Message from Council Member Kevin Reich

May is a great month to show off Eastside Minneapolis. Art-A-Whirl, the largest open studio and gallery tour in the United States, always brings thousands of visitors to the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District to experience our community’s artists, restaurants, pubs, shops and parks. This year’s Art-A-Whirl, which is May 17 – 19, will feature 500+ artists at over 70 locations, as well as a partnership with Metro Transit to offer free rides to attendees. Check out the story on our blog for more information. 

The Neighborhoods, USA Conference is also coming up May 22 – 25. This year’s conference, which is hosted by the Neighborhood and Community Relations (NCR) Department, in partnership with Nexus Community Partners and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB), will bring over 800 people from across the country to our City. Among the scheduled events are Neighborhood Pride Tours, two of which will feature Ward 1: Arts Buildings of the Northeast Arts District and Minneapolis/St. Paul Cooperative Movement. 

Lastly, the “State of the Second Precinct” community forum on Wednesday, May 8, will offer the opportunity to learn more about our Public Safety team. In 2012, the Second Precinct led the City in officer productivity reductions in crime. This forum, which is co-hosted by the First Ward office, 2PAC and the NE Chamber, will allow current 2nd Precinct Insp. Kathy and former 2nd Precinct Insp. Bryan Schafer to discuss the details of our glowing stats, as well as the future direction of the Second Precinct. This family-friendly event will be held at the Firefighters Hall & Museum, 664 22nd Ave NE, at 6 p.m. on Wed, May 8. Click here to RSVP. 

Regardless of weather, May is a wonderful month to be out and about in the First Ward and I hope to see you at some or all of these events in our community.

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One-Sort Recycling Rollout Update

One-sort recycling bin distribution resumed on April 22 and will be complete by June 7. You will receive a letter with instructions in the mail one week prior to receiving your new bin. When you get notice that you will be receiving your new cart, you may either leave the old bin out to be recycled or keep it for your personal use. If the old bin is left at your recycling pick-up point, crews will recycle it. If you would like more information about when you’ll receive your new cart, please contact the Ward One office.

Environmental Education Funding

Schools, park districts and registered nonprofits can apply for funding, project support and free resources for projects that empower residents to reduce waste, increase recycling, reduce toxicity, conserve energy and protect water quality. Hennepin County’s Green Partners Environmental Education Program has three groups – Seed, Root and Branch – with varying levels of support and requirements. Root and Branch proposals are due by 5 p.m., May 17. Applications for the Seed group are accepted at any time. For more information, contact Patience Caso at patience.caso@co.hennepin.mn.us or 612-348-9352.

Order Compost Bins & Rain Barrels

The City of Minneapolis is working with the Recycling Association of Minnesota to bring city residents affordable rain barrels and compost bins. Rain barrels help conserve water and save money by watering with rain water instead of a faucet. They also help reduce storm water runoff. Composting turns kitchen scraps and raked leaves into nourishing soil for gardening. Residents can now order a $55 backyard compost bin (80 gallons) or $69 rain barrel (55 gallons). Order here. Supplies are limited, so order before May 24 to ensure a bin or barrel. Bins and barrels must be picked up on Saturday, June 8, at the City of Minneapolis Public Works Facility, 3607 E. 44th Street (near Hiawatha Avenue).

City Studies Energy Pathways Alternatives

The City of Minneapolis has utility franchise agreements with Xcel Energy for electricity and CenterPoint Energy for natural gas. These agreements were signed in the early 1990s, and both expire in 2014. The City is in the early stages of preparing to negotiate new franchise agreements. As part of its effort to establish a pathway to a more sustainable, 21st century energy system, the City of Minneapolis is seeking proposals for professional services to complete a study that will explore the various routes the City could take to achieve its energy goals. The study would include an energy vision developed with a select group of stakeholders by the end of August 2013; a study of existing models, including municipal acquisition of utilities and other alternatives; and an overview of the current legal landscape. The work is expected to be completed by the end of February 2014.

More information is available on the City’s energy utilities franchise agreements web page.

18th Annual Art-A-Whirl

This year’s Art-A-Whirl, which takes place May 17-19, features some exciting innovations. Thanks to a new partnership, visitors can ride to Art-A-Whirl with Metro Transit for free. Just go to http://nemaa.org/art-a-whirl/metrotransitpass for information about downloading your pass, which can be used to ride for free on:

Sat, May 18, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sun, May 19, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Art-A-Whirl Passport crowd-count project will also be launched this year. If you pick up a Passport and get it stamped at at least three designated locations, you can enter a drawing for a chance to win $200 towards an artwork purchase from a NEMAA member. The passport project will allow NEMAA to estimate the number of visitors to Art-A-Whirl, important data that will contribute to future funding efforts. Go to http://nemaa.org/art-a-whirl/passportcrowd-count for a list of locations to pick up a passport and stamps. Maps and more details about Art-A-Whirl are available at http://nemaa.org/art-a-whirl.

Theater at Art -A-Whirl

A group of talented teens from Edison High School have conceived and written an original work that will be performed during Art-A-Whirl. “so what had happened was…” is unconventional and exuberant show that explores life, school, imagination and the moment. Performances at Edison High School will be at 7 p.m. Thurs, May 16 – Sat, May 18. Excerpts of the show will also be performed at the Northeast Minneapolis Public Schools Fine Arts Festival at Sheridan Arts Magnet, 1201 University Ave NE, at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 18. For further information, contact Max Athorn at 612-668-9924 or max.athorn@mpls.k12.mn.us. http://aaa.mpls.k12.mn.us/
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Save the Date:

State of the Second Precinct
Wednesday, May 8, 6 – 7 p.m., Firefighters Hall & Museum, 664 22nd Ave NE. Come meet current 2nd Precinct Insp. Kathy Waite and bid farewell to former 2nd Precinct Insp. Bryan Schafer, while learning about current crime statistics and the future direction of the precinct. A light meal will be served at this family-friendly event. RSVP to lisa.brock@minneapolismn.gov.

NEighbors Sale Weekend
Friday, May 10 – Saturday, May 11. Windom Park, Audubon Park, Columbia Park, Holland, Marshall Terrace and Waite Park neighborhoods are sponsoring a weekend of garage and yard sales across NE. Sale maps are available the week prior to the sale at Eastside Food Co-op and other area businesses. Connect with this event on Facebook.

Annual 2nd Precinct Open House
Monday, May 13, 4 – 7 p.m., 1911 Central Avenue NE. Visit with police officers and see displays from the 2nd Precinct, K-9, Mounted Patrol, Bomb Unit, SWAT, Crime Prevention Specialists, Minneapolis Emergency Communications Center (Dispatch) and Animal Control.

Art-A-Whirl
Friday, May 17 – Sunday, May 19. http://nemaa.org/art-a-whirl

Neighborhoods, USA Conference
Wednesday, May 22 – Saturday, May 25. The City of Minneapolis is hosting NUSA’s 38th Annual Conference. $200 early bird registration for Minnesota residents has been extended to May 10. Email minneapolisnusa2013@gmail.com to register at the reduced rate. http://nusa.org/

Block Leader Training
Wednesday, May 29, 6:30 – 8 p.m., 2nd Precinct, 1911 Central Ave NE. RSVP to CPS Susan Bradshaw at susan.bradshaw@minneapolismn.gov.

Windom Park Community Carnival
Friday, May 31. http://www.waiteparkneighborhood.org/

Johnstock 2013
Friday, May 31 – Saturday, June 1. For more information, go to www.johnsonstreetmerchants.com.

Northeast Parade
Tuesday, June 18. http://www.minneapolischamber.org/nemcc-parade/celebrate-northeast-parade/

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