Something new at Marcy Open School — Community Drawing Nights

December 18th, 2008 – 6:30-8pm (art room at Marcy Open)
February 12th, 2009 — 6:30-8pm (art room at M.O.)
May 14th, 2009 — 6:30-8pm (art room at M.O.)

Lynda Monick-Isenberg from the College of Visual Arts in St. Paul is leading the classes. The classes are free and available to families or individuals. All are welcome. Ms Monick-Isenberg is doing an all school residency program on observational drawing this year with Marcy Open School students.

Observational Drawing session at Marcy Open School
415 4th Ave SE, in the Art Room

May 14th, 2009 — 6:30-8pm

Lynda Monick-Isenberg from the College of Visual Arts in St. Paul is leading the classes. The classes are free and available to families or individuals. All are welcome. Ms. Monick-Isenberg is doing an all school residency program on observational drawing this year with Marcy students. You may have read about this popular activity in the Bridge.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is developing a new Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for the park system and is seeking community input in late-2008 and throughout 2009.

The CIP is a prioritized list of infrastructure improvements that guides long-term investment and rehabilitation in the park system. “The MPRB’s new CIP will be one of the most significant ways we apply the direction and findings of the Comprehensive Plan into parks across the system,” stated Superintendent Jon Gurban.

As budgets tighten, demographics shift and the diversity of recreation activities grows, it is essential that community needs drive infrastructure improvements in the park system. To develop the CIP, major activities provided in or supported by the Minneapolis park system will undergo review.

The review process will include researching trends, developing delivery goals and conducting community input. The resulting plan for each activity will identify infrastructure changes or improvements as well as programming opportunities for that activity.

Identified improvements are anticipated to range from basic maintenance to rehabilitation to those that might catch the eye of potential donors to the park system.

The review will begin with biking/walking/rolling activities and field sports. Potential activities to be reviewed in the future include: winter recreation, court sports and environmental programming.

There will be several opportunities for park visitors to express their needs and preferences. Currently, residents and park visitors are encouraged to visit www.minneapolisparks.org to complete surveys by Nov. 28, 2008 regarding biking/walking/rolling activities and field sports. Surveys are also available by Oct. 31, 2008 at recreation centers and the MPRB’s customer service desk (612-230-6400).

Public meetings will be held in early 2009, with details available after Jan. 1 at www.minneapolisparks.org or by calling customer service 612-230-6400.

Community input will be sought on more activities over the next year. Residents and park visitors are encouraged to stay connected to future

participation opportunities by submitting contact information at www.minneapolisparks.org – Capital Improvement or by calling 612-230-6400. If language accommodation is needed to provide input in this process, please call 612-230-6472.

The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization is offering a free workshop on Winter Parking Lot and Sidewalk Maintenance. This class focuses on the environmental impacts of sand and salt from snow & ice removal and proper application strategies of sand and salt to reduce that impact and save money on materials.

This free workshop is on Thursday, December 11, 2008 from 10-2:30 PM at the St. Anthony City Hall. Registration brochure can be mailed, email, or faxed.

Find out more information on MWMO’s websitet:
http://www.mwmo.org/snow%20and%20ice.html

Specific topics include:

Read the rest of this entry »

The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization is offering a free workshop on Winter Parking Lot and Sidewalk Maintenance. This class focuses on the environmental impacts of sand and salt from snow & ice removal and proper application strategies of sand and salt to reduce that impact and save money on materials.

This free workshop is on Thursday, December 11, 2008 from 10-2:30 PM at the St. Anthony City Hall. Registration brochure can be mailed, email, or faxed.

Find out more information on MWMO’s websitet:
http://www.mwmo.org/snow%20and%20ice.html

Specific topics include:

Read the rest of this entry »

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is developing a new Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for the park system and is seeking community input in late-2008 and throughout 2009.

The CIP is a prioritized list of infrastructure improvements that guides long-term investment and rehabilitation in the park system. “The MPRB’s new CIP will be one of the most significant ways we apply the direction and findings of the Comprehensive Plan into parks across the system,” stated Superintendent Jon Gurban.

As budgets tighten, demographics shift and the diversity of recreation activities grows, it is essential that community needs drive infrastructure improvements in the park system. To develop the CIP, major activities provided in or supported by the Minneapolis park system will undergo review.

The review process will include researching trends, developing delivery goals and conducting community input. The resulting plan for each activity will identify infrastructure changes or improvements as well as programming opportunities for that activity.

Identified improvements are anticipated to range from basic maintenance to rehabilitation to those that might catch the eye of potential donors to the park system.

The review will begin with biking/walking/rolling activities and field sports. Potential activities to be reviewed in the future include: winter recreation, court sports and environmental programming.

There will be several opportunities for park visitors to express their needs and preferences. Currently, residents and park visitors are encouraged to visit www.minneapolisparks.org to complete surveys by Nov. 28, 2008 regarding biking/walking/rolling activities and field sports. Surveys are also available by Oct. 31, 2008 at recreation centers and the MPRB’s customer service desk (612-230-6400).

Public meetings will be held in early 2009, with details available after Jan. 1 at www.minneapolisparks.org or by calling customer service 612-230-6400.

Community input will be sought on more activities over the next year. Residents and park visitors are encouraged to stay connected to future

participation opportunities by submitting contact information at www.minneapolisparks.org – Capital Improvement or by calling 612-230-6400. If language accommodation is needed to provide input in this process, please call 612-230-6472.

Wow — Look at this and yes Marcy-Holmes is in the Phase I Service area:

The Twin Cities Bike Share Project is an initiative started by the City of Minneapolis to bring public bicycle sharing to Minneapolis. 

Paris, Barcelona, and over twenty-five other cities across Europe have proven that web-based subscription programs coupled with locking, self-service kiosks are an effective means to provide a bicycle sharing program that is both easy to use and viable for the long term.

A bicycle sharing system will:

·    Reduce dependency on automobiles, particularly for short trips in the  center city, reducing traffic congestion, vehicle emissions, and demand for  parking.
·    Enhance our existing public transportation system by adding capacity to  use a public bicycle to complete the first or last leg of a trip (i.e., from  the train station to the workplace) and enable bus and rail commuters to  make short trips from the workplace without a car.
·    Expand the health and wellness benefits of bicycle transportation beyond  traditional enthusiast groups to everyone living or working in the center  city.
·    Spur the transformation of city streets to become environments where  pedestrians and bicyclists feel safe and comfortable.

The City of Minneapolis has expressed a preference for a local, non-profit ownership model. The City has retained the City of Lakes Nordic Ski Foundation (CoLNSF), a Minneapolis-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, to solicit proposals and prepare a non-profit business plan to launch bicycle sharing in Minneapolis.

www.twincitiesbikeshare.com

The St. Anthony Falls Heritage Board web site provides information about the history of the St. Anthony Falls area and history-related things to do (including web versions of the various walking tour brochures).

Visit www.stanthonyfalls.org.

The Everyday Leader’s Club at Marcy open School is collecting coats to be donated to the Salvation Army.

If you have coats that your family no longer needs, please bring them to Marcy open School. There is a coat rack outside the office to hang them on.

Observational Drawing at Marcy

December 18th, 2008 — 6:30-8pm (art room at Marcy Open)
February 12th, 2008 — 6:30-8pm (art room at M.O.)
May 14th, 2008 — 6:30-8pm (art room at M.O.)

Note:  Lynda Monick-Isenberg from the College of Visual Arts in St. Paul is leading the classes and they’re free and available to families or individuals.

City seeks applicants for new Neighborhood and Community Engagement Commission
Deadline: November 19, 2008

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/communications/WhatsNews_CE.asp

The City of Minneapolis is now accepting applications from residents for seven positions on the newly created Neighborhood and Community Engagement Commission.

The role of the commission will be to shape how the City engages its residents and works with neighborhood and community organizations, as well as oversee programming details and funding for neighborhood revitalization work.

The seven committee members that will be appointed by the Mayor and City Council will be part of the 16-member committee. Of the remaining members, eight residents will be selected by neighborhood organizations and one will be appointed by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.

Please note this application process only applies to the seven residents who will be appointed by the Mayor and City Council.

The application deadline for these seven positions is Nov. 19, 2008. Applicants are required to be Minneapolis residents who do not hold a current election certificate. For more information on commissioner duties, visits the City’s Boards and Commissions current openings site.

To apply, download an application form:

www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/communications/communityengagement.asp

Applications are also available at the Minneapolis City Clerk’s Office, room 304 of City Hall at 350 S. Fifth St.

MHNA lost a friend and supporter recently, Mildred Templin.

She was a longtime neighbor and child development educator at the U of MN. Even after leaving the neighborhood 15 years ago, Mildred took great interest in our association’s goings on and she will be missed by her many friends and colleagues here.

We got a small grant from MWMO (Mississippi Watershed Management Organization) to produce educational materials and form a stewardship squad around the 6th Ave SE Native Planting boulevard greenway. This is the area from Main St SE to Univ Ave SE. The project was originally funded by the National Parks Service when the area was strictly industrial. The plantings were meant to connect the river to the neighborhood up the hill, and at the same time the Aldo Moroni sculptures were meant to connect the neighborhood buildings to the river.

Starting early 2009, we’ll be looking for a corps of people who want to learn about the plantings, wish to help plant new flowers and grasses, and who will watch over the area and take action as needed. The educational materials will be new signage and flyers that show why the plantings help the river and which plants are desired vs which are weeds.

Do you walk 6th Ave to the Stone Arch Bridge? We’d love to have you join the group – stay tuned after the new year.

MHNA Garden News

Once again, we have been recognized with a Metro Blooms Award!

So thanks to all the great bump-out gardeners and 8th St garden volunteers.

By now gardeners should have covered gardens with a blanket of leaves to help them winter over.

Message from Diane Hofstede:

Thank you for participating in a successful Third Ward Summit.  Below you will find links to three of the very important projects which impact Third Ward neighborhoods, economic development and commuting in general.  Each of these allows you direct access to updates on projects by signing up.  I encourage you to create a “favorites” link on your desk-top or signing up for bulletins.

The CM receives updates occasionally and finds the information very helpful.

http://www.northstartrain.org/newsroom.html

http://www.metrocouncil.org/transportation/ccorridor/CCInvolvement.htm

http://www.co.hennepin.mn.us/portal/site/HCInternet/menuitem.77d27cbcd42457649bfa04a6c8c06498/?vgnextoid=9b1fbe2f09b7c010VgnVCM1000000f094689RCRD

In Minneapolis, it is now against the law for any vehicle to idle more than three minutes except in traffic.

Warning drivers: $200 fine for violation.

See the city website for more info: www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us

Promote your neighborhood, show your home on the 2009 Minneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour

The 2009 Minneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour is looking for homeowners and home improvement professionals to put their homes on the Tour.

The Tour, in its 22nd year, will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 25 and 26, 2009.

Nomination/applications are due Friday, January 23, 2009, and early inquiries are encouraged.

Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) manages the tour as a celebration of city living that encourages homeowners to improve existing housing stock. Many organizations and businesses sponsor the tour. Contractors and other vendors may nominate homes they have worked on, and are encouraged to call for more information. Green, energy efficient, and historically-sensitive remodels and expansions get special notice.

For more information, call Tour Coordinator Margo Ashmore at 612-673-5103 or email her at link@nrp.org.

The application can be downloaded from www.MSPHomeTour.com under “nominate.”

Be Ready for Winter  … Energy Prices are on the Rise
Start saving now by following these top 10 ways to reduce your energy use…
1.   Replace incandescents with compact fluorescent lightbulbs.
2.   Unplug appliances and electronics when not in use.
3.   Take 5 minute showers.
4.   Wash all clothing in cold water.
5.   Turn your thermostat down 2 degrees.
6.   Install low-flow showerheads.
7.   Weatherstrip doors and windows to seal air leaks.
8.   Seal wall outlets and switches on outer walls.
9.   Insulate hot water heater and pipes.
10. Seal attic bypasses.
Expected yearly savings of $400.

MHNA Fix-Up Loans are available from CEE, Center for Energy & Environment.

Loans are at 5% interest, minimum $7500 and maximum $20,000 with flexible terms up to ten years, for owner occupied and rental properties under five units.

Contact 335 -5884 or visit www.mncee.org

Many thanks to Wilde Roast Café, 518 East Hennepin, for use of their meeting space.

We appreciate their generosity as well as their fine food, beverages and ambiance.

Check out their menu at:

http://www.wilderoastcafe.com/menu/