New BNC Website

Thanks to two talented community volunteers, the BNC website has a new and improved look!  

Bookmark our site for quick access to meeting minutes, neighborhood announcements, and the calendar of events.  

www.discoverbeltrami.org

The newly formed BNC Park & Recreation Committee will meet on Monday, December 14th, 7:30 PM, Beltrami Park Building.  

At this meeting, the committee will review information gathered thus far and discuss next steps.  Please join us to find out how you can help.

Can't make the meeting?  There are many ways to help, including: flyering, graphic design, grant writing, volunteer teachers, etc.  Call or email the office and we'll find a volunteer opportunity that fits your schedule.

Beltrami Open Playtime
 

Support Beltrami Park by coming to our open indoor playtime!  Intended for toddlers and preschoolers. 

Wednesdays
9:30 - 11 AM
Beltrami Park Building

Please tell your neighbors and bring a friend!

There will be no playgroup on December 23rd or 30th.  We will resume on January 6th.

Snowshoeing at Beltrami Park
 

New! Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) is offering snowshoeing at Beltrami Park this winter.

Just imagine walking through the crunchy snow, under the canopy of the beautiful oaks.  It's going to be amazing!

Junior Naturalist Snowshoeing
Ages 6-11
Mondays, 4-5 PM
January 11 - Feb 29
$15 for the whole series!
Sign up online or by calling Logan Park (612-370-4927)

Snowshoeing Afternoon 
All Ages
Saturday, January 23
1-4 PM
Warm up with hot cocoa and a roaring fire after you explore the park!
Free, no pre-registration required
 

BNC Office Hours

The Beltrami Neighborhood Council office (at Beltrami Park) will be open for walk-in office hours this winter.  Please stop in and say hi.

Wednesdays, 9:30-11:30 AM
Thursdays, 1-3 PM

Can't make it during those times?  Just give us a call or send an email and we'll find a time to meet.

Organics Recycling
 

1. Reduce waste. More than a third of our trash is organic material that can be composted. Most families can divert up to 10 pounds of materials to organics recycling each week.
2. Compost more. Things like meat, bones, dairy products and compostable plastics can’t go in a backyard composting bin, but they can be collected through organics recycling and turned into compost. Your paper towels and napkins can go in the cart too!
3.  Save money. Once you start producing less trash, you may be able to switch to a smaller garbage cart, which will cut $3 off your monthly bill.
4. Be a part of the sustainability trend. More than 33,775 households have already signed up to participate.  Join them in reducing waste.
5. Improve soil quality. Using compost returns nutrients to the soil, reduces erosion, and reduces the needs for watering and for chemical fertilizers.

Visit the Organics Recycling section of the City of Minneapolis’ website at www.minneapolismn.gov/organics to see a detailed list of materials accepted, frequently asked questions, and more!  

Test your Home for Radon

Contact the BNC office for a free test kit!
 

Have you wondered if radon is a problem in your home or wanted to get more information on radon? Well, radon is found in nearly all soils. It is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that comes up through the soil. Levels in outdoor air are usually much lower than indoor air.

 

Air from the soil can enter your home and result in radon accumulation.  The soil around your home is porous so the radon gas is able to move through the dirt and rocks and into the basement through pathways, like cracks in the concrete slab, and accumulate in the house.

Buildings create vacuums, which draw in soil gases, including radon.
 
Radon is a health concern because studies have shown that over time breathing in radon gas can increase your risk of lung cancer.  This is because the radioactive particles from radon gas when breathed in can damage the cells that line the lung.  Long-term exposure to radon can then lead to lung cancer.  Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.  In the United States, it is  estimated that radon exposure is associated with 21,000 lung cancer deaths a year.  This lung cancer risk increases for those who smoke.
 
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends taking action to reduce radon in homes that have a radon level at or above 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L).

Testing is the only way to know if your home has elevated radon levels. The MDH recommends conducting a short-term test first.  This is usually completed in only 3 to 7 days.  If your short-term test result is greater than 8 pCi/L, MDH recommends conducting one more short-term test. If your short-term test result is between 2 to 8 pCi/L, MDH recommends conducting a long-term test. If the second test result, for either of those tests, is above 4.0 pCi/L then you should take action to reduce your household radon levels. Mitigation could be considered at levels between 2 to 4 pCi/L.
 
If your home’s radon level is at or above 4.0 pCi/L then you should hire a certified radon mitigator to install a system to reduce radon concentrations. A list of certified mitigators is available at the MDH website at “MDH Radon”.  The goal of a radon mitigation system is to reduce the indoor radon levels to below the EPA action level of 4.0 pCi/L, but many systems reduce concentrations below 2.0 pCi/L.  The PBS series “Ask This Old House” visited a home in Minneapolis to install a radon mitigation system.  The episode shows what to expect from a radon professional and how a system is installed. In general, costs can range from approximately $800-$2500, with the average reduction system costing approximately $1500. After a mitigation system is put it, the home should be re-tested to verify radon reduction.