January Special Election
The ANA will hold a Special Election for one open board seat on January 18, 2022! All residents (aged 18 and over) and designated neighborhood business or institution representatives are eligible to vote. Learn more about the time commitment and duties and register to run at armatage.org/january-2022-special-election/
Armatage Elementary Enrollment & Open House
School enrollment season is here! Anyone who lives in the neighborhood who has a child in grades K-5 during the 2022-2023 school year who is not already enrolled at Armatage Elementary can request Armatage as their first choice on the online school choice form at https://enrollnow.exploremps.org/onlinerequest This includes all incoming kindergartners.
Open House: learn about Armatage Elementary at the Open House on Tuesday, January 25 from 5:00-6:00pm for any prospective families who would like to tour the building, meet Principal Steve Searl and some of the teaching staff, and hear all about the school! Per MPS policy, please wear a mask.
Kanga News: Sign up for Armatage Elementary’s e-news, Kanga News! Current families and community members are welcome to sign up for Kanga News at https://armatage.mpls.k12.mn.us/Communications
Minneapolis Mask Mandate Starts Today
Because of the surging, highly contagious omicron variant, all patrons, employees and visitors over the age of 2 must wear a mask in Minneapolis businesses and areas of public accommodation effective today (Thursday, January 6) at 5:00pm. This includes restaurants, bars, libraries, retail stores, schools, recreation centers, rental establishments, theaters and more.
Read the full text of Mayor Jacob Frey’s emergency regulation No. 2022-1 here, which reinstates the citywide mask policy. Get all your questions answered at https://www2.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/coronavirus/common-questions/ and click on “Guidelines around wearing masks.”
Free PCR Tests Delivered to Your Door
Did you know that the MDH provides FREE COVID-19 saliva PCR testing from home via rapid delivery (often courier)? All you need is an internet connection to order your test AND to schedule a zoom observation of you taking the saliva test. Drop off the completed test sample at a UPS/USPS/Fedex drop-off site and you’ll get results back usually within 48 hours. Here’s a link to order your test: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/testsites/athome.html
With the Omicron variant surging in Minnesota, it’s extra critical to test often. The Vault saliva PCR tests have been running out so be sure to check back if the order forms asks for payment as more free tests will be available soon.
Thank You, Joel!
We want to extend a huge THANK YOU to outgoing Armatage Neighborhood Association President, Joel Federer (pictured above at right with his wife Carrie)! We are so grateful to Joel for his years of leadership helping the ANA weather staffing transitions, years of COVID, and getting ready for our big city funding program with a steady hand, good humor, and a wealth of expertise.
You’ve likely seen Joel at neighborhood events as he is usually the first to volunteer (even for the the not so fun projects like rewriting bylaws). We are glad he’ll stay involved with the Safety, Equity & Outreach Committee and wish him the best as he heads to a continuing education program this January!
Safety Rebate Program Changes
With decreasing city funding, the ANA is making a few changes to the popular Safety Rebate program. As of January 1, the program has a $200 lifetime cap per address for residents (both renters and homeowners) and the business program, which hasn’t had an application in years, is discontinued. The ANA will still issue rebates for eligible home safety updates for up to $100 per address per calendar year until you reach the $200 lifetime cap.
Our goal with these changes is to help as many neighbors make home safety updates as possible while keeping the program operating. Learn more at https://armatage.org/security-rebate-program-for-residents/
Sign up for the Next Armatage Reading Circle
Have past book clubs overwhelmed you with the pace of reading and content overload? Well, then consider joining our neighborhood slothful book club! Each month, we will read a small chunk of The Overstory by Richard Powers and then get together to discuss questions focused solely on that portion.
The first meeting will be Wednesday, February 16 at 7:00pm on Zoom. If you’re interested in joining, please learn more and sign up at https://bit.ly/2022readingcircle
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration
Monday, January 17
6:30-8:00pm
Annual tributes to Dr. King’s life and legacy take place at several Minneapolis park locations throughout the day, including an evening celebration at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center with speakers, live entertainment and the presentation of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s Living the Dream award.
The celebration will be emceed by Chad Jackson, Senior Manager, Brand Partnerships, with the Minnesota Twins. Adair Mosley, President and CEO of Pillsbury United Communities, will be the keynote speaker. Musical performances that evening will come from “VocalEssence Singers Of This Age”. Click here to learn more.
Kid Clutter Pickup Drive
The Kid Clutter Pickup Drive returns to Armatage on Monday January 10th! Schedule one convenient pickup of all your outgrown toys & kid gear, and start the year decluttered. Leave it all on your front step and local organization Kid A will pay you for the items that they resell and donate the rest to local non-profit organizations.
Socially Distanced Sledding at Armatage Park
Saturday, January 8 – February 12
10:00am-12:00pm
Come hit the slopes! As you probably know, Armatage Park has one of *the best* sledding hills in Southwest along Penn Ave. Limited sleds are available at the recreation center, so bring one if you can and plan to distance. You can drop by any time for socially distanced sledding! Learn more here.
Free Dog & Cat Adoptions
Minneapolis Animal Care & Control currently has NO adoption fee for cats and dogs over six months old! Are you ready to adopt a new furry family member just in time for the new year?
- See cats ready for adoption or browse dogs ready for adoption.
- Call 311 or 612-673-6222 to request an adoption appointment. Appointments are available Monday through Friday.
- 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.
Visit the City website for more information
Minneapolis Ice Rinks are Open
Skating rinks and warming houses are open across the City! Check the status of each rink using this interactive rink map.
Do you have old or outgrown skates that are still in great condition? Parks (including Armatage Park) would love to adopt them! You can do the park staff a big favor by making sure they’re in ready-to-go condition and freshly sharpened for new skaters.
COVID-19 Vaccines and Boosters
With the omicron variant now dominant in Minnesota, getting a COVID-19 booster AND getting children ages 5 and up vaccinated is more important than ever. Visit mn.gov/vaccine to use the Vaccine Locator Map (more options listed below). Learn more about who’s eligible for a booster here.
Find a Vaccine:
Vaccines work. If you haven’t been vaccinated or gotten a booster yet, get a free vaccine as soon as you can.
- To find the site closest to you, text your ZIP code to 438829 (GETVAX); or call 1-800-232-0233.
- Find COVID-19 vaccine appointments at the CDC’s VaccineFinder. You can filter by location.
- Find vaccine locations and providers near you using the State’s interactive map.
- Sign up for the Minnesota COVID-19 vaccine connector in English, Spanish, Somali or Hmong to get contacted about vaccine in your area.
- Contact Hennepin County at 612-348-8900. Help is available in English, Spanish, Somali, and Hmong. Or, visit hennepin.us/vaccineregistration