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Editor
612-321-8040
kim@millcitymedia.org

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Associate Editor

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Publisher
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dave@millcitymedia.org

Claudia Kittock
Columnist / Non-Profits
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Small Business Reporter
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Michael Rainville Jr.
History Columnist
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Doug Verdier
River Matters

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MILL CITY FARMERS MARKET

With over 100 local farmers, food makers and artists, MCFM strives to build a local, sustainable and organic food economy in a vibrant, educational marketplace.

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HENNEPIN HISTORY MUSEUM

Hennepin History Museum is your history, your museum. We preserve and share the diverse stories of Hennepin County, MN. Come visit!

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MEET MINNEAPOLIS

Maximizing the visitor experience of Minneapolis for the economic benefit of our community, making Minneapolis the destination of choice among travelers.

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Promoting the art of film as a medium that fosters cross-cultural understanding, education, entertainment, and exploration.

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Enhancing the Minneapolis riverfront environment—for people and pollinators.

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Minneapolis Riverfront News

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.

Entries from November 1, 2010 - November 30, 2010

Friday
Nov122010

This Weekend in Mill City / November 12-14 

Events this weekend in and around the Historic Mill District of Minneapolis:

Friday, November 12

New Work by MCBA/Jerome Book Arts Fellows at MCBA

Lionel Popkin: There is an Elephant in This Dance at the Southern Theater

Live Music at the 501 Club

Saturday, November 13

Discover Saturday: Minnesota Black Bears at the Children's Library

Cowboy Versus Samurai Opens at the Guthrie

Thanksgiving Paper Dinner at MCBA

MacPhail Free Family Music Event

Guest Chef: Shefzilla, Stewart Woodman at Mill City Museum

Volunteer Biennial: A Very Much More Opening Reception at the Soap Factory

Lionel Popkin: There is an Elephant in This Dance at the Southern Theater

How'd They Do That Workshop: The 39 Steps at the Guthrie

Live Music at the 501 Club

Sunday, November 14

Jazz Off the Charts at MacPhail Center for Music

Southern Songbook - Lush Life at the Sourthern Theater

Weekend Brunch

Saturday

Brunch at Spoonriver

Reservations recommended

10:00am - 2:00pm

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.

Saturday & Sunday

501 Club Hash House Brunch

Thursday
Nov112010

Vice President and Mrs. Mondale Featured on MPR

Mill District residents Walter and Joan Mondale were interviewed recently on Minnesota Public Radio on the topic of their long, love filled life together.  A couple of mentions are made about one of the landmarks of our neighborhood:

"Today, the Mondales live in a loft overlooking the Stone Arch Bridge in downtown Minneapolis. The walls are decorated with political mementos, memoribilia and artwork. Joan has worked or taught in the arts for decades, earning her the nickname Joan of Art."

"One of their favorite things to do is walk across the Stone Arch Bridge. Even after decades in public life, Joan and Walter Mondale are still humbled when people recognize them on the street."

Listen to the interview here:

Read the story on MPR here...

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/11/10/walter-joan-mondale-profile/

Former President Jimmy Carter, left, and former Vice President Walter Mondale walk together after helping build a Habitat for Humanity home in Minneapolis, October 6, 2010. (MPR Photo / Jefferey Thompson)

Thursday
Nov112010

Opening reception for Coffee House and Toothpaste Press at Open Book - From Letterpress to E-book 

Minnesota Center for Book Arts is pleased to host an exhibition celebrating over 25 years of Minneapolis-based Coffee House Press and its letterpress predecessor Toothpaste Press, founded by Allan Kornblum. See how Coffee House Press has grown from a small mimeographed poetry magazine called Toothpaste to an independent nonprofit publishing company with international reach and an award-winning history of excellence.

With introductory comments from Emilie Buchwald, the opening reception will spotlight founder Allan Kornblum who will present on the the genesis and history of Coffee House and Toothpaste, with refreshments to follow.

The exhibition will be on display through January 9, 2011.

Opening reception: Coffee House and Toothpaste Press: From Letterpress to E-book
at the Open Book Cowles Literary Commons

Thursday, November 11; 6:45pm

Location: Open Book at 1011 Washington Avenue South

Thursday
Nov112010

Mill District City Apartments Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Tour 

Mill District City Apartments - already 35% leased - held it's official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on November 10.

Wielding the scissors in the below video are (left to right) Elliot Jaffee, President, US Bank, Minneapolis City Council Member Lisa Goodman, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and Jonathan Holtzman, CEO, Village Green. 

A tour of several furnished models followed the ribbon cutting.  We started at the living green wall just off the lobby.

Mill District City Apartments Ceremony IMG_3610

From there we continued on to the 2-story model:

 Mill District City Apartments Ceremony IMG_3653

Mill District City Apartments Ceremony IMG_3654

Mill District City Apartments Ceremony IMG_3657

And the first floor model:

Mill District City Apartments Ceremony IMG_3662

At the end of the tour, Dan waives farewell from the private 2nd Street South entry of the first floor model.  

"Mill District" Minneapolis IMG_3663

Dan mentioned the underground garage has 300+ bike racks, 2 car wash bays and a Pet Spa.  

For apartment leasing information, contact Diane Tidwell at 612-886-3780, or millpropmgr@villagegreen.comClick here for Floor plans, rates, etc.

Thursday
Nov112010

Pet Park Safety Tips - An Ongoing Series from Curtis L. Sanford, DVM

Our neighborhood is a haven for dog owners, and we thought it would be beneficial to have an ongoing series specifically for them.  This is the fourth installment of Pet Park Safety Tips from Curtis L. Sanford, DVM.

All dogs can benefit from training classes, which are offered by Canine Coach in South Minneapolis (42nd Avenue & 54th Street), Twin Cities Obedience Training Club on Broadway in Minneapolis, and Bark Busters (John Pilati-Warner: 612-360-3492).

Dogs "in heat" should never be brought to a dog park because the female dog could cause male dogs to fight.  However, other dogs can benefit from visiting dog parks.  The positive effects include exercise, less pent-up energy, social contact, and mental stimulation.  Dog owners also socialize and exercise at these parks.

Dr. Sanford is a Veterinarian and Owner/Founder of Minneapolis Veterinary Hospital in the Mill District.   He can be contacted at 612-746-0300 or mplsvet@live.com.

Wednesday
Nov102010

History of the City of Minneapolis - Part 1

This is a great read if you're researching the history of Minneapolis, but maybe not for a casual read. Published in 1893. Author: Isaac Atwater.

Donwload (big file - almost 50MB)

Wednesday
Nov102010

35w Bridge Memorial to be completed by August 1, 2011

Visit the 35W Bridge Memorial website:

http://35wbridge.org/dedication-of-memorial/

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board last Wednesday approved West River Parkway as the site for the Remembrance Garden – a memorial to the Aug. 1, 2007 collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis.

While no start date was given for construction to begin, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak committed to the memorial being completed in time for a August 1 formal dedication - the 4 year anniverary of the bridge collapse.

Download artist renderings of the memorial here...

The site of the 35w Bridge Memorial is in the Historic Mill District of Minneapolis.

Tuesday
Nov092010

Finalists Chosen for Riverfront Design Competition [Video]

Video of the Minneapolis Riverfront Design Competition Press Conference

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and Minneapolis Parks Foundation, with Creative Partners, University of Minnesota College of Design and Walker Art Center, announced the Minneapolis Riverfront Design Competition finalists yesterday:

Ken Smith Workshop | New York City
Stoss Landscape Urbanism | Boston
Tom Leader Studio | Berkeley
Turenscape | Beijing

The teams‘ collective work includes award-winning riverfront and industrial reclamation park projects, in places such as Shanghai, Memphis, Toronto, New York City, Dubai, Milwaukee and London.

Fifty-five design teams responded to the RFQ, and the 13-member jury noted that the quality was exceptionally high. Says Bill Morrish, MR|DC jury member, and Dean of the School of Constructed Environments and Associate Dean, Parsons The New School of Design in New York City, “The four teams we short-listed comprise innovative and inspirational people who will work very hard to create great concepts for the Minneapolis riverfront.” Learn more about their work on the Teams page.

Each team will produce 21st-century parks designs for 220 acres of parkland and the surrounding neighborhoods along both sides of the 5.4-mile stretch of the Mississippi River from the Stone Arch Bridge in the historic downtown Mill District to the city’s northern limits. The winning design will be a comprehensive, integrated vision for the Upper Riverfront that establishes parks as the engine for economic development, transforms the river into a connector rather than a barrier between east and west banks, and refocuses Minneapolis toward what is one of the three great rivers of the world.

Learn more...

Ken Smith Workshop, [PDF] New York.

Stoss Landscape Urbanism, Boston.

Tom Leader Studio, Berkeley, Calif.

Turenscape, Bejing, China.

Tuesday
Nov092010

Signs of Mill City

The North Star Woolen Mill Sign at Night

The Northstar Mill is located in the Historic Mill District of Minneapolis.

 

Tuesday
Nov092010

American Red Cross Blood Donor Center Open Today and Waiting for Your Donation

You benefit too when you donate at the Red Cross:

- It feels great to donate!

- You get free juice and cookies.

- It's something you can spare  most people have blood to spare... yet, there is still not enough to go around.

- You will help ensure blood is on the shelf when needed most people don't think they'll ever need blood, but many do.

- You will be someone's hero  in fact, you may help as many as three people with just one donation.

Location: American Red Cross Minneapolis Blood Dononation Center, 1201 West River Parkway

Time: 10:45am - 5:15pm

Donation Types: Blood

Phone: 800-448-3543

Monday
Nov082010

Mill City Museum Job Posting

The Minnesota Historical Society seeks applicants for an Interpreter I to engage, educate, and entertain visitors to the Mill City Museum and present lessons to school groups using a variety of interpretive and performance techniques to communicate historical information. This is a part-time, regular position (832 annual hours) located at the Mill City Museum in Minneapolis, MN.

For complete details visit http://www.mnhs.org/about/jobs/836.html

Monday
Nov082010

Cool Things are Always Happening at CorAzoN

CorAzoN, 1026 Washington Avenue South, is a real gem of a gift shop in our neighborhood.  

This past Friday night, they hosted a book release party for "when words get in the way" by John "Charlie" Hanson.  Below is a video from the publisher in which Charlie shares the inspiration for his book.

Below, Charlie with Sue Zelickson, well known locally as the former host of WCCO Radio’s Food for Thought, the Sue Zelickson Awards, and the Sue Z Says section of Minnesota Monthly.

On the same night, a new taste sensation was debuting at CorAzoN:  Buttercrisp Toffee by S-Squared Sweets.  Below are Suzanne Kane and Susie Greupner with their milk chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate varieties.

Their product ingredients include hormone-free butter, California almonds and Callebaut Belgian chocolate.  I sampled the milk chocolate variety - YUM!  A great hostess gift, stocking stuffer, or treat to share with company or co-workers. 

The next book signing event is scheduled for Friday, December 10, when Jodi Hillswill be at CorAzoN with her latest work "friend'. 

Click here to join the CorAzoN 'rare' email list - be notified of art openings, events, and sales.

Friday
Nov052010

This Weekend in Mill City / November 05-07

Events this weekend in and around the Historic Mill District of Minneapolis:

Friday, November 5

Mentor Series: C.J. Hribal at The Loft

Lunch with MacPhail

Book Release Party at CorAzoN

Live Music at the 501 Club

Saturday, November 6

Holiday Note Cards (Beginners) at MCBA

Washburn A Mill Tour

Equilibrium: Doug Kearney at The Loft

A Disappearing Number at the Guthrie

Live Music at the 501 Club

Sunday, November 7

Steve Roehm Drumset Master Class “Improve Your Groove” – Understanding your Role in a Band at MacPhail

An evening with Eileen Myles at The Loft

Vikings vs. Cardinals at the Dome

Weekend Brunch

Saturday

Brunch at Spoonriver

Reservations recommended

10:00am - 2:00pm

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. 

 

 

Thursday
Nov042010

The Siren Has Been Silenced

At 1:00 pm yesterday, the first Wednesday of the month, the siren was silent.  Great news for the neighborhood, and the family with the 5 month old baby living right next to it.

See update from original article below:

Thursday
Nov042010

Park Vista Condos Inch Closer to Approval

Last week the Minneapolis Zoning and Planning Commission recommended the City Council approve an appeal by Shamrock Development to increase to number of parking spaces allowed at the proposed Park Vista condo development across from Gold Medal Park in the Historic Mill District of Minneapolis.

At its Sept. 7 meeting, the planning commission approved the conditional-use permit for the Park Vista project. On the parking issue, the planning commission approved 1.8 parking spaces per residential unit. The planning commission also added the condition that Stanton provide a shared car, such as HourCar, at the project.

Stanton appealed, making a case for 1.85 spaces per residential unit and protesting the shared-car requirement. Stanton's number includes the 10 visitor parking spaces - seven more than are required by the city. Stanton is proposing underground parking, not a surface parking lot.

From an article by Dolan Media

The appeal goes before the full council at its meeting on Friday November 5, 2010.

Thursday
Nov042010

Replaced Stretch of West River Parkway Now Completely Open 

We've seen a noticeable reduction in traffic on South 2nd Street since West River Road between 11th Avenue South and Portland Avenue recently opened to through traffic from end to end.

Wednesday
Nov032010

2010 Nice Ride Season Ends at 10pm, Sunday, November 7th

According to the Nice Ride Minnesota website, the inaugural Nice Ride season comes to a close at 10pm on Sunday, November 7th, when Daylight Savings Time ends. They will begin removing equipment from the street on November 8th, and all bicycles and stations will be placed in storage for the winter. 

Nice Ride will return to service in April of 2011.

Tuesday
Nov022010

Mill City Farmers Market and Mill City Times Announce Partnership

Mill City Farmers Market and Mill City Times announced a partnership today aimed at strengthening the ties between local businesses, local sustainable organic agriculture, and building community engagement.

As part of this effort, Mill City Times has become a sponsor of the popular farmers market, located in the Historic Mill District of Minneapolis.

"We are thrilled to have Mill City Times as a new partner of the Mill City Farmers Market! We share a commitment to engaging our community and spreading the word about our wonderful Mill District neighborhood and look forward to working together," said Marjorie Hegstrom, Executive Director of the Mill City Farmers Market.

Read the full press release...

Tuesday
Nov022010

Could this Siren be in a Worse Location?

This emergency siren sits a few feet from the Bidgewater Lofts in the Mill Distrcit of Minneapolis, near the corner of Washington Ave S. and 10th Ave. S.  A 5 month old baby lives in the condo directly to the left of the one pictured below.

WARNING - the siren is really loud, be prepared for it at the start of the video below.

Same siren the following month.

The Bridgewater is not the only building affected, as you can see below.     

 

The first video has had a large number of views, and comments.  The consensus is it needs to be moved.  Here's a sampling of the comments on YouTube:

"The siren really needs to be moved. I couldn't stand living right next to it like that."

"Is the rotator broken? If so, feel lucky. If the horn rotated, or broke when pointing at you, it would be even louder. I agree the placement is very bad, they should have mounted it higher."

"It sounds like you have a pretty good attitude about it being there despite the fact that it was placed so poorly. Good luck with getting it moved to a better spot. They're important devices so have but this is a good example of a poor installation plot."

"I'm just glad they finally disabled the rotator on it so it won't point back around at you guys! There used to be a much smaller building there when the siren was installed, so I can see why it is where it is, but I agree that they should've moved it when that complex was built. On a side note, it is neat to see one from that point of view!"

"Ah, just let it rotate! If the neighbors don't like it, they can just move!

Seriously though, that city really needs to move that siren. The people a mile away that are on the back side of it won't be able to hear it very well during a tornado warning, because it doesn't rotate."

"Not to be rude but thats not the Loudest Siren in the World. out door sirens are loud up close because the sound travels 200 Feet. the siren is a Federal Signal 2001-SRNB.

Nice video though!

I do agree with you about the sirens location. They should put it on the stadiums property."

"geez i bet 500 ppl are upset"

We contacted the office of City Council member Lisa Goodman 3 weeks ago for help on who to speak to regarding moving the siren.  We are still waiting for a response.

Monday
Nov012010

Kathy and Beth - A Sisters Success Story

This is the first in an ongoing series of personal health and fitness success stories, brought to us by Mill City Times Fitness Expert, Andrea Austin.

I met Kathy and Beth Friday night after their RealRyder spin class led by Andrea at 501SP1N.  They shared their weight loss journeys and healthy lifestyle transformations:

Kathy began working with Andrea 2 years ago.  Below, she shows a "Before" picture, taken prior to her 45 pound weight loss.

Beth has lost an amazing 140 pounds since March 2009 (Yes - that's an entire person in 18 months!).  Below, she displays her "Before" picture. 

 Andrea's leadership, combined with the girls' commitment and hard work, yielded these incredible results!  

The 5pm Friday Happy Hour RealRyder spin class at 501SP1N helps Kathy and Beth stay fit.  Email Andrea andrea@tweakmyworkout.com if you'd like to try a complimentary class, or if you have a fitness or nutrition question.