1206 37 th Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55412

Wednesday, September 24, 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Folwell Park

Information: Jamie Neldner, Folwell Park Director, at 612-370-4917. Blood donors needed.

Primary is Tuesday, September 9. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Info: Call 311, 612-673-3000 or visit www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us ., League of Women Voters Minneapolis: 612-333-6310; www.lwvmpls.org ; DFL: 651-293-1200,

People for Parks hosts the annual 5K Run/Walk for the Lake Harriet Band Shell on Sunday, Sept. 7. Start time is 11 a.m.; participants should report to the band shell area by 10:30 a.m.

Entry fee is $20 for adults and $15 for ages 18 and under if payment is received by Sept. 5. Day-of-event fees are $25 for adults and $15 for ages 18 and under. Advance registration is encouraged at www.active.com, keyword ÒbandshellÓ or at www.raceberryjam.com.

Net proceeds from the event are designated to the long-term maintenance of the Lake Harriet Bandshell and surrounds. Proceeds from the 2007 race provided a much needed upgrade to the Bandshell sound system, including a sound mixing board, compressors a, new Reverb unit, an EQ for the main system to prevent feedback noise; a pair of condenser microphones for orchestras and choral groups, and repairing and converting the snake to a multi-pin disconnect.

Band Shell, concessions and surrounding grounds.

For more information visit www.peopleforparks.net or call 612-767-6892.

Download the flyer for more information

Download the schedule for Events and Activities

The Foundation for Minneapolis Parks has unveiled its new book City of Parks: The Story of the Minneapolis Park System available today, July 11, to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB). Available for $39.95 online and through the MPRB headquarters office, the book is the first account of park history since Theodore WirthÕs memoir was published in 1945.

Download the press release

• MPRB receives Award of Excellence for Comprehensive Plan
• Celebrate 100 years of roses at the Lyndale Park Rose Garden
• Minneapolis public display gardens are in full bloom
• Water those trees! Help MPRB maintain our Urban Forest
• Club Youthline opens July 15 at Phillips community center
• Powderhorn, Loring art festivals celebrate community, diversity
• Rec Plus taking applications for 2008-09 school-age childcare program
• August 2008 Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Meetings
• Canoe Minneapolis lakes with MPRB naturalists
• From mushrooms to dragonflies, August programming at Wildflower Garden showcases summer
• MPRB naturalist programs feature birds and bugs
• Construction on East River Parkway Pedestrian and Bike Trails to Begin in August

Download the press release for a schedule and more info

Canoe programs available for special groups. This summer join a Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board naturalist on the water to learn about and enjoy the history of the lakes, the wildlife that lives there, and the unique water quality issues they face. Canoeing programs are for groups to reserve Tuesdays through Saturdays between 10am and 3pm through the end of August. For $2 per kid or $4 per adult you will get a two hour canoe program including basic safety and paddling instruction and a theme. You can pick from any of the program themes listed below. Canoes, lifejackets, and paddles are provided at no additional cost.

Download Schedule

Four Patrick Henry High School students and three Roosevelt High School students have received Gates Millennium Scholarships this spring, Minneapolis Public Schools announced today. Each school had more Gates winners than any other high school in Minnesota.

The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) program is a national scholarship fund that was established in 1999 by Microsoft founder Bill Gates and his wife to provide college funding to students of color who are in financial need.

Download the full press release

Kidspeed is the method InnerCity Tennis uses to help young children subtly build confidence, hope, and a "can-do" attitude. It utilizes skill development stations that - most simply put - make learning fun!

Download the flyer for more information

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 8, 2008 – The Minneapolis Public Schools Board of Education reviewed an initial work plan Tuesday to support the strategic plan recommendations that were adopted in December. The work plan, developed by district administration, covers the 2008-2009 school year. It includes reform efforts that were underway prior to the strategic planning process, which began last May, that support the strategic plan’s nine recommendations. Projects such as the restructuring and enhancement of district alternative schools, the focus on literacy standards by literacy coaches based at every school with a K-5 program, and the piloting of math recovery in select north side elementary schools will continue under the work plan. “I’m pleased that district staff was able to put together a work plan for the upcoming school year that moves every one of the nine recommendations in the strategic plan forward,” said Chief Academic Officer Bernadeia Johnson.

Many of the activities in the 2008-2009 work plan will be funded within the district’s normal budget. Others, such as the District Equity Team’s work on addressing the achievement gap through the development of a “Framework for Eliminating Institutional Racism,” will require new revenue in order to make the impact on student achievement that they have the potential to make, Johnson said. “Public support for Minneapolis Public Schools over the next few months will be critical to the success of the strategic plan, both near term and long term.” The full strategic plan, which addresses a four-year period ending with the 2011-2012 school year, will be built over the next several weeks and will receive preliminary review by the board in March. At its annual meeting, which preceded today’s regularly scheduled meeting, the board of education elected officers for 2008: Lydia Lee, chairwoman; T. Williams, treasurer; and Sharon Henry-Blythe, clerk. The vote was unanimous. Pam Costain, 2007 board chair, will work closely with district administration on plans for a November referendum as part of her continuing board responsibilities.

Naturalist led Canoeing Programs on the Minneapolis Lakes

Canoe programs available for special groups. This summer join a Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board naturalist on the water to learn about and enjoy the history of the lakes, the wildlife that lives there, and the unique water quality issues they face. Canoeing programs are for groups to reserve Tuesdays through Saturdays between 10am and 3pm through the end of August. For $2 per kid or $4 per adult you will get a two hour canoe program including basic safety and paddling instruction and a theme. You can pick from any of the program themes listed below. Canoes, lifejackets, and paddles are provided at no additional cost.

Download schedule

We are happy to announce the opening of the Bean Scene's second location, Bean Scene Too, at 1101 West Broadway. Please help us spread the good news!   We are excited about our new space and invite you to stop down and check us out!

The Bean Scene provides the usual menu found at most coffee shops; coffee, espresso, lattes, blended drinks, smoothies, pastries, and bulk beans for sale. In addition, a fresh, light lunch menu of hot soups, fresh salads and deli sandwiches are offered to provide a healthy alternative to the traditional "fast food" choices in the area.

Several value-added services differentiate the Bean Scene from the traditional coffee houses of today. Complimentary Wi-Fi internet access is offered to all customers making a purchase.  Local artists have opportunities to display their talents as the Bean Scene will offer rotating displays of art on a monthly basis.  We offer our frequent customer "Coffee Card" that automatically keeps track of your drinks and awards you free drinks with each 10 specialty drinks purchased!  Plus, you get a free drink on your birthday!

The City of Minneapolis and the Community Engagement Task Force (CETF) would like to hear suggestions from the public on ways to build on and improve the community engagement (CE) system between the City and community organizations.  The CETF recently drafted a report with recommendations and would like the public’s suggestions for strengthening the recommendations before reconvening the task force to finalize the report for the Mayor and City Council.
 
We would like to ask for your assistance in getting this out to residents in your area.  By visiting the CE website (http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/communications/CE_HowToProvideInput.asp#P28_2922) you can learn more about how to provide input. 

You can also download the information sheet here...

Are you an earth-friendly gardener who enjoys learning and sharing your expertise with others?  Become a Hennepin County Master Gardener!  Trained and certified by the University of Minnesota, Master Gardeners are volunteers who provide education and information to Hennepin county residents.  Master Gardeners educate others in many ways – they answer questions on the Master Gardener Telephone Hotline; staff Plant Information Clinics at farmers markets, garden centers, community events, University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and Hennepin County Fair; and make presentations to adults and children at school and community settings. The Master Gardener program promotes environmentally sound garden and lawn care practices based on the latest University of Minnesota research.

Find out more by downloading the press release here...

Paths, shoreline stabilization to be done on west bank between Plymouth Ave. and BNSF Railroad Bridge

The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) announced this week that bicycle and pedestrian trails will be extended from Plymouth Ave. N to the Burlington Northern Railroad Bridge north of 22nd Ave. N along the west bank of the Mississippi River. Additional projects completed this year, all part of the first phase of the Above the Falls project, include a realignment of W. River Road north of Broadway Ave., shoreline stabilization of the west river bank, installation of a plaza at 17th Ave. N, and construction of a raingarden at 22nd Ave. N. Construction is scheduled to begin in August and be completed in October 2007, weather and construction schedules permitting. Throughout construction, public access to the river banks will be limited.

Download a copy of the press release here...

Interested in updates regarding North Minneapolis Bikeways Taskforce?

An easy way to communicate with the North Minneapolis Bikeways Taskforce: 

• Discuss current events, and more
• Share photos & files, plan events, send a newsletter
• Stay in touch with members of the group.

To register for this group: 

1. go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/N_Minneapolis_Bikeways/
2. Click "Join this Group"
3. If you have a Yahoo ID already you will be able to sign right in. If you don't, you will be prompted to sign up for a Yahoo ID before becoming a member.

Have fun!