April 8, 2021 eNews

Earth Day Clean-up at Armatage Park

Saturday, April 24
9:30am-12:00pm

The Armatage Green Team is partnering with the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board to host a modified Earth Day Clean-up this year! Pick up supplies for your do-it-yourself efforts at Armatage Park (or any of the participating Earth Day sites) on April 24 from 9:30 am to 12:00pm.

No registration is needed, just grab supplies (please wear a mask), practice social distancing, and head to a nearby park, trail or out into the neighborhood and pick up trash you see, while getting fresh air and exercise! Share pictures of your trash haul on our Facebook page – at @MPLSEarthDay using the hashtags #MplsDIYEarthDay and #armatage


Spring Tea & Blooms

Saturday, May 8
2:00-4:00pm | Armatage Park

Grab your mask and join us for afternoon tea at Armatage Park! Jinx Tea and Sparrow Café will take orders outside, soon-to-open neighborhood spot Café Cerés will share samples, and the ANA will give away take-home kids’ planting kits (supplies are limited). Pick up a free book from Jump! and complete a scavenger hunt and enter to win a gift card to a neighborhood business!

Thank you for following our safety guidelines by wearing a mask during the event, keeping 6 feet of distance from everyone outside of your household, and bringing your treats home or into the park to enjoy. In case of severe weather, cancellations will be posted on Facebook, Twitter, and Nextdoor.



City Safety & Trial Info

The City of Minneapolis launched a new webpage to keep our community safe and informed during the trial of former officer Derek Chauvin. Find updates on current street closures, sign up for trial updates, report suspicious activity, and find mental health resources for support during this traumatic time at https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/trial-support-safety/

If you need assistance:

  • Call 911 for emergencies where someone’s safety is at risk that requires an immediate response from police, firefighters, or medics.
  • Call 612-673-5335 or text 847411 to report suspicious activity directly to MPD that doesn’t require an emergency response (example: reporting a fast-moving car without license plates or spotting something odd in an alley)
  • Call Minneapolis 311 at 311 or 612-673-3000 or email Minneapolis311@minneapolismn.gov for non-emergency concerns.


Upcoming Public Hearings

The City of Minneapolis has two upcoming public hearings related to Armatage businesses. Learn more on how to participate in each hearing and submit a comment below:

  1. April 20 at 1:30pm: Café Cerés’ Application for On-Sale Liquor with Sunday Sales, No Live Entertainment and Sidewalk Café License for their new location at 5401 Penn Ave S: https://www2.minneapolismn.gov/business-services/licenses-permits/business-licenses/cafe-ceres-public-hearing/#d.en.169513
  2. April 22 at 4:30pm: Wagner Greenhouses’ Application for a retaining wall variance to support the western edge of their property along Russell Ave (plantings will be replaced).  Contact Andrew Liska, Senior City Planner  at (612) 673-2264  or Andrew.Liska@minneapolismn.gov with questions or comments. More at https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/meetings/


Yard Waste Collection is Here!

Collection of leaves, brush and other yard trimmings started this week! Minneapolis Solid Waste & Recycling customers can set properly prepared yard waste at their alleys or curbs next to their garbage carts by 6 a.m. on garbage day.

For questions about yard waste pickup, customers can check the website or call Solid Waste & Recycling at 612-673-2917 between 8:00am and 4:00pm Monday-Friday.


One More Chance to Screen The Story of Plastic

All are welcome to sign up to screen the ground-breaking film, The Story of Plastic, and join in a community conversation hosted through Mayflower Church’s Groundwise Team. Learn about the effects of plastic, from climate change to water & land pollution by screening the film on your own. Then join Groundwise for a Zoom discussion on Thursday, April 15 from 7:00-8:30pm hosted by Armatage resident and Green Team Member, Linda Ridlehuber, on ways to interrupt Big Oil’s growth strategy for the future by reducing consumer demand via local alternatives to plastic use.

See a trailer for the film here: https://www.storyofplastic.org/about. To RSVP for links to the film and/or the discussion, please email Linda@haven2.com. The link to view the film will be sent out in early April.


Joyful Moments – Free Series for Caregivers

Thursdays | April 8-May 20 | 2:00-3:00 PM
Via Zoom Conferencing

Are you caring for an older adult, and running out of ideas for fun and engaging activities? Joyful Moments is a 7-week series that uses wellness activities to help reconnect older adults to what brings them purpose, joy, and meaning in life. These fun and easy activities were created by eldercare and therapeutic activity experts at The Hummingbird Project to promote quality of life in older adults, no matter their physical or cognitive limitations. All caregivers and those that they care for are invited to attend.

Pre-registration is required. To register, contact Liz at 612-787-4076 or LFlavin@esns.org. There is no fee to participate in this series.



Low Cost Blue Thumb Spring Workshops

Blue Thumb is offering low cost DIY workshops again this spring. Topics include Bee Lawns, Resilient Yards and Planting for Pollinators. Attendees can get practical ideas for strengthening their yard while protecting the environment.

Staff from Metro Blooms, Blue Thumb’s parent organization, lead the workshops, which start in March. Each workshop costs $15 unless otherwise noted. Scholarships are available on request. More information and registration details can be found at https://bluethumb.org/events/ or by leaving a message at 651-699-2426. Presentations will be recorded for registrants who are not able to attend.


Get Involved on an Armatage Committee

Neighbors are encouraged to join an Armatage Committee and get involved. Currently, most meetings are held on Zoom. Click on each group’s link below to learn more. Register to attend a meeting at https://bit.ly/ANAmtgs


The Green Team
will next meet on Thursday, April 8 from 7:00-8:15pm.


Safety, Equity & Outreach
will next meet on Saturday, April 10 from 10:00-11:00am at Armatage Park. Kids welcome and plan to wear a mask. Please note the date change due to Spring Break, Passover and Easter.

Community Engagement next meets Thursday, May 6 from 5:30-6:30pm on Zoom.