MPD Precinct 4 Update: Court Watch Event-Special Presentation: Juvenile Justice System – February 10

By Mary Ann | Published: February 2, 2012

Friday, Feb 10th at 10am, Minneapolis Central Library

Tom Arneson, Senior Managing Attorney of the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office Juvenile Division will discuss juvenile issues on Friday, February 10th at 10 am at the Downtown Library, the First Precinct Court Watch.

Due to the level of interest in this topic, all citywide Court Watch participants, as well as other neighborhood groups and community members, are invited to attend.

The presentation will be followed by a review of Court Watch and Downtown 100 offenders.

What:              Presentation on Juvenile Justice System, followed by Q&A

Who:               Tom Arneson, Hennepin County Attorney’s Office Juvenile Division

When:             10:00 am Friday, February 10, 2012

Where:            Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Doty Board Room

f you have questions, please contact Lois Conroy, Community Attorney for the First Precinct or Gail Baez, Senior Managing Attorney Hennepin County Attorney’s Office Community Prosecution Division.

Lois Conroy                 Lois.Conroy@minneapolismn.gov

Gail Baez                      Gail.Baez@co.hennepin.mn.us

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How to get the help you need – Are you a senior homeowner or a homeowner with disabilities who lives in North Minneapolis? Will you need snow-shoveling help?

By Mary Ann | Published: February 2, 2012

Are you a senior homeowner or a homeowner with disabilities who lives in North Minneapolis?

Do you need help with snow-shoveling? Lawn mowing? Minor housecleaning and repairs?

The two agencies listed below may be just what you are looking for.

Neighborhood Involvement Program (N.I.P.)

N.I.P. North Office at the Center for Families, 3333 North 4th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55412

Call Debbie at 612.374.3125, Email: seniors@neighborhoodinvolve.org

Website: www.neighborhoodinvolve.org

The Seniors Program dates back to the very beginning of N.I.P. The primary mission of the Seniors Program is to promote independence by providing low-cost home maintenance services and to prevent isolation through recreational/social opportunities. Are you in the N.I.P. Service Area? Check the boundaries in north Minneapolis: To 44th Avenue North, East-Mississippi River, West-Xerxes Avenue North.

Snow-shoveling fee: $15.00.

Community Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP)

Call Diane at 763.450.3667

For more information, visit the website: www.ceap.com/senior

Designed to help senior citizens and disabled adults stay in their homes by living independently

Service Area: Camden (north of 44th Avenue North), Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Osseo and Champlin.

Snow-shoveling fee: $15.00

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MPRB News: MPRB now accepting applications for sailboat buoy and canoe/kayak rack permits

By Mary Ann | Published: February 2, 2012
Public drawings and permit assignments scheduled for April 1

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is now accepting applications for sailboat buoy and canoe/kayak rack permits for storage at select Minneapolis lakes.

Sailboat Buoys
Sailboat buoy permits on lakes Calhoun, Harriet and Nokomis are issued through a public drawing. Online applications, boat mooring agreements and detailed assignment procedures are available online at www.minneapolisparks.org or at MPRB headquarters, 2117 West River Road.

The 2012 public drawings for priority of buoy assignments will be held Tuesday, April 10 at Lynnhurst Community Recreation Center, 1345 W. Minnehaha Parkway:

  • Lake Harriet – 6:30 p.m.
  • Lake Calhoun – 7:30 p.m.
  • Lake Nokomis – 8 p.m.

To be included in the April 10 drawing, all permit applications must be completed and submitted to MPRB headquarters by midnight, Friday, April 6.

The 2012 sailboat buoy permit fee is $450 for Minneapolis residents and $550 for non-Minneapolis residents.

Click here to apply online for a sailboat buoy permit or print out an application.

Sailing Open House – Feb. 9
A Sailing Open House will be held Thursday, Feb. 9 from 5:30–7 p.m. at Fuller Recreation Center, 4800 Grand Ave. S, Minneapolis. The open house offers offer an opportunity to chat with MPRB staff and commissioners about sailing, review 2011 sailboat buoy survey results, learn about sailing equipment upgrades, and share feedback and other comments.

Canoe and Kayak Racks
Permits for canoe and kayak racks are issued for lakes Calhoun, Harriet, Nokomis, Cedar, Brownie and Lake of the Isles. Online applications, agreement information and assignment procedures are available online at www.minneapolisparks.org or at MPRB headquarters.

Applications for 2012 racks must be completed and submitted by midnight, Sunday, April 1.

Racks are issued on a priority basis, giving the previous year’s Minneapolis resident permit holders the opportunity to renew their permits first. City residents who meet the deadline for returning their application will be considered before non-residents of the city.

2012 seasonal permits allow boats to be stored until November 1 and are available to Minneapolis residents for $150 and non-Minneapolis residents for $200. Annual canoe and kayak rack permits allow for boats to be stored until April 30, 2013 and are available to Minneapolis residents for $200 and non-Minneapolis residents for $250.

Click here to apply online for a canoe or kayak rack permit.

Watercraft Licenses
The MPRB does not require permits for watercrafts and electric trolling motors on Minneapolis city lakes; gas power motors are notallowed on Minneapolis city lakes.

All boat owners are required to have a current Minnesota Watercraft License from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Register for licenses at the DNR License Center in St. Paul, public service section at the Hennepin County Government Center, Brookdale, Southdale and Ridgedale public service centers or driver’s license service centers. The waiting period for licenses is 3-4 weeks.

For more information on sailboat buoys, canoe racks and trolling motors on Minneapolis city lakes, call MPRB Customer Service at 612-230-6400.
CONTACT: MPRB Customer Service 612-230-6400
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MPRB News: Community Meeting – Many Visions, One Site: New park design concepts for Water Works site will be presented on Monday, February 27, 5:30-7:30pm

By Mary Ann | Published: February 2, 2012
WHAT
Community members are invited to discover “what could be” when the Minneapolis Parks Foundation, with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, hosts the second of two public meetings regarding a proposed Central Riverfront park where the original Minneapolis municipal Water Works, several historic mills and, more recently, the famed Fuji-Ya restaurant once stood.“Mill City”-based architects Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle (MS&R) are the lead designers on the project. Together with financing consultantsHR&A Advisors, they will present design and program options and financial analysis, “that take into account social, economic and environmental factors, as well as truly the interesting geography and history of the site,” says Mary deLaittre, Executive Director of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation.

WHEN
Monday, February 27, 5:30–7:30 p.m.

WHERE
Mill City Museum, Mill Commons
704 South Second Street, Minneapolis
Directions and parking information: www.MillCityMuseum.org

MORE
For updates on the Water Works project, community members can visit www.mplsparksfoundation.org or Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board – Water Works and sign up to receive email updates.

ABOUT
The Minneapolis Parks Foundation is focused on the Next Generation of Parks™, with an emphasis on parks design education, innovation and implementation. Beginning in 2010, MPF co-sponsored the globally renowned Minneapolis Riverfront Design Competition, the largest in the state’s history. In 2011, MPF projects included the Next Generation of Parks™ lecture series, the recently opened 4th Avenue North Playground along the Upper Riverfront, and more.

With 182 park properties totaling nearly 6,732 acres of land and water, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board provides places and recreation opportunities for all people to gather, celebrate, contemplate, and engage in activities that promote health, well-being, community, and the environment. Each year, approximately 18 million visits are made to the nationally acclaimed Minneapolis park system.
CONTACT: Janette Law @ Tableau Pro
612-929-0939 dir 612-306-4430 mbl
JLaw@TableauProductions.com
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MPRB News: Ski Trails, Snow and Ice Rink Updates

By Mary Ann | Published: February 2, 2012
Back to What’s New Listing
Thursday, February 02, 2012
Updates are provided throughout the 2011-12 winter season

Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012

Ice Rinks

Due to the warm weather and unsafe ice conditions, all warming houses and outdoor ice rinks have closed and will remain closed until further notice. MPRB crews have suspended rink maintenance, effective Thursday morning, and will assess rink and weather conditions next week.

Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012

Ice Rinks

Many rinks have closed due to deteriorated ice and standing water as a result of the lingering temperatures above freezing. Check the Ice Rink Status grid for the latest rink open and closed statuses.

Lake Ice Safety Update
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board advises the public to stay off all Minneapolis lakes, with the exception of the skating and hockey rinks at Lake of the Isles, Lake Nokomis and Powderhorn Lake, when deemed open. The Park Board follows DNR ice safety thickness guidelines.

Rinks at Lake of the Isles, Lake Nokomis and Powderhorn Lake have sufficient ice thicknesses at all check points, however the remaining lake areas and other Minneapolis lakes may have open water or uneven ice thicknesses, making them unpredictable and unsafe for skating and ice fishing. Please be advised of any posted warnings or barricades.

Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012

Ice Rinks

With the return of warmer temperatures, some rinks have closed due to deteriorated ice while many remain open with varying ice conditions, which may include frost boils. Check the Ice Rink Status grid for the latest rink open and closed statuses.

Cross-Country Ski Trails

All 2012 City of Lakes Loppet Cross-Country Ski Fesitval events have moved to Wirth Park for Saturday, Feb. 4 and Sunday, Feb. 5. For the latest information regarding the Loppet Festival’s move to Wirth Park, view the Loppet Festival Changes Guide.

Friday, Jan. 27, 2012

Cross-Country Ski Trails

The IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup is coming to Wirth! This event will bring top Paralympic athletes from 20 countries around the world including Russia, Japan, Ukraine, France, Poland, Norway and Switzerland to Minneapolis, for two days of racing at Theodore Wirth Park.

Tuesday, January 31: Training
Wednesday, February 1: Cross-Country Sprint (1km Classical)
Thursday, February 2: Cross-Country Long (12/15/20km Freestyle)

Please note: The Wirth Par 3 parking lot and the man-made cross-country snow loop will be closed from 6 a.m.–5 p.m. Jan. 31–Feb. 2 during the IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup.

For more information about the IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup, visit www.loppet.org or www.NordicWorldCupUSA.com.
Posted in Around The Block, Community Events, Latest News | Leave a comment

City of Minneapolis: Radon Test Kits available for $9

By Mary Ann | Published: February 2, 2012

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.

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.

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.

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Minneapolis RiverCurrent, February 1, 2012

By Mary Ann | Published: February 2, 2012

Click on the link to review

Minneapolis RiverCurrent 2-1-12

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Commissioner Mark Stenglein February Newsletter

By Mary Ann | Published: January 31, 2012

Click on the link to view the newsletter

Commissioner Stenglein Newsletter February 2012

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Minneapolis Redistricting – Draw Your Own Map

By Mary Ann | Published: January 31, 2012
Join us for a hands-on learning experience on redistricting. For the first time, you will have the power to draw and propose your own redistricting maps for Minneapolis City Council. This event will show you how to draw lines that are drawn around people, not politicians. Come by yourself or recruit a team to participate in this once-in-a-decade event. All maps entered will be submitted to the Minneapolis Charter Commission. Cosponsored by CURA, Urban Research and Outreach Center, and Common Cause Minnesota. Please see the attached poster for more info and the links:http://www.cura.umn.edu/events/2012-02-18/draw-your-own-map andhttp://www.drawminneapolis.org/.

The event on the 4th is more informational and is being sponsored in conjunction with the Humphrey’s Center for the Study of Politics and Governance. The event on the 18th is about the redistricting process but will also involve actually drawing new ward maps. It is not expected or required that you attend the event on the 4th in order to attend our event on the 18th.

The agenda for the 18th will be:

9:30-10am background on redistricting
10am-12pm group map-making in the lab
12-12:30pm debrief and share maps created

RedrawMPLSPoster_CURA.pdf RedrawMPLSPoster_CURA.pdf
2612K   View Download
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Metro Paint-A-Thon – applications now available. Application deadline is May 4

By Mary Ann | Published: January 30, 2012

The Metro Paint-A-Thon helps low-income seniors and people with permanent physical disabilities continue to live independently in their own homes. A volunteer team is matched to scrape, prime and paint the exterior of each eligible home/garage, thereby keeping it well maintained, beautiful and an asset to the neighborhood.  All of this is done at no cost to the homeowner.

Applications with eligibility requirements are available at the FNA/WCNO office (1206 37th Avenue north, Monday through Thursday, 9am until 5pm) or call Metro Paint-A-Thon at 612-276-1579. The application may also be downloaded from the Metro Paint-A-Thon website: paintathon.gmcc.org (go to the “homeowner application” on the left).

For more information, contact:

Molly Changler, Coordinator at mchandler@gmcc.org or 612-276-1579.

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

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