Armatage Holiday Light Tour
Enjoy the colorful city streets and light displays of our neighborhood this holiday season with our first-ever Holiday Light Tour, which starts next Friday, December 11 and runs each night from 5:00-8:00pm through Sunday, December 20. The tour is self-guided so look for the map at armatage.org next week!
Sign up for the Tour
Click here to register for the tour by Tuesday, December 8 at 11:59pm and be a bright spot in the neighborhood this season! Just like our Halloween Tour, we’ll ask visitors to vote for their favorites after visiting each stop on the tour. The three addresses with the most votes will each win a $50 gift card to an Armatage business!
Free COVID-19 Testing
The City of Minneapolis is offering free COVID-19 tests. Testing is encouraged and available to everyone, whether or not you have symptoms. For more info on what to expect, how to quarantine while you wait for results, when to expect results, and links to more testing sites visit http://www.minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/coronavirus-testing
Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th St.
Noon-4 p.m. Dec. 5, Dec. 19
Columbia Golf Course, 3300 Central Ave. NE
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 7, Dec. 13, Dec. 14, Dec. 20, Dec. 21
Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 Second Ave. S., Exhibit Room E
Noon-7 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends starting Nov. 9
Make an appointment here.
Find instructions here.
Native American Community Clinic, 1213 E. Franklin Ave.
2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays
Appointments required: Call 612-872-8086 to schedule an appointment.
Southside Community Health Services, 324 E. 35th St.
2-3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays
Appointments required: Call 612-821-3548 to schedule an appointment.
Same day testing can be done for health care workers, first responders and essential workers. Otherwise, expect to get your test results in about two-three business days.
Free Pet Adoptions at MACC in December
To help pets find their forever homes for the holidays, Minneapolis Animal Care & Control is waiving adoption fees for all adoptable animals during the month of December. Read more here.
Adoption details:
- Browse adoptable animals at www2.minneapolismn.gov/animals/adopt.
- Call 311 or 612-673-6222 to request an adoption appointment. All adoptions are being done by appointment to limit the spread of COVID-19.
- Adopters must meet and spend time with the animal they want to adopt before completing adoption paperwork.
- Minneapolis residents must purchase a City pet license.
Minneapolis Solid Waste & Recycling Survey
Got a few minutes? Take Minneapolis Solid Waste & Recycling’s survey on how your waste generation and purchasing behaviors have changed since March. The responses are anonymous and will serve as a guide for developing community outreach and educational messaging for 2021. The survey will close December 20 at 11:59 p.m. but don’t wait, fill it out today. Take the survey here.
COVID-19 Housing Assistance
Minnesota’s COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program helps cover housing expenses such as rent, mortgage, utilities or other housing-related costs for eligible renters and homeowners in communities across the state. The 211 Helpline has dedicated multilingual staff to answer questions about the COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and you can learn more in a few ways:
- Call the Greater Twin Cities United Way’s 211 Resource Helpline at 651-291-0211
- Visit 211unitedway.org
- Texting “MNRENT” or “MNHOME” to 898-211
- You can also check the COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program frequently asked questions.
Hennepin County also continues to offer emergency rental assistance for residents with low incomes who have been financially harmed by COVID-19. Residents can learn more and apply at www.hennepin.us/rent-help
Reduce Waste this Holiday Season
Click here for Minneapolis Solid Waste & Recycling’s tips to reduce food waste, buy used, safely recycle items like broken strings of lights, opt for low-waste decor and more!
Neighborhoods 2020 Guidelines Approved
The City Council has approved Neighborhoods 2020 program guidelines for equity, funding, and governance among City-supported neighborhood organizations. These guidelines are designed to create equitable communities in which all people are valued, all communities are engaged, and leadership mirrors the diversity of the city.
Thank you to the MANY Armatage neighbors who took the time to comment on Neighborhoods 2020 and the future funding. The current budget proposal provides less than .25 of 1% of the entire City budget to be divided between the 70 Minneapolis neighborhood organizations. There is just one remaining virtual public hearing for people to share their thoughts on the Mayor’s recommended 2021 City Budget. See below on how to attend and speak or submit a comment for the public record.
Give Feedback on the Proposed 2020 Budget
Share your thoughts on Mayor Frey’s recommended 2021 City Budget by submitting a comment online or at the last virtual public hearing on Wednesday, December 9 at 6:05pm.
Learn how to participate in online public hearings here. Comments submitted online will be entered into the public record and shared with the mayor and council members. The City Council is scheduled to vote on adopting the budget on Wednesday, Dec. 9. Visit the City’s website to learn more about the mayor’s recommended budget, key dates in the approval process, FAQs and more. You can also watch a series of videos on the City’s budget process.