Replacement Trees go in on Wilson Ave.

A neighbor just stopped in and told me that the City has replanted trees on Wilson Avenue to replace the ash trees they cut down earlier this year (see our blog for January of this year...). The City has planted a variety of trees along the avenue, following its new plan for replacement trees, that should help in preventing disease decimating whole neighborhoods...

In an effort to slow down the spread of emerald ash borer, all the trees along a three - four block stretch of streets such as Wilson were removed. The City then removed the stumps and prepared the sites for replanting.

Now that these new trees are in, it is important that residents keep them well-watered throughout this year and whenever there are dry, or drought conditions. Watering them well throughout the summer and in the late fall will help make sure that they survive and flourish.

Info submitted by Maureen...

District 1 Thinking about the Future

The Council is in the process of updating its strategic plan. In 2007 we developed a plan with the help of MAP for Nonprofits (Management Assistance Program). This plan is available on our website under the "About Us" drop down menu.

In 2007 we established 3 goals that dealt with strengthening our board, increasing the Council's visibility in the community, and improving our funding situation. The strategies that we set at that time have, in large part, been met or exceeded. So now we are re-examining those goals and strategies to help guide the organization through the next 3-5 years.

The Board needs to hear what the community thinks our priorities should be, too. So contact us at district1council@aol.com or 651.578.7600 and tell us what is on your mind. In addition, as we move our board meetings around the district to your neighborhood, come visit with us and speak up about what you want the neighborhood to be and how you think our organization can help achieve it.

Our community plan (also at the link above) is also due for some updating in the coming years. Your input on a vision for the neighborhoods, and for the organization, will be incorporated. A summary of the community plan is approved by the city and is used in making decisions about infrastructure, development and city programming. This plan serves the community for 10 years.

These documents guide our work. And they are only as good as the input we get from you. So speak up and share your vision!

Another Suggestion on School Reorg

A neighbor has suggested this solution to closing Sheridan Elementary and moving kids around on the eastside...

Given that research shows that K-8 schools have great benefit for their learners, how about Ames Elementary moving into Hazel Park Middle School for a K-8 school there, and Sheridan Elementary moving into Battle Creek Middle School for a K-8 school there??

This rearrangement would mean shorter distances to bus kids and would help to maintain a sense of neighborhood and community for each of the parts of the eastside that are affected by the proposed closures and rearrangements.

Submitted by Rose...

CP Rail Will Test Horns...

From Ellen Biales - Council President Lantry's Aide:

I thought I would provide you with some updated information about the CP Rail Horn Test (that we just found out was going to happen SOON!!). Council President Lantry was able to convince CP Rail to hold off on this test for a few days so that we could try to get word out to the broader neighborhood about the test. They have indicated that they are likely to start the test this week - but they have not given us a specific date.

They have also indicated that they are sending a letter out to neighbors within a 1 mile radius of the yard (along Hiway 61) to let them know about the test.

One thing that I want to point out is that the letter indicates that the testing will be taking place between 7am and 9pm. We have been assured by CP that the testing in our area will only take place between 9am and 5pm. However, since they are mass producing this letter for other areas as well, they would not change the time on the letter that is going out to our neighborhood.

Since CP does not think that the City receiving all sorts of phone calls is a problem, I would suggest that you can give Jeff at call if you are finding this test to be particularly disturbing. You can reach Jeff directly at 612-723-6422. Feel free to share this number with others.

Also, I wanted to let you know that the city is continuing to attempt to get the results of the test that was conducted by the Federal Railroad Administration on the other noise related to the rail yard. The City filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request several months ago and we continue to push for the results. So far, we have not had success, but are told that they are processing our request.

Date for Sheridan School Meeting Set

The meeting with the school board and residents to discuss the proposal to co-locate Sheridan Elementary students with Ames Elementary students at the Hazel Park Middle School will take place

MAY 3 5:30p at AMES ELEMENTARY 1760 Ames Place (off White Bear Avenue)

Show up and let them know what you think...

Outcry over potential school closings

People from the eastside have been making themselves heard about the potential school closings that seem to emphasize our neighborhood schools. Delores Henderson, principal at Ames Elementary (in District 2) has suggested that instead of proposing to close both Ames and Sheridan Elementary and moving students to schools father away, they be moved into Hazel Park Middle School (1140 White Bear Ave.), which is also slated to close, at least for a year. This would allow kids to stay closer to their neighborhoods than what the school board has proposed. As she says, closing neighborhood schools has an impact on neighborhoods, generally, not just the schools.

Such a move should also reduce busing costs...

Maybe Eastern Heights Elementary school is close to its capacity, but it seems that Sheridan Elementary is MUCH closer to that school than Hazel Park Middle... Maybe the city needs to look at what areas define the neighborhoods of neighborhood schools. What do you think??

There is still an opportunity to have your voice heard. Contact the school board - 651.767.8100

THERE IS A MEETING ABOUT THE MOVES INVOLVING BATTLE CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL on Thursday April 22 at 6p at the School - 2121 North Park

MEETINGS ABOUT CO-LOCATING AMES AND SHERIDAN ARE BEING SCHEDULED...

Can I Prune an Ash Tree in May?

The short answer is yes, though it isn't recommended if the tree in question is in the immediate vicinity of trees that have previously been confirmed infested with Emerald Ash Borer. Areas with confirmed infested trees (Known EAB-infested Areas) are defined on a block-by-block basis - a map is available here - and as new areas are added to the map they are publicized in the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's EAB newsletter (we will post that info here...).

Both pruning and removal of ash is not recommended in Known EAB-infested Areas during summer due to the risk of adult borers emerging from the material while in transit or at a disposal location. There is no evidence that pruning an ash makes it more attractive to EAB.

For more information, check out this website.

Submitted by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture

DO NOT CALL LIST for cell phones

The federal government launched the Do Not Call List back in 2003. People all over the country used this registry to remove their name from telemarketing phone lists. While many people have added their home phone numbers or land lines to the list, relatively few have included their cell phones. As Chair of the Minnesota House Telecommunications Committee, I would like to remind you that you can register your cell phone number on the Do Not Call List at this website.

Submitted by Representative Sheldon Johnson

Eastside Earth Day

This Saturday, April 17 from 9:30a-1p, there will be an eastside Neighborhood Green Information Fair at City Academy - 958 Jessie St. This is a FREE event.

There will be local housing rehab resources, Valspar Free Paint Program, Live Music and fun, energy efficiency programs, rain barrels for sale, a lead paint program, community gardens and urban agriculture exhibits.

The event is sponsored by the East Side Neighborhood Development Company. Call Becky at 651.288.8750 for more information.

Submitted by ESNDC

Cutting along Lower Afton and in Battle Creek Park

Some residents have asked what has been going on with all the cutting of trees and brush along Lower Afton Road in Battle Creek Park. Here is the statement from Ramsey County Parks:

Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Department is starting a major prairie, savanna and oak woodland restoration project in the park. The project will total 200 acres in three project areas across the entire park.

Part of the project is the removal of invasive tree species, including buckthorn, black locust, and Siberian elm. In past projects, the cut brush and trees have been burned on site. RC Parks is working with Environmental Wood Supply to provide biomass for Ever-green Energy's downtown heating plant. In the past several weeks, Environmental Wood Supply converted the cut trees and brush into 4,800 cubic yards or 1200 tons of wood chips. This quantity of chips will produce 8.6 billion BTUs of heat. If all that energy was put into heating it would be enough to keep the County Courthouse nice and warm for 11 months.

This spring and summer, the work on the restoration sites will include a prescribed burn, seeding and additional invasive species control. The work will continue in 2011 with weed control, selective mowing and additional burns. Natural Resources manager, John Moriarty says, " The early stages of the restoration work may appear like we are doing damage to the environment, but the results will be visible within two to three years."

The restored areas will provide a more diverse mixture of prairie and woodland grasses and wildflowers. The area will also provide increased habitat to native wildlife, including such bird species as boblinks, meadowlarks, and grasshopper sparrows.

Funding for the work comes from a $350,000.00 grant from the Parks and Trails Fund of the Legacy Amendment.

Living Green Expo is Coming!

The 9th Annual Living Green Expo, organized by the Minnesota Environmental Partnership, will connect attendees with the best in green. There will be more than 250 exhibits, demonstrations, seminars, kids' activities, and great local foods. You will find products, resources, and experts to help you navigate through the world of "living green". You can also sign up to volunteer at the event and get a cool Living Green Expo T-shirt. For more information click here.

The event runs May 1 and 2 from 10a to 6p (5/1) or to 5p (5/2) and is held at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.

Submitted by Minnesota CERTS

Henry Park Clean Up April 10

Saturday, April 10, at 9a is the annual park clean up for Henry Park. The Parks Department has been busy cutting buckthorn, so there will be hauling and removing more buckthorn on Saturday.

The event will start from the first park driveway on Skyway Drive. Just walk down into the park from there and you will see the other volunteers. There will be refreshments and water on hand, but come dressed to work, and be sure to wear gloves!

Submitted by Tom Dimond and the Friends of Henry Park

Anyone Interested in Composting Workshops??

Eureka Recycling is willing to hold composting workshops in our neighborhoods if there is an interest. They can either hold worm composting or backyard composting workshops. The fee would be $5 per resident and there would need to be between 5 and 20 attendees. They will hold up to two workshops per neighborhood over the summer. Materials for starting composting will also be available for sale at $45 (must be ordered prior to the workshop...).

If you are interested in attending a composting workshop, let Betsy know by calling 651.578.7600 or emailing district1council@aol.com. Let us know which type of workshop you would like to see around here - worm composting or backyard composting.

Battle Creek Resident in Musical at Illusion Theater

Suzanne Reyburn, a resident of Battle Creek, will play the role of Miss Watson in the Minneapolis Musical Theatre production of Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn opening in downtown Minneapolis on Friday, April 9. This is Suzanne's tenth performance with the Minneapolis Musical Theatre.

Big River brings to life Huckleberry Finn's memorable characters and is told through a rousing musical score combining bluegrass, country and gospel music in a way only songwriting icon Roger Miller could. This play is directed by Minneapolis Musical Theatre's artistic director Steven Meerdink.

Tickets are $25 to $28 and are on sale through the Illusion Theater box office at 612.339.4944 or online at www.aboutmmt.org. The show is at the Illusion Theater, 8th floor of the Hennepin Center for the Arts, 528 Hennepin Ave (corner of 6th and Hennepin), Minneapolis. Here is a chance to see a classic book brought to life on the musical stage AND see a neighbor in the footlights!

Submitted by Minneapolis Musical Theater

Great News for Highwood Hills Park!

We just got news that the upgrade of Highwood Hills Park grounds is about to begin - AND that it should be done by the end of May!!

They will be out surveying within a few days. Then they will be putting in fencing and retaining walls, fixing the parking lot and the tennis court/basketball court, planting trees...

This plan was a result of requests by young people at Afton View Apartments, and was possible because of funding by the Parks Department.

We want to thank everyone who was involved in getting this project underway. Come June, stop by to see the improvements!!

April 1 is Census Day!

Have you mailed back your Census form?? This may seem like a meaningless exercise, but nothing could be further from the truth.

The census is a snapshot of our country, our state, our city, AND our neighborhood as of April 1, 2010. This snapshot is used to determine all sorts of important things for local governments, but it is also used to determine important things for our neighborhood, and for the District 1 Community Council and other local non-profits.

For us at the Council, the City and foundations use the census figures to determine where money should be allocated. A lot of funding is dependent on how many people and how diverse a neighborhood is. One thing that the Council is concerned about is that the 2000 Census was used to determine average incomes in neighborhoods, and, therefore, need for funding to keep youth programs going, to assist homeowners, to make sure that resources were available for needy elders. If the current Census does not gather data on income, are the City and funders going to assume that the 2000 data still apply??

Our demographics have changed in the last ten years pretty dramatically. We need everyone to understand that we could use more help than we've had in the past. Plus rapid demographic change tends to make some people uneasy. If that uneasiness isn't addressed, it can become something more serious...

Our mission is to make our neighborhoods more vibrant and welcoming... how can we do that if no one has a good picture of what our neighborhood is like at this moment??

So send in your Census form. For the sake of the neighborhood!!