September 2, 2021 eNews

Playground Reopening Celebration: Sep 9

Thursday, September 9
4:30-6:30pm

The Armatage Playground Reopening Celebration is rescheduled for Thursday, September 9 from 4:30-6:30pm!  We’re excited to share FREE popsicles and cold treats (donated by the ANA and Jonny Pops!) and celebrate the new play equipment with the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board and Armatage Elementary!

Learn more about the planning process at bit.ly/armatagepark and read how neighborhood funds were used to make completing this project possible at armatage.org/armatage-park-play-area/

Meet Armatage Author Metra Farrari

Saturday, September 11
9:00am-12:00pm

Come meet local Armatage author, Metra Farrari, AND check out her debut novel, All the Blues Come Through! Meet Metra outside at the park next Saturday, September 11 from 9:00am-12:00pm. Plus you’ll have another chance to grab an All Are Welcome Here lawn sign from the ANA. Can’t wait – see you there, neighbors!

Meet Your Community Helpers Event

Saturday, September 25
2:00-5:00pm

Save the date for an outdoor event at Armatage Park with the helpers that serve our community including the Minneapolis Fire Department, Solid Waste & Recycling, MPD, USPS, EMTs and more!

There will be distanced demos, educational activities, a school supply drive and TRUCKS! Learn more at https://armatage.org/meet-your-community-helpers/

Upcoming Candidate Forums

We’ve teamed up with our neighboring communities to host non-partisan City Council and Park Board candidate forums as well as an educational series on the proposed charter amendments to help you get ready for Election Day on November 2!

  • Park Board District 6 Candidate Forum: Tuesday, September 28 from 7:00-8:30pm Register to attend or to submit questions at bit.ly/mprbdist6
  • Ward 13 City Council Candidate Forum: Monday, October 4 from at 7:00pm. Registration link coming soon!
  • Charter Amendment Forum: TBD Details and registration link coming soon!

Jim Crow of the North Free Screening & Discussion

Thursday, October 7
6:30-8:00pm

The Armatage Safety, Equity and Outreach Committee is hosting a FREE community screening and discussion of the TPT documentary, Jim Crow of the North, on the history of redlining in the Twin Cities on Thursday, October 7 from 6:30-8:00pm outside the Armatage Rec Center. Dress for the weather and plan to distance. Free hot cocoa and popcorn provided.

Learn more and sign up at https://armatage.org/jimcrowofthenorth/

Fall Neighborhood Clean-up

Saturday, October 2
9:00-11:00am

Join the Armatage Green Team for our annual Fall Clean-up on Saturday, October 2 from 9:00-11:00am! This is a great opportunity for kids, teens and adults to show neighborhood pride and keep trash and recycling out of our waterways. Sign-up at https://armatage.org/events/clean-ups/

Early Voting Opens Sep 17

The Minneapolis Early Vote Center at 980 E. Hennepin Ave. opens at 8:00am Friday, September 17 for voters who wish to cast their ballot early and in person. Also September 17, Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services begins mailing ballots to voters who have requested to vote early by mail. Learn more at https://vote.minneapolismn.gov/voters/vote-early-in-person  And see what’s on the ballot at https://vote.minneapolismn.gov/voters/ballot

Minneapolis voters will use ranked choice voting this fall! Ranked choice voting is a way of voting that eliminates the need for separate primary elections. Voters rank up to three candidates for each office. The ballot has three columns, and choices are made from left to right in those columns. Ranked choice voting in Minneapolis is used only for municipal elections. Learn more at https://vote.minneapolismn.gov/ranked-choice-voting/

All Are Welcome Here Lawn Signs

Get your All Are Welcome Here lawn sign and proudly display to spread the message that ALL are Welcome in Armatage. The ANA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit so your donation is tax deductible and eligible for employer matching contributions.

Signs + stakes are $20 each and your donation goes toward supporting the ANA’s work in our community. Order online at armatage.org/allarewelcomehere/ and, if you’re in the neighborhood, we’ll deliver your sign to your front yard. You can also find signs at the park on Saturday, September 11 from 9:00am-12:00pm and at the Meet Your Community Helpers event on September 25 from 2:00-5:00pm at Armatage Park.

The Mayor’s 2022 City Budget Proposal is Here

Mayor Frey has outlined his recommended City budget for 2022. The proposed $1.599 billion budget includes a 5.45% levy increase and a gradual $2.6 million increase for youth programming through the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, ongoing funding for the Office of Violence Prevention, and five recruit and cadet classes to bring new, community-oriented officers into the Minneapolis Police Department. The City Council will begin reviewing the proposed budget on September 13.

Learn more about the budget proposal.

Minneapolis Public Schools Travel Reimbursement for Families

Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) is encouraging families who can transport their students to school on their own to do so. The district shared that sporadic school bus service is expected this fall due to a continuing shortage of bus drivers faced by school districts across the country. MPS will also offer travel reimbursements to families who are able to transport their students to and from school. Learn more at https://transportation.mpls.k12.mn.us/bus_reimbursement

Free COVID-19 Vaccines and $100 Gift Cards at the Fair

Haven’t gotten your COVID-19 yet? The strongest defense against the delta variant is through vaccination. The State of Minnesota will be offering $100 Visa gift cards on site to fairgoers who get their first FREE COVID-19 vaccine dose at the Community Vaccine Clinic at the Minnesota State Fair through Sept. 6.  No ID or insurance is needed – learn more here.

Free COVID-19 vaccines are available at Minneapolis Health Department clinic. Walk-ins are welcome, and the vaccinations are free. You don’t need insurance, you don’t need an appointment and you don’t need an ID. Learn more here.

Upcoming Free Vaccine Clinics

  • Whittier Park, 425 W. 26th St. 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1. Pfizer (12 and older)
  • TAKS Faith Community Health Program, 2601 Minnehaha Ave. 3:30- 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1. Pfizer (12 and older)
  • Mercado Central, 1515 E. Lake St. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8. Pfizer and J & J (12 and older)
  • 2021 Franklin Middle School, 1501 Aldrich Ave. 3:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 2. Pfizer (12 and older)
  • Phelps Park, 701 E. 39th St. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4. Pfizer (12 and older)
  • North Community YMCA, 1711 W. Broadway Ave. (Mobile Bus) 4-7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 27 & Oct. 18. Pfizer (12 and older) Registration

You can also sign up for the Minnesota COVID-19 vaccine connector in English, Spanish, Somali or Hmong to get contacted about vaccine in your area.

Employment Resources

Many Minnesota residents have been receiving extended unemployment benefits under a federal program called Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC). The federal law that authorized the PEUC program will expire September 4, which means that these benefits will end.

If you’re thinking of returning to a job like the one you had before, CareerForce’s online job bank is available to find the latest job postings. If you need assistance finding a job, your local CareerForce location can help. Staff there can help you update your resume, navigate online job sites and find jobs that are a good fit for you. Connect to the Minneapolis CareerForce locations and please note that North Minneapolis CareerForce is taking appointments for immediate, in-person job seeking services.

You may be eligible for Dislocated Worker Services if you have been laid off (didn’t quit or were not fired), are unlikely to return to your previous occupation or industry, and/or are eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits. Find more information.

Rent and Housing Assistance as the Eviction Moratorium Ends

MN law now requires a property owner or manager who intends on filing an eviction for non-payment of rent to provide a written notice to their renter, along with information about rental assistance, 15 days before filing an eviction proceeding with the courts between now and Oct. 12.

This new law also prohibits a property owner or manager from evicting a renter if the renter has a pending application for COVID-19 emergency rental assistance at the state or local level until June 1, 2022. The renter must be able to prove that they’ve applied for rental assistance. Renters may apply for COVID-19 emergency rental assistance at renthelpmn.org or by calling 211.

If you have questions about your specific housing situation and how it relates to the end of the eviction moratorium, contact: