Author Archives: anacoordinator

October 18, 2022 Agenda

Oct 18, 2022 Meeting Agenda

Come one, come all to the Armatage Monthly Meeting next Tuesday, Oct 18 at 6:30pm at the Armatage Community Center (2500 West 57th St)!  Meetings now kick off with comments from community members and we’d love to have you attend and share your thoughts and ideas! You are welcome to stay and participate throughout the meeting, too.

This month we’re excited to discuss what’s happening around our Minneapolis parks with our District 6 Park Board Commissioner, Cathy Abene. Please join us!

  • Welcome and Introductions (6:30pm)
  • Comments from the Community (6:35pm)
  • Park Update – Armatage Park Director Dillon Clements (6:45pm)
  • Board Representation Survey – City of Mpls Neighborhood & Community Relations (6:50pm)
  • Park Board Update – Commissioner Cathy Abene (7:10pm)
  • Edits & Approval of 2023-2024 City Funding Application (7:25pm)
  • Approval of Minutes & Financials (7:40pm)
  • Board Refresher Training (7:45pm)
  • Adjourned (8:30pm)

Ward 13 Climate & Sustainability Forum

Ward 13 Climate & Sustainability Initiatives Forum

Please join Council Vice President Linea Palmisano for a conversation about climate and sustainability actions/initiatives in the City of Minneapolis.

Special Guests and Presenters:

  • Heidi Ritchie, Interim City of Minneapolis Commissioner of Health
  • Patrick Hanlon, City of Minneapolis Director of Environmental Programs
  • Kim Havey, City of Minneapolis Sustainability Manager
  • David Wilson, Green Minneapolis Board Chair

Please register here on Eventbrite so you get reminder or the link to stream the forum if you choose to attend virtually.

September 22, 2022 eNews

Electronics Recycling & Paper Shredding Event This Saturday!

Armatage is co-sponsoring an e-waste and paper shredding recycling event this Saturday (Sept 24) from 9am–12pm! Bring documents, tablets, computers, phones, peripherals (cords, computer parts, keyboards, etc.) and small appliances for safe recycling AND data destruction. 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.

**Friendly reminder that Mpls Solid Waste & Recycling customers can also set out two electronics items every week and recycle paper in their blue cart for no extra fee!** Learn more at armatage.org/ewaste.

Sept 20, 2022 Meeting Recap

Thanks to Council Vice President Linea Palmisano for joining this week’s ANA Monthly Meeting. The ANA Board discussed the new city traffic calming process (see below for more info) and were joined by neighbor Lara Bergman who represented a group of neighbors that are planning to apply for traffic calming measures at 57th & Penn.  PhD candidate Daniel Rosenblum gave an overview on his project to interview residents of homes that had racial housing covenants (more info below). The ANA Board also discussed its 2023-2024 city funding applications. Funding for the ANA is set to drop to $14,131 per year on January 1, 2023.

Fall Neighborhood Clean-up

Join the Armatage Green Team for our annual fall clean-up of our neighborhood streets, sidewalks, and parks on Sat, Oct 1 from 9–11am!  No need to register – just show up!  Every single person who volunteers makes a huge impact and this is a great, meaningful opportunity for kids, teens and adults to show our neighborhood pride and keep trash and recycling from polluting our waterways. Learn more at armatage.org/events/clean-ups/

Register for the Kenny & Armatage Halloween Tour

Registration is open for this year’s Halloween Tour! We’re excited to partner with our neighbors in Kenny on this year’s tour. Learn more and sign up at armatage.org/2022halloweentour/ through Oct 19. By signing up, you agree to have your decorations up each night of the tour AND to have the your address published on our map.

Visitors will be able to vote for their favorite displays in each category: Best Use of Pumpkins, Spookiest, Armatage Neighborhood Fave and Kenny Neighborhood Fave. HUGE thanks to Book Club at 54th & Penn for generously donating gift cards for this year’s prizes!

New Neighborhood Traffic Calming Request Process

Each year the City of Minneapolis receives 2,500+ requests for traffic calming measures – far more requests than resources. In an effort to better serve residents, the City just launched a new Traffic Calming Request Process! Visit https://bit.ly/mplstrafficcalming to learn more and apply for traffic calming at an intersection or on a street around Armatage or anywhere in Minneapolis now through November 1!

The ANA submitted comments on this process this past winter and are glad to see the application launch. Please go check it out!

Fall Fun Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Fall Fun at the Washburn Tot Lot on Saturday! It was such a blast to see so many of you! Special thanks to our renters who stopped by and everyone who gave input on the new community pollinator garden! Stay tuned for more information on the garden.

Thanks also to our event partners: Move Minnesota, Metro Blooms, League of Women Voters, and Minnehaha Creek Watershed District.

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. Daniel swung by this week’s ANA Monthly Meeting and will give a longer talk about this project at our December  20 meeting.

Register for Fall Park Programs

Fall is here and it’s a perfect time to register new programs at your local Minneapolis parks!  There are some especially great programs for toddlers, preschoolers and older adults – check them out here!

Find and register for all activities and programs at https://apm.activecommunities.com/minneapolisparks/Activity_Search

Free Meals and Snacks for Youth 18 and Under

Whether it’s after school, on school-release days, or during summer, kids 18 and under can visit participating community sites for no-cost healthy meals and snacks from Minneapolis Public Schools. Children do not need to attend Minneapolis Public Schools to participate! Find the full list of participating community sites at https://nutritionservices.mpls.k12.mn.us/community_park_menus

Hearing Increased Airplane Traffic? Here’s Why!

Runway 17/35 at MSP Airport is closed for a runway restoration project, likely through mid-October. Flights that would normally use this runway are currenly directed to the other runways, which bumps up the airplane traffic (and likely noise) that we experience in Southwest Minneapolis.

Runway use and flight activity information are available on the MAC’s FlightTracker.  Anyone with questions about runway closures may call the Metropolitan Airports Commission’s community relations office at 612-726-9411.

National Hispanic Heritage Month

September 15th-October 15th is National Hispanic Heritage Month. September 15th was chosen as the commemoration date because it is the anniversary of the independence of five Hispanic countries. It is the anniversary of the Cry of Dolores, which marked the start of the Mexican War of Independence and thus resulted (in 1821) in independence for the New Spain Colony, which is now Mexico and the Central American nations of Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is a time for recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the history, culture, and achievements for the United States. It is also a time for the U.S. Military to honor both fallen and active-duty Hispanic Americans who served in the armed forces. Sixty-one people of Hispanic heritage have been awarded the Medal of Honor.

This year’s theme is Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation. The theme is to encourage all voices to be represented and welcomed to help build stronger communities and a stronger nation. Did you know that Latinos are the largest ethnic minority (57.5 million) in the U.S. and that 40 million U.S. residents aged 5 and older speak Spanish at home?

Meet Minneapolis has compiled a list of art studios, markets, restaurants and special events where you can support local businesses or celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.

Upcoming events include:

Thanks to Armatage neighbor, Sheila Dingels, for this fabulous write-up!

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.

Thanks to all who gave feedback on the garden at Fall Fun at the Washburn Tot Lot. We anticipate the new garden will be completed in May 2023 with our partner, Metro Blooms.

 

September 15, 2022 eNews

Fall Fun This Saturday!

Come to the Washburn Tot Lot for a start-of-school pop-up event this 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 at 58th & Washburn 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.

Sept 20, 2022 Meeting Agenda

Come one, come all to the Armatage Monthly Meeting next Tuesday, Sept 20 at 6:30pm at Armatage Park!  Our meetings now kick off with comments from community members and we’d love to have you attend and share your thoughts and ideas! You are welcome to stay and participate throughout the meeting, too.

  • Welcome and Introductions (6:30pm)
  • Comments from the Community (6:35pm)
  • Ward 13 Update – Council Vice President Linea Palmisano (6:45pm)
  • Park Update & New Park Director, Dillon Clements (7:05pm)
  • Racial Housing Covenant Project – Daniel Rosenblum, Researcher (7:10pm)
  • City Funding Application – Equitable Engagement Demographic Priorities (7:15pm)
  • Annual Board Refresher (7:25pm)

We also have a couple open neighborhood board seats so if you love Armatage and are interested in joining the board, please come to next week’s meeting or email us at anacoordinator@armatage.org!

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.

New Neighborhood Traffic Calming Request Process Coming Soon!

Each year the City of Minneapolis receives 2,500+ requests for traffic calming measures- far more requests than resources. In an effort to better serve residents, Public Works will launch a new process hopefully this week. In addition, a new website will be available to digitally submit all traffic calming requests throughout the City.

The new process will apply to neighborhood streets and seeks to provide a process that is data-driven, transparent, and more equitable. Once launched, traffic calming requests can be made by November 1, 2022, to be considered for construction in 2023.  More information and a detailed description of the process and evaluation metrics can be found here.

Hearing Increased Airplane Traffic? Here’s Why!

Runway 17/35 at MSP Airport is closed for a runway restoration project, likely through mid-October. Flights that would normally use this runway are currenly directed to the other runways, which bumps up the airplane traffic (and likely noise) that we experience in Southwest Minneapolis.

Runway use and flight activity information are available on the MAC’s FlightTracker.  Anyone with questions about runway closures may call the Metropolitan Airports Commission’s community relations office at 612-726-9411.

Make Way for Turtles!

Did you know baby turtles continue to hatch, usually through October? Some hatchlings emerge from the nest and make their way to water for the winter; depending on conditions, others overwinter in the nest and emerge next spring. Share your turtle sightings at  bit.ly/ReportATurtle

Click here to read more on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s (MPRB) efforts to protect turtles and how YOU can help protect baby turtles this fall! Photo credit: Carly Ettinger

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. Daniel will give a short presentation at the Sept 20 ANA Meeting and a longer talk at our December meeting.

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 started streaming on September 7!  Photo credit: Netflix

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

Ending Soon: 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.

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 begins this Saturday at our Fall Fun at the Washburn Tot Lot event from 10–11:30am! 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.

July 19, 2022 Minutes

ANA Meeting Minutes

7/19/22 / 6:30 PM / Armatage Park, next to the wading pool

BOARD ATTENDEES

Vikisha Goberdhan, Ethan Komoroski, Nikki Lindberg, Sharla McIntosh-Ziegler, Kevin Ross

NOT IN ATTENDANCE: Eli Johnson, Judy Vecere, Charlie Wolfe

OTHER ATTENDEES

Tara Brown, Kim Herring, Sarah Komoroski, Park directors, past Jordan and new Dillon, Sheila Dingels, Clare (bookkeeper), Eva Schwartz

Clare – introductions. Helps to get all the $ info in the system for reporting, 990s, processes city reimbursements requests, etc.

THE MEETING

Updated financials were sent via email.

6:40    Welcome and Introductions (Kevin Ross)

6:43    Comments from Community

  • Concerns about community garden at 61st and Washburn on a city designated plot were sent to the board. Green team will try to reach out to those organizing this effort to learn more. Looks like a work in progress. Was noted that there was a firepit, and questions were raised over the rules and regulations around this in a community garden setting.

6:49    Ward 13 Update (Council Vice President Linea Palmisano)

  • Linea addressed a recent letter written by our Green Team and submitted to SW Voices. The letter was written in response to her comments during an event. It was noted that the Green Team’s response was based on the SW Voices article, and no members attended this event. What was expressed was a frustration by the members of the Green Team about mischaracterizing their efforts. While the team is proud of the work they have done and the incredible support they have achieved through grant writing, they know that these local-level activities, while important for our neighborhood, are not solutions for the bigger issues of climate change. Those impacts can be much more effectively handled at systemic levels, such as the city, state and national levels. Linea was frustrated for also being mischaracterized, as the event wasn’t as she expected, and had little time to answer questions, so gave easier to digest answers in the limited format, but does know the significance of having to act, and in her role with the city is involved in committees working to address change (such as noise and air pollution from the airport). The Green Team hopes that her actions and future policy votes reflect this more strongly in the future than they believe has been demonstrated in the past. Linea also mentioned her plans for a climate discussion this fall, and
  • Overall, Linea requested that we feel free to submit questions ahead of meetings so she can be prepared to talk about topics the neighborhood is interested in.
  • A question was raised regarding the recent comments by City Councilmember Rainville. Linea had not made any formal comment about this situation (in print) but has spoken out at various community meetings condemning his comments, and seeing this as an opportunity to learn and do better. Rainville has apologized, and has spoken with members of the Somali community. It was suggested that as VP on the Council, a written statement would have been appropriate, perhaps in her newsletter.

7:15    Park Update (Interim Park Director, Dillon Clements)

  • Dillon has been at Corcoran for about 5 years. Fall registration is open. He has submitted the food permit for the Summer Jam event. Currently he feels they are fairly well staffed, but the broader parks programming is still looking for people.

7:19    ANA Events & Program Debrief

  • Recommendations for upcoming events/programs
    • Tool swap will happen again – consider bundling with board election
    • Gardening programming could bundle with school efforts
      • Would like to find ways to better partner with the school

7:25    Fall Fun at the Washburn Tot Lot

    • Budget for treats
  • Motion to approve up to $100. Second. Motion carries.
  • Renter engagement with Green Team outreach regarding garden installation
  • Partners: LWV, Homeline info (multi-lingual biz cards), first-time homebuyer opportunities (still contacting). Other ideas:
    • Move Minneapolis (bus passes) – Tara Brown
    • Edina Realty (Spanish)

7:38    Approval of Minutes & Financials

  • Motion to approve the June minutes and financials. Seconded. Carries. 

7:39    President’s Report

  • New board member: Kim Herring
    • Has lived in Minneapolis a long time (moved back after a short stint out of the city during Covid) and has lots of experience as a volunteer (at risk youth, etc.), fundraising, organizing events, and more. Enjoys bringing the community together.
    • Vote to approve Kim as a new board. Approved. (Kim will join Community Engagement Committee)
  • In response to the Green Team letter, the board will create a policy and guidelines for external communications
    • Issues around protocol and maintaining good relationships to help us continue to be able to have constructive discussions
    • Anything coming from a part of our group (committee) is seen as coming from the entire group (board), thus all of the group members should be made aware of these types of communications.
    • Public letters, while may be related to a person, can reach the broader community. In this instance, the Green Team was hoping to share pro-climate voices.
    • Protocol for expressing strong feelings about topics (including time frame, contingency ideas, and disclaimer language will be drafted)

8:06    Coordinator Report

  • August meeting (8/16) will instead be an informal gathering at Nikki’s house (bring something to share)
  • Mail: the ANA had some of its mail missing for a couple months this spring and early summer.  We’re still experiencing delays and will work with park staff to hopefully install a locked outdoor mailbox.

8:05    ANA Committee Updates

    • Community Engagement
      • Summer Jam: 5 food trucks, band, face painting, Magic by Bruce, lawn games, $950 in sponsorships
      • Meeting schedule – Book Club patio for some future meetings (Sept 1 at 6pm)
      • Welcome bags – finding people at home is still a challenge. Still looking for more content.
      • October senior event has been canceled
    • Green Team
      • Rain garden program
        • Low income seniors and renters working really well and connecting
  • 3 additional low-income applications, and are asking for an additional $600 to help support these additional rain gardens (to create a total of 5 scholarships, 2 full and 3 partial). Seconded. Carries
    • Washburn Tot Lot garden (engagement at September meeting)
    • 2 zero waste volunteers at the Summer Jam
    • October 1 fall cleanup
    • Tech Dump Sept 24 (Mayflower)

8:21    New Business

  • SEO committee members will be working on creating an equity rubric/policy/guidelines

Meeting adjourned at 8:20

UPCOMING MEETINGS/EVENTS

  • Aug 6 – Armatage Summer Jam (4:00–6:00pm, Armatage Park)
  • Aug 11 – Green Team Meeting (7:00-8:30pm, GT Member Backyard TBD)
  • Aug 16 – casual board meeting at Nikki’s
  • Sept 1 – Community Engagement Committee (6:00-7:00pm, Book Club Patio)
  • Sep 8 – Green Team Meeting (7:00-8:30pm, GT Member Backyard TBD)
  • Sep 17 – Fall Fun at the Washburn Tot Lot (10:00-11:30am, 5825 Washburn Ave S)
  • Sept 20 – Monthly Meeting (6:30-8:30pm, Outdoors at Armatage Park)

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.

Graphic with a blue background and coral flowers that says "Donate Today. The Armatage Neighborhood Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit."

Enjoy the eNews? Support Our Work

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.

Halloween Tour

Halloween Decorations Tour Is Back for 2023!

Details:
  • Register by Wed, Oct 18 to be included in this year’s tour map.
  • The self-guided tour is geared for all ages and runs from 6:00pm until 8:00pm each night from Thursday, Oct 26 through Tues, Oct 31.
  • By signing up, you agree to have your decorations up each night of the tour and to have the Armatage Neighborhood Association publish your address for visitors to stop by and view your decorations.
  • Visitors will be able to vote on their favorites in the following categories: Best Use of Pumpkins, Spookiest, Armatage Neighborhood Favorite.  The display with the most votes in each category will win a gift card!

August 11, 2022 eNews

Armatage Summer Jam Thank You!

Thanks for another great neighborhood event! We are grateful for every chance to celebrate our community and the awesome folks in it! Huge thanks to our generous sponsors:

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.

Hazardous Waste Drop-off Event this Weekend

Hennepin County is collecting household hazardous waste (HHW) this Friday, Aug 12 and Saturday, Aug 13 from 9am – 3pm at South High School, 3131 19th Ave. S. (enter from 21st Avenue). Safely dispose of unwanted household and lawn and garden products including paint, chemicals, fluorescent bulbs, batteries and fuel. Click here for a list of items you can bring to the event and to review safety guidelines.

Can’t make it? You can also find more info on the year-round HHW drop-offs in Bloomington and Brooklyn Park here.

Fix-it Clinic this Saturday

Get free help with your broken stuff and learn valuable repair skills at the Fix-It Clinic this Sat, Aug 13 from 12–4pm at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church (5025 Knox Ave S). Get free, guided assistance from volunteers with repair skills to disassemble, troubleshoot and (hopefully) fix small household appliances, clothing, electronics, mobile devices and more and keep them out of the waste stream.

Clinics are held monthly and no pre-registration is required. Items must be carry-in-sized. Bring any parts and supplies that might be helpful. The events are family friendly. Learn more and see the full schedule of 2022 Fix-It Clinics at hennepin.us/fixitclinic.

Police Contract Listening Sessions

Join a community listening session to give input on the new three-year contract with the Police Federation of Minneapolis. The City staff will explain the negotiation process and hold work groups where people can collaborate on ideas related to the contract. This process will help inform the City in its negotiations with the Police Federation. Members of the public are welcome to attend the upcoming community listening sessions:

  • 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park Recreation Center, 4055 Nicollet Ave. S. See the Facebook event.
  • 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 22. Folwell Recreation Center, 1615 Dowling Ave. N. See the Facebook event.

Fall Fun at the Washburn Tot Lot

Come to the Washburn Tot Lot for a start-of-school fun 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 to sign up. Learn more at armatage.org/ewaste

Join the August Stop Food Waste Challenge

We love food, which leaves us wondering: why do we let so much of it go to waste? About 40% of food is wasted somewhere along the supply chain, and you may be surprised to learn that much of that food waste happens at home. Here in Hennepin County, we throw away enough edible food each year to fill Target Field 1.5 times!

Join Hennepin County’s online Stop Food Waste Challenge to learn easy, practical skills that will help you stop wasting food, put more money in your pocket, and create a healthier environment. Even better, taking steps to reduce food waste is one of the most important actions we can take to address climate change.

The challenge runs through August 31. Join now at hennepinfoodwaste.ecochallenge.org.

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

The ANA is so excited to announce that we have 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 event at the Washburn Tot Lot 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.

Field + Festival Summer Market

Looking for something fun to do? Wagners Garden Center and Mpls Craft Market’s popular winter markets are now Field + Festival! Find them outside at Wagner’s each Tuesday this summer from 4-7pm and indoors this fall. More vendors will be added throughout the season!  Learn more at www.mplscraftmarket.com

Fulton Farmers Market

The Fulton Farmers Market takes place weekly on Saturdays from 8:30 am to 1 pm in the Lake Harriet United Methodist Church parking lot!  Stop by for breakfast, activities for kids, and live music starting at 10 am. You’ll find a huge variety of fresh and local fruit and veg, as well as meat, eggs, mushrooms, baked goods, preserves, crafts, and more!

Home Help MN – Apply by August 17

If you’ve fallen behind on your mortgage, property taxes, insurance, association fees or lot rent because of COVID, you can now to apply for the State’s Home Help MN program. Visit https://homehelpmn.org to learn more and get your application started.

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.

Graphic with a blue background and coral flowers that says "Donate Today. The Armatage Neighborhood Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit."

Enjoy the eNews? Support Our Work

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.

August 2, 2022 eNews

Armatage Summer Jam This Saturday!

Don’t miss the best neighborhood event of the summer this Sat, Aug 6 from 4–6pm! Bring your appetite, friends and family, and a picnic blanket or lawn chair and come to Armatage Park for a great night of community including:

In case of heavy rain or storms, food trucks will be outside and music and activities will move inside the community center!

Happy National Night Out

The ANA wishes an awesome National Night Out to every block hosting a party tonight! We hope you have a fabulous evening of building stronger ties with neighbors, good food, and celebrating this neighborhood and all the wonderful people in it.

Not sure what National Night Out is?  Here’s a bit more from the City’s website.

July 19, 2022 Meeting Recap

Sorry for the very late recap this month!  The ANA was excited to have both Council Vice President Palmisano and new Armatage Park Director Dillon Clements at its July meeting. Outgoing Park Director, Jordan Nelson, is now serving as the SW Area Supervisor. The ANA Board approved $100 for refreshments at the Fall Fun  at the Washburn Tot Lot event and elected Kim Herring to the Board.  Congratulations to Kim! If interested in joining the board, please email us at anacoordinator@armatage.org.

New Washburn Tot Lot Pollinator Garden

The ANA is so excited to announce that we have 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 event at the Washburn Tot Lot 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.

Police Contract Listening Sessions

Join a community listening session to give input on the new three-year contract with the Police Federation of Minneapolis. The City staff will explain the negotiation process and hold work groups where people can collaborate on ideas related to the contract. This process will help inform the City in its negotiations with the Police Federation. Members of the public are welcome to attend the upcoming community listening sessions:

  • 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3. Whittier Park Recreation Center, 425 W. 26th St. See the Facebook event.
  • 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park Recreation Center, 4055 Nicollet Ave. S. See the Facebook event.
  • 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 22. Folwell Recreation Center, 1615 Dowling Ave. N. See the Facebook event.

Donation Drive to Benefit Unhoused Neighbors

Members of SWAE (Southwest Alliance for Equity) are organizing a donation drive on Sat, Aug 6 from 3–5pm near the west parking lot at Bde Maka Ska (look for the volleyball courts).

Recently a large encampment was removed recently in South Minneapolis and unfortunately people were not allowed to take any of their belongings with them. Items needed include tents, yoga or sleeping mats, air mattresses, blankets, coolers, batteries, baby wipes, underwear and socks in all sizes.

Aug 13 Fix-it Clinic at Mount Olivet

Get free help with your broken stuff and learn valuable repair skills at the Aug 13 Fix-It Clinic from 12–4pm at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church (5025 Knox Ave S). Get free, guided assistance from volunteers with repair skills to disassemble, troubleshoot and (hopefully) fix small household appliances, clothing, electronics, mobile devices and more and keep them out of the waste stream.

Clinics are held monthly and no pre-registration is required. Items must be carry-in-sized. Bring any parts and supplies that might be helpful. The events are family friendly. Learn more and see the full schedule of 2022 Fix-It Clinics at hennepin.us/fixitclinic.

E-Waste Recycling & Paper Shredding Event

Save the date for a fall e-waste and paper shredding recycling event on Sat, Sept 17 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 to sign up. Learn more at armatage.org/ewaste

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.

Field + Festival Summer Market

Looking for something fun to do? Wagners Garden Center and Mpls Craft Market’s popular winter markets are now Field + Festival! Find them outside at Wagner’s each Tuesday this summer from 4-7pm and indoors this fall. More vendors will be added throughout the season!  Learn more at www.mplscraftmarket.com

Fulton Farmers Market

The Fulton Farmers Market takes place weekly on Saturdays from 8:30 am to 1 pm in the Lake Harriet United Methodist Church parking lot!  Stop by for breakfast, activities for kids, and live music starting at 10 am. You’ll find a huge variety of fresh and local fruit and veg, as well as meat, eggs, mushrooms, baked goods, preserves, crafts, and more!

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.

Join the August Stop Food Waste Challenge

We love food, which leaves us wondering: why do we let so much of it go to waste? About 40% of food is wasted somewhere along the supply chain, and you may be surprised to learn that much of that food waste happens at home. Here in Hennepin County, we throw away enough edible food each year to fill Target Field 1.5 times!

Join Hennepin County’s online Stop Food Waste Challenge to learn easy, practical skills that will help you stop wasting food, put more money in your pocket, and create a healthier environment. Even better, taking steps to reduce food waste is one of the most important actions we can take to address climate change.

The challenge runs through August 31. Join now at hennepinfoodwaste.ecochallenge.org.

Home Help MN – Apply by August 17

If you’ve fallen behind on your mortgage, property taxes, insurance, association fees or lot rent because of COVID, you can now to apply for the State’s Home Help MN program. Visit https://homehelpmn.org to learn more and get your application started.

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.

Graphic with a blue background and coral flowers that says "Donate Today. The Armatage Neighborhood Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit."

Enjoy the eNews? Support Our Work

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.

June 21, 2022 Minutes

ANA Meeting Minutes

6/21/22 / 6:30 PM / Armatage Park, next to the wading pool

BOARD ATTENDEES

Ethan Komoroski, Sharla McIntosh-Ziegler, Kevin Ross, Charlie Wolfe, Vikisha Goberdhan, Judy Vecere

NOT IN ATTENDANCE: Eli Johnson, Nikki Lindberg

OTHER ATTENDEES

Lauren Anderson (Coordinator)

THE MEETING

Updated financials were sent via email.

6:30    Welcome and Introductions (Kevin Ross)

Park Update (email from Jordan Nelson)

  • The park is aware of recent graffiti incidents, but painters cannot keep up. Parks employees will step in to temporarily cover smaller or more offensive works of graffiti art. Park police have been doing extra sweeps to try to catch people/deter this activity.
  • Staffing: seasonal maintenance is far below preferred/historic levels. So activities like weed whipping are being skipped altogether for higher impact activities. Park center staff is fairly healthy, a number of younger staff (high school and college age) are filling up the ranks.
  • Side note: Jordan has gotten a promotion to SW Parks Director, which is both super exciting but a bit of a bummer since we won’t be working as closely with him on our events. Congrats to Jordan!

6:35  Comments from Community

  • The board voted unanimously to enact the policy document to guide public comments. That will be linked on the website.
  • Comments from the Community will now be a standing agenda item.

6:45    Executive Committee Election

  • Sharla was voted in unanimously as Vice President
  • Nikki was voted in unanimously as Secretary
  • Judy was voted in unanimously as Treasurer
  • Motion to approve the May minutes and Financials. Seconded. Carries. 

6:55    Recent ANA Events and Program Debrief

  • What’s gone well?
    • Setup has been very smooth. Lauren making maps of layouts has been super helpful and visual.
  • Opportunities to Improve? Ideas?
    • Can we consolidate our equity efforts (Senior focused events) into our larger events rather than standalone?
    • Could the ANA be at school events? And promote specific things, Board outreach?
    • Could we do a newsletter with senior outreach? Develop a senior steering committee (Ward 11 has one, through CM Koski’s office. Our efforts haven’t been fruitful)
    • Annual meeting: could we consolidate with PTA meeting? What about a meeting at the same time as a school event?
      • Garden Tool Swap will be coming back to Armatage next year. This simple event drew a TON of people this year so consolidating it with the Board Election seems like a good idea
    • Should we spread out the master calendar?
      • It’s tough because seasonal weather, COVID
    • What about a Saturday standing event? Something like a pet rescue or popsicles at the playground or Julie from Unwind Within doing chair massages, etc. Just to increase ANA visibility beyond our big events and also spotlighting good and/or local causes.

7:25  Summer Newsletter

  • Board Feature
    • Vicky
  • Articles
    • Shout out neighbors (Armatage Affirmations)?
      • Neighbor on Queen who does exercise happy hours on Fridays
      • Neighbor slip and slide
    • Tech Dump
    • National Night Out
  • Volunteer proofreaders (soon after 7/4)
    • Charlie

7:40    Board Recruitment

  • Discussion on how to increase interest in joining the Board. Seems to be a lack of awareness about the open positions despite multiple social media blasts, etc.
  • What about bringing back neighborhood happy hours for more face-to-face discussion about the work we do with interested neighbors?
    • Red Wagon host? Lola? Vin?
    • Could also be more intentional about having these conversations at our new ANA Tent at events.

7:55    Coordinator Report

  • Learning the ins and outs of the new projector
  • Capacity reduction in the coming months with personal commitments all falling concurrently. Ask is that committee members take on Lauren’s tasks, facilitate Board discussions, etc when Lauren is unable.
  • New accountant (Claire) contract updates
    • Exec committee is discussing how to manage expectations and will be handling the contract negotiations internally.

8:05    ANA Committee Updates

  • Green Team
    • New, final rain garden contract with Metro Blooms is signed.
  • Safety, Equity & Outreach
    • Scaling back, group direction is leaning toward consolidating with Community Engagement
  • Community Engagement
    • Looking into sponsorships for Summer Jam
    • Motion to approve $550 for band, face painter, and face paint for Summer Jam. Passes unanimously
    • Motion to approve $700 for tent with custom ANA insignia AND weights to hold it down in the wind! Passes unanimously

8:15    New Business

Meeting adjourned at 8:20

UPCOMING MEETINGS/EVENTS

  • June 3 – Movie in the Park
  • June 14 – Green Team Meeting (7:00-8:30pm, Zoom)