Monitor launches new web site

Events calendar offers one-stop glimpse of community, advertisers can create synergy between print and online campaigns

by Tesha M. Christensen

Newspapers aren’t dying.

That’s the message Monitor Co-Publisher Tim Nelson wants to spread.

While the business has changed since the advent of the Internet and the nationwide recession, it is not dead but evolving, just like radio. Just like network television. Just like cable.

“It’s a very exciting time,” said Nelson.

To move forward in this digital age, the Monitor is launching a new web site. Along with an updated look, the site features a community events calendar, multimedia section, news, marketplace, classifieds, archives, and community information page.

With this update, Nelson knows things will change for the newspaper he co-owns with Calvin deRuyter. “We’re going to become a much more important resource to our community,” he said.

Monitor Editor Denis Woulfe acknowledges that this marks a whole new paradigm for the newspaper. “It’s about reinventing the business model for the industry,” said Woulfe.

A BALANCING ACT

Part of the reinvention is recognizing the myths that surround newspapers and the Internet. Senior citizens are not lost using the Internet, but regularly use it for email, shopping and more. Sure, young people might ignore the news now, but that changes when they buy a house, begin a family and start to see how it affects their lives. And while most people go online these days, not everyone has access even in urban areas. For these residents and others, the print editions continue to be their primary source of information about their community.

The new paradigm requires that newspapers find a balance between being community journalists and business people, something Nelson works to achieve every day. “We are business people first,” said Nelson. “We don’t do anyone any good if we go bankrupt.” Yet, it is the community journalism piece that marks the Monitor as a niche publication, one specifically focused on the Como, Midtown and North End neighborhoods of St. Paul.

CHALLENGES FOR UNIVERSITY AVE. AREA

As a community newspaper, the Monitor must weather the same economic forces as its advertisers. Like other small businesses along University, the Monitor has taken a hit during the four-year lightrail project, which is only halfway complete.

 “Hopefully when the lightrail is done and our area redefines itself, we will see an upsurge,” said Nelson. It may be easier for him to be hopeful than other local businesses. As the owner of another newspaper, the Longfellow/Nokomis Messenger, Nelson has experienced firsthand the good that came out of the Hiawatha lightrail line.

“It’s about economic redevelopment,” pointed out Woulfe.

The Monitor encourages the University Avenue business community to reach out to patrons to reinforce their continued presence on the Corridor, in part by continuing to support the Monitor.

SIMPLE TO ADVERTISE ONLINE

For advertisers, having an online presence on the Monitor web site is simple. Pick one of three sizes, and your ad will rotate with three others across the site. Advertisers may also opt to sponsor the events calendar. Or for higher visibility, buy the top banner ad spot or web site sponsor, and your ad will appear at the top of all the site pages.

Anyone who purchases a classified ad will continue to have double exposure for one price.

Businesses may pick from packages that include print and digital ads. “This is a great complement to the print ads they’re already doing,” said Woulfe. “The appeals and features of each are different.” With the online ad, businesses and nonprofits can do things a print ad can’t, such as provide a link directly to their own web site to boost traffic. Those who buy space in the What’s Cookin’ ad campaign get the best of both worlds: a print ad and a custom video.

FOR AND BY THE COMMUNITY

With the web site, Facebook and Twitter, “We can get more news out there in a more timely manner than before,” said Nelson.

Under the “multimedia” tab on the new web site, users can find video and photos created both by newspaper staff and readers.

One of the biggest features of the new site is its community events calendar. “It’s a one-shot glimpse of what’s going on in the area,” said Nelson.

On the calendar, readers can find detailed information on community events, from school concerts to organized bike rides. Anyone with an event can post the information using a straightforward form. After submitting an event, the online editor will review it. Events will be live within 72 hours. Nelson expects the calendar to start small and then grow as more people begin using it.

“Now getting your news in the Monitor is as easy as 1-2-3,” said Nelson.

Wolfe added, “We’re about building the community with both the print and online options.”

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE READER?

• More news via social media

The Monitor is promoting events daily on its Facebook page and Twitter. Be sure to subscribe in order to receive updates in your news feed. Readers can also sign up for occasional email blasts.

• More news more often

While the print edition will continue to hit the newsstands just once a month, the web site will always be available.

• More exposure for community events

The Monitor has unlimited space to list the many events occurring within the Como, Midtown and North End neighborhoods each day. Fill out a straightforward form under the “Event Calendar” tab to get your event included.

• More information on the community

Click on the “Community Information” tab for details on community organizations, schools, city offices, politicians, libraries and recreation.

• More photos and vidoes

Find videos and photo galleries on the “Multimedia” page. Content is created by not only newspaper staff, but also by you, the reader. Did you take video of a school spelling bee or church concert? Photos at a community festival? Send it to denis@deruyternelson.com.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE ADVERTISER?

• More synergy

It’s easier than ever to link your print ad campaign with your online ad campaign so you can benefit from both styles of advertising. Get a discount with a 12-month contract.

• More exposure

By advertising in the online Monitor Marketplace, even small businesses get regular and consistent exposure to customers who are searching for local businesses to shop at and local contractors to hire.

• More links

With your online ad, you can link readers directly to your own web site to increase your web site hits.

Keewaydin park plan still work in progress

Not all community members support moving the playground and pool to the
southeast corner of Keewaydin Park, as shown in this draft of the master plan. Park staff are working to incorporate comments from community members made during a July 31 meeting, and will then bring the revised master plan back to the neighborhood. That meeting date has not yet been set.

Master plan to be revised following neighborhood meeting

by Tesha M. Christensen

The master plan for Keewaydin Park is still a work in progress.

The Minneapolis parks department began modifying it earlier this year to accommodate the doubling of Keewaydin school.

The most recent draft of the master plan shows the playground moving to the southeast corner of the park, but its not something all neighbors support.

During a community meeting on July 31, park staff revisited the reasons for why they have recommended moving the playground equipment to the southeast corner of the park rather than north or directly east of the park building.

A move into the existing athletic field area would not only result in a loss of field space, but the poor soil there would increase the cost of construction, noted Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board architect Deborah Bartels.

If the playground was moved to the wooded area east of the park building, the established trees and the shade they create would be lost.

Another concern expressed by community members has been whether there is enough parking. Following an analysis of the street parking, park staff believe there is plenty. “The parking analysis indicates that only 20% of the on-street parking capacity is being used, even at peak times of park usage,” said Bartels.

The intersection of 53rd St. and 31st Ave. was studied closely due to its proximity to the proposed relocated playground and wading pool. According to the staff report, “Even though this area was observed to be the most popular parking location during peak events, only 18.8% of the parking spaces were used.” Park staff do not foresee a dramatic increase in new park users from beyond the Keewaydin neighborhood because so many arrive at the park by foot.

“Furthermore, some playground amenities may be reused in the new location, which will ease concerns of new amenities adding to the park’s allure,” according to the staff report.

At the July 31 meeting, attendees viewed concepts from three playground manufacturers and indicated which elements they liked best. This information will be incorporated into the master plan.

“The meeting did not result in a consensus about the proposed plan, so we will be redesigning the layout of the proposed wading pool and playgrounds in the southeast corner of the park and will be hosting another meeting,” said Bartels. The date for this fourth meeting has yet to be set.

CONSTRUCTION IMPACT ON PARK

The wading pool and playground for ages 5-12 was open during the summer construction, and both will remain in place for the foreseeable future, according to Bartels. At some point, the school district may expand again in that area.

The preliminary estimate for the playground and utilities for the wading pool is $373,000, with an additional $588,000 for the wading pool.

The southwest ball diamond will be used for construction staging until the spring of 2014 and then restored. The estimated cost to restore and improve the athletic fields is $205,000.

The Pre-K playground, the swings, the spinners, and the basketball court have been removed to make way for the building expansion, noted Bartels.  When the site work for the expansion is complete, the service delivery area on the south side of the school building will provide hard surfacing for informal outdoor games and play.

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SIDEBAR

SCHOOL PROJECT ON SCHEDULE AND ON BUDGET

The first phase of the school construction project was completed in August.  Phase one included all of the infrastructure for the new building and removing some of the existing building.  Once that occurred, the second phase began. The building will continue taking shape through next year. Students will begin attending classes there for the 2013-14 school year.

“The project is on track and close to budget,” said Keewaydin’s new principal Martha Spriggs. She added that key stakeholders, including parents, park board, teachers, neighbors, and architects, will continue to be involved throughout the year. 

“Checking the Keewaydin website is a good way to stay informed about the status of the project,” said Spriggs. “We welcome input from all!”

Keewaydin welcomes new principal

Keewaydin's new principal Martha Spriggs is excited to be part of the $16 million construction project that will double the size of the school. "I'm looking forward to watching the the beautiful student-centered space come to completion," she said. Ground broke on the project in June 2012. It will be ready for new students at the start of the 2013-14 school year. (Photo by Stefanie Berres)

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Martha Spriggs is a lifelong South Minneapolis student, teacher and administrator

by Tesha M. Christensen

Lifelong South Minneapolis resident Martha Spriggs is Keewaydin’s new principal.

Spriggs takes over the reins from Jane Ellis, who is now the principal at Earle Brown IB Elementary School in Brooklyn Center.

“Lake Nokomis Community School is fortunate to have her, and I think the support of the community will help her be successful,” stated Area B Community Liaison Kristin Berg Thompson.

“Having taught 4th grade through middle school, I have a lot of experience and enthusiasm for teaching intermediate and middle level students,” stated Spriggs. “Adolescents have so much energy and excitement about learning and it’s wonderful to be around their spirit and to support these students in their growth and development.”

MINNEAPOLIS STUDENT, TEACHER AND ADMINISTRATOR

Spriggs is deeply connected to Minneapolis.  “I’m a proud graduate of Washburn High School -- go Millers!” she stated.

She currently lives in South Minneapolis with her two grown children, John and Mary. “My parents and all but one of my five siblings live in the same zip code,” she noted. “My oldest brother, Ross, lives in the Keewaydin neighborhood.”

Her free time is spent biking and walking around the lakes in Minneapolis. “Recently I’ve been on a kick to discover more about this beautiful city and my first stop was Lock and Dam #1,” Spriggs said. She sings in her church choir, and this summer started to learn the ukulele.

Spriggs earned a bachelor of arts in English at Augsburg College and, after working at American Express for 10 years, she enrolled at the University of Minnesota and earned her teaching license and a master’s degree in education.  In 2010, she completed her administrative license through the U of M.  “I was honored to be in the same co-hort with Beth Ness, my new colleague and principal of Wenonah,” Spriggs stated.

She began her teaching career in a fourth-grade classroom at Kenny in 2000, followed by a year as a 6-8th grade math teacher at Northeast Middle School. She returned to fourth grade in a classroom at Sheridan for the 2003-2004 school year, and then taught 6-7th grade math at Webster Open.

Spriggs spent the next seven years at Anderson serving both as teacher and administrator. As a middle school math teacher there, she participated on the Transition Team, which planned the restructuring of Andersen, two schools within one building (K-5 and K-8). Spriggs led the restructuring of the middle school. Among the changes made were aligning a group of teachers and support staff to each grade level; implementing standards-based grading and structured professional development for teacher teams; and creating single gender advisories. “This was a great change and really helped build relationships with students and teachers. Our achievement in reading and math improved following the restructure,” said Spriggs.

From 2007-2008, Spriggs was a mentor and coach for the Teacher Advancement Program (TAP). Not only did she coach and evaluate teachers using the TAP instructional rubric, but she coordinated mathematics staff development.

While teaching math at Andersen almost all of her students made significant growth in their mathematics achievement. “As a middle school math teacher this was critical because we know that difficulty with mathematics is often the reason for students to drop out in high school,” said Spriggs. “As I implemented standards based grading with my students and across all of the middle school, all student and families had a clear picture of what was expected of them and how they were progressing toward their learning goals.”

For her efforts, she was awarded the National Milken Educator Award in 2009.

For the past two years, Spriggs worked as the Assistant Principal at Anderson United Community School, leading the middle school team of 25 teachers and support staff.

“I enjoy working with teachers and delivering professional development to help refine teacher practice,” Spriggs observed.

Anderson and Keewaydin are similar schools in that both are experience an increase in the English Learner population. “As we grow, we will look at how we structure teacher teams to best support every student. I’m looking for ways to build a strong intermediate school that supports middle school and leads to high achieving successful high school students,” she said.

GOALS AS AN EDUCATOR

Her first official day at Keewaydin was Aug. 6, 2012. “It is always a little daunting to start a new job,” observed Spriggs. “At Keewaydin, however, everyone has been extremely welcoming, supportive, and helpful.  Many parents and community leaders have come to meet me and lend their support.  I am grateful to the school community and I’m honored to be a part of it.”

During the 2012-13 school year, Spriggs plans to learn from teachers, parents, and students, and find ways to use her expertise. “For this first year I will count on the excellent Keewaydin staff and community to show me the ‘Keewaydin’ way,” Spriggs remarked.

Her overall goal as an educator is to do whatever it takes to ensure every student is learning at high levels. “Minneapolis Public Schools  is dedicated to the idea that every school has a strong leader and every classroom has a great teacher – by doing this we can ensure that every student is high school ready when they leave Keewaydin,” Spriggs said.

She added, “Over the next five years I hope to build a school community that is an interesting and engaging place for adults and students to learn and grow together.”

Spriggs will oversee the rest of the Keewaydin $16 million building project that is doubling the size of the school. While most of the big decisions have already been made and phase one is complete, she will help determine things like colors, furniture and finishes. “Key stakeholders including parents, park board, teachers, neighbors, and architects will continue to be involved throughout the year,” Spriggs observed.

“It’s exciting to be a part of a large construction project that will make a real difference for the students and the community,” Spriggs said. “I’m looking forward to watching the beautiful student-centered space come to completion.”

She encourages community members to stay informed by checking the school’s web site at http://lakenokomis.mpls.k12.mn.us/facilities.html.

Neighbors put ‘good vibes’ back into Longfellow Park

Over 50 people attended the vigil on Wednesday evening, Aug. 15. Community members made chalk drawings of cats on the sidewalks. Kids faces were decorated with cat whiskers and noses. One neighbor showed up to make cat balloon animals for the kids.

Vigil held following troubling cat burning incident; $1,000 reward offered

by Tesha M. Christensen

When she heard about the cat burning incident at Longfellow Park the morning of the 2012 Minnesota primary, Kristy Snyder was upset.

“It felt a bit unreal that it happened in our park, said Snyder, a four-year Longfellow resident. “While I hurt for the person that discovered it, I was so grateful it was not a kid that stumbled upon that scene.”

A Longfellow Park employee found a cat burnt to death on the south end of the park just before dawn on Tuesday, Aug. 13. It was impaled with an American flag. An Osama/Biden lawn sign was nearby. The incident is being treated as a Homeland Security offense, and both the Secret Service and the FBI are involved in the investigation.

Snyder and her husband, Dave, told their two kids, Spencer, age 5, and Nora, age 3, about what happened at the park they play at frequently. Snyder didn’t want them hearing about it from others.

“I felt a bit stuck about how to re-enter that park,” Snyder admitted. So she, together with her kids, neighbor Kathy Cassidy and her daughters Nora and Naomi Sojourner, decided to organize an vigil.

“We all thought marching around the perimeter of the park would be very symbolic,” said Snyder.

Over 50 people attended the vigil on Wednesday evening, Aug. 15. Community members made chalk drawings of cats on the sidewalks. Kids faces were decorated with cat whiskers and noses. One neighbor showed up to make cat balloon animals for the kids.

On behalf of the Longfellow Faith Forum, James Pennington from Spirit of the Lakes Church opened up the event’s program with a blessing. Minneapolis Council Member Gary Schiff spoke, bringing along his dog, Butters, who “stands in solidarity with all animals against animal cruelty.”

Five-year-old Spencer Snyder was pleased with the event. “It did go really well. I was happiest with the parade. There was so many people that I couldn’t even count! It was so lovely, it went so well!  I would just love to do it again!”

District 3 Park Commissioner Scott Vreeland was not able to attend the event that served as an antidote to a crime he calls “bizarre,” and “troubling,” but he agrees that it was important to do something to put “good vibes back in the park.”

He hopes that the perpetrator turns him/herself in and gets some help.

“It doesn’t make sense,” said Vreeland. “As humans we want to know why and it’s not always possible.”

A $1,000 reward has been offered by the Minnesota Federation Humane Society. Call 612-866-8663 or 1-877-8ANIMAL.

“It’s an unspeakable act and we want to make people aware this happened and we’re not going to put up with it,” said Minnesota Federated Humane Society Paralegal Kate Murray.

“Our goal is to get the word out and see if anyone comes forward.”

Longfellow’s newest landmark: the Hiawatha substation

The graffiti-resistent walls of the new Hiawatha substation, located behind the Target building near the intersection of 28th and Hiawatha, will be illuminated yellow at night. The walls will be composed of extruded metal, a metal mesh surface that is semi-transparent. The metal will be given an anodized finish to color it and additional color will come from lighting. “This system is unique for this type of application,” said Xcel Energy’s Transmission Project Manager Joe Samuel. The substation will be complete in 2014. To follow the project, go to www.hiawathaproject.com.

Xcel releases ‘creative and unique’ substation design

by Tesha M. Christensen

Xcel’s new 3.25-acre substation at 28th and Hiawatha will be more than a concrete box surrounded by a chain link fence. Instead, a translucent cube will glow yellow at night, complementing the blue-lit Sabo Bridge nearby.

According to Xcel Energy’s Transmission Project Manager Joe Samuel, the community input Xcel has received regarding the design has been positive, as people consider it to be “a creative and unique substation design.”

The final design is the result of a collaborative process between designers, Xcel staff, and community members, noted Samuel. “The advisory group of the community really challenged the team to come up with a creative design,” observed Sanuel. Architectural Alliance developed the design schematics for the walls that will surround the new substations.

These walls will be composed of extruded metal, a metal mesh surface that is semi-transparent. The metal will be given an anodized finish to color it. Additional color will come from lighting. “This system is unique for this type of application,” said Samuel.

“I think the design is better than the standard substations found in most locations,” said Spencer Agnew of the Longfellow Community Council (LCC) who served on the advisory work group. “Time will tell whether or not it will be a positive for the neighborhood, but it is an improvement over what could have been there.”

“Our hope is to meet the needs of the community and provide a landmark feature,” said Samuel.

The substation designs will be submitted to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission in August. The commission will have 60 days, including a public comment period, to reach a decision on the plan, which is expected in October.

ROAD CLOSURES, TRAIL DETOURS EXPECTED

The Hiawatha substation is one of two being built over the next two years by Xcel that will link a new 115kV underground transmission line. It will run for 1.5 miles down 28th Street E (an option labeled Route D during the regulatory process). The other, smaller substation will be placed at the northwest corner of Oakland Ave. S. and 29th Street.

According to Xcel, revitalization in south Minneapolis, and particularly the Midtown District, has strained the electrical supply. “The focus of this project is reliability,” stated Samuel. The Hiawatha Project will bolster existing capacity infrastructure.

The underground transmission line will be placed in a concrete duct system which will require the placement of cable vaults with manhole access every 1,500 feet and at any change in direction of the route. In July, Xcel began installing underground electrical duct systems for the electric distribution system on Portland Avenue between the Midtown Greenway and 27th Street. This work, which will be done in September, has resulted in some traffic and bicycle lane closures as well as parking restrictions. Construction of the transmission lines will be complete in the fall of 2013. During that time, there will be road closures and detours on 28th Street.

When the project is done, Xcel Energy will restore the excavated area on 28th Street with bituminous patch. The city of Minneapolis may also sealcoat or mill and overlay 28th Street in 2014.

Site work at the Hiawatha location behind Target has begun, and the project will be complete in 2014. This construction will have limited impact to traffic on the adjacent roadways.

According to Agnew, the bike trails around the Hiawatha substation will remain open during the construction; however, at times the trail will be temporarily rerouted by 10 to 20 feet.

The trees planted in the area by local residents during Arbor Day events will be removed. “Xcel says they cannot be transplanted due to possible soil contamination on the site,” said Agnew. Underground wires, rail spurs and adjacent land ownership at the site will prevent some forms of landscaping from occurring near the substation site, but what is done will be consistent with the Midtown Greenway landscaping plan. Xcel is also in discussions with adjacent landowners about the possibility of installing trees on their property.

One of the requests made by the LCC was that the substation be graffiti-resistant.  The Xcel design team feels that this design accomplishes that.

COST TO BE SPREAD OUT

The $55 million to $60 million cost of this project will be spread among Xcel’s entire five-state customer base instead of just local customers.

Xcel supported the ruling made by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on June 28. If Minneapolis ratepayers had shouldered the costs alone, and the project was paid for within three years, it could have led to utility bill increases of $2.83 a month, according to company estimates submitted to the PUC.

To receive updates on the project  browse www.hiawathaproject.com, or sign up on the website for email updates.

Towards a more sustainable future

Bruce Stahlberg points out the various types of solar cookers available during a class sponsored byTransition Longfellow on Saturday, May 19, 2012. The solar cooker in the front is made by the Solar Oven Society, which is owned by Mike and Martha Port of the Longfellow neighborhood. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

Transition Longfellow members focus on their own habits and homes. From there, a community changes.

by Tesha M. Christensen

Longfellow resident Annette Rondano knows that it is easy to get overwhelmed by big environmental issues such as the rising cost of fuel and oil depletion.

But that’s why she and the other members of Transition Longfellow are focusing on changes they can make at home and in their community, rather than on big policy changes.

“What’s important is for people not to get overwhelmed by sustainability options, to take them one step at a time, and to ask for help,” Rondano said. “Between local businesses helping with sustainability goals like solar installations, gardens, rain water capture, and composting, and the expertise of your neighbors, there is ample opportunity to start somewhere and to get help.

“Drop by drop the bucket fills even in a rainstorm.”

MEETINGS, MOVIES, CHALLENGES

Transition Longfellow meets on the first Saturday of each month, 10:30 a.m. to noon at Riverview Wine Bar. During these monthly meetings, attendees share tips and help for urban gardening and household chores, among other things.

“We really are simply making an offer of community in an otherwise do-it-yourself kind of world,” said Rondano.

They also challenge each other. In April, the challenge focus was on food/seed. Some people worked on getting their gardens ready. Others researched CSAs (community support agriculture). Some learned about the Monsanto stranglehood on seeds. When the group gathered back together, members shared what they did, problems they encountered and resources they found.

“We don’t tell people what they should do,” said Leslie MacKenzie, one of the group’s co-organizers. “Everyone has different resources, abilities, income and interest. We try to create a time and space where people can think about what they can do in their own lives around a particular issue.”

 The group also hosts movie nights on the third Friday of each month at Bethany Lutheran Church. The event starts with a potluck at 6:30 p.m. and the movie begins at 7:15 p.m. A speaker concludes the evening.

June’s movie will be the last for the spring. On June 15 view “Blue Gold: World Water Wars,” an award-winning documentary that examines environmental and political implications of the planet's dwindling water supply, and posits that wars in the future will be fought over water. The film also highlights some success stories of water activists around the world and makes a strong case for community action.

On July 20 at 6:30 p.m., the group is hosting a Little Free Library Building and Design event. This event aims to establish a dozen or more Little Free Libraries throughout Longfellow. Little Free Libraries are blooming all around the United States as a way for neighbors to interact and get to know one another. A community potluck and campfire will happen throughout the evening, and pre-reservations are encouraged. Find out more about Little Free Libraries at www.littlefreelibrary.org.

A Community Picnic is set for Aug. 17, 6:30 p.m., in Longfellow Park. Relax, meet your neighbors, and find out more about Transition Longfellow at the picnic.

“Every time I come to a movie night, I learn a host of things that were not on my radar before,” observed Rondano, a woman who has been environmentally and politically active for her entire adult life. “I think everyone is in a different place about sustainability. I learn something new about it every day.”

What has drawn her to the Transition movement is its focus on local control.

“Creating a resilient community, the focus of the Transition Movement internationally, looks so much more doable to me than trying to affect change on the national, or even state, level,” Rondano stated.

“It turns out that the groundswell of people joining in on the Transition Movement has already alerted local units of government to focus more of our tax dollars on resiliency issues like food, energy, and alternative transportation.”

Transition Longfellow is looking towards the future.

“Our group is concerned about the impact that climate change and peak oil will have on our economy, our community, and our households,” said MacKenzie. “Climate change and peak oil will affect every area of life: food production and distribution, transportation, heating and cooling, the water supply (droughts as well as flooding), and transportation. Although political will is lacking at many levels of government, we are not hopeless to address these issues and to create a more sustainable, resilient future.

“And we do not have to do it alone.”

LEARN MORE

Learn more about Transition Longfellow by joining the Facebook group (Longfellow Sustainability/Transition Group), or signing up for the newsletter.

Feel free to speak with steering committee members, including: Annette Rondano (612-221-0131), Rebecca Cramer, Aggie Hoeger, Bruce Gregg, Elizabeth Blair, Brooke Dirkhiesing, Leslie MacKenzie and Peter Foster.

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ABOUT TRANSITION LONGFELLOW

• The group formed after the November 2010 Transition Town conference at South High School, which featured guest speaker Richard Heinberg of the Post Carbon Institute talking about the challenge of peak oil, climate change and economic instability.

• Transition Longfellow is interested in steps “we can take as individuals and as a community to smooth the inevitable transition from fossil fuels, which will effect how we work, travel, heat our homes and grow our food,” according to its Facebook page.

Goals of the group:

• Educate people about the challenges of global warming and the end of cheap fossil fuels.

• Facilitate the creation of a positive vision of the future, one that values and protects our natural resources as well as all people in our community, regardless of age, ability or income.

• Support individual, business and community change efforts through teaching and learning, sharing and role modeling, support and encouragement.

• Promote available resources to help individuals and businesses reduce their carbon footprint while meeting their needs for food, heat, energy, transportation, etc.

• Gather additional resources to share with the community in order to increase resilience.

Activities:

• Helping Jacob’s Well church with its hard-to-recycle plastics collection effort in the summer when the church was not in session.

• Touring Minnesota’s first green cemetery

• Touring neighborhood fruit and vegetable gardens

• Conducting a presentation at Bethany Lutheran Church about the transition movement. Group members are available to do more of these presentations for churches and other groups.

• Staffing a table at neighborhood events and at the Seward Sustainability Fair

• Holding classes on solar cookers

• Co-facilitating a discussion on transition towns at the Alliance for Sustainability Community Conference

• Petitioning the Minneapolis City Council to develop an energy descent action plan. An energy descent action plan looks at how city services will be impacted by rising fossil fuel prices and then plans for how those services can be delivered in a way that minimizes use of fossil fuel. 

This story printed in the June edition of the Longfellow/Nokomis Messenger.

Attend Keewaydin School groundbreaking June 4

Pool, part of playground to remain where they are now

by Tesha M. Christensen

The community is invited to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Keewaydin School expansion on Monday, June 4, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.

With this $16 million addition, Keewaydin, the upper campus of Lake Nokomis Community School, will double its space.

The program will last about an hour. Following several speakers, Keewaydin and Weenonah students will present their time capsule project, and the seventh and eighth graders will unveil their legacy program.

POOL AND PART OF PLAYGROUND TO REMAIN

The addition will be placed to the south of the existing building, but it will not go as far south as it was initially presented in January. This means that the K-5 playground structure on the west side and the wading pool will remain in place for the foreseeable future.

Given the remaining 20-year lifespan of the pool and the $500,000 tab of replacing it, the steering committee worked hard to reduce the foot plan of the building in order to save it, said Doug Walter, who represented the Nokomis East Neighborhood Association (NENA) on the construction steering committee.

However, it is not yet known whether the pool can be used during the construction project this summer. The pool’s location is about 30 feet from the south edge of the new addition, and will be very close to the construction staging area, stated Walter. A six-to-eight-foot-high fence would need to be erected around it during construction, and to provide a pathway to the pool. Because of its close proximity to the construction area, the pool will need frequent cleaning. The cost to do this work is not yet known, but estimates range from $40,000 to $230,000 to save the pool.

“It is the district’s intent to enable the playground and pool to remain open during construction,” said MPS Capital Planning and Project Development Manager David Richards.

“This will likely be relatively easy with the playground, as it is closer to the street and probably less affected by adjacent construction activities,” Richards added. “A greater tolerance for uncertainty may be necessary regarding keeping the pool open, as Park Board staff will need to evaluate the cumulative effect of construction activities on pool ambiance, pool use, pool maintenance and other operational factors.”

The swings, tot lot and basketball court will be removed, but leaving the K-5 playground equipment and wading pool in place will give the park department time to obtain funds for moving the pool and playground to its own property on the east side of the school.

The parks department has been working with the community to create a new master plan for Keewaydin Park. Following public comment in March, the plan was modified. This updated plan will be presented to the public sometime in July, and then go to the Park Board for approval.

“Prior to school being out for the summer, we will also be conducting a parking capacity analysis to address concerns raised by a few residents about how the change in the park may impact parking in the neighborhood,” said Minneapolis Park Board Planner Jennifer Ringold.

Park staff also plan to solicit input prior to the larger community meeting regarding the types of playground equipment community members would like to see at the park.

One of the ballfields will likely serve as a staging area during the construction project. It will need to be rebuilt afterwards.

DETAILS ON NEW BUILDING

The 42,000-square-foot addition will contain eight new classrooms, a music room, two computer labs, lunch room, kitchen, media center and a full-size gymnasium with 100 seats, pointed out Keewaydin Principal Jane Ellis. The new auditorium will seat over 300 adults in tiered seats.

The entire project is on schedule, noted Ellis.

Bids on the foundation package were due May 31, and will be reviewed by the school board on June 12. Construction will begin 10 days later.

Instead of drilling 90 feet into the ground, the school district has decided to use a Geopier foundation system, according to MSP employee Donald Bielinski. Geopier is a ground improvement method using soil replacement technology to strengthen soft soil with stiff rock columns constructed by heavy equipment crowd and vertical impact ramming that prestrains and prestresses the soil.

The second bid phase will include the rest of the building. Those bids will be approved by the school board in late July/early August.

Richards believes this is a desirable time to solicit bids for a construction project because the construction market has been depressed for so long. “We’re hoping that will enhance competition and interest,” he said.

One of the exciting things about this new addition is that it will not only be great for students, but the community will be able to use it, as well, pointed out Walter. The auditorium, gym, and kitchenette can be accessed by the public from the south side of the building. While there is a community building at Keewaydin Park, it has only a multi-use space and not the full-size gym the addition will include.

At its final meeting in May, the Keewaydin steering committee discussed whether to widen the lobby area between the old and the new sections of the building by two feet in order to create a larger gathering space, noted Walter. In the current plan 18 feet is allocated for the lobby. The desire to widen it has been discussed since the school plan was first unveiled. However, because bids have already been solicited for the foundation part of the construction project, the group decided to leave things are they are, said Walter.

Members also considered whether to erect a motorized partition in the gymnasium now or later. Because the school currently has only one gym teacher, the group decided to hold off spending money on the folding partition now.

The committee also prioritized items it would like to add back onto the plan if bids come in favorably later this summer. Among the items on the list are display cases, signs, benches and floor materials.

“The original goals we started with were the goals we ended with,” Keewaydin Principal Jane Ellis said, adding that the steering committee was a cohesive group throughout the entire planning process.

“It’s been a pleasure to be part of such an amazing group of dedicated parents, MPS staff, and community members,” said steering committee member Jean Hutchinson Legler. “RSP was great to work with. Kudos also to NENA for their support. As a parent and community member, it is awesome to see MPS invest in Lake Nokomis Community School - Keewaydin Campus.”

Walter pointed out that with this project, Minneapolis Public Schools is investing in the first new facility in south Minneapolis in decades. When the project is complete next year, “This area will have one of the nicest middle schools anywhere in south Minneapolis,” said Walter.

The effort of staff and community members was recognized by NENA during its annual meeting in May. It presented the Best of Nokomis Award to Lake Nokomis parents and staff.

“It was very nice to have our parents and staff recognized,” said Ellis.

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Construction steering committee members:

• Tom Davidson, lead engineer,

• Sarah Dutton, Keewaydin Family Liaison, parent

• Jane Ellis, Keewaydin Campus Principal

• Stephen Flisk, Area B Superintendent

• Heather Hall, Keewaydin teacher

• Jean Hutchinson-Legler, parent

• George Jelatis, community member

• Jay Larson, parent

• Matt Lee, parent

• Lorna Wickham-Lewis, Wenonah teacher

• Elizabeth Ness, Wenonah Campus Principal

• Andrew Pritchard, Keewaydin teacher

• David Richards, MPS Facilities

• Jennifer Ringold, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board

• Gina Rysdon, parent

• Doug Walter, Nokomis East Neighborhood Association

This story printed in the June 2012 edition of the Longfellow/Nokomis Messenger.