Johnstock celebrates eight years in Minneapolis

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The eighth annual Johnstock, sponsored by the Johnson Street Merchants, is held the same weekend as the hugely popular Art-a-Whirl event (the largest open art studio tour in the country) and was one of the stops for the trolley as it meandered its way to the different art studios in NE Minneapolis. The weather all weekend was perfect for getting out and looking at art. Both planners and patrons remarked at the number of families who visited Johnson Street in the Audubon Park Neighborhood of Northeast Minneapolis during the May 14-16 event. Friday night on Johnstock offered up its traditional movie in the parking lot with a screening of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Free popcorn and hot cocoa were on hand for the families who settled in with chairs and blankets to watch the movie. Continue Reading

Audubon Park holds second Spring Wing Ding

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Audubon Park’s second annual Spring WingDing went on inside the park building, despite the rain on April 24. Unlike the other area parks, Audubon did not have a festival of its own until last year when they introduced the Spring WingDing.  The theme of the event is based on Audubon Park’s namesake John J. Audubon whose birthday falls around the same time as the WingDing. This year’s event brought together neighbors interested in celebrating their urban environment with a combination of environmental information, and fun activities for the kids. 
Due to the rain, organizers cancelled the popular bird tours, and outdoor entertainment but families were still plenty busy during the three-hour festival. Matt Brown organizer for the event and ANA Board Member said that since they couldn’t have the “moonwalk” in the rain, the Park Board would instead rent it for a movie night in the park later this summer.  All other events were held as planned. 
The Audubon Society was on hand providing a variety of information about birds and volunteer activities. The Park & Recreation Board displayed owl skulls and feathers for budding ornithologists.    
The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization showed neighbors how to make environmentally safe household cleaner. Continue Reading

Fare for All means food for all

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Sophia Lenarz-Coy has worked only two years as the Outreach Coordinator for the Fare for All program yet she says that she has seen the program grow by 200%.”There is an awakening. People are more budget conscious,” she said.The Fare for All program, once known as Fare Share is now part of a larger organization known as the Emergency Food Network (EFN). Fare for All is a cooperative food-purchasing program that provides a variety of top quality food packages for sale at different locations each month. Currently there are 95 distribution sites within Minnesota.By being part of the EFN,  Fare for All can share resources such as trucks and warehouse space. And by using full time buyers who look for wholesale prices they are able to offer consumers 30-50% discount off of grocery store prices.Express Locations, Dates, and Times for 2010(Check the website for additional Traditional Fare for All dates and locations)1. Continue Reading

Maryllyn McKevitt: Memories of the Hollywood Theater

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When Maryllyn McKevitt got her first job working at the Hollywood Theater in Northeast Minneapolis, it was around 1949, and the theater had just been remodeled.The Hollywood, built in 1935 by the architectural firm Liebenberg and Kaplan, was one of the finest examples of “Zigzag” Art Deco Style of its day with both interior and exterior art deco features.The lobby floors once displayed a black, green and gold terrazzo pattern. The lobby featured a fountain that was backed by a mirror. The lower level, accessed by a curved staircase, led to the restrooms and another lobby for gathering and visiting.Background on the Hollywood Theater: The Hollywood is located at 2815 Johnson Street in NE Minneapolis. The theater operated from 1935-1987 1990:  the theater was designated as a local historic landmark 1993:  the City of Minneapolis purchased the building Since then several attempts at redevelopment have failed June 2009: the City of Minneapolis released a request for proposals November 2009:  The City of Minneapolis Department of Community Planning and Economic Development, in cooperation with the Audubon Neighborhood Association, sold surplus seats from the Hollywood Theater. Proceeds of the sale will be used on improvements to the theater building”It was a lovely, lovely place,” McKevitt recalled, “Compared to other neighborhood theaters, the Hollywood surpassed them all.”  “It was quite a luxurious place.”When she started, McKevitt was only 14 years old and sold candy at the concession stand. Continue Reading