Loring Park Art Festival on August 7 – 8

When:	Saturday, August 7 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sunday, August 8 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where:	Loring Park 1382 Willow St
url:	www.loringparkartfestival.com

Rated one of the top “Fine Art Festivals in the Nation” by Sunshine Artists Magazine and the ArtFair SourceBook

Minneapolis, MN—The Loring Park Art Festival celebrates its 11th year of bringing art to one of the cities’ oldest and finest parks. This FREE two-day event takes place on Saturday, August 7 from 10-6 and Sunday, August 8 from 10-5, 2010 near Oak Grove Street and Hennepin Avenue in Loring Park across from the Walker Art Center.

Festival goers will enjoy two days of art provided by 140 artists that have been juried into the festival to assure high quality artwork in all media. Art at the festival includes; oil painting, watercolors, handmade paper, sculpture, textiles, photography, glass, ceramics, jewelry, mixed-media, wood, printmaking and more. Within these categories will be a variety of styles from traditional to abstract in a variety of price ranges with the goal being "something for everyone."

This festival is recognized nationally by publications such as the Sunshine Artists Magazine and the ArtFair SourceBook. The ArtFair SourceBook says of the Loring Park Art Festival, “This is an up-and-coming show in the Twin Cities...many patrons who attend prefer it...because it’s an easier show to see, more compact, and its quality is more consistent.”

In addition to art, visitors will enjoy family events, food, music and unique entertainment around the walking paths and duck ponds of Loring Park—an idyllic setting for an outdoor art festival. Also this year, Metro Transit will provide a FREE convenient art hop shuttle between Loring Park Art Festival, Powderhorn Art Fair and the Uptown Art Fair. For more details go to www.loringparkartfestival.com.

19th Annual Powderhorn Art Fair – August 7-8

When:	Saturday, August 7 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sunday, August 8 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where:	Powderhorn Park 3400 15th Ave S
url:	http://www.powderhornartfair.org/

Powderhorn Art Fair Celebrates Art And Community!

Powderhorn Art Fair is a unique collaboration between the Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.

The art fair profits are used to pay for programs at Powderhorn Park, such as a new teen center, a pottery kiln, a photography lab and a sound recording studio.

Set in this pastoral, 66 acre city park, one hundred eighty Main Exhibitors of varied disciplines and styles from across the country circle around the tree-lined, picturesque Powderhorn Lake. Other exhibitors include a Community Showcase and Group Exhibitors from the Powderhorn area.

Powderhorn Art Fair is also part of Minneapolis Arts Weekend. Powderhorn Art Fair, the Metris Uptown Art Fair and Loring Park Art Fair all exhibit simultaneously and will be connected with the Vita.mn Art Hop, a free bus service, for art lovers to enjoy a variety of artists, locations and cultures that nourish Minneapolis neighborhoods.

painting by Anastasia Makarenko

CARAG Community Kickball Game on August 13

When:Friday, August 13
7:00 – 8:30 p.m.Where:Bryant Square Park
3101 Bryant Ave S

• Kickball Game
• Food & Beverage Concessions
• Prizes for the Winning Team
• "Star Trek" (2009) Outdoor Movie at 8:30pm

2nd Annual Victory Garden Tour on Aug 1

When:	Sunday, August 1 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Where:	Loring School (south side) 2600 44th Ave. N

The Minneapolis Victory Neighborhood is sponsoring its 2nd Annual Victory Garden Tour on Sunday, August 1st from 1-4 p.m.

Tour information and home addresses are listed on the attached brochure as are the events that are taking place at Loring Elementary School.

Events will take place on the southside of Loring School, 2600 44th Ave. N. Ask a Master Garder about your fungus, see an arborist scale a tree, dig the delights of composting, and learn how one neighbor makes his garden bling.

Hope to see you in the gardens on Sunday & please pass the good word of gardening on to friends and neighbors!

Amy Chapman
Victory Neighborhood Environment Committee

Request for Proposals – Older Americans Act Title III Funding: Special Access & Outreach Services

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The Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging, Inc. (MAAA) seeks applicants to provide Special Access & Outreach Services for Minority/Ethnic elders residing in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties. The initial award period is January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011 with the opportunity to reapply for funds one additional year.

The Request for Proposals can be downloaded from the MAAA website at www.tcaging.org or by submitting a written request to: Gaoly Yang, Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging, 2365 N. McKnight Road, N. St. Paul, MN 55109. Successful applicants must abide by Minnesota State EOE policies.

An Applicant Conference will be held on Thursday, August 5, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the offices of the Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging. Please RSVP your attendance for the Applicant Conference to Gail Hernandez at gail@tcaging.org

MPS At-Large School Board Candidate Forum RESCHEDULED to Wednesday, July 21

Please note: Due to the recent scheduling of an additional School Board meeting on June 20th, the forum date has been changed to June 21 so all interested parties in these issues can attend both events!

When:	Wednesday, July 21 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Where:	Ramsey School 1 W 49th Street (enter at door #1 on 50th street parking lot)
contact:	Sarah Linnes-Robinson, Director Kingfield Neighborhood Association sarah@kingfield.org 612.823.5980

6:30-8:30: Q & A moderated by the League of Women Voter’s

8:30-9:00: meet & greet

Hosted by the Kingfield and Lyndale Neighborhood Associations, Bryant Neighborhood Organization, League of Women Voters of Minneapolis, Southwest Journal, and Minneapolis Public Schools Zone 3

Ten at-large candidates running for school board will be speaking to the public regarding their interests in running for the MPS School Board and their talents for serving in this challenging position. Candidates will all be invited to submit a written bio and answer two district-centric questions; to learn more about the candidates before the forum you can read this information at the Southwest Journal online beginning July 12. Alternatively you can pick up a hard copy at the Kingfield Farmers’ Market on Sunday July 18, 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM, 4310 Nicollet Avenue South.

Candidates will each be given time to answer a predetermined question to give attendees a chance to view their ability to prepare and present their position on an issue publicly. During this section of the presentation questions will be collected from the audience and sorted by the League; the prevailing themes that emerge will determine which questions are directed to the candidates for the second hour of the forum. There will be a 30 minutes meet and greet after the forum with candidates.

This pre-primary forum is an important opportunity for citizens to gain knowledge on the candidates to assist with voting on the August 10 primary, where the pool will be narrowed from 10 candidates to 4.

If you have questions regarding the Minneapolis Public School At-Large School Board Candidate Forum contact Sarah Linnes-Robinson, Director, Kingfield Neighborhood Association at sarah@kingfield.org or 612.823.5980. Limited childcare is available; please reserve room for your child with Gael Ellis at gaelellis@comcast.net or 612.987.2344.

Cinema and Civics in Stevens Square Park on July 28

When:	Wednesday July 28 Starts at 8:00 p.m.
Where:	Stevens Square Park 1801 Stevens Ave
url:	http://www.cinemaandcivics.org/site_10/

"The Birds", with a musical guest to be announced.
(This event is to make up for the rainout on July 7.)

Cinema and Civics wants to show your short film this summer in Stevens Park!

Films 15 minutes or less in any genre wanted! Please submit your films to - Cinema and Civics
c/o Stevens Square Community Organization
1925 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55403 Send questions to sarah@cinemaandcivics.org

Free Concerts in Matthews Park July 22 and August 2

When:	Thursday, July 22 and Monday, August 2 6:30 p.m.
Where:	Matthews Park 2318 29th Ave S
Contact:	Mike Rollin 338-6205, x119 mike@sng.org

The Seward Neighborhood Group and the West Bank School of Music have teamed up this summer to stage a series of free concerts in Matthews Park in the Seward neighborhood. Each concert will showcase music and dance from the many East African cultures represented in the Seward and Cedar Riverside neighborhoods.

On Thursday, July 22, at 6:30 pm, Rahma Ruuxi will play popular and traditional Somali music, and the Eritrean Youth Group YPFDJ will present an Eritrean fashion show.

On Monday, August 2, at 6:30 pm, Beytubekii will perform popular and traditional Oromo music, along with a presentation of traditional Oromo fashion and dance.

Bring a blanket to sit on and your favorite snacks

Red Hot Art Festival on July 31 and August 1

When:	Saturday, July 31 Sunday, August 1
Where:	Stevens Square Park 1801 Stevens Ave S
url:	http://redhotart.org/about/

Red Hot Art is not your average art festival. We pride ourselves in providing the most accessible hands on arts experience, proving that art really is for everyone!

Red Hot Art is a two-day neighborhood arts festival that serves as a showcase for emerging Twin Cities artists. The event, free and open to the public, offers emerging artists and arts enthusiasts a great opportunity to network and participate in the city’s premier grass roots arts festival. Red Hot Art is a great opportunity to reclaim the park for neighborhood residents and local families. Red Hot Art’s mission is to celebrate the artistic diversity and urban vibrancy of Minneapolis in the historic Stevens Square-Loring Heights neighborhood.

Each Summer, Red Hot provides an ideal opportunity for artists of all mediums to showcase their work. Red Hot Art brings together 3,500 community participants. This year the festival will host 100 booths dedicated to visual artists, 25 musical acts to play on two stages, food from local vendors, and many local community organizations providing hands-on activities for visitors of all ages! We are also searching for public artists to create installations in the park during the festival.

Red Hot Art is hosted by Stevens Square Community Organization in cooperation with Stevens Square Center for the Arts. Red Hot is made possible, in part, by funds provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Plymouth Congregational Church.

Due to budget shortfalls, we need your support this year more than ever! For more information on sponsoring Red Hot Art contact project coordinator Sarah Jordet.

Stevens Square Farmers Market on Wednesdays through October

When:	Every Wednesday July through October 2:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Where:	Plymouth Church Parking Lot Nicollet and Franklin avenues
url:	http://www.sscoweb.org/

Every Wednesday from 2:00 to 6:30 p.m. in the Plymouth Church parking lot at Franklin & Nicollet.

4th Annual B.L.E.N.D Awards Nominations Accepted through July 30

Deadline for submission:	Friday, July 30 5;00 p.m.
Guidelines/Entry Form:	http://tinyurl.com/27mebfr
Builder Cover Letter:	http://tinyurl.com/2cehv5h
Neighborhood Map:	http://tinyurl.com/2abqb8u
url:	http://blendaward.org/

The 4th Annual B.L.E.N.D Awards has expanded to include all of Southwest Minneapolis with the inclusion this year, of Kingfield, Tangletown, and Windom neighborhoods, and is sponsored by the following Neighborhoods: Armatage, East Harriet Farmstead, Fulton, Kingfield, Linden Hills, Lynnhurst, Tangletown, and Windom. The participating Neighborhood Associations and Councils are issuing a call for submissions for the 2010 B.L.E.N.D. AWARD, which recognizes builders, architects, designers, and property owners whose projects respect existing neighborhood design aesthetics. We have also included Landscape projects as a submission category this year. The submission deadline is Friday, July 30th, 2010
5:00 p.m.

The participating Neighborhood Associations and Councils are issuing a call for submissions for the 2010 B.L.E.N.D. AWARD, which recognizes builders, architects, designers, and property owners whose projects respect existing neighborhood design aesthetics. We have also included Landscape projects as a submission category this year and are looking forward to having submissions in that category. Projects involving commercial buildings are also eligible for submission.

The submission deadline is Friday, July 30th, 2009 5:00 p.m. Eligible projects include new buildings, renovation or additions to existing buildings, and landscape projects that have been completed since July 1, 2005; projects must be located within the boundaries of the participating southwest neighborhoods. A jury of design professionals and neighborhood residents will select projects to be awarded. Recipients of the 2010 B.L.E.N.D. Award will be announced the week of August 16, 2010.

NOTE:
There has been a change to the date and location of the awards presentation:

The awards will be presented during the Fulton Neighborhood Association October meeting, Wednesday October 13th at 7:00 p.m.
Pershing Park
3523 West 48th Street.

BLEND stands for Buildings and Landscapes Enhancing the Neighborhood through Design. “The name and the award represent the residents’ recognition of interest in their neighborhood and encouragement of progress while balancing a need for compatibility,” said Phil Rader, AIA, an architect on the Fulton Neighborhood Association’s Zoning Committee.

If you have a remodel, addition, new home, or landscape project completed within the last 5 years and your project is located in a Southwest Minneapolis neighborhood, please consider submitting this year

Details of participating neighborhoods, project categories, mailing instructions, eligibility, and submission guidelines can be found on the BLEND Award web site www.blendaward.org. -or- by contacting Phil Rader prader@philrader.com.

4th Annual Tour de Camden on July 24

When:	Saturday, July 24 9:00 – 12:00 p.m.
Where:	Start and End Point at Creekview Park 5001 Humboldt Ave N
Contact:	Shingle Creek Neighborhood Association 763-561-1616 scna@stribmail.com
url:	http://tinyurl.com/2ee82h9

Shingle Creek and Lind-Bohanon Neighborhood Associations are co-hosting a “Tour de Camden” bike ride on Saturday, July 24th, 9am-Noon. Our “Tour de Camden” is designed for all ages and is not intended to be a race but rather it is a fun leisurely bike tour through all seven neighborhoods in Camden. Refreshments will be served at the end of the “Tour”.

For more information contact SCNA at 763-561-1616 or scna@stribmail.com.

Armatage Summer Festival on July 20

When:	July 20, 2010 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Where:	Armatage Park 57th & Penn Ave S
Contact:	Jennifer Swanson (612) 929-5915 jasmpls@gmail.com

Great food, Sebastian Joe's ice cream, face painting, fun games, a moonwalk, obstacle course, skateboarding contests, a silent auction, classic car show and live music by Armatageous.

Immediately following the festival, there will be a FREE showing of the Monsters vs. Aliens movie in the park.

Energy efficiency rebates, programs help rental property owners save money

url:	http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/news/20100713RentalPropertyEnergyRebates.asp

The City of Minneapolis, Xcel Energy, CenterPoint Energy and Minnesota Housing are teaming up to help rental property owners take advantage of programs and rebates to help make their properties more energy efficient. Rental license renewal notices are being mailed to every rental property owner in Minneapolis in the next few days, and property owners will receive special energy efficiency information with their renewal notice.

The City of Minneapolis is committed to ensuring that all properties are safe, healthy environments for residents, and promoting energy efficiency is one way to improve the city’s housing stock and help the environment. Working together, the partners are combining their resources to reach out to property owners to help them learn about cost-effective ways to improve energy efficiency.

Government programs and rebates from Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy make it easier and more cost-effective than ever to upgrade the energy efficiency of a rental property. There are savings options for all kinds of rental buildings, big or small. There’s also help available to pay for energy efficiency upgrades.

An energy audit can help evaluate a property to find out the best way to make energy efficiency improvements. Options include simple ways to save energy and money on electric and natural gas, ranging from simply replacing light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs to making bigger renovations like replacing water heaters or tuning up boilers.

Additionally, Minnesota Housing and Community Action of Minneapolis have grants and loans that qualifying property owners can use to make upgrades. Learn more about how to get started making energy efficiency upgrades, and who to contact.

Lake Hiawatha Neighborhood Festival on August 4

When:	Wednesday, August 4 5:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Where:	Lake Hiawatha Park 2701 E 44th St
Contact:	Ryan Vossen 612-370-4930 lhfest@yahoo.com
url:	www.lhrc.freeservers.com/festival.htm

Meet the new Minnesota professional soccer team, the NSC Minnesota Stars. For the kids: pony rides for kids under 10 years old, face painting, hair painting, games, the 5-in-1 sports moonwalk and a water slide. A family fitness challenge and a talent contest — please pre-register for both at 612-370-4930. Also check out the caricaturist, health fair and the teen job opportunity fair. For more information or have a at-home or in-store retail business and want to display your business at the festival please email Joyce Boettcher at lhfest@yahoo.com. Food for sale by vendors. Look for more up-to-date information at our website: www.lhrc.freeservers.com/festival.htm.

37th annual CORNFEED at Longfellow Park on August 5

When:	Thursday, August 5, 2010 5:30pm - 8:00pm
Where:	Longfellow Park 3435 36th Ave S

Enjoy delicious roasted corn and hang out with your neighbors!

• Live Music
• Community Business/Resource Fair and Information Booths
• Restoration Youth and Family Center's Health Fair: Free Health Screenings, Resources, and Giveaways
• Youth Activity Fee - $4 Unlimited Wristband for the following activities:
• Hair and Face Painting
• Spray Tattoo Artist
• Moonwalk, Ballpit, Giant Slide, and Obstacle Course
• Fairstyle Concessions
• HOT and FRESH Roasted Sweet Corn

++Volunteers Needed++

if interested in helping out or to learn more please call 612 370 4957 or email Longfellow@minneapolisparks.org

MWMO Stewardship Fund Program Grants Available For Water Quality Projects

Letters of Interest due: Wednesday, September 22, 2010 by 3:00 pm

For information about the application process: visit www.mwmo.org/stewardshipfund.html

Attend a Stewardship Fund Program Information Session Thursday, August 26, Noon – 1:00 pm   or Monday, August 30, 4:00 – 5:00 pm MWMO’s office Mississippi Watershed Management Organization 1224 Marshall Street NE, Suite 201 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55413

url:http://www.mwmo.org/stewardshipfund.html

Water pollution comes from many different sources, including our everyday activities. How we care for our yards and grounds, wash and maintain our cars, and even dispose of pet waste can contribute to water pollution in the Mississippi River. The hard surfaces of our driveways, sidewalks, and pathways increase the amount of stormwater entering the stormdrains. There are many choices we can make to reduce these harmful impacts on water quality.

Become a partner organization with the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) by applying for a Stewardship Fund grant to work together to improve water quality in the MWMO. The MWMO includes parts of Minneapolis, Saint Paul, the City of Saint Anthony Village, and Lauderdale.

Projects funded through the Stewardship Fund Program should achieve the following:

1. Improve water quality or improve water and natural resource management
2. Build community understanding, knowledge, and initiative related to water and natural resource issues and solutions

Over $200,000 is available through three types of grants
  Mini Grants up to $2,000 – March, June, and September cycles each year
  Planning Grants up to $10,000 – September annual cycle
  Action Grants up to $50,000 – September annual cycle

Nonprofit organizations, officially recognized neighborhood groups, schools, local units of government, and business and professional associations are eligible to apply. Individuals, home owners associations and condominium associations, and private businesses may partner with eligible applicants in order to apply.

Letters of Interest due Wednesday, September 22, 2010 by 3:00 pm

Information Sessions

For information about the application process, visit www.mwmo.org/stewardshipfund.html Attend a Stewardship Fund Program Information Session at the MWMO’s office (see address above). Thursday, August 26, Noon-1 pm - or - Monday, August 30, 4-5 pm

Our new office is in the restored Grain Belt Brewery Building. Our entrance is at 1224 Marshall Street; enter and take the elevators on the left to the second floor, exit the elevators and walk straight ahead. You may park on the street, in the visitor's lot (entrance is on Broadway between the library and the Grain Belt building), or in the lot on 13th Avenue NE (just west of Marshall).

For questions or more information, please contact: Nancy Dilts, Grants Specialist, ndilts@mwmo.org, (612) 465-8780, ext. 208.

Online survey seeks Minneapolis residents’ drinking water habits

url:	http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/news/20100707DrinkingWaterSurvey.asp

The average person drinks about 64 ounces of water a day. How much do you drink? And where do you get that water?

The City of Minneapolis is conducting an online survey to get answers to what source residents go to get a glass of thirst-quenching water. It’s open to anyone who lives in, works in or visits Minneapolis. This is a short survey of about a dozen questions, and it should take less than five minutes to complete.

The purpose of the survey is to give the City a general understanding of water consumption in Minneapolis. The survey does not ask people to identify themselves or provide contact information. 

The survey is open through August 20, 2010.

Free Internet access now available throughout Minneapolis

url:	http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/news/20100625FreeWiFi.asp

In its continuing efforts to bridge the digital divide, the City of Minneapolis announced on Friday, June 25 that residents and visitors will now be able to access the Internet for free from 117 “Wireless Minneapolis” hotspots throughout the city. These hotspots are one of the many community benefits that resulted from the City of Minneapolis’ contract with USI Wireless, the company that built the wireless network blanketing the entire city.

When connected to one of these hotspots, folks will be able access any website on the Internet for up to one hour. After one hour, a user’s session will end; however, the user can log-in again to continue accessing the Internet. A credit card number will be required to access the Internet from a “Wireless Minneapolis” hotspot for homeland security purposes but the credit card will not be charged.

In selecting the locations for the 117 “Wireless Minneapolis” hotspots, the City looked for places where people already gather and use computers, and places where free wireless access would encourage people to gather, including parks, plazas, schools, and businesses. Hotspots will be clearly marked with signs that say, “Free Wireless Minneapolis Hotspot Courtesy: City of Minneapolis USI Wireless.” The free wireless signal will be available up to 600 feet from the sign.

In addition to the 117 hotspots, the City of Minneapolis and USI Wireless also offer free “Wireless Community” accounts to nonprofit organizations that provide free computer access to the public, and 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 access to a wealth of public sector information about government, education, and community services.

In 2006 the City of Minneapolis signed a 10-year contract with USI Wireless of Minnetonka to provide Minneapolis with cutting-edge broadband technology. USI Wireless is a private company that owns, built and manages the wireless network, making Minneapolis one of the first large cities in the United States to go wireless. The network is allowing the City to deliver services more efficiently and effectively than ever before.

Apply for a grant to save energy in Minneapolis

url:	http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/news/20100625ClimateChangeGrants.asp

Does your organization have a creative idea to help fight global warming? Do you need funding to jump-start your project? Based on the success of climate change grants provided in the last three years, the City of Minneapolis is again providing grants to help people in Minneapolis take steps to save energy in buildings. Neighborhood, business, and faith-based associations are eligible to apply for the grants, along with other non-profits, libraries, park and recreational centers, and other public organizations that serve Minneapolis residents and businesses.

The grants are made possible thanks to American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding that the City of Minneapolis received for a variety of energy efficiency projects.

Climate Change Grants

Grant amount: $7,500- $10,000 (no match required)
Application deadline: 4 p.m. Monday, July 26, 2010

To learn more about the grants, to get an application, and to see project ideas, visit the City’s sustainability website at www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/sustainability/ and under “what’s new” click on “2010 Climate Change Grants” or attend the informational meeting.

The application is relatively short and easy to fill out. Applicants are asked to submit their plans to use the money for a project that results in meaningful, measurable steps to reduce energy.

Optional information Meeting

An optional program informational meeting will be held on Thursday, July 1 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Green Institute (2108 21st Ave S Minneapolis). Attendance is not mandatory, but encouraged for anyone who would like to receive answers to questions regarding the application content or process since these requirements are revised from past years’ Minneapolis Climate Change grants due to Department of Energy funding requirements.

East Harriet Rosefest on July 17

When:	Saturday, July 17 12:00 noon – 7:00 p.m.
Where:	Lyndale Farmstead Park 39th and Bryant Ave S
url:	http://www.eastharriet.org/-rosefest.html

RoseFest Event Details

Pony Rides (Noon-5pm)
Take a picture of your children on our ponies. Tell your friends and family you went to a Dude Ranch for summer vacation.

Inflatable Rides, Dunk Tank, Face Painting & Games (Noon-7pm)
Yes, we'll have a moonwalk, but how about a 16' rock climb slide and obstacle course. There will be games for kids to try their hand at winning prizes. We'll also have a face painting and kid's activity tent sponsored by local business, Simply Jane.

Classic Auto Show Extravaganza (Noon-7pm)
Classic auto enthusiasts will enjoy getting a close look at over 25 classic autos, featuring MG Coupes & Roadsters, Triumphs and Nash Metropolitans. Sponsored by local business, Quality Coaches.

Antique Fire Engines (Noon-7pm)
Several antique fire engines will be on display in the driveway up to the Theodore Wirth Home. Members of the MN Fire Engine Club will be on hand to demonstrate to kids how the firemen operated these fire trucks in their day.

Guitar Hero (Noon-7pm) New event for 2010!
Challenge your friends or practice your own guitar skills ranging from beginner to expert levels. Don't miss the chance to become a rockstar as you jam to some of your favorite rock anthems! A scoreboard will be kept throughout the day and the highest score will be awarded a great prize.

Twin Town Guitars Musical Petting Zoo (Noon-7pm)
Adults and children can stop by Twin Town Guitar's tent and try their hand at a variety of musical instruments.

Shop Local Information Booths of Area Businesses (Noon-7pm)
A great opportunity to find out more about the products and services offered by a wide variety of our local businesses and members of the Niollet East Harriet Business Association (NEHBA).

Great Food and Beverages (Noon-7pm)
Volunteers will be grilling up some tasty hot dogs and brats with all the fixins'. So grab some chips with that dog, kick back, listen to the music and enjoy the summer breezes.

Open Eye Figure Theatre Driveway Tour Puppet Show: "The Adventures of Katie Tomatie: (2:00-2:30)
School is out for the summer and Katie wants to do nothing. Planting her favorite tomatoes, she digs too deep in her garden and is surprised by Mr. Boo Boo, a funny skeleton that is full of life and ready for adventure.
 – Written by Michael Sommers
 – Composed by Michael Koerner
 – Performed by: Laura Lechner, Andy Kraft and Jenna Wyse
 – Accompanied by John McCormick

Live Music (Noon - 7pm)

Twin Town Guitar's Band Showcase - (Noon-2 pm)
Come see youth bands perform their 'final exam' as they wrap up their classes with a public performance. These bands have been putting in long hours of practice to springboard up to bigger venues. www.twintown.com

Half Demon Doll (2:30-3:15)
Look out for these ladies. They won the Rock Meets the Runway Battle of the Bands in NYC and after a stellar performance at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, NYC, were signed to Little Steven Van Zandt's record label, Wicked Cool Records. wwwmyspace.com/halfdemondoll

The Word Party (3:30-4:15)
A local indi/electro/new wave band, playing original, rhythmic music. www.myspace.com/sosickofthewordparty

Howler With Friends (4:30-5:15)
East Harriet garage rockers enjoy performing high energy, up-tempo shows. www.myspace.com/howlerjams

The KGB Band (5:30-7:00)
Fronted by vocalist/bassist, Karen Gustafson, who also leads the Girls Rock Camp in Minneapolis, the band plays a mixture of soulful blues and popular rock. The KGB has become a Twin City favorite. www.myspace.com/thekgbband

Bryant Square Park Ice Cream Social on July 14

When:	Wednesday, July 14 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Where:	Bryant Square Park 3101 Bryant Ave S
url:	http://www.carag.org/

• Live Music from "Roma de Luna"
• Kids' Games & Activities
• Moonwalk & Dunk Tank
• Food, Beverages & Ice Cream

Minneapolis Park Board Engagement Meetings in July

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Throughout the history of the park system, community involvement in decision-making has successfully enhanced the City's parks and recreational facilities, programs, and services.

The MPRB is working to develop a new public participation and engagement policy to revise current standards and provide consistent practices for working and communicating with the public. This policy effort aligns with goals and strategies outlined in the 2007-2020 MPRB Comprehensive Plan.

To hear suggestions and ideas from the community on this policy, the MPRB will conduct public meetings at multiple locations throughout the city in July. Community preferences for being involved and what subject matter is important are examples of discussion topics at each public meeting.

All meetings will be held at 6:30 p.m. Meetings will be held at:

Lynnhurst Park
Tuesday, July 13
1345 Minnehaha Pkwy W
Minneapolis, MN 55419
Phone: 612 370-4914

Windom NE Park
Thursday, July 15
2251 Hayes St. NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418
Phone: 612 370-4905

Farview Park
Tuesday, July 20
621 29th Ave N
Minneapolis, MN 55411
Phone: 612 370-4922

Powderhorn Park
Thursday, July 22
3400 15th Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55407
Phone: 612 370-4960

Please take 5-10 minutes to participate through an online survey. Click here for survey!

Paper surveys can also be filled out and returned at recreation centers throughout the park system.

Goals for the development of a new policy are:

• Identify and provide for the park and recreation needs of the city’s dynamic and changing populations, including the needs of future generations
• Develop and strengthen positive and mutually supportive relationships with the community
• Increase MPRB responsiveness to the needs of the public
• Increase community access to information through various methods of engagement, especially new media
• Define roles and responsibilities of MRPB staff, Board of Commissioners, and community members

Learn more about community involvement and MRPB progress on a new policy:

• March 2010 Report, Board of Commissioners
• Ordinance 99-101: Public Participation in Park Facility Construction and Redevelopment

Hale Page Diamond Lake Picnic in the Park on July 29

When:	July 29th, 2010 5:30-8:30 pm
Where:	Pearl Park 414 E Diamond Lake Rd
Contact:	Courtney Laufenberg 612-824-7707 hpdl@bitstream.net

Picnic in the Park is a community gathering with live music, food, carnival games, and much more! This event is a celebration of the Hale, Page, and Diamond Lake community.

Celebrate Southwest Journal's 20th Anniversary on July 15

When;	July 15th 7:30pm
Where:	Lake Harriet Bandshell 4135 W. Lake Harriet Pkwy
Contact:	Sarah E. Gray 612-673-2489 events@mnpubs.com

The Southwest Journal is proud to celebrate 20 years of serving Southwest Minneapolis. Enjoy the company of friends and neighbors and lively Latin jazz as a part of the "Music in the Park" series at the Lake Harriet Bandshell. The Southwest Journal would like to thank you for two decades of support!

Updated Maps; Comp Plan Implementation Information

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Greetings colleagues and planning partners. CPED is pleased to announce the completion of updates to the land use and zoning maps on the Neighborhood Profiles web site. These neighborhood-specific maps were recently revised to be consistent with the City’s adopted Comprehensive Plan, The Minneapolis Plan for a Sustainable Growth, which was approved by the City Council on October 2, 2009. The zoning maps were updated to provide links to the City’s current zoning plates, as amended periodically by the City Council. Instead of the previous set of 3 maps per neighborhood, there are now 4 available for your use:

• Base Map - Basic map showing neighborhood boundaries, streets, parcels, parks, and lakes, rivers and streams.
• Existing Land Use Map - Map showing existing land uses as of 2009 as described in the Land Use Chapter of The Minneapolis Plan for Sustainable Growth.
• Future Land Use Map - Map showing planned future land uses as described in the Land Use Chapter of The Minneapolis Plan for Sustainable Growth.
• Zoning Map - Neighborhood map with web links to the applicable sections of the City’s official zoning map, which is updated monthly.

As noted in the Comprehensive Plan, the overall land use goal for the city is that Minneapolis will develop and maintain a land use pattern that strengthens the vitality, quality and urban character of its downtown core, commercial corridors, industrial areas, and neighborhoods while protecting natural systems and developing a sustainable pattern for future growth. The future land use and zoning maps are tools for accomplishing this goal. The existing land use map shows city land use patterns at the parcel level using 2007 as a frame of reference. The future land use map is the official policy map of The Minneapolis Plan for Sustainable Growth. The intent is to show how the City will provide for a range of housing types and commercial and industrial uses in order to accommodate a diverse range of families and individuals, income groups and businesses. The future land use map also provides guidance for the regulatory structure that implements the plan, including the City’s zoning ordinance. Please see the full plan at the above link for further detail.

CPED has been working in various ways to implement the Comprehensive Plan. These include, but are not limited to:

• Zoning Code Text amendments: A comprehensive revision to the zoning code was adopted by the City Council in 1999. Ongoing revisions are completed for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, the need to respond to state law changes and comply with other public agency requirements (i.e. Metropolitan Airports Commission, Department of Natural Resources, Federal Emergency Management Agency), to ensure consistency with adopted plans; to respond to changing market conditions, business practices and development patterns where appropriate; to respond to changing policy direction; and to simplify and streamline where possible. The Zoning Code is formally amended when the Council and Mayor approve individual rezoning applications as part of a development project, approve changes as part of a rezoning study, and approve zoning code text and map amendments.
• Small area plans and topical plans: Topic- and area-specific plans provide more specific guidance than the general policy in the Comprehensive Plan. The city develops, updates, and implements these plans as needed. As with other regulations and policies, these plans will be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. We recently adopted an update to the North Loop Small Area Plan and have two other planning processes underway - an update to the Lowry Avenue Plan and the creation of the Chicago Avenue Corridor Plan. We anticipate adoption of each later this year. The complete list of adopted plans is available on the CPED web site.
• Rezoning studies: Rezoning studies follow the adoption of small area plans. A rezoning study analyzes existing zoning in an area-specific plan and recommends changes to zoning at the parcel level so that the zoning matches the City adopted future land use plans. The rezoning study for the North Loop area is underway. We anticipate that both the Lowry Avenue and Chicago Avenue planning processes will result in rezoning studies.
• Comprehensive Plan amendments: During the life of the comprehensive plan, it may become necessary from time to time to amend the document, particularly when new information becomes available regarding conditions and opportunities within the city. While the City would like to minimize the necessity of amending the plan, it realizes that this is a necessary strategy to ensure that the plan remains relevant and useful throughout its life. The City has the ability to amend the comprehensive plan, in compliance with the Metropolitan Council’s prescribed process. The North Loop, Lowry Avenue and Chicago Avenue Corridor planning processes will require amending the Comprehensive Plan through to this process.

Neighborhoods were an important stakeholder in developing the city’s Comprehensive Plan, and they remain a key stakeholder in helping to implement it. CPED continues to work with neighborhoods in a variety of ways to ‘work the plan.” These include providing guidance and technical assistance to neighborhoods embarking on their own planning processes, reviewing plans and proposals as submitted by other entities to ensure their consistency with city policies, and by providing tools to assist designers, developers, builders and community stakeholders to understand and prepare plans and proposals that are consistent with the city’s policies and regulations. The policies in the Comprehensive Plan serve as a framework for all of CPED’s business lines and its mission to grow a sustainable city. We invite you to contact your sector planner if you have questions about how the Comprehensive Plan impacts your community or ideas on how we can work together on implementation.

This notice will be sent to all neighborhood organizations and business associations. Please feel free to share it with colleagues as you see fit.

Barbara Sporlein, Director of Planning
Department of Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED)
City of Minneapolis
612-673-2597; barbara.sporlein@ci.minneapolis.mn.us

Minneapolis Climate Change Grants Now Available

Deadline:	4:00 p.m. Monday, July 26, 2010
url:	http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/sustainability/

Based on the success of climate change grants provided in the last three years, the City of Minneapolis is again providing grants to help people in Minneapolis take steps to save energy in buildings.

Neighborhood, business, and faith-based associations are eligible to apply for the grants, along with other non-profits, libraries, park and recreational centers, and other public organizations that serve Minneapolis residents and businesses.

The grants are made possible thanks to grants the City of Minneapolis received from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for a variety of energy efficiency projects.

Minneapolis Climate Change Grants

• Grant amount: $7,500- $10,000 (no match required)
• Application deadline: 4 p.m. Monday, July 26, 2010

To learn more about the grants, to get an application, and to see project ideas, visit the City’s sustainability website at http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/sustainability/ and under “what’s new,” click the “2010 Climate Change Grants” or attend the informational meeting (see below).

The application is relatively short and easy to fill out. Applicants are asked to submit their plans to use the money for a project that results in meaningful, measurable steps to reduce energy.

Optional information Meeting
An optional program informational meeting will be held on Thursday, July 1 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Green Institute (2108 21st Ave S Minneapolis). Attendance is not mandatory, but encouraged for anyone who would like to receive answers to questions regarding the application content or process.

Thank you

Gayle Prest, Director
Minneapolis Sustainability
350 South 5th St, #301M Minneapolis, Mn 55415
612/673-2931
gayle.prest@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/sustainability

Healthy Housing Indicators Now Available

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The Housing Division of the City’s Community Planning & Economic Development Department is pleased to announce the release of our first Healthy Housing Indicators Analysis. The report was prepared by research and housing staff with assistance from the City Assessor and Department of Regulatory Services. Its purpose is to:

• better understand the impact of market challenges on city housing stock, particularly at the neighborhood level;
• improve our ongoing monitoring of key housing trends;
• better understand the relationship between various program interventions and key housing indicators;
• answer the question of how much public investment will be required to turn around challenged neighborhoods.

The report covers the period from 2005 through 2009 and is organized under indicators of housing distress, investment, and value. Most indicators of distress worsened during the study period; none of this information is particularly surprising, as these local impacts followed national trends. Please note the increase in non-homesteaded single family properties, caused in part by a 2001 state law change that lowered the property tax liability for non-homesteaded properties.

The report was presented to the City Council’s Community Development Committee on May 4th. A copy of the full report is available here. The accompanying staff report is available here. The neighborhood level detailed numbers have been compiled in a file here.

Many neighborhood groups are engaged in efforts to maintain and improve their housing stock. We encourage you to carefully review this information to aid in your own program design, and to take advantage of city programs that are available to address housing needs. A quick reference guide to the City’s key programs that are designed to respond to the housing crisis follows:

• Minneapolis Foreclosure Recovery Plan:
  http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/foreclosure/Citys_Foreclosure_Recovery_Plan.asp
• Foreclosure Prevention:
  http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/foreclosure/homeowner_facing_foreclosure.asp
• Homeownership Assistance:
  http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/foreclosure/purchasing_a_foreclosed_home.asp
• CityLiving Mortgage Program:
  www.cityliving.org
• Take Credit Homeownership Information:
  www.cityliving.org
• Minneapolis Advantage: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cped/minneapolisadvantage_home.asp
• Code Abatement and Home Repair Loans for Lower Income Households: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cped/city_living.asp
• LiveMSP.org has great information on homebuying and provides a directory of homebuyer incentive programs and resources by neighborhood.

We hope this tool is useful as you evaluate the needs of your community. Please let us know if you have any questions about the reports or just want to discuss your neighborhood housing issues.

Tom Streitz
Director, Housing Policy & Development
City of Minneapolis
612-673-5128