Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Want a tree?

The City of Minneapolis is making up to 1,500 trees available to city residents for planting in their yards. The City Trees program, which is in its second year, is a low-cost way for folks to help build the city's urban forest.

"Having a city full of strong, healthy trees does more than just make Minneapolis a more attractive place to call home," said Mayor R.T. Rybak. "They also improve air quality, fight global warming, keep the city cooler, and reduce polluting stormwater runoff. It's a great investment in our community."

"Planting a tree is one of the greatest things a homeowner can do," said City Council Member Paul Ostrow, whose office helps coordinate the City Trees program. "It is an act of stewardship for our neighborhoods, our city, and our planet."

Ordering a tree:
The trees cost $15 each, and are between 6 and 10 feet tall with a 1 ¼-inch trunk. Residents can order one tree per household, and the 1,500 trees will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents can choose from six tree varieties, including birch, oak, pine, serviceberry, hawthorn, and a disease-resistant elm.

Order online by visiting http://www.treetrust.org/ or pick up an order form from your neighborhood group. To order by phone, call 651-644-5800. Trees must be ordered by April 15, and folks will need to pick the trees up at one of two pickup locations and times in late May.

Learn to care for your trees:
Free workshops can help residents learn more about tree planting and care. Learn how to identify insect and disease problems, hazardous trees, and other tree health issues. Workshop dates are:

Thursday, March 29, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Nokomis Recreation Center, 2401 E. Minnehaha Pkwy.

Saturday, March 31, 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Minneapolis Urban League, 2100 Plymouth Ave. N.

To reserve a place at a workshop, call 651-644-5800.

Minneapolis wants feedback on transportation

The City of Minneapolis is hosting two public meetings to discuss draft recommendations for transportation improvements in downtown Minneapolis. We are asking the public to provide feedback on plan recommendations and to discuss the key transportation issues they see facing downtown.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Central Library
300 Nicollet Mall – Doty Room

Thursday, April 12, 2007
5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
St. Olaf Catholic Church
215 S. 8th St. – Gathering Room

The Downtown Action Plan is the first part of a four-part citywide transportation planning effort. The other plan elements include: (1) Citywide Ten-Year Transportation Action Plan, (2) Street and Sidewalk Design Guidelines, and (3) Streetcar Feasibility Study. The remaining three plan elements will be discussed at future public meetings – most likely held in May or June. The Downtown Action Plan recommends a system approach to meeting transportation needs in downtown and includes recommended actions for pedestrians, bicycles, transit and automobiles.

The public meetings will include presentations on plan recommendations, followed by a discussion of key plan elements and individual questions. Pre-registration is not required. Folks are encouraged to arrive at the scheduled meeting start time to see the presentations before the discussion, but people are welcome to drop in at any time to view plan maps and talk with project staff.

For more information, please visit: www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/public-works/trans-plan.

Upon request, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities or who are in need of a translator. Please submit such requests or requests for additional information to Charleen Zimmer, Project Manager, at 612-673-3166 or Charleen.Zimmer@ci.minneapolis.mn.us.

ACORN Meeting On Home Ownership

On Saturday, March 31st, from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM at Farview Park, 609 29th Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN, ACORN will be holding a workshop to answer your questions about how to become a home owner and how to refinance your home. Lunch will be served. Pre-Registration is required.

ACORN is a non-profit organization. For more information, contact Esther Walker at 651-293-0008 or ewalker@acornhousing.org

Monday, March 12, 2007

Support for Rain Gardens!

Support for Rain Gardens!


Interested in the environment in Hawthorne? If you’re one of the first 20 people to apply by March 20th, the Hawthorne Area Community Council will pay for your workshops at the acclaimed Minneapolis Blooms Rain Garden Workshops program, which consists of 2 workshops.

The first is on Sat. April 7 at the Olson Middle School (1607 51st Avenue North from 10 AM to Noon. There are native plant
and installation reimbursement grants on a first-come, first-serve basis up to $65.

Residents may receive a Stormwater fee reduction on their water bill if a qualifying rainwater garden is installed in their yard.

For more information:
Call (612) 529-6033x205 for
more details or e-mail:
bworra@hawthornecommunity.org

Hurry, spaces are filling up fast!

Friday, March 09, 2007

Crime and Safety Meeting on Monday, March 12

The next meeting of the Hawthorne Area Crime and Safety Committee is:

Monday, March 12
7:00 p.m.
Farview Park

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Hawthorne Housing Committee Meeting



A special thanks to everyone who attended our Housing Committee meeting at Farview Park on Wednesday night! It was a very productive meeting, including the opportunity to discuss the upcoming Hawthorne Eco-Village project.