Message from Council Member Kevin Reich

This fall continues to be an exciting, productive time for Eastside neighborhoods. The SE Como neighborhood’s 2nd MIMO (Move-In/Move-Out Waste Reduction Project), timed with the start of the University of Minnesota semester, was a ringing success and diverted 9,141 pounds of reusable material from the waste stream. This neighborhood has also welcomed two schools into the newly-reopened Tuttle School building – Heritage Academy and Tatanka Academy.

The Holland neighborhood is also bustling. Edison High School has been reinvigorated with three hundred new students, a vital Community Education program, and the newly arrived Morris Park Players, who will open their new season with a production of Annie. Across the street from the school, Jackson Square Park is the home to a new installation of Musical Art Sculptures, a generous gift of the Minneapolis City of Lakes Rotary Club. These innovative pieces are a wonderful addition to the park and have proven from the moment they were in the ground to be an irresistible magnet to kids and adults alike. Meanwhile, sculptor James Brenner’s Double Flux and Innovation Backstop continue to progress and will be dedicated later this fall.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month and a number of Eastside businesses are donating a portion of their sales to AccessAbility, Inc. to recognize their work this month. AccessAbility is a Northeast non-profit headquartered in the Mid-City Industrial neighborhood. This organization has provided opportunities for self-sufficiency for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment since 1948. For further information about their work, go to www.accessability.org.

New Musical Instrument Installation in Jackson Square Park

Residents of the Holland neighborhood have seen many exciting upgrades at Jackson Square Park in recent years, including new play equipment, the installation of In Flux, and the slowly rising Innovation Backstop. The newest development is the installation of seven outdoor musical instruments, generously donated by the Minneapolis City of Lakes Rotary Club as part of their mission to have a direct, positive impact on their community. These large, colorful, free-standing instruments were dedicated on September 24. The instruments will offer students and community members the opportunity to engage in creating musical sound, while a related University of Minnesota study will involve Edison students in monitoring and assessing the impact of the presence of these instruments in our community. Much thanks to the Rotary Club, Minneapolis Park Board, Knutson Construction, Doug Schmitt from Schmitt Music and John Vandermyde Sr. (Edison class of ’58) for making this project possible.

Rake, Rattle & Roll!!

The Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches’ HandyWorks program offers free leaf raking for residents 60 years and older in Southeast and Northeast Minneapolis. Volunteer groups of 5-6 will help elderly neighbors by raking their leaves in late October through early November, weather permitting. If you are interested either in receiving services or volunteering to help out your neighbors, please contact Molly Chandler at 612-721-8687 or mchandler@gmcc.org. Please help spread the word about this service to your senior friends and neighbors!

A Mission to Serve

East Side Neighborhood Services was established 95 years ago with the express purpose of serving the influx of Slavic immigrants to Eastside Minneapolis neighborhoods. This venerable non-profit organization continues that mission today and has expanded it to include a wide variety of services to seniors, children, families, immigrants and refugees. Their many programs include:

• Menlo Park Academy, an accredited city high school that provides education, life and work skills development, and social services for youth ages 15-20.
  
• Camp Bovey, a summer resident camp for boys and girls ages 8-14.

• Eastside Employment Network, with skill training classes and services for both jobseekers and prospective employers.
  
• Northeast Child Development Center (NECDC), comprehensive childcare and pre-kindergarten programs for children ages 6 weeks-6 years.
  
• Senior programs, including Employment & Community Outreach, Adult daycare, transportation services, and a Senior Center.
  
• East Side Thrift Store, providing free or low-cost clothing and household goods. The Thrift Store is currently seeking donations of usable winter coats (especially children’s sizes) for its Annual Coat Give-Away, which will be held on Mon, Nov. 1, at 1700 2nd St. NE.

For more information about the services offered or to volunteer to help forward East Side Neighborhood Services’ significant mission, please call 612-781-6011.

Proposed City-County Environmental Facility Update

The City of Minneapolis now has a web page for information related specifically to the proposed City-County Environmental Facility at 340 27th Ave NE. The web page contains an overview of the proposal, site map and Frequently Asked Questions. Other information, such as the traffic study, environmental test results, etc., will be posted as it becomes available. To check out the web page, go to http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/solid-waste/solid-waste_city-county

City staff will present the results of their traffic study of the Lowry and University Avenue area at the Holland Neighborhood Improvement Association (HNIA) general meeting on Thursday, October 14, 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Firefighters’ Hall & Museum, 664 22nd Ave NE.

Recycling News

Many of us are trying to cut back on paper bag use by taking our own bags to the grocery store. If you find that that practice leaves you short of paper bags for separating your recycling, the City of Minneapolis has an alternative for you. You may use wastebaskets, pails or corrugated boxes for separated paper, plastic or cans. These alternative containers should be 10 gallons or less and there must be a city recycling sticker on at least one side of the container.

The Ward One office has a supply of recycling stickers, so if you need some, just give us a call at 612-673-2201. We would be happy to mail or drop them off for you.

Community Education at Edison

Edison High School is a lively learning place both day and night. The home of the Tommies and the Morris Park Players is now home to Community Education also. Edison High School, 700 22nd Ave NE, opens its doors on Wednesday nights this fall for a variety of Community Education classes, from “Tai Chi & QiGong” and “iPhone Applications” to “Travel Photography” and “Zumba”. To register, visit www.mplscommunityed.com or call David Warnest at 612-668-1515 for further information.

Save the Date:

Weed It and Reap NE Clean-up
Thursday – Saturday, October 7-9, 8 a.m.-5p.m. Volunteer for the NE Chamber-sponsored community clean-up days. Volunteers will be supplied with vests, gloves and garbage bags and assigned to pick up debris near local businesses, parks, boulevards and streets. For further information, visit www.minneapolischamber.org/weedit or call 612-378-0050.

NE Network
Thursday, October 14, 7:30-8:45 a.m., at Eastside Food Co-op. This month’s topic is After the Bridge: What’s in Store for Central & Lowry? Click here to RSVP.

PEN Fundraiser
Wednesday, October 20, 5-7 p.m., at Sen Yai Sen Lek. Enjoy free appetizers, a cash bar and an opportunity to help raise funds to advertise the upcoming NE School Showcase.