Hennepin County Public Truth in Taxation Meeting is December 2

Via a November 26 Hennepin County e-newsletter:

Hennepin County will hold a public meeting on the proposed 2015 budget and property tax levy – commonly called the Truth in Taxation meeting – at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 2, in the County Board Room on the 24th floor of the Hennepin County Government Center, 300 S. Sixth Street in downtown Minneapolis.

Hennepin County is proposing a 2015 budget of $1.802 billion – an increase of 0.27 percent from the 2014 budget – and a property tax levy of $699.988 million– a 2.75 percent increase in the net property tax levy from 2014.

The budgets and levies for the Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority and Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority also will be discussed at the meeting.

For more details, go online to www.hennepin.us/hcbudget. Contact the Hennepin County Clerk's Office to sign up if you wish to speak: 612-348-4019.

Free parking is provided for residents attending the meeting if they park in the Government Center’s underground ramp after 5 p.m.The ramp entrance is on Third Avenue between Fifth and Sixth streets.

Small Business Saturday, November 29

Please join us in supporting our neighborhood businesses!  :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and here's my all-time favorite Turkey Day 5K picture (from 2011):

La Rive Condominiums Becomes Energy Independent

Via a November 25, 2014, Press Release from La Rive Condominiums:
 
LA RIVE CONDOMINIUMS BECOMES ENERGY INDEPENDENT

On November 6, 2014, La Rive Condominium completed the construction of its own heating/cooling and domestic hot water energy plant. Previously, La Rive received its energy from Sentinel Property Management under a 30-year legacy agreement with Riverplace Eastbridge offices and Falls/Pinnacle residences. By establishing its own energy source before the legacy agreement expired December 31, 2014, La Rive now provides its homeowners with the most cost efficient and state-of-the art equipment to serve current and future homeowners.

La Rive is proud that its energy plant was designed and built with the latest energy-efficient technology and sound reduction equipment to benefit both its residents and neighbors.

Items of note are:

   • Three high efficiency-small footprint boilers providing 7.5 million BTU heating capacity for homeowner units, common spaces and garage areas, and converting the pool and hot tub heating from less efficient electric.
   • A single 440-ton cooling tower surrounded by a high technology sound enclosure that assures whisper-quiet performance in a bricked enclosure that matches and blends with existing exterior.
   • A boiler exhaust plume abatement system that recaptures the heat from the boiler exhaust in the winter and injects that energy into the core-heating loop.  The result is lower energy costs and virtually no unsightly plume to block resident’s views or ice formation under the discharge area.

“We were very pleased to report to our residents that the net result of over five  years of hard work by our energy committee is that we were able to build this project on-time and on-budget and deliver a 2015 dues reduction from the energy efficiency of this system” said Gary Gleason, Board President.

Kate Grutzmacher, Property Manager with First Residential (formerly Gittleman), added “LaRive is one of the premier condominium properties in Minneapolis and will continue to be because of the outstanding leadership of its board of directors and the dedication of its residents to serve on committees to continuously improve its facilities.”

Our Lady of Lourdes' Famous French Meat Pies Now Available

Our Lady of Lourdes began serving French Meat Piesin the late 1800's at it's traditional holiday dinners at the church. Many of the French and French Canadian parishioners also prepared the "tourtieres" for their own families to serve at Christmas and New Year's Day.  Over the years at Our Lady of Lourdes, people would prepare and serve their meat pies at various parish events.  The women who cooked for funerals, in particular, would have different recipes, so they worked through to create a consensus in order to find the best one, which is now the recipe for the parish.

These French Meat Pies are now available for purchase at the Parish House during office hours, and also on weekends after Masses. Pies are $20.00 each - receive a free insulated bag with the purchase of two!

What Happens When History Relocates?

Susan Wakefield, the corporate archivist at General Mills, talks about the new location for the company's one-of-a-kind Archives collection.

Read the General Mills blog post on the topic...

Holidazzle Village Volunteer Opportunity

You can be part of the management of the Information Booth, which is in Santa's Workshop, on Nicollet Mall / Peavey Plaza.

Volunteers are needed for nine (9) weekend dates, beginning Friday, November 28, from 3 pm to 8 pm.

Download the volunteer flyer:

https://app.box.com/shared/static/si8igtro8ucr895z8pkq.pdf

The Doughboy Rises Again!

Excerpt from the General Mills Blog:

A new Pillsbury Doughboy balloon will make its first official flight in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

But thanks to its test launch earlier this month, you’re seeing it first right here.

The Doughboy was one of six new balloons made for the parade to fly at “Balloonfest” on a sunny Saturday, Nov. 8, high above a parking lot at Citi Field.

And I was there to see the Macy’s team unload the balloon, spread it out, inflate it and launch it – all in the course of six hours or so.

- See more at: http://blog.generalmills.com/2014/11/the-doughboy-rises-again/

Planning Underway for Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Reconstruction

From MPRB:

Planning is underway for the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Reconstruction and Cowles Conservatory Renovation. To learn more and get involved, visit the project webpage or go to www.minneapolisparks.org/currentprojects, then select Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Reconstruction and Cowles Conservatory Renovation. 

On the project webpage, you can: 

• Sign up for email updates,
• Share your ideas on an online survey,
• Apply to serve on the Community Advisory Committee (CAC). Applications are now being accepted for the Community Advisory Committee for the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Reconstruction and Cowles Conservatory Renovation. Applications will be accepted until noon on Wednesday, November 26, 2014. Download an application and learn more by visiting the project webpage,

Learn more about the project.  

Take the Annual Downtown Minneapolis Perception Survey

From Minneapolis D.I.D:
 
Your input on safety, cleanliness, and the public realm will be used to help make downtown Minneapolis a better place to live, work, and visit.

The survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete and your responses will be kept confidential.

Upon completion of this survey you will have an opportunity to enter a prize drawing! Five lucky winners will receive a $50 gift card to one of these great downtown businesses: Butcher & The Boar, The Loon, Mason, McCormick & Schmick's, and Sawatdee.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MDIDSurvey2014EDC 

New 4th St. to 35W North Ramp Opens

We caught a quick blurb about this on local news last night, to our surprise.  I was expecting some advance notice and a little more fanfare, as this should make a big impact on Washington Ave S. traffic.  Here's a link to the project page, check out the affected area below:

Scenes from the November 22 Mill City Farmers Market

It was a packed house for the November 22 indoor Mill City Farmers Market.  We love our vendors! :D

What to do with these things? Martha Stewart has a mouth watering Celeriac Gratin recipe.

There were only three dozen duck eggs available from Debra of Star Thrower Farm, and I got one of them. They are the prized ingredient for my Thanksgiving baking!

The goat!

An added bonus to visiting the indoor Market is experiencing the Mill City Museum. Be sure to check out their very cool store and programming. Note - if you're a MNHS member you'll receive 20% savings at the store from December 4 - 7. Sweet!

The next indoor the Market is Saturday, December 13 - just in time to finish up (or start?) your Holiday shopping and pick up the perfect hostess gifts.

Public Invited to First Steering Committee Meeting for Downtown Service Area Master Plan and Downtown Public Realm Framework

Via a November 21 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board:

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and the City of Minneapolis are embarking on concurrent planning processes to develop a Downtown Service Area Master Plan and a Downtown Public Realm Framework. These plans will form a vision for parks, open space and the public realm in downtown Minneapolis. You are invited to an initial meeting of a Steering Committee (Community Advisory Committee) as it begins the effort of guiding the creation of these plans. Members of the public are welcome to attend this and all Steering Committee meetings.

Downtown Service Area Master Plan and Downtown Public Realm Framework Steering Committee Meeting

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

6:30-8:30 p.m.

MPRB Board Room

2117 West River Road, Minneapolis 55411

The Downtown Service Area Master Plan will guide the MPRB’s long-term capital improvements, management, and operations of public parks in downtown, including envisioning and identifying new park and recreation opportunities. City of Minneapolis Planning staff is creating the Downtown Public Realm Framework, a guiding policy document for enhancing the pedestrian experience in downtown Minneapolis. The MPRB’s plan will focus on the downtown park system’s existing parks and trails, while the City’s will focus on downtown’s network of streetscapes, urban plazas and other publicly-accessible spaces. Together, these documents will envision the park, open space and public realm features that will support a thriving downtown and a vibrant urban experience.

To see a schedule of Steering Committee meetings, sign up for email updates, follow the blog, and learn more about the project, please visit the project page and select “Downtown Service Area Master Plan.”

CONTACTS:

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board – Downtown Service Area Master Plan

Jennifer Ringold, Director of Strategic Planning

612-230-6464

jringold@minneapolisparks.org

City of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development – Downtown Public Realm Framework

Lacy Shelby, Principal Urban Designer

612-673-5058

lacy.shelby@minneapolismn.gov

Join Day Block Brewing on November 24 for "Free Bikes for Kids" Event

Day Block Brewing Company would love your help in building Free Bikes for Kids on Monday, November 24, from 3:00pm - 6:00pm.

Last year Free Bikes for Kids gave 5,000 bikes to families in need throughout the metro. They plan to give many more this year - with your help.

To sign up to come along Monday - leave a message letting them know if you'll attend as a mechanic (MUST be able to repair a bike) or a cleaner. They'll send you more information about meeting on Monday.

NOTE - They ask that you sign up only if you can FOR SURE be a part of this event.

You can also donate bikes, cash or your time on another date if November 24 doesn't work for you.

Planning for the 2015 Northern Spark is Underway - Help Requested!

Via a November 18 e-newsletter:

Northern Spark—the all-night arts festival that lights up Minneapolis each June—is turning 5 in 2015 and the planning has already begun!

To celebrate, we’re inviting our friends, fans, and supporters to partner with us to commission five new innovative art projects for the 2015 festival. The call for projects is out. Artists will be selected in January 2015. To make this opportunity as rewarding to artists as possible, we need to raise $25,000 by December 31, 2014.

This will be our one and only crowd-funding campaign between now and the Festival, so we can spend this Spring focusing on making 2015 the best year yet for all involved. If you'd like to support us, the time is now!

You can make a difference now with a gift that feels right for you. How much is Northern Spark worth to you? Here’s a direct link to our Indiegogo campaign page to make donating easy. Every dollar counts. Every gift inspires another. I hope you will take this opportunity to join our growing circle of friends who value the festival and have taken the next step to support it.

Over the last four years, Northern Spark has provided hundreds of artists with an essential public platform for experimentation, exploration, and connection with new audiences. At the same time, it has offered huge audiences an approachable and social way to explore new art forms, to find inspiration, and to connect with the city and each other in a unique way.

Thanks for your support and enthusiasm. We organize Northern Spark for the artists, partners, places, and community that inspire us! Donate here to be a part of the next festival in a necessary and meaningful way.

Warm regards,
Steve Dietz

President and Artistic Director, Northern Lights.mn / Founder of Northern Spark email: director@northern.lights.mn

PS. Offline giving is also accepted, 100% tax-deductible, and very much appreciated!  Make checks payable to "Northern Lights.MN" and

mail by Dec. 31st to:
Northern Lights.mn
2751 Hennepin Ave. Suite 231
Minneapolis, MN 55408

MPRB Downtown Service Area Master Plan Update, CAC Applicatio​n Informatio​n

Via a November 17 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board:

Plannning is now underway for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Downtown Service Area Master Plan. To learn more and get involved, visit the project webpage or go to www.minneapolisparks.org/currentprojects, then select Downtown Service Area Master Plan.

On the project webpage, you can:

- Sign up for email updates;
- Apply to serve on the Community Advisory Committee (CAC). Applications are now being accepted for the Community Advisory Committee/Steering Committee for MPRB’s Downtown Service Area Plan. Applications will be accepted through this Thursday, November 20th. Download an application and learn more by visiting the project webpage;
- Share your ideas on an online survey;
- Learn more about the project and concurrent planning efforts by CPED on their Downtown Public Realm Framework.

November 19: Mississippi East Bank Trail Public Hearing at MPRB

Via a November 17 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board:

Please attend the Mississippi East Bank Trail public hearing scheduled for Wednesday, November 19 at 6:30 pm in the Board Room at the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Headquarters at 2117 West River Road. 

This will be an opportunity for the public to address the Park Board Commissioners regarding the plans for the proposed project.  If you wish to speak at the public hearing, please sign up, using the form located on the table outside the Board Room, no later than 6:25 pm on the day of the hearing.   

Exclusive - New Condo in the Works for the Mill District?

I've spoken with 3 reliable sources over the past 3 weeks who've confirmed that developer Jim Stanton is pursuing the purchase of a property currently owned by Cenveo Corp.  The property is a full block, which would allow for a project with hundreds of units.

The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal published a story last week announcing the closure of the facility by the owner:

"Cenveo Corp. will permanently close its commercial printing facility at 121 12th Ave. S. by the end of March, according to a mass layoff warning sent to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and obtained by the Business Journal."

Read the full article...

The property in question is outlined in red, lower right corner, below:

Grain Belt Beer Sign in the Headlines Last Week

August Schell Brewing Company announced it has reached a purchase agreement to buy the iconic Grain Belt Beer sign on the Central Riverfront of Minneapolis.  Great news for an icon of Minneapolis.  It seems every news outlet and blog in the the 5 state area picked the story up - here's a collection of the coverage:

The Journal - http://www.journalmpls.com/news-feed/brewery-plans-to-buy-relight-grain-belt-beer-sign

MPR - http://www.mprnews.org/story/2014/11/12/minneapolis-grain-belt-sign

Strib - http://www.startribune.com/local/blogs/282456631.html

City Pages - http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2014/11/schells_is_buying_the_grain_belt_sign_and_plans_to_relight_it.php

Fox 9 - http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/27367413/grain-belt-sign-in-minneapolis-sold-with-plans-of-revival

KARE 11 - http://www.kare11.com/story/news/local/2014/11/12/august-schell-brewing-co-buys-grain-belt-beer-sign/18913291/

MSP Business Journal - http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2014/11/12/schells-makes-deal-to-buy-minneapolis-grain-belt.html

Twin Cities Business - http://tcbmag.com/News/Recent-News/2014/November/Grain-Belt-Beer-Sign-Could-Light-Up-Once-Again

CBS - http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2014/11/12/august-schell-agrees-to-buy-grain-belt-sign-which-may-shine-again/

Pioneer Press - http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_26924048/minneapolis-iconic-grain-belt-beer-sign-get-new

Give Your Feedback on Proposed Trail and Pavement Markings

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has developed draft standards for regulatory signs and pavement markings on its trails. The purpose of the project is to develop a unified system of signs and pavement markings on trails and at trail crossings to improve safety and usability on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board trails.

MPRB wants your input on the draft standards. The draft standards are available for review online at http://minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=1497. MPRB is accepting comments through Friday, November 14, 2014. Once MPRB finalizes the standards, staff will develop an implementation plan to prioritize trails and crossings to bring into compliance with the final standards.

For additional information about this project, please contact Jake Martin, Construction Engineer, at (612) 313-7718 or jmartin@minneapolisparks.org.