Looking Back on Summer: Waite Park's Community Garden Stroll

The Waite Park neighborhood's annual Community Garden Stroll invited the public to visit and enjoy their large garden located on Canadian Pacific Railroad land.

This year's event featured a new twist, with a “Garden Chef” cook-off. Competitors were challenged with preparing dishes that featured zucchini. Visitors had the opportunity to sample the entries while they were judged by Minneapolis Public Schools’ Executive Chef Mark Augustine, Margo Ashmore of the Northeaster Newspaper and Council Member Reich.

In addition to delicious samples, the Stroll also featured garden tours and children's activities.

Safe Routes to School & Waite Park Patrol

In February the City of Minneapolis’ Public Works department applied for a federal Safe Routes to School grant for an infrastructure project aimed at traffic-calming around Waite Park School. The Waite Park School student patrol recently invited Council Member Reich to meet with them to discuss traffic concerns. Demonstrating a commendable sense of civic responsibility, they communicated their observations about sight lines, traffic levels and speeds on Johnson and other streets surrounding their school. The aforementioned grant will address these issues.

Save the Date:

“Little Shop of Horrors” Thursday, March 7 – Friday, March 8, 7 p.m., & Saturday, March 9, 2 p.m., Edison High School, 700 22nd Ave NE.  Edison theater production of a comedy/horror rock musical about an alien plant that tries to take over the world. A benefit for the upcoming Senior Lock-In Party, sponsored by the Tommie Boosters/Edison Parent Group, will follow the Saturday matinee. Gardening Matters 9th Annual Community Garden Resource Fair Saturday, March 9, noon – 5 p.m., Metropolitan State University, St. Paul. The Gardening Matters Resource Fair offers opportunities to learn about the many resources available to home and community gardeners. For further information and to register for the resource fair, go to www.gardeningmatters.org. NE Mpls Royalty Sock Hop Saturday, March 9, 6 – 9 p.m., East Side Neighborhood Services, 1700 2nd St. NE.  Come dressed in 50’s wear for food, music and games. $5 admission includes dinner and dancing. New socks are being collected for Sharing and Caring Hands. NE Network Thursday, March 14, 7:30 – 8:45 a.m., Eastside Food Co-op’s Community Room, 2551 Central Ave NE. This month’s topic is “Affording Healthcare”. RSVP to nenetwork@eastsidefood.coop. Waite Park Spring Gala Saturday, March 16, 7 – 11 p.m., Cedars Hall at St. Maron Church, 602 University Ave NE. This PTA-sponsored event benefits Waite Park School and includes local food, beverages and a silent auction.  Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Visit Waiteparkpta.blogspot.com for tickets and information. 9th Annual Hotdish Revolution Sunday, April 21, 4 – 7 p.m., Cedars Hall at St. Maron Church, 602 University Ave NE. www.facebook.com/HotdishRevolution Metro Blooms Raingarden Workshop Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.,  Audubon Park Recreation Center, 1320 29th Ave NE. This City of Minneapolis sponsored workshop will explore the latest in healthy yard care practices and raingarden design. Cost is $15. To register, visit www.metroblooms.org or call 612-699-2426. Spring WingDing Saturday, April 27, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Audubon Park Recreation Center, 1320 29th Ave NE. This annual Audubon Park neighborhood celebration will include games, activities, food, arts-and-crafts demonstrations and more. Art-A-Whirl Friday, May 17 – Sunday, May 19. http://nemaa.org/art-a-whirl

Waite Park Fall Fest & Push Cart Derby

The Waite Park Fall Fest is Saturday, September 11, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Waite Park. It’s a fun-filled day of music, food, park events, kids’ games and the Second Annual Push Cart Derby.