Call for Donations: MCBA Book Arts Rummage Sale

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.

2 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! :)

Only 2 More Nights to Enjoy the 2011 Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival at St. Anthony Main Theatre

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. 

3 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! :)

Construction Starts on 35w Bridge Memorial - Mill City Times Exclusive

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:

Mill District Business Spotlight: Spill the Wine

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). 

4 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! :)

Give & You Shall Receive, The Sanctuary Motto it Seems @SanctuaryRest

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!

Valuable Input at the April 25 Workshop for St. Anthony Falls Historic District Design Guidelines

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

5 Days to Go - Countdown to 2011 Mill City Farmers Market

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! :)

6 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! :)