The Picture a Park Photo Contest and Free Photography Classes!

Via a May 29 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board:

Photo Contest returns for fourth year to highlight beauty, events and fun in Minneapolis parks

Sign up NOW for free photography classes taught by National Camera Exchange instructor - first class offered Sat June 1

Take your best shot! The Picture a Park Photo Contest has returned for the fourth consecutive year.  New this summer, several free indoor and outdoor photography classes are being offered, with the first class from 10am-Noon this Saturday, June 1, at Nokomis Recreation Center.

Learn how to take better photographs using your SLR, point and shoot or cell phone camera. Space is limited and pre-registration is required, so register today! Future classes will be held June 22 at Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Recreation Center, July 20 at Minnehaha Falls, and August 3 at the Rose Garden.

Sponsored by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB), People for Parks (PFP) and National Camera Exchange, the Photo Contest is designed to highlight photos taken year-round in Minneapolis parks.

Contest Categories
• Beauty in the Parks – Capture the everyday beauty within the parks, including wildlife, historic sites and breathtaking views.
• Events in the Parks – Photograph a whimsical event or community celebration in Minneapolis Parks.
• Fun in the Parks – Document a fun park activity, such as a concert, movie, bike ride or picnic.
• Photos by Youth – Budding photographers age 17 and younger can submit photos of their favorite Minneapolis Parks in any of the three subject areas – beauty, fun, events.

The next time you’re walking around the Chain of Lakes, riding your bike around the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, attending an event in the parks or simply playing in a neighborhood park with friends, bring a camera and take a few photos. Photo contest entries can depict people, activities, events, nature and places in the Minneapolis Park System from any time of the year.

The contest is open to amateurs of all ages, Minneapolis residents and non-residents, with categories for both youth and adults. Photos must be unpublished, color, and taken within the Minneapolis Park System. Photographs from all seasons are encouraged and accepted. Photographers can submit up to three entries. There is no entry fee.

Prizes will be awarded for contest-winning photos, including gift certificates, Annual Patron Parking Permits, and water park and winter recreation passes. A public vote will take place online in September to choose among a selection of entries as the People’s Choice Award winner. Photo contest winners also have the opportunity to have their photo appear on the 2014 Annual Parking Permit, distributed to nearly 7,000 park patrons.

All photos and entry forms must be submitted online by Sept. 2, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. through the National Camera Exchange website.

Complete contest rules and guidelines as well as previous contest winning photos are available for viewing online.

Parkway Closure June 2 for Minneapolis Marathon

From the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board:

The following parkway will be temporarily closed June 2, 2013, for Minneapolis Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay 7:00a.m. – 3:00p.m.: West River Road/Parkway from Lowery Avenue North to Godfrey Parkway at Minnehaha Park. Godfrey Parkway at Minnehaha Park and Historic Main Street Bike Path, Pedestrian Path and Parkway.

Please note that the duration of the closures is subject to change based on the event's start and finish times.

A complete list of current and upcoming parkway closures is available online.

HCSO Downtown Minneapolis SafeZone Initiative

From a May 23 Hennepin County Sheriff's Office e-newsletter:

The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office will begin additional patrols in downtown Minneapolis as part of the annual summer SafeZone initiative that begins on Memorial Day.

The Sheriff’s Office partners with the Minneapolis Police Department, Metro Transit Police, the Downtown Council, and the Downtown Improvement District to keep the downtown safe for people, who work, live, shop, and visit downtown. Sheriff’s Office deputies and law enforcement officers from the other partner agencies will walk the downtown beat in a proactive, high-profile effort to prevent crime and respond to public safety issues.

Since 2005, the SafeZone has been in place every year during the summer months. The SafeZone patrols are scheduled for afternoon and evening hours beginning May 27 and concluding Labor Day weekend.

Week 3 at the 2013 Mill City Farmers Market

The Twins broke their 10-game losing streak, and the weather finally cooperated for the Market - it was a good day!  But especially so at the MCFM, where shoppers could leisurely choose their purchases, and enjoy the cooking demo, Native American dances performed by students of the American Indian Magnet School, and some toe-tappin' music by the Petticoat Rustlers.

April Showers Bring May Flowers, but...

...look what May showers bring!

New Segway Tour: The Insider Tour

Here's a new Segway tour to try: The Insider Tour.

It's described as an exhilarating loop through downtown, beginning at the Minneapolis Convention Center, that will give you an insiders perspective to our great city, including Loring Park, Nicollet Mall, the Guthrie Theater, the Minneapolis riverfront, Gateway Park, and the Theater District.

The Insider Tour has limited availability and is offered at 8:30am on the following dates:
 
June 3, 10, 17, 24
July 1, 2, 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
August 7, 14, 21, 28

Call 952-888-9200 for reservations.

Amendment to Close the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock Passes Senate

From FMR:

Last week an amendment introduced by U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar to fight Asian carp passed the Senate as part of the “Water Resources Development Act” (WRDA). The amendment, cosponsored by Senator Al Franken, would close the Upper St. Anthony Falls lock within a year to help stop the spread of the invasive species.

“Asian carp not only pose a serious threat to Minnesota’s environment, they also threaten the recreation and fishing industries that play a key role in the state’s economy,” Klobuchar said last Thiursday after the vote. “Today’s action is a significant step forward to help the state take action to protect Minnesota’s waterways so we can keep this invasive species from wreaking havoc on our lakes and rivers.”

Read more...

Central Corridor LRT (Green Line) Update

Excerpt from a May 22 Metropolitan Council e-newsletter:

The first time a light rail vehicle (LRV) appeared on the Central Corridor LRT (Green Line) was April 28. A railcar mover towed the LRV from Minneapolis to St. Paul to verify width clearances between the sides of the vehicle and catenary poles and wayside equipment. The railcar mover was used because crews are still installing the overhead wires that will power the trains.
 
Once the installation of wires is complete, test runs will begin this fall. The outcome will determine the line’s opening date in mid-2014.

Below, LRV being towed to West Bank Station.

The Central Corridor links five major centers of activity in the Twin Cities region: downtown Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota, the Midway area, the State Capitol complex and downtown St. Paul. These areas currently contain almost 280,000 jobs. By 2030, this number is expected to grow to 345,000 jobs.

When it enters service in 2014, the Central Corridor LRT Project will be known as the Green Line.

Register Your Bicycle with the Minneapolis Police Department

Every year, thousands of bikes are lost or stolen in Minneapolis.

Many are recovered, but due to a lack of proper identification, only a small percentage are ever returned to their owners.

The Minneapolis Police Department has created an easy, on-line way to register your bicycle.  Using this link below, enter your contact information, bike serial number, and the bike make and model.  In the event your bike is lost or stolen, and subsequently recovered by the MPD, other agencies or city departments, they'll be able to return it to you quickly.

How?
•  Register online any time.
•  Call 311--be sure to have your bike’s serial number ready.
•  311’s app: minneapolismn.gov/311  to register using your smart phone.

Why?
 •  It could increase the chances of a stolen or lost bike being returned to the rightful owner--recovered bikes can be checked against our registered bikes database.
 •  It’s FREE
 •  It’s easy—just a few minutes!
 •  Registration could assist in identifying incapacitated riders without IDs.

Questions?  Contact:

Luther Krueger, Crime Prevention Analyst
Minneapolis Police Dept., Strategic Information/Crime Analysis Division
350 S. 5th Street, Room 100 City Hall + Minneapolis MN 55415
612-673-5371 + Luther.Krueger@MinneapolisMN.gov

There's Still Time to Register for Summer Camps at MacPhail Center for Music

Join MacPhail Center for Music this summer at one of the many camps being offered:

Early Childhood Music Camps:

• Pop, Sizzle Bang! for ages 3- 5 years, June 24-2727 and July 8-11, MacPhail Minneapolis

• Animals on Parade for ages 4-6 years, June 10-14 at MacPhail Minneapolis and  July 15-18 at Silverwood Park

Kids Rock for age 10-13, July 8-12, Registration deadline June 14, final performance at the Nomad World Pub

Rock Week for ages 13-18, July 22-26 or Aug. 12-17, Registration deadline: July 6, final performances at First Avenue.

Advanced Piano Camp – NEW for ages 13-18, July 8-12, Registration deadline June 14

Allegro Orchestra Camp for grades 3-12, June 17-21

Copper Street Brass Camp for ages 12-18, August 12-18, Registration deadline Aug. 2

Suzuki Institute for Piano, Guitar and Flute, July 29-Aug. 2, for grades 8-12.

For more information on all of MacPhail Summer Camps or to register, go to: http://www.macphail.org/ or call 612-321-0100.

Week 2 at the 2013 Mill City Farmers Market

After last year's drought, I didn't think I'd say this, but... "Damn you, rain!" (while shaking a fist at the sky).  Hopefully the next 20+ Saturdays will be sunny and 75 degrees.

Black Cat Natural Foods cooks up a hearty breakfast.

Yee Xiong joined the market this year, offering dried black beans and soy beans.

Positive News on Downtown Crime

Via a May 16, 2013, Minneapolis Police Precinct 1 Inspector's Update email:

A message from Inspector Schafer

All,

Thank you for another great week of hard work and focused enforcement in the First Precinct.  We saw a 37% reduction in Part I Crime and almost  a 19% reduction in Violent Crime.  There are so many significant decreases this week that I am going to only note a few:

• Robbery down 33% - (6)
• Theft down 36% (28) seven of which resulted in an arrest
• Theft from Motor Vehicle was down 80% (3) YES THAT IS 3 INCIDENTS FOR THE ENTIRE PRECINCT; none of which were in the DID
• There were 95 arrests and 150 pro-active stops along the Nicollet Corridor

I could go on and on about the fabulous work going on right now.  Your constant presence along the Mall is noticed and making an impact.  We will stay the course throughout the summer and WILL move the needle on crime and public safety perception.  On another note, I had the opportunity to work with Beat Officer Mercill on the T-3 scooters this past Tuesday.  We stopped a number of people on the Mall, made a few arrests, and even had our pictures taken by a number of new visitors to downtown.  Thank you to the community for partnering with us to bring about an impressive reduction in crime.  I recognize there will be challenges, however I will do my best to help in any way I can. 

Keep up the good work!

Respectfully, 
See it, Own it, Solve it, Do it!
Inspector Bryan D. Schafer | First Precinct |
Minneapolis Police Department | 19  4th Street North |
Minneapolis, MN 55401  | 612.673.2337 office |

2nd Annual Minnesota Monthly GrillFest® at The Depot May 18 & 19

This Saturday and Sunday from 1p-5p, experience the 2nd Annual Minnesota Monthly GrillFest® at The Depot.

Taste your way through grilled foods, sample summer wines and specialty beers, enjoy some music. See the hottest grills, gather recipes, and learn how to barbecue like a pro. Get the latest grilling tips at the grilling stage.  Find special pricing on grills and products. It all happens indoors and outdoors at The Depot.

Here's a video from the 2012 inaugural GrillFest:

Tickets go on Sale May 20 for Second Season of Mill City Summer Opera

The Mill City Summer Opera is bringing five 7:30pm performances of The Barber of Seville to the Mill City Museum's Ruin Courtyard on July 13, 15, 17, 19 and 21. Tickets go on sale May 20 at 12:00am online, at 10:00am by phone (612-341-7582), or in person at the Museum’s ticket desk.

2013 Music & Movies in the Parks Program Kicks Off May 27

2013 Music & Movies in the Parks Program

More than 250 free outdoor concerts and movies will be hosted in Minneapolis parks this summer as part of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s (MPRB) Music & Movies In The Parks program.

Music in The Parks

Featuring over 200 free outdoor concerts, the concert schedule features something for every musical taste including Jazz, Latin, Swing, Folk, Rock, Bluegrass, Classical and much more. See and enjoy great local talent in beautiful park settings. The 2013 MPRB summer concert season fills the air with music at five outstanding concert venues running Monday, May 27, 2013 – Monday, September 2, 2013:

• Lake Harriet Band Shell (Monday-Saturday 7:30pm; Sundays 2:00pm & 5:30pm)
• Nicollet Island Park (Mondays 7:00pm)
• Father Hennepin Bluffs Park (Tuesdays 7:00pm)
• Minnehaha Park (Wednesday-Friday 7:00pm)
• Bryant Square Park (Tuesdays & Thursdays 6:30pm)

Movies In The Parks presented by Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express:

If you love movies just as much as you love the outdoors, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s (MPRB) Movies in the Parks series is your ticket to cinematic entertainment this summer!

The 2013 Movies In The Parks series presented by Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express runs Friday, June 7 through Saturday, August 24. The mobile program takes place Monday through Saturday evenings and will travel to more than 30 parks throughout the summer. Eight new and exciting themes offer films for all movie lovers including New Releases, For the Family, Sci-Fi, Action Adventures, Always Favorites, Minnesota Connections, Black & White, and Comedies. Movies start 15 minutes after sunset.

Music and Movie Combos

On the second Thursday each month, Live on the Drive will present three Viewer’s Choice nights in addition to bringing performances from Bruce Henry Band, The Chastity Brown Band, and Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles.

 The fifth installment of the VITA.MN August Music and Movie series will feature four consecutive Friday night events with nationally recognized artists followed immediately by a movie at Lake Harriet Band Shell.

The great tradition of the music-movie combo on Tuesdays at Father Hennepin continues with a movie showing after the concert starting on June 11. The Music and Movie Indigenous Series will be coming back again during the month of August with a concert and movie every Tuesday at Father Hennepin Bluffs reflecting the rich history we have in our community.

Concerts and movies are free, and everyone is welcome to attend. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and pack a picnic. And don’t forget bug spray! For the most up-to-date schedules and weather related information, visit www.mplsmusicandmovies.com. You can also follow us on twitter and like us on Facebook. Join us in Minneapolis parks and enjoy a summer filled with sounds and scenes.

Opening Day at the 2013 Mill City Farmers Market

Mother Nature tested the fortitude of both vendors and shoppers on opening day of the 2013 MCFM.  Mill City Museum graciously welcomed as many vendors as they could fit into the corridor inside from the train shed, while the heartiest of souls were outside in Chicago Plaza wind tunnel.  All that aside, it was great getting back into the Saturday morning ritual of gathering fresh goodies, food demos, art, music and socializing.

One of the changes to look for at the Market this year is Buffalo By Bike.  You'll recognize the friendly face of Nicholas Heimer from the Wild Idea Buffalo stand; and now he'll be supplying their bison meat under his new company, Buffalo By Bike.  Below, Nicholas arrives at the Market on his custom-made bike/meat cooler rig.

"Welcome!" to new MCFM vendor, Rochdale Farms!  Look for more info on their delicious offerings in a separate Farmers Market blog in the near future.

"Welcome!" to new MCFM vendor, Stone Soup Toys! Look for more info on their cool healthy food-themed toys in a separate Farmers Market blog in the near future.

"Welcome!" to new MCFM art vendor, Ginny Sims! Look for more info on Ginny's ceramic creations (including these funky fermenting crocks) in a separate Farmers Market blog in the near future.

Now that's a market basket! :D

Mother's Day at The Depot

The Depot Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel is serving up something fun for Mothers Day. Join them for brunch this Sunday, May 12, and let the kids pamper Mom by preparing delicious pancakes with the chefs.

Brunch menu includes eggs made to order, sausage, bacon, hash browns, fresh fruit display, assorted breads and pastries, and carved roast beef, sliced ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, French cut green beans, assorted leaf and pasta salads, and a gourmet dessert display.

$23.95 Adults; $21.95 Seniors; $9.95 Kids 4 - 12 years old; FREE Kids 3 and under with adult. WaterPark admission provided complimentary to all reservations

Mill City Farmers Market Kicks Off Season 8 Tomorrow, May 11!

Kick off Mother’s Day weekend at Mill City Farmers Market, this Saturday, May 11, from 8:00am to 1:00pm.

Celebrate the spring harvest by filling your basket with sweet sugar pea shoots, micro greens, herbs, arugula, spinach, carrots, rhubarb, beets, tomatoes, mesclun mix, radishes, starter plants, hanging baskets and patio pots. There will also be lots of bedding plants, and plenty of SEED STARTS: summer squash, melon/watermelon, heirloom tomatoes, peppers and more!

Honor moms with spring flowers and family friendly activities. Kids can get their hands dirty with a free planting activity sponsored by Juut Salonspa.

Be sure to catch the 10:00am Mill City Cooks special kitchen demo with Market Chefs Heather Hartman and Jenny Breen, who will be assisted by their kids in honor of Mother’s Day. They'll be mixing up two delicious sping salad recipes: Wheatberry Salad and Early Greens with Miso and Toasted Almonds!

Meet critically acclaimed Minnesota author Beth Dooley who will be signing copies of her newest book, Minnesota’s Bounty: The Farmers Market Cookbook.

Check out the unique selections at the Art Market, featuring Stone Soup Toys, Ginny Sims, Aprilierre, and Old World Cabinet!

Stop by the Community Booth and meet Budding Farmers. This local nonprofit organization is an innovative enrichment program that connects children with the healthy food found at their local participating Farmers Market or participating Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Farm!  Learn about their cool Budding Farmers Fun Books!

Enjoy music by local gypsy jazz artists, Mill City Hot Club, playing from 11:00am – 1:00pm.

New vendors you'll meet this year include:

Rochdale Farms, offering hand-rolled butter and artisan cheeses.

Encore Farms brings locally harvested dried beans.

Yee Xiong will have local bean and potato varietals.

And welcome back Star Thrower Farm.  OMG - the Skyr!  :D

MPRB's 4th Avenue Playground Receives DID’s Greening Award

Via an May 9 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board:

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s first riverfront play area, the 4th Avenue Playground along West River Parkway, received the Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District’s (DID) Greening Award in their “best park” category.
 
The award was presented during DID’s third annual Greening Awards event Monday, May 6. In addition to the award ceremony, Mayor RT Rybak and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board President John Erwin spoke about the many greening and public realm projects underway, and keynote speaker Adrian Benepe, Senior VP and Director of Park Development at the Trust for Public Land, spoke about the importance of green spaces and public land.

The Greening Awards were initiated by the DID’s Greening Committee to pay tribute to community greening champions in Downtown Minneapolis, and to demonstrate how both small and large greening and public realm projects can transform our environment.

The awards recognize property owners, businesses, and community groups who have created and maintained public green spaces that help to enhance Downtown Minneapolis. On May 6, the DID recognized 20 places that were exemplary in categories ranging from large to small, and summer to winter. For information about the DID Greening Committee and a complete list of Greening Awards for the best entryway, pars, plaza, window boxes, parking lot, outdoor café, storefront greening, urban agriculture and more, visit www.minneapolisdid.com.
 
The Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District (DID) is a nonprofit entity that maintains a higher standard of care and behavior throughout 120 blocks of downtown. It was formed in early 2009 after more than five years of formative planning and advocacy by the downtown business community.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is a premier park system that serves approximately 18 million visits annual to its 197 park properties, including local and regional parks, playgrounds, golf courses, gardens, picnic areas, biking and walking paths, nature sanctuaries and the 55-mile Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway.

The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul to Screen CAESAR MUST DIE May 10-16

After multiple sell-out screenings at the 2013 MSP International Film Festival, CAESAR MUST DIE returns for a theatrical run! The film will screen Friday, May 10, through Thursday, May 16, at The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul's St. Anthony Main Theatre.

 
The theater in Rome’s Rebibbia Prison. A performance of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar has just ended amidst much applause. The lights dim on the actors and they become prisoners once again as they are accompanied back to their cells.
 
SIX MONTHS EARLIER
 
The warden and a theater director speak to the inmates about a new project, the staging of Julius Caesar in the prison. The first step is casting, a process both vivid and energetic. The second step is exploration of the text. Shakespeare’s universal language helps the inmate-actors to identify with their characters. The path is long and full of anxiety, hope and play. These are the feelings accompanying the inmates at night in their prison cells after each day of rehearsal.
 
Who is Giovanni who plays Caesar? Who is Salavtore-Brutus? For which crimes have they been sentenced to prison? The film does not hide this.
 
The wonder and pride for the play do not always free the inmates from the exasperation of being incarcerated. Their angry confrontations put the show in danger. On the anticipated but feared day of opening night, the audience is numerous and diversified: inmates, actors, students, directors.
 
Julius Caesar is brought back to life but this time on a stage inside a prison. It’s a success.
 
The inmates return to their cells. Even ‘Cassius,’ one of the main characters, one of the best. He has been in prison for many years, but tonight his cell feels different, hostile. He remains still. Then he turns, looks into the camera and tells us: “Since I have known art, this cell has turned into a prison.”

Tickets and info.