Como Tidbits

Free Siama performance at Van Cleve Park
Join Siama in Van Cleve Park on Friday, October 5. The free concert begins at 5:30 p.m. and is open to the public.
 
Back in Africa, Siama Matuzungidi recorded hundreds of songs and toured the world with popular soukous artists. Now based in Minneapolis, Siama loves sharing the uplifting music of his homeland. He's a masterful guitarist and a spirited singer. He also plays traditional African instruments like mbira and balafon. For this very special concert he'll be joined by an incredible jazz-funk band forming a lush, energetic backdrop for Siama's Congolese rumba and soukous dance music. His shows are really fun and engaging for music-lovers of all ages. 

Proposed concept for Van Cleve Park 
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is creating a new plan for all neighborhood parks east of the Mississippi River, called the East of the River Park Master Plan. The new plan will consider how parks are operated, maintained and improved for the next two decades. 
 
Based on 12-months of community input at events, online, through the Community Advisory Committee and the Youth Design Team, along with research around existing policies and plans, data about the parks and park design innovation, MPRB has developed one draft preferred concept per park. Please review the preferred concept for each park and provide MPRB feedback via their online survey.



New draft update to Minneapolis Parks Community Engagement Policy available for review
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is updating its Community Engagement Policy and would like to hear from you!
  
MPRB staff spent months reflecting on experiences, having conversations with park users, researching best practices around the nation and learning from local and national thought leaders and community stakeholders to develop a draft update to the MPRB Community Engagement Policy.
 
The policy guides MPRB’s community engagement processes and practices, and public input will continue to shape how the MPRB uses feedback from the public to influence park projects, programming and care. Please view a draft of the new Community Engagement Policy.
 
After reviewing the draft, please take a few minutes to fill out the online survey. Responses will be accepted until Saturday, December 1.
 

Fall 55+ October classes offered at Van Cleve Park
Curbs, Floors and Chairs: The Key to Independence — Wednesday, October 10, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
All movement and activity, whether it’s sports or daily movements from getting off the floor or rising from low couches, require good balance, joint mobility and coordination. As we get older, we find that we need to focus more attention on improving our balance and coordination. Fitness specialist Mia Bremer will talk about and demonstrate ways to stay active, balanced and mobile. Co-sponsored by Pratt Community Education and Southeast Seniors.
 
$2 donation at the door; refreshments will be served. 

Creating or Updating your Health Care Directive — Wednesday, November 14, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Learn how to create or update your Health Care Directive. Copies of the document and resources will be provided. Led by Annette Langdon, RN, BSN, MA with Fairview Health Services.

To learn more information or register, call 612-668-1100 or register online.  

October events at Southeast Library


Pancake breakfast

This event is open to the public to attend. Tickets can be purchased online. 


Second Precinct Advisory October meeting
This month, our Second Precinct Advisory Council speaker will be Amy Sizer, a 911 dispatcher with almost 15 years of experience. She'll offer an overview of what role the 911 center actually plays in emergency response and how they provide their services. While neither officers nor support staff can comment on current events or active cases, Ms. Sizer will hopefully be able to comment on the incredible service they provided to Minneapolis residents during the bridge collapse, the Super Bowl and other notable events in recent history.  
 
Note: Because a holiday for employees of the City conflicts with our regular meeting date, we will meet this month on October 15, the third Monday of the month. As always, the event is free and we always need more residents to attend.  
 
Join us on October 15, at 6:15 p.m. in the Monroe Village Apartments Community Room, 1900 Central Ave NE.

 
  -  Emilie Quast, Board Member
     MPD 2nd Precinct


Tragedy on Como train tracks prompts slow solutions
After two people were hit by trains within a year, the City and Southeast Como community have struggled to find safety responses. The Southeast Como community initially called for action to address growing safety concerns on October 8, 2017. However, no changes have been made to the closed-crossing on 21st Ave. SE and Talmage Ave. SE. 
 
Read the full story on the MN Daily website. 


Butterfly Landing Habitat Extravaganza
Join your fellow pollinator friends on October 13 to plant over 2,000 butterfly host and nectar plants at Pine Point Regional Park. Explore the fascinating world of the butterfly and learn from experts about seed saving, pollinator habitat, ecology and more! More information and registration details can be found online. 


Everything you need to know about fall yard care
Fall has officially arrived. Do you know how your yard care practices impact the environment? Should you rake, mulch or compost your leaves? How can you prepare your lawn for a healthy growing season next spring? Check out the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization’s recent blog to find out. 


Leave the leaves
For many gardeners, as the leaves tumble the urge is to rake them away. But leaving the leaves where they fall will create valuable winter cover for pollinators and other invertebrates. Learn more on the Xerces Society website.  


Metro Blooms fall workshops
Autumn is the perfect time to begin fostering healthy soil and begin converting your lawn into lower-maintenance or bee-friendly turf. Learn more at three upcoming workshops:
 
October 10, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Installing Turf Alternatives: White Bear Lake
 
October 16, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Installing Turf Alternatives: Golden Valley
 
October 23, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Healthy Soils: Lakewood Cemetery 


The Butterfly Effect
Neighborhood Greening, a non-profit organization dedicated to environmental education and stewardship, publishes The Butterfly Effect twice each year. Their mission is to harness the spirit of residents, schools, places of worship, organizations and businesses to create a greener community. Block by block. Neighborhood by neighborhood. Read the Fall/Winter 2018 edition today!