January 9, 2020 eNews


Neighborhood Happy Hour

Tuesday, January 14
7:00-9:00pm
Red Wagon Pizza

Meet neighbors and catch up on everything that’s happening around Armatage at our first Neighborhood Happy Hour of the decade!

Helpful details: complimentary pizza provided by the ANA, cash bar, no need to RSVP, kids are welcome and help tipping our servers is appreciated.

First Annual Armatage Chili Cook-off

Friday, January 24
6:30-8:30pm
Armatage Park Fire & Ice Skating Party

Do you claim to have the best chili? Put it to the test and sign up for the First Annual Armatage Chili Cook-off to compete against your neighbors and claim the prize of the best chili in the neighborhood at Armatage Park’s free Fire & Ice Skating Party.

Registration closes on Sunday, January 19 so sign up here as soon as possible to reserve your spot. It’s free to compete and just $5 to eat.

Chili Tasters Needed

Help judge our competitors’ offerings! Come to the Chili Cook-off to taste each entry and vote for your favorite chili in Armatage. The cost to eat is $5 per person and tasting is open to all.  Bring or borrow skates and enjoy music and cocoa as part of the Fire & Ice Skating Party and help us crown the neighborhood’s 2020 Chili Champion.


If you have a neighborhood project or idea you’ve always wanted to explore, apply now through February 29 for up to $1,000 from the ANA to support that dream.

Any resident or organization connected to Armatage is eligible and some funding restrictions apply. Learn more at armatage.org/mini-grants and catch us at two upcoming Info Sessions​ to share your project ideas and get your questions answered:

  • Thursday, January 30 • 7:00pm • Book Club (5411 Penn Ave S)
  • Tuesday, February 11 • 7:00pm • Armatage Park (2500 West 57th St)

pic

Comprehensive District Design Studies & Listening Sessions

Minneapolis Public Schools is in the midst of its Comprehensive District Design process, which aims to increase equity and close student achievement gaps in MPS.  Two new studies released last month examine the district’s magnet programs and community school boundaries.

MPS plans to release a proposal with school and boundary changes in late January and will hold community listening sessions over the next month. Community members can also submit feedback online. If passed by the school board later this spring, proposed changes would begin to take effect in Fall 2021.  Learn more about the Comprehensive District Design process here.


The Senior Community Services HOME Program removes snow for seniors in Hennepin County and is currently seeking snow removal seasonal workers. Visit their website at seniorcommunity.org/snow-removal-contractor/ to apply.

Wage Theft Prevention Ordinance Takes Effect

Workers in Minneapolis now have additional avenue to recover unpaid wages under the City’s new wage theft prevention ordinance, which went into effect January 1. Under the ordinance, employers must do the following:

  • Provide employees with written pre-hire notices of certain employment terms; notices must be signed by employees.
  • Adhere to a regularly scheduled payday.
  • Provide earnings statements at the end of each pay period.
  • Provide notice of benefits under the City’s sick and safe time ordinance on pre-hire notices and earnings statements.

Wage theft is underpayment or failure to pay all wages earned. You can report wage theft to 311 or use the online complaint form. Learn more about the ordinance and find additional info for employers here.


New Energy Efficiency Scores for Home Sales

Prospective homebuyers will soon have information on a house’s energy efficiency before they decide to buy it – like knowing the miles per gallon of a car. Sellers have a Truth in Sale of Housing evaluation, and starting Jan. 15, that document will also include an energy disclosure report showing the home’s “energy score.” The higher the score, the more efficient and resilient to weather extremes the property is.

The energy disclosure report helps buyers and sellers determine what energy efficiency improvements they can make to lower their energy use and reduce carbon emissions. Read more about the new energy efficiency scores here.