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Hennepin Happening
Welcome to the District 5 November newsletter! Scroll down to read more about
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The Hennepin County Board has designated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to strengthen public health capacity in Hennepin County to meet the ongoing challenges of COVID-19, and address the ever-present need to prevent, protect and promote the health of all residents.
$10M to enhance public health infrastructure
Recognizing that it is essential to respond to crises like the current pandemic, while also addressing other public health challenges, the county board offered their strong support for enhancing the county’s public health infrastructure. ARPA funds will support hiring up to 30 FTEs to address staffing needs, as well as for community-based grants and tools including technology.
Services residents depend on
In addition to continuing to fight COVID-19, Hennepin County Public Health (HCPH) must provide the routine but vital public health services the residents of Hennepin County depend on. The resources allocated will enhance Hennepin County’s capabilities to address several core public health activities, including to:
- Bolster infectious disease response and coordinate immunization outreach and delivery;
- Strengthen public health emergency response;
- Address the exacerbation of chronic diseases caused by COVID-19;
- Coordinate early childhood development strategies; and
- Expand population-based assessment capacity and increase project management capacity.
Continuing to address health disparities while partnering with community
The longstanding and well documented race-based health disparities in Hennepin County add to the urgency of strengthening public health infrastructure. The pandemic contributed to unacceptable health outcomes for residents. In response, the county partnered with many cultural community organizations to share reliable health information, expand testing options, and offer culturally specific testing and vaccination opportunities. Continuing to build relationships with these organizations and engage with them in future public health endeavors is a priority.
The funding allocated also will help ensure that disparity reduction and community engagement activities continue while strengthening public health capacity to serve all residents.
Hennepin County will continue to update hennepin.us with information about how we are allocating ARPA funding.

Creekside Community Center | 9801 Penn Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55431 Thursday, November 4, 9-11AM
Left unchecked, the flu can sicken tens of millions of people in the United States and cause more than 50,000 deaths each year. You can sign up for an appointment to get your flu shot this Thursday at Creekside Community Center.
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Vaccines are available for anyone 6 months of age or older.
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Insurance accepted; please bring your insurance card. No one will be turned away for not having insurance or not being able to pay.
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Social distancing is required in the immunization area. If you arrive ahead of your appointment time, or there is a line, we ask that you wait outside until your appointment time, or until you are able to maintain six feet of distance from others.
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Everyone who can wear a face mask should do so. Masks will be provided if needed.
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Wearing a short-sleeved shirt is helpful to make the process go quickly.
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Vaccinators will be wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with federal guidelines to help ensure everyone’s safety.
Bloomington Public Health is offering several community flu shot clinics. Visit the flu shot scheduling website to see the full schedule of clinics and to sign up for an appointment: blm.mn/clinics

Saturday, November 13 at 1–4PM Pond Dakota Mission Park | 401 East 104th St, Bloomington
Examine the Pond House as a history detective. What are the mysterious markings on the bricks, why is the window glass wavy, and why is there a door on every side of the house?
Correctly answer these and other curious questions to win a detective gadget!
Then take a guided tour of the surrounding park and trails.
More information here.

Performing November 5-28, 7:30–9:30PM Artistry in Bloomington Civic Plaza | 1800 W Old Shakopee Rd
Just in time for the holidays, Artistry presents the musical adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved book, Little Women The Broadway Musical. This captivating and timeless coming-of-age story about family, friendship, heartache, hope and everlasting love is further enhanced by songs you’ll not soon forget. The March sisters take us on their journey, each forging their own path during an ever-changing time in American history.
Get your tickets here.
  
Toured Seven Hills Preparatory Academy with Principal Carolyn Farrell and Executive Director Carl Schlueter. The school was one of the recent recipients of a Hennepin County Youth Sports Grant, which they used to build playground equipment for their elementary and middle school students.

Hennepin County libraries have expanded open hours as of Sunday, October 24. Find your library’s hours schedule.

Exhibition Dates: now through January 29, 2022 Hennepin History Museum | 2303 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis
HOME OF MEMORIES, وطن الذكريات explores homemaking and memories in the portraits of Iraqi Minnesotans by Iraqi Minnesotan photographers Ahmed Alshaikhli and Jaafar Alnabi. Curated by the CarryOn Homes collective and produced as part of Iraqi Voices, a collaborative arts storytelling lab run by the Minneapolis nonprofit the Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project. The storytellers come together to compose a beautiful and intricate tapestry of home.
The Home of Memories Tour is made possible in part by the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council and the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
More information here.
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Skip the traffic jams and sign up for updates on the projects impacting your commute.
You can visit the Hennepin County website for updates on road maintenance projects and all other road construction.
Housing crises, energy assistance, child protection, emergency situations; we are here to advocate for you when it comes to navigating local and county services, and we want to help. Please call our office at 612-348-7885 with any questions or for assistance.
You can also follow these direct links for:
Contact
Commissioner Debbie Goettel Hennepin County District 5 Bloomington | Eden Prairie | Richfield 612-348-7885 | debbie.goettel@hennepin.us
Casey Meinhardt Principal Aide 612-596-7078 | casey.meinhardt@hennepin.us
Michael Ohama Policy Director 612-348-7885 | michael.ohama@hennepin.us
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