Ever want to try Bojutsu? What is that anyway? Think Donatello from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Bojutsu is a Japanese martial art based around a staff weapon called the bo staff. Corcoran Park offers classes on Thursday nights from 7:30-9pm. There's a small fee, come in for more info. If there's more demand for martial arts/self defense training, other programming could be a possibility. What do you want to do at the park?

Hennepin County is partnering with the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization (CNO) and the Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) to fill the retail storefronts along Lake Street that will accompany County’s new service center at 2225 East Lake Street.  Retail tenants at this location will not only benefit from a prime location between a busy transit hub and the YWCA, but from potential costumers in the 1,000+ county employees and 1,000+ additional visitors who will pass through the County Service Center each work day. 

Frank Theatre is thrilled to present the area premiere of Max Frisch’s THE ARSONISTS, an adaptation BIEDERMANN AND THE FIREBUGS by Alistair Beaton. THE ARSONISTS will be performed at the Ritz Theatre through March 6, 2016. Performances are Thurs-Sat at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $20-25 and can be reserved now at www.franktheatre.org or (612) 724 3760.

Applications for the 2016 season at the Midtown Farmers Market are still being accepted! The priority deadline for all vendors besides arts and crafts vendors is March 4, and applications received after that date will be considered on a limited basis depending on space available and the needs of the market. Minnesota and Wisconsin farmers, artisans and producers are welcome! Visit our website, www.midtownfarmersmarket.org or contact Market Manager Miguel Goebel at [email protected] or 612-724-7457, for more information and to access the 2016 vendor application.

In 2015, Leaders in Corcoran continued to work hard to ensure our neighborhood is vibrant. Thank you to residents who give time, energy, and finances to support the mission of uniting our neighbors to strengthen our neighborhood. Residents gathered together on Wednesday, February 24^th at the Annual Community Awards Dinner, which built community and celebrated our amazing leaders.

Last year CNO gathered input from over 150 households on the future of Corcoran Park. Many wanted to improve landscaping and add a community garden, pollinator garden, or fruit trees.

The Park Board has now released a draft Master Plan for Corcoran Park showing a new Urban Agriculture Area in the southern portion of the park, where we currently have a wealth of mature, shady trees. Park leaders say the details would be worked out later.

Please share your feedback in the survey below on options to include Urban Ag at Corcoran Park.

Corcoran's Community Organizer develops relationships and leadership, and helps resident-leaders organize and engage with the CNO Board and outside decision makers to support their objectives. Issues, based in our local geography, could include:

• Concerns or improvements related to rental housing. Collaborate across geographies for policy and systems change with the Minneapolis Renters Coalition.
• Concerns or improvements related to public transit or public infrastructure.
• Concerns or improvements related to parks, recreation, and public spaces.
• New housing or commercial development especially along East Lake Street.
• Concerns about safety and walkability; helping apartment and block clubs get organized.
• New community concerns in the neighborhood.

Compensation is competitive and includes health, dental, matching retirement benefits, and paid time off.

View the complete job posting for details including how to apply.

Last year CNO created goals to increase the sustainability of CNO through member donations. For 2015, we were able to secure donations from 8 new sustainers, 34 new donors, and 45 past donors; raising over $8,000 in total. Your contributions have made a direct, positive impact by supporting CNO’s ability to organize and build relationships to collectively address community issues.

This column is your go to for fabulous food, fashion, and finds for the home!

Wife in the Cities is a new column that features fashion forward individuals from Minneapolis and beyond, reviews of the greatest new restaurants in our amazing city, and some scores in the home décor and repair department.  Essentially…your go to for fabulous food, fashion, and finds for the home!