Minneapolis, MN

Are you a Sherlock Holmes fan?  Been intrigued by the legendary fictional detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle?  You’re not alone, and through the years many items have been created to fulfil the interest of Holmes fans around the world.  Some have even created reproductions of Holmes’ famous sitting room of 221B Baker Street, London.

The University of Minnesota in Minneapolis is currently hosting the Victorian Secrets and Edwardian Enigmas: The Riddles of the Rooms of 221B Baker Street at the Elmer L. Anderson Library.  With two versions of the Holmes sitting room, one full size and one in miniature, and many other items like puzzles, games, and letters from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the exhibit is sure to be fun for any Holmes reader.

Elmer L. Anderson Library - Victorian Secrets and Edwardian Enigmas: The Riddles of the Rooms of 221B Baker Street

Sherlock Holmes, Elmer L. Anderson Library, University of Minnesota, Arthur Conan Doyle

Ever been to the Minneapolis Aquatennial?  It’s a great summertime tradition in Minneapolis, the City of Lakes, where parades, events, and fun permeate the city.  From it’s start in 1940 to it’s current form today, the Aquatennial draws substantial crowds.

From the Milk Carton Boat Race to the Torchlight Parade, the Aquatennial is an experience for families to build memories.  Like the Minnesota State Fair, the Aquatennial is a perennial favorite event in Minneapolis for 68 straight years.

For a list of events, check out the schedule at the official Aquatennial website: www.aquatennial.com.

Minneapolis Aquatennial

Minneapolis Aquatennial

If you are looking for a great mountain bike trail experience when in Minneapolis, you’re in luck.  In cooperation with the city of Minneapolis and several off-road bike clubs.

The resulting trail is over 4 miles in length and is open for nearly all skill levels.  The clubs and the city agreed that the trail needed to be usable by as many groups as possible.  So while you will find some easy areas, there are also challenging patches in the same areas that beginners can ride around.

Located just west of Theodore Wirth Parkway and running north from Highway 55, the trail meanders between trees and brush, and crosses a railroad track via bridge.  This trail is a single track, not a two-way trail, so make sure to look out for others and follow what signs you find.

More detailed information on the trail can be found at the Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists website below.  Also check out MOCA for more resources.

Via: Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists - Theodore Wirth Park - Minneapolis

Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists, Minneapolis Off Road Cyclists Association, Theodore Wirth Park

September 16th, 2007 is set to be the inaugural Minneapolis Bike Tour.  Not a race, the tour allows bicycle-only use for the city’s parkways.  There will be a 15-mile, or 41-mile circuit to choose from with the shorter route following the Chain of Lakes and the longer route the Minnehaha Creek and Mississippi River.

A fundraiser for the Foundation for Minneapolis Parks, Mayor R.T. Rybak said “It’s a great way for anybody to be able to hop on a bike and see the greatest bike system in the greatest park system in the country”.

Registration for the bike tour runs through August 31st, and is $30 for ages 13 and older.  Family and youth discounts are available.  See the website for more detail.

www.minneapolisbiketour.com

Via: Star Tribune - Parkways to become bikes-only for first city tour

The Open House for the North Commons Water Park on Tuesday July 10th, was a welcomed event for many local kids.  The water park is a partnership between the YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.

Located on James Ave. N., the park offers a safe, fun environment for children of all ages.  While the open house on Tuesday was a free event, there are Scholarships available for low-income kids for the season.  Many more can take advantage of this opportunity and enjoy the fun at the North Commons Water Park.

Via: Star Tribune - North Commons Water Park holds open house

YMCA, Minneapolis Park and Recreation board

While Minneapolis is not in the Volunteer state, it has a long history of volunteerism.  The community always seems to look after itself and help out in many situations that helped create the “Minnesota nice” reputation.

Many reasons from short commutes, to non-profit organizations bring people together to help out on community projects.  Many in the city clearly see the benefits of their hard work and get a sense of pride from the work involved.

Via: MNspeak.com - Minneapolis Leads in Volunteerism

See also: The Seattle Times - Residents of Minneapolis-St. Paul volunteer most; Seattle ranks 5th

Volunteers of America of Minnesota, Minnesota Nice

Interstate 35W that runs through Minneapolis was flooded on Sunday evening near Diamond Lake Road.  The heavy rains during the day Sunday made driving in the construction zone of the crosstown area a miserable experience.  Some of the drains were clogged and caused motorists to slowly plow through the deep water.  A line of thunderstorms had passed through the Minneapolis area Sunday afternoon and evening causing many similar problems city wide.  Though few real problems arose.

Interstate 35W

Tomorrow is Prince’s concert at Minneapolis’ own First Avenue, the club that he performed at for Purple Rain.  With tickets on sale for $31.21, it should be an accessible event for every Prince fan.

This concert performance directly follows a concert at the Target Center right across the street.  His purpleness should hit the stage around 11pm and have a mix of tunes, possibly with some from his new album due in about two weeks.

Prince, 3121, First Avenue, Target Center

Since Autumn of 2005, Matt Barbar has been serving in our armed services in Iraq with only a few trips home from time to time.  He and his wife Julie have been keeping in touch through the use of email, IM, and video chat.  So when the couple were expecting, the idea of setting up a Webcast for Matt to view the birth was a perfect solution as he is still in Iraq for another few weeks.

For three hours, with Julie’s mom typing her text messages, Matt was able to watch the birth and converse back and forth with his wife.  While not the same thing as being home and participating, he was able to experience seeing his daughter’s first few minutes of life.

You can read the full story by Julianna Olsen and watch a video interview over at KARE11.

And in the future if you scoff at online video or personal broadcasting, remember that all this great technology can be used for something special, like letting people participate in events that they normally would not be able to.

Congratulations to Matt and Julie Barbar!

Personal Broadcasting, Online Video

Have a fun and safe celebration of our nation’s birthday today!

Independence Day, 4th of July

Looking for something different for the 4th of July?  There will be an Independence Day celebration at Minnesota’s Historic Fort Snelling from 10am to 5pm on July 4th, 2007.  While not a free event, it should be a very fun and exciting place to celebrate our nation’s birthday.

Picture courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society.

Via: MN Historical Society - Independence Day at Fort Snelling

Independence Day, 4th of July, Fort Snelling

The weather here in Minneapolis is pretty mediocre, it went from a beautiful sunny, 75°F partly cloudy Sunday to a rainy Monday.  Well, it’s looking good for the holiday on the 4th though, so one can hope!

The 4th annual Harmon Killebrew Classic is scheduled for July 15th and 16th this year.  The golf event will be held at the Mendakota Country Club this year and starts with registration at 8:30am on the 16th.

The full schedule of events are as follows:

• July 15th, 6pm to 9:30pm, Dinner and Auction - The Metrodome
• July 16th, 8:30am to 9:30am, Tournament Registration - Mendakota country Club
• July 16th, 10am, The Harmon Killebrew Classic Golf Tournament
• July 16th, 3pm, Awards Reception

For more information or to get involved with the event, contact the Harmon Killebrew Foundation (info@harmonkillebrewfoundation.org), and view the official Harmon Killebrew Classic PDF.

Harmon Killebrew Foundation

Just so’s you know, Friday’s are interesting here in Minnesota, particularly in the city.  All of us city folk long to get out of the ‘rat race’ and usually head to one of our state’s 10,000 lakes.  Many of us have a friend or relative that has a weekend place, someplace by a lake or river that we can get away to.

Referred to as ‘up north’ or ‘at the cabin’ which suggests that we miss the simpler days, when life was less complex and rushed.  At any rate, it’s kind of funny to watch the ‘mass exodus’ that occurs every Friday on the local Interstate and state highways.  Rush hour becomes a slow moving, hot exercise in frustration.  Not exactly the best way to start a relaxing weekend.  Still it’s what many people do instead of stay in the city for the weekend.

So, what’s going on this weekend in Minneapolis?  Well, that’s another post!

Rush Hour, Traffic, Weekend Getaway, Minnesota Lakes

One of the great things about Minneapolis is the number of parks.  My daughter and I have been spending the afternoon near the Mississippi River.

The Minneapolis parks system was originally designed so that no neighborhood was more than ½ mile from a water feature - usually a lake.  Pretty neat and makes for many relaxing spots to unwind.

Minneapolis Parks, City of Lakes