SPCO to Present Free Concert at the Capri Theater-February 4

SPCO FREE Concert at the Capri Theater

Concert Information:
Saturday, February 4, 2012, 7 p.m.

Program:
Mozart: Flute Quartet in D Major
Martinu Quartet for Clarinet, Horn, Cello and Snare Drum
Schubert: Octet in F for Winds and Strings

Tickets: FREE. Reserve tickets in advance at http://spcocaprifeb4.eventbrite.com.

Tickets are given on a first come, first-served basis. Order yours today!

The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (SPCO) and the Capri Theater will present a FREE chamber music concert in North Minneapolis 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4.

After three very successful free concerts last season, the two organizations decided to bring another free concert to the North Minneapolis neighborhood. This free concert is another of the SPCO’s efforts to be as accessible as possible to the Twin Cities community.

The SPCO will perform Mozart’s Flute Quartet in D, Martinu’s Quartet for Clarinet, Horn and Snare Drum, and Schubert’s Octet in F for Winds and Strings.

While tickets are free, they must be reserved in advance online by clicking here (Eventbrite). Reservations will be redeemed into assigned seating at the Capri Theater’s ticket desk in the lobby starting 4:30 p.m. the night of the concert.

“We are so pleased that the musicians of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra are returning to our stage,” says Karl Reichert, Director of the Capri Theater. “Last year’s free classical chamber music concerts at the Capri Theater were very popular, and we are anticipating that we will have another full house on February 4. The SPCO is helping us demonstrate that the Capri is a great space for classical music.”

Camden Music School
3751 Sheridan Avenue North
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55412
Posted in Community Events, Latest News | Leave a comment

Clothing Closet

Clothing Closet: Most needed now: kids’ clothes and winter coats.  North United Methodist Church, 4350 Fremont Avenue North, on the first, second, third Saturday of each month, 9:00 a.m. to noon and the first Monday of each month-6:00 – 8:00pm; also, Mobile Loaves and Fishes Free Meal – 6:30 p.m. Information: 612-522-4497. No charge – donations accepted.

Posted in Latest News | Leave a comment

Minneapolis gives away radon test kits on January 31

The City of Minneapolis is giving away 550 radon test kits to increase awareness of the cancer risks of radon and encourage people to test their homes for it. Radon is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that occurs naturally in Minnesota soils and can enter homes primarily through cracks and openings in basement or foundation floors and walls.

Radon test kit giveaway
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 31
Minneapolis Development Review, 250 S. Fourth St., Room 300
(one per household, while supplies last)

Free kits are also available immediately while supplies last through the Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support. To get a free kit, contact Megan Curran de Nieto with CLEARCorps USA at 651-603-8000, Xou Xai Yang with Southeast Asian Community Council at 612-521-4859 or Rachelle Menanteau Peleska with Sustainable Resources Center at 612-872-3282.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and the first cause among nonsmokers. More than 21,000 deaths are attributed to radon each year in the U.S. The Minnesota Department of Health estimates that one in three existing Minnesota homes has radon levels that pose a large health risk over many years of exposure. Radon exposure, however, is preventable, and radon problems in homes can be fixed. The first step is to test for radon at home, and the Minnesota Department of Health recommends that all homes in Minnesota be tested for radon. The test kits are easy to use, and postage and testing instructions are included in the kit.

The giveaway test kits are donated by the Minnesota Department of Health.

For more information on radon testing and mitigation visit the Minnesota Department of Health website or call at 651-201-4601 or 1-800-798-9050. Anyone interested in mitigating his or her home for radon should consult the Minnesota Department of Health’s list of certified radon mitigation contractors.

After the one-day giveaway, kits will be available for $9 at the City of Minneapolis Development Review, 250 S. Fourth St., Room 300. Minneapolis Development Review’s hours of operation are: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Posted in Latest News | Leave a comment

Webber Park Master Plan Public Hearing – Feburary 1, 6:30pm

Back to What’s New Listing
Monday, January 23, 2012
Webber Park Public Hearing February 1
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Planning Committee will hold a public hearing February 1 on the new Webber Park master plan. The plan, developed over the last several months in consultation with community members, MPRB staff, and technical consultants, provides guidance for future development of the entire park. The hearing will be at 6:30 p.m. in the board room of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board headquarters, 2117 West River Road.A new pool facility will be the first portion of the master plan to be developed. Four million dollars has been secured for the pool, and if the plan is approved, construction is expected to begin this summer in preparation for the 2013 swim season. This will include demolition of the current pool and pool building, construction of a new pool and pool building, and enhancement of the parking lot.

Community members offered ideas and comments throughout the plan development process though a survey, a multi-day design event, and two additional public meetings. “I have been pleased to see how many people have come out to participate in the master planning process for Webber Park,” said 2nd District Park Commissioner Jon Olson. “Designs have been modified as we’ve gone along to address concerns and ideas expressed by the community. Strong community participation has made a stronger plan.”

The current 22-acre park includes an outdoor swimming pool, wading pool, tennis courts, playing field, playground, pond, basketball court, and recreation center. In addition, Webber Park is the only park in the Minneapolis park system that has a Hennepin County library on the premises. The park has long been a popular destination spot for north side residents.

The new pool facility will have a natural pool edge with spaces for lap swimming, wading and open swimming.

The possibility of a natural filtration system is also being explored for the new pool. Natural filtration would eliminate the need for chlorine, instead using a type of wetland to provide the filter function.

For further information about the Webber Park Master Plan, please visit the project webpage or call Jennifer Ringold, Manager of Public Engagement and Citywide Planning, at 612-230-6464.

CONTACT: Questions from public:
Jennifer Ringold, Manager Public Engagement and Community Planning
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
612-230-6464
jringold@minneapolisparks.orgQuestions from media:
Dawn Sommers, Communications and Marketing Manager
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
Office: 612-230-6407, Cell: 612-221-9155
dsommers@minneapolisparks.org
Posted in Community Events, Latest News | Leave a comment

Minnesota’s Precinct Caucuses will be held Tuesday, February 7, 7 pm

If you need more information regarding the 2012 precinct caucuses, please check the information below that lists  Minnesota’s political parties or contact the League of Women Voters Minneapolis, 81 S. 8th St., Suite 335, Minneapolis, MN 55402. Open 10am – 2pm, Monday through Friday. Phone: 612.333.6319, Website: lwvmpls.org.

Constitution Party
36235 U.S. Highway 71, Redwood Falls, MN 56283
Phone: 507.644.3183
Email: info@cpmn.org; website: www.cpmn.org
Caucuses: February 7, 2012, 7 pm

Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL)
255 E. Plato Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55107
Phone: 651.293.1200; toll free: 1.800.999.7457
Email: caucus@dfl.org; website: www.dfl.org
Caucuses: February 7, 2012, 7 pm

Grassroots Party
6304 Falcon Court, Edina, MN 55436
Phone: 651.280.7922; Email: tc_wright38@yahoo.com
Caucuses: No caucuses in 2012

Green Party
180 East 5th Street, Suite #222, St. Paul, MN 55101
Phone: 651.288.2820
Email: caucus@mngreens.org; website: www.mngreens.org
Caucuses: February 7, 2012, 7 pm

Independence Party
P.O. Box 40495, St. Paul, MN 55104
Phone: 651.487.9700
Email: karijohnson.robinsonip@gmail.com; website: www.mnip.org
Caucuses: February 7. 2012, 7 pm

Libertarian Party
1201 42 1/2 Ave. NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
Phone: 763.561.8038
Email: info@lpmn.org; website: www.lpmn.org
Caucuses: No caucuses in 2012

Republican Party
525 Park St., Suite #250, St. Paul, MN 55103
Phone: 651.222.0022; toll free: 1.877.467.6466
Email: caucus@mngop.com; website: www.mngop.com
Caucuses: February 7, 2012, 7 pm

Posted in Latest News | Leave a comment

MPRB News: Indoor golf in the new year

Click on the link to view the information.

Columbia Indoor Teaching Center now open

Posted in Latest News | Leave a comment

City of Minneapolis News: Report shows Minneapolis has become even better city for bicycling

More bikeways, increased ridership and fewer crashes highlight improvements seen over past year

Already one of the top cities in the country for bicycling, Minneapolis improved even more over the past year. In 2011 bike traffic numbers increased, the bicycle crash rate decreased and the number of bikeways doubled, according to the City of Minneapolis Bicycling Account: a recently released account on the progress made in Minneapolis’ bicycle program.

Some of the findings in the report:

  • Bikeway network expanded - 37 miles of bikeways were added in Minneapolis in 2011. There are now 167 miles of bikeways: just 11 miles from the City goal of having 178 miles of bikeways by 2015.
  • Ridership increased - From 2010-2011 the number of bicyclists increased 25 percent, and from 2007-2011 the number of bicyclists jumped 47 percent.
  • Bike-vehicle collision rate decreased - Over the past 18 years, the annual bicyclist-motorist crash rate decreased from 10 percent to 4 percent of all bicycle commuters. This drop comes at a time when bicycling has increased dramatically.

A total of 35 miles of on-street bikeways were added, including 3.1 miles on repaved and restriped streets downtown Minneapolis. There are now 80 miles of on-street bikeways in Minneapolis: an 80 percent increase over last year. Improvements in 2011 included the completion of some major bike thoroughfares:

  • Cedar Lake Trail – The final leg of the nation’s first bike freeway was completed in 2011, making it possible for bicyclists to travel from western suburbs to Downtown and beyond without riding along streets with motor vehicle traffic.
  • RiverLake Greenway – Existing streets were enhanced for bike traffic, creating a bicycle boulevard that extends from the Chain of Lakes to the Mississippi River.
  • The Hiawatha LRT Trail connection – This link will help bicyclist get to and from Downtown from the trail along the Hiawatha light-rail line.
  • Bryant Avenue Bikeway – This bicycle boulevard connects downtown to south Minneapolis, providing a safer alternative to traveling down the busy nearby arterial, Lyndale Avenue.

Many people already use bikes for transportation in Minneapolis, and the City strives to make bicycling an even more attractive option for others. By choosing to bike instead of drive, residents help keep down traffic congestion, improve our air quality and reduce our dependence on oil. Plus, biking is a healthy way to get around; it boosts physical fitness and lowers health care costs. Minneapolis is among the top nations in the country for bicycle community, according to a U.S. Census comparison of the nation’s 50 biggest cities.

Read the complete City of Minneapolis Bicycling Account.

Posted in Around The Block, Latest News | Leave a comment

MPRB News: Minnehaha Park Family Nature Quest, Saturday, February 18, 10-11:30 am.

It’s time for a winter quest!

Join us for the fun on Saturday, February 18th from 10 to 11:30a.m.

Bring the family out to Minnehaha Park where you will be able to hike, explore, and follow the clues placed throughout the park to unlock its secrets and find a hidden treasure. It’s nature based scavenger hunt in winter. After the quest is completed, stick around to spend some time in the park while enjoying some warm and delicious treats! Meet at the Minnehaha Park music pavilion. Call 612-313-7725 for more details or register here. If you have trouble with the registration link use activity #14150.

Posted in Around The Block, Community Events, Latest News | Leave a comment

HC Library News: “One Minneapolis, One Read” programs include premiere of student video on race relations

To view the information, click on the link

Library One Mpls One read programs

Posted in Community Events, Latest News | Leave a comment

Minneapolis RiverCurrent – January 25, 2012

Click on the link to review the information

Minneapolis RiverCurrent 1-25-12

Posted in Community Events, Latest News | Leave a comment

Upcoming Events