August 25, 2022 eNews

Fall Fun at the Washburn Tot Lot

Come to the Washburn Tot Lot for a start-of-school pop-up event on Sat, Sept 17 from 10–11:30am! All are welcome, so tell your neighbors and come on down! We want to extend a special invitation to all of our neighbors who rent who make up nearly 15% of the households in Armatage.

We hope to see you on Sept 17 for…

  • FREE treats
  • Activities for all ages
  • On-site voter registration thanks to the League of Women Voters
  • Free renters’ resources
  • New Washburn Tot Lot pollinator garden community dreaming open house.

E-Waste Recycling & Paper Shredding Event

Save the date for a fall e-waste and paper shredding recycling event on Sat, Sept 24 from 9am–12pm! Bring documents, TVs, computers, phones, peripherals (cords, computer parts, keyboards, etc.) and small appliances for safe recycling AND data destruction. Thanks to Mayflower Church for hosting the event.

The suggested donation is $5 (or $5 + $5 to sponsor a neighbor), but no one will be turned away. Cash and cards will be accepted on-site. We’re offering a pick-up service for seniors and residents with disabilities (items must be outside). Call us at 612-466-0296 or sign up at armatage.org/ewaste.


Ann Kim Featured on Netflix’s Chef’s Table

Exciting news! Ann Kim, owner of neighborhood fave Pizzeria Lola, will be featured in this season of Chef’s Table: Pizza on Netflix!  The show follows chefs from all over the world and this season’s six episode run is all about pizza. Episodes start streaming on September 7 and we can’t wait!  Photo credit: Netflix


Book Club Participating in Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge

Our very own Book Club is participating in the Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge! The challenge brings over 1,000 diners to restaurants and over 25 new and classic vegan dishes to diners throughout the month of August. You can find more information and see each participating restaurant’s offerings here.


Sign up for Adult Fall Sports at Minneapolis Parks!

Spots are still available for Intro- through Advanced-level pickleball, men’s and co-ed softball, and open, co-ed and women’s volleyball. Click here for links to browse upcoming adult sports opportunities and register your team.

Minneapolis Parks is also hiring sports officials. Earn extra cash and stay involved in the sports you love! Follow the link below to get started: Become a Sports Official


Back to School Event at Armatage Park on Sept 3

Check out this free Back to School community event happening on Saturday, September 3 from 11am–3pm at Armatage Park!  The fun includes facepainting, a backpack giveaway, crafts and games and a drawing for a bike. Hosted by Promise Church.

Thanks to Armatage neighbor, Jacob Tapia, for sharing this event!  If you know of a free community event you’d like to share in this enewsletter, please email us at anacoordinator@armatage.org.


Help Needed: Racial Housing Covenant Interviews

Do you live in a home that had a racial housing covenant? Daniel Rosenblum, a visiting PhD researcher working with the Mapping Prejudice Project, is looking for residents from Armatage who would be open to participating in interviews. This would be a great opportunity to share your perspective on your home, neighborhood, racial covenant histories, and recent events in Minneapolis in relation to covenant data compiled by the Mapping Prejudice Project.

To sign up, contact Daniel Rosenblum at rosen918@umn.edu or 267-337-0670. We also hope to have Daniel speak at an upcoming Armatage Monthly Meeting so stay tuned for more info!  And thanks as always to Armatage Reparations & Equity Action, Free the Deeds, and the Just Deeds Project for their work.


Lake Harriet Bandshell Repairs

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is working on plans to renovate the Lake Harriet Bandshell area. The primary focus of the project is replacing the wood roof shingles on the Bandshell and nearby buildings, but additional work could also include upgrades to lighting, electrical and restrooms, adding bird-safe coating to Bandshell windows, and replacing doors and door frames. Work will be scheduled to maintain normal seasonal Bandshell entertainment, concessions operations and bathroom availability as much as possible. Click here to learn more and see a cool historical photo of the previous bandshell!

Repair Timeline

  • Fall 2022: Bid and award construction contract(s)
  • Winter 2022-23: Purchase and prepare new wood shingles
  • Spring-Fall 2023: Perform roof repairs and building renovations

Take the Minneapolis Climate Action and Equity Plan Survey

Minneapolis is working to reduce the impact of climate change. With a 10-year update to the 2013 Climate Action Plan, the City needs your help to meet its ambitious goals: eliminating carbon emissions and improving the daily lives of residents, particularly those most impacted by changes in our climate.Fill out the Climate Action Plan survey here or contact sustainability@minneapolismn.gov.


All Are Welcome Here Lawn Signs

Get your All Are Welcome Here lawn sign to support your neighborhood organization and proudly spread the message that ALL are welcome in Armatage!

Signs + stakes are $20 each and your tax-deductible donation goes to supporting the ANA’s work in the community. Order online here or grab a sign at Armatage Summer Jam!


Water Boulevard Trees

Water is especially important for trees under five years old, including newly planted trees on city boulevards (that is, the land between the sidewalk and the street). Water in the evening to minimize evaporation, track your tree watering by doing it on weekly solid waste collection day. Watering one tree weekly costs only about $3 for 23 weeks – the entire summer-fall season.

How to help: Watch this video or check out the three options below:

  • Option 1: Fill a tree watering bag. If you live near a newly planted tree supplied with a green tree watering bag, fill the bag once a week. When it’s one-quarter full, pull up on the bag handles to straighten it. Bags hold 20 gallons of water and take about five minutes to fill.
  • Option 2: Use a five-gallon bucket to slowly pour water around the base of a tree. Do this four times for 20 gallons once a week.
  • Option 3: Run a garden hose on a slow trickle, placed at least six inches from the tree trunk. Let it run for an hour each week.

New Washburn Tot Lot Pollinator Garden

ICYMI, the ANA is excited to announce that we received grant funding from the State of Minnesota’s Lawns to Legumes Neighborhood Demonstration Program and the Minneapolis People for Parks Fund to create a pollinator garden at the Washburn Tot Lot!  The new garden will be installed along the alley to provide a safe, beautiful barrier that will benefit our community and local pollinators.Community engagement will begin this fall with a Fall Fun at the Washburn Tot Lot event on Saturday, September 17 from 10–11:30am so save the date! We anticipate the new garden will be completed in May 2023 with our partner, Metro Blooms.


COVID-19 Vaccines and Testing

Vaccines: find vaccines for kids ages 6 months and up and boosters at mn.gov/vaccine (click on the Vaccine Locator Map). Learn more about boosters here.

Free Rapid Tests: order free rapid tests at https://www.covid.gov/tests or at https://mn.gov/covid19/ Ordering takes just a couple minutes.


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The Armatage Neighborhood Association works to make Armatage a place where all are welcome, empowered, and connected through safety initiatives, community-building events, environmental work, advocacy and communications that keep you informed and engaged.

Big or small, EVERY donation matters!  Give today at www.givemn.org/organization/Armatage-Neighborhood-Association  As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, every donation to the ANA is tax-deductible and eligible for an employer match.