Recent paintings by longtime neighborhood resident and civic contributor Mike Melman will be featured at Pierre Bottineau Library, beginning Friday, May 10th. Melman will give a talk during Art-A-Whirl at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 18th. (His book of photographs The Quiet Hours, University of Minnesota Press, 2003, and available at the Hennepin County Library, includes a scene inside the roundhouse within the Canadian Pacific rail yard.)
MCTC Career Exploration Summer Camps
Minneapolis Community and Technical College will host summer camps at its downtown campus for teens thirteen and older, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Lunch is provided. Sessions are $199 (with full income-based and merit scholarships available).
Visit Minneapolis.edu/camps for detailed descriptions of camps and activities.
Older Americans Month at East Side Community Services
The First of four events scheduled in May at East Side takes place on Wednesday, May 8, beginning 10:15 a.m., at the East Side building, 1700 Second Street NE. A public forum on “Aging With Gusto! How are you getting ready?” will begin at 10:30 a.m. Lunch will be served at noon. (Contact Dawn at 612-787-4093 at least three days in advance.)
Other events are scheduled for Tuesday-Thursday, May 21-23. For further information, see Older Americans Month.
First Purchase for NEIC
Northeast Investment Co-op, a membership-based community organization dedicated to helping revitalize the Central Avenue business district, will complete its first purchase on May 3. The property is (are) 2504/2506 Central Avenue, with the management of Recovery Bike Shop planning to acquire and occupy the 2504 Central portion.
Many have been waiting until NEIC was actually in need of membership before committing. That time has arrived. More members and more capital will help greatly to advance this first, crucial project. Membership applications are available via this Web address: http://neic.coop/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/NEIC_Reg_Membership_Agmt_Jan2013.pdf
Neighborhoods USA Conference Early Bird Registration
Early bird registration for this conference, to be held in Minneapolis May 22-25, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 1300 Nicollet Mall, ends on April 26. Click that link for more information.
We Can Grow
We Can Grow provides raised bed gardens and educational classes about gardening, healthy cooking, safe food preservation and environmental stewardship/community engagement to low income residents of Minneapolis free of charge. To learn more about our program and mission, please see the web site at wecangrow.org
Among coming events is a fundraiser dinner / silent auction on Sunday, April 21 at Hazel’s Northeast restaurant.
Cold Weather Rule Protection Ends
The Cold Weather Rule (in effect from October 15 through April 15) protects customers in Minnesota from utility shut-offs during the Winter–but this protection ends April 15. There are many people in our city who have become unemployed over the last several months. Many may not have been able to keep up with payments toward light and gas bills. This message is for people who may be behind in payment of gas or light bills.
This message provided by Community Action of Minneapolis Energy Assistance Program. If you have overdue utility bills, you must make a payment plan with your utility provider (Center Point Energy or XCEL Energy). Please contact XCEL Energy by calling 1.800.895.4999. Contact Center Point by calling 612.372.4727.
Minneapolis residents please call 612.335.5837 for more information about the Energy Assistance Program or visit us at www.campls.org
Gateway and Alley Cat Garden Plots
Gateway Community Garden, 37th Avenue and University Avenue, has plots available for a $20 fee for the season plus $20 deposit returnable when the plot has been cleaned out at the end of the growing season. To register or if there are any questions, contact Sue Bembenek at 612-788-8274.
Alley Cat Garden, located in the alley between the 3600 blocks of Architect Avenue and Van Buren Street, also has plots available. Contact Jolana Bernhardt at mamadiscobravo@gmaill.com.
Northeast Garage & Yard Sale
Anyone interested in holding a garage or yard sale on Friday and Saturday, May 10 and 11 is encouraged to register ($10 per household or $8 for Eastside Co-op members) at Eastside Co-op or online at windompark.org during the month of April. Registrants will be included on the sale map. (Columbia Park Neighborhood Association is donating $200 for CPNA to participate, and most of that amount would be returned to Columbia Park residents through participant registrations.)
Other participating neighborhoods include Marshall Terrace, Waite Park, Windom Park, and Audubon. Registered participants will receive a map of all the garage sales with their addresses and items for sale to be dropped off at each sale and at local businesses for distribution. Eight-five sales were registered in 2012, and over 150 are expected this year.
It is suggested that arrangements be made through the Salvation Army or ARC to pick up unsold items as donations. Special thanks to Andy Hersey, chief organizer of the N.E.ighbors Sale Days.
Columbia Park Plant Swap
The plant swap is scheduled for Saturday, May 18, from 10:00 a.m. to noon, at Gateway Gardens, 37th Avenue between 5th Street NE and University Avenue. Rain day alternative: Sunday, May 19 from 10:00 a.m. to noon.