Post in Ninth Ward E-News - Friday, May 2, 2008

100 children will participate in a study measuring exposure to arsenic in south
Minneapolis.

Children are being recruited for a study to determine their levels of arsenic
as a result of potential exposure to the CMC Heartland Lite Yard Site
<http://www.epa.gov/region5/sites/cmcheartland/> , where arsenic-containing
pesticides were manufactured and stored between 1938 and 1963. In May,
Minnesota Department of Health officials will begin recruiting 100 youth
between the ages of 3 and 10 who live in the south Minneapolis neighborhoods
near the area of contamination including parts of Corcoran, Longfellow, Midtown
Phillips, Powderhorn, Seward, Ventura Village, and all of East Phillips.



"We've tested the soil, and now it's time to test our youth," Council Member
Gary Schiff said. "This study will allow us to answer many questions about
potential health effects from arsenic exposure."



The pilot project, a result of legislation passed by State Rep. Karen Clark
(61a <http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/members.asp?district=61A> ),
focuses on children because they have the greatest chance of being exposed to
arsenic in soil from playing outside and putting dirt in their mouths. Children
eligible for the study are those who live in homes where soil testing showed an
arsenic level of over 20 parts per million. All eligible households will
receive a letter in the mail from the MDH describing the project and asking
them to fill out a form about the children living in the home.



This year 34 more residential properties with high contamination levels will be
cleaned and an additional 130 properties will be tested. For more information
on EPA's cleanup standard and cleanup process, or to find out how to obtain the
soil sample results from your yard, email Tim Prendiville
<mailto:<email obscured>>  or call 800-621-8431 ext. 65122.



Graffiti prevention grants awarded



Corcoran Neighborhood's <http://www.corcoranneighborhood.org/>  mural project
in 2007 helped inspire the City of Minneapolis graffiti prevention micro grant
program.



Seventeen neighborhood groups, including eight in the Ninth Ward, have been
awarded micro grants by the City of Minneapolis for graffiti prevention. The
grants in the Ninth Ward totaled over $72,000 for projects that incorporate
landscaping, murals and other preventative approaches.



"Neighborhoods have consistently come up with innovative approaches to fight
graffiti," Council Member Gary Schiff said. "Whether it involves working with
youth or landscaping, the best solutions can often be found at the grassroots
level."



In Corcoran, a plan to reduce graffiti with residents and business owners will
identify solutions for the neighborhood's most victimized graffiti "hot spots"
including lighting, landscaping, graffiti-proof fences and murals. Community
members are invited to a series of meetings to identify hot spots and share
prevention ideas. A final plan will be reviewed on Monday, May 5th at 6:00 p.m.
at the Corcoran Neighborhood office, 3451 Cedar Ave. For more information click
here <http://www.corcoranneighborhood.org/advocate/advocate041508.html> .



Homes needed for booming cat population





Underdog Rescue <http://www.underdogrescuemn.com/>  is looking for foster homes
for dogs and cats awaiting adoption. Every spring brings dozens of unwanted
kittens because of the tendency for cats to breed when the weather gets warmer.

April showers brings more than May flowers, as the unwanted cat population
increases with monthly temperatures. To reduce the number of pets euthanized at
the Minneapolis Animal Shelter
<http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/animal-control/> , Underdog Rescue
<http://www.underdogrescuemn.com/>  is looking for foster homes for dogs and
cats.



Underdog Rescue and Placement <http://www.underdogrescuemn.com/index.htm>  is a
small nonprofit dedicated to adoption
<http://www.underdogrescuemn.com/Available_Pets.htm>  of homeless companion
animals. "We are a foster-based rescue group that works to rehabilitate dogs
and cats of all ages and breeds," Executive Director Shannon McKenzie said. "We
believe that all animals deserve caring, responsible homes and work to place
pets with responsible individuals or families."



Minneapolis Animal Shelter took in approximately 1,400 cats in 2007. "Through
partnerships with local rescue groups nearly 450 cats were returned home or
found a new home. Unfortunately, more than 900 were euthanized," Dan Niziolek,
director of Animal Care and Control said. "By ensuring cats are spayed or
neutered, local rescue groups are supported, and all cats are licensed,
Minneapolis residents can help reduce the number of cats without a home in the
City of Minneapolis."



Underdog Rescue will provide food and crates to foster homes for the animal to
use during their stay. On average, sponsored pets remain in care for two to
four weeks until adoption. For more information or for an application, click
here <http://www.underdogrescuemn.com/Applications.htm> .



New businesses come to 38th and Hiawatha



Performance by the Salsa Sirens at the April grand opening event of Social
Dance Studio.



Four years after a light rail station opened and street reconstruction
completed, a number of small business are coming to the 38th Street light rail
station area, attracted by affordable rents and stable housing.



Michael and Seaen MacKay will be opening the Citizen Cafe this Spring in the
former Sweet Lorraine's on 24th Ave S. "We saw an opportunity with Sweet
Lorraine's and felt that the neighborhood was a good fit for us," Michael
MacKay said. "We live in northeast Minneapolis and are very active in the
Sheridan neighborhood. We hope to continue that tradition in our new second
home." Michael is the former chef from the Sample Room and reports that Citizen
Caf will be serving a menu of American cuisine prepared fresh daily that will
include breakfast, lunch and dinner.



On the corner of 23rd Ave South, Joy Davina and Todd Paulus opened Social Dance
Studio <http://www.socialdancestudio.com/> , this month, offering private and
group dance classes. Some of the classes offered are salsa, swing, hip hop and
tango and social dancing. New classes starting this week can be found here
<http://www.socialdancestudio.com/schedule.php> . "The space is gorgeous", Todd
Paulus said. "Everyone who visits us loves it and talks about the energy of the
space." Just around the corner, negotiations are continuing for new retail
including a possible bookstore to move in to the building that used to be home
to J&B Movie Rental.



Also on 38th Street, two new housing developments with commercial space will
break ground this year. Shelter Corp <http://www.sheltercorp.com/shelterco/>
will be breaking ground this summer on a new senior assisted-living facility on
the corner of 23rd Ave S. The project, which will complement the adjacent 225
bed Providence Place <http://www.provplace.com/>  skilled nursing facility,
features 63 assisted living units, seven memory support units and seven care
suites for seniors. At least 25 units will be held for seniors with incomes
below 50% of the metro area's median income. "This housing will bring an
affordable option for seniors who want to stay in south Minneapolis without
owning a home," Council Member Schiff said. "Assisted living communities let
seniors live independently, yet receive needed services." The project will
create 40 new full time jobs and include a beauty salon open to the public.



Capital Growth Real Estate, LLC <http://www.capitalgrowthre.com/longfellow.htm>
is finishing plans on redevelopment of the old Purina site, on the corner of
38th Street E. and Hiawatha Avenue across from the LRT station. Longfellow
Station will be a mixed-use development with 198 apartments and 40,000 square
feet of retail which is expected to open in the fall of 2009. "We're hoping for
a mix of businesses including a restaurant, coffee shop, grocery store and
other neighborhood service retail, "Dale Joel, a partner in Capital Growth
said. Joel says the project features an emphasis on green design.



Win a home energy makeover



  <http://www.mnenergychallenge.org/>

Click on the image to take the MN Energy Challenge.

The Center for Energy and Environment will be giving energy-efficient
improvements to thirty-five homeowners, including one lucky winner who will win
a home energy makeover valued at $15,000. The project will demonstrate how
making energy improvements can save money and help the environment.



Following the May 15, 2008 application deadline ten finalists will be selected
through an application screening process aimed at identifying those homes that
use the most energy and that can benefit the most from the installation of
energy efficiency measures. Each of the ten finalists will receive a complete
energy analysis from the Center for Energy and Environment, an estimated $600
value. Based on the results of the energy analyses of the finalists, one grand
prize winner will be selected to receive up to $15,000 worth of energy
efficiency measures.



In addition, a random drawing will be held to select 25 winners who will
receive a variety of prizes, including certificates toward energy star
appliances, programmable thermostats, compact fluorescent light bulbs,
appliance energy meters and more. To apply, go to www.mnenergychallenge.org
<http://www.mnenergychallenge.org/> . For more information or to request a
paper application, contact the Center for Energy and Environment at (612)
335-5852.

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