the west side of the river!

This play area, featuring picnic areas, sensory play with water and plantings, and playground equipment provided by Minnesota-based Landscape Structures, will serve a growing downtown population of children and families who need the perfect place to play.

Join the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, North Loop Neighborhood, Minneapolis Parks Foundation, and many more public, private, corporate, citizen and volunteer connections who brought this dream to life as we celebrate the opening of the 4th Avenue Playground!

Immediately following the ribbon cutting ceremony, please join the North Loop Neighborhood just a few steps down the river as they host their annual National Night Out celebration! Enjoy live jazz, many food selections, a bouncy house for the kids and more.

August 2, 2011, Tuesday - Music in The Park - Father Hennepin Bluffs

Time: 7:00pm

Indigenous Music and Movie Series  "Celebrating Native American Culture"

Brought to us by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

August 1, 2011, Monday - Music in The Park - Nicollet Island Park

Time: 7:00pm

Neale and Haberman  "American Rock Roots"

Brought to us by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

August 1, 2011, Monday - 35W Rememtrance Garden Dedication

Time: 5:00pm

Location: West River Parkway across from Gold Medal Park

The 35W Remembrance Garden for the victims and survivors of August 1, 2007, 35W Bridge collapse will be officially dedicated Monday, August 1, the fourth anniversary of the disaster. The general public is invited to join family members, survivors, first responders, elected officials and others at the ceremony that begins at 5 p.m.

The outdoor memorial garden’s focal point is the 13 pillars, each inscribed with the name of a person who died when the bridge collapsed in 2007. In addition to the I-beams, which will be illuminated at night, the memorial will feature a stone wall with the names of those who survived the bridge collapse, along with an inspirational quote and dedication. The memorial also features a path leading from the water wall to the bluff edge, where an observation deck allows views of the river and the new bridge through the trees.