Minneapolis: Construction progresses at Parka, Forage Modern Workshop, and Blue Door Longfellow

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Parka, the collaboration between Chef Erick Harcey of Victory 44, Rustica Bakery, and Dogwood Coffee, is getting closer to opening. We’ve got the scoop on some of the latest changes:Opening Up the Space Between Forage and ParkaLast week, the wall came down between Forage Modern Workshop and the soon-to-be open Parka. Parka and Forage will operate as separate businesses, but they do have plans to collaborate with each other, according to Rebekah Cook, business manager at Forage. She commented, “We will definitely share energy, aesthetic, and a passion for introducing the community to quality products and food, while promoting beautiful lives and homes.”Expanding the Parka CrewParka is in the process of hiring cooks and dishwashers. The requirements? Continue Reading

Minneapolis restorative justice programs see possible funds increase in 2013 city budget, but donor support still needed

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Restorative Justice is an organization that provides people who have committed a crime the opportunity to right their wrong by engaging in a face-to-face conference with the victim and taking steps to amend their actions. At the City Council’s 2013 budget hearing, the City Council directed the City Attorney’s Office to request $40,000 from 2012 roll-over funds to be used toward this program, an increase from last year. These funds will be divided between the five Minneapolis Restorative Justice programs in March, one of which-the Seward Longfellow Restorative Justice Partnership-works with youth in the 55406 zip code.However, the Seward Longfellow Partnership isn’t assuming that they will automatically receive $8,000 in funds from the city. A variety of factors are considered when the funds are divided between the community programs. Michele Braley, program manager of the Partnership, stated, ”I’m optimistic about the funding, but we won’t know [the funding amount received] until March.”Program funding from the city has taken a hit in recent years due to shrinking government budgets. In 2012, Restorative Justice received $20,000 from the city, of which, the Seward Longfellow Partnership received $2,200. Continue Reading

Italiani’s makes way for Zeke’s Unchained Animal on Lake Street

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A new restaurant, Zeke’s Unchained Animal, is in the process of moving into the former space of Italiani’s on East Lake Street.The restaurant plans to open in mid-to-late January and will serve pizza; burgers; fried appetizers; and a few soups, salads, and sandwiches. They will also have live music.The space is getting a significant remodel with granite counter tops, new hardwood floors, and new kitchen equipment. Check out the restaurant’s blog for pictures of the remodeling work.Special thanks to Twitter follower @zouixs for the news tip!Zeke’s is located at 3508 E. Lake Street, Minneapolis. Continue Reading

What’s next for your Christmas tree?

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If you have a live Christmas tree, it is probably starting to look more dead than alive at this point. Here are a few ideas for reusing your tree, and info on how to prep it for garbage pick up.Giving your tree a second life:Ideas for reusing your tree (from the City of Minneapolis):Place the tree in the yard or garden for use by birds and other wildlife. The branches provide shelter from strong winds and cold. Food can be supplied by hanging fruit slices, seed cakes, or suet bags on its branches. You can also smear peanut butter and seeds in pine cones and hang them in the tree.Prune off the branches and place the boughs over perennials as winter mulch.Chip the tree and use as mulch around trees, shrubs, or in flower beds.Garbage pick up for your tree:If you don’t have a way to reuse the tree, you’ll need to set it out for garbage pick up. Continue Reading

Flu cases up: It’s not too late to get vaccinated

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Yesterday, Minnesota Public Radio reported that the number of people who have contracted the flu or have flu-like symptoms this year has spiked. It reports, “Hospitalizations are up, and some Twin Cities area hospitals are at or near capacity due to a surge in flu cases. Hospital emergency rooms and urgent care clinics have been especially busy in the past few days.”According to the Minnesota Department of Health, 297 people have been hospitalized due to the flu, and schools have reported 133 outbreaks of the flu or flu-like illnesses since the beginning of the 2012-2013 flu season.It’s not too late to get vaccinated. Here are some local places you can go to get the flu shot:Walgreens, 3207 E Lake St, 612-721-4868Walgreens, 4547 Hiawatha Ave, 612-722-4249Target Pharmacy, 2500 E Lake St, 612-721-1611Cub Pharmacy, 2850 26th Ave S, 612-721-5840For more locations, check out the HealthMap Vaccine Finder. Continue Reading

Dec. 28th – 31st: This weekend in South Minneapolis

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FridayIt’s a music-filled weekend, and you can kick it off at Harriet Brewing with songwriter, singer, and guitarist Ian Thomas Alexy – followed by Crankshaft, noted by Cities 97 as “one of the best and most interesting roots, rock, and blues acts playing around town these days.”The sounds of the mandolin and banjo can be heard at the Riverview Wine Bar when the Jugg Sluggers take the stage.SaturdayThe music starts at 3 PM at Harriet Brewing with Carl Franzen – noted as “a romantic, enigmatic, operatic songwriter.” At 5:30 PM the Bog Doctors take the mic filling the Tap Room with the sounds of their swampy roots. The Grave Trio, an instrumental group, finishes the night.If you’re feeling a bit more funky, head on over to the Riverview Wine Bar to catch the Kronick Quartet play bop, swing, and, of course, funk jazz.SundayFaithfully on Sundays, the Zacc Harris Trio performs jazz at the Riverview Wine Bar.Monday – New Year’s EveBlues group, the Mumble Bugs perform at Riverview Wine Bar. Free midnight Champagne toast.Pick out the perfect mask for the annual Merlins Rest masquerade party. Bitter Mash Border Dancers will perform along with Papa John Kolstad and guests. Free midnight Champagne toast. Continue Reading

Coming up this weekend in South Minneapolis

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Weekend HighlightWe can’t wait to watch White Christmas on the big screen this weekend during the Christmas at the Riverview event. Riverview Theater will be showing White Christmas, A Christmas Story, and It’s a Wonderful Life throughout the weekend. The theater will be accepting non-perishable food donations for the food shelf and will be donating a portion of ticket sales to the food shelf. Support a great cause and enjoy some classic holiday films!FridayTaking the stage at the Harriet Brewing Tap Room are Dustin Lee at 7 PM and acclaimed musical group Kevin Bowe & The Okemah Prophets at 9 PM.American roots and pop music can be heard at the Riverview Wine Bar with Sonic Love Child. The show starts at 8 PM.SaturdayLocal beer + local authors = readings of beer poetry. Continue Reading

Minneapolis: Final touches completed on Hiawatha Ave traffic project

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The largest component of the Hiawatha traffic signal timing project that began in early October was completed yesterday when crews installed the final traffic signal controller at the 26th Street intersection. All seven traffic signal controllers from 50th Street East to 26th Street East along Hiawatha Avenue have now been replaced, dramatically reducing wait time for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.Image courtesy of the City of Minneapolis.The updated traffic signal controllers take advantage of advancements in technology and are specifically designed to operate in conjunction with a light rail system. “The equipment didn’t exist when the project started in 2004,” said Allan Klugman, senior professional engineer at the City of Minneapolis Department of Public Works. “This new system will be able to determine who has been waiting the longest and will serve those people first, reducing the long back-ups and wait times.”Another feature the system offers is the ability to skip lights if there is no traffic waiting and move on to the next lane of cars. Councilperson Sandra Colvin Roy explained to Minnesota Public Radio, “If [vehicles are at the intersection] at 10 o’clock at night and we don’t have rush hour traffic going down the highway, the controller will also know how many cars are sitting at any particular direction.”Previously when a train would pass by, the traffic lights would restart at the beginning of the traffic cycle instead of resuming the cycle. Continue Reading

Late start for Minneapolis ice rinks

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The warmer weather we’ve had recently has delayed the opening of the ice rinks at Minneapolis parks, including Longfellow and Matthews. When we’ve stopped by both parks, a staff person was out building the base for the rinks. However, for the rinks to become fully operational, the parks need ten consecutive days (24 hours daily) with temperatures below twenty degrees.

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Donut Cooperative closing

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The Donut Cooperative on 25th Street in Seward announced on its Facebook page that it will be closing its doors on Sunday, December 23rd, citing the resignation of a key board member and a working

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