Tour de Fat Biking Extravaganza on July 27

By Janey Gengel,

Midtown Greenway Coalition intern

A free, family-friendly event that carries with it costumes, local food, eccentric entertainment, a parade, unusual bike contests and the joy of cycling begins

10 a.m. July 27th when Belgium Brewing reveals a “ballyhoo of bikes and beer” at Loring Park.

Beginning with a massive all-skills-level bicycle parade that bobs and weaves through city streets in which all are welcome and imaginative costumes are encouraged.

For the remainder of the afternoon, the stages light up with wild and exciting acts.

“The pinnacle of Tour de Fat is the ceremonious car-for-bike swap at each of the 15 Tour de Fat stops. One person will become the center of the show as he or she gets up on stage, hands over their car keys and pledges to live one year car-free. Each car-for-bike swapper will choose a local bike shop to help turn a $2,250 budget into an ultimate car-replacement commuter bike. Vehicles for Charity will auction the cars.

Other tents and attractions include the crowd-pleasing Lips of Faith Tent, the Le Tigre Tent, Port-a-oke, Bike Pit, and Slow Ride.

The festival proceeds from vehicles, beer and merchandise benefit the nonprofits: Midtown Greenway Coalition, Bicycling Alliance of Minnesota, Minnesota Off Road Cyclists, and Minneapolis Off-Road Cycling Advocates.… Read the rest “Tour de Fat Biking Extravaganza on July 27”

Summer School at Ingebretsen”'s

By Carstens Smith

July/August craft classes

Common theme; learn a craft at relaxed class meeting only one or two times. Then go home and practice more on your deck, at the beach, or in front of a fan with a glass of ice tea.

Classes:

• basics of chain maille,
• wheat weaving,
• weaving an elbow basket,
• and Nordic cuisine from farmer”'s market finds.

Homemade Holiday gifts need to start in the summer. Make an item you can use immediately, then later add some holly berries or a touch of rosemaling, for a Hoiday gift. Elbow basket teacher,Patricia Quinn, says, “This is a versatile design. You can hang it on your front door or fill it with fresh or dried flowers adapting to any season or decor.” Students will complete a basket during the 3-hour class and can purchase materials to make more.

Food historian Patricia Johnson will teach a class merging the principles of Nordic cuisine with seasonal vegetables and fruits from our neighborhood treasure, the Midtown Farmer”'s Market”“a hands-on session. Patricia is a guest blogger for Chef Marcus Samuelson”'s web site.

Making lefse is usually a winter class, since the potato flatbread is a traditional Holiday food. But for those who want to simplify their holiday schedule: a lefse-making class Wednesday, August 7.… Read the rest “Summer School at Ingebretsen”'s”

Mashkiikii Gitigan (Medicine Garden)

Photos progress from neighbors clearing the land and building the garden in early May to the season “Kickoff” Celebration a few weeks later on May 28th. The third photo was taken the last week of June showing some blooms and the circular labyrinth of corn obvious in 2nd and 3rd photos although not “knee-high by the Fourth” due to the slow season for all farmers this year. Christina Elias,the urban farmer mentioned in the article, is at right in 1st photo with a rake.

By Urban Farm Coalition and Ventura Village Wellness and Gardening Committee

The Mashkiikii Gitigan vision is of a beautiful, welcoming space where neighbors can connect, share gardening experiences, learn about growing, preparing, and preserving food providing opportunities for healthy eating and active living in the Phillips neighborhood.

Lillian Rice, a long-time community resident and American Indian elder suggested the Ojibwe name translated to English as Medicine Garden.

The 24th Street Farm Coalition project is at 1316 E. 24th Street by these member groups: Dream of Wild Health, Indigenous Peoples”' Task Force, Indian Health Board, Native American Community Clinic, Ventura Village, Waite House, Women”'s Environmental Institute, and Zenteotl Project.… Read the rest “Mashkiikii Gitigan (Medicine Garden)”