Tidbits

 

HWY 280 Closed This Weekend

Hwy 280 will be closed in both directions this weekend between Como Avenue and Interstate 35W as work continues on the roadway in Lauderdale and St. Paul.  The highway will close from 10 p.m. Friday, June 19 through 5 a.m. on Monday, June 22, so crews can install storm sewer pipes beneath the roadway north and south of the Larpenteur Avenue bridge.

During the full closure, there will be no access to Broadway Ave.  Traffic will be able to reach southbound Hwy 280 at Como Avenue and the northbound roadway will be open to Como Avenue.

Southbound Hwy 280 traffic will detour east on Hwy 36 to southbound I-35E and west on I-94.  Northbound traffic will detour east on I-94 to northbound I-35E and west on Hwy 36.

Statewide traffic, construction and travel information is available by calling 511 or logging on to www.511mn.org.

 

ZPRR Community Meeting

Monday, June 29, from 7-9 PM, Van Cleve Park gymnasium. 

Learn what the City will be changing in zoning and planning now that the building and demolition moratorium will be ending this August.  This is excellent chance to view the changes, and provide feedback, that will be proposed to the City Council later this summer.  The ZPRR (Zoning Planning and Regulatory Review) Committee Process has been a joint effort of the City of Minneapolis and the U of M Area Alliance. 

 

Crime Alert for:  Occupied Residential Burglaries                                    

Facts:  During the last week, there has been an emerging pattern of Occupied Residential Burglaries.  The burglaries have occurred in the Marcy Holmes and U of M neighborhoods.  All three burglaries involve unlocked residences in which Victims were either home or just arrived to find the suspect in their residence.  According to the victims the suspect states he was looking for someone (i.e; David, Mike).  In two cases, the suspect stated he had a “PISTOL” as opposed to gun.  Loss was Laptops, Cell and Ipods.

Suspect is described as a black male, 25-40 years of age, 6’ tall, stocky build, shaved/bald head.  In all three cases, the suspect is described as wearing denim shorts.

 

What you can do:

·               Install good locks and lock them.  Lock the door if you are at home and if you are gone even for a few minutes. 

·               Turn on exterior lights at night.

·               Don't open your door to anyone without business inside.

·               Never leave garage doors open.

·               Meet your neighbors, so you can watch out for each other.

 

Call 911 to report suspicious activity.  This includes strangers walking down your alley and looking in garages, loitering, or vehicles circling the block with occupants you don't recognize.

 

Please call the 2nd Precinct’s, Crime Prevention Specialists, Nicholas Juarez at (612) 673-2797 for neighborhoods South of Broadway or Carol Oosterhuis at (612) 673-2874 for neighborhoods North of Broadway.

 

Bryan Schafer Name 2nd Precinct Inspector

Bryan Schafer was named as the new Inspector for the 2nd Precinct.  Lt. Schafer has been instrumental in the re-establishment of the Juvenile Division to its current status as a model for other agencies through its unique partnerships and programs.  In 2006, the department reinstated the Juvenile Division under the leadership of Lt. Schafer to deal with emerging trends of juvenile violent crime.  As a result of great strides to curb youth violence through such programs as the Juvenile Supervision Center for low-level offenders, the Juvenile Crime Apprehension, juvenile violent crime in 2008 was down 44 percent as compared to 2006.  In March of this year, the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), a national police executive group, has honored Lt. Bryan Schafer of the Minneapolis Police Department with the Gary P. Hayes Memorial Award for outstanding leadership.  He was recognized for his work in revamping the department’s response to juvenile justice.  The Gary P. Hayes Award was presented to Lt. Schafer in Washington, D.C on March 26 at the organization’s annual meeting. 

 

Working on Community Issues Together At University Lutheran Church of Hope

Sponsored by 2nd Precinct Crime Prevention Specialists Carol Oosterhuis and Nick Juarez.  The program will be at University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave SE On Wednesday, June 24th at 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  We will discuss

 

·               Tools available to help you work with property owners

·               Housing Programs – Representatives from MPHA will provide information on their programs, including Section 8

·               Housing Court -- An informational video will be shown on housing court

 

Please call 673-2874 to RSVP

 

NCEC Board Filled with June Elections

Please join me in congratulating the members of the first Neighborhood and Community Engagement Commission (NCEC)!  Eight of the members were elected on June 16th and join the other eight who were appointed earlier this year.

The members who were elected by neighborhood organizations are:

District 1: Matt Massman

District 2: John Finlayson

District 3: Bill Helgeson

District 4: Doron Clark

District 5: Karen Lee Rosar

District 6: Mark Hinds

District 7: Melanie Majors

District 8 (includes Como): Marcea Mariani

 

To round out the 16 members, those who were appointed earlier this year are:

Tony Anastasia, David Crockett, Crystal Johnson, Ed Newman, Matt Perry, Breanne Rothstein, Jeffrey Strand, and Ami Thompson

 

We had an outstanding list of candidates interested in serving on this commission and certainly have a great roster of people to launch this new board.  We look forward to teaming up with the commission members on the work ahead of us.  We know that the commission will truly benefit from the dedication of each of the members and their work in their communities. 

 

The first NCEC meeting is Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:30-6:30pm at Logan Park (690 13th Ave. NE).  You can also find information on the NCEC Web site at:
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/ncr/NCEC_Home.asp.

 

 

Jennifer Lastoka

Community Engagement Coordinator

City of Minneapolis

 

National Night Out

Planning week for National Night Out is June 15 - 21

National Night Out is coming up fast, and now is the time to start making preparations on your block for the night that brings neighbors together.  This year, National Night Out (NNO) is Tuesday, Aug. 4.  June 15-21 is Minneapolis National Night Out Planning Week.

Minneapolis wants to make it easy for block clubs and neighbors to get started now on their plans.  Register your event online <http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/nno/> today.  When you register, you can also apply to close your street for your event (remember you need the permission of 75 percent of your neighbors to do so).  The deadline for registering your event for free is July 21.  You cam also register your event and apply for street closure by calling 311 (or 612-673-3000).  Remember to make plans to reschedule if it should rain. 

Register early if you want to request a firefighter, police officer, or a canine officer and dog to visit your location.  A limited amount of start-up kits are available for first-time NNO events.  They contain plates, cups, plastic utensils, napkins, etc. for 50.  If your block is new to NNO this year, call 612-673-2956 to see if a kit is available.

Each event organizer will receive Mystery Point Passes for Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America and vouchers (each good for 2 tickets) for Minnesota Twins games to use as door prizes.  Each Mystery Point pass is worth either a single ride, a day of rides or a whole season of rides.  If you register your NNO event by July 14, you will be entered into a drawing for other door prizes donated by Minneapolis businesses.

 

Community Garden Dates
All garden dates are updated at the SECIA calendar.  Upcoming dates for June and July: 

 

6/20 at 10 am at Accord Community Garden

7/1 at 6:30pm at Gateway Garden

7/7 at 6:30 at Como Corner

7/15 at 6:30pm at Gateway Garden

7/18 at 10 am at Accord Community Garden

 

Let this be the year you become a Community Gardener.

 

Eagle Scout Project in OWLS Community Garden

Hello, my name is Luke S. and I have lived in SE Minneapolis all my life.  I am planning on building some trellises and doing some general repair work for the OWLS Community Garden as a part of my Eagle Scout Project for the Boy Scouts of America.  The extent of project will be determined by the level of funding I can raise.  If you would like to help with a donation of any size, it will be put to good use in buying materials for my project.  Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. 

 

If you’re interested in supporting Luke’s Eagle Scout Project in the OWLS Garden, please contact the SECIA office at 612 676 1731, or email at secomo@secomo.org.  Thank you!

 

Shakespeare in the Park at Van Cleve

Bring a blanket, a picnic dinner and enjoy a performance of Shakespeare Soup, Friday June 26, 2009 at 7pm.  Puck, the merry wanderer of the night, needs the help of boys and girls of all ages.  She's trapped in only one shape until she can perform three impossible tasks.  Join her and some of Shakespeare's best-loved characters as they weave a plot around highlights from great comedies.  Presented by the Cromulent Shakespeare Co.

 

MPRB Listening Sessions

The 2007-2020 Comprehensive Plan, which was based on broad community outreach and research, outlines the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s (MPRB) values, visions and goals.  The MPRB’s 2008-2009 budget strategies were tied to the Comprehensive Plan.  During 2009, the MPRB will use a variety of methods to continue gathering information on the public’s priorities for park programs and services.  This information, along with the Comprehensive Plan, will help guide development of the MPRB’s 2010 budget.

 

The MPRB will have a series of Listening Sessions for the public to share their priorities with commissioners at six sessions held during the first board meeting of the month, May-October.  The MPRB is seeking responses to the following questions:

 

·               Which programs, services and infrastructure do the public most value in the Minneapolis park and recreation system? 

·               Of the activities they enjoy, what opportunities does the public see for cost savings or revenue generating?

 

Future Meetings Locations

JULY 1 – POWDERHORN PARK

AUG. 5 – ELLIOT PARK

SEPT. 2 – FOLWELL PARK

OCT. 7 – PEARL PARK

 

MEETING SCHEDULE

4:30 p.m. – Tour of the Park

5 p.m. – Board Meeting*

5:30 p.m. – Listening Session

 

* Board meeting resumes following the listening session.

 

 Visit www.minneapolisparks.org for MPRB meeting agendas the Friday before the meetings.  For more info, call 612-230-6400.

 

Live Near Your Work

Here’s a helpful aid for your suburban colleagues and friends who work downtown or at the U.  The new www.LiveNearYourWork.net web site can help them get rid of that long commute by checking the homeowner-oriented property listings there.  Residents of the U neighborhoods can also market their homes on the site to new owner-occupants, or let their realtors know about this listing opportunity.

 

Fare for All

Fare For All is a program to help stretch your food dollar.  Each month you can order from a variety of 5 packages of food, pay for it and pick it up the following month.  Packages contain a variety of healthy, fresh, quality food items, including fruits, vegetables, frozen meats and staple items.  It is open to all - there are no income-based requirements.  Pick up your food and order the next month’s food every third Saturday from 9:00-10:00 AM at Southeast Christian Church.  For more information or to order food, call Fare For All at 763/450-3880 or visit their website at www.fareforall.org.

 

Benefit for South High Theater Program

This production of the Oscar Wilde play "The Importance of Being Earnest", directed by Ellen Fenster and produced by VLP Productions, will benefit the South high Theater Program.  The players include: Ahren Potratz, Ben Tallen, Teresa Regan Hess, Kelsey McMahon, Justin Alexander, Mike Ooms, Erin Search-Wells and Louise Bormann.  The production will run from June 24th to June 27th at Minneapolis South high Theater, 3131 19th Ave South.  The curtain opens at 7:30 pm.  General admission tickets are available at the door, one hour in advance of show time: $20 for adults and $10 for students.  Payment by cash or check to "VLP Productions" only.  Free parking available at the school.  For more information, call 612-378-0121.

 

U of M Summer Concert Series

The University of Minnesota Summer Session and Concerts and Lectures present Summer at Northrop 2009 - 25 free, outdoor concerts showcasing music from around the globe.  All concerts will be held weekdays from noon to 1 p.m. on the Northrop Plaza beginning Thursday, June 11.  Click here to see the full Summer at Northrop 2009 concert lineup.  Lunch will be available daily from University Dining Services' Northrop Grill.

 

On June 15, New Primitives, a band that combines reggae, Afro-Caribbean, and Latino rock music will perform.  Ice cream from University Dining Services and sample sandwiches from Jimmy Johns will be served while supplies last.  Attendees can enter to win prizes from University organizations and local establishments.

 

While at the concerts, be sure to check out the Farmer's Market.  Located on Church Street, it will run from 11am-2pm on Wednesdays, from July 8-October 7.

We invite you to take a break over lunch and enjoy some sunshine and spectacular music from around the world.  We hope to see you all there!

 

For more information, visit Northrop's web site, call 612-624-2345, or email northrop@umn.edu.  For more details on each artist visit Northrop's blog.

Also enjoy, concerts at the St. Paul Student Center, Garden Terrace every Thursday at noon - sponsored by Student Unions and Activities.

 

Red, White and Boom Celebration

Saturday, July 4, 5 – 10 pm

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPBR) celebrates the Fourth of July downtown along the historic Minneapolis Riverfront with “Red, White and Boom!” an exciting afternoon and evening of amazing music, great food, fun activities for the whole family and everyone’s favorite – fireworks!  The music begins at 5 p.m. at three stages along Main St. SE, including the bandstand at Father Hennepin Bluffs Park.  Musical performers include the Mick Sterling Band, Grayson and Orange Whip, with many more acts to be announced.  Free family-friendly activities, including face painting, caricatures and arts and crafts programs, will take place in the Family Fun Zone in Father Hennepin Bluffs Park from 6 to 9 p.m.  The festivities conclude with a spectacular fireworks display at 10 p.m. Prime fireworks viewing areas are West River Parkway from the Plymouth Avenue Bridge to I-35W, Main Street from Central to Sixth avenues and the Stone Arch Bridge.  To ease crowd congestion, the Stone Arch Bridge will be closed to bicycle traffic from 9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. “Minneapolis Red, White and Boom,” is produced by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and Minneapolis Riverfront Arts and Events Committee.  For more information on the event, visit http://www.mplsredwhiteboom.com/.