Marcy Holmes Neighborhood Association

What will Minneapolis be like in the year 2030? That depends on how we plan today!

The City of Minneapolis has begun the process of updating its Comprehensive Plan. Join City leaders at a Community Forum to learn about the process and to discuss three themes that will shape the Minneapolis of the future: sustainability, heritage preservation and urban design. The same material will be discussed at all three forums. Following a general overview of the update process, we will divide into three groups, one to discuss each theme.

Please hold the date for the Community Forum that is most convenient for you:

- Saturday, April 28, 10:00 a.m. to noon, Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall

- Tuesday, May 1, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Midtown YWCA, 2121 East Lake St. (near Hiawatha)

- Thursday, May 17, 4:00-6:00 p.m., Capri Theater, 2210 Oliver Ave. North

For more information about the Comprehensive Plan and update process, please visit: http://www.minneapolisplan.info.

You can also call (612) 673-2098 or email comments and questions to update@minneapolisplan.info

Minneapolis is one of the first large cities in the U.S. to go wireless

The Wireless Minneapolis network will cover all 59 square miles of Minneapolis, providing residents, businesses, and visitors with wireless broadband access anywhere in the city. It will also allow the City of Minneapolis to deliver services more efficiently and effectively than ever before.

The Wireless Minneapolis network is up and running in the Cedar Riverside area, which was the pilot project for the network. The rest of the network will be constructed throughout 2007, with up to 2,000 wireless devices installed on light poles, traffic signals, and buildings to complete the network.

The Southeast and Northeast areas are expected to be completed by mid-October this year. Wireless access for residents who sign up will cost $19.95 a month, and business access will be $29.95 a month. The City has negotiated a contract with U.S. Internet that has a community benefits component. U.S. Internet will direct five percent of the network’s net profits to a ‘digital-inclusion fund,’ which will be used to promote internet access, low-cost computer hardware, and increased computer literacy in underserved communities.

You can learn more at http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/wirelessminneapolis/.

There are openings on the Charter Commission, the Empowerment Zone Board, the Housing Board of Appeals, the Latino Advisory Committee, the Public Health Advisory Committee and the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee.

To apply, call (612) 673-3358 or email cityclerk@ci.minneapolis.mn.us.

State Senator Scott Dibble and Representative Karen Clark are sponsoring bills (HF 2210 and SF 1940) to help fund RJCA’s efforts “to provide enhanced accountability for misdemeanors and felonies that affect neighborhoods’ quality of life.”

Here are 2 things you can do in 10 minutes or less:

1. CALL SCOTT AND KAREN AND LEAVE A MESSAGE THANKING THEM FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORT:

*Sen. Dibble - 651.296.4191

*Rep. Clark -(651) 296-0294

2. CALL YOUR OWN LEGISLATORS TO LEAVE A MESSAGE ASKING FOR THEIR SUPPORT:

For Southeast Minneapolis:

*Sen. Pogemiller -651.296.7809

*Rep. Kahn -(651) 296-4257

Picosa is a new restaurant concept that features Nuevo Latino cuisine, to our area.Picosa will be open for business on April 29th, in the space formerly occupied by Sophia’s, located at 65 East Main Street in Southeast Minneapolis.

Picosa, which means ’spicy one’ in Spanish, will offer guests signature Latino dishes from Mexico, Central and South America.

Menu items will be based on the region that made them popular with Picosa, adding special spices and ingredients to ensure their guests experience a dining sensation that is truly new to the Minneapolis palate.

Picosa will spice up Riverplace

You may wish to submit a community impact statement to the County Attorney regarding the charges against Cedric Gibbs of 2nd Degree Murder ­ Unintentional. This is the murder which occurred on 3/12/07 at Central and East Hennepin. Minneapolis police began investigating after officers responded to a report that two passengers were involved in a physical fight on the bus and one man had been knocked unconscious. CPR was administered to the victim at the scene, but the man died at Hennepin County Medical Center.

To submit your feelings about this crime and crime in the area, you may go to:

http://www.hennepinattorney.org/cpShowCases.aspx?city=26&prec=2&nbr=11

Carol Oosterhuis Crime Prevention Specialist
2nd Precinct
1911 Central Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 673-2874

For monthly crime stats go to: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/police/crime-statistics/

The Minneapolis Plan for Arts and Culture

Recent trends clearly demonstrate that local economies depend greatly upon the creative and intellectual capital of their citizenry. To position itself economically, Minneapolis relies strongly upon its artistic and cultural resources, which generate an estimated $269 million annually.

Over the last ten years, the City of Minneapolis has invested tens of millions of dollars into an arts community that is rapidly growing and changing, yet the City had no strategic plan for the arts and culture. City decisions regarding support for these activities are addressed one project at a time and are managed by several City entities.

The City of Minneapolis needed a plan for arts and culture that both focuses decision-making at the City level and supports the diverse artistic interests and talents within our community. Minneapolis Plan for Arts and Culture 2006 Progress Report was released in March 2007.

The Minneapolis Plan for Arts and Culture is now available at the city’s website: www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us.

This is a ten-year strategic plan that defines the role of the City of Minneapolis in supporting the arts and culture, and the role of the arts and culture in accomplishing the City’s broader goals. The plan will result in a clear set of future priorities that are supported through policy and a range of City resources.

Many of you may have seen the popular press on a correlation of cell phones to the decline in North American bees. I am sharing the thoughts of U of MN Extension Entomologists in this post. The jury is still out on the cause of bee losses.

Steph Hankerson
Ramsey County Master Gardener & COMGAR Cultivator

Bees and Cell Phones

Yes, myself and our apiculturist Dr. Marla Spivak have heard of this study. Unfortunately, this research has been blown way out of proportion. This was a very limited study which was looking at the potential of non-thermal radiation on human brains by looking at honey bees as a model. Nothing has been proven at this point, just mild speculation. Even the author says that honey bees were not affected. Certainly there needs to be much follow up research to determine whether there is any validity to this claim. In the mean time, there are other more potential causes that will be examined.”

Jeff Hahn Extension Educator & Associate Professor Urban Insects

http://www.entomology.umn.edu/Faculty/hahn/hahncv.htm

Time to uncover your bumpout garden!

We seem to be heading for great weather, so if you haven’t already, remove the cover for the bumpout perennials.

By now some of the plants are reaching for the sun, but there are a few that emerge later, so be cautious about digging in the beds.

If you did not cut down dead foliage last fall, do that now.

The plants could benefit from a small application of an all purpose granular fertilizer (10-10-10). Just sprinkle it around the base of the plants (sort of like tossing feed for chickens) being careful not to get it on the leaves. Scratch it into the ground and water it in well.

You may have to start weeding too!

Wait a couple weeks before adding annuals to the garden. The days may be warm, but it still gets plenty cold at night and they just won’t grow until it warms up. Optimum planting time for annuals is the middle to end of May.

Looking forward to a lot of colorful blooms this season!

Question from Arvonne:

“Anyone got any ideas how to discourage
rabbits from eating tulips?”

How about it, neighborhood gardeners? What do we know about rabbit behavior management? Click the “comments” link to leave a comment ….

Response from John:

The combination of fox urine and bone meal seemed to work pretty well last year keeping the critters out of the garden. Of course, we also have a dog who was ever vigilant.

Woodchips in Minneapolis

There are sites around the city where they are available for pick-up gratis.

A list of sites is available at http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/solid-waste/yardwaste-woodchips.asp.

Another list of sites is available through Mpls Parks at http://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=544.

“Because woodchips are generated on a seasonal basis there are occasions when a site will be empty. This is most likely to happen in May.”

Thirty-six New Boulevard Trees coming to our neighborhood

Planting will begin during the week of April 16th. The Forestry Department will continue until all the trees are planted which takes usually 4 to 6 weeks.

The trees are planted by species as they become available at our temporary nursery site. Therefore you may have trees being planted in your neighborhood at any time during that 6- week time frame. During that time period you will also see the trees being mulched after planting.

MHNA Office has a list of species
and locations ­we’ll have at the April meeting as well.

If you get a new tree, please water it. The city only waters twice ­ and property owners or residents must water regularly to ensure the trees will survive. So thanks.

Rain barrels are available now to city residents.

The cost of a rain barrels is $45, which is about half their normal retail price. Barrels are available to Minneapolis residents for use on Minneapolis properties, and there is a limit of one per household.

You can order the rain barrels at www.thereusecenter.com or by phone at 612-724-2608.

Quantities are limited, so it’s a good idea to pre-order.