Cafe Maude
Cafe Maude, a warm and inviting gem in Southwest Minneapolis, charms patrons with glowing decor, divine food and free live music from local artists on Wednesday nights. Catering to the surrounding community, a variety of specials make the cafe perfect for everyone! For example, the “prix-fixe” menu is perfect for date nights, the daily family hour and the kids menu are great for those with children, and leisure hour (featuring food and drink specials) is ideal for business meetings or to relax after a long day of work.
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From the Cafe Maude website:
Who is Maude Armatage?
We chose the name Maude to honor her forward thinking and positive contributions to her community. She was a guiding light and driving force in helping Minneapolis to come of age in the 20th century.
She was born in 1870 to a family who owned a farm on what is now the entire Armatage neighborhood. Her grandparents founded Harmony, MN, later to become Richfield, then annexed by Minneapolis in the mid 20th century.
They were civic leaders, founding the library, school, church and parks. Maude continued that tradition, living by the motto of “civilized leisure”. Maude was a lifetime member of the Board at large, elected to the Park Board in 1920, just one year after women got the vote. With leaders such as Theodore Wirth, she founded our fabulous park system and fostered the “greening” of our city.
We chose the name Maude to honor her forward thinking and positive contributions to her community. She was a guiding light and driving force in helping Minneapolis to come of age in the 20th century.
She was born in 1870 to a family who owned a farm on what is now the entire Armatage neighborhood. Her grandparents founded Harmony, MN, later to become Richfield, then annexed by Minneapolis in the mid 20th century.
They were civic leaders, founding the library, school, church and parks. Maude continued that tradition, living by the motto of “civilized leisure”. Maude was a lifetime member of the Board at large, elected to the Park Board in 1920, just one year after women got the vote. With leaders such as Theodore Wirth, she founded our fabulous park system and fostered the “greening” of our city.
We honor that spirit of civilized leisure and civic responsibility.
Crave Restaurant, West End
From the Crave website: ”CRAVE Restaurant was built out of a passion to create a dining experience unlike any other. A dining experience where quality, locally sourced food, chic atmosphere, and diverse choices offer guests the opportunity to create their own unforgettable dining experience. The energy of the restaurant is all encompassing–the buzz of guests and staff, the warm and open design, the modern sushi bar, the fresh spin on American cuisine with seasonality, and the sense of discovery around every corner. A CRAVE guest will leave knowing they experienced just the right mix of sophistication, entertainment and service in what can only be defined as The CRAVE Experience.”
Calhoun Beach Club
Proudly overlooking Lake Calhoun, the iconic Calhoun Beach Club houses an apartment community, health club, event space and restaurant.
The Great Depression delayed the building’s construction by 18 years. Construction began in 1928 and was completed after WWII at which time it became a hub for social events. The 50′s saw the club forced into bankruptcy followed by a conversion into a hotel that would pride itself on its reputation as a destination for social events such as banquets, weddings, luncheons,etc, while the upper floors were converted into high-end apartments. Radio and TV studios were created on the second and third floors where what is now KARE 11 operated (they have since moved). The Beach Club also served as a home for the elderly in the 60′s and early 70′s. The late 70′s saw the building restored to its former glory as a social and sports club. The swimming pool and sports courts were updated and several amenities such as steam rooms, saunas, tennis courts and a jogging track were added. Since, there have been many additions to the building including a new tower that houses luxury apartments. The original building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 23, 2003.
The Beach Club still carries a reputation as a high-end destination for fitness and social events that provides a multitude of occasions to meet new people, network and enjoy a night out. They also provide several opportunities for non-members to join in the fun, so get out there and check it out!
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Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Founded in 1883 by 25 citizens of Minneapolis, the MIA (built in 1915) stands proud – a monument to the art of bringing art to the masses. In more recent times, the MIA has grown into an entity that not only provides art and cultural goodies for anyone and everyone who walks through its doors, it also creates gatherings such as “Third Thursdays” and events geared toward families and children. The museum is always free and easily accessible to all. Its vast collection of art from all walks of life and all time periods could never be viewed in one visit, it is a glorious place to be visited time and time again, and we can count ourselves lucky to have access to it. Guided tours are available regularly and private tours can be booked with a minimum of 4 weeks notice. Special note – The MIA was very accommodating in booking a tour for our group and was genuinely excited at the prospect of working with us.
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Uptown Cafeteria
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You just can’t go wrong. A gorgeous patio + comfort food + fancy (delicious) drinks + bombshell desserts… Uptown Cafeteria has it all, and more! Retro decor and furnishings, a fun color scheme, a menu that gives a vague sense of good old fashioned home cooking 2.0 and lots of space to gather lots of people for lots of time. Again, can’t go wrong. Simple as that, and Cafeteria wouldn’t have it any other way. Go check it out!
Nice Ride Minnesota + bike expert Amber Schulte
We live in one of the top cities in the nation when it comes to biking, and now there’s no excuse not to get out there and enjoy it! Nice Ride Minnesota is a bike sharing / rental system recently introduced to the Twin Cities. Just pick up a bike from your starting point and drop it off at a Nice Ride location when you get to your destination… easy and very affordable! Available during milder months (April – November), Nice Ride makes biking in and around our lovely cities with the wind in your hair (not to mention getting a little exercise and being kind to the environment as well!) simple and enjoyable.
Project 55 is very proud to have partnered up with Nice Ride for this event, thanks to all that were involved and the members who braved the terrible weather to come learn more about Nice Ride and bikes in general thanks to our expert, Amber Schulte. Amber is not only a guru for all things “bicycle”, she’s also a wellness coach and Project 55 member! We look forward to partnering up with her for a future event featuring tips and tricks for living well.
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Covered
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Covered is a locally owned women’s clothing boutique specializing in premium denim and contemporary fashion. Stacy Larson noticed there was a void in Minneapolis’ boutiques, there wasn’t a place to find the perfect fitting pair of jeans. With her experience, passion, and expertise, Stacy opened Covered in 2006. Stacy, Megan, and Bridget have created an environment for women to feel comfortable and inspired all while finding the best fitting denim, an amazing dress for a wedding, or a super comfy basic tee! All the exclusive lines and styles we want in a welcoming and cool local boutique. They will even pull a fitting room full of clothes for you while you sip champagne and page through a magazine! Whatever your wardrobe needs they are there for you - bubbly in hand.
Location: 402 14th Avenue Southeast Minneapolis, MN 55414 (Parking across the street at Planned Parenthood)
Michelangelo’s MasterPizzas
“Michelangelo’s… Love, Art and a Little Garlic!”
Michelangelo’s is a neighborhood staple in SouthWest Minneapolis. Don’t let the name fool you, the menu extends far beyond pizza! Appetizers (think Wings or Artichoke dip), pasta dishes, hoagies and salads… not to mention dessert!… come together for a complete dining experience. Build the pizza of your dreams with a vast selection of crust styles and sauce options (from traditional red sauce to basil pesto) and a multitude of toppings, just be sure to save room for a sweet finish like Oreo ice cream pie.
Whether you’ve just finished an afternoon stroll around Lake Harriet or you’re at the end of an exhausting day and can’t imagine yourself making dinner, Michelangelo’s is there for you. Choose from delivery, carry-out or enjoy the charm of red-checkered tablecloths as you enjoy dinner on site.
Online ordering and coupons are available. Call to organize private parties or events.
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Minnesota Roller Girls
From the Minnesota Roller Girls website:
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Who We Are
The Minnesota RollerGirls are part of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), a national governing body for female-only, skater-owned, flat-track roller derby leagues. The Minnesota RollerGirls league was founded by the Donnelly sisters in August 2004 and has grown from 6 original members to a current roster of 80 skaters, as well as referees, coaches, and countless volunteers. All participants are unpaid amateurs and the league provides insurance coverage for practices and bouts.
Where We Play
The Minnesota RollerGirls are the first league in the country to have a professional space for practices and bouts. The Roy Wilkins Auditorium in downtown Saint Paul is where we call home and we couldn’t be happier!
Is This Like Old-School Derby?
Modern roller derby differs in many ways from the roller derby that used to air on television. Read more on our history of roller derby page.
So, What Kind of League Are You, Then?
Good question! Well, we’re all unpaid, amateur skaters who not only practice and bout, but do all the work to keep the league running. We also buy our own gear and uniforms. All of our volunteers (refs, announcers, and production staff) are also unpaid and they help us out for the love of the sport and our league. Like many of the all-female, skater-owned leagues around the country, we donate a portion of our bout proceeds to local charities, and spend time volunteering at events and fundraisers.
In addition to attending at least half of our thrice-weekly two-hour practices (in order to remain eligible for bouting), all members in the league are responsible for helping on one of the many committees that keeps the league running. Without the work of these fine ladies, the Minnesota RollerGirls wouldn’t be the amazing league that it is. In return, the league pays for our practice space and the insurance that covers our injuries at practices and bouts. There are many other expenses that the league pays, and this is why we love our fabulous sponsors!
As far as our demographics, we’re all 21+ but there’s no upper age limit, and we have several skaters in their 40s. Quite a few members have children. Professionally, we range from usability consultants and web developers to hairdressers and fashion designers to students and medical researchers. In other words, we’re a cross-section of the modern, successful, strong female population.
We’re a Charitable Bunch
We like to spread the love and hold events for different causes. The Minnesota RollerGirls are dedicated to our local communities and charities and we invest our time, effort, and a portion of our event proceeds to local, and sometimes national, charities. See our Supported Charities page for all the information about charities we’ve donated money and/or time to.
Are the Minnesota RollerGirls Kid-Friendly?
Even though these girls are rough and tumble on the track, the event is kid friendly. If we were a movie, we’d be PG-13. We’ve had all ages at our bouts, from 3 years old up to 90+.
Consider the Following When Deciding Whether to Bring Your Kids
We project a positive, strong, athletic image because that’s the kind of women we are! This could be a great influence for your young girls, and boys too. We love to see kids at our bouts and occasionally invite the local junior roller derby league to play on the Roy’s track at our bouts.
This is a sport where all body types are an asset and it’s not just for thin or burly women. It’s a good way to show kids that everyone can be involved in sports and be physically active, as long as you find the right sport to participate in!
This is a sporting event and people get pretty riled up, including us. There’s a chance there might be strong language spoken in the heat of the moment. But unless you happen to be right near the incident, you won’t be able to hear it. Fights are FAR rarer than in hockey and generally much less violent.
We have a variety of bands who play at our bouts and there’s always a chance there might be strong language in their lyrics. Again, probably not something the kids will be able to distinguish. It all comes down to your decision, but we hope that information helps you in deciding. And we hope to see your family at one of our bouts!
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