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:H·UH KRPH RI 0DOO RI $PHULFD DQG D ZKROH ORW PRUH Bloomington, MN Convention & Visitors Bureau is your official source for the best of Bloomington – hotels, Mall of America®, deals, restaurants, events, plus attraction pass savings. Stay here. Explore everywhere. Bloomington offers 37 hotels with free shuttle service to the MSP airport and Mall of America, plus light rail service to downtown Minneapolis.
Go shopping, have fun! Our very own Mall of America has 520 great stores and action packed attractions.
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RBCU Invests to Strengthen Community Many of the nearly 18,000 RBCU members often tell us how proud they are to bank at RBCU. Still, manypeople aren’t sure what a credit union is. Simply put, a credit union is like a bank—only better. RBCU offers many of the services you expect to find at a bank, including credit cards, personal
and small business loans and online banking. But unlike a bank, at RBCU you’re more than an account number. As a not-for-profit business, we are committed to excellent customer service and work to improve the lives of our members. We also save you money by offering lower rates
and fees. But most importantly, we are dedicated to the communities we serve. We live, work, worship and study in the same communities as our members, which is why RBCU truly is Your Neighborly Credit Union™. Here are a few reasons you’d be proud to bank at RBCU:
Stop by any of our branches or find RBCU on Facebook to learn more about what RBCU is doing in our community. 77th Branch
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Investing in Education
Investing in Our Community
Investing in Our Members
RBCU is deeply involved in our local school districts, sports programs and the arts. Over the years, we’ve donated thousands of dollars and countless volunteer hours to the Richfield, Bloomington and Edina school systems. From scholarships, school supplies and scoreboards to educating students about financial planning, RBCU invests in our community’s youth.
But our commitment to education doesn’t stop at school. RBCU’s donations help support various organizations in our community, such as the Wood Lake Nature Center, the Richfield Historical Society and Bloomington Heritage Days.
RBCU is different than a typical bank. We put our members first by helping them invest in their own futures. As a not-forprofit business, RBCU’s profits go back to our members in the form of lower rates on loans and higher dividends on saving accounts.
RBCU also sees the value in sustained growth and development in our communities. Our new building, located on 95th & Lyndale Avenue in Bloomington, anchors the growing Oxboro neighborhood. Our newest branch—and future phases—is one of the key components in the revitalization efforts transforming east Bloomington, and we are proud to be a part of this change.
Our community efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. Sun Current readers voted us “The Best Credit Union” in Richfield and Bloomington. If you’re not happy with your current bank, stop by any of our locations to learn why you’d be proud to bank at RBCU.
rbcu.org 612.798.7100
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Bloomington
Contents
Bloomington Community Guide 2012 Welcome to Bloomington .......................Page 7 City Government......................................Page 9 Education................................................Page 11 Fire Department ....................................Page 12 Police Department .................................Page 13 City Map...........................................Pages 14-15 Hyland Lake Park Reserve .....................Page 16 Fun in the Sun .......................................Page 17 Community Celebrations.......................Page 18 City Parks...............................................Page 19 Health & Wellness..................................Page 21 Higher Education ..................................Page 23 Libraries.................................................Page 24 Wildlife Refuge......................................Page 25 Historic Sites .........................................Page 27 Mall of America ....................................Page 29 Worship Communities .....................Pages 30-31 5
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Bloomington
Welcome to Bloomington
Residents and businesses are proud to call Bloomington home Greetings! Bloomington is among the best of Minnesota’s cities. We are proud of our safe and welcoming neighborhoods, our incredible 9,000 acres of parks and open space, our residents who work together to promote a vital community and our businesses that define our prosperity. To ensure that Bloomington remains the best, we are focused on and committed to the continual building and renewal of this community by redeveloping our commercial areas and residential neighborhoods, and by improving our transportation system. As the third largest city in the region, Bloomington is conveniently located near key transportation links, including I-35W and I-494, and the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Light rail transit has four stations in Bloomington and the Mall of America transit station is the busiest in the Metro Transit system. Excellent transit and highway access give Bloomington opportunities to create higher density, mixed-use neighborhoods in locations along American Boulevard. The city’s essential and quality-of-life services help support the long-term mission of making Bloomington a healthier, safer and more sustainable community. One of our goals is to protect and reinvest in the community’s key assets – our homes and businesses – by
10917 Valley View Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 http://current.mnsun.com Editor ...................................................Daniel Callahan Writer .........................................................Mike Hanks Photography .............................................Mike Hanks, ...................................................................Paul Groessel Layout & Design .................................Keith Anderson, ..............................................................Daniel Callahan Cover Design ................................................Elli Martin Sales .................................................................Mike Gill Advertising Director.........................Jeremy Bradfield Executive Editor.....................................Peggy Bakken General Manager.....................................Jeff Coolman Special thanks go out to to Mayor Gene Winstead for contributing the welcome letter. Our appreciation also goes to the city of Bloomington, the Hennepin County Library System, Three Rivers Park District and many community organizations and local businesses that supported this publication.
providing city services that make Bloomington safe and bring the community together. The services that residents and businesses receive from the city are among the most competitively priced in the metropolitan area. Our city ranks with an elite few cities nationwide that hold three triple-A bond ratings. Bloomington maintains an Aaa from Moody’s, AAA from Standard & Poor’s and AAA from Fitch Ratings, the highest bond ratings awarded by these agencies. The city’s excellent bond ratings are a signal to current and potential investors that our financial future is strong. It also sends a message to businesses and individuals that Bloomington is a financially sustainable community. Education plays a key role in community building and renewal; Bloomington’s schools are among the best. Bloomington Public Schools have a tradition of providing a quality education. Nine schools have earned National Blue Ribbon of Excellence honors. Whether adult learning, undergraduate, graduate or remote education, Bloomington has many education opportunities. Our schools are focused on helping students compete in the global marketplace with state-ofthe-art technology and curricula designed for 21st century learning. Bloomington is a healthy, active community. As part of our Alternative Transportation Program, the city is expanding our walking and biking trail system in order to connect businesses and residential areas to open spaces and make commuting more enjoyable. As Bloomington develops and changes, these trails will become even more valuable to residents, ultimately making the city a healthier, more desirable place to live, work and visit. Bloomington’s future vision draws inspiration from the community’s 154-year history, its can-do spirit, the talents and experience of residents and businesses and a shared belief that anything worth doing is worth doing well. We remain dedicated to building and renewing Bloomington, not just for the short term, but in a manner that will sustain us as a quality city that residents and businesses are proud to call home. Gene Winstead Mayor of Bloomington
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Bloomington
City Government
Civic Plaza: government at your service City services are dispatched from facilities across town, but the epicenter of Bloomington government is Bloomington Civic Plaza The building not only houses governmental operations, it also serves as the headquarters for the Bloomington Police Department and home of Bloomington Center for the Arts. Opening in 2003, Civic Plaza was built at a total cost of $38 million. The project was funded through several mechanisms, including 12 years of savings in a capital improvement fund. Civic Plaza may be the focal point of city government, but Bloomington’s governmental needs are met by several buildings throughout the city, including its Public Works complex across the street from Civic Plaza, several smaller Public Works facilities, six fire stations, a water treatment plant, a Public Health Center and Motor Vehicle Office. Finding the right city official or office to meet your needs may be challenging, as many city services originate from Bloomington Civic Plaza. The city, however, makes it easy to answer many of those questions, from how to obtain business licenses to snow emergency information. CityWEB, Bloomington’s Internet home, can
answer many questions, and maintains many pages of information about city services. Information about parks and recreation services, the community center, public safety services and city council information is all contained within CityWEB. Information may be accessed by topics, as well as through an A-Z topic search. Internet links and information about many topics outside of the city’s purview is also included at CityWEB, and the website provides information in several languages. CityWEB may provide information 24 hours a day, but it cannot answer every question that arises. Civic Plaza has an information desk staff that can answer questions in person or by telephone. With so much going on in Bloomington, there’s plenty to keep track of. To inform residents the city publishes Briefing, a bi-monthly newsletter. Briefing is mailed to all single-family households and businesses, and is available at Civic Plaza. The newsletter may also be read through CityWEB. The city produces news programs – Bloomington Today and Roll Call – which are accessible through CityWEB. Bloomington Today is a weekly news show pertaining to city topics. Roll Call is a monthly news show pertaining to policing issues.
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Bloomington
Education
Bloomington schools, the choice of many With a variety of public and private educational programs and options available, many families choose Bloomington Public Schools. The Bloomington School District includes 10 elementary schools, three middle schools, two high schools, two early childhood family centers and two alternative learning centers. The district serves its students well. With more than 11,000 potential students in the community, Bloomington Public Schools are the district of choice for 85 percent of the eligible student population, according to the district’s 2010-11 annual report. Open enrollment allows students to attend schools outside their district. Although 392 students chose to attend a school outside of Bloomington, the district attracted 499 students from outside its boundaries, according to the report. The district’s schools educate students of many different ethnic and social backgrounds. During the 2010-11 school year, the district’s diverse student population (minority or students of color) grew from 39 to 41 percent. Support for Bloomington schools is strong. To meet the demands of education – demands that exceed the state’s funding – the district counts on voter-approved levies. In Bloomington, 21 cents of every district revenue dollar came from local levies, totaling more than $20 million of the district’s $99.3 million in general operating fund revenue for the 2011-12 school year. Bloomington voters have supported a 10-year cap-
ital projects levy for technology, which provides $3 million per year to enrich classroom instruction with new and updated technology. The levy began in 2008-09 and includes inflationary adjustments. A committee composed of teachers, principals, technology, special education and community services representatives establishes the annual expenditure plan for the referendum funds. The district provides activity centers at its two high schools, allowing community members to maintain active lifestyles through recreational space at each building. The district is governed by a seven-member board of education that meets at the Educational Services Center, typically at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of the month. Information about district programs and services, from early childhood family education options for children up to 5 years old, to Bloomington alumni information, is available through the district’s comprehensive website. Frequent news updates and statistical information, including a copy of the district’s annual report, may also be found through the website, which links to individual pages for each Bloomington school. Educational Services Center Bloomington Public Schools 1350 W. 106th St., Bloomington 952-681-6400 bloomingtonschools.info
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Bloomington
Fire Department
Volunteers provide city’s fire detection For all the modern technology employed by the Bloomington Fire Department, one thing remains unchanged, its reliance upon the dedication of volunteers. The fire department was formed in 1947, following years of planning while Bloomington relied upon neighboring cities for fire protection. The city’s first fire station was a two-bay garage at the intersection of 95th Street and Garfield Avenue. Today the city is served by six stations and 120 volunteers who are paid $5 per fire call and $4.12 per drill attended, as well as a monthly on-call stipend of $65. The department has added 10 volunteers this year and there is a waiting list of approximately 30. The department’s only full-time employees are its chief, Ulie Seal, and two full-time administrative staff members. Seal, who has been with the department since 1976, became its first full-time chief when the position transitioned from a volunteer job in 2007. Firefighters carry pagers that alert them to emergency calls in the city, day or night. They also participate in a variety of training drills and community service programs throughout the year.
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Each fall department members participate in visits to fourth-grade classes at Bloomington schools to speak about fire prevention. The department also hosts an open house in conjunction with National Fire Prevention Week, featuring fire prevention exhibits and demonstrations as well as other exhibits from other organizations, including the city’s police and public works departments. The department also has a fire safety house, a vehicle that is used for fire prevention demonstrations and classes. Throughout the year fire department representatives will test, install or replace smoke detectors for Bloomington homeowners. Smoke detectors are the “best first line of defense,” according to Seal. Smoke detectors are free, and in-home visits are available by appointment. Residents who are physically unable to change batteries in a working smoke detector may also call the fire department for assistance, Seal noted. The department’s administrative offices are at Fire Station No. 1, 10 W. 95th St. For information about fire department services call 952-563-4801.
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Bloomington
Police Department
Police are partners with the community The Bloomington Police Department’s mission is to provide excellence in policing by protecting, serving and partnering with the community. Bloomington has more than 115 sworn police officers serving the city, and about 35 full-time clerical, dispatch, community service and animal control employees, according to Police Chief Jeff Potts. The department headquarters is part of Bloomington Civic Plaza. The department’s Mall of America Unit, housed in a substation at the mall, allows officers to respond quickly and efficiently to calls for service at the nation’s largest shopping complex. The department also has a highly trained Emergency Response Unit, which includes a SWAT team and one of only four bomb squads in Minnesota. Besides responding to criminal matters, car crashes and medical emergencies, the department offers a variety of services to Bloomington residents and businesses. There are approximately 350 Neighborhood Watch organizations in Bloomington, identifiable by signs posted in neighborhoods across the city. Those 350 groups represent more than half of the 21,000 homes in Bloomington. The Neighborhood Watch program trains and educates residents in ways to be involved, stay informed and work together with their neighbors to address mutual concerns and find solutions. If your neighborhood is not part of a watch group, the Bloomington Police Crime
Prevention Unit will help set one up. The department is also working to duplicate the concept for Bloomington businesses. With more than 6,000 businesses in the city, the department is working with business owners on a similar program called Business Watch. One of the department’s top priorities is traffic safety, according to Potts. The department conducts daily traffic details, often in response to traffic concerns of residents. The primary goals of effective traffic enforcement are driver compliance and safety. “The more traffic enforcement we provide, the fewer crashes there will be,” Potts said. Residents do not need to be police officers to be involved with the department. The annual Citizen’s Police Academy is a law enforcement education program designed to give participants an inside look at how the police department operates, including its policies, procedures, programs, priorities and challenges. The academy has been attended by more than 350 residents since its inception in 2003. The department provides an online crime map with statistics from the previous 90 days, as well as arrest reports, budget information and historical data through the city’s website. Information about police services is available by calling 952-563-4900 and through the city’s website, www.ci.bloomington.mn.us.
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Bloomington
Hyland Lake Park Reserve
Hyland Lake Park: a scenic retreat
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From skiing to swimming, hiking to biking, Bloomington has a place for all of that, and so much more. Hyland Lake Park Reserve – part of the Three Rivers Park District – hosts recreational activities and programs throughout the year, The park reserve offers breathtaking prairie landscapes and a major body of water as well as a large play area, the Richardson Nature Center and the Hyland Ski and Snowboard Area. With so much to do, this park has endless opportunities for outdoor fun. Richardson Nature Center is the largest of Three Rivers Park District’s nature centers. Last year the park district had 132 energy-efficient solar panels installed atop its roof, with a goal of generating half of the building’s annual energy use through solar power. The interpretive area surrounding the building features hiking trails that weave between diverse habitats, including marshes, oak forests and restored prairie. Along the trails, visitors might spot some of the varied wildlife that live in the park, such as deer, fox, coyote, muskrats and turkeys. Many species of birds can be observed in the area seasonally. Cell phone audio stops, trail guides, exploration kits and interpretive signs are available throughout the park. The Nature Exploration Area encourages free play
in the outdoors. Children can explore, dig and build while adults play along or observe nearby. Winter sports enthusiasts will love the Hyland Ski and Snowboard Area located within Hyland Lake Park Reserve. This area is a great place for downhill skiing and snowboarding in the metro area. The terrain park is full of progressive and innovative features and is known for some of the best snowmaking and grooming in the Midwest. During the summer the park attracts many disc golf enthusiasts to its 18-hole course, where Morty’s Lunch Café in the chalet serves weekly specials.
Three Rivers Park District The Three Rivers Park District is a special park district governed by a board of commissioners and a superintendent, structured much like a school board. The core of the park district is suburban Hennepin County, but it also serves parts of Ramsey, Scott, Carver and Dakota counties. The name “Three Rivers” comes from the district’s geography, situated within the watersheds that flow into three significant rivers to the region: the Mississippi, the Minnesota and the Crow. Three Rivers also offer program sites for nature, recreation, historic, and farm education, and the district’s facilities are ADA compliant.
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Bloomington
Fun in the Sun
Splashing about in the summer sun From the sandy shore of a Minnesota beach to the waterslides of a civic pool, Bloomington has both available for summer fun in the sun. The Bloomington Family Aquatic Center is open daily from June 9 through Aug. 19, and then on weekends through Labor Day. Monday through Friday the pool is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays the hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Whether you choose to lounge by the pool, swim laps or brave the back and forth ride down one of two waterslides, the aquatic center offers the perfect solution to a sweltering summer day. The aquatic center’s amenities include a zero-depth entry pool, water slides, diving boards, a bathhouse, a tot play area with slides and a concession stand. Rates for the Bloomington Family Aquatic Center range from $6.25 to $9.25 daily, with seasonal passes available for residents and non-residents. For residents a seasonal pass is $16.25 for seniors and children 10 and younger, $27.50 for ages 11-15 and $50.50 for ages 16-54. If you prefer a more natural setting when cooling off, Bush Lake Beach has been providing a relaxing beach experience to more than 100,000 visitors per year since opening in 1956.
Home to a playground, paved and unpaved hiking trails, a beach house, concession stand, fishing dock, a sand volleyball court, barbecue grills, picnic tables and, of course, a spacious swimming beach, Bush Lake Beach is also available by reservation for group gatherings. The beach is open June 9 through Aug. 19, with lifeguards on duty 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Entrance to Bush Lake Beach is $6.25 per car, with a seasonal pass available for $31.25 for the first car, and $13 for a second permit. Swimming lessons are available at both the Bloomington Family Aquatic Center and Bush Lake Beach. For more information about the Bloomington Family Aquatic Center and Bush Lake Beach contact the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department at 952-563-8877. Bloomington Family Aquatic Center 301 E. 90th St. xr.com/bfac Bush Lake Beach 9140 E. Bush Lake Road xr.com/beach
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Bloomington
Celebrations
Celebrations abound for every season
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To say there is never a dull moment in Bloomington is an understatement. City-sponsored events are among many school, civic and church celebrations and festivals planned throughout the year. Most weekends feature some sort of event in the city. One of the city’s biggest celebrations is its annual Summer Fete, a one-day celebration to honor Independence Day. This year Summer Fete is Tuesday, July 3. From the Normandale Lake Bandshell to the intersection of Normandale Boulevard and 84th Street, an evening carnival, children’s entertainment and music on the main stage precede fireworks at dusk. September brings Heritage Days. The one-day civic celebration returns for its third year Sept. 15. New this year is a Heritage Days parade. Live music, children’s games and activities, bingo and a car show are among the many activities that will again be part of the daylong celebration. Heritage Days is held near the intersection of Lyndale Avenue South and West 95th Street. River Rendezvous is a living history festival set at Pond-Dakota Mission Park, 401 E. 104th St., each fall. The annual celebration showcases the lifestyles of people living in Minnesota between 1800 and 1870 through storytelling and interactive, hands-on demonstrations. River Rendezvous provides five days of educational opportunities for students throughout the Twin Cities and an opportunity for families to partake in the festiv-
ities on Thursday, Sept. 20. Winter brings the annual Winter Fete, a weekend celebration of Minnesota’s coldest months. Youth winter sports programs have special games planned to coincide with festival. Recreational activities and an afternoon of winter history demonstrations at Pond-Dakota Mission Park are among the many events planned each winter. The annual celebration spans two weekends in late January. There are many annual events that draw a crowd year after year, such as the Taste of Chocolate, a dessert competition held in March, which benefits the Bloomington Fine Arts Council. It’s both a competition and an exhibition. Sampling is encouraged. Spring brings an annual egg hunt to the Normandale Lake Bandshell. A family fun walk precedes the egg hunt, which is organized by the Bloomington Optimists Club and the city. Summer is a busy time in Bloomington parks. The city has several Monday morning programs for children, and the Normandale Lake Bandshell is host to musical entertainment many Tuesday and Thursday nights, as well as the annual Blues and BBQ on Thursday, July 26, and the Bloomington Jazz Festival on Thursday, Aug. 2. Information about city festivals and events is available through the city’s website, ci.bloomington.mn.us, or by calling Bloomington Parks and Recreation at 952563-8877.
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Bloomington
City Parks
City parks provide variety of recreation In a city with hundreds of miles of roadway, there are many options for enjoying a more peaceful slice of life. With nearly 9,000 acres set aside, one-third of Bloomington is dedicated to parks and recreation. Most of the Minnesota River valley, including the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, is managed by the city and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The city, in partnership with Three Rivers Park District, operates the Hyland-Bush-Anderson Lakes Park Reserve. With those two massive parks included, Bloomington’s park space covers 38.3 square miles, which represents the first in what is a list of numbers that help define the depth of what Bloomington has to offer in its parks. For instance, there are 94 city parks in Bloomington, and they are home to: • 80 baseball and softball fields • 31 soccer fields • 7 football fields • 29 horseshoe courts
• 35 outdoor basketball courts • 55 playgrounds • 53 tennis courts • 19 outdoor hockey rinks • 33 park buildings • 14 picnic shelters • 19.6 miles of park trails/sidewalks There are also two disc golf courses in Bloomington (Moir Park and Hyland Ski and Snowboard Area) as well as five archery targets at the Marsh Lake Archery Range. In the summer, Bryant, Kelly and Westwood parks are home to paved rinks used for in-line skating, and a water-play area is available at Cedarcrest Park. The Valley View Playfields feature an outdoor swimming pool, the Kent Hrbek Youth Baseball Complex and the 500-seat Toro Grandstand at Red Haddox Field. Many other recreational options exist within Bloomington’s parks. A complete rundown of park amenities is available online through the city’s website, ci.bloomington.mn.us.
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Bloomington
Health & Wellness
Services to maintain the city’s health There are many health care resources available to Bloomington residents, including a variety of options available through the city. The Bloomington Public Health Division offers many low- or no-cost services to help all Bloomington residents stay healthy. Many services are offered at the Public Health Center near Bloomington Civic Plaza, others are provided at community locations or in homes. Online resources are also available, including emergency preparedness and health promotion information. The Public Health Center offers preventative services, such as seasonal flu shots, immunizations for children and adults, and Mantoux tests for tuberculosis. Immunizations are available 3-5:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month, Mantoux tests are available 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. A supplemental nutrition program providing food vouchers and nutrition education for pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to age 5 is also available through the Public Health Center. The program has income guidelines and is available by appointment. Health risk assessments are available by appointment three times per year, from 7:30-10 a.m. on the second Tuesday in February, June and October. Blood pressure screenings are available 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, no appointment needed.
Clinic fees are based upon income and family size, although most services are available regardless of ability to pay. Some services are free and others may be covered by private health insurance, Medicaid or Medicare. In-home services provided at no charge include, support and health or parenting education for expectant mothers, new parents and families; information and support for families or individuals looking for guidance in dealing with stressful family living situations or violence; development screenings and evaluation with educational, health and social services assistance for parents with concerns about their child’s development; support and health or parenting education for adolescents, pregnant teens and teen parents; and health and safety assessments with advocacy, education or referral consultations for seniors and their family. Services for seniors are offered monthly at Creekside Community Center, including “Talk with the Nurse” from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month, and hearing screenings, by appointment, from noon to 2 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every other month. Hearing screenings appointments are available by calling 952-563-4944. Free breast and pelvic cancer screening exams are available to women meeting age and financial requirements, as well as a free cardiovascular screening and intervention program for cancer screening patients, at Sage Women’s Clinic in Edina. Information is available by calling 952-922-2427.
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REVITALIZING YOU
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The Look Salon 952.746.7777 www.thelooksalon.com 12613 Nicollet Ave Burnsville, MInnesota
HAS A NEW NAME E P A ! SH
Metro South is a Minnesota Department of Education site for Eden Prairie, Edina, Richfield, and Bloomington school districts. We offer free Adult ESL, GED, Adult Diploma, and College Prep classes with a small voluntary materials fee. To register for classes please call 952-681-6170.
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Bloomington
Higher Education
Bloomington offers a lifetime of education Bloomington is home to several post-secondary educational institutions, the largest of them being the 90-acre campus of Normandale Community College. For more than 40 years the college has been part of the community. About 1,400 students enrolled in September 1968 when the doors opened. Today enrollment has burgeoned to more than 10,000 students. The college attracts students from many across the Twin Cities as well as students from its own back yard. Normandale is also one of Minnesota’s most racially diverse campuses with 26 percent of the student body comprised of students of color. Besides the traditional courses leading to a variety of associate’s degrees and certificates that community colleges are known for, Normandale offers specialized degree programs. Students may enroll in a nanotechnology program, for instance, offered in cooperation with leading high-tech manufacturers. Normandale has also partnered with other public institutions of higher learning such as Minnesota State University Mankato and Metropolitan State University to bring four-year programs to its campus. Students pursuing degrees in education can complete all four years of their training while attending Normandale. The college is also known for its criminal justice, dental hygiene, radiological technology and music and theatre programs. The college’s largest program remains its liberal arts transfer course sequence, followed by business marketing and management, science and engineering, nursing
and teacher education. In keeping with trends in higher education, Normandale also offers many of its courses online. Students who want to take a course simply for the sake of learning aren’t excluded. Normandale offers a variety of continuing education courses ranging from career enrichment to computer technology to foreign languages such as Chinese and Spanish. Other colleges in Bloomington include Academy College, offering a variety of professional training programs, Northwestern Health Sciences University, offering natural and integrative health care education, and Rasmussen College, offering degree programs in a variety of growing fields. Academy College 1101 E. 78th St. academycollege.edu Normandale Community College 9700 France Ave. S. normandale.edu Northwestern Health Sciences University 2501 W. 84th St. nwhealth.edu Rasmussen College 4400 W. 78th St. rasmussen.edu
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Bloomington
Libraries
Libraries connect community to the world
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Two branches of the Hennepin County Library system provide Bloomington with access to approximately five million books, CDs, DVDs and other resources. Oxboro Library on the east side of the city and Penn Lake Library on the west are part of a 41-library system in Minneapolis and suburban Hennepin County. Oxboro Library’s collection of books, DVDs, CDs and magazines includes materials in Spanish, Vietnamese and Somali. Library staff members are available to assist patrons in finding resources for learning a new language, working toward citizenship, applying for college, finding housing or a job, researching a business opportunity or a vacation destination and many other information needs. The library’s 24 computer workstations offer access to the library catalog, the library’s online resources for children, teens and adults and the Internet. The library collaborates with Bloomington Schools Volunteer Connection staff, Minnesota Reading Corps members and other community volunteers to offer the Family Homework Connection. Homework help is offered for K-12 students at the library 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays when Bloomington schools are in session. Penn Lake Library has 31 computer workstations and provides Spanish, Russian and Vietnamese lan-
guage collections and citizenship resources. The Penn Lake Mystery Book Club and the Penn Lake Reading Group – both sponsored by the Friends of the Penn Lake Library – and the Teen Anime Club meet regularly. Several book clubs for children, among other programs, are scheduled in the summer. Hennepin County Library’s website provides access to the library catalog as well as online databases, audio and video downloads, e-books, job and small business resources, and resources for children, teens, and new immigrants. Library information is also available through Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr. The library system’s Outreach Services provides library service for people who are unable to go to a library due to disability, mobility issues, or confinement in county correctional facilities. Library cards are free and are available at local libraries and online. Oxboro Library 8801 Portland Ave. S. 612-543-5775 Penn Lake Library 8800 Penn Ave. S. 612-543-5800 hclib.org
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Bloomington
Wildlife Refuge
A national wildlife refuge in Bloomington As Bloomington begins to redevelop the South Loop District – an area bounded by Mall of America and the airport – an important component of that district is the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Formed in 1976 to provide a natural habitat for countless wildlife species, the national wildlife refuge now stretches more than 50 miles, covers more than 14,000 acres of natural land and consists of eight separate refuge lands throughout the Minnesota River Valley. And all of that begins in Bloomington, where the Bloomington Visitor Center serves as the gateway to a majestic trip down the Minnesota River. Updated two years ago with a new energy efficient heating, cooling and lighting system, the inside of the Bloomington Visitors Center features both interpretive and educational exhibits, a 125-seat auditorium for viewing wildlife videos, a rotating art gallery, a bookshop and an informational desk stocked with all the necessary materials and know-how needed to enjoy the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, 3815 American Blvd. E. The visitor center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, April 1 to Oct. 31, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday Nov. 1 to March 31. During the winter season the visitor center is also open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. the first full weekend of each month. Just outside the front steps of the building is the Hillside Trail, which is a half-mile loop through prairie,
hillside forest and wetlands. Panoramic views of Long Meadow Lake can also be enjoyed from the visitor center observation platform. The visitor center is also the starting point for the Minnesota River Valley trek, which travels through the outskirts of Eagan, Burnsville, Savage, Eden Prairie, Shakopee, Chaska, Carver, Jordan and Belle Plain. A natural habitat for countless species, wildlife is abundant within the entire scope of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is home to more than 50 types of mammals and 30 different types of amphibians and reptiles. Bird watching is a popular activity throughout the refuge. More than 225 species of birds reside within the refuge throughout the year. Species found within the refuge include wood ducks, American redstarts, great blue herons, American goldfinches, Canadian geese and bald eagles. In fact, bald eagles have been known to nest within the refuge. The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge staff maintains the habitats in which the animals live. Opportunities to enjoy the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge abound, from hiking in the spring, summer and fall to cross country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. Bike trails are also available on a limited basis throughout the refuge, and leashed dogs are welcome.
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Bloomington Public Schools’ Early Learners Academy focuses on developing three, four, and five-year olds so they are better prepared for kindergarten and future success. Open weekdays from 6:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Call 952.681.6125 for more information or to schedule a tour.
Check out Triad Athletics the newest All Star Cheerleading Gym in the Twin Cities! Training, Inspiring, and Educating Tomorrow’s Godly Leaders
K-12 Christian Education for 37 Years •Centered in Biblical Worldview •Advanced Placement (AP) Philosophy K-12 •Athletic & Fine Arts Program 4300 W. 98th St. Bloomington, MN 55437 Call Kelli Kasperek at 952-831-8686, 111 www.bethanyacademy.org
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Ages 3-18 • No experience necessary!
More information at www.triadathletics.com 612-227-2695 info@triadathletics.com 10828 Normandale Blvd Bloomington, MN 55437
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Bloomington
Historic Sites
A celebration of history in Bloomington Bloomington’s history is on display, and you don’t have to go far to see it. Old Town Hall at Penn Avenue South and West Old Shakopee Road sits at a historic intersection. Prior to the pavement that carries cars and trucks through the city, an Indian trail from Shakopee to Fort Snelling, as well as a stagecoach route, passed through the area during years gone by. Built in 1892 and renovated in 2007, the Old Town Hall was used as a meeting place for the Town Board, community celebrations, dances and other festivities. The building served as headquarters for Bloomington’s government until 1964, when new city offices were built. When city officials moved out, the Bloomington Historical Society and the Bloomington History Museum and Research Center moved in. Today, visitors will see exhibits featuring artifacts from the early pioneer through agricultural periods, or about 1820 to 1900. Visitors can also purchase items from the gift shop. Popular gifts include Bloomington History Blankets, history note cards and books on local history. The museum is open noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Well before the Old Town Hall was built, Gideon Pond settled in Bloomington in 1843 and built a mission. He had previously been a carpenter in Connecticut, but worked as a missionary and a farmer in Bloomington. Pond studied the Dakota Indian lan-
guage, edited a local newspaper and translated portions of the Bible. He also served the community as a minister and legislator. He preached to the church until his resignation in 1874. Pond’s brick house on the Bloomington bluffs was built in 1856. The more than 40,000 bricks in the house were made of clay from the Minnesota River Valley. Known today as the Gideon Pond House at PondDakota Mission Park, the home was restored in 1995 and now is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is one of the oldest existing houses in Minnesota as well as one of the state’s most significant early historical sites. Visitors to the Pond House and Mission Park will learn more about the life and times of Pond and his brother, Samuel, as well as the Dakota people and missionaries during the mid-19th century. The Pond House is open 1:30-4 p.m. Sundays. Learn more about historical sites in Bloomington from these sources: www.bloomingtonhistoricalsociety.org and www.ci.bloomington.mn.us. Old Town Hall History Museum 10200 Penn Ave. S. 952-881-4114 or 952-881-4327 bloomingtonhistoricalsociety.org Pond-Dakota Mission Park and Gideon Pond House 401 East 104th St. 952-563-8878 xr.com/pond
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Bloomington
Mall of America
There’s always something to see at MOA From celebrity guests to new stores and restaurants, not a week goes by without something new and exciting taking place at Mall of America As home to more than 500 shops and restaurants, the Mall of America is a world-renowned retail and entertainment complex, and a must visit for tourists and Minnesotans alike. Celebrating 20 years of operation in 2012, time has brought plenty of change to the 78-acre property, but one thing remains constant, providing an enjoyable experience for everyone that walks through its doors. Mall of America offers visitors a chance to shop, grab a meal, check out a movie, gaze up at the belly of a shark and hitch a ride on a roller coaster, all in one stop. The mall also offers many unique opportunities within its halls. For example, the mall has hosted more than 5,500 weddings in its Chapel of Love, and it is provides many educational opportunities. The Metropolitan Learning Alliance is a program set up through four area high school districts, allowing students to earn both high school and college credits from classes taught inside the mall for students wishing to develop careers in a variety of subjects, including visual arts, law enforcement, hospitality, retail management and business. The South Hennepin Adult Programs in Education offers classes in adult basic education and English as a second language. The Mall of America Foundation for Youth supports programs that promote the self-development, well being
and education of youth, their families and communities, and has a scholarship program for college-bound students. Away from the classroom, there are plenty of places to play. Nickelodeon Universe comprises seven acres right in the heart of the mall, and is home to more than 25 rides and attractions for guests of all ages. Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium offers its visitors an up-close view of some of the world’s most compelling sea creatures, including sharks, stingrays and giant sea turtles. Other attractions include American Girl, Lego Store, A.C.E.S. Flight Simulator, Theatres at Mall of America and Sky Deck Sports Grille and Lanes. An environmental leader as well, the Mall of America was green before its time. Solar heating and an extensive recycling program – the mall recycles an average of 32,000 tons of waste per year – combine with 30,000 live plants acting as air purifiers to give Mall of America a refreshing and clean experience to all of its visitors. The mall has also replaced lighting in the parking ramps with specially designed fixtures featuring Light Emitting Diode technology. The conversion project, the largest of its kind in the United States, reduces energy consumption in the ramps by two-thirds. Shopping, movie theater, amusement park and aquarium hours, as well as other information, is available online at mallofamerica.com.
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Bloomington
Finding faith Bloomington has many places of worship for people of various faiths: Al-Rahman Muslim Community Center 8910 Old Cedar Road 952-883-0044 Atonement Lutheran Church 601 E. 98th St. 952-881-9244 Bethany Missionary Church 6900 Auto Club Road 952-946-4186 Bloomington Covenant Church 10150 Xerxes Ave. S. 952-831-8339 Bloomington Lutheran Church 9350 Portland Ave. S. 952-888-2475 Calvary Christian Reformed Church 8901 France Ave. S. 952-831-6264 Calvary United Pentecostal Church 8800 Nicollet Ave. S. 952-888-0215 Cedarcrest Church 1630 E. 90th St. 952-854-8390 Cedar Valley Church 8600 Bloomington Ave. S. 952-854-1100 Christ the King Lutheran Church 8600 Fremont Ave. S. 952-881-8600 Christian Life Church 9000 Emerson Ave. S. 952-881-6527 Church of Jesus Christ of
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Worship
Latter-day Saints 9700 Nesbitt Ave. S. 952-831-5373 Community of the Cross Lutheran Church 10701 Bloomington Ferry Road 952-941-1247 Comunidad Bautista Internacional 2600 W. 82nd St. 612-756-8432 CrossPoint Church 9801 France Ave. S. 952-831-1785 Eastside Bible Baptist Church 8524 Fremont Ave. S. 952-884-8044 Emmaus Lutheran Church 8443 Second Ave. S. 952-884-4751 Grace Lutheran Church 8700 Old Cedar Ave. S. 952-854-6638 Hillcrest United Methodist Church 9100 Russell Ave. S. 952-881-8601 Hillside Church 4300 W. 98th St. 952-831-5046 Holy Emmanuel Lutheran Church 201 E. 104th St. 952-888-2345 Jehovah’s Witness Church 3211 108th St. 952-888-5166 Jesus is Lord Church 2829 W. 102nd St. 952-888-2402 LifeChurch 2201 W. 108th St. 952-884-0594 Lutheran Church of the Redemption
927 E. Old Shakopee Road 952-881-0035 Maranatha Christian Church 8700 Old Cedar Ave. S. 952-261-7113 Minnesota Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship 10715 Zenith Ave. S. 952-884-8956 Mount Hope Lutheran Church 3601 W. Old Shakopee Road 952-888-5059 Nativity of Mary Catholic Church 9900 Lyndale Ave. S. 952-881-8671 Normandale Baptist Church 4701 W. 84th St. 952-831-2900 Normandale Hylands United Methodist Church 9920 Normandale Road 952-835-7585 Oak Grove Presbyterian Church 2200 W. Old Shakopee Road 952-888-4621 Oak Hill Church 8901 France Ave. S. 952-881-9486 Oasis of Power Fellowship 7910 12th Ave. S. 612-327-7740 Oxboro Evangelical Free Church 9431 Nicollet Ave. S. 952-881-6956 Peace Lutheran Church 8600 E. Bush Lake Road 952-944-6510 Portland Avenue United Methodist Church 8000 Portland Ave. S. 952-888-6070
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Bloomington Potter’s House of Jesus Christ 8000 Portland Ave. S. 952-435-7757 River Church 121 W. Market, Mall of America 952-854-5267 Riverside Church 10201 Nicollet Ave. S. 952-888-4988 Southtown Baptist Church 2600 W. 82nd St. 952-881-1122 St. Bonaventure Catholic Church 901 E. 90th St. 952-854-4733 St. Edward’s Catholic Church 9401 Nesbitt Ave. S. 952-835-7101 St. Luke’s Lutheran Church 1701 W. Old Shakopee
Worship
Road 952-881-5801 St. Mark’s United Church of Christ 8630 Xerxes Ave. S. 952-831-3949 St Michael’s Lutheran Church 9201 Normandale Blvd. 952-831-5276 St. Stephen Lutheran Church 8400 France Ave. S. 952-831-4746 Transfiguration Lutheran Church 11000 France Ave. S. 952-884-2364 Unity South Church 7950 First Ave. S. 952-884-6656 Information provided in part by Mall Area Religious Council, www.meaningstore.org.
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Southside Heating & Air Conditioning Warns of DOE Furnace Mandate Southside Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. in Bloomington is calling itself a “one stop shop” with the top lines of products for air quality and comfort. “We are able to offer top notch service and installations for Carrier, Ruud and Lennox,” said Don Siefert, CEO. “Being able to offer all the major brands is a plus for the communities we serve, giving peace of mind in knowing that Southside is professionally trained to meet your needs.” Part of meeting the needs of their customers is staying on top of the rules and regulations put down by the Federal Government. The Department of Energy is requiring all new furnaces to be a high efficient condensing furnace starting on May 1, 2013. This mandate covers every furnace installation ranging from new construction to replac-
ing any furnace due to mechanical failure. “This ruling puts some of our customers in a difficult situation” says Siefert. “They have furnaces that will be very costly to replace due to the difficulty of installing a condensing furnace in their home; but their existing furnace has not failed yet. The choice they have to make is whether to replace their furnace early to grandfather in a long lasting furnace that complies with current DOE mandates or to wait until their unit fails and incur the increased cost of installing a condensing furnace with vent pipes running across finished rooms. It is not an easy choice to make.” The history of the secondgeneration family-owned business dates back to 1978 when Bob and Betty Siefert first opened its doors. The business has been passed down to their son Don
Proudly Serving Your Local Community For Over 45 Years!
and his wife Jessica who are committed to offering first-rate service and installations of high efficiency heating and air conditioning equipment. Products offered include thermostats, humidifiers, ventilation, air purifiers and zone control systems for a complete home comfort package. The goal is to ensure total air quality combined with energy savings. They do this by keeping up with the latest technology and changes in the industry. Training and certification enables employees to be equipped to service the needs of customers with maintenance, the latest diagnostic techniques, repairs and free estimates on equipment upgrades. The showroom is currently located at 10800 Normandale Blvd, including an extensive product line on display. Watch for
them to move this summer a couple doors down to 10808 Normandale Blvd as they are expanding their office space. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. There is 24 hour service should you need it, all credit cards are accepted and financing is available. Southside provides authorized warranty service for all major heating and air conditioning equipment. Plus, it provides post-warranty service for all makes and models. Siefert says many of the new customers come from having satisfied and loyal customers who recommend Southside to their friends. Information: 952-884-2453 or www.southsideheating.com. Like them on Facebook for offers, games, and giveaways.
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10800 Normandale Blvd S Bloomington MN 55437 • www.southsideheating.com