Hennepin County District 6 residents are invited to join me for the last 'Coffee with the Commissioner' of the year next Saturday, December 11 at 10:00 a.m. For this final informal virtual conversation over coffee, I will be providing a year-end update on the work Hennepin County and his office have done to serve residents.
RSVP here.
To join, use this link to enter the Zoom online meeting: https://bit.ly/3HMrWld
Great news, Hopkins Library will reopen on December 6! The library was closed for a 10-week building maintenance project that included parking lot resurfacing and replacement of the roof.
The library will reopen with an expanded schedule of hours:
- Sunday: 12 p.m. -5 p.m.
- Monday: 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
- Tuesday: 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
- Wednesday: 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
- Thursday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
All library holds that were temporarily available to pick up at St. Louis Park Library will resume at Hopkins Library.
Local government agencies, nonprofit organizations, institutions, and businesses in Hennepin County can apply now for funding to implement projects that prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.
Grant funding can be used to address pathways of aquatic invasive species introduction, provide education, promote behavior change, implement early detection and rapid response efforts, and pursue other ideas that prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. Last year, Wayzata Sailing received $25,000 in funding through this grant program to create and display five unique, long-lasting sail art to increase awareness on Lake Minnetonka.
Review the grant flyer (PDF) for more details. Applications are due by Thursday, January 13, 2022. Learn more and apply.
For more information, contact Tony Brough at tony.brough@hennepin.us or 612-348-4378.
 Photo credit: Liz Navratil, Star Tribune
By David Chanen, Star Tribune
The report show several examples of rowhouses, office buildings and a hospital in the state and across the United States that have been converted into single-occupancy housing. There were also several motel or hotels that were rehabbed into such housing.
The county bought several motels to house the homeless or vulnerable people who may contracted COVID-19, and Commissioner Chris LaTondresse suggested they should consider converting them into permanent single-occupancy housing.
Access the full story here.
Tree lighting ceremonies 🎄
The Long Lake Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored holiday tree lighting event will begin at 5:00 p.m. today at Holbrook Park. The tree lighting will take place at 5:30 p.m. More details can be found here.
The City of Orono's annual tree lighting event will be held tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. at the Orono Public Golf Course. More details can be found here.
Eden Prairie Holiday Concert 🎼
This Sunday, Eden Prairie is hosting their 2021 Share the Warmth Holiday Concert at 4:00 p.m. at the Eden Prairie High School Auditorium. They will be accepting non-perishable food items and warm clothing (hats, mittens, etc.) for donations. More information can be found here.
Eco-friendly Holiday Guide from Choose to Reuse provides tips for reducing waste and supporting local retailers
We all go into the holidays with the best of intentions – we want to share great gifts, tasty food, and plenty of time together. With a little planning, you can create joy, not waste this holiday season.
Decorations
Check out your local thrift or vintage stores for decorations and ornaments you can reuse and enjoy for years to come. Retailers like Arc’s Value Village, Bethesda, and Time Bomb Vintage are all great options.
|
|
 |
 |
|
Gifts
Buying secondhand saves money, cuts waste, and allows you to find something unique and special without worrying about shipping delays. Check out the Hopkins Antique Mall, which has 78 booths on two floors packed with vintage finds. See the Secondhand Holiday Gift Guide for more great ideas.
Giving experiences never gets old and is usually a less-waste, more sustainable option. See our guide for giving experiences rather than physical gifts.
If you are buying new, look for long-lasting items that can be reused or recycled later. In addition, look for battery-free and plastic-free toys and always opt for minimal packaging.
Remember to wrap up your gifts the green way. Get creative – reuse gift bags from last year or wrap gifts using recyclable materials, like newspapers and brown paper bags.
|
Inspired hosting
Although you want to be a generous host, making too much food that doesn’t get eaten is a waste of money and resources. The Guest-Imator from Save the Food will help you plan and shop for just the right amount.
A low-impact holiday meal also means skipping the disposables. Use dishes you already have and purchase any extra dishes you need, like pie plates, at a local thrift store. While you’re there, get inspired and grab festive table décor to make the meal memorable.
For additional ideas for choosing to reuse by opting for secondhand gifts and decor for the holidays, see Hennepin County’s guide to an eco-friendly holiday season.
|
|
 |
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners consists of one commissioner from each of seven districts. I am proud to represent Deephaven, north Eden Prairie, Edina, Excelsior, Greenwood, Hopkins, Long Lake, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, northern Mound, Orono, Shorewood, Spring Park, Tonka Bay, Wayzata and Woodland.
|
Chris LaTondresse
Commissioner
6th District
612-348-7886
Jessica Oaxaca
District Director
612-348-6885
Kyle Olson
Policy Director
612-348-3168
|
