Bloomington 2013
COMMUNITY GUIDE
Health care for the whole person.
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WELCOME
Welcome to Bloomington, where life is good Bloomington is among the best of Minnesota’s cities. We are proud of our safe and welcoming neighborhoods, our thousands of 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 contin- Mayor Gene Winstead ual building and renewal of this community by addressing the challenges of redeveloping our commercial areas and residential neighborhoods, and by improving our transportation system. We can accomplish our goals because we have a vision, Imagine Bloomington, and the ability and the resources to carry it out. Our vision of a healthy, sustainable, fiscally sound community defines our strategy to continue to keep Bloomington thriving for the long term. To help guide the city’s planning and vision, we conducted a community survey in 2012. The National Research Center out of Boulder, Colo., contacted thousands of residents to get their views of Bloomington and its strengths and weaknesses. So, how are we doing? I am happy to discover that I am not the only one who loves Bloomington. The survey showed residents also love their city. When asked, 94 percent praised Bloomington as a place to live; 94 percent would recommend living in Bloomington and 90 percent rated the overall quality of life in Bloomington as excellent or good. Life is never without a large list of challenges, but life is good in Bloomington. Because the National Research Center has surveyed more than 500 cities, we were able to compare our results with 21 high-performance peer cities that are very similar to Bloomington in size, location, demographics, population and employment base. Bloomington ranked much above these peer cities in many areas, including a number one ranking in employment opportunities. Bloomington also ranked number one among peer cities in snow removal and utility services. Essential and quality-of-life services such as these help support the long-term mission of making Bloomington a healthier, safer and more sustainable community. The goal is to protect and reinvest in the community’s key
assets – our homes and businesses – by providing competitively priced city services that make Bloomington safe and build community. Our city ranks with an elite few cities nationwide that hold three triple-A bond ratings. The city of 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. Excellent bond ratings signal 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. Bloomington’s future vision draws inspiration from the community’s 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 and keep Bloomington at its best. Gene Winstead Mayor of Bloomington
10917 Valley View Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 current.mnsun.com Editor ....................................................... Joseph Palmersheim Writers ................................................Mike Hanks, Nick Clark Photography ........................................................... Mike Hanks Layout/Design................Joseph Palmersheim, Keith Anderson Cover Design ............................................................Elli Martin Sales ..........................................................................Nancy Etzel Advertising Director ....................................Jeremy Bradfield Executive Editor ................................................ Peggy Bakken Director of News............................................. Keith Anderson Special thanks to Mayor Gene Winstead; to the city of Bloomington for use of its map and several photos; to the MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge for the photo, and to the Hennepin County Library for its library write-up. 4
CITY GOVERNMENT
The heart of city government: Civic Plaza Bloomington operates several facilities that provide its governmental services, and the epicenter of it all 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. Beyond Civic Plaza, other city facilities include 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, even though many city services originate from Bloomington Civic Plaza. The city, however, makes it easy to answer many questions, from how to obtain business licenses to snow emergency information, through its website. 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, pub-
lic safety services and elected officials 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 during weekdays. 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. Bloomington Civic Plaza 1800 W. Old Shakopee Road 952-563-8700 www.ci.bloomington.mn.us 5
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HISTORY
City history dates back to year of statehood Today it is an international destination and the largest suburb in the Twin Cities, but Bloomington’s roots predate shopping malls, airports and freeways. With a blossoming farming community, Bloomington became a town May 11, 1858 – the year Minnesota was officially declared a state. The town’s first public school was three years old at the time, the town’s 25 organizers approved a $100 town budget, and land sold for about a dollar an acre. Residents installed a town hall building in 1892 – which was used until a new town hall was built in 1964 – and the town totaled about 1,000 residents by 1900. Thirty years later, the population had more than doubled and was estimated at more than 2,500. School enrollment continued to escalate, with 700 students in Bloomington schools in 1918. To accommodate the number of children in grades 1-12, a school bus operation was initiated. The population continued to grow rapidly, and the town scrambled to provide enough room and services to meet the demand. A chamber of commerce was established in 1954 and the Bloomington Athletic Association began to organize youth sports a year later. Eighty-five businesses operated in Bloomington, serv-
ing 28,934 residents. Bloomington High School was built in 1957 and was later renamed Lincoln High School. Bloomington officially became a city in 1960, about a century after first organizing as a town. Development continued, and the city reached a booming population of 50,000. Interstate freeways of I-494 and I-35W connected Bloomington to the nation. And the nation tuned in to Bloomington, which housed the Metropolitan Stadium and Sports Center, the home of major league teams such as the Minnesota Vikings and Twins. Schools in Bloomington were expanded once again to include the John F. Kennedy and Thomas Jefferson high schools, built in 1964 and 1970, respectively. Bloomington residents were 82,000 strong by 1978. The commercial district continued to grow to meet increased demands. The Mall of America opened in 1992 and currently offers more than 520 stores. In 2004, the Metro Transit Hiawatha light rail line opened to shuttle tourists and area residents alike between downtown Minneapolis and Mall of America. For more information about and images from Bloomington’s history, visit these sources online: bloomingtonhistoricalsociety.org and ci.bloomington.mn.us. 7
CITY PARKS
City offers many places to enjoy nature Although Bloomington has a complex network of road and highways from east to west, the city has reserved thousands of acres of land for leisurely activities and the enjoyment of nature. With nearly 9,000 acres set aside, one-third of Bloomington’s 38.3 square miles of land and water is dedicated to parks and open space. 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-BushAnderson Lakes Park Reserve. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services manage 4,211 acres of land and waters in Bloomington, and Three Rivers Park District manages an additional 1,268 acres. With those two massive parks included, parks and open space in Bloomington covers 13.95 square miles. There are 97 city parks in Bloomington, consisting of 3,448 acres of land and water, and they are home to: • 80 baseball and softball fields • 31 soccer fields • 7 football fields • 29 horseshoe courts • 35 outdoor basketball courts • 54 playgrounds • 45 tennis courts, four dual striped tennis/pickleball courts, three pickleball courts • 17 outdoor hockey rinks • 33 park buildings
• 15 picnic shelters • 24.35 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. For traditional golfers the city has two courses, the 18-hole Dwan Golf Club and the nine-hole Hyland Greens Golf and Learning Center. Dwan offers an 18-hole, par 68 course. It has practice chipping and putting greens, a clubhouse that serves breakfast and lunch year round and tee times beginning at 6 a.m. daily during the summer. Hyland has a nine-hole par 3 course as well as an allbentgrass, 30,000-square-foot driving range and areas for chipping, bunker and short game practice. In the summer, the Normandale Lake Bandshell hosts a series of family entertainment concerts. Bryant, Kelly, Sunrise 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 the Bloomington Family Aquatic Center, six bocce ball courts, the Kent Hrbek Youth Baseball Complex and the 500-seat Toro Grandstand at Red Haddox Baseball 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. 8
HYLAND PARK RESERVE
Regional recreation throughout the year Spring, summer, fall or winter, Bloomington’s regional park has activities geared toward enjoying the outdoors. 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. Recently 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. If you’ve never hit the slopes or want to freshen up your skills, the area also offers lessons through its SnowSports Academy. 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. 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. Three Rivers also offer program sites for nature, recreation, historic, and farm education, and the district’s facilities are ADA compliant. Hyland Lake Park Reserve 10145 Bush Lake Road 763-694-7687 Richardson Nature Center 8737 E. Bush Lake Road 763-694-7676 threeriversparks.org 9
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.
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.
METRO SOUTH ADULT BASIC EDUCATION
Open weekdays from 6:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
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Call 952.681.6125 for more information or to schedule a tour.
(952) 681-6170 www.metrosouth.org
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WILDLIFE REFUGE
City is home to a national wildlife refuge With thousands of acres of city and regional parks available within Bloomington’s borders, the city is blessed to be home to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, too. 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 efďŹ cient 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. 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 ďŹ rst 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 Plaine. 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. 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. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge 3815 American Blvd. E. 952-854-5900 bit.ly/mvrefuge 11
POLICE DEPARTMENT
To protect and serve in Bloomington In addition to patrolling the city’s streets and investigating reported crimes, the Bloomington Police Department takes a proactive approach to keeping the city safe. 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 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. 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. More than 375 residents have attended the academy since its inception in 2003. The 10-week course is offered each fall. 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, ci.bloomington.mn.us. 12
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Volunteer corps provides fire protection The technology becomes increasingly sophisticated and provides better methods of firefighting, but the backbone of the Bloomington Fire Department remains its volunteer firefighters. 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 15 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. Each fall department members participate in vis-
its 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. Exhibits from other organizations are also displayed, including some from 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. 13
MAP
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MAP
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8045 Xerxes ◆ 8736Ave. Thomas ◆ 5800Ave. S. ◆ 5800 9601 Toledo Road9601 Toledo Road 9601◆Toledo Road ◆Ave. 8045S.Xerxes S. ◆ Ave. 8736S.Thomas 5140 95th. St. ◆W.8617 9319 Rich W. 96th St. ◆ 51 W. 96th St. ◆ W. ◆ 5140 95th.Sandro St. ◆ Rd. 8617◆Sandro Rd. Road ◆ 9319 Rich Road 96thW.St. ◆ 8706 11217 Rd. Vessey 8608 San◆ 8608 Kell Ave. ◆ 8608 Kell Ave. ◆ 8608 Kell Sandro Ave. ◆ Rd. 8706◆Sandro ◆ Ave. 11217◆ Vessey Ave. ◆ 8608 SanSt. ◆W.6010 9622Circle Toledo◆Circle 96 1/2Luigi St. Circle ◆ 6010◆Luigi 9622 Toledo Circle dro Rd. ◆ 4820 Wdro Rd. ◆ 4820 droW.Rd.96 ◆1/24820 ◆ 8545 Chalet 9557 Virginia Ave. S.Virginia ◆ ◆ 8008 Pennsylva◆ 8008 Pennsylvania ◆ 8008 Rd. Pennsylvania Rd. ◆Rd. 8545◆ Chalet Rd. ◆ 9557 Ave. S. ◆ CircleSheffield ◆ 9658Circle Xylon◆Ave. S. Xylon ◆ 9651Ave. Wyoming Terrace ◆ Terrace ◆ 9328 Sheffield Ci9328 Sheffield9328 9658 S. ◆ 9651 Wyoming ◆ 9036 7610Circle Autumn ChaceAutumn Dr. ◆ Chace Dr. ◆ 7800 Bush Lake 7800 Bush Lake 7800Dr.Bush LakeKell Dr. Circle ◆ 9036◆ Kell ◆ 7610 CircleCamelot ◆ 8123Circle Blaisdell Ave. S.Blaisdell ◆ 5132Ave. W. 96th 9542 ◆ 8123 S. ◆ St. 5132◆ W. 96th St. ◆ 9542 9269 Camelot Cir9269 Camelot 9269 ◆ 8624Curve Sandro◆Rd. 5481 Hyland Dr. ◆ 8401 Oxborough CurveOxborough Curve 8624◆ Sandro Rd. ◆ Courts 5481 Hyland Courts Dr. ◆ 8401 Oxborough ◆ 97 6002 ◆ 9509Circle Brunswick Circle ◆ 1/2Timberglade St. ◆ 6002Circle W. 97 1/2 St. ◆ W. 97 1/2 St. W. Timberglade ◆ 9509 Brunswick Circle ◆ Ave. S.Quebec ◆ 5840 ◆ 8017 Tierney’s 10517 Quebec Av10517 Quebec10517 Ave.Mt. S. Normandale ◆ 5840 Mt.Dr. Normandale Dr. ◆ 8017 Tierney’s ◆ 8424Curve Virginia CircleVirginia ◆ 5601Circle Mt. Normandale ◆ Woods Curve ◆ Woods Curve Woods ◆ 8424 ◆ 5601 Mt.Curve Normandale Curve ◆ ◆ 7711Circle Bush Lake Drive 9640 Drive Wyoming Ter-Wyoming Ter8145 Pennsylvani 8145 Pennsylvania 8145Circle Pennsylvania ◆ 7711 Bush◆ Lake ◆ 9640 Circle Courts ◆ 8308Circle Bryant◆Ave. ◆ 10201 9223 Hyland 8308S.Bryant Ave.Toledo S. ◆ 10201 Toledo race ◆ 9223 Hylarace ◆ 9223 Hyland race ◆Courts Xylon ◆Ave. S. Xylon ◆ 8811Ave. PennS. Lake Circle 8700Circle Penn Ave. Circle ◆ 9672 XyCircle ◆ 9672Circle 9672 ◆ 8811 Penn◆Lake ◆ 8700 Penn Ave. ◆ Rich 8800Road 3rd Ave. S. ◆ 3rd 9655Ave.Wyoming Terrace ◆ Terrace ◆ S. ◆ 9824 Rich RS. ◆ 9824 Rich ◆ 9824 ◆ 8800 S. ◆ 9655 Wyoming S. Road ◆ 10925 Humboldt Ave.Humboldt S. ◆ 4809Ave.W.S.84th 9511 Oxborough 9511 Oxborough 9511Curve Oxborough Curve ◆ 10925 ◆ St. 4809 W. 84th St. Dr. ◆ Courts 9640 Vincent ◆ 10337 ◆ 5425 Hyland C◆ 5425 Hyland ◆ Courts 5425 Hyland Dr. ◆ Ave. 9640S.Vincent Ave.Colorado S. ◆ 10337 Colorado 106th St. ◆W.10041 ◆ 10108 Nesbitt Ave. Nesbitt Ave. Road ◆ 7531 W. Road ◆ 7531 W. ◆ 7531 106thOxborough St. ◆ 10041Rd.Oxborough Rd. ◆ 10108 Road 8606Circle Poplar◆ Bridge Road Bridge ◆ 10013 8716 Circle Walton◆Pond 8606 Poplar Road ◆ 10013 S. ◆ 8716 Walt S. ◆ 8716 Walton S. ◆ Pond ◆ 7377 ChaceAutumn Circle Chace ◆ 8901Circle Woodland Rd.Woodland ◆ ◆ 8901 Rd. ◆ Beard Ave. S. ◆ Beard Ave. S. Beard Ave.Autumn S. ◆ 7377 ◆ 8030 Tierney’s Woods Curve Woods ◆ 610 Pleasant 5850 Mt. Norman5850 Mt. Normandale 5850 Mt.Dr. Normandale Dr. ◆ 8030 Tierney’s Curve ◆ 610 Pleasant Oxborough Curve ◆ 7805Curve Bush Lake Dr.Bush ◆ 9355 Circle ◆ 9560 O Circle ◆ 9560Circle ◆ 9560 Oxborough ◆ 7805 LakeHyland Dr. ◆ 9355 Hyland 7680Circle Bush Lake Dr.Bush ◆ 8724 Ave.Wyoming ◆ 8734 San◆ 7680 LakeWyoming Dr. ◆ 8724 Ave. ◆ 8734 SanCreek Circle ◆ 7Creek Circle ◆Creek 95th◆ St. 1021 W.St. 106th St. ◆W.7222 Oak Cirdro Rd. ◆ 5108 Wdro Rd. ◆ 5108droW.Rd. 5108◆ W. 95th ◆ 1021 106th St.Pointe ◆ 7222 Oak Pointe Cir◆ 6008 Lane W. 101st St. ◆W.11416 cle ◆ 10920 Glencle ◆ 10920 Glen 10920 Lane Glen Wilding ◆ 6008 101stZion St. ◆Rd.11416 Zion Rd. cle ◆Wilding www.megandtommeyers.com 8220 Oregon ◆ 8601 Circle Kell Ave. ◆ 7813 ◆ 8330 Morris R ◆ 8330 Morris◆Rd. 8330◆ Morris Rd. ◆ Circle 8220 Oregon ◆ 8601 Kell Bush Ave. ◆ 7813 Bush 11110Drive Goodrich Circle ◆ 8225Circle Nevada ◆ 10321 Lake Drive ◆ 11Lake Drive ◆Lake ◆ 11110 Goodrich ◆ Circle 8225 Nevada Circle ◆ 10321 ◆ 8749Circle Sandro 9152 Rd. Utica◆Ave. ◆ 9643 Brunswick CircleBrunswick Circle ◆ Rd. 8749 ◆Sandro 9152S. Utica Ave. S. ◆ 9643 Brunswick ◆ 9848 Aquila◆Road 11532Road Zion ◆Road ◆ 8041 Wyoming TerraceWyoming Terrace 9848◆Aquila 11532 Zion TierRoad ◆ 8041 TierWyoming Terrace 8717 Sandro 7601 Autumn Rd. ◆ 7709 ney’s Woods Rd. ney’s Woods Rd. 8717◆ Sandro Rd. ◆ Chace 7601 Autumn Chace Rd. ◆ 7709 ney’s◆ Woods Rd. ◆Rd.
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CELEBRATIONS
Celebrations that last throughout the year When it comes to celebrating the good times, Bloomington has it covered from one season to the next. 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 Wednesday, 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 has grown since its inception three years ago, and the fourth annual celebration is Sept. 21. A 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 festivities on Thursday, Sept. 26. 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, including the annual Blues and BBQ on Thursday, July 25. 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. 17
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SUMMER FUN
Summer fun abounds in Bloomington When it’s time for fun in the sun, Bloomington has it covered, offering a sandy beach and a state-of-the-art aquatic center as cool respites from a hot summer day. The Bloomington Family Aquatic Center is open daily from June 8 through Aug. 18, 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 the water slides, the aquatic center offers the perfect solution to a sweltering summer day. In addition to water slides, the aquatic center’s amenities include a zero-depth entry pool, diving boards, a bathhouse, a tot play area with slides and a concession stand. Rates for the Bloomington Family Aquatic Center range from $6.50 to $9.50 daily, with seasonal passes available for residents and nonresidents. For residents a seasonal pass is $16.75 for seniors and children 10 and younger, $28.50 for ages 11-15 and $52 for ages 1654. 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 8 through Aug. 18, with lifeguards on duty 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Entrance to Bush Lake Beach is $6.50 per car, with a seasonal pass available for $32.50 for the first car, and $16.25 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 952563-8877. Bloomington Family Aquatic Center 301 E. 90th St. bit.ly/bfac2013 Bush Lake Beach 9140 E. Bush Lake Road bit.ly/blb2013 19
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Learning with Bloomington Public Schools Always changing to meet the demands of today’s education, Bloomington Public Schools addresses the needs of a diverse student population The Bloomington School District includes 10 elementary schools, three middle schools, two high schools, two early childhood family centers and two alternative learning centers. New classrooms were added this spring at Valley View Elementary School to meet the district’s early childhood education needs. With more than 10,000 potential students in the community, Bloomington Public Schools is the district of choice for most Bloomington families enrolling in public education. Open enrollment allows students to attend schools outside their district. Although 452 students chose to attend a school outside of Bloomington, the district attracted 594 students from outside its boundaries, according to the report. The district’s schools educate students of many different ethnic and social backgrounds. During the 201112 school year, the district’s diverse student population (minority or students of color) grew from 41 to 43 percent. The district’s services cover far more than grade school education. Bloomington-Richfield Community Education provides a variety of youth programs after school and during the summer, as well as adult basic education. The district also provides activity centers at its two high schools, allowing community members to main-
tain active lifestyles through recreational space at each building. John F. Kennedy High School, 9701 Nicollet Ave. S., was established in 1965. It was the first Bloomington school to win the National Blue Ribbon of Excellence in 1985. Thomas Jefferson High School, 4001 W 102nd St., opened in 1970. It was named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education in 2009. 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 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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COLLEGES
A variety of options for lifelong learning There are an abundance of post-secondary options available throughout Bloomington, 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. 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 and Strayer University, 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 Strayer University 1600 W. 82nd St. No. 100 strayer.edu 21
Bloomington skyline Looking west toward Normandale Lake Office Park, located near the intersection of Highway 100 and Interstate 494, a setting sun and illumination of building lights creates a picturesque setting. Photo by Sun photographer Rick Orndorf
BLOOMINGTON’S OLD TOWN HALL HISTORY PLAZA BE A PART OF BLOOMINGTON FOREVER! Sponsor an engraved History Brick for the Old Town Hall History Plaza for your family, friends, business, school, sports team, special milestones in life, memorials, awards, and other commemorations. Visit the Historical Society’s Website at www.bloomingtonhistoricalsociety.org for the brick order form. You may purchase a 3 line 4”X8” brick for $100 or a 6 line 8”X8” brick for $175 ~ 18 characters per line, including spaces between lines. The Bloomington Historical Society is a 501©3 Non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible. Questions? Call 952-881-4327.
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VISIT THE OLD TOWN HALL HISTORY CENTER LOCATED AT THE HISTORIC INTERSECTION OF PENN AVENUE AND OLD SHAKOPEE ROAD! • Include a visit in your itinerary of summer events for visiting guests, reunions, social gatherings • Learn about Bloomington’s ancient & recent history • View our cultural collections of historic artifacts, photos and memorabilia of many generations. • Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday Noon to 4 p.m. • Sundays: 1-5 p.m.
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WORSHIP
Places of worship welcome you to Bloomington Bloomington has many places of worship: Al-Rahman Muslim Community Center 8910 Old Cedar Ave. 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
Maranatha Community Church 8201 Park Ave. S. 952-884-6199
Potter’s House of Jesus Christ 8000 Portland Ave. S. 952-435-7757
Minnesota Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship 10715 Zenith Ave. S. 952-884-8956
River Church 121 W. Market, Mall of America 952-854-5267
CrossPoint Church 9801 France Ave. S. 952-831-1785
Mount Hope Lutheran Church 3601 W. Old Shakopee Road 952-888-5059
Riverside Church 10201 Nicollet Ave. S. 952-888-4988
Eastside Bible Baptist Church 8524 Fremont Ave. S. 952-884-8044
Nativity of Mary Catholic Church 9900 Lyndale Ave. S. 952-881-8671
Emmaus Lutheran Church 8443 Second Ave. S. 952-884-4751
Normandale Baptist Church 4701 W. 84th St. 952-831-2900
Grace Lutheran Church 8700 Old Cedar Ave. S. 952-854-6638
Normandale Hylands United Methodist Church 9920 Normandale Road 952-835-7585
Community of the Cross Lutheran Church 10701 Bloomington Ferry Road 952-941-1247 Comunidad Bautista Internacional 2600 W. 82nd St. 612-756-8432
Hillcrest United Methodist Church 9100 Russell Ave. S. 952-881-8601
Oak Grove Presbyterian Church 2200 W. Old Shakopee Road 952-888-4621
Hillside Church 4300 W. 98th St. 952-831-5050
Oak Hill Church 8901 France Ave. S. 952-881-9486
Holy Emmanuel Lutheran Church 201 E. 104th St. 952-888-2345
Christ the King Lutheran Church 8600 Fremont Ave. S. 952-881-8600
Jesus is Lord Church 2829 W. 102nd St. 952-888-2402
Christian Life Church 9000 Emerson Ave. S. 952-881-6527
LifeChurch 2201 W. 108th St. 952-884-0594
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 9700 Nesbitt Ave. S. 952-831-5373
Lutheran Church of the Redemption 927 E. Old Shakopee Road 952-881-0035
St. Edward’s Catholic Church 9401 Nesbitt Ave. S. 952-835-7101 St. Luke’s Lutheran Church 1701 W. Old Shakopee Road 952-881-5801 St. Mark’s United Church of Christ 8630 Xerxes Ave. S. 952-831-3949
7910 12th Ave. S. 612-327-7740 Oxboro Evangelical Free Church 9431 Nicollet Ave. S. 952-881-6956
St. Stephen Lutheran Church 8400 France Ave. S. 952-831-4746
Peace Lutheran Church 8600 E. Bush Lake Road 952-944-6510
Transfiguration Lutheran Church 11000 France Ave. S. 952-884-2364
Portland Avenue United Methodist Church 8000 Portland Ave. S. 952-888-6070
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St. Bonaventure Catholic Church 901 E. 90th St. 952-854-4733
St. Michael’s Lutheran Church 9201 Normandale Blvd. 952-831-5276
Oasis of Power Fellowship
Jehovah’s Witness Church 3211 108th St. 952-888-5166
Southtown Baptist Church 2600 W. 82nd St. 952-881-1122
Unity South Church 7950 First Ave. S. 952-884-6656
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Leroy’s Great Bear Tire and Auto Center proudly provide the following services: • Auto service-car maintenance, car repairs, oil change, A/C service and much more • Brake service and repair • Tire center - new tires, tire repair, tire rotation • Propane - portable tanks and RVs • Car wash • Convenience Store • Gasoline - Diesel/Non-oxygen/Premium • Gift cards to be used for all services • Vehicle interior cleaning and detailing
Martin Luther Campus Care Center
1401 East 100th Street Bloomington, MN 55425 Meadow Woods Assisted Living
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Bloomington Lutheran Church and School Saturday 6:00 p.m. .....................Worship Service Sunday 8:00 & 10:30 a.m. ........Worship Services (Sept - May) 9:00 a.m. .....................Sunday School and Adult Bible Class Monday 7:00 p.m. .....................Worship Service CHURCH 952-888-2475 9350 Portland Ave. S. Bloomington, MN 55420
SCHOOL 952-941-9047 10600 Bloomington Ferry Rd. Bloomington, MN 55438
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Martin Luther Campus has been providing services to seniors for over 50 years, helping older adults live a more independent, healthful, secure and meaningful life.
Living at Martin Luther Campus allows seniors - and their families - the opportunity to be involved. From regularly scheduled activities to an array of special events, the Campus comes alive with activities for all to enjoy.
Through a series of quality care initiatives, the residents at Martin Luther Campus are receiving the industry’s highest standard of care.
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LIBRARIES
Educational resources readily available Bloomington is home to two libraries that are part of the Hennepin County Library system. Hennepin County Library, which consists of 41 libraries located in Minneapolis and suburban Hennepin County, is a national award-winner for innovative government programs and is recognized as one of the top library systems in the United States. Hennepin County Library offers approximately 5 million books, CDs, DVDs, downloadables and other resources in more than a dozen world languages, plus access to more than 1,900 computers. Library cards are free and are available at your local library or online. With a library card, you can check out and request materials from any of the 41 libraries plus other public libraries in the seven-county metro area. Hennepin County Library’s website offers 24/7 access to the library catalog, online databases, audio and video downloads, eBooks, job and small business resources, web pages for children, teens and new immigrants, and much more. Outreach Services provides library service for people who are unable to go to a library due to disability, mobility issues or incarceration. Oxboro Library is a popular destination for students as well as the diverse Bloomington community. The library’s collection of books, DVDs, CDs, and magazines includes materials in Spanish, Vietnamese and Somali as well as English. Staff assists 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 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. on Tuesdays, during times of the year when Bloomington schools are in session. Penn Lake Library serves residents from nearby Edina, Richfield, south Minneapolis and Eden Prairie as well as Bloomington patrons. Multicultural patrons who attend nearby Metro South Adult Basic Education ESL and general education classes stop in to use the Spanish, Russian, and Vietnamese language collections and citizenship resources. The Penn Lake Mystery Book Club and the Penn Lake Reading Group and the Teen Anime Club meet regularly. Several book clubs for children, among other programs, are scheduled in the summer. Oxboro Library 8801 Portland Ave. S. 612-543-5775 Penn Lake Library 8800 Penn Ave. S. 612-543-5800 hclib.org 25
THE ARTS
A home for arts education, entertainment Many organizations provide visual and performing arts programs and instruction in Bloomington, and many of them showcase their talent under one roof. The Bloomington Center for the Arts provides stage, rehearsal, classroom, gallery and office space for several nonprofit arts organizations. The Center for the Arts opened in July 2003 as part of Bloomington Civic Plaza. Financed through a voter referendum, an endowment and fundraising by the Bloomington Fine Arts Council – an association of Bloomington-based arts organizations – the Center for the Arts is home to two theaters and two art galleries. The larger of the two stages is inside the Schneider Theater for the Performing Arts, a 366-seat theater that hosts a variety of musical and theatrical performances year round. The Black Box Theater is a multi-purpose facility that seats 115. Angelica Cantanti Youth Choirs, Bloomington Chorale, Bloomington Theatre and Art Center, Continental Ballet Company, and NOTE-able Singers are among the organizations that share stages and office space at the Center for the Arts. Organizations such as BTAC rely on the Center for the Arts to present a variety of performances throughout the year, many running for as long as five weeks and some selling out weeks before the final curtain. Other organizations, such as the Bloomington-based Medalist Concert Band, perform across the Twin Cities in addition to their performances in Bloomington.
Continental Ballet Company not only stages performances throughout the year, but also operates a ballet school with classes for everyone from beginners to professionals. Other classes, from painting to creative writing, are offered by BTAC. The Inez Greenberg Gallery is on the main floor of the Center for the Arts. The Atrium Gallery is the building’s second-floor display space. BTAC is responsible for selecting and installing all of the exhibits that appear in the galleries, typically seven per year in each space. The exhibits feature works by artists from Minnesota and neighboring states. The galleries are open seven days a week, excluding major holidays, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 1-10 p.m. Sundays. Several arts organizations are members of the Bloomington Fine Arts Council, which raises money in support of the arts through its annual Taste of Chocolate dessert competition each March, and other fundraising efforts. Information about the arts council and its members is available online at bloomingtonfinearts.com. Information about BTAC theater productions, art exhibits and class information is available online at btacmn.org. Tickets for performances at Bloomington Center for the Arts may be ordered online or by calling the box office at 952-563-8575. 26
PUBLIC HEALTH
Services place a priority of a healthy city Bloomington residents have many resources available when it comes to maintaining their health. 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. 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 sup-
port 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. Public Health Center 1900 W. Old Shakopee Road 952-563-8900 bit.ly/bl-phd 27
Southside Heating & Air Conditioning Advice-Know Your Furnace and Air Southside Heating and Air Conditioning, INC. in Bloomington was recognized a second time this year as a leader in their industry by winning the 2013 Reader’s Choice Award. They combine top quality products with the factory training to install and service their products. “We pride ourselves in our customer service from the time we receive your call until after we leave your driveway� said Don Siefert, CEO. “Being able to offer Carrier, Lennox, and Ruud along with our N.A.T.E. certified technicians we can give our customers the peace of mind knowing that they have a great product installed correctly. We have been working especially hard keeping up to date with all of the changes mandated to us by the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.� Siefert explains that the Department of Energy had mandated that beginning on May 1 of 2013 all new and replacement furnaces in the northern climate zone of the United States would be required to be of the high efficient condensing furnace model. Previously the minimum efficiency standard was 78%. Siefert continues to explain that the American Public Gas Association along with the Air Conditioning Contractors of America filed suit against the DOE to stop the impending mandate. “The law is still on the books but the DOE has issued a statement that they will not enforce the law at this time. It is very frustrating for us to be telling our customers what to expect in the future when what we are told to expect is constantly changing. “
How much extra is your old furnace and air conditioner costing you?
Another issue Southside is keeping up on is the cost of the refrigerant R-22 that is used in many of the older air conditioning systems. Part of what the EPA does is control the amount of R-22 that is available for purchase in the United States. In accordance with a phase out of R-22 over the next several years production levels will be decreasing every year until 2020 when production will be stopped. This decrease in supply will increase the cost of R-22. The purpose of this is to push manufacturers to promote more ecologically friendly refrigerants. “The restriction of refrigerant is putting our customers in another quandary with increased repair costs� says Siefert. “More customers are looking at replacing their systems because it is less expensive than repairing them.� Indoor Air Quality has also been a concern of many of Southside’s customers recently according to Siefert. Radon has been a particular concern although carbon monoxide has always been an issue to homeowners. “The biggest thing is to do the proper air test to determine what course of action is required to improve your indoor air quality to healthy standards� advises Siefert. When asked what advice he can give on finding a heating and cooling contractor his reply is “trust�. Siefert goes on to explain “Price is obviously a concern, but you need to be able to trust the technician working on your furnace. If done incorrectly it can cost you extra in utility bills, shorten your equipment life, and in dire cases put your safety at risk. Find someone that keeps your best interests in mind. It may cost a little more up front, but it will save you heartache and money over time.�
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