CenterPoint Energy Project Status Update for Downtown Minneapolis

MN Limited, LLC. and Michels Corporation, two authorized CenterPoint Energy contractors, will continue installing natural gas pipeline in the following locations:

2nd Avenue N., between 2nd Street N. and Washington Avenue N.:
•Crews are currently installing natural gas pipe.
•2nd Avenue N. is open for southbound traffic only.
•2nd Avenue N. will be paved on August 6.

At the intersection of 1st Street N. and Hennepin Avenue:
•Permanent restoration of Hennepin Avenue will occur August 3-7
•The road will remain open during restoration.

Crews anticipate completing all construction by the end of next week, weather permitting.

For further information, please visit our website or contact Ashley Osteraas at 612-321-5546 or Ashley.Osteraas@centerpointenergy.com. Thank you.

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Reconstruction Schedule Update

Via a July 31 Minneapolis Park and Rec Board e-newsletter: 

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Reconstruction Schedule Update

Sculptures to be removed beginning August 3, 2015.

In preparation for the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Reconstruction project, the majority of the sculptures will be removed from the garden beginning Monday, August 3, 2015. Among the few to remain in place throughout construction will be Spoonbridge and Cherry. Construction of the project is planned to start early spring 2016.

Project page

Contact
Dana Murdoch
Project Manager, Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
Phone: 612-230-6446
Email: dmurdoch@minneapolisparks.org

Lane Closures on Eastbound I-394 in Minneapolis and Golden Valley Begin July 31

Via a July 30 City of Minneapolis e-newsletter:

Lane closures on eastbound I-394 in Minneapolis and Golden Valley begin July 31

Beginning at 10 p.m. Friday, July 31, Minnesota Department of Transportation construction crews will close the mainline lanes on eastbound I-394 between Highway 100 and I-94 for approximately two weeks. During this time, all eastbound I-394 traffic between Highway 100 and I-94 will shift to the two HOV/Reversible Lanes.  Motorists should expect significant delays during the morning and evening rush hours and plan accordingly.
 
Several ramps will also close:
• Eastbound I-394 to Penn Avenue
• Penn Avenue to eastbound I-394
• Northbound Highway 100 to eastbound I-394
 o Southbound Highway 100 to eastbound I-394 will use the HOV ramps

Construction crews will continue working on south Wayzata Boulevard between Penn Avenue and France Avenue. The boulevard will remain open for traffic, but motorists should plan for slow moving traffic and periodic traffic stops.
 
Motorists are reminder that Lyndale Avenue over Dunwoody Boulevard/Hennepin Avenue will remain closed until the fall. Motorists are detoured to Dunwoody Boulevard to access westbound I-394 and to Hennepin Avenue, 11th Street and Linden Avenue to bypass the closure and continue traveling on Lyndale Avenue.
 
For more information about the project or to sign up to receive email projects updates, visit the project website.

YogaFit Northeast to Host a Donation-based Class August 1 to Benefit Safe Hands Rescue

On Saturday, August 1, YogaFit Northeast Minneapolis, 520 First Avenue NE, will be hosting a donation-based yoga class at 1:00pm, with all proceeds going to benefit Safe Hands Rescue (Facebook). Safe Hands is dedicated to saving lives and finding forever homes for stray, abandoned and surrendered dogs in high kill shelters. 

From 12:30pm – 2:30pm, students will also have the opportunity to meet some of the dogs available for adoption.

Above, Lucy is one of the many dogs Safe Hands helped give a second chance by finding her a forever home.

Update on Friday, July 31, 2015 at 11:00AM by Kim Eslinger

Additionally, YogaFit has an Instagram challenge that runs all August long.  The #YogaFitLife challenge starts August 1st, and participants receive great prizes from YogaFit Northeast Minneapolis, Agra Culture, Athleta and Prana.  The more poses you do, the more you expand your practice … and the more chances you have to win! Visit YogaFit Northeast Minneapolis’s Facebook page for details.

Wednesday Night at Piazza on the Mall

Wednesday July 29 from 5:30-6:30pm FREE concert with Detroit Don King, followed by FREE Tango Dance Lessons with Lois Donnay.

Join us to see Detroit Don King perform at the Piazza for an enjoyable outside summer concert! 

Guitarist and vocalist Detroit Don King leads a five-piece band that plays sophisticated urban blues, R&B, jazz and a little rock and country. DKB has been performing regularly at nightclubs, restaurants and festivals around the Twin Cities, Minnesota and Wisconsin since 2000.

6:30pm, FREE Tango Dance Lessons with Lois Donnay

Come out on Wednesday evening and join us for beautiful Argentine tango music, food and performances. Enjoy the sultry dance of tango and watch as both traditional and modern tango are presented, as well as traditional Argentine food and artwork.  During and following the dance and performance, dancers will be providing group tango lessons for the audience so be sure to bring your dance shoes!

Update on the A-Mill Artist Lofts Hydroelectric Project

Via a July 27 Minneapolis Park and Rec Board e-newsletter: 

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board would like to notify you about upcoming work in your neighborhood this fall. Dominium (developer of the A-Mill) is installing their hydro-power system near Historic Main St. This project will require Dominium to cross sections of parkland to access their project sites. Areas affected by the work include Father Hennepin Park in front of the A-Mill and an area owned by Xcel Energy across from Tuggs and Aster Café on the river side of Main St. Much of the work will be done on non-parkland areas. Work will start in late July or early August and is projected to continue through the end of the year.
 
The developer has asked us to share this information with the community regarding the project:
 
“The A-Mill Artist Lofts Hydroelectric Project is an exciting renewable energy initiative bringing back hydroelectricity to the historic Pillsbury A-Mill. The Project will utilize an existing concrete and stone masonry intake structure; a new 616-foot-long, 5-foot diameter steel penstock would be installed within the existing head race tunnel with a 50-foot-long penstock segment installed vertically in an existing drop shaft and appurtenant facilities. The powerhouse consists of a modern turbine with a generating capacity of 600 kilowatts, enough to power 50% of the A-Mill Artist Lofts complex under peak demand. The project operates as run-or-river with a maximum hydraulic capacity of 200 cubic feet per second.”
 
If you would like more information on the project please contact Tyler Pederson at tpederson@minneapolisparks.org or 612-499-9084.

Fundraiser to Enable Free Dog Training for Disabled Dog Owners in Need

A dog-friendly fundraiser will help provide free dog obedience training classes to low-income disabled residents of the Minneapolis area. The “Make It Pawsible” event is slated for Thursday, Aug. 6, from 6-8 p.m. in the Waterbury Building, Room 107, 1121 Van Buren St. NE in Northeast Minneapolis.

Donations will be used to create scholarships to pay for basic dog obedience training classes at the Animal Humane Society’s Golden Valley office.  (Note: The Animal Humane Society does not offer specialized assistance-dog training. However, basic obedience training does provide a foundation for that next step.) Since a four-month weekly training series costs $285, the number of scholarships will depend on the amount of funds raised. Applications for the scholarships will be available at the fundraising event and by email (see below).

The Make It Pawsible event will feature free pizza (while supplies last), door prizes, dog treat samples, a “photo with your dog” booth and more. Raffle items will include everything from a “Shed Happens” T-shirt and pet-product gift baskets to a free dog dermatology exam.

The event has been organized by a Thrivent Action Team of volunteers led by Minneapolis resident Melinda Weir. Sponsors and raffle prize donors include Thrivent Financial, the Animal Humane Society and more than 10 local businesses and organizations that provide pet-related products and services.

For more information, email Weir at MakeItPawsible@gmail.com or call 414-232-5660. Also, visit the Facebook event page at http://bit.ly/MakeItPawsibleFB. Purchase raffle tickets in advance at http://makeitpawsible.eventbrite.com. Donate directly on the GoFundMe page at http://bit.ly/MakeItPawsible.

Executive Director Position Open at Mill City Commons

Mill City Commons (MCC) is seeking an Executive Director to partner with our board of directors in ensuring continued success for our welcoming and inclusive “village within the city”. 

Mill City Commons (MCC) was launched in 2009 as a non-profit dues-based membership organization that has since evolved into a strong, welcoming and inclusive community within a changing and non-traditional neighborhood.  MCC brings together neighbors 55+ from both sides of the downtown Minneapolis riverfront.  Its 175 curious, engaged, warm and welcoming members connect with each as they choose from a rich calendar of member-driven social, cultural, educational and health & fitness programs that help them to thrive in the homes they love.   Community engagement projects that support others in our urban neighborhoods further strengthen member connections with each other.

Learn more about us at www.millcitycommons.org … and click on the Executive Director Position Profile and Job Description link on our home page to learn more about the job and details on How to Apply.  Interested applicants should email cover letter and resume to MCCExecDirSearch@millcitycommons.org no later than August 13.

Week 12 at the 2015 Mill City Farmers Market

July 25 was Bike to the Market Day, and there were three community booths to assist bikers and share info - pretty much anything you wanted to know about biking in the Twin Cities - Minneapolis Bike Coalition, Nice Ride MN, and Commuter Connection! Look for a separate post later this week on our Farmers Market blog.

The first SWEET CORN of the season arrived!  :D

SOLD OUT - that didn't take long!  Don't worry, Nistler Farm will have plenty more next week, plus melons.

Chef Heather Hartman shows off a bouquet of edible squash blossoms.

The beautiful work of Julie Timm - Fresh Mud Pottery.

Create Laser Arts shares a booth with Buffalo by Bike. They create laser-engraved items from high quality wood, reclaimed leather, paper and other materials, and are a recent Top of the Pantry Awards winner.

Below, Tricia Cornell, author of Minnesota Farmers Market Cookbook, was guest chef at the Mill City Cooks demo. 

Chipotle Mexican Grill treated shoppers to $5 market vouchers to spend on produce, meats, cheeses and other fresh products at the market.

The goat!

Top of the Pantry Awards

Chad Gillard, Co-founder of Midwest Pantry, would like share the winners of the inaugural Top of the Pantry (TOPS) Awards, and shine a spotlight on these local food entrepreneurs.

Midwest Pantry's strategic partners at Foodservice News will also publish this list of winners in their August edition, ahead of the 2015 August Local Food & Gift Trade Show.

Rookies - awarded to a new company
 • Curly Girlz Candy (Medford, MN) – natural, preservative free fudge, toffee, old fashioned nut rolls, and more.

Shooting Stars - awarded to a new product, released within the last 12 months
 • Fierce Ferments (Northfield, MN) – locally made pro-biotic goodness in several varieties of kim chi & sauerkfraut.

Shelf Classics - awarded to an existing product that continues to impress
 • Smude Oil (Pierz, MN) – cold pressed sunflower oil in 6 flavors, soaps, lip balms, lotion and massage oils.

Zero Flour Power - awarded to a gluten-free product
 • Two Gelato Guys (St. Louis Park, MN) – foodservice sized gelato in a multitude of artisan flavors.

Good Enough to Eat, but Don’t - awarded to a premium non-consumable product
 • suds! Bath & Body (North Mankato, MN) – complete line of all natural, handmade bath and body products packaged with recyclable and/or compostable materials.
 • Create Laser Arts (Minneapolis, MN) – artist created laser-engraved coasters, ornaments, cabin wares from high quality wood, reclaimed leather, paper and other materials reflecting our connection to nature: trees and plants, vegetables and animals, bikes.  (You can find their work at the Mill City Farmers Market!)

Hey, Hey Good Lookin’ - awarded for outstanding packaging design
 • Mademoiselle Miel (St. Paul, MN) – award winning urban rooftop honey in luscious bon-bons and honey sticks.

The judging panel for the 2015 Top of the Pantry Awards included:
 •Amy Gasman (editor of FoodService News)
 •Amy Brown (co-founder/co-owner/Boss Lady of Chowgirls Killer Catering)
 •Angie Bastian (co-founder/co-owner/namesake of Angie's Boom-Chick-A-Pop)
 •Brenda Langton (owner/head chef at Spoonriver & founder of Mill City Farmer's Market)
 •Jason DeRusha (WCCO & MSP magazine)
 •Laurie Crowell (owner of Golden Fig Fine Foods)
 •Melissa Kjolsing (Executive Director of MN Cup)
 •Shelly Culver (specialty buyer at Valley Natural Foods)
 •Sue Doeden (syndicated food writer, blogger & author of 'Homemade with Honey')
 •Sue Zelickson (Minnesota Monthly magazine, WCCO Radio, founder of Women Who Really Cook and Kid's Cafe )

 

Public Hearing on Water Works Concept Design - August 5

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) will hold a public hearing on the proposed concept design for Water Works as a subarea of Mill Ruins Park within the Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park. The hearing will be held on Wednesday, August 5 at 6:30 pm in the Board Room of MPRB at 2117 West River Road in Minneapolis.

Since 2013, the MPRB has been collaborating with the Minneapolis Parks Foundation to prepare a refined and expanded design for the upper portion of Mill Ruins Park, an area being called Water Works in honor of the location’s history. Preparation of the Water Works concept design was performed within the community engagement process conducted for the update to the Central Riverfront Regional Park Master Plan adopted by the Board of Commissioners on April 1, 2015. The key tenets of the Water Works design were recommended for approval by the appointed Central Riverfront Community Advisory Committee and adopted into the master plan by the Board. The Water Works concept plan builds largely from the 25-year old Mill Ruin Park plan but expands the plan to the west side of the parkway, infuses greater recreational interests, clarifies complex site circulation and restoration, and like other signature locations in the Minneapolis park system, establishes a clear point of arrival, place of shelter, and visitor services. 

All are welcome to attend and provide comment on the recommendations regarding the proposed concept design.

Download the proposed concept design...

Watch the design presentation, including a 3D animation flythrough at about the 4min, 40sec mark:

11th Annual Share the River Gorge Canoe Paddle and Ice Cream Social Scheduled for July 29

Looking for something fun to do on a beautiful Minneapolis summer evening? How about this!

(Photo by Robert Ball courtesy of Longfellow Community Council.) 

Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Location: 35th Street and West River Parkway

11th Annual Share the River Gorge Canoe Paddle and Ice Cream Social

Enjoy the River Gorge Committee's 11th Annual Ice Cream social at our beautiful river gorge! There will be free ice cream, free family canoe rides with the National Park Service and Wilderness Inquiry, and guided tours of the oak savanna restoration area, led by Friends of the Mississippi River Gorge Stewards.

In addition to tours, ice cream and canoe rides, learn about some organizations that do wonderful work on and around the river. You'll have a chance to discuss the projects they have going on and how you can get involved. These organizations include Friends of the Mississippi River, the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board, and Minneapolis Recycling and Compost.

The event is free, but donations are happily accepted to defray event costs.

MPRB is Seeking Volunteers to Raise Adult Butterflies for the 7th Annual Minneapolis Monarch Festival

Via a July 20 e-newsletters from the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

Raise a Monarch that will go to Mexico!

Volunteers are needed to raise adult butterflies for the 7th annual Minneapolis Monarch Festival – Festival de la Monarca™ on September 12, 2015.

At the Festival, the University of Minnesota Monarch Lab will release over 100 butterflies marked with a small, weatherproof identification sticker (tag). The tagged adult monarchs, raised from eggs by volunteers, will be part of a large-scale study of the monarch’s migration. Monarchs tagged and released at the Festival are raised in small numbers from eggs collected in the wild. These individuals will be physiologically programmed for migration.  Also since wild monarch populations are now perilously small, they are particularly vulnerable to disease or genetic adaptations, which can be introduced from large rearing operations.

A one-hour training teaches volunteers about monarch biology and best rearing practices for each stage of the monarch life cycle. Each person will receive three monarch eggs and all equipment needed to raise an adult from an egg and bring it to the Festival. Two trainings will be held, both at Nokomis Community Center in Minneapolis:
 
•Training session 1: Saturday, August 15, 2015 from 11:30am-12:30pm.
•Training session 2: Monday, August 17, 2015 from 6pm-7pm.

Training costs $5 per person to cover staff time, rearing supplies, and eggs. Class sizes are limited so register soon!  Spanish speakers are welcome.  Classes will be conducted in English and training materials are available in both languages.  

Registration and information can be found at: www.minneapolisparks.org

And also here:
August 15: http://goo.gl/forms/zJmwyb53QC
August 17: http://goo.gl/forms/aVDsHl1E3e

“Anyone can sign up for a session. We welcome those with zero experience wishing to learn, as well as those with years of experience wishing to ask specific questions or just hone their skills”, says Dane Elmquist of the Monarch Lab. Kids are especially welcome to participate. However, one requirement for successful rearing is access to a consistent source of non-treated milkweed.

Most tagged butterflies are recovered in Mexico, where local residents are hired to find them. However, many more monarchs are tagged than found. Data about these butterflies is collected by Monarch Watch and used to learn about monarch orientation and navigation, and estimate their populations.

The Minneapolis Monarch Festival – Festival de la Monarca™ celebrates the 2,300 mile monarch migration from Minnesota to Mexico and will take place at Lake Nokomis on September 12, 2015 from 10 am to 4 pm.  This bilingual, family-oriented event features hands-on learning, art activities with local artists, and a musical lineup with Salsa del Sol and The Brass Messengers. The monarch and habitat exhibits offer many ideas for actions that will help preserve the iconic monarch butterfly and its migration. 

Contact (for rearing monarchs):
Dane Elmquist, University of Minnesota Monarch Lab
elmqu059@umn.edu
2003 Upper Buford Circle, 135 Skok Hall, St Paul, MN 55108
612-625-8304

Contact (about the Festival)
MaryLynn Pulscher, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
mpulscher@minneapolisparks.org
3800 Bryant Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55408 

Minneapolis Aquatennial Kicks Off on Wednesday, July 22

MINNEAPOLIS (July 20, 2015) — The Minneapolis Aquatennial kicks off on Wednesday through Saturday, July 25 and includes headlining events such as the CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade and Target Fireworks—one of the top five annual fireworks shows in the country.

Download the full schedule...

The event, which unveiled its new look in early July, will include a jam-packed four-day lineup of events with a focus on proximity near the Mississippi River—the origins of the City of Minneapolis and historically the city’s first tie to its water-related identity.

Other events highlighting this year’s Aquatennial include the Twin Cities River Rats Aquatennial Water Ski Show on the Mississippi River between Plymouth and Broadway bridges, the Aquatennial Tennis Classic and The Salvation Army’s MOST Amazing Race presented by CenterPoint Energy beginning and ending at the Stone Arch Bridge.

New events, such as: Aquatennial CorePower Yoga presented by Go Outside with Hennepin County, Historic Aquatennial presented by Cambria, Aquatennial Ambassador Organization’s Rockin’ the Waves Dance Party and New Belgium Brewing’s Tour De Fat were all added this year to welcome all ages and abilities to take part in celebrating Minneapolis’ longstanding summer tradition.

The Minneapolis Aquatennial is free and open to the public. The two events listed below do require registration either individually or as a team.

·       Life Time Torchlight 5k: Starting at the Basilica of St. Mary and ending with a legendary post-race party, this 5k is a fun run for everyone! Registration is available online, in-person at participating retailers, and on the day of the event.

·       The Salvation Army’s MOST Amazing Race presented by CenterPoint Energy: Modeled after the famous TV show, teams race around Minneapolis and participate in a series of mental and physical challenges. Find a teammate and register today because only 100 teams can participate in the qualifying competition. The earlier you register, the more time you have to raise cash – and top fundraisers get a competitive advantage the day of the race!

Start planning your own agenda to enjoy the Minneapolis Aquatennial with this comprehensive list of events:

Wednesday, July 22

8 a.m. – 6 p.m.                     *NEW* Historic Aquatennial Presented by Cambria

Cambria Gallery on 7^th, 625 2^nd Ave. S.

Commissioned by the Hennepin History Museum, this iconic display showcases photos, costumes and documents of historical Aquatennial events.

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.                     Aquatennial Tennis Classic

Canadian Pacific Plaza, 2^nd Ave. S. & S. 5^th St.

One of the premier outdoor, urban tennis tournaments, this event features some of the best players in the area competing for a cash prize of $6,500.

12 p.m. – 2 p.m.                  Aquatennial Ambassador Organization (AAO), Meet the Queen of the Lakes Candidates

Downtown Minneapolis, City Center Atrium, 40 S. 7^th St.

Come meet the young women from across Minnesota vying to become the next Queen of the Lakes.

5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.             Loring Park Family Fun Night

Loring Park

Loring Park Family Fun Night is a family-focused event held just blocks from the CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade. Activities include food trucks, pony rides, inflatables, canoe rides, a kids’ dance, carnival games, and more.

5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.             *NEW* Wilderness Inquiry Voyageur Canoe Rides at Loring Park Family Fun Night

Loring Park

Free voyageur canoeing and paddling instruction open to people of all abilities, including people with disabilities. Experienced Wilderness Inquiry guides will provide all equipment needed, ensuring a safe and fun experience for all.

7:30 p.m.                                Life Time Torchlight 5k

Hennepin Ave. from Basilica of St. Mary to Father Hennepin Bluffs Park

Grab your friends, family and running shoes and join the Life Time Torchlight 5k. It doesn’t matter if you are a dedicated runner or just a beginner because this is the party of the year that just happens to start with a run! Open to all ages and abilities. Stick around for live music, food and beverages at the post-race party.

8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.   FLAGSHIP EVENT: CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade

Hennepin Ave. between Dunwoody College of Technology & 5^th St.

Brighten up your summer with the CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade. This one-of-a-kind parade will illuminate downtown with bands, floats and fun for all ages.

Thursday, July 22

8 a.m. – 9 p.m.                     *NEW* Historic Aquatennial Presented by Cambria

Cambria Gallery on 7^th, 625 2^nd Ave. S.

(See July 22 for details)

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.                     Aquatennial Tennis Classic

Canadian Pacific Plaza, 2^nd Ave. S & S 5^th St.

(See July 22 for details)

10 a.m.                               Aquatennial Senior Alumni Association (SAA), 500 Card Tournament

James Ballentine VFW Post 246, 2916 Lyndale Ave. S.

Fun is in the cards at this annual tourney open to adults

5:30 p.m. – 6:30 pm.       *NEW* Aquatennial CorePower Yoga presented by Go Outside with Hennepin County

Target Field Station, 5^th St. N. & 5^th Ave. N.

Go Outside with Hennepin County and enjoy a great day of exercise during the Minneapolis Aquatennial through CorePower Yoga. Join us at Target Field Station on a July afternoon to take in the weather and the atmosphere that comes with the Minneapolis Aquatennial. Check-in begins at 4:30 p.m.—come early to get a spot as high attendance is expected!

6 p.m. & 8 p.m.                   Twin Cities River Rats Aquatennial Water Ski Show (Two Shows)

Mississippi River, West Bank along W. River Rd. between Broadway & Plymouth bridges

Join Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael as they battle the forces of evil for control of the Mississippi River—and eat some pizza, too! Bring a beach towel or lawn chair and enjoy this free show for the whole family!

Friday, July 24

8 a.m. – 6 p.m.                     *NEW* Historic Aquatennial Presented by Cambria

Cambria Gallery on 7^th, 625 2^nd Ave. S.

(See July 22 for details)

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.                     Aquatennial Tennis Classic

Canadian Pacific Plaza, 2^nd Ave. S & S 5^th St.

(See July 22 for details)

7 p.m.                                        *NEW* AAO Rockin’ the Waves Dance Party

Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot, 225 3^rd Ave. S.

The Rockin' the Waves Aqua Dance Party will feature the band "Rhino" and is a semi-formal event brought to you by the Aquatennial Ambassador Organization. The event includes interacting with visiting dignitaries from major U.S. festival friends of the Aquatennial and much more.

7:10 p.m.                                Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees

Target Field

Come support the Minnesota Twins as they take on the New York Yankees.

Saturday, July 25

9 a.m. – 12 p.m.                  Aquatennial Community Event: Tour de Camden

Starting at Creekview Park, 5001 Humboldt Ave. N.

Enjoy a leisurely bike ride through the seven neighborhoods of Camden. Food will be available after the event with historical stops along the route. The tour is presented by the Shingle Creek Neighborhood Association.  Registration begins at 9 a.m. Tour kicks off at 10 a.m.

9 a.m. – 8 p.m.                     The Salvation Army’s MOST Amazing Race presented by CenterPoint Energy

Various locations throughout Minneapolis

Modeled after the famous TV show and celebrating its 10^th year, teams race around Minneapolis and participate in a series of mental and physical challenges. Teams finish at the Stone Arch Bridge and the winning team receives a $5,000 grand prize!

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.                                    *NEW* New Belgium Brewing’s Tour De Fat

Loring Park

Tour De Fat is New Belgium Brewing’s traveling celebration of all-things bicycles. Enjoy a costumed bike parade, bike ride, on-stage entertainment, food, beverages and more. It also features a celebration of the inspirational car-for-bike swapper series in which brave souls hand over their car keys as a commitment to commute by bike.

11 a.m. – 4 p.m.                                    *NEW* Historic Aquatennial Presented by Cambria

Cambria Gallery on 7^th, 625 2^nd Ave. S.

(See July 22 for details)

11 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.       *NEW*Aquatennial Pre-Fireworks Activities

West River Parkway along the Mississippi River

Enjoy a day of fun leading up to the annual Target Fireworks festivities. Some of the events include: Kites, Butterflies & Mary Poppins with Chanhassen Dinner Theatres (11 a.m.-1 p.m.), donate to the Aquatennial Blood Drive with Memorial Blood Centers (11 a.m.-5 p.m.), meet local heroes, try on gear and see an air boat, fire truck and smokehouse up close with the Minneapolis Fire Department (3 p.m.-10 p.m.), live music (6 p.m.-10 p.m.), food trucks, treats and more.

11 a.m. – 10 p.m.               Twin Cities Carifest

West River Parkway between Plymouth Ave. & Broadway bridges

For 22 years, Twin Cities Carifest has been the premier Caribbean Festival featuring Caribbean food, music, arts, crafts, and a traditional carnival parade (4 p.m.) with colorful costumes and dance. Held along the banks of the Mississippi River, you can see the Minneapolis Aquatennial Target Fireworks!  

12 p.m. – 8 p.m.                  Aquatennial Community Event: Midtown Phillips Festival

Stewart Park, 2700 block of 12^th Ave. S.

A free, family and multicultural event showcasing local talent and food, featuring free carnival games, pony rides, storytelling, puppet shows, two stages with live music and a soccer exhibition.

4 p.m. – 6 p.m.                     AAO, Queen of the Lakes Coronation

Ted Mann Concert Hall, University of Minnesota West Bank

The Coronation of the Aquatennial Ambassadors will be held at the Ted Mann Concert Hall on the West Bank of the University of Minnesota where the 2016 Queen of the Lakes, Aquatennial Princesses, Commodore and Captains will be announced.

6:10 p.m.                                Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees

Target Field

Come support the Minnesota Twins as they take on the New York Yankees.

10 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.       FLAGSHIP EVENT: Target Fireworks

West River Parkway along the Mississippi River

One of the largest annual firework shows in the country. The Target Fireworks will light up the Minneapolis sky with a spectacular pyrotechnic display.

About the Minneapolis Aquatennial

The Official Civic Celebration of the City of Minneapolis offers outstanding entertainment and activities in the City of Lakes for all ages. It is managed and produced by the Minneapolis Downtown Council. The festival is sponsored by Target, CenterPoint Energy, U.S. Bank, Zeus Jones, Life Time Fitness, Xcel Energy, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minnesota Twins, Minneapolis Recycles, City of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, K102 and Go 96.3. For more information, please visit www.Aquatennial.com or call (612) 376-7669.

"Tony Oliva: The Life and Times of a Minnesota Twins Legend" Book Reading and Signing at Barnes & Noble Downtown August 1

Via a July 17 Press Release from University of Minnesota Press:

Author Thom Henninger will read and sign copies of his new biography Tony Oliva: The Life and Times of a Minnesota Twins Legend from 2:00-4:00pm on Saturday, August 1st, at Barnes & Noble Downtown (801 Nicollet Mall).

ABOUT THE BOOK:
If not for the botched Bay of Pigs invasion, Minnesota might never have known one of its most popular baseball players, Twins three-time batting champion and eight-time All-Star Tony Oliva. In April 1961, the twenty-two-year-old Cuban prospect failed to impress the Twins in a tryout, but the sudden rupture in U.S.–Cuba relations made a return visa all but impossible. The story of how Oliva’s unexpected stay led to a second chance and success with the Twins—as well as decades of personal and cultural isolation—is told for the first time in this full-scale biography of the man the fans affectionately call “Tony O.”

With unprecedented access to the very private Oliva, baseball writer Thom Henninger captures what life was like for the Cuban newcomer as he adjusted to major league play and American culture—and at the same time managed to earn Rookie of the Year honors and win the American League batting title in his first two seasons, all while playing with a knuckle injury. Packed with never-before-published photographs, the book follows Oliva through the 1965 season, all the way to the World Series, and then, with repaired knuckle and knee, into one of the most dramatic pennant races in baseball history in 1967. Through the voices of Oliva, his family, and his teammates—including the Cuban players who shared his cultural challenges and the future Hall of Famers he mentored, Rod Carew and Kirby Puckett—the personal and professional highs and lows of the years come alive: the Gold Glove Award in 1966, a third batting title in 1971, the devastating injury that curtailed his career, and, through it all, the struggle to build a family and recover the large and close-knit home he had left behind in Cuba.

Nearly forty years after Oliva’s retirement, the debate continues over whether his injury-shortened career was Hall of Fame caliber—a question that gets a measured and resounding answer here.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Thom Henninger, a St. Paul native and lifelong Twins fan, is associate editor at Baseball Digest. His work has appeared in ESPN Insider, and for more than seventeen years he wrote for STATS LLC, where his column “Thom’s Take” ran weekly. He has authored player profiles for Baseball America and contributed to Play It Again: Baseball Experts on What Might Have Been.

Patrick Reusse is a sportswriter and radio personality in the Twin Cities. He writes weekly columns for the Minneapolis–St. Paul Star Tribune.

PRAISE FOR TONY OLIVA:
"Thom Henninger did a marvelous job telling Tony’s story. It will remind readers what a special person he is and how he had to deal with so much adversity to find his way to the major leagues. I am so proud to have been his teammate and be his friend. All of us who played with Tony know he is a Hall of Famer and the best hitter of his era." —Jim Kaat

 "There wasn't a better hitter for average, power and driving in BIG runs than Tony throughout his baseball career. His career numbers speak for themselves. There is also no one more loved and respected in the Twins organization. " —Bert Blyleven

"The value of this book resides in the portrait Henninger paints of the man himself: a ceaselessly positive and selfless person who adapted admirably to his adopted country while never forgetting the needs of family members left behind in Castro-ravaged Cuba." —Spitball Magazine

Chapter Two of the Crown Roller Mill Story

Above - 1985 - West Front, Looking East - Crown Roller Mill

The redevelopment of the Crown Roller Mill block was a major accomplishment and one of many important turning points in the redevelopment of the Mill District.

By Ann Calvert, Principal Project Coordinator, City of Minneapolis

By the time of the October 1983 Crown Roller Mill fire, the City’s redevelopment agency, the Minneapolis Community Development Agency (MCDA), had started its work to redevelop the riverfront and thus played an active role in the post-fire redevelopment of the Crown. (The MCDA was later folded into the City’s Community Planning and Economic Development Department.) As groundwork, the geographic area that includes the Crown had been included in the Industry Square Redevelopment Project when it was created in 1973, and the original Mills District Plan had been approved in January of 1983.

After participating in the effort to save the Crown Roller Mill from demolition after the fire, the MCDA selected a firm called Hayber (Howard Bergerud and Greg Hayes) to develop the Crown and the rest of the block. MCDA acquired the Crown property along with the other portions of the block not already owned by Hayber and then sold the assembled property to the developer in 1985. The assistance provided to the project included revenue bond financing, a federal grant and tax increment financing.

The entire block was dubbed the “Whitney Mill Quarter,” the components of which included the conversion of the former Standard Mill into the Whitney Hotel (now the Whitney Historic Residences), the conversion of the Ceresota grain elevator into the Ceresota offices and the rebuilding of the fire-damaged Crown Roller Mill into the office building you see today. The development also included the underground service facility shared by the block and both the upper and lower plazas. The various components were completed between 1985 and 1988.

If you look closely at the outside of the Crown, you can see the faint line where new replacement brick was added above the lower parts of the walls that had survived the fire. The mansard roof is entirely new, but replicates a mansard roof that had originally existed on the building. The interior of the building (including the lower parking levels) is basically a new building that was constructed within the rebuilt exterior walls.

The other components of the block also presented major rehabilitation challenges. The Standard Mill had spent some time during its years of decline as an animal rendering plant and “stunk to high heaven.” The Ceresota project required the removal of the interior dividing walls that created the vertical grain silos (without the outside walls collapsing), the insertion of floors and the use of an interior skylit atrium and carefully placed windows to get some light into the windowless structure.

Above: Second Street South looking downriver from just upriver of Portland; General Mills elevators to left in distance, c. mid-1980s

At the time the block was developed, the area around it was still extremely rough and had little infrastructure. Second Street was filled with rail lines and wasn’t a true street at all, so the MCDA worked with Public Works to start creating a street grid for the Mill District. By that time, the last area property that was still served by rail was a pair of General Mills grain elevators at Second Street and Tenth Avenue. At the end of the harvest season, the line of rail cars that came to fill the elevators with oats extended all the way down Second to in front of the planned Whitney Hotel. Another way the MCDA assisted the Whitney Mill Quarter development was to invest almost $9 million to acquire those grain elevators so that the rail service could be stopped and Second Street could be built by the time the hotel opened.

The MCDA once again stepped in to save the Crown Roller Mill in 1991. The Crown had opened as offices at a low point in the real estate economy, and the area around it, while improving, was still considered questionable. The building had not been able to secure tenants and was sinking under the burden of real estate taxes and debt payments. The MCDA’s lease was expiring, so it agreed to move its offices to the Crown in exchange for advantageous rent terms and has remained an anchor tenant since then.

Ann Calvert, is Principal Project Coordinator with the City of Minneapolis and has been a key player in the redevelopment of the Mill District.

Week 11 at the 2015 Mill City Farmers Market

Each year I look forward to so many things at the Market - and blueberries are high on the list. These beauties are from HeathGlen Farm.

Below, Susan Dietrich of Very Prairie with one of her happy customers.

I picked up a basket of these lovely squash with a batch of baked chips in mind. Look for the recipe and pictures later this week on our Farmers Market blog.

At the Sunrise Flour Mill booth, Darrold and Marty Glanville demonstrated turning wheat berries into flour and oats into flaked oats.

Don't fear the kohlrabi!  It's a tasty, wonderful vegetable that was featured at the July 18 Meet Your Vegetables demo.  Look for a post later this week on our Farmers Market blog.

Chef Jenny Breen demonstrated Beet and Feta Burgers at the Mill City Cooks demo.

Friends of the Mississippi River was the Community Booth at the July 18 Market.  Look for a separate post on this organization later this week on our Farmers Market blog.

Apricots from Swede Lake Farms.

The goat!

MPRB RecQuest Community Advisory Committee Applications now Being Accepted

Via a July 17 Minneapolis Park and Rec Board e-newsletter: 

The City of Minneapolis’ demographics are changing rapidly, and it is more important than ever to ensure that the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is meeting the needs of its diverse stakeholders. Therefore, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) has embarked on a critical effort to develop a plan – RecQuest – for the next generation of recreation centers in Minneapolis.  And you can be a part of it!
Applications are now being accepted for potential members of the RecQuest Community Advisory Committee (CAC) to be appointed by the MPRB Board of Commissioners. 

The charge of this CAC is to:
• Work collaboratively and provide input toward final project recommendations for approval by the Board of Commissioners.
• Become knowledgeable about the project and its scope and advise MPRB staff and consultants throughout the planning process.
• Contribute to broad community outreach and engagement by enhancing the project’s interaction with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Understand and represent the needs of all community members.
• Apply equity principles in decision-making based on training provided by staff and project consultants
• Report back to appointers or appointing bodies, as requested, on the plan process, information presented, and possible recommendations.
• Evaluate potential scenarios and deliver a preferred, actionable alternative for recreation centers and programs to the Board of Commissioners.

Application deadline is Friday, July 31 at 4pm. Online application can be found here.

Intersection of Sixth Street and Portland Avenue Closed to Traffic This Weekend

Via a July 17 City of Minneapolis e-newsletter:

Beginning at 7 p.m. tonight, Friday, July 17, the intersection of Sixth Street South and Portland Avenue will be closed for utility work. This closure will be in place until 5 a.m. Monday, July 20 so the energy company NRG can install chilled water lines that will supply the new stadium.

Southbound Portland Avenue traffic will be detoured west onto Third Street, then south on Fourth Avenue and then east onto Eighth Street. Eastbound traffic on Sixth Street will be detoured south onto Fourth Avenue, then east onto Eighth Street and then north onto Park Avenue. 

A number of construction projects will affect traffic in Downtown this season. To help drivers know about all of the current and upcoming work, the City has mapped these projects. Links to the maps are available at www.minneapolismn.gov/publicworks/traffic.

Cynthia Froid Group Treats the Neighborhood to an Izzy's Ice Cream Social

A huge Thank You to the Cynthia Froid Group for bringing neighbors together on a balmy July afternoon for an ice cream social in Gold Medal Park featuring Izzy's. This is the second year they've hosted this event, and we hope it becomes an annual mid-summer tradition.

Above, the Cynthia Froid Group team from left to right - Pam, Cynthia, Kyle, Holly and Sarah.

Below, Cynthia and Izzy's co-owner, Jeff Sommers.