Volunteers Needed for June 11 Downtown Open Streets Minneapolis

Via a June 2 e-newsletter from the City of Minneapolis:

Join us June 11th for Downtown Open Streets! Open Streets Minneapolis gives residents an opportunity to explore their neighborhood and local businesses in a safe, fun, and family-friendly way. It encourages the use of active transportation and healthy living, and has a goal of giving residents an opportunity to rethink our streets as public space. With almost one hundred businesses, community groups, and performers on the street - there's something for everyone to enjoy!

Downtown Open Streets needs 100 Volunteers to fire up the event!

Volunteering is the best way to experience Open Streets Minneapolis.Get your free 2017 Open Streets Mpls T-shirt  by volunteering as a Street Ambassador (the most fun job!), Planeteer, Pop-up Protected Bikeway Crew Member or another important volunteer position! There are many fun volunteer options to chose from, so hurry and snag yours before we close the sign up on June 7th! It's a great way for families, neighbors, and friends to volunteer together. Sign up today!

Downtown Open Streets Minneapolis June 11th, 2017 11:00am - 5:00pm 1st Ave N and Washington Ave Downtown

Humans of Hennepin County Library - A Series by Stephanie Glaros

Via a June 2 e-newsletter from Friends of the Hennepin County Library:

For the past few months, Stephanie Glaros, creator of the popular Humans of Minneapolis blog and book of the same name, partnered with Friends of HCL to create a series of heartfelt stories that capture the spirit, energy, and transformational power of our Library:  Humans of Hennepin County Library. So far the response has been overwhelming, with more than 23,000 Facebook likes and thousands more shares and comments.

We want to thank ALL of our participants for sharing their enthusiasm for our Library and their personal library experiences with us. We also want to thank YOU our donors, for your commitment to supporting our Library and the countless people itserves.

Do YOU have a library story to share? We'd love to hear from you! Please write to friends@hclib.org and tell us what the library has meant to you in your life.

Here's Everything You Need to Plan Your June 10 Northern Spark Adventure!

With 7 sites to see, it's important to plan your transportation to and around Northern Spark this year. All festival sites are walkable from METRO Green Line stations. Some contain compact programmed areas, and others are more spread out. Get ready to ride and walk!

Here are some things to do in advance to make festival navigation easy:

1. Plan your route!
Take a look at the festival areas using our zoomable maps. Make a customized list of the projects you want to visit with our My Night feature. Or stop at any festival Info Tent and pick up a paper map. As long as you find your way to the METRO Green Line, you’ll find the festival.

2. Download a free pass for use on all Metro Transit light rail and bus lines.  
Riding the train is easy! Either print out the downloadable pass or be prepared to show the digital version on your smartphone to a Metro Transit operator if asked.

Free passes are viable from 8:00pm - 6:30am. Service on the METRO Green Line runs regularly until 1:00am, then every half hour until 4:00am.

Ticket machines are located on each train platform if you forget to download a pass or your phone runs out of juice. The Northern Spark Festival Map also functions as a free pass for the METRO Green Line ONLY.

PLEASE NOTE that only the METRO Green Line service runs 24 hours. METRO Blue Line and bus routes end at varying times. Need help planning your trip? Use Metro Transit’s Trip Planner or call 612-373-333, TTY 651-291-0904

3. Park and ride (or walk or cycle).
Drive close to the METRO Green Line, park and ride, walk or cycle your way through the festival.

Tune up your bike and get between festival sites on two wheels. Don’t forget a bike lock, light and helmet. Find Nice Ride stations near some festival locations at niceridemn.org.

If you plan to drive a vehicle to the festival, be aware of these street closures: in Lowertown: Broadway St. between 4th St E and 5th St E. In Little Africa: Sherburne Ave between Snelling Ave and N Asbury St. In Minneapolis at the Commons: Portland Ave between 4th St and 5th Street.

Street closures take place beginning at 9:00am on Saturday, June 10, through 9:00am on Sunday, June 11.

4. Charge up your phone!
Some Northern Spark projects require the use of a smartphone. Make sure yours is charged and ready to play!

5. Bring a water bottle, or if you forget...
Northern Spark food vendors will not be selling bottled water. Fill up your reusable container or get a one-of-a-kind recycled (washed and sanitized) water bottle at festival Info Tents. Find Tap Mpls stations in Minneapolis and Anthropocene Water Stations in St. Paul.

6. Weather reminder: Northern Spark happens rain or (star) shine.
Visit northernspark.org and follow on social media for night-of changes due to weather.

AchieveMpls Seeks Volunteers to Serve as Graduation Coaches

Via a July 2 e-newsletter from AchieveMpls:

AchieveMpls Seeks Volunteers to Serve as Graduation Coaches for 9th and 12th Grade Students in Minneapolis Public Schools

AchieveMpls, the nonprofit partner of Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS), is looking for adult volunteers to serve as Graduation Coaches for 9th and 12th grade students in MPS schools during the 2017-18 school year. Whether you're a college student or a retiree, an executive or an artist, we're looking for supportive and open-minded adults who enjoy working with young people.

Graduation Coaches provide one-on-one mentoring to 12th grade students or small groups of 9th graders twice each month during the school day in a classroom setting. They offer additional support via email between sessions. A commitment of 4-6 hours per month throughout the school year is required.

Coaches help students stay on track, build study skills and academic confidence and graduate on time. They also support students in developing healthy peer relationships, connecting with resources and exploring their best options for life after high school—whether that means two or four-year college, technical school, apprenticeships, work experience or other opportunities.

AchieveMpls provides volunteer orientation, program curriculum and ongoing guidance and support throughout the year.

For more information about the program, participant videos and application form, visit  www.achievempls.org/GraduationCoaches or contact Amy Shapiro at ashapiro@achievempls.org or 612-455-1550. All applications are due Friday, June 16.

About AchieveMpls
As the strategic nonprofit partner of Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS), our shared goal is every student career and college ready. Each year we offer personalized planning resources and support for 9,000 students through our Career & College Centers in MPS high schools, provide 750 paid internships and work readiness training for Minneapolis youth through the STEP-UP Achieve youth employment program (part of the City of Minneapolis STEP-UP program), connect 800 community volunteers with students as Graduation Coaches and career exploration volunteers, raise support for MPS strategic priorities, and manage MPS school and department funds.

Washington Avenue Reconstruction Project Update

Via a June 1 e-newsletter from Hennepin County:

Partial eastbound Washington Avenue reopening

Beginning June 2, before the morning rush hour, eastbound Washington Avenue will reopen from Hennepin Avenue to 2nd Avenue. At 2nd Avenue, traffic will be routed to the existing detour using 4th Street and 5th Avenue.

Ongoing eastbound lane work

Pavement has been removed on eastbound Washington Avenue from 3rd Avenue through 5th Avenue. Crews continue replacing storm sewer pipes and watermains underneath the roadway. Additional utility crews will be relocating telecommunications, gas and electric utilities in the project area.

Crews digging down on eastbound lanes to expose pipes, watermains and utilities.

Stay safe

Motorists should continue to exercise caution while driving through the area. All roadway users should obey speed limits and limit distractions. Traffic changes, construction crews, equipment and work areas near the roadway can create unexpected situations. Bicyclists and pedestrians please continue to adhere to signage throughout the project site directing alternate routes and detours. 

Ways to stay informed

Want a quick update or have questions about the Washington Avenue reconstruction project? There is a number you can call for a brief recorded update. Or, if you want to speak with project staff. Give us a call and we will see how we can help.

Phone: 612-543-3722
Email: washingtonavenue@hennepin.us

2017 Mississippi River Paddle Share Season is Here! Reserve a Kayak Online

The Mississippi River Paddle Share is a new and exciting recreational and transportation opportunity for people who don’t own a boat and want a safe and enjoyable river experience. This is a first of its kind in a national park and in the country.

Three options:

1. North Mississippi Regional Park to Boom Island Park
   (Friday - Monday)
   Rent a single-person or two-person kayak (for $25 or $40, respectively, for three hours) from North Mississippi Regional Park and paddle 3.9 miles to the return stations located at Boom Island Park. All kayaks and equipment must be returned to Boom Island Park by the end of your rental period.
2. Lowry Avenue Bridge to Boom Island Park
   (Friday - Monday)
   Rent a single-person kayak (for $20 for three hours) from the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization and paddle 1.7 miles to the return stations located at Boom Island Park. All kayaks and equipment must be returned to Boom Island Park by the end of your rental period.
3. Coming Soon!
   Hidden Falls Regional Park to Harriet Island Regional Park
   (Friday - Monday)
   Rent a single-person or tandem kayak (for $25 or $40, respectively, for three hours) at Hidden Falls Regional Park and paddle 6.3 miles to the return stations located at Kelley’s Landing at Harriet Island Regional Park. All kayaks and equipment must be returned to the appropriate locker at Harriet Island by the end of your rental period.

Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition is now Our Streets Minneapolis

Via a May 31 News Release:

The Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition is now Our Streets Minneapolis. The name change comes after the Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition announced last fall its expansion to work on walking issues as well as biking.

“After eight years of successfully advocating for safer bicycle infrastructure, our new name and mission really underlines the importance of walking advocacy to this organization as we move forward,” said LaTrisha Vetaw, Our Streets Minneapolis Board President. “The expansion of our work and rebrand aligns with the Coalition’s goal to reach out to and better serve communities of color. I see this change as a big win for the community members I work with daily. We are excited to continue working to bring people together to support a great city for everyone.”

The rebranding comes after months of conversations following the announcement of the expansion to serve those walking and rolling, and includes an expanded mission, vision, and priorities.

Mission

Our Streets Minneapolis works for a city where biking, walking, and rolling are easy and comfortable for everyone.

Vision

We envision a city where:

• Biking, walking, and rolling are easy and joyful for people of all backgrounds and identities in all parts of Minneapolis;

• Streets and trails are vibrant community spaces with people walking and biking year-round;

• Kids and families feel safe and comfortable walking and biking to neighborhood schools, parks, and businesses;

• Older adults and people with mobility challenges are healthy, independent, and connected with their communities through streets and sidewalks designed for them; and

• Abundant biking and walking contributes to happy people, a healthy environment, and a strong economy.

Our Streets Minneapolis’s initial priorities for walking and rolling include working to:

• Make street crossings safer for people walking and rolling;

• Improve winter sidewalk maintenance; and

• Improve stop lights for people walking.

Our Streets Minneapolis, formerly the Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition, formed in 2009. It unites a network of more than 12,000 people and 1,300 volunteers. Our Streets Minneapolis organizes Open Streets Minneapolis events, which in 2016 attracted more than 80,000 people to walk, bike, and play in car-free streets for a weekend day. The first Open Streets Minneapolis event of 2017 is Sunday, June 4 on Lyndale Avenue. Our Streets Minneapolis also engages community members for protected bikeways, safer street crossings for people walking and rolling, and other improvements that make our streets safer and more inviting for everyone.

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Get Your Our Streets Minneapolis Spoke Card

Get yours at Open Streets Lyndale June 4 (by 31st Street) or Open Streets downtown June 11!