SNG Newsletter, April 1
The following is the Seward Neighborhood Group (SNG) newsletter for April 1, as emailed from SNG.
SNG NEWSLETTER, APRIL 1, 2008
I. SNG Calendar of Events, March 29 to April 15 – Volunteer Emergency Response Team (CERT) Info Session, March 29 – Sustainable Gardening Discussion, March 30 – SNG Crime and Safety Committee, April 12 – SNG Garage Sales Committee, April 14
II. SNG Longer Term Calendar, April 16+ – SNG History Committee, April 16 – Franklin Avenue Planning: Walk on the Avenue, April 17 and 19 – SNG Environment Committee, April 21 – SNG Board Meeting, April 23 – Franklin Avenue Neighborhood Planning Community Workshop, April 26 – Seward Garage Sale Days, May 16 and May 17
III. Other News and Items of Interest – Growing the Peace Garden for 2008 – Earth Hour, March 29 – Grand Opening of Fast and Furless, March 29
-Transforming Transportation Policy? April 7 – Rental Property Owners Workshop, April 10 – Deadline for Ordering Tree Trust Tree, April 11
-Native Woodlands as a Shade Garden Model, April 15 – Earth Day Cleanup and Recycle Run, April 19 and April 20 – Childish Films at the Library, April 19 – Talking Stacks, Women Write about their Mothers, April 24 – Arbor Day on the Midtown Greenway Saturday, April 26 – Minneapolis & St. Paul Home Tour, April 26-27 – “Our City” Exhibit at City Hall – Living Green Expo, 2008, May 3-4 – Apply to Win a Home Energy Makeover – Additional Library Hours – Minneapolis Dog Parks – Protect Your Home Against Spring Beak-Ins – Investments in Biking and Walking Reduce Driving
I. SNG Calendar of Events, March 29 to April 15
Volunteer Emergency Response Team (CERT) Info Session, March 29
Birchwood Café, 11 am to noon. Seward CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) members will meet with anyone interested in learning more about this exciting volunteer opportunity in the neighborhood. If you can’t make the meeting but would like to know more, contact Richard Andre at 612-388-3539.
Sustainable Gardening Discussion at the Birchwood, March 30
Block club/groups/individuals – If you are interested in enhancing your
sustainability through gardening, join your neighbors at the Birchwood
Cafe, on Sunday March 30th from 3:30 to 5:30 to talk about all aspects
of sustainable gardening. Share your experiences and ideas. Come to learn and plan for monthly informal neighborly gatherings around various topics.
RSVP to Susan Andre at sla@gsginfo.com
SNG Crime and Safety Committee, April 12
7 p.m. at Matthews Park.
Guest speaker Paul McDonald will give a presentation about child safety and child protection issues, and will provide contacts and a resource list.
SNG Garage Sales Committee, April 14
7 p.m. at SNG Office. 2323 E. Franklin.
Join your neighbors in volunteering to organize this year’s neighborhood Garage Sales Days on May 16 & 17
II. SNG Longer Term Calendar, April 16+
SNG History Committee, April 16
Continue working on organizing Seward history archives in preparation for creating a history of the neighborhood. 10:15 am to noon. SNG Office, 2323 E. Franklin Ave.
Franklin Avenue Planning: Walk on the Avenue , April 17 and April 19
Small groups will identify and photograph aspects of Franklin Avenue that either work well or present a problem. Everyone who works, lives or owns property in Seward is invited. Balloons and activities for the kids. Great neighborhood food for all who participate. Thursday, April 17th, 4:30-5:30 pm and Saturday, April 19th, 10:00 to 11:00 am.
SNG Environment Committee, April 21
7 p.m. at SNG Office, 2323 E. Franklin Ave.
Presentation about permaculture, a more effective way of producing food from perennial plants in your yard.
SNG Board Meeting, April 23
7 p.m. at Seward Towers East Advantage Center.
For details, contact admin@sng.org
Franklin Avenue Planning: Community Workshop, April 26
From 10:30 am to noon at Matthews Community Center, 2318 29th Avenue South. The workshop will review the results of the Walks on the Avenue (April 17 and 19) as well as identify those areas and topics that will be the focus of Franklin Avenue planning work in the weeks ahead. Childcare will be provided. Lunch will also be provided for all who participate.
Seward Garage Sales Days, May 16 & May 17
Seward Garage Sales Days have been set for May 16 (Friday) and May 17 (Saturday).
The registration fee is once again $12, which covers SNG’s costs to advertise and gets your house on the official garage sale map passed out to buyers. For the first time this year, you’ll be able to register electronically and pay the fee through SNG’s on-line donation system. Registration forms are also available at the SNG office. If you have questions, contact SNG at admin@sng.org or 612-338-6205 extension 119.
III. Other News and Items of Interest
Growing the Peace Garden for 2008
Due to a confusion about the terms of a grant, SNG finds itself without funding for the Peace Garden program this summer. The Peace Garden is an on-going summer program for neighborhood youth that teaches gardening and business skills through hands-on work at the Peace Garden adjacent to Seward School and vegetable sales at various sites around the community. Local business owners have pledged donations to match contributions from individuals in the neighborhood. You can make a contribution to SNG for the Peace Garden through the electronic donation function at the SNG website at sng.org (Select Donate and after you post a contribution go to the Contact page and send an e-mail to info@sng.org that you want your donation to go for the Peace Garden. You can also send SNG a check at 2323 E. Franklin Ave, Minneapolis 55406 and indicate Peace Garden on the notation line. Help the neighborhood keep this wonderful program growing this summer.
Take Action with Earth Hour, March 29th
Make a difference this weekend with Earth Hour. On Saturday, March 29th, people around the globe will be turning off their lights for one hourbetween 8pm and 9pm. Last year Earth Hour in Sydney, Australia achieved a 10% reduction in their greenhouse gases for a day. Let’s see what we can do here in Minnesota! Visit the Earth Hour website for more information.
Grand Opening of Fast and Furless, March 29
New Seward business specializing in animal-free shoes, accessories and other products hosts a grand opening at its store, 2615 E. Franklin Avenue from 2 pm to 6 pm. There will be vegan desserts, a Silent Auction, and animal-themed art.
The Next Authorization:Transforming Transportation Policy? April 7
Monday, April 7,1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Main Ballroom, Radisson University Hotel University of Minnesota, 615 Washington Ave. S.E., Minneapolis
Minnesota Rep. James L. Oberstar, Chair of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, will discuss transformation of national transportation policy for the 21st century. U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, member of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has been invited to speak about federal transportation policy meeting state needs
Panel discussions will then follow with one panel featuring National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission vice chair Jack Schenendorf and commissioners Maria Cino and Steve Heminger. A second panel will feature Pete Ruane, president and CEO of the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), John Horsley, executive director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and William W. Millar, president of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).
The forum is free and open to the public. Space is limited, however, so attendees are encouraged to register at: http://register.cce.umn.edu/Course.pl?sect_key=181518
A program brochure with further details is available at: http://www.cts.umn.edu/Events/OberstarForum/2008/documents/2008OberstarBrochure.pdf
Rental Property Owners Workshop, April 10
5 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Registration at 4:30 p.m.)
St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church, 3450 Irving Ave. S. Minneapolis
Community Crime Prevention/SAFE of the Minneapolis Police Department and Minneapolis Housing Inspections are providing this workshop. Attending the workshop provides owners and managers with valuable information, resources and opportunities to network with other property owners. Workshop topics:
• The ABCs of property management • Working with the Minneapolis Police Department • Working with Housing Inspections • Tenant behavior issues • The risk of lead poisoning • Hennepin County Housing Court / mediation • Networking opportunities
Registration Form can be found online at: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/police/outreach/docs/RPOW.pdf
Cost: $20.00 — checks payable to City of Minneapolis (Includes cost of workshop, materials, DVD on Hennepin County Housing Court, and box meal.)
Pre-registration is required. RSVP by Thursday, April 3, 2008. (registration limited to 100 participants). REGISTRATION AFTER APRIL 3 WILL COST $30.
Native Woodlands as a Shade Garden Model, April 15, 7:00 pm
Nokomis Community Center, 2401 East Minnehaha Parkway View several types of native woodland communities with Shelley Larson, owner of Hayland Woods Native Nursery. She will help you decide which plants will do best to transform your tough shady spot into a woodland garden retreat as well as a healthy ecosystem.
Shelley grows native plants for homeowners, contractors, the Minnesota DNR and
University of Minnesota Extension. She and her family manage 80 acres of certified
sustainably-managed woodlands plus she is the plant coordinator for the Lost Valley SNA
in Hastings.
Earth Day Cleanup and Recycle Run, April 19 and April 20
The 14th Annual Earth Day Watershed Cleanup on April 19, and the inaugural Recycle Run on April 20, will celebrate Earth Day 2008.
EARTH DAY, APRIL 19
The Earth Day Watershed Cleanup will be held from 9:30 a.m.-noon on Saturday, April 19, at 36 cleanup sites located throughout Minneapolis. Volunteers can come to any of the cleanup sites but are asked to check-in at the site’s check-in table before starting work.
Seward’s check-in site will be at 24th Street and West River Parkway and the major area of concern will be along the river, both on the street level and along the riverbank. If there are a lot of volunteers, they’ll be directed towards the Seward/Longfellow section of the Midtown Greenway.
Earth Day provides both volunteer experiences and environmental education for Minneapolis residents. The cleanup draws attention to the water quality improvement needs of our lakes and the effect individual actions have had on urban water quality.
In 2007 over 2,000 people removed more than 17,000 pounds of garbage at 25 cleanup locations around Minneapolis. The event was ranked one of the best Earth Day cleanup events in the country by the Earth Day Network.
For more information about the event or if you are interested in helping coordinate the 2008 cleanup, call 612-230-6484 or visit www.minneapolisearthday.com.
RECYCLE RUN, APRIL 20
The Recycle Run around Lake Harriet on Sunday, April 20, features a 5K Walk/Run and a Kids’ Half-Mile Run. Proceeds from the Recycle Run will benefit future Minneapolis Earth Day Watershed Cleanup efforts.
Fees for the Kids’ Run are $10 pre-registered and $15 on race day. Fees for the 5K are $25 pre-registered and $30 on race day. Race day registration is from 7:45-8:45 a.m. at the Lake Harriet Bandshell or register online at: www.minneapolisrecyclerun.com.
The Kids’ Run begins at 8:45 a.m. followed by the 5K at 9 a.m. Both races begin at the Lake Harriet Bandshell, 4135 Lake Harriet Parkway. The first 500 pre-registered participants will receive a free ticket to a Minnesota Twins game. All pre-registered participants are guaranteed a Performance T-shirt and water bottle.
Deadline for Ordering Tree Trust Tree, April 11
Make Minneapolis (and your yard) a greener place by ordering a tree! 1,000 trees are available for just $25 each through the City Trees program
The City of Minneapolis is making 1,000 trees available to city residents for planting this spring. Minneapolis funds the City Trees program, which is in its third year, to provide a low-cost way for folks to help build the city’s urban tree forest.
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.
To make the City Trees program a reality, Minneapolis partners with Tree Trust, a local nonprofit that works to improve the community environment.
Ordering a tree:
The trees cost $25 each, and are approximately 6-to-10 feet tall with a 1 inch trunk. Residents can order one tree per household, and the 1,000 trees will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents can choose from five tree varieties, including Bicolor Oak, Fall Fiesta Sugar Maple, Pagoda Dogwood, Japanese Tree Lilac or Welchi Juniper.
Orders can be placed online between March 11 and April 11 by visiting Tree Trust at www.treetrust.org or by picking up an order form from your neighborhood group or local library. Tree pick-up dates are May 10 and 11 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and May 12 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the former Franklin Middle School East parking lot at 1501 Aldrich Avenue N. Volunteers will be available to help load your new tree and complimentary bag of mulch in to your vehicle.
Childish Films @ the Library, April 19
“FIRST FEATURE FOR TOTS”
April 19; 10:00 AM
(Please note that the film itself starts at 10:40 but that there’s a free tots activity beginning at 10 a.m.)
Pohlad Hall, 300 Nicollet Mall
Childish Films @ the Library, a free program of classic, independent, and new world cinema for ages 3 and up, ends the season with its first full-length feature at the Minneapolis Central Library, (Pohlad Hall, 300 Nicollet Mall).
Create books with staff from Minnesota Center for Book Arts at 10 a.m. and enjoy our first feature-length movie of the series, Adventures of Milo and Otis (© Columbia Pictures, 1989) at 10:40 a.m..
Curated by Deb Girdwood and Isabelle Harder of Childish Films. Free snacks provided by Whole Foods.
Talk of the Stacks Presents “Riding Shotgun”, April 24
Riding Shotgun: Women Write About Their Mothers
Thursday, April 24, 7 PM
Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Pohlad Hall. (free)
Hosted by Minnesota Public Radio’s Kerri Miller
In an advance celebration of Mother’s Day, Talk of the Stacks will host the book launch of Riding Shotgun, the highly-anticipated anthology from a group of award-winning literary women on the topic of motherhood.
Edited by Kathryn Kysar, the 21 diverse stories in Riding Shotgun are beautifully crafted, alternately tender and tormented, and shockingly intimate. Moderated by MPR’s Midmorning Host Kerri Miller, participating authors will discuss the complexity of the mother/daughter bond and tackling that topic in their writing. Participating authors include: Barrie Jean Borich, Shannon Olson, Wang Ping, Faith Sullivan, and Anne Ursu.Arbor Day on the Midtown Greenway Saturday, April 26th
The area east of Hiawatha Avenue where the Midtown Greenway connects to the new bridge will be the site of the 2008 Arbor Day event. Picture groves of oaks, aspens, small fruiting trees and evergreens that form bold patterns easily appreciated from the LRT and new bridge, at the same time providing shade and greenery for trail users. The design features the beauty and environmental benefits of native plants and will make a grand green gateway to the neighborhood. The event is sponsored by the Midtown Community Works Partnership, Hennepin County Regional Railroad, Tree Trust, the Midtown Greenway Coalition, LCC and other partners. Be sure to mark your calendars and contact Theresa Nelson at theresa@midtowngreenway.org to volunteer.
Minneapolis & St. Paul Home Tour, April 26 and 27
The Minneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour, in its 21st year and the 6th year coordinated by NRP, will be held Saturday, April 26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, April 27, 1-5 p.m. In this celebration of city living, people open their homes to share creative ideas for remodeling and expanding homes. The homes are being finalized. In early April, the 2008 lineup will be on the website, www.MSPHomeTour.com. If you would like to receive the printed Home Tour Guide by mail in early April, send an email with your address to link@nrp.org before mid-March. To volunteer as a greeter at a home tour home, contact Margo Ashmore at 612-673-5103 or link@nrp.org.
“Our City” Exhibit at City Hall
As part of Minneapolis’ 150th anniversary, the City is hosting Michael Birawer’s “Our City” exhibit in the City Hall rotunda at 350 S. Fifth St. The display will be available for public viewing throughout March and April.
Birawer uses a combination of graffiti, cartoon, illustration and heavy textures to depict familiar Twin Cities locations in three dimensions. Birawer’s art celebrates the sense of community that these buildings and vistas create. Birawer says the memories and emotions these places evoke are part of what unifies us as “Twin Citians.” Michael attended the College of Visual Arts in Saint Paul and was born, raised and currently lives in the Twin Cities.
The exhibit is co-sponsored by the Municipal Building Commission and the City of Minneapolis as part of the City’s sesquicentennial celebration. For more information about sesquicentennial events and activities, visit the Minneapolis 150 Web site at http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/150/.
Living Green Expo, 2008, May 3-4
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Grandstand, State Fairgrounds in St. Paul, Free admission
For more information, go to: www.livinggreen.org
Metro Transit and the Expo invite you to leave a car behind. Take the bus or light rail train for FREE, ride your bicycle, walk or carpool. Visit livinggreen.org to get your free Go Greener Pass.
The Expo provides information and products to help Minnesotans improve the environmental and social impacts of their day-to-day living. The Living Green Expo features over 200 exhibitors of products, services, and information, along with over 60 workshops on a variety of sustainability and green living topics. Expo attractions include music, art, food, demonstrations, and activities for youth and children. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency leads a collaboration of governmental, nonprofit and business organizations to produce the Living Green Expo. For more information visit www.LivingGreen.org.
Solar, wind, geothermal, green builders
Recycled rocking chairs, rain barrels, non-toxic lawncare, healthy baby toys
Plug-in hybrids, better bikes, car sharing
Locally grown food, Minnesota-made fabric, environmental investing
Talented musicians, good food to eat, and lots of free activities for kids
New solar technology demos
New electric cars and scooters
Bugs and reptiles for kids to see
Workshops: Learn from experts.
• How to save energy and reduce your carbon footprint
• How to green your community and make a difference
• How to create a simpler, happier life for you and your family
• How to connect your kids (and yourself) with nature
FREE Blue Sky Guides, a coupon book for healthy living, given to the first 200 attendees each day. Compliments of Great River Energy.
FREE compact fluorescent bulb recycling: bring your expired bulbs to the Expo and Great River Energy will recycle them. Residential only. Please do not bring bulbs from your business.
Apply to Win a Home Energy Makeover
Energy costs are climbing and many homeowners believe there is little they can do but pay bigger utility bills. However, energy-related home improvements can be easy to implement and are a one-time cost that will save homeowners money for as long as they own their homes. The Center for Energy and Environment (CEE), through the Minnesota Energy Challenge, is sponsoring a Home Energy Makeover Contest to demonstrate how people with higher-than-average home energy costs can save by making appropriate home energy improvements. The grand prize is $15,000 of energy improvements to your home. Ten finalists will win home energy audits worth $600 and 25 random entries will win prizes including certificates toward energy efficiency appliances, programmable thermostats, compact fluorescent light bulbs and low flow shower heads. Enter at www.mnenergychallenge.org/challenge/makeover . Deadline is May 15.
Commissioners to Add Sunday Library Hours at Four Libraries in Minneapolis On March 18, Hennepin County Commissioners announced plans to add Sunday library service hours at thirteen libraries across the County, including four libraries in Minneapolis (Central, East Lake, Hosmer, and North Regional). Pending final approval at the next County Board meeting on Tuesday, March 25, new Sunday hours would be expected to take effect on approximately June 1 and libraries would be open from noon to 5 PM.
Minneapolis Dog Parks
These areas are fenced and signed. Only those dog owners who have purchased a permit for Off-Leash Recreation Areas can exercise their dogs in these specially designated areas. If you plan to exercise your dog in an off-leash dog park, you will need to purchase a permit in addition to licensing your dog. For more information go to: http://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=623
-Franklin Terrace Off-Leash Recreation Area
-Lake of the Isles Off-Leash Recreation Area
-Minnehaha Off-Leash Recreation Area
-St. Anthony Parkway Off-Leash Recreation Area
-Loring Park Off-Leash Recreation Area
You can also try the ‘Airport Dog Park’ (80 acres just south of Hwy 62 on 28th Ave) which does not require a permit. The Airport encourages people and dogs to use this space, as parking lot crime has been reduced 100% thanks to the activity. Note: entire area is not fenced in. Also, the park is bordered on the west by swamp land which can be dangerous for dogs that wander in and can get stuck. Is particularly muddy this time of year.
(Thanks to the SENA Weekly Newsletter for the item above.)
Protect Your Home Against Spring Break-Ins
With Spring Break just around the corner, many people are busy planning their vacations and preparing to leave Minneapolis for sunnier places. Minneapolis Police want to remind vacationers that it’s important to take time to prepare their homes for vacation too. An empty home is a tempting target for a burglar, so use these tips as a checklist to help protect your home against break-ins and theft while you’re away.
Install good locks on windows and doors and be sure to use to them.
Avoid leaving a spare key anywhere outside your home.
Make arrangements to suspend mail, newspaper and package deliveries or ask a neighbor to pick them up.
Arm your home security alarm if you have one.
Set up timers around your home to turn TVs, lamps and radios on and off at appropriate hours; install motion detectors around your home.
Turn the ringer volume on your phone to low to avoid having someone hear it go unanswered.
Keep blinds, shades or curtains the way they are when you are home.
Close and lock garage doors and windows; secure storage sheds.
Tell a few trusted neighbors to keep an eye on your home during your vacation, but generally keep travel plans to yourself—don’t announce your absence on voicemail; tell your co-workers not to give out your travel plans.
Mark your property: record make, model and serial numbers and take pictures of electronic equipment and valuables; use the free national police program Operation ID to mark and inventory your valuables. Just call (612) 673-2749 to request an information packet. Should your property be stolen, this simple step will make it more difficult for thieves to sell it and easier for police to return it to you.
For more ideas to secure your home while you’re away or for information about how to enroll in Operation ID, contact your police precinct’s Crime Prevention Specialist by visiting http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/police/. Click on Precinct Finder and CCP/SAFE Team links.
Remember, most burglaries are a crime of opportunity, committed by an amateur. So your best protection is to make your home appear occupied and to make it difficult to break in to. And as always, remind your neighbors to call 911 immediately to report any suspicious activity.
Investments in Biking and Walking Reduce Driving
A recent report issued by the Federal Highway Administration affirms that walking and biking for transportation reduces driving. In Minneapolis, the current share of total person trips by walking and cycling is nearly 20 percent, resulting in 89 million miles of avoided driving in one year. The report demonstrates that investing in “greener” forms of transportation to provide better alternatives to driving will pay off in reduced carbon emissions.
This initial data provides the baseline for the federal Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot Program (NTP), which aims to reduce driving by increasing opportunities for people to ride bicycles and walk. Still in its initial stages, the program provides $25 million to four communities over four years to increase bicycling and walking. Transit for Livable Communities, a local nonprofit organization working to reform Minnesota’s transportation system, administers the NTP (known locally as Bike/Walk Twin Cities) for Minneapolis and its bordering communities.
“This data confirms the value of good pedestrian and bicycling investments.” says Joan Pasiuk, Program Director for the Bike/Walk Twin Cities initiative. “Increasing opportunities for Twin Cities residents to bike and walk gets more cars off the road, ultimately helping us address climate change and help relieve the growth of traffic congestion.”
The board of directors at Transit for Livable Communities worked closely with a diverse advisory committee to allocate $7 million in federal NTP funding to 36 miles of new bicycling and walking corridors and facilities in the Minneapolis area. Bike/Walk Twin Cities funding will also provide much-needed bicycle parking and facilitate the completion of important research and planning projects. It will also implement a bicycling and walking promotional campaign that will include an on-the-ground team of bicycling/walking Ambassadors and media outreach to provide education and information about bicycling and walking in the Twin Cities area.
The Bike/Walk Twin Cities initiative has a spring 2008 solicitation underway, awarding up to $5 million to projects that retrofit existing urban streets with pedestrian and cycling improvements. “We will see exciting designs here,” says Steve Clark, Bicycling and Walking Program Manager for Transit for Livable Communities.
A copy of this interim report can be found at
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped/ntpp/index.htm. A final report on the program will be published in 2011. In the meantime, progress can be monitored on the national program website, www.smartmobility.us which also provides links to the individual websites of each pilot community.
last revised: April 2, 2008