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.
At last! I can't imagine a better way to celebrate Spring than attending Opening Day at the Mill City Farmers Market - and look Mom - no coats!
COMING SOON to Mill City Times: the Mill City Farmers Market Blog with scads of pictues posted daily.
The folks at Cynthia Froid Group made the announcement of the important Crown Hydro meeting this week The Home Page of their website without being asked or even letting the organizers know. Of course, Cynthia, Holly and her team have been an important part of helping to make the Mill District what it is today. Still, what a pleasant surprise this morning to see this. Thank you!
The intensity ratcheted up this week when an unexpected Letter of Intent with Crown Hydro was delivered to the Minneapolis Park Board just 2 hours before they were expected to vote on it. Several Commissioners had not even had the chance to read it prior to the expected vote. Commissioner Young made a motion to table the matter until the May 18 meeting so they could give the matter the consideration it deserves. Sanity prevailed and the motion was approved. Here's the vote:
Against Tabling
For Tabling
Erwin
Vreeland
Wielinski
Tabb
Young
Bourn
Best Quote: Board President Erwin -
"I appreciate that there is a legislative agenda, but we have our own"
Second Best Quote: Board President Erwin in response to concern over State Legislative deadline to force the Board to give away Mill Ruins Park -
"The timetable for this project will be dictated by the citizens of Minneapolis and the Park Board"
Download the Crown Hydro Letter of Intent...
Please mark your calendars and attend the May 18 Park Board meeting to voice your opinion!
From the Star Tribune:
Hennepin County took itself out of the running on Thursday as a potential funding partner for a new Vikings stadium, a decision that appears to narrow the list of possible locations to Minneapolis' Metrodome and the former munitions plant site in Arden Hills.
Events this weekend in and around the Historic Mill District of Minneapolis and across the Stone Arch Bridge in Old St. Anthony.
Friday, May 6
WineFest No. 16: A Toast to Children’s Health! at The Depot (2 nights)
WHISPER: Jiyoung Chung's Joomchi Exhibition opening reception at MCBA
Wine Tasting at Sorella Wine & Spirits
Saturday, May 7
Think Green: Recycled Papermaking at MCBA
Youth Poetry Festival at Central Library
Opening Day at Mill City Farmers Market
Sunday, May 8
Mother's Day at Mill City Museum: Mom's Admission is Free
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
Saturday & Sunday
Brunch at the Aster Cafe
St. Anthony Main
125 SE Main Street
Minneapolis, MN 55414
612-379-3138
Until 2pm.
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.
Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 8!
City Gardens Flower Mill, 231 10th Avenue South (retail level of the Bridgewater Lofts), will be open 9:00am to 5:00pm on Mother's Day to accommodate last minutes floral arrangement requests.
Here are some examples of super fresh flowers - including peonies, hydrangeas, tulips and sunflowers - that Dan and Kaia incorporate into each unique arrangement:
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Dan is a master at taking these individual elements and combining them into something special.;)
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European Gardens are an alternative to cut flowers:
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Don't forget - there's free indoor parking! Enter on the 11th Avenue South side. City Gardens Flower Mill also delivers. You can reach them at 612-332-7377.
We're finally done counting down the days to the Mill City Farmers Market! See you there tomorrow!
Enjoy! :)
Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA), 1011 Washington Avenue South, is seeking donations of gently used, saleable book arts-related items for its first annual Book Arts Rummage Sale, to be held Saturday, June 11, 10am-5pm. Accepted items may include:
- Hand tools (bone folders, awls, brushes and needles)
- Bookmaking materials including text-weight, cover-weight and decorative papers, thread, and bookboard
- Art supplies (brushes, inks and paints)
- Artwork
- Trade books -- no encyclopedia sets or non-art related books please
All donations must be dropped off Friday, June 10 between 10am and 5pm. Donations to MCBA may be tax deductible. If you have equipment or materials you'd like to donate, we ask that you please send a brief summary of the items to Sara Parr, Studio and Artist Co-op Manager ( sparr@mnbookarts.org). This will help us in advertising big-ticket "For Sale" items, as well as help us manage space in the studios the day of the sale. Please email the following by Friday, June 3:
- Donor name(s)
- Mailing address
- Phone number
- Email address (Please place “Rummage Sale” in the subject line of your email.)
- Description of items to be donated
- Optional: Digital images of the equipment/items
Questions? Contact Sara Parr at sparr@mnbookarts.org.
We're counting down the days to fresh produce, cheese, meat, bakery, honey, preserves, grains, etc. I can't wait to start sampling the fantastic food, enjoying the live music, and watching our grandson interact with the animals. And then there's the local artists, unique clothing and special events - so much packed into each weekly 5-hour Mill City Farmers Market!
See you there! :)
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CELEBRATING THE BEST OF INTERNATIONAL AND INDEPENDENT FILM!
The Film Society of Minneapolis-St. Paul 2011 Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival ends Thursday night, May 5. During this years festival over 170 films from some 50 countries were presented at the five-screen St. Anthony Main Theatre. Only two nights remain to enjoy the best of international and independent filmmaking in the region.
Click here for daily list of films.
We're counting down the days to fresh produce, cheese, meat, bakery, honey, preserves, grains, etc. I can't wait to start sampling the fantastic food, enjoying the live music, and watching our grandson interact with the animals. And then there's the local artists, unique clothing and special events - so much packed into each weekly 5-hour Mill City Farmers Market!
See you there! :)
Construction started today on the 35w Bridge Memorial across from Gold Medal Park in the Mill District of Downtown Minneapolis. The crew was surveying and excavating all day. Work on the tribute to the victims of the 35w Bridge collapse is scheduled for completion in time for the 4th anniversary of the tragedy in August.
Below are a few shots of the action:
Spill the Wine, 1101 Washington Avenue South, has been a Mill District dining and wine bar destination since April, 2007. We recently met owner Katie Greeman (below, left) who shared with us some of the restaurants history and uniqueness.
While Katie features about nine wines each month, she carries over 100 at any given time. But more importantly (and uncommon) is that 40 wines are offered by the glass. Per Katie, some restaurants will carry a huge selection, but may offer only 15 wines by the glass. Spill the Wine has been named #1 Wine Bar by both Minnesota Monthly and Mpls St. Paul Magazine. (In case you were wondering, the restaurants name was indeed inspired by the 1970 song performed by Eric Burdon and War.)
The open kitchen allows diners a great view of Executive Chef Craig Johnson and his staff (along with a non-stop parade of heavenly aromas).
Although the wine bar (below) is typically reserved for private events, there are times it's needed for regular dining when the main restaurant is hosting a private party.
We were surprised to learn the upstairs accomodates wedding ceremonies - quite a few, actually. At the time we spoke with Katie, there were already 32 weddings booked for the year. Spill the Wine also hosts corporate events, and there's even a wine boutique on site:
Business has been steady for the first four years, and Katie projects year five to be the best yet. She mentioned the Minnesota Twins' move across town was a postive for Spill the Wine, as game day traffic caused accessibility issues for her customers.
Wine Dinners are held twice each month. A Wine Dinner pairs wines from a featured winery with a special menu created by Chef Johnson. Click here for the calendar, where you'll find Wine Dinners, as well as other special Events.
Reservations can be booked online, or call 612-339-3388. Mother's Day brunch reservations are recommended (10:00am, 11:30am and 1:00pm).
We're counting down the days to fresh produce, cheese, meat, bakery, honey, preserves, grains, etc. I can't wait to start sampling the fantastic food, enjoying the live music, and watching our grandson interact with the animals. And then there's the local artists, unique clothing and special events - so much packed into each weekly 5-hour Mill City Farmers Market!
See you there! :)
The Sanctuary has the most passionate, engaged fans I can think of. Every time Naomi tweets or makes a Facebook post mentioning Mill City Times, the article she links to becomes the most popular on our site. Seriously, every time.
I think I know why - she and her restaurant are always giving. Seems she is holding a charity event every week. She is constantly promoting other neighborhood businesses on social networks without expecting anything in return. When Kim and I stopped by 2 weeks ago for a drink and appetizers, she took the time to sit and chat in the middle of dinner hour. And energy? Wow, I don't know where it comes from. Well, some of her energy must come from totally loving what she does, because it's obvious.
Thanks for everything you do for our neighborhood, and Mill City Times Naomi. If there's such a thing as Karma, you have a lot of good things coming your way!
A second public meeting regarding development of the new Historic District Design Guidelines for the St. Anthony Falls Historic District was held April 25 at City Hall. This workshop was a follow up to the initial April 6 meeting held at the Mill City Museum. Brian Schaffer, Senior City Planner, provided background on the process:
Noel Winter (below) of Winter & Company introduced the three professional teams who will consider the input gathered during these two public meetings as they work developing the Design Guidelines.
During the April 25 workshop, attendees worked in groups to help shape Design Guidelines in the following areas:
- Refine and define character areas within the district.
- Identify key views.
- Define the vision and guiding principals of the design guidelines.
- Identify design issues.
Below, each group used maps and other materials to accomplish the above tasks.
Historic district design guidelines are a local policy and regulatory tool used in decision-making to evaluate alterations and new development within the historic district. The new design guidelines will include guidance on the following:
- Archaeological sites and sites of specific cultural/historical significance.
- Existing and new infrastructure; sites of specific engineering and transportation significance.
- Natural features and open space.
- Existing buildings and the construction of new buildings; sites of specific architectural significance.
Below, Steve Minn and Marcy Schulte explained the overall vision of their group:
Followed by Judith Martin and Laura Salveson's group:
The workshop wrapped up with a lively debate of very different visions and concerns - all valuable feedback for consideration while developing the new St. Anthony Falls Historic District Design Guidelines.
More information on the project can be found online or by contacting:
Brian Schaffer, AICP, Senior City Planner
Minneapolis Department of Community Planning & Economic Development
Planning Division, Preservation & Design
250 South 4th Street, Room 300, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Phone: 612-673-2670 Fax: 612-673-2526
brian.schaffer@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Days to Go - Countdown to 2011 Mill City Farmers Market
We're counting down the days to fresh produce, cheese, meat, bakery, honey, preserves, grains, etc. I can't wait to start sampling the fantastic food, enjoying the live music, and watching our grandson interact with the animals. And then there's the local artists, unique clothing and special events - so much packed into each weekly 5-hour Mill City Farmers Market!
See you there! :)
We're counting down the days to fresh produce, cheese, meat, bakery, honey, preserves, grains, etc. I can't wait to start sampling the fantastic food, enjoying the live music, and watching our grandson interact with the animals. And then there's the local artists, unique clothing and special events - so much packed into each weekly 5-hour Mill City Farmers Market!
See you there! :)
It's almost time! Next Saturday we'll be enjoying Opening Day at the 2011 Mill City Farmers Market.
See you there! :)
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From the April 28 Hennepin County Greennotes E-news:
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Rechargeable batteries are found in many products we use every day, including cell phones, laptop computers, cordless power tools, camcorders, digital cameras and more. Hundreds of millions of rechargeable batteries and cell phones are retired each year, and they often end up in the “junk” drawer or worse – in the trash – because consumers are unsure how to dispose of them.
Since 1990, Hennepin County has partnered with the Call2Recycleprogram to provide an easy solution that keeps rechargeable batteries out of landfills and protects natural resources. By doing so, the county has recycled more than 550,000 pounds of rechargeable batteries.
You can do your part by dropping off your rechargeable batteries and used cell phones for recycling at a Hennepin County drop-off facilityor at many convenient retail locations, including The Home Depot, Interstate All Battery Centers, Lowe’s, RadioShack and Staples nationwide.
In our neighborhood, it's the Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall. I noticed the recepitals near the elevators (inside the library itself, not in the main corridor).
Visit www.call2recycle.org for more information on this program.
Mill City Times | 35W Bridge Memorial | Mill District Block Party | Mill City Media
Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 8:58PM