Please attend the August MHNA General membership meeting, Tuesday August 21.

We have a new president, Arvonne Fraser, new officers and board members. We still have one board of director seat open, so if you have been a member for a year, think about joining the board. You’ll meet interesting people and help decide the future of our neighborhood. Contact the MHNA office at 623-7633.

You may have noticed some severe pruning of sumac and vines along 35W between the University and 4th St entries and exits, which was done by MN DOT yesterday.

In talking with the project supervisor, we were told this is due to the fence needing repair; the sumac being overgrown and the trees being weed trees. We were assured the vines and the sumac would grow back and that the work crew would be picking up trash along the way. Since much of the vegetation along 35W in our area was planted as a result of a huge neighborhood project in early 1990s, this hurts. If there is any
consolation, it’s in knowing that the plants will grow back and that the Community Garden at 8th St & 10th Ave SE will benefit from the woodchip mulch that resulted from yesterday’s chopping.

KEEP DIGGING! AT MILL RUINS PARK (a Building on the Past event)

Saturdays, June 23 to August 11, 10 am -­ 2 pm
Mill Ruins Park, Portland and West River Parkway

Thanks to a grant from the Mississippi River Fund, excavation will continue at the Cataract Mill Complex located within Mill Ruins Park. You are invited to work alongside professional archaeologists and help excavate historic flour mills. Participation in the dig is FREE. For ages 8 to 88.

Slather on the sun screen, wear closed toe shoes and bring gloves. Group digs are also available. For directions or more information call 612-313-7793, email millruins@minneapolisparks.org or visit www.minneapolisparks.org.

Open June ­ August, Saturdays and Sundays, 1-­ 4 pm
Chute Park, Central and University avenues

Visit the Godfrey House — the oldest remaining wood frame house in Minneapolis, first occupied by Ard Godfrey, a millwright, and his wife Harriet Godfrey in 1849. Costumed volunteers from the Woman’s Club of Minneapolis will guide you through this fascinating furnished home and help you glimpse what life was like for early City founders. No admission fee is charged, but donations are welcome.

Special tours for groups may be scheduled year-round by making arrangements with the Ard Godfrey House Committee at the Minneapolis Woman’s Club, at (612) 870-8001. For information: (612) 813-5319 or http://www.ardgodfreyhouse.org
.

Northeast bank of the Mississippi River at the Stone Arch Bridge

Concert schedule is subject to change. For updates and more information:
http://www.minneapolisparks.org/documents/activities/concerts/father_hennepi
n_bluffs.pdf

* Wednesday, August 1, 7 ­ 8:30 pm — Gabriel James (Band) (Jazzy alternative singer-songwriter band)

* Friday, August 3, 12 noon ­ 1:30 pm — Michael McElrath (Acoustic Folk, Blues, Pop

As a way to connect residents into a “virtual block club” a Marcy-Holmes Grapevine is being established. Join the Grapevine to communicate with your neighbors, distribute flyers on behalf of the city and neighborhood and share information about safety and livability with your neighbors.

Several blocks are covered but help is needed on these blocks: If you can help, contact marthabballard@earthlink.net

2nd Street - all of it
University Ave
1XX - 4XX 6xx 7xx 9xx - 14xx
4th Street
1xx - 3xx 5xx 6xx 9xx - 14xx
5th Street
1xx - 3xx 9xx - 14xx
6th Street
1xx - 3xx 8xx - 14xx
7th Street
1xx - 4xx 8xx - 14xx
8th Street
all except the 12xx block
9th Street
all except the 3xx block
2nd Ave
all except the 4xx block
3rd Ave - all of it
4th Ave - all of it
5th Ave - all of it
6th Ave
3xx 4xx 8xx 9xx
7th Ave
3xx 4xx 7xx 8xx 9xx
8th Ave
3xx 7xx 8xx 9xx
9th - 13th Avenues - all of them
14th Ave
3xx - 6xx 8xx 9xx
15th Ave - all of it

Park Board’s Draft Comprehensive Plan Offered for Public Review
Open Houses and Comment Period Scheduled The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) announced today that its draft Comprehensive Plan will be available for public review July 16 through August 3.

The Board is seeking public comment on the plan, which will map the course for the park system in the future.

The plan is available on www.minneapolisparks.org and copies will be available for review at MPRB recreation centers, district offices and golf courses and Minneapolis public libraries. Those wishing to comment may use the comment cards provided or comment online at www.minneapolisparks.org.

The next open house is scheduled for
… 7-8:30 p.m., July 24, Folwell Park Recreation Center, 1615 Dowling Ave.
N., Minneapolis 55412

Language accommodations available upon request; call 612-230-6472 at least
48 hours in advance

There will also be an opportunity for public comment on August 15 during a
Park Board planning committee meeting at 2117 West River Road, Minneapolis
55411.

Minneapolis’ 2nd Annual Parade of Community Gardens takes place Aug 18 from
10 - 2 pm.

You can get information about the Parade online at www.gardenworksMN.org/Parade.htm and also find the Parade Brochure.

Do you know of a neighborhood garden worthy of recognition? Nominations will
be accepted until August 1 at Minneapolis Blooms.
www.minneapolisblooms.org/nominate

COCKTAILS WITH A PRESERVATIONIST ­
WATER POWER PARK
Wednesday, July 25, 5:30 ­ 6:30 pm
Water Power Park — enter on Main Street across from Tugg’s

Tour the city’s newest park and learn about the history of water power development at St. Anthony Falls. View the Falls up close, and enjoy beverages and informal conversation. Presented by Team 007/Preserve Minneapolis. FREE.

The Next Northeast Nights Event will take place on Friday, August 3.

The Theme is “Dog Days of Summer’. Plans Include:

* A Dog Parade, beginning at Chute Square at 6PM
* Bone Adventure will host a Pet Adoption with Homeward Bound and an Art
Opening
* Shelley Mossman will do photography of dogs and their companions.
* Spot Spa will do doggie foot soaks.
* Let’s Cook will have homemade dog treats for the pets and “puppy chow” for
the people.

Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis will hold community collection events to help county residents safely and properly dispose of their unwanted garden and household hazardous wastes.

Collection events will be held:

Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. … August 9 ­ August 11 in the Pillsbury/Bottineau School parking lot, 2231 Garfield St. NE., Minneapolis

September 20 -­ September 22 at the City of Minneapolis Public Works Snelling Avenue Garage, 3607 E. 44th St., Minneapolis

The county will accept many household hazardous wastes, including mercury items: fluorescent bulbs and HID lamps, thermostats and thermometers; pesticides; electronics: computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, etc.; automotive wastes: fuels, fuel additives, starter fluid and waxes; aerosol cans, paint, lead-based paint chips, solvents and thinners; pool, photographic and hobby chemicals; rechargeable tools, household batteries and lead-acid batteries.

Items are accepted from households only. Business waste cannot be accepted.

The University of Minnesota Farmers Market returns to the Twin Cities campus on Wednesdays this summer. The market opens for its third season on July 11. Visit us along Church Street in Minneapolis from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine. More than a dozen vendors will sell fresh flowers and locally grown produce. Visitors to the market can also:

- receive a complimentary canvas tote bag
- taste free iced tea courtesy of Campus Club
- get nutrition and fitness tips from members of the Wellness Collaborative
- enjoy music on the Northrop Plaza courtesy of Summer at Northrop

For directions or more information, visit www.farmersmarket.umn.edu.

The University of Minnesota Farmers Market is brought to you by the Office of Human Resources, Employee Wellness Program.

The City’s call for Climate Change micro grants resulted in at least one for
the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood.

University Baptist Church got word that they are one of 20 recipients of a Mobilizing Citizens for Grassroots Climate Change micro grant from the City of Minneapolis. This $1,000 grant will help us in replacing their light bulbs throughout their building with
compact florescent bulbs (CFL’s). The estimated annual savings in electricity is $2,692. The sanctuary chandeliers will even get CFL’s that look like little flames. As part of the grant, they have agreed to promote and enroll people in the Minnesota Energy Challenge. You can locate that at
www.mnenergychallenge.org.
They’ll keep a tally of the carbon footprint they have reduced as a congregation. The change in bulbs will take place in the coming weeks.

Minneapolis is encouraging people to call 911 if they see graffiti vandals
in action. A caller whose information leads to an arrest and conviction can
receive an award of up to $500.

Graffiti diminishes the livability of our neighborhoods and threatens public safety because it gives the impression crime is tolerated. Anyone who sees graffiti on a home or business should call 311 to report it. But if you see a graffiti vandal in action, calling 911 will allow police to respond. The $500 reward program is one way the City is working with residents, businesses, and other organizations to wipe out graffiti.

For more information on how Minneapolis is working to get rid
of graffiti, or to report graffiti, visit www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/graffiti.

Many bicycle infrastructure projects will be funded by the recently-announced Non-motorized Transportation Grants.

The City will add bike lanes on E Franklin Ave from Riverside across the bridge, along the whole length of Riverside from Franklin to the Cedar Riverside LRT Station, Minnehaha from 31st to Franklin, 20th Ave S from Minnehaha to Riverside, 19th Ave S from Riverside across the bridge to 10th Ave SE, the University bike trench, SE Como from 10th Ave SE to St. Paul, and 27th Ave SE from E River Parkway to University.

For more thoughts on these projects, and a map of all funded projects citywide, please see CM Gordon’s blog:
http://secondward.blogspot.com, or for more information on bicycling in Minneapolis, visit www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/bicycles.

Also see the recent article from U of MN at
http://www1.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/Brighter_biking_ahead_near_U.html?enewsemail

The Council has passed a 10-year Transportation Action Plan for Downtown. It includes plans for increasing public transit capacity on Marquette and 2nd, turning a number of one-way streets into two-way streets (including Hennepin and First Avenues), as well as various bicycle and pedestrian improvements.

CM Cam Gordon moved an amendment that passed unanimously, requiring staff to explore the “Copenhagen Model” in downtown ­ including curbed bike lanes between
sidewalks and parking lanes and bicycle signalization. Bicycle and pedestrian master plans are expected to be completed by December 2008. The downtown plan, along with a summary of public comments received, is posted at http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/public-works/trans-plan/ under the project documents section.

Minneapolis Public Library Board Meetings Offer Opportunity for Questions
Regarding Consolidation with Hennepin County Library System.

All Minneapolis Public Library Board meetings scheduled through 2007 will include time for public discussion and questions related to the proposed
consolidation with the Hennepin County Library system in 2008.

“Given the importance of libraries to our communities, we wanted to offer a
regular opportunity for public discussion around the consolidation, and
since our board meetings take place every other week, we thought they
provided the perfect opportunity for this exchange,” said Anita Duckor,
president of the Minneapolis Public Library Board of Trustees.

Board meetings are generally held the first and third Wednesday of the month
at 6 pm; upcoming meetings include:

July 11, Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall July 25, Central Library

August 8, Walker Library, 2880 Hennepin Avenue

August 22, Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall

September 19, Sumner Library, 611 Van White Memorial Boulevard

October 3, Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall October 17, Central Library

November 7, Hosmer Library, 347 East 36th Street November 21, Central Library

December 5, Central Library December 19, Central Library

Founded in 1885, the Minneapolis Public Library provides service through the
downtown Central Library, community libraries, technology centers and online
at www.mplib.org.

The library’s mission is to link people in the city and beyond with the transforming power of knowledge.

The members of the Minneapolis Library Board are: Anita S. Duckor,
president; Alan Hooker, secretary; Rod Krueger; Sheldon Mains; Hussein
Samatar; Laurie Savran; Gary Thaden; and Laura Waterman Wittstock.

Timely garden suggestions from the University of MN’s Yard and Garden News

Garden Calendar: July Gardening To-Dos
Contributor: Nancy Rose,   Regional Extension Educator - Horticulture

Mulch holds in valuable soil moisture and moderates soil temperature, so apply an appropriate mulch to any bare ground in gardens and landscaped areas. Use 2 to 4 inches of coarse, long-lasting mulches like wood chips or bark nuggets around trees and shrubs. Use faster-decomposing mulch like straw, shredded leaves, or cocoa bean hulls in areas where soil is turned frequently like vegetable gardens or annual flower beds.

Use soaker hoses in gardens to apply water directly to soil without wetting foliage. Cover soaker hoses with mulch. This helps extend their life by protecting the hoses from UV rays.

Be sure to water all trees and shrubs planted this year or in the past few years if rainfall has been insufficient in your area. These plants are still developing root systems and can be easily damaged or killed if allowed to dry out.

Small fruits like raspberries and blueberries need even soil  moisture now as their fruit develops.

Be aware of any watering restrictions in your community.  Save water by watering lawns in early morning when winds are light and  temperatures are lower.
Raise mowing height to 3 or more inches and be sure mower blades are sharp. Grass blades can lose more water when the tops are shredded rather than cleanly cut.

Watch for squash vine borer adults (a clear winged moth). Females are already laying eggs on squash stems; larvae then bore into stems and can kill squash plants. Remove the tiny brown eggs if you see them.

Blossom-end rot often appears on early tomotoes that have suffered uneven soil moisture conditions, so water tomatoes regularly and mulch well to hold soil moisture and reduce soil splash which can spread fungal spores.

Deadhead perennial and annual flowers to improve appearance  and encourage more bloom.

Look for good deals on annuals and perennials at garden  centers now. Protect yourself from mosquito bites by wearing long sleeves, long pants, and even a head net; or use an effective mosquito repellant spray. Don’t forget to protect yourself from the sun as well by shielding skin or using liberal amounts of sunscreen.

–
Steph Hankerson
Your Comgar Cultivator
Ramsey and Hennepin County Master Gardeners

Email us with your horticultural questions!  comgar.cultivator@gmail.com *COMGAR is for community gardeners in the Twin Cities Metro Area (and Greater Minnesota) to share timely information, seek advice from other gardeners, and learn about resources available to gardeners.

Wednesday, July 4, 3 pm start time

On historic Main Street, Minneapolis Red, White and Boom is a free, family-friendly Fourth of July Celebration along the beautiful Minneapolis riverfront. With a new name and more activities for families to enjoy, the 2007 event will be a Fourth of July to remember. Along with highlighting features of this historic Minneapolis area, the event showcases interactive and educational family programming, musical performances, entertainment and great savory summer foods. The event culminates with a spectacular fireworks show at 10 p.m. that will light up our beautiful downtown skyline! Music and activities will begin along Main Street from the Central Avenue Bridge to 6th Avenue SE and in Father Hennepin Bluff Park at 3 p.m.

FATHER HENNEPIN BLUFF STAGE
Music from 3 – 9:30 pm:

3 — 4 Creekbones 4:30 — 5:30 Don Washington
6 — 7:30 Friends of Yoder 8 — 9:30 Chris Lawrence

FAMILY FUN ZONE AT FATHER HENNEPIN BLUFF PARK

Interactive Programs and Activities 3 – 9pm:

Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of MN, Minnesota Ripknees, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Art Start, InnerCity Tennis, Leonardo’s Basement, Mad Science, A Touch of Magic, Underwater Adventure Aquarium, Power of You, MPRB Environmental, MPRB Youthline, Twin City Catering – Climbing Wall and Moonwalk, plus much more!

FIREWORKS at 10 pm

The Minneapolis Riverfront District’s 4th of July fireworks can be viewed from Main Street in front of St. Anthony Main, the Stone Arch Bridge and along West River Parkway. Minneapolis Red, White and Boom is a collaborative effort between the Minneapolis Riverfront District and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. Sponsored by East Bank Mills and Phoenix on the River. For more details:
http://www.mplsredwhiteandboom.com.