Las Cañadas, 3333 Cedar Avenue South

Juan Tirado, Owner

If you have driven down Cedar in the last 8 months, surely you have seen the large flags advertising “TACOS” at the Winner gas station.   When you enter the station, you find a small kitchen hidden behind the main cashier.   The walls are plastered with bright pictures featuring delicious-looking Mexican food, all listed at affordable prices.   Behind the counter you will encounter Juan, and likely a big smile.

A reminder that non-emergency, non-urgent crime reporting can be done via the City of Minneapolis’ 311 service. This includes things such as, reporting abandoned vehicles, graffiti, etc. You can also file an online police report for non-urgent crimes that fall within certain criteria.  http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/police/report/eReport

On March 3rd a public safety meeting was held at the MPS Adult Basic Education building off 31st  St. and 23rd Ave. The topic of discussion was general public safety and the recent MPD police raids of certain properties located on the 31XX 23rd Ave block of Corcoran.

You’re invited to the May 18 Membership Meeting of the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization (CNO) from 5:30-7:30pm, to be held outdoors at Corcoran Community Garden at 3301 24th Ave S.

This is a free event and all are welcome! Meet new and interesting neighbors, eat grilled food with live music in a beautiful garden, and run for or elect your neighbors to 4 positions on the CNO Board.

Summer registration will go until mid-June, except for the Eagles Track team. Registration for the track team ends on May 26^th at 6pm.  Eagles track is for youth ages 9-19. Practices begin early April at South High’s outdoor track and meets begin May 26^th at Roosevelt High School.  Registration is $30. Coach ML has been here for 7 years as the track coach. To register, go to www.

Certified Zumba instructor, Silvia Perez is holding classes here 3 days week.  These free classes at the park are Mon/Wed: 5:30pm-7:30pm and Fri 4:30-6pm. All ages are welcome!

Parks and Wreck (Corcoran Park youth rock band) will soon begin summer bookings. As they've done in past years, they'll play before movies in the park at parks throughout the city. They'll of course rock the home park, perhaps more than once. In the meantime, if you or someone you know has a booking opportunity for the spring, we are looking for (all ages) places or events to play. Weekends would be best, but if during the week, keep in mind reasonable hours for the kids and school. Please stop by the park to further discuss the info.  

There are such things as miracles, methinks.  Please know that the following is my experience.  I am not Catholic, nor am I promoting Christianity or a belief in God.  This is my story.  Take what you like and leave the rest.

I was 12 years old when the State of Minnesota removed me from foster care. I was placed in a Catholic orphanage. Having watched too many movies, I feared nuns would cruelly rap my knuckles for real or imagined infractions.  Fortunately, that never happened. Actually, I feel deeply indebted to Catholics for affording me the only two years of true childhood I had known.

As we reach spring, we think about sprucing up our homes.  We will start planting flowers, rework the landscaping that old man winter pushed around, plant seeds, and maybe even touch up old paint.  But how about a quick project to add appeal to the front door?  I can show you how to make a wreath with things we all have laying around the house in under an hour to increase curb appeal.  Here is what you need:  An old metal hanger, some scrap fabric of any kind or ribbons, and a scissors.

In July 2015, a lawsuit was started against the property owners, QT Properties, who owned property at 3021 Longfellow. QT properties attempted to evict 12 families in the building, renters who ordered repairs and organizing to address changes to Minneapolis ordinances. After court appearances, we worked together with the QT owner to reach an agreement, avoiding the eviction of three families who decided to stay and fight for repairs and changes in the treatment and management of this building in the neighborhood Corcoran.

For more information and to read the study, go to the City of Minneapolis website. The Star Tribune article about the study can be viewed on their website. An excellent summary of some of the issues and listed in the study can be found at Streets MN.

2225 East Lake – the big site at southwest Lake and Hiawatha, purchased last Fall by Hennepin County, will be developed over the next 8-12 years in 3-5 separate phases of construction. The first phase is underway and will result in retail spaces fronting Lake Street (replacing the 350 foot concrete retaining wall that had been Corcoran’s “welcome” to the neighborhood) below 4 stories of offices – these will be a Hennepin County family service center where residents can apply for and receive a range of public services.

Behind this Lake Street building, phase 1 will also include a shared parking structure built primarily underground, with the topmost parking at ground level covered with a green roof. This ground level parking will be available to those visiting the Hennepin County center, the retail, and the public plaza (for the Midtown Farmers Market and other public uses) to be constructed immediately east of the parking and immediately west of the light rail station, where the grassy hill and the Midtown Farmers Market will remain for another season.

Opening Day at the Midtown Farmers Market is right around the corner, so save the date: May 7^th is Opening Day at the Midtown Farmers Market! The Market will return for its 14^th season at 2225 E. Lake Street in our same interim location as last year, near the corner of E. Lake St. and Hiawatha Ave that will eventually become the permanent home the Market. See the image below for exact location details. We have lots of new and exciting activities, entertainment, events and vendors lined up for a great 14th season, along with many of the friendly and familiar favorites you’ve grown to love over the years.