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Welcome to the District 5 May newsletter!
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We have had a VERY busy April with the winter thaw and the coming of spring in Minnesota. As we committed ourselves to environmental action for Earth Day 2023, I was able to attend the Eden Prairie Eco Expo, the City of Richfield and League of Women Voters Eco Fair in Richfield, and join the Izaak Walton League in Bloomington for the first-ever Minnesota reforestation project of American Elms naturally resistant to Dutch Elm disease.
The April District Five Coffee Tour was a smashing success. We were able to connect with residents from around the south and west metro for important conversations, fueled by local coffee shops. My office was also fortunate to connect elders in Richfield at Village Shores, one of my favorite yearly events. These meetings paused during the pandemic so I was very pleased to be back!
If you have any ideas for events or engagement opportunities this spring and summer do not hesitate to reach my office. Just click "Contact us" at the top of the newsletter. We look forward to connecting with you!
See you outdoors!
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What's happening at the County and across the district:
Follow me on Twitter: @HennepinDebbie
Local government units can apply for youth art and music grants from May 3-June 7, 2023. This grant program aims to increase youth access to art and music opportunities in Hennepin County. These grants are a part of the Hennepin County Youth Activities Grants program supported by the Twins ballpark sales tax.
Grants up to $25,000 are available. Learn more and apply at: hennepin.us/youth-grants
This May, participate in Hennepin County’s Salvage Crawl and get to know building material reuse retailers in the Twin Cities. Sometimes referred to as home improvement thrift stores, salvage retailers offer a wide variety of building materials, hardware, tools, and other home improvement items. From old growth lumber to vintage light fixtures and everything in between, you’ll be sure to find both inspiration and quality materials for your next project.
How to participate
Visit participating salvage retailers from May 1 to 31, 2023 to be entered into a drawing to win one of five prizes. Look for Hennepin County’s Salvage Crawl poster near the checkout counter at each retailer location and scan the QR code to enter your information for a chance to win.
Participating retailers
Find an interactive map of participating retailers at www.hennepin.us/salvage.
Prizes
First place (one available): $100 gift card to participating retailer
Second place (four available): $50 gift card to participating retailer OR one-year basic individual membership to the Minnesota Tool Library ($55 value)
Learn more
Contact Olivia Cashman at olivia.cashman@hennepin.us or 612-235-1284 if you have questions about Hennepin County’s Salvage Crawl.
The District Five office wants to congratulate Karen E. Cooper, author of “When Minnehaha Flowed with Whiskey: A Spirited History of the Falls” (MNHS Press, August 2022) upon receiving the Emilie Buchwald Award for Nonfiction on May 2, 2023 at the Minnesota Book Awards. This is a great honor!
Thank you for your commitment to public history, and for elevating the work and role of Hennepin County Public Libraries through your research, Karen!
To read more and purchase, click here.
Funding is available through the Green Partners grant program to support organizations in educating and motivating residents to become environmental stewards and take environmentally friendly actions. The grants fund organizations doing projects that help residents take action to prevent waste, separate organic waste and recycle, reduce household hazardous waste, combat climate change, care for trees, protect birds, bats, and pollinators, and improve air and water quality.
Grants are available to nonprofit organizations, community groups, youth programs, schools, congregations, early childhood family education programs, and park districts.
Three types of grants are available:
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Environmental action: For projects focused on motivating adults to do more to protect the environment and act at home, at work, or on-the-go.
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Youth environmental education: For projects focused on working with youth to develop awareness of environmental issues and increase interest in environmental stewardship.
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Youth green jobs (new!): For projects focused on offering green jobs exploration and training to individuals ages 14 to 24, especially those facing disparities.
Proposals are being accepted until Thursday, May 11. Learn more about the grants, how to apply, and RSVP to an info meeting.
For more information, contact Patience Caso at patience.caso@hennepin.us or 612-596-6856.
If you're considering composting at your organization or school or need tips for your garden compost bin, join a free online webinar or in-person workshop with a composting and recycling specialist from Hennepin County. Learn how to set up your compost pile, what materials you can compost, and more.
There is no charge for the workshops, but registration is required.
Webinars:
- Wednesday, May 10 from noon to 1 p.m. Register.
- Thursday, May 18 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Register.
In-person workshop:
- Saturday, May 13 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Powderhorn Park Rec Center 3400 S 15th Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407. Register.
The 2023 road construction and maintenance season is here and there’s a resource to help you understand what to expect in your community.
With the 2023 construction activity map you can zoom in on a district level, narrow down to a specific type of construction or maintenance activity and click on a project to learn more.
We are especially excited for the reconstruction of Highway (CSAH) 52 (Nicollet Avenue) from 77th Street to CSAH 53 (66th Street) which will start in 2026, and the Bloomington Phase of the project from 89th Street to American Blvd. which will begin sometime in 2027.
Issues like weather and emergency needs may result in us changing timing and scope of our work. To stay most up to date, sign up to get the latest about updates about the county roads so you can continue to make your connections all spring, summer and fall.
If you would like any more specific info on individual projrcts in the Fifth District that may impact you, please email graham.faulkner@hennepin.us.
On August 9th, 2022 Hennepin County authorized the City of Bloomington to receive $400,000 to support 6,600 square feet of commercial space, 15 businesses, and 2 full time jobs through Hennepin County's Community Investment Initiative (CII).
The Bloomington Business Incubator was one of 13 proposals to receive funding from Hennepin County, that in total will provide over 330,000 square feet of affordable commercial space supporting approximately 550 small businesses, over 760 total new or retained jobs, and a total investment value of approximately $206 million across the county.
The overarching goals of CII are to stimulate prosperous and equitable growth, strengthen local communities, accelerate economic recovery, and address disparities that were laid bare and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Commissioner Goettel was happy to join the Bloomington Community Development Department and the Small Business Development Center Advisory Committee recently for their final meeting before changes to the fire station at 2050 East 86th St. begin. Thank you to all the amazing partners who helped to make this $2.5 million investment whole, and the community members who have helped to shape this work.
See a video from the City of Bloomington about the SBC below:
No need to hang up your skates. Bloomington Ice Garden offers skating opportunities year-round. Check out:
Open Skating: Sundays, June 4 – August 20, 5:30 – 7 p.m., and Tuesdays, June 6 – August 29, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Developmental Ice: Mondays and Fridays, 6 – 7 a.m.
Adult Open Hockey: June 4 – August 20, Sunday evenings, 6:30 –
8 p.m.
Pro’s Ice: $11 per hour per person.
Group skating lessons: Lessons for all ages run seven weeks.
 Bloomington's "Arts in the Parks" includes not only musical performances spanning the spectrum from classical to rock and everything in between, but also offers moonlight movies, food trucks, theatrical performances and much more! All programs are completely free of charge and open to the public.
You can check the status of Arts in the Parks events during inclement weather by calling 952-563-8878 or visiting the Parks and Recreation Facebook page.
Click on flyer to learn more.
Explore the Eden Prairie Art Center and learn about classes and programs for teens and adults!
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Date: 05/20/2023 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
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Location: Art Center
7650 Equitable Drive
Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344
Immerse yourself in the world of art during the Eden Prairie Art Center Open House for Adults & Teens. Join us for a fun (and free!) evening dedicated to exploring your creative side.
- Free hands-on projects
- Live demonstrations
- Prize giveaways
- Free chair massages provided by Wellspring Health Center
- A chance to connect with others who also love art
- Beer, wine and food available to purchase:
- The Purple People Feeder
- NorthStar Tavern
Click on flyer to learn more.
Spanning the twentieth century, the works in Hidden Gems encompass the experimentation, imagination, and creativity associated with modern art. Featuring works by artists such as Josephine Lutz Rollins, Cameron Booth, Ada Wolfe, Bela Petheo, Frances Greenman, and Eugene Larkin, Hidden Gems honors the pioneers of Minnesota art through a range of media, subject, and styles. The exhibit is filled with art inspired by impressionism, Expressionism, Fauvism, and Abstract Expressionism from the Museum’s permanent collection.
Learn more here.
Check out events happening at a library near you. Filter for specific areas, age groups, and different types of event to find something unique and specific to you and your family!
Learn more at Hennepin County Library events.
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May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Celebrate with your library with online events, in-person programs, and recommended books and films from the Library’s Asian Pacific Heritage Team.
Learn more about what's available at Hennepin County Public Library.
Whether it's a housing crisis, energy assistance question, or child protection concern, we are here to help you navigate these and other issues.
Please call our office at 612-348-7885 to seek assistance or ask a question.
Contact
Commissioner Debbie Goettel
Hennepin County District 5
Bloomington | Eden Prairie | Richfield
612-348-7885
Michael Ohama
Policy Director
612-348-7885
Graham Faulkner
Communications Director
612-348-7885
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