Sun bloomguide2016

2016

C O M M U N I T Y

G U I D E

BLOOMINGTON

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BLOOMINGTON

BD Li s Oc oOv eMr IYNo uGr TP Oa t Nh WELCOME

Bloomington: We’re better together A city’s success depends on the combined efforts of many.

We can achieve something more extraordinary together than any of us could achieve alone. Bloomington is an impressive community with residents who promote the vitality of our neighborhoods, organizations that add quality to our lives and businesses that make us prosperous.

For years, the city and its partners have worked diligently to accomplish our vision for a better Bloomington. The planning and infrastructure groundwork, completed over the last few years, is now paying dividends as evidenced by the many new businesses, hotels, restaurants and housing developments.

In 2015, the city had its second consecutive recordbreaking year in building permits issued. This translates to more than a billion dollars in new development and property renovations in Bloomington. New murals, sculptures and live performances also added to the social fabric of our community as part of a creative placemaking initiative to build vibrant, distinctive and sustainable places through collaboration.

For the fourth year in a row, we conducted a National Citizen Survey in Bloomington. The survey allows Bloomington leaders to compare our results with 500 communities nationwide. We also surveyed Bloomington businesses for the first time in 2015.

About 9 out of 10 residents and businesses rated the overall quality of life in Bloomington as excellent or good. When asked about the city as a place to live, 94 percent of residents scored the community favorably.

A total of 85 percent of business owners and managers rated Bloomington positively as a place to do business; 93 percent plan to keep their businesses here.

Our municipal services also received exceptional marks. Eighty-six percent of residents ranked city services very favorably, putting Bloomington in the top 20 percent of cities nationwide. Bloomington’s police, fire and snow removal were the highest rated services.

With a 91 percent approval rating from residents, the city’s drinking water was No. 1 among peer cities for the fourth year in a row and ninth among all jurisdictions polled nationwide.

The city continues to be at the top of its class. Again, Bloomington has received the highest bond ratings from three bond ratings agencies. Out of almost 19,500 cities in the United States, only 32 have three triple-A

bond ratings, and Bloomington continues to be the only city in Minnesota to achieve three triple-A ratings from these rating agencies.

Bloomington is a healthy community – a place where jobs are plentiful, business is booming, housing is affordable and the quality of life is high. Our economy is in excellent shape. Residents love to live here, and businesses love to do business here. We support one another, combining our talents and resources, and facing challenges and embracing opportunities to ensure our success. Together, we believe in and will achieve our common goal of building this great community.

Gene Winstead Mayor of Bloomington

10917 Valley View Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 current.mnsun.com 952-392-6840

Editors ...............................Mike Hanks, Matthew Hankey Writer ........................................................... Mike Hanks Photography ................................................. Mike Hanks Layout & Design ...........Matthew Hankey, Keith Anderson Cover Design ........................................... Keith Anderson Sales ........................................................ Sharon Brauer Sales Manager........................................ Cheri O’Bannon Executive Editor .......................................Peggy Bakken Director of News ...................................... Keith Anderson Special thanks to Bloomington Mayor Gene Winstead for his participation in this guidebook, providing the Welcome to Bloomington message. Our appreciation also goes to the city of Bloomington, the Hennepin County Library System, Three Rivers Park District and the many community organizations and local businesses that supported this publication.

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BLOOMINGTON

BD Li s Oc oOv eMr IYNo uGr TP Oa t Nh

CITY EDUCATION

The epicenter of city government City services are dispatched from many facilities, but the epicenter of city government is Bloomington Civic Plaza.

Civic Plaza is home to the city’s administrative offices, the Bloomington Police Department and the Center for the Arts. Much more than a typical government office building, it is a place alive with music, art and, during a farmers market, plenty of delicious, locally grown produce.

The Center for the Arts is a focal point for the performing and visual arts for thousands of people in Bloomington and the surrounding communities.

At Bloomington Civic Plaza, you can obtain a building permit, register your children for summer programs and take in a show all under one roof. The campus of municipal facilities includes the Public Works complex across the street from Civic Plaza, and several smaller Public Works facilities, six fire stations, a water treatment plant, a Public Health Center and Motor Vehicle Office.

Although there are plenty of amenities and services offered on campus, you need not leave the comfort of your home to connect to city services or register for programs or events. The city’s website serves as its main information hub and includes a variety of online tools to help you get information more efficiently. The city’s E-tools allow you to find answers to specific questions at any time of day.

Through “Ask the City,” you can search frequently asked questions for answers or log on to submit a question or service request to the appropriate department.

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Interactive maps allow you to track construction projects happening around the city. Webcasts give you the ability to watch city council meetings from your computer. You can sign up for Parks and Recreation programs and events online, and even register to become a program volunteer.

In addition, while visiting the city’s website, you can sign up to receive timely alerts about programs and events directly to your email inbox via E-subscribe. Or, residents may sign up to receive important emergency alerts via the Citizen Alert system. These are only a few of the online tools available.

With so much going on in Bloomington, there’s plenty to keep track of. To keep residents informed, the city publishes the Briefing, a bi-monthly newsletter. The Briefing is mailed to all single-family households and businesses, and is also available online. The city produces news programs, such as Bloomington Today and Roll Call, which are also available through the city’s website. Bloomington Today is a weekly news show that highlights city events, programs and services. Roll Call is a monthly news show that includes updates from the Bloomington Police Department.

Bloomington Civic Plaza 1800 W. Old Shakopee Road 952-563-8700 bloomingtonmn.gov

BLOOMINGTON

BD Li s Oc oOv eMr IYNo uGr TP Oa t Nh

BLOOMINGTON SCHOOLS

Meeting the demands of today’s workforce Adapting to meet the demand of today’s workforce, Bloomington Public Schools provides educational opportunities that meet the needs of its many unique learners.

Bloomington Public Schools includes 10 elementary schools, three middle schools, two high schools, two early childhood centers and alternative learning programs offered through two alternative learning sites. The district is guided by a strategic plan referred to as “Pathways to Graduation,” a framework for preparing students to graduate on time with skills necessary for college or a career.

The district is a leader in early childhood education. Its Kinderprep program has gained national attention for its work to prepare English learners and low-income 4-yearolds for kindergarten.

The district is also a leader in providing career education to students enrolled in high school. Its Career and College Academy is an innovative program that gives high school students the opportunity to explore or begin a career path. Students learn from college instructors, earn college credit and high school STEM or elective credit and can apply that credit toward their post-secondary education and training, and in some cases begin their career.

Support for Bloomington schools remains strong, thanks to voter-approved levies. Since state revenue has not kept pace with inflation, the district has turned to referendum requests to meet the its educational program needs.

In 2013, Bloomington voters supported a 10-year capital projects levy that provides $2 million per year to fund safety and security improvements, and $4 million per

year for educational technology that will prepare students to compete in a global economy.

Bloomington Public Schools is the first in the state to offer a profoundly gifted high school experience for students that have exceptional academic skills. Dimensions Academy High School, in partnership with Normandale Community College, provides a highly rigorous collegelevel curriculum with a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) focus to students in grades 9-10. The district also provides highly successful and internationally recognized gifted programs for elementary and middle school students.

The district is governed by a seven-member board of education that meets at the Educational Services Center 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 information about 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 75

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BD Li s Oc oOv eMr IYNo uGr TP Oa t Nh

POLICE DEPARTMENT

A key partnership keeps the city safe Keeping the community safe, and doing so proactively, has long been the goal of the Bloomington Police Department. Bloomington has 118 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 a bomb squad, one of four bomb squads serving 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 also works to duplicate the concept for city businesses. With more than 6,000 businesses in the city, the department works with business owners through its Business Watch program. This group receives crime

alerts and works with the department to reduce crime and enhance public safety in the business community.

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 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 department operates, including its policies, procedures, programs, priorities and challenges. More than 400 residents have attended the academy since its inception in 2003.

Academy classes are taught by department personnel.

Topics include functions of department divisions, emergency response, search and seizure, traffic stops, use of force, defensive tactics and an introduction to firearms.

Participants also have an opportunity to ride along with a patrol officer. The 10-week course is offered each fall.

The department’s “Roll Call” program is a monthly cable television show examining crime statistics and other public safety issues. It is also available for viewing through the city’s website.

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 online at tr.im/bpd.

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BLOOMINGTON

BD Li s Oc oOv eMr IYNo uGr TP Oa t Nh

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Volunteers provide fire protection The city depends upon more than 100 volunteers to provide fire protection to Bloomington’s homes and businesses, and highly trained volunteers are at the ready 24 hours a day to meet a variety of needs in the city.

The Bloomington 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 125 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 is in the process of adding 20 volunteers this year and there is a waiting list of approximately 15.

The department’s only full-time employees are its chief, Ulie Seal, assistant chief, Jay Forster and assistant chief/fire marshal, Laura McCarthy. There are also 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 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 and online at tr.im/firedept.

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BLOOMINGTON

BD Li s Oc oOv eMr IYNo uGr TP Oa t Nh

PARKS

A world of recreation opportunity Bloomington’s parks provide a variety of amenities across the city, and the city has many places for families to gather and engage in recreational activities.

At nearly 9,000 acres, more than 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-Bush-Anderson Lakes Park Reserve.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services manages 4,211 acres of land and waters in Bloomington, and Three Rivers Park District manages an additional 1,268 acres.

Parks and open space in Bloomington cover 13.95 square miles of the city. The total is one of many numbers that help summarize what Bloomington has to offer through its parks.

There are many other noteworthy numbers that illustrate all that the city’s 97 parks have to offer. Consisting of 3,448 acres of land and water, Bloomington’s parks 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, 4 dual striped tennis/pickleball courts, 3 pickleball courts • 17 outdoor hockey rinks • 33 park buildings 10

• 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 operates two courses, the 18-hole Dwan Golf Club and the nine-hole Hyland Greens Golf and Learning Center. And Hyland Greens also provides a place to play “footgolf,” a sport that combines soccer and golf.

Dwan offers an 18-hole, par 68 course. It has practice greens for chipping and putting, 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. Daily tee times are available beginning at 7 a.m.

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, bloomingtonmn.gov.

BLOOMINGTON

BD Li s Oc oOv eMr IYNo uGr TP Oa t Nh

HYLAND LAKE PARK RESERVE

A regional amenity in Bloomington In addition to the many parks across Bloomington, the city is also home to a regional park that offers skiing, swimming, hiking and biking, as well as educational and recreational programs throughout the year.

Hyland Lake Park Reserve is part of the Three Rivers Park District. The park reserve comprises breathtaking prairie landscapes and a major body of water as well as a large play area, 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, and boasts 132 energy-efficient solar panels atop its roof intended to provide half of the building’s annual energy use through solar power.

Inside, one can enjoy colorful clay mosaics by artist Chris Tully that cover the exhibit area walls, view interpretive displays, visit live animals and raptors or observe birds and other animals in the backyard wildlife viewing area.

The interpretive area surrounding the building features hiking trails that weave between diverse habitats, including marshes, oak forests and 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.

You can also try geocaching at the Hyland Visitor

Center, just down the road from the nature center. GPS units may be checked out free of charge at the visitor center on a first come, first served basis. Units may only be used in the park and must be returned to the visitor center before closing. A picture ID is required.

Winter sports enthusiasts will enjoy the Hyland Ski and Snowboard Area within Hyland Lake Park Reserve.

The ski hill 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 snow-making and grooming in the Midwest. A multi-million dollar improvement brought a new chalet to the ski hill this past winter, including improved traffic and parking accommodations. During the summer the park attracts many disc golf enthusiasts.

The Three Rivers Park District is a special park district governed by a board of commissioners and a superintendent. 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.

Hyland Lake Park Reserve 10145 Bush Lake Road 763-694-7687

Richardson Nature Center 8737 E. Bush Lake Road 763-694-7676 threeriversparks.org 117

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BLOOMINGTON

BD Li s Oc oOv eMr IYNo uGr TP Oa t Nh

SWIMMING

Plenty of fun in the summer From the sandy shore of a Minnesota beach to the water slides of a civic pool, Bloomington provides great ways to beat the heat each summer.

The Bloomington Family Aquatic Center is open daily from early June through late August, and then on weekends through Labor Day. The pool is open noon to 8 p.m. weekdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and holidays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sundays.

Whether you choose to lounge by the pool, swim laps or brave a 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 centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 $10 daily, with seasonal passes available for residents and non-residents. For residents, a seasonal pass is $10 for seniors and children 10 and younger, $30.50 for ages 11-15 and $56 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 daily through Aug. 21, with lifeguards on duty 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Entrance to Bush Lake Beach is $7.25 per car, with a seasonal pass available for $36 for the first car, and $18 for a second permit.

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 201 E. 90th St. tr.im/bfac Bush Lake Beach 9140 E. Bush Lake Road tr.im/bushlake

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BLOOMINGTON

BD Li s Oc oOv eMr IYNo uGr TP Oa t Nh

EVENTS

Celebrations last throughout the year Rarely a weekend goes by in Bloomington without a special event organized by the city, a local church, a school or a civic organization.

One of the city’s largest celebrations is its annual Summer Fete, a one-day celebration to honor Independence Day. This year, Summer Fete is Sunday, 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 civic celebration has grown since its inception six years ago, and the seventh annual celebration is Sept. 16-17. A parade, live music, children’s games and activities and a car show are among the many activities that will again be part of the two-day celebration. Many Heritage Days activities are held on the grounds of Nativity of Mary Catholic Church, 9900 Lyndale Ave. Information is available online at bloomingtonheritagedays.org.

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 evening, Sept. 22.

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 the 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.

Other annual events in the city include a Halloween party at the Bloomington Armory on Halloween night, and an annual egg hunt each spring at the Normandale Lake Bandshell the morning before Easter. Both events are organized by the Bloomington Breakfast Optimists Club, bloomingtonoptimists.org.

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 popular Blues and BBQ on Thursday, Aug. 4. The city also hosts Friday night movies at the bandshell during many weeks of the summer.

Information about city festivals and events is available through the city’s website, bloomingtonmn.gov, or by calling Bloomington Parks and Recreation at 952-5638877.

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HUMAN SERVICES

Strengthening the quality of life Bloomington Human Services strengthens the quality of life of its citizens by addressing relevant community issues through its expertise, resources and partnerships.

The division offers support to individuals with disabilities, older adults, multicultural individuals and families, children, youth and families with low income, and individuals who are homeless. Human Services operates Creekside Community Center, 9801 Penn Ave., a public facility. Creekside offers 24/7 rental availability, meeting room space, a commercial kitchen, notary services, free Wi-Fi, a library and upgraded technology.

Creekside is also home to several food programs. A noon and evening meal are available weekdays at the center. Additional food resource partnerships include Fare For All monthly food distribution and Optage Heat and Eat frozen home delivered meals.

Programs for people 50 and older, and adults with a disability, are designed to keep adults actively engaged in the community. Programs range from recreational activities, such as arts and crafts, bowling and card games, to

educational and self-improvement activities, such as iPad tutoring and health insurance counseling.

Transportation services are available to residents 50 or older or have a disability and are traveling within the city.

To celebrate Bloomingtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diversity and in partnership with citizen groups â&#x20AC;&#x201C; including the Bloomington Human Rights Commission â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Human Services organizes programs and events throughout the community. Among its annual events are Kite Day, a citywide garage sale, a poetry contest, a safety exhibition, a Veterans Day program and a Thanksgiving meal.

Human Services Division Civic Plaza 1800 W. Old Shakopee Road Bloomington, MN 55431 952-563-8733

Creekside Community Center 9801 Penn Avenue S. Bloomington, MN 55431 952-563-4944, TTY 952563-4933 tr.im/humanservices

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BLOOMINGTON

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ARTS

Opportunities for artistic expression Bloomington has many organizations and businesses that offer opportunities for artistic expression and education.

Many of those artistic opportunities can be found under the roof of Bloomington Center for the Arts, which 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, Continental Ballet Company, Medalist Concert Band and NOTE-able Singers are among the organizations that share stages and office space at the Center for the Arts.

Organizations such as Artistry rely upon 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 Artistry.

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. Artistry 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.

Information about the arts council and its members is available online at bloomingtonfinearts.com.

Information about Artistry theater productions, art exhibits and class information is available online at artistrymn.org.

Tickets for performances at Bloomington Center for the Arts may be ordered online or by calling the box office at 952-563-8575.

197

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BLOOMINGTON

BD Li s Oc oOv eMr IYNo uGr TP Oa t Nh

FAITH

Numerous places to gather in faith Bloomington has many places of worship for people of various faiths:

Calvary United Pentecostal Church 8800 Nicollet Ave. S. 952-888-0215

Emmaus Lutheran Church 8443 Second Ave. S. 952-884-4751

Cedarcrest Church 1630 E. 90th St. 952-854-8390

Global Harvest Church 6820 Auto Club Road 952-232-4900

Al-Rahman Muslim Community Center 8910 Old Cedar Ave. 952-883-0044

Cedar Valley Church 8600 Bloomington Ave. S. 952-854-1100

Grace Lutheran Church 8700 Old Cedar Ave. S. 952-854-6638

Atonement Lutheran Church 601 E. 98th St. 952-881-9244

Christ the King Lutheran Church 8600 Fremont Ave. S. 952-881-8600

Hillcrest United Methodist Church 9100 Russell Ave. S. 952-881-8601

Bethany Church 6900 Auto Club Road 952-946-4186

Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints 9700 Nesbitt Ave. S. 952-831-5373

Hillside Church 4300 W. 98th St. 952-831-5050

Al-Farooq Youth & Family Center 8201 Park Ave. S. 612-331-1234

Bethel Russian Church 2600 W. 82nd St. 952-250-0371 Bloomington Covenant Church 10150 Xerxes Ave. S. 952-831-8339 Bloomington Lutheran Church 9350 Portland Ave. S. 952-888-2475

Church of St. Edward 9401 Nesbitt Ave. S. 952-835-7101 Community of the Cross Lutheran Church 10701 Bloomington Ferry Road 952-941-1247 CrossPoint Church 9801 France Ave. S. 952-831-1785

Holy Emmanuel Lutheran Church 201 E. 104th St. 952-888-2345 Jesus is Lord Church 2829 W. 102nd St. 952-888-2402 Kingdom Hall of Jehovahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Witnesses 3211 W. 108th St. 952-888-5166 217

FAITH

Places of worship Life Church 2201 W. 108th St. 952-884-0594

Minnesota Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship 10715 Zenith Ave. S. 952-884-8956

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Mount Hope Lutheran Church 3601 W. Old Shakopee Road 952-888-5059

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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 Lutheran Brethren Church 8901 France Ave. S. 952-881-9486 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

Potterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s House of Jesus Christ 8000 Portland Ave. S. 952-944-1425 Redemption Lutheran Church 927 E. Old Shakopee Road 952-881-0035 Riverside Reformed Church 10201 Nicollet Ave. S. 952-888-4988 Sikh Society of Minnesota 9000 W. Bloomington Freeway 952-888-2705 Southtown Baptist Church 2600 W. 82nd St. 952-881-1122 St. Bonaventure Catholic Church 901 E. 90th St. 952-854-4733 St. Lukeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lutheran Church 1701 W. Old Shakopee Road 952-881-5801 St. Markâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s United Church of Christ 8630 Xerxes Ave. S. 952-831-3949 St. Michaelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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

BLOOMINGTON

BD Li s Oc oOv eMr IYNo uGr TP Oa t Nh

PUBLIC HEALTH

Helping all residents stay healthy The Bloomington Public Health Division offers many low- or no-cost services and resources 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 uninsured and underinsured children and adults, and Mantoux tests for tuberculosis. Immunizations are available 3:15-5:15 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Mantoux tests are available 11:30-3:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

Bloomington’s Heart Safe Communities Program offers free cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator training to groups in the community.

CPR training kits are also available on loan for those who would like to learn CPR and AED use.

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. Call 952-563-8993 to find out if you are eligible and to make an appointment.

Blood pressure screenings are available 12:30-3:30 p.m. weekdays, no appointment needed.

Resource and health information is also available over

the phone from public health nurses.

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 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; 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 families.

Services for seniors are offered monthly at Creekside Community Center, including “Talk with the Nurse” from 10-11:30 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month, as well as hearing screenings by appointment only. Call 952563-4944 for an appointment.

Free breast and pelvic cancer screening exams are available weekdays by appointment to women meeting age and financial requirements at the Public Health Center.

Schedule an appointment by calling 1-888-6HEALTH. Public Health Center 1900 W. Old Shakopee Road 952-563-8900 tr.im/publichealth 237

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COLLEGES

Preparing students for a changing world Education is a lifelong endeavor for many, and Bloomington is home to several institutions that are ready to meet the academic needs of students from all walks of life.

For more than 40 years, Normandale Community College has been an educational cornerstone of the community. About 1,400 students enrolled in September 1968 when the doors opened. Today, enrollment has burgeoned to approximately 15,000 students per year. The college and its 90-acre campus attracts students from 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 theater programs.

The college’s largest program remains its liberal arts transfer course sequence, followed by business marketing 24

and management, science and engineering, nursing and teacher education.

In keeping with trends in higher education, Normandale also offers much of its course content 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 and computer technology to foreign languages such as Chinese and Spanish.

Other colleges in Bloomington include Academy College, offering a variety of professional training programs; Bethany Global University, a private Christian college that focuses on training missionaries; 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 1600 W. 82nd St., Ste. 100 academycollege.edu Bethany Global University 6820 Auto Club Road bethanygu.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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LIBRARIES

Libraries open doors to the world Two Bloomington libraries help connect patrons to the vast resources of many Hennepin County Library branches, which in turn provide books, services and programs that connect patrons to the world.

Hennepin County Library consists of 41 libraries in Minneapolis and suburban Hennepin County. The library system 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 local libraries and online. With a library card, patrons can check out and request materials from any of the 41 libraries plus other public libraries in the seven-county metro area.

Hennepin County Libraryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website offers 24/7 access to the library catalog, online databases, audio and video downloads, eBooks, job and small business resources and web pages for children, teens and new immigrants.

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. Oxboro Library is a popular destination for students as well as the diverse Bloomington community.

The libraryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 on Tuesdays, 5:307:30 p.m., 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.

Penn Lake also offers the Family Homework Connection. Homework help is offered for K-12 students at the library 5:30-7:30 p.m. Mondays 5:30-7:30 p.m. when Bloomington schools are in session.

Several book clubs for children, among other programs, are scheduled in the summer.

Both libraries offer a variety of educational, cultural and entertainment programs throughout the year.

Oxboro Library 8801 Portland Ave. S. 612-543-5775

Penn Lake Library 8800 Penn Ave. S. 612-543-5800 hclib.org 257

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WILDLIFE REFUGE

A natural refuge in east Bloomington Not far from the hustle and bustle of Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest shopping mall is Bloomingtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contribution to national wildlife protection, 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 five 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 bookstore and an information 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 during summer months and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday during the winter months.

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 26

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.

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge 3815 American Blvd. E. 952-854-5900 tr.im/mvrefuge

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HISTORIC PLACES

Honoring Bloomington’s history Often regarded as a post-World War II suburb, Bloomington has a rich history dating back more than 150 years.

Historic sites around the city provide a link to that past.

Old Town Hall at Penn Avenue South and West Old Shakopee Road sits at a historic intersection. Prior to the pavement that carries vehicles through the city, an Indian trail from Shakopee to Fort Snelling, as well as a stagecoach route, passed through the area in years gone by.

Built in 1892 and renovated in 2007, 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 language, 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 Pond-Dakota 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.

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 tr.im/gideon 277

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