Minneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour this weekend, rain or shine

The Minneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour is This Weekend, Rain or Shine! 60 homes with fresh ideas for remodeling, expanding and/or greening urban homes. Real homes. Real people. Real Ideas. You know how much fun and how inspiring this tour can be—We’re excited to point out that this year’s map, with several clusters of homes and easy routes between, should make it easy to spend more time in the houses and less on the road. Spend some time with enthusiastic homeowners Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, April 26, 1-5 p.m. If you’re reading this email you probably also received the Home Tour Guide. If you didn’t, go to our website, www.MSPHomeTour.com for previews of the homes to plan your tour or determine where to start. The Minneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour is coordinated by NRP (the Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program) and the City of Saint Paul, with help from 30 public and private sponsors. Thanks to the homeowners who open their homes for this celebration of city living!

Home Tour showcases city living, green remodeling ideas

Dates: April 25 and 26 Times: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Locations: various url: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/news/20090421HomeTour.asp Home Tour showcases city living, green remodeling ideas If you’re looking for practical and creative remodeling ideas, be sure to check out the upcoming Minneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour. This year, see how many of the 60 homeowners were able to access affordable financing and adapt environmentally responsible features into their remodeling efforts. This free, self-guided tour includes 39 Minneapolis homes and 21 Saint Paul homes where owners open their doors to show off their renovation projects (additions, kitchens, bathrooms, landscaping, etc.). Visitors can talk directly with homeowners about their project. At many homes, the project’s contractors, architects or trades people will also be on hand to answer questions. The tour is Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 26, from 1 to 5 p.m. To decide which homes you’d like to visit, check out the Home Tour’s Web site and click on “homes.” Printed guides are available at libraries in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and suburban Hennepin and Ramsey counties. You can also get more information by calling (612) 673-5140. The Home Tour is coordinated by Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program and the City of Saint Paul Planning and Economic Development department and co-sponsored by the Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development Department, Hennepin County and other corporate and non-profit sponsors. The tour began 22 years ago as a celebration of city living and a way to encourage homeowners and potential homeowners to remodel homes and stay in the city, or even move back from the suburbs.

April 20-25 is Severe Weather Awareness Week

April 20-25 is Severe Weather Awareness Week. Learn more about:

• Tornado Warning Systems
• Sirens
• Resources
• Tornado Safety
• Disaster supply kits

by downloading the Code-Ready newsletter from: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/emergency/docs/CodeReadyMinneapolis_Spring2009.pdf

Call for Nominations for Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Awards

url: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cped/docs/090310_Preservation_awards_nominations.pdf

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WHAT: The Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission, American Institute of Architects Minneapolis, and Preserve Minneapolis are calling for nominations of projects, individuals, and organizations that celebrate and enhance the heritage and historic character of the city of Minneapolis. Awards are made based on nomination materials that are reviewed by a jury of members of each sponsoring organization. Nominations are solicited in the following categories: Historic Restoration or Rehabilitation Project; Adaptive Reuse Project; New Addition to an Historic Building; New Construction within a Historic District; Neighborhood Preservation Award; Community Education & Advocacy; Good Luck and Godspeed (commitment to a specific preservation challenge); The Recent Past Award (property originating from the past 50 years); Single Family Residential Award; The Steve Murray Award (for an individual’s work in preservation). Winners will be announced at the 2009 Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Awards ceremony and luncheon on Thursday, May 21, from 11:30 -1:30 p.m. The event will be held at the International Market Square, Minneapolis. Registration for the event is now available on-line at AIA Minnesota. WHEN: Nominations are due Friday, April 24, 2009, by 4:30pm WHERE: Mail or hand-deliver nomination and materials to: Diana Armstrong, HPC Committee Clerk
City of Minneapolis, CPED Planning Division
250 South 4th Street
Public Service Center, Rm. 300
Minneapolis MN 55415MORE: See www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/hpc/, or contact Diana Armstrong, 612 673 2615; Diana.armstrong@ci.minneapolis.mn.us, for more information.

Teen Job Fair at Hennepin County Central Library on April 25

Date: April 25 Time: Noon to 4:00 p.m. Location: Hennepin County Central Library Address: 300 Nicollet Mall Contact: Krista Bergert, City of Minneapolis, Communications, Community Planning & Economic Development, 612 673 5015 or by cell, 612 360 8702; Carla Knutson Biermaier, Hennepin County Library Communications, 952-847-8593 url: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cped/docs/090413_TeenJobFair.pdf

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City, County, and Community Partners Will Hold Teen Job Fair on April 25 at Central Library in Minneapolis Opportunity for teens to connect with local employers on jobs and volunteer opportunities, gain job seeking skills, and explore careers April 8, 2009 (MINNEAPOLIS, MN)—A Teen Job Fair for teens age 14 and up will be held on Saturday, April 25, noon-4 p.m. at Hennepin County Library - Central, 300 Nicollet Mall. At the job fair, teens can connect with local employers and explore job opportunities, meet representatives from job readiness and training programs, and learn about volunteer or educational opportunities that support job and career success. The partnership of the City of Minneapolis, Department of Community Planning & Economic Development; Hennepin County Library; Minneapolis WorkForce Centers; AchieveMPLS; Mall of America; and UPS Store 5860 is working to help teens find employment this summer. Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, 4th District, will kick off the Teen Job Fair at noon. KMOJ radio will broadcast live at the event noon-2 p.m., interviewing attendees and representatives. “Our libraries are fantastic resource hubs for teens, with great materials, programs and services, including job search tools,” said Commissioner McLaughlin. “The Teen Job Fair is a wonderful starting point for young adults to access these resources, whether they are just entering the workforce, searching for a new job or seeking career development resources.” Mayor R.T. Rybak said, “Part of helping prepare our youth for their future is helping them get work experience now. Connecting youth with work and volunteer opportunities, job readiness training, and career exploration is a great way to not only provide for our youths’ future but also better prepare the workforce of tomorrow we’ll all depend upon.” Throughout the afternoon, a series of workshops will be offered, including:

• Interviewing Skills
• Job Hunting
• Youth Today Q&A — a panel of teens talking about balancing work, school and life
• Money Talks
• Families in the Know — how parents and caregivers can support teens at work
• Q & A’s With Adults in Cool Careers

To date, 25 businesses and organizations will participate in the job fair. Participants include Family & Children’s Services, Neighborhood Development Center (Business Resource Center), Printing Industry of Minnesota, UPS, Community Justice Partners/CJP Property Management LLC, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board: Teen Teamwork, Goodwill/Easter Seals MN, Minnesota Conservation Corps, American Indian OIC, Minneapolis Police Department, Bruegger’s Bagels, Community Action of Minneapolis, New Millennium Academy, Long Tieng Academy, Employment Action Center, Statewide Limited Energy JATC, Tree Trust, Emerge – StreetWerks Youth Employment, Cookie Cart, Chipotle, Jimmy Johns, Americorps, Planned Parenthood of MN, ND, SD, Mall of America, Target. Businesses interested in participating in the fair can still register. Organizations that offer employment, internships and volunteer opportunities are welcome to participate. There is no charge. Please call Pat Behrend at 612-673-6220 to register. Last year’s job fair drew more than 1000 teens and connected them with more than 35 businesses and organizations that provided jobs, volunteer opportunities or access to job readiness training programs. For more information, call 612-630-6025, or go online, www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cped/ or www.hclib.org.

Minneapolis tells its green story

url: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/news/20090414GreenPrintReport.asp

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Success stories and ongoing challenges are all a part of Minneapolis’ green story as it continues its work to build a more sustainable city. The City of Minneapolis’ 2009 Greenprint Annual Report was released on April 13, and details progress made and challenges still ahead. The innovative and nationally recognized Minneapolis Greenprint report measures our ecologically friendly business practices every year. The Greenprint provides a realistic framework for protecting and enhancing our environment based around 11 key environmental indicators. 2008 highlights include no combined sewer overflows all year during rainstorms in Minneapolis – for a second year in a row; adoption of an anti-idling ordinance that improves air quality and raises awareness about the effects of vehicles on global warming; completion of the City Hall and Courthouse building’s 5,000-square-foot green roof with plantings as part of a waterproofing and stormwater management project; the addition of more bike trails, the launch of the Bike Walk Ambassador program and a revised zoning code that requires bicycle parking for most developments as a way of promoting biking as transportation; and the City’s awarding a second set of climate change grants to support grassroots efforts motivating residents and businesses to take action to reduce global warming. Also, in 2008 an 11th indicator that focuses on green jobs was added to the report. This indicator helps define, develop and track development of the green job economy in Minneapolis. The City promotes investments that provide strategic job opportunities for our future in areas such as green construction, transportation, food production, energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy. The Greenprint also identifies challenges so the City may continue to address them. Challenges include the need for increased solar power to meet energy goals; maintenance and growth of the urban forest while battling insects, disease and construction; and improving water quality in our lakes and keeping our riverbanks safe and clean for residents and visitors to enjoy. Read the 2009 Greenprint Annual Report and what else Minneapolis is doing to improve the quality of life at the City of Minneapolis’ Sustainability site. April 14, 2009

Cleanup efforts take on a fresh look and feel in Minneapolis

url: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/news/20090415CleanCity.asp

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The City of Minneapolis is involved in many programs that help make the city clean and litter-free throughout the year. Now, a new awareness campaign seeks to reinvigorate those efforts. Thanks to the pro bono work done by the Minneapolis marketing firm Wolfmotell, Clean City Minneapolis has a new logo, a new informative Web presence and even more energy. The campaign showcases all the benefits of getting involved in Clean City programs, and taps into community pride to get folks to pitch in. About Clean City Minneapolis partnerships Clean City programs make a greater use of neighbors, friends and community partners gathering to clean up our community. Partnerships with individuals and businesses help the City leverage what we each do best. Clean City Minneapolis – through Solid Waste and Recycling – can provide supplies and disposal options, while the community provides the enthusiasm and volunteer power to keep our neighborhoods beautiful. Partnership opportunities include Adopt-A-Block, that help keep your boulevards and alleyways clean; Adopt-A-Street, to keep neighborhood thoroughfares looking their best; Adopt-A-Litter Container, to help curb a local litter problem; Adopt-An-Ash-receptacle, to help with cigarette butt littering problem; Paint Over Program, to keep graffiti off public property; and special requests from the public that don’t quite fit traditional Clean City opportunities that the City will consider. Along with a new look and messaging, Wolfmotell is also helping us redesign the Clean City Web site, so connecting to Clean City programs is more direct, more fun and more interesting. Earth Day Watershed Cleanup The big spring cleanup event of the year takes place Saturday, April 18. The Earth Day Watershed Cleanup is a collaborative effort between the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board and the City of Minneapolis. The new look and feel of Clean City Minneapolis will be seen here and at other cleanup efforts taking place in the coming months. The April 18 event will be the largest one ever, with 41 sites participating. Interested volunteers should go to Minneapolis Park Board site and look up a participating park center to visit at 9 a.m. Saturday. Groups of 20 or more should contact the Minneapolis Park Board in advance. For more information, call (612) 230-6484. About Wolfmotell Wolfmotell is an innovative advertising agency located in the Minneapolis Warehouse District. This tech-savvy firm believes in using the existing momentum of market forces to maximize the revenue potential of its clients. April 15, 2009

Bottineau Green Gala on April 18

Date: April 18 Time: 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Location: Northrop King Building Address: 1500 Jackson Street NE url: http://www.bottineauneighborhood.org/earthday09.html The Green Gala: An evening of recycled, reused, and socially responsible fashion. Featuring textile art and clothing from:

• Janet Groenert
• Go Vintage
• Global Mamas
• Naturally Bamboo
• Everyday People
• Heidi Henderson
• Tatters
• Eastside Thrift Store
• and more!

Many fashions will be for sale. Emcee MARosko Live Jazz by GST Hors D’ouvres and drinks (for the whole family) Tickets:

• $20 in advance (children 12 adn under free w/adult)
• $30 at the door

Tickets available at many of the above retailers and online at www.bottneauneighborhood.org We will be offering a very limited number of reduced price tickets (for $10) in exchange for a 1/2 hour of volunteer time setting up or tearing down before and after the event. You can order tickets online (PayPal) by clicking one of the three options below. If you have any questions, please contact Chris by phone at (612) 782-2145 or by email at bna@bottineauneighborhood.org. Click here for a Ticket Order Form you can print and mail in with payment.

2009 Earthday Green 5K and Watershed Pickup at Gluek Park on April 18th

Date: Saturday, April 18 Time: 8:00 a.m. (race registration, packet pickup)/9:00 a.m. (Earth Day 5K Run/Walk) Location: Gluek Park Address: 1926 Marshall St url: http://www.bottineauneighborhood.org/earthday09.html The day begins with a family friendly 5K run/walk down Marshall Street over the Mississippi River (twice) and back.  Then join in with other volunteers for a River / Watershed Clean Up.  We'll provide the gloves and bags and we'll point you to the trash - you do the work.  A light breakfast will be served for 5K participants and clean up volunteers.  Other activities during the morning include a Science Museum hands on activity, bird house building workshop, master gardener for all your growing questions and several live birds of prey from the University of MN Raptor Center (including a bald eagle) that you will be able to get up close and personal with.  Registration is required for the 5K. Later in the evening, we welcome you to the 2nd Annual Green Gala. Join us for a fashion show featuring local designers, recycled and reused fashion and other environmentally and socially responsible clothing.  Many of the fashions will be for sale (after the models have taken them off of course).  Tickets are required for the Gala. Green 5K & Watershed Clean Up

• 8:00 Race packet pick up and same day registration. (The first 100 pre-registered participants will receive a Green Bag with other goodies.)
• 9:00 Earth Day 5K Run/Walk. (The first female, male, and animal (regardless of sex) finishers will receive an award
• 9:15 Breakfast (5K and Watershed Clean Up participants)
• 9:30 - Noon Watershed Clean Up

Activities:

• Educational and Art Activities
• Birdhouse Building
• MN Raptor Center

Earth Day 5K Run/Walk Info Join us again for the 3rd Annual Earth Day 5K Run/Walk down historic Marshall St, past the Grainbelt Brewery (now home to RSP Architects), across the Mississippi River (Twice), and back.

• Course Map (mapmyrun.com)

Refreshments and light breakfast afterward.  Packet and number pickup begins at 8:00 AM and the race starts at 9:00 AM. Event proceeds will be dedicated to continuing improvements to Gluek Park. Online registration is now open.  Alternatively, you can download a registration form and mail it in.  Use the links below.

• Online Registration through Active.com
• Download Registration

Registration is $20.00 (plus a small processing fee if done online). First 100 pre-registered participants will receive a Green Bag (www.ecobags.com) with other goodies.  The first female, male and animal (regardless of sex) finishers will receive an award. Even though this is a timed race, families are encouraged to participate.  Feel free to bring your pets. There will be plenty of activities for kids of all ages after the run/walk. 2009 Runners Course Photo Tour Here is a link to the complete 2008 results: Earth Day 5K Results

Minneapolis Charter Commission Hearings in April and May

CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS CHARTER COMMISSION Summary of Proposed Changes to the Minneapolis Charter 1. City Administrator The City Charter establishes the position of City Coordinator. The City Coordinator is appointed by the Executive Committee (the Mayor, President of City Council, and three other members of the City Council) and is responsible for providing leadership and direction in the coordination of the city government within the guidelines established by the Charter, the Mayor, and the City Council. The City Coordinator advises the Mayor and Council regarding policy decisions and oversees representation of the city’s interests in various intergovernmental activities. He or she also oversees the city’s financial operations and supervises six department heads: Communications, Finance, Human Resources, Business Information Services, Intergovernmental Relations, and Regulatory Services/Emergency Preparedness. A number of the proposed changes to the City Charter are related to the office of City Coordinator. The first part of the proposal is to eliminate the Coordinator position and to replace it with a City Administrator. In addition, the proposal seeks to change reporting relationships within the City by placing all City departments under the City Administrator, as well. The Charter now provides that the Executive Committee has the exclusive authority to appoint and remove the heads of all the major city departments: Police Chief, Fire Chief, Director of Public Works, Commissioner of Health, City Attorney, City Assessor, City Coordinator, and Civil Service Commission, as well as others who may be appointed by the Mayor or City Council. Under the proposal to change the Charter, the Executive Committee, City Council and Mayor would still be the appointing authority, but only the City Administrator could remove them. Finally, the position of Director of the City Planning Department, also a position established by the City Charter, would be removed from the Charter and instead be placed under City Administrator’s power of removal. 2. Board of Estimate and Taxation The Board of Estimate and Taxation is an elected Board established under the City Charter. Among its functions, it is responsible for the internal audit function of the City, participates in the overall debt management policy of the City, issues general obligation bonds to support capital projects, and holds public hearings to obtain citizen input related to setting maximum tax levies for various tax funds of the City, including the General Fund, the Park and Recreation fund, the Public Housing Fund, and others. The proposed change to the City Charter with respect to the Board of Estimate and Taxation is to eliminate the Board and transfer its functions to the City Council. 3. The Park and Recreation Board The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is responsible for the program, operation, maintenance and security of all of the parks and park lands in the City of Minneapolis. Its mission is permanently to “preserve, protect, maintain, improve, and enhance its natural resources, parkland, and recreational opportunities for current and future generations.” The proposed change is to eliminate the Park and Recreation Board from the Charter, transfer security functions to the Police Department, and transfer maintenance functions to the Department of Public Works.

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HEARING DATES: Thursday, April 23, 2009, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Minnesota Transitions School, Board Room 2872 26th Avenue South Minnepolis, MN 55406 Tuesday, April 28, 2009, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. North Regional Library 1315 Lowry Avenue North Minneapolis, MN 55411 Thursday, April 30, 2009, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Northeast Library 2200 Central Avenue NE Minneapolis, MN 55418 Thursday, May 7, 2009, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. St. Joan of Arc Church (lower level) 4500 Clinton Avenue S. Minneapolis, MN 55419

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The Minneapolis Charter Commission thanks Commissioner Todd Ferrara for his generous donation of time and the expense of printing and duplication of this summary.

Minneapolis Advantage funding offers aid to home buyers

url: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/news/20090407MplsAdvfundsAvailable.asp

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The City of Minneapolis has made $2 million available through Minneapolis Advantage, a city-funded home mortgage loan program to help people buy a home in Minneapolis. Applications are now being accepted for two hundred $10,000 loans, forgivable after five years, for the purchase of homes in targeted neighborhoods hardest hit by the foreclosures. The Minneapolis Advantage program, in addition to rebuilding neighborhoods impacted by foreclosure, also promotes sustainable home ownership and stabilized communities. Every potential homeowner must also complete a counseling workshop that prepares buyers for the important choices related to home ownership. The Minneapolis Advantage program is funded by the City of Minneapolis and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines. The successful program, piloted in 2008, has already allowed 50 homebuyers to purchase in the city. Minneapolis Advantage program details

• Purchasers must have an income of less than 120% of the area median income ($97,080) and the property must be the purchaser’s primary place of residence.
• Purchasers must receive a traditional (prime or A-rated), fixed-rate first mortgage loan or purchase with cash.
• A loan of $10,000 at zero-percent interest is forgiven at the end of five years if the purchaser continues to occupy the home as a primary place of residence.
• The loan can be used as assistance with down payment, closing costs, and home repair costs.
• The property can be a single family dwelling or duplex within an eligible neighborhood.
• Two options, depending on income limits, are available:
1. For incomes below 80% area median income: Purchase of a foreclosed home in the following neighborhoods: Bryant, Sheridan, Lind-Bohanon, Ventura Village, Whittier, Audubon Park, Holland, Phillips West, Cleveland, McKinley, Harrison, Powderhorn Park, Webber-Camden, Midtown Phillips, Folwell, Near North, Central, Willard-Hay, Jordan, Hawthorne, East Phillips, Beltrami.
2. For incomes below 120% area median income: Purchase of a foreclosed home or a home on the City’s 249 vacant and boarded buildings list, OR a vacant home for at least 30 days in the following neighborhoods: Corcoran, Bottineau, Regina, Victory, Bryant, Sheridan, Lind-Bohanon, Ventura Village, Whittier, Audubon Park, Holland, Phillips West, Cleveland, McKinley, Harrison, Powderhorn Park, Webber-Camden, Midtown Phillips, Folwell, Near North, Central, Willard-Hay, Jordan, Hawthorne, East Phillips, Beltrami.
• Home buyers must apply for a Minneapolis Advantageloan through their first mortgage lender. Loans will be given on a first come, first serve basis. For more information about the loan program call Greater Metropolitan Housing Corporation at 612-588-3033. 

Questions about purchasing in: North Minneapolis, call 612-588-3033 Northeast Minneapolis, call 612-378-7985 South Minneapolis, call 612-378-7985

Innovative community micro grants available to fight graffiti

Date: Does your organization have a creative idea for preventing and cleaning up graffiti? If so, the City of Minneapolis wants to help fund it. Micro grants of up to $10,000 per project are being made available to communities and community-based organizations that target graffiti in innovative ways. Totaling $75,000, these micro grants are intended to act as seed money for manageable projects that will eventually lead to larger, more ambitious initiatives. To get an application for micro grants, visit the City’s graffiti Web site at www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/graffiti. An informational meeting will also be held for interested groups: Graffiti Micro grants informational meeting 
1:00 p.m., Friday, April 10, 2009 
City of Lakes Building, Room 203 
309 2nd Ave. S. Questions can also be submitted in writing prior to the meeting by emailing graffiti@ci.minnneapolis.mn.us or by faxing them to (612) 673-2250.  Completed applications are due no later than 4:00 pm on April 24, 2009. Innovative community micro grants available to fight graffiti http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/news/20090403GrafittiMicroGrants.asp

Minneapolis non-profits encouraged to apply for free wireless Internet accounts

url: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/news/20090406FreeWirelessApps.asp

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In its continuing efforts to make Minneapolis a wireless city that bridges the digital divide, City officials are now seeking applications for 100 “Wireless Community” accounts, which are free wireless Internet accounts intended for non-profit organizations that provide free computer access to the public. The Wireless Community accounts are intended to give free wireless services to agencies that provide public computer access, technology literacy training, and/or technology support for underserved communities. Applications are due by Monday, May 18, and will be reviewed by the City of Minneapolis staff and a group of community representatives who have been working with the City on digital inclusion issues. Recommendations on how to distribute the 100 free accounts will be made to the City Council, which will approve the final list of agencies selected for Wireless Community accounts. The free accounts will be good through 2010. Agencies selected to receive the free accounts will also receive free monthly subscription vouchers that they can use to recruit volunteers who can assist with staffing and training in their community technology centers. In total, $15,000 in free service vouchers will be distributed, in addition to the 100 free accounts. These accounts and subscription vouchers are just the latest examples of how Minneapolis City residents are benefiting from the robust community benefits agreement negotiated between the City of Minneapolis and USI Wireless, the company that built, owns and manages the wireless network throughout Minneapolis. Additional benefits of this agreement include:

• The Digital Inclusion Fund (managed by the Minneapolis Foundation), which has distributed more than $400,000 in grants to organizations throughout Minneapolis to increase technology access and digital literacy learning. It is estimated that about $11 million will be generated to fund digital inclusion efforts in the community over the 10-year contract.
• An online “Civic Garden” that provides a free level of service for anyone who can receive the USI Wireless signal. The Civic Garden offers free Web access to a wealth of public sector information about government, education, and community services at www.wirelessminneapolis.org.
• Up to 5 percent of the Minneapolis area (including some parks and plazas) designated as free wireless zones.

The City of Minneapolis will distribute requests for applications for free wireless accounts to local non-profit agencies. Applications will also be available online. The City of Minneapolis' public-private partnership with USI Wireless is being held up as a model for how cities and businesses can work together to make the notion of a “wireless city” a reality, and at the same time to improve government services and bridge the digital divide.

Living Green Expo 2009: Save it, learn it, try it, buy it: May 2 and3

Date: May 2 and 3 Time: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, 10:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday Location: Minnesota State Fair Grounds

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Please help spread the word about this great event. The Expo has free brochures and posters for posting and distributing in your community. To find out more, check out http://www.livinggreen.org/media.cfm.   There are also many opportunities to volunteer – which is a lot of fun and gets you a coveted Living Green Expo t-shirt. Take a look at what’s available at http://www.livinggreen.org/volunteer.   About the Expo: At the award-winning Living Green Expo, May 2 and 3 at the State Fair Grandstand, you'll learn everything from how to compost and reduce toxicity in your home, to how to find the latest energy-saving technology, to how to cook with organic, locally grown food.   In addition to 270 exhibitors and 62 workshops, kids' activities, music, cooking demonstrations, alternative vehicles, and renewable energy demonstrations, the 2009 Living Green Expo will feature:  

• An Outdoor Living tent, filled with information about gardening, lawn care, composting, and patio options.
• A green building exhibit sponsored by Minnesota AFL-CIO, including workshops, building experts, tours of a green building, and activities for kids.

  Don't just attend! Volunteer and get a free t-shirt. Spread the word by downloading free mini-ads, and find us on Facebook.   Admission is free! Secure bike storage is available and Metro Transit is offering free rides using the Go Greener Pass. See you there!

Neighborhood Panelists needed for AmeriCorps Training on April 17

Greetings!   On Friday, April 17th, we will be providing members of the City of Lakes AmeriCorps program and MPS VISTA program with a training on civic engagement. This is third in a series that explores different aspects of community and civic responsibility. For our event we are bringing in Bob Miller from the NRP to talk about the history and successes of this unique program. After lunch we would like to host a panel of community members and neighborhood staff to discuss the specific initiatives they are focusing on and share ways in which people can get involved.   Our ideal panel would consist of 4-6 people from the north side and 4-6 people from the south side of Minneapolis. We would love a mixed group of residents and board members and neighborhood staff. It would be great to have people involved in volunteer generation, political awareness, financial development, and various other aspects of community engagement. We would start as a large group where everyone would have the opportunity to introduce themselves and share a little bit about the demographics of their neighborhood, the successes and challenges they face, and what brings them to community involvement in this capacity. Then we will break the group up based on geography so that AmeriCorps/VISTA members and panelists can engage in more of a dialogue as opposed to a formal panel.   Most of the 40-50 AmeriCorps and VISTA members that will be present live in Minneapolis and all of them work in Minneapolis via the Minneapolis Public Schools. They serve at both north and south side locations across the city. Members range in age from 21 to 50 “something” and have a college education. They are serving in AmeriCorps or VISTA for 1-2 years to help meet the needs of K-12 students and school volunteers. They are a passionate and dedicated group of individuals who would live the opportunity to learn more about local initiatives and find ways to get involved either for themselves or with their students.   If you are interested and would like more information, please contact me directly at:   612-668-3845 or Jennifer.Valley@mpls.k12.mn.us   Because this event is taking place in two weeks (or less) we would definitely appreciate a quick response.   Thank you so much not only for your interest in participating, but also for the work that you do to help make Minneapolis a great place to live!

Follow-Up Meeting Scheduled on Selection Process for NCEC Neighborhood Reps

Date: April 19 Time: 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. Location: Northeast Armory Address: 1025 Broadway St NE url: http://www.nrp.org/R2/News/NewsArch/2008/20090403.html

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April 3, 2009 - A meeting of Minneapolis neighborhood group designees has been scheduled for Sunday, April 19th, to continue discussion on how to select neighborhood representatives to the City's new Neighborhood and Community Engagement Commission (NCEC). The meeting will be held from 1:00 to 3:30 pm at the Northeast Armory and is open to the public. Neighborhood designees from all neighborhoods of the city first met on February 21st to discuss how to select their representatives to the Commission. At that meeting, participants presented and discussed a number of ideas, but limited time prevented the group reaching a conclusion. Therefore, they requested that a follow up meeting be held. Given the number of other meetings and events already scheduled for Saturdays in April, the limited availability of adequate meeting facilities, and to avoid conflicts with neighborhood meetings already scheduled during the weeknights, Sunday afternoon, April 19th, was selected as the best time to hold this follow-up meeting. In an effort to help guide the April 19th discussion, NRP and NCR staff have drafted 6 models for electing the neighborhood representatives to the NCEC. The models are based on the facilitator's notes from the last meeting. Three of the models are based on six districts and two at-large positions and the other three models are based on all eight representatives being elected from districts with no at-large positions. Proposed outcomes for this meeting include: * A recommended process for electing the eight neighborhood representatives to the NCEC * A date for neighborhoods to submit their votes on the recommendation * A preliminary timeframe for seeking candidates and electing them to the NCEC Below is a link to download the packet sent out to neighborhood group designees. It includes: * A joint letter from Bob Miller (NRP) and David Rubedor (NCR) * A possible timeframe for the selection process (for discussion purposes only) * Information on the six draft models for the April 19th discussion April 19th Meeting Packet

2009 Minneapolis & St Paul Home Guides Now Available at Libraries

Dates: April 25 and 26 Time: Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. url: http://www.msphometour.com/

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Minneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour Guides are available at local libraries, and the website, www.MSPHomeTour.com is current with descriptions of all 60 homes on the free, self-guided tour. This 22nd annual tour, coordinated by NRP and sponsored with other public and private entities, is a celebration of city living and home improvement inspiration. The event is Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, April 26, 1-5 p.m. Twenty four Minneapolis neighborhoods are represented, and the following have three or more locations within the neighborhood: Audubon Park, Homewood, Linden Hills, Lynnhurst, the University District Alliance (Marcy Holmes, Southeast Como, Prospect Park) and Stevens Square. Minneapolis has 39 featured homes in all, and Saint Paul has 21 on the tour. For information and a link to the half-hour Home Tour Preview Show featuring five of the homes, go to www.MSPHomeTour.com, or call 612-673-5140.

Spring WingDing on April 25

Date: April 25 Time: 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Location: Audubon Park Address: 1320 29th Ave. NE url: http://audubonneighborhood.org/WingDing

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The Spring WingDing is an annual celebration of nature in the city hosted by the Audubon Park neighborhood. The event is held on a Saturday near the birthday of our namesake, John J. Audubon. In 2009, we’ll celebrate on Saturday, April 25th, 11am–2pm. The Spring WingDing is on facebook! Please help spread the news. Fun for all ages — Everyone is invited We’ll celebrate come rain or shine– Weather is part of nature! Stop by anytime, stay until you’re satisfied. THERE’S PLENTY TO DO, AND PLENTY TO LEARN:

• Northeast Middle School students will be our emcees, and earning International Baccalaureate credits while having fun
• The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization will show you how to make your own environmentally-friendly household cleaners
• Metro Blooms is holding a Raingarden Workshop. Landowners will learn how to install a rain garden using native plants that don’t require fertilizers or pesticides, and whose long roots help draw the water deep into the soil. Pre-registration is required, and there’s a $10 fee.
• The 4-H will have a hands-on table where you can make bird feeders from plastic soda bottle. And the Minneapolis Audubon Society will provide the food to fill them
• The Audubon Society will lead birdwatching tours within the park to help you understand the world’s most popular hobby
• For entertainment, there’ll be a stage, carnival games, a moon walk, face painting, and a cake walk
• Middle-schoolers will be making nature-themed buttons
• You can buy yourself a healthy lunch and help Middle-schoolers afford a trip to Washington DC
• The Audubon Society will have an interactive display and show you what to do with baby birds/animals you find in your yard.
• Find the Spring WingDing on 29th Avenue NE
at Buchanan Street.
That’s just two blocks from our Johnson Street Merchants, like Crafty Planet, POP!, or Audubon Coffee. And not much farther from Holy Land and the Eastside Food Co-op on Central. We’re at the heart of Minneapolis’ upper Eastside.

We are grateful to our partners and sponsors for making this event possible:

• Minneapolis Park Board
• Audubon Society of Minnesota, Minneapolis Chapter
• Northeast 4-H Group
• Northeast Middle School (NEMS)
• Metro Blooms
• Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO)
• Northeast Royalty Scholarship Program
• Castle Building and Remodeling

Spring WingDing | Audubon Neighborhood Association

Como Green Village Day on April 18

Date: April 18 (rain or shine) Time: 11:30 to 2:30 p.m. Location: Van Cleve Park Address: 901 15th Ave. SE url: http://sites.google.com/a/comogreenvillage.info/como-green-village/Home/como-green-blog/comogreenvillageday

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Celebrate the beginning of spring, Earth Week AND the first year of a successful Como Green Village with SECIA.

• Reduce, Reuse and FREECYCLE with the Como Swap-Meet!
• Support green (and cheap!) transportation with the Bicycle Auction!
• Learn about solar ovens, wind power, bike trailers, rain barrels and MORE at our Green Demos!
• Check out local organizations and opportunities at our Resource Fair!

Attend an open house to learn more about City property taxes

Dates: April 8 and 9 Time: 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Locations: see below url: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/news/20090310PrprtyTaxesOpenHouses.asp

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The City of Minneapolis is hosting two open houses to give property owners an opportunity to learn more about their property taxes, as well as programs that may provide some property tax relief. Folks can get information on subjects ranging from homestead credit and market value to lead abatement rebates, senior citizens deferrals and disabled veteran programs. UNDERSTANDING YOUR PROPERTY TAXES Wednesday, April 8, 2009 
4:30 to 7 p.m. 
Webber Park Community Center
4400 Dupont Ave. N. Thursday, April 9, 2009 
4:30 to 7 p.m. 
Pearl Park Neighborhood Center 
414 E. Diamond Lake Road Staff from the City Assessor’s Office will be on hand to provide you with information about Minneapolis property taxes, and to answer your questions. Cookies and refreshments will be served. This flyer has more details on the open houses, including information on translation services.

Purchase a tree at a discount and help green up Minneapolis

Dates: May 9, 10, 11 (order onine starting April 3) Times: see below Location: Franklin Middle School East parking lot Address: 1501 Aldrich Ave N

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Research has proven that trees are a valuable investment and improve urban quality of life. Healthy trees increase property values, help improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gases by absorbing carbon dioxide, save energy, keep the city cooler, provide homes for wildlife and help manage storm water. A thousand trees are being made available to city residents for planting this spring as part of the City Trees Program, which has provided a low-cost way for folks to help build the city’s urban forest. The program, which is funded by the City of Minneapolis, provides trees which are approximately six feet tall with a one-inch trunk for $25. Residents can order one tree per household, and all trees will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis. Varieties of trees available include Black Hills spruce, Korean mountain ash, prairifire crab, accolade elm,bur oak, and 50 mount royal plum trees. The plum trees produce edible fruit that’s great for jellies, jam, sauces or for eating straight off the branches. Residents who purchase the plum tree must attend a workshop on Saturday, June 20 to learn about fruit tree care and to pick up the tree. Order your trees beginning April 3 Orders for trees can be completed online starting on April 3 by visiting the Tree Trust Web site or by calling 651-644-5800. You can also order a tree by picking up an order form from your neighborhood group or local library. In previous years, the trees have sold quickly, so place your order early. Folks who order trees will need to pick them up on one of three days. Volunteers will be on hand to help load your new tree and complimentary bag of mulch in to your vehicle. Trees (other than the plum trees) can be picked up at Franklin Middle School East parking lot, 1501 Aldrich Ave. N. at the following times:

• Saturday, May 9
  7 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Sunday, May 10
  7 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Monday, May 11
  3 - 7 p.m.

The City Trees program is a partnership between the City of Minneapolis and Tree Trust, a local nonprofit that works to improve the community environment.