The Neighborhood Advocate 05-01-09

Help open the 7th season of the Midtown Farmers' Market

On Saturday, May 2 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the Midtown Farmers' Market opens its 7th season at 2225 E. Lake St. Join us bright and early (8:00 to 9:00) for a "ribbon cutting" ceremony with Mayor R.T. Rybak, Council Member Gary Schiff, Senator Patricia Torres Ray, and County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin. Bagpiper Andrew Hoag will provide our opening music. The day will also include live music, plenty of ready-to-eat food, a petting zoo, and storytime with East Lake Library at 10:30 a.m.

What to look for at the Midtown Farmers' Market in early Spring: locally produced food on offer will include farm-raised meats, eggs, honey, baked goods, jams, and pickles; a large selection of bedding plants, hanging baskets, and potted flowers; arts and crafts, and ready-to-eat food including made-to-order crepes, fair trade coffee, and much more. As always, all food and goods at Midtown are made in Minnesota in Wisconsin, so Midtown's offerings are subject to the local growing season. By the end of May, expect plenty of local asparagus, radishes, tender greens, and herbs, with much more to follow.

Thanks to the generosity of Minneapolis Public Schools, the Midtown Farmers' Market has enjoyed use of 2225 E. Lake St since opening in 2003. Earlier this year, MPS announced that Anishinabe Academy, the program at 2225 E. Lake St, will be relocated in 2009 and the property sold. MPS has given assurances to the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization that the Market's lease will be honored for the full May -- October 2009 season.

A growing citizen movement continues to work with the school district, local developers, and elected officials to seek a permanent home at 2225 E. Lake for the Midtown Farmers' Market. This follows from the plan for redevelopment shared by the neighborhood and the City of Minneapolis, which calls for a farmers' market in the Corcoran neighborhood at Lake Street and Hiawatha. The Corcoran Midtown Revival Plan was made part of the Minneapolis Plan by City Council vote in 2002, just a year before citizens opened the Midtown Farmers' Market. To join the movement, please sign the petition at the Market or at the MayDay festival (see below), or contact Eric Gustafson at CNO.

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March for Midtown Farmers' Market in MayDay parade

The 35th MayDay Parade and Festival will happen on Sunday, May 3rd, in south Minneapolis. The parade makes its way down Bloomington Avenue beginning at 1:00 p.m., culminating in the Tree of Life Ceremony in Powderhorn Park at 3:00, with festivities continuing in the park until 7:00. If you'd like to help promote the Market by marching in the parade, please contact Market manager David Nicholson today!

Minneapolis Public Schools will host meetings on changes

Changes are coming to the Minneapolis Public Schools community. MPS recently announced a draft plan to close and relocate several schools, and the school board will vote on these changes soon. Affected schools include Folwell at 3611 20th Ave S. Leading up to the board vote, MPS will host a series of public meetings on the proposed changes, and invites affected families and other community members to participate.

Bargain Home Tours continue by popular demand

Learn how to find and finance a bargain home and then tour some nearby homes for sale. These tours began in April, and due to popular demand, additional free tours, including a brief, how-to workshop, are being scheduled. Please call Cynthia at 612-722-6800 for dates and times of upcoming tours. Everyone is welcome. Organized by CNO and Cynthia Frost, Total Freedom Realty, 2223 E 35th St (next to the Chatterbox Pub).

CNO General Membership, board elections on May 4

On Monday, May 4 at 6:00 p.m. at Corcoran Park (3334 20th Ave S), CNO will host its quarterly General Membership meeting. This meeting will include the annual election of board members, with 3 two-year positions up for election at this time. Learn more about the board, voting, and other details here, under CNO Structure. We'll also have an interactive discussion about community gardening, as well as discussion of other neighborhood improvements and chances to get more involved this spring.

Your input needed: Minnehaha-Hiawatha

Hennepin County and local partners are collaborating on how to focus investments in the Minnehaha-Hiawatha Corridor from the Midtown Greenway to Minnehaha Parkway. A community advisory committee continues to gather input on such investments, and now seeks additional input on issues, solutions and desired outcomes for the corridor at a series of public workshops in May.

Stay informed with free e-mail Crime Alerts

No one likes to hear bad news, but when you register to receive e-mail alerts from the Minneapolis Police Department, you can be more aware of issues that affect your safety and your neighborhood. The Police issue a Crime Alert when a crime pattern is identified. Registration is easy and free. Corcoran residents, sign up here.

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Corcoran Neighborhood Organization | 3451 Cedar Ave S | Minneapolis MN 55407
Phone 612-724-7457 | Fax 612-721-7588