Union Thugs Seize Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis

"Union thugs" is a term heard frequently on cable news and talk radio - search Google for and see for yourself:

- union thugs tea party 3,680,000 hits

- union thugs sarah palin 3,500,000 hits

- union thugs governor walker 2,270,000 hits

When I heard of the "Build Minnesota So Minnesota Works" rally, I wondered what it was really all about, so I decided to walk over to see some thugs for myself.  What I witnessed was shocking.  I hope my readers appreciate the bravery this reporter showed in covering this event.  As the following pictures show, I was in fear for my safety every moment spent on the Stone Arch Bridge (View all of the photos on Flickr...):

Thugs gathering for their assualt on the Stone Arch Bridge

Thugs about to attack

Grandpa thug and his buddy

Future thug

Apprentice thug

Cute blonde thug

Scary Black thug

Girl next door thug

Gang signs

Thug propaganda

Watch the Rally and judge for yourself:

View all of the photos on Flickr...

2nd Annual Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board Photo Contest

The Picture A Park photo contest has returned for its second year. The contest, sponsored by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board(MPRB), People for Parks(PFP) and National Camera, is designed to highlight the life and times in Minneapolis parks year round.

Entries can depict people, activities, nature and places in the Minneapolis parks system from any time of the year.  The contest is open to amateurs of all ages, Minneapolis residents and non-residents. Photos must be unpublished and taken in Minneapolis parks. Photographs from all seasons are encouraged. Photographers can submit up to four entries.

There is no entry fee. The deadline for submissions is September 5, 2011.   Rules and entry forms are available online at www.minneapolisparks.org.  Information is also available at National Camera Exchange's website.

Photographer Categories:
- Youth (ages 17 and under)
- Adult (ages 18 and up)

Subject Categories:
- Beauty in the Parks
- Events in the Parks
- Fun in the Parks

All images will be judged on the basis of impact, image quality, composition and story telling. First, second and third place will be determined in each age and subject category.   Photos entered in the contest will also be open for vote by the public for a Peoples Choice Award.

First place winners in the three subject categories in both age divisions will receive a 2012 calendar including their winning photograph. Second and third place winners will receive certificates of merit and recognition. Photos will be posted on the MPRB and PFP Web sites, and on display at select parks.

In addition, of the six first place winners, Gold, Silver and Bronze recognition will be determined, with the winners receiving a National Camera gift card and up to a 16x20 enlargement of their winning entry.
Peoples Choice Award winners will receive a 5 x 11-inch individually engraved paver at the Lake Harriet Bandshell.

Week 7 at the 2011 Mill City Farmers Market

The organic gods made sure the rain held off long enough for everyone to enjoy a dry trip to the Market today.

Don't forget to cast your vote for Mill City Farmers Market in the America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest!

Can't wait to see what's new next week!  :)

City Pages Blog: Top 5 Restaurants Near the Guthrie for Dinner Before a Show

City Pages named the following spots as the Top 5 Restaurants Near the Guthrie for Dinner Before a Show:  Sea Change, Spoonriver, Wasabi, Sanctuary and Spill the Wine.

This Weekend in Mill City / June 17 - June 19

Events this weekend in and around the Historic Mill District of Minneapolis and across the Stone Arch Bridge in Old St. Anthony.

Friday, June 17

The Science of Wheat and Flour, Demonstration & Tasting at Mill City Museum

Minnesota-Made Film Series at St. Anthony Main Theater (7 days)

Live Music at the Aster Cafe

Saturday, June 18

Teen Writers' Conference at the Loft

Mill City Farmers Market

Engineering the Falls at Mill City Museum

All-in-One Summer Vacation Travel Journal at MCBA

Celebrate African Heritage at Central Library

Discover Saturday: Create Your Own Tunnel Book at Central Library

Saturday - Stone Arch Festival of Arts

Central Library Summer Atrium Sale

Live Music at the Aster Cafe

Sunday, June 19

Minneapolis Riverfront Tour at Mill City Museum

Stone Arch Festival of Arts

2nd Annual Pedal Pub Races

Live Music at the Aster Cafe

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.

Mill District Business Spotlight: Coffee Gallery

In 2000 "Coffee Jon" Sherrell, a seasoned coffee shop owner, opened Coffee Gallery in the Open Book building at 1011 Washington Avenue South.  Back then our Mill District neighborhood looked nothing like the clean, visitor-packed destination it is today.  Liquor Depot stood across the street and Jon took it upon himself to patrol the 1011 building for unsavory characters. 

Considering everything that's transpired since then, we're lucky to still have this cozy spot for coffee, tea, juices, beer, wine, sandwiches, sweets, salads and soups.

On April Fool's Day, 2004, Jon was in a motorcycle accident that landed him in a coma and resulted in a severe brain injury.  Over the course of the next two years, Jon had to learn how to walk and talk again. He credits employees Jen and Dave with his business' survival during those years of recovery. 

 

Fast forward to today, and business has expanded to serve both a breakfast and lunch crowd.  In the past two years Dave has quadrupled the catering menu.

In addition to tasty drinks and fresh food, the space itself also draws you in.   Artwork on display changes frequently, and you can spend quite a bit of time taking in the cool structure and features of the historic building.  A wall of windows provides plenty of natural light (and apparently the perfect environment for the largest, most healthy Norfolk Pine I've ever seen).

Jon is one of many entrepreneurs and visionaries who were committed to transforming the Mill District from a run down area to be avoided to the vibrant, high profile neighborhood it is today.   My husband pops into Coffee Gallery frequently, and we hope both our residential and commerical neighbors check it out if they haven't done so already.

Pillbury A Mill listed on America’s 2011 11 Most Endangered Historic Places by National Trust for Historic Preservation

You may recall earlier this year the Pillsbury A Mill being included on the 2011 Preservation Alliance of Minnesota Most Endangered Historic Places List.

Articles were posted on both the StarTrib and MinnPost.com today regarding the Pillsbury A Mill being named one of America’s 2011 11 Most Endangered Historic Places by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Wilde Roast Opens

A welcome addition to the neighborhood opened yesterday at St. Anthony Main.  The breakfast menu looks especially tasty.  The Wilde Roast website is at http://www.wilderoastcafe.com/ - Welcome neighbors!

We're now open for business! More outdoor seating overlooking the beautiful river, more space inside, along with an expanded kitchen and menu (including homemade ice cream just in time for summer!).

Where? It's the space previously occupied by Picosa and Sophia at 65 Main St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414, between Merriam St and Central Ave NE. There's plenty of street parking, and it's attached to the Riverplace Parking Lot.

Join us this weekend as you're visiting the Stone Arch Festival of the Arts!

East Downtown Photo Contest

The "East Downtown Minneapolis - Can You Picture It?" photo contest is seeking photos, videos and other presentations that, through its people, architecture and public space, make the East Downtown district vibrant. 

The contest is sponsored by the East Downtown Council, and is open to everyone.  

Click here for information on deadlines, rules, prizes and more.

Tonight - Mystic Order of Reverb and Twang at Father Hennepin Bluffs Park

Time: 7:00pm

The Mystic Order of Reverb and Twang  "Rockabilly, Rhythm and Blues, Surf"

Today - Cedar Lake Regional Trail Grand Opening

Tonight - Music in The Park at Nicollet Island Park

Time: 7:00pm

Late for Lunch  plays "Original Smooth Jazz and Covers"

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

Tonight - Chefs for Change at People Serving People

Time: Tour at 6:30pm, Dinner 7:00pm-9:00pm

Location:  People Serving People, 614 South 3rd Street

Chefs for Change with Oceanaire

7pm-9pm. Tickets are $75 per person. From crab cakes to fresh halibut, Executive Chef Rick Kimmes of the Oceanaire prepares truly decadent meals, which are still the topic of discussion for many of our regular diners (hint – register early for this one).

Poppy Field in the Mill District [Photo]

Across from the Mill City Museum.

New! Minneapolis History Pub Crawl: Washington Avenue

Minneapolis History Pub Crawl: Washington Avenue

3 nights this summer: July 12th, August 2nd, August 30th.

 

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.

The tour begins and ends at Mill City Museum, 704 South Second Street, and runs from  7:00pm-9:00pm.  The cost is $25 ($20 MHS members) and reservations are required.  Call 612-341-7555 for tickets.

Dog Day 5K from a Dog’s Eye View

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

See the entire set of 167 photos on Flickr:

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

Week 6 at the 2011 Mill City Farmers Market

Don't forget to cast your vote for Mill City Farmers Market in the America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest!

Road / Sewer Construction on West River Road [Video]

Across the street from Gold Medal Park and the 35W Bridge Memorial.

This Weekend in Mill City / June 10 - June 12

Events this weekend in and around the Historic Mill District of Minneapolis and across the Stone Arch Bridge in Old St. Anthony.

Friday, June 10

Live Music at the Aster Cafe

Saturday, June 11

MCBA Rummage Sale

Mill City Farmers Market

Washburn A Mill Tour at Mill City Museum

How'd They do That Workshop: God of Carnage at the Guthrie

Live Music at the Aster Cafe

Saturday - Dog Day 5K

Sunday, June 12

Minneapolis Riverfront Tour at Mill City Museum

Live Music at the Aster Cafe

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.

August Rush! - Noah Grose - MacPhail Center for Music

Shot at the MacPhail Center for Music in the Mill District of Minneapolis.