Blaine CityConnect - 2013 Mar/Apr by City of Blaine

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March/April 2013

Curling Finds Year-Round, Dedicated Home in Blaine

Fogerty Arena, a mainstay in youth hockey in the area for 30 years, has branched off into the new, hottest thing on ice—curling. In January, they opened North America’s first year-round, dedicated curling facility. The 28,000-square foot addition boasts six sheets of championship curling ice, a twotier viewing area, wheelchair accessibility, super-sized locker rooms, a lounge for curlers with a rustic fireplace, and a fullservice bar and restaurant that is accessible from the hockey rinks and open to the community. Four Seasons Curling Club is a nonprofit volunteer organization that offers leagues, learn-to-curl classes, and competitions at the new facility. They welcome people of all ages and skill levels, from novice to Olympian, to join the Club. During the months of March and April, people can check out curling in a class or in a four-week instructional league. The learn-to-curl classes on March 3 or 10 are free, if you go on to register for the instructional league. Otherwise, they are $10 for a two-hour session. You can register for classes and leagues online, at www.FourSeasonsCurlingClub.com, or by calling Fogerty Arena, at 763-780-3328.

John Benton, director of curling operations and a member of the 2010 USA Olympic Curling Team, is teaching learn-to-curl classes and instructional leagues for the new Four Seasons Curling Club at Fogerty Arena. Mark Clasen, Fogerty’s general manager, says the curling facility will prove to be a community asset. “This world-class, year-round facility will draw curlers from next door and around the globe, bringing in an estimated $1.5 to $2 million every year in new economic activity for Blaine,” Clasen said. “It also means 40 to 50 full- and part-time permanent jobs, on top of the dozens of jobs during the construction phase.”

The object of the game is to glide a 42-pound granite rock down a 140-foot sheet of ice to the precise spot needed to score.

No tax dollars are being used to finance the $3.8 million project, but the city was instrumental. “We owe a great deal of gratitude to the staff and elected officials at Blaine City Hall, who worked with us to bring this recreational gem to the north metro,” Clasen said.

Volunteer Opportunity Open House Are you interested in becoming more involved in the Blaine community? Do you have a desire to volunteer your time to local organizations, but are unsure of what types of opportunities are available, and who to contact? In order to help connect citizens with volunteer opportunities, there will be a Volunteer Opportunity Open House on Saturday, March 30, from 9:00 a.m. until noon, in the Atrium at Blaine City Hall, 10801 Town Square Dr. NE. Local volunteer organizations seeking members will have information tables set up to answer your questions about what they do, and how you can get involved. Find out about the different groups in our community that help to make Blaine one of the metro area’s best Cities to live in. Please join us to find out how you can become involved.

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Blaine City Hall

A zone recycling

8650 Van Buren St. NE Blaine, MN 55434 763-228-1117 whovland@ci.blaine.mn.us

Dick Swanson

P.O. Box 49725 Blaine, MN 55449 763-370-2557 dswanson@ci.blaine.mn.us

DISTRICT 2 Dave Clark

10833 Fillmore St. NE Blaine, MN 55434 763-754-7643 dclark@ci.blaine.mn.us

Mike Bourke

83 103rd Ave. NE Blaine, MN 55434 763-784-1986

APRIL JUNE

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CONTACTSJUNE

DISTRICT 1 Wes Hovland

DISTRICT 3 Kathy Kolb

12875 Lever St. NE Blaine, MN 55449 763-784-6143 rherbst@ci.blaine.mn.us

CITY MANAGER Clark Arneson

763-785-6120 carneson@ci.blaine.mn.us

11308 Jefferson St. NE Blaine, MN 55434 763-757-6887 kkolb@ci.blaine.mn.us

Russ Herbst

March 7 | March 21 | April 4 | April 18 7:30 p.m. | City Hall Council Chambers

Planning Commission* March 12 | April 9 7 p.m. | City Hall Council Chambers March 26 | April 23 7 p.m. | City Hall Council Chambers

B zone recycling Holiday

CITY COUNCIL 12147 Radisson Road NE Blaine, MN 55449 763-757-3390 tryan@ci.blaine.mn.us

City Council*

Park Board*

10801 Town Square Drive NE Blaine, MN 55449 763-784-6700 763-785-6156 (fax)

MAYOR Tom Ryan

PUBLIC MEETINGS

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Police and Fire................................................ 911 Police (non-emergency) ....................763-785-6168 Fire (non-emergency)........................763-786-4436 Building Inspections..........................763-785-6170 Cable Channel 15..............................763-780-8241 City Cable Channel 16 ......................763-785-6192 City Clerk ........................................763-785-6124 City Manager....................................763-785-6120 Community Standards.......................763-785-6187 Crime Prevention..............................763-785-6113 Economic Development.....................763-785-6147 Engineering......................................763-785-6172 Fire Inspections ...............................763-785-6187 Forestry ..........................................763-717-2660 Housing Services .............................763-785-6146 Human Resources ............................763-785-6109 Job Line ..........................................763-717-2679 Newsletter ......................................763-717-2735 Operator..........................................763-784-6700 Parks and Recreation .......................763-785-6164 Planning & Zoning ............................763-785-6180 Public Works....................................763-785-6165 Recycling & Solid Waste ...................763-785-6192 Senior Citizens Center ......................763-786-9375 Streets ...........................................763-785-6165 Stormwater......................................763-785-6188 Utility Billing ....................................763-785-6141 Water & Sewer System .....................763-785-6165 Web................................................763-717-2638 Learn more about the City of Blaine and keep updated with happenings by following the city online. www.FaceBook.com/Blaine.mn www.FaceBook.com/BlaineBizMN www.FaceBook.com/BlaineParksMN www.ci.blaine.mn.us/go/emailupdates www.Twitter.com/BlaineMinnesota www.Twitter.com/BlaineBizMN www.Twitter.com/BlaineParksMN www.YouTube.com/CityofBlaine

March 19 | April 16 7 p.m. | City Hall Cloverleaf Farm Room

Arts Council March 12 | April 9 6:30 p.m. | City Hall Lunch Room

Historical Society April 9 6:30 p.m. | City Hall Sanctuary Room

*meetings can be seen live on cable channel 16

About this Newsletter... CityConnect is published bimonthly by the City of Blaine and distributed to all residents and businesses. Past copies of the city newsletter are available at www.ci.blaine.mn.us. Feedback can be directed to newsletter @ ci.blaine.mn.us . All city legal notices are published in the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s official newspaper, the Blaine/Spring Lake Park Life.

march | april 2013

Smoking and House Fires: Will it be Yours?

Safety Camp Registration Begins in April

Submitted by: Rebecca Booker Spring Lake Park - Blaine - Mounds View Fire Department

Registration for Blaine’s popular Safety Camp begins in April. The 17th annual two-day camp is open only to children who will complete 3rd grade this spring.

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) and the Spring Lake Park-BlaineMounds View Fire Department are working hard to help prevent home fire deaths and injuries caused by smoking materials. It starts with understanding it can happen to you. Every year, men, women, and children are killed in home fires caused by cigarettes and other smoking materials. Most victims of smoking-related fires never thought it could happen to them. These fires can affect not only the smoker, but also others living in or next to the home at the time of the fire.

Smoking and Home Fires Action Steps •

Make Sure Cigarettes and Ashes are Out- Put It Out. All the Way. Every Time. The cigarette really needs to be completely stubbed out in the ashtray. Soak cigarette butts and ashes in water before throwing them away. Never toss hot cigarette butts or ashes in the trash.

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If You Smoke, Smoke Outside- Most home fires caused by smoking materials start inside the home. It’s better to smoke outside.

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Wherever You Smoke, Use Deep Sturdy Ashtrays- Use ashtrays with a wide, stable base that is hard to tip over. If it wobbles, it won’t work. Ashtrays should be set on something sturdy and hard to ignite, like a table. If you smoke outside, put your cigarettes out in a can filled with sand or water.

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Check for Butts- Chairs and sofas catch on fire fast and burn fast. Don’t put ashtrays on them. If people have been smoking in the home, check for cigarettes under cushions.

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Never Smoke in a Home Where Oxygen is Used- Never smoke while using oxygen or in an area anywhere near an oxygen source, even if it is turned off. Oxygen can be explosive and makes fire burn hotter and faster.

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If You Smoke, Fire-Safe Cigarettes are Better- Fire-safe cigarettes are less likely to cause fires. These cigarettes have banded paper that can slow the burn of a cigarette that isn’t being used.

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Be Alert- To prevent a deadly fire, you have to be alert. If you are sleepy, have been drinking, or have taken medicine that makes you drowsy, put your cigarette out first. Smoking in bed is just plain wrong.

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Place properly installed and maintained smoke alarms in your bedrooms, outside the bedrooms and on every level of the home. Exchange them for new ones every 10 years.

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Change the batteries when you change your clocks - every 6 months.

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Create an escape plan today! Plan two ways to escape from each room. Practice the escape plan with everyone in the home. Agree on one family meeting place, one where you all see each other and find each other.

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Consider installing residential fire sprinklers.

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Again, when smoking - “Put It Out. All the Way. Every Time”.

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Call the Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View Fire Department for your free Home Safety Survey @ 763-767-4003.

Practice these tips to help prevent your dreams from going up in smoke.

Blaine Safety Camp is an exciting program co-sponsored by the Blaine Police Department, the Spring Lake ParkBlaine-Mounds View Fire Department and the Blaine Parks and Recreation Department. Safety Camp teaches kids, through a variety of fun activities, how to be safe in their daily lives. Interactive safety and informational sessions include fire safety, head injury prevention, water safety, poison safety, first aid, safety on wheels and much more. Activities like a police K9 demonstration and helicopter visit are pending. Safety Camp is held at SBM Fire Station 3 on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 9 and 10, from 8am to 4:30pm each day. The camp also includes an awards ceremony on Wednesday night. The $40 fee includes lunches, snacks, t-shirt, fitted bike helmet, awards and all activities and supervision. Fee assistance is available for Blaine residents who qualify. Registration for Blaine residents opens April 1; remaining spots are available to anyone beginning on April 8. Registration may be submitted by mail, in the night drop box outside City Hall or in-person at the Parks and Recreation office. No online, fax or phone registrations will be accepted. Registrants must provide a current report card to prove grade.

You Need More Than a Leash to Walk Your Dog Under City ordinance pet owners are required to clean up after their dogs when taking them for a walk. Dog owners must carry a plastic bag or some other means of picking up after their dog whenever they are off their own property. The ordinance was enacted in response to multiple complaints regarding the amount of feces accumulating within our park systems and along our walkways. Please be a courteous pet owner and clean up after your pet.

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City of Blaine Tree Sale About the easiest and most selfless act one can do now, that will have a positive impact for future generations, is to plant a tree. Think about it, those majestic large oak, maple, and linden trees are 60 to 100 years old and older. We plant now, not so much for us, but for our grandkids and beyond. How can you not like a tree? Just one large tree produces enough oxygen for two people while removing harmful toxins from the air. So take a deep breath and head on over to the Blaine Tree Sale. You must be a Blaine resident and reserve your bare-root tree(s) in advance and pay when you pick them up. Each residence is limited to two trees. There are no warranties on these trees. For more information, or to place an order, please contact Blaine Public Works, at 763785-6165 or by email at mshippee@ci.blaine. mn.us . When: Saturday, May 4 9:00am-1:00pm Where: Species

Blaine Public Works 1801 101st Avenue NE Cost (includes tax)

Amur Maple (5’)................................... $19.87 Northwood Maple (8’)......................... $29.35 Fall Fiesta Sugar Maple (1.5” dia.)....... $65.29 Heritage River Birch (5’ clump)........... $19.98 Pagoda Dogwood-tree (3’)................... $13.50 Nrth Acclaim Honeylocust (1” dia.).... $30.96 Niobe Weeping Willow (1” dia.)......... $19.34 Honeycrisp Apple (Std. 7//8 dia.)........ $13.18

Blvd. Tree Trimming Continues this Winter City crews began trimming boulevard trees this fall. Trimming will continue through the winter as weather permits. Check the City website for details, and trimming locations. The City typically trims the street-side of trees for traffic clearance. For more information on the City’s tree trimming policy, call 763-785-6165.

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)

You may have noticed conspicuous orange Xs showing up on trees around the city lately. Likely that X is on an ash tree and is identifying that tree as a potential candidate for removal. Several years ago the city initiated our Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) management strategy and is preemptively removing ash trees in anticipation of this pests’ arrival. EAB has not been discovered in Blaine yet, but has been found in the northwest corner of Shoreview which borders Blaine. EAB is an extremely destructive pest that will likely kill all the ash trees over time. The city has determined the best course of action is to begin removing ash trees in boulevards and parks now, before EAB becomes a significant problem. Currently the program is voluntary for boulevard trees. The property owner can choose not to have their boulevard tree removed. If the property owner decides to have the tree removed, the city offers a replacement tree at no cost. Our goal is to remove a few trees on a particular block, replant, than come back several years later to remove a few more and replant again. This should allow for a gradual transition of the boulevard landscape, as opposed to the massive removal projects that happened with Dutch Elm Disease and resulted in the complete destruction of the boulevard tree population. Neighborhoods literally transformed over night because of Dutch Elm Disease, and that is what we are attempting to avoid with preemptive removal of ash and replanting now. Although it’s not financially prudent for a city with tens of thousands of ash trees to chemically treat trees, there are effective chemical treatment options for homeowners that will protect ash trees from EAB. For more information on EAB, you may contact the Blaine City Forester, Marc Shippee, at 763-717-2660, or go to http://emeraldashborer.info/.

Garbage Rates Increase for the First Time in 12 Years

Beginning this year, Blaine residents in single-family housing will see an increase in the garbage rate for the first time since 2001. Rates increased to keep pace with the increasing disposal costs at the Elk River Waste-to Energy Plant, where all of the garbage from the City goes. Rates will increase by $1.50 per quarter. The new rates are $42.45 per quarter for unlimited service, $36.45 per quarter for the 64-gallon garbage cart, and $25.95 per quarter for the 32-gallon cart. The new senior rate is $21.23 per quarter (see more information below) One of the best ways to save money on your garbage bill is to recycle as much as possible. Under Blaine’s curbside recycling program, ALMOST ALL of your household waste is actually recyclable. Putting more recyclables in your recycling cart will not cost you any more money. It will make it possible to save money by using a smaller garbage cart. See the accompanying article on page 5 for information on Blaine’s curbside recycling program to learn about all of the things you can now recycle at the curb.

Senior Garbage Rate Available To Seniors Who Qualify Blaine has a reduced garbage rate for seniors that meet certain financial qualifications. In order qualify for the reduced garbage rate the resident must be: • 65 years of age or older and meet the following hardship conditions. • The annual gross income of the household according to its most recent federal income tax return does not exceed $26,550. If no such return was filed, the clerk shall require the applicant to submit other documentation to show that this qualification is met. If you are interested in the reduced garbage rate for seniors, and meet the conditions, call 763-785-6141 for more information.

march | april 2013

Can You Really Put Most of Your Refuse in Your Recycling Cart? Yes, You Can! Recycle To The Max!

Believe it or not, most regular household waste is recyclable. You can join the thousands of Blaine households that recycle the maximum amount of their household refuse and save money by using a smaller garbage cart. The following materials are all recyclable in Blaine’s single-family recycling program with Advance Disposal.

Recycle these materials to Recycle To The Max! • • • • •

Newspapers, and all inserts All magazines and catalogs Phone books Training manuals All mixed mail including envelopes (if it comes in the mail and is paper, you can recycle it!) • All office and school papers, file folders, fax sheets, notebooks, etc • Paperback books • Plastic containers and packaging number 1 thru 7

• Brown paper bags • Corrugated cardboard boxes cut up to fit in recycling cart (or flatten and bundle 3 feet by 3 feet by 1 foot thick, and place next to the recycling cart) • Box board (cake, cereal, cracker, tissue, and shoe/shirt boxes) • Aluminum cans • Tin/steel cans • Glass bottles and jars (clear, brown, and green)

Please do not recycle the following items: • • • • •

Plastic bags Styrofoam Plastic motor oil bottles Pizza boxes Any type of used tissue product

If you need an additional recycling cart to handle all of the recycling material, you can get one AT NO ADDITIONAL COST! That’s right; you can put out as much recycling as possible with out an increase in cost. In fact, it will save you money by allowing you to use a smaller garbage cart. Join the thousands of Blaine residents that are recycling to the max and saving money on their garbage bills! To change your level of garbage service, call 763-785-6141. For an additional or larger recycling cart, call Advanced Disposal at 763-786-7233. Remember, Recycle To The Max and save.

City Garbage and Recycling Hauler Veolia is Now Advanced Disposal In 2012, Veolia ES, the parent company of the City’s garbage and recycling provider Veolia, announced that they were selling off their North American garbage and recycling operations. These assets were purchased by Florida based Advanced Disposal Services. Nothing will change with garbage and recycling collections in Blaine. At some point this spring, Advanced Disposal will be applying the new logo to their trucks, and putting stickers with the new logo on the garbage and recycling carts. They will put the new stickers on the carts on regular collection days, so it will not be necessary to set them out on a special day to do this. Advanced Disposal will still have the same local phone number, 763-786-7233. The new web site address is www.advanceddisposal.com.

Monthly Recycling at Aquatore Park Each third Saturday of the month, the City of Blaine sponsors a recycling drop-off program in the parking lot of Aquatore Park. The collection event is staged near the Mary Ann Young Senior Center and recurs the third Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Most appliances cost $10 each; air conditioners and water softeners are $15. Most electronics, including televisions, will cost between $2 and $25, depending on size. Tires and rechargeable batteries may also be recycled for a small fee. Mattresses and box springs are $15 each. Free items include scrap metal, car batteries, used clothing and all items collected as part of the city’s curbside recycling program. A free paper shedding service is also available to shred sensitive documents. Please note, no garbage will be accepted. To learn more about the city’s recycling drop-off program and for a list of acceptable items and associated fees, call 763-785-6192 or visit www.ci.blaine.mn.us and search keyword recycle.

Bicycle Recycling Begins in April Beginning in April, you can drop off any size bicycle that you no longer want at Blaine’s monthly recycling drop-off day (see above). The bikes will be accepted by Bikes 4 Kids to be refurbished, or have their parts used in refurbishing other bikes. Bikes 4 Kids then donate the bikes to people in need. There is no charge to drop a bike off that the monthly recycling drop-off day. Bikes 4 Kids are a part of The Robert & Wilma Burbach Bike Foundation. You can find out more about them at bikes4kidsmn.org.

Mattresses and Box Springs Now Accepted at Monthly Recycling Drop off Day Currently you can recycle old mattresses and box springs at the monthly drop-off day. The cost is $15 each. Blaine’s drop-off day is held the 3rd Saturday of each month from 10 AM until 2 PM at Aquatore Park. The park is located on the north west corner of State Highway 10 and Sate Highway 65.

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Upcoming Recreation Programs & Events American Red Cross Babysitting Class

(Ages 11 & up) Class held at Blaine City Hall Sanctuary Room. DATE: Saturday, March 23 TIME: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. FEE: $60

Dodgeball Dynamo

(Ages 8 to 14) Class held at Centennial Elementary. DATE: Saturday, April 6 TIME: 10 a.m. – noon FEE: $9

SUMMER PROGRAM REGISTRATION Begins March 25 at 8 a.m. Look for the 2013 brochure in the mail.

SPECIAL EVENTS Spring Egg Hunt

Families w/children ages 10 & under Spring egg hunt, followed by a prize raffle. Bags are provided. Egg hunt begins promptly at 10:00 a.m. Event held at Airport Park. No registration required; check-in by 9:50 a.m. DATE: Saturday, March 23 TIME: 10 a.m. FEE: FREE

Earth Day Event

Be a Friend of Open Space and join your neighbors at Kane Meadows Park (2946 Rice Creek Parkway) to celebrate Earth Day 2013. Families are invited to help clean the park and enjoy a nature walk. Bags, gloves and refreshments provided. Call 763-717-2723 about volunteering. DATE: Saturday, April 20 TIME: 10 a.m. – noon

Sounds of the City

Indoor concerts held in the atrium at Blaine City Hall are free and open to the public. Todd Menton Tuesday, March 19 – 7 p.m. (Celtic/Folk) Pair of Seven Tuesday, April 16 – 7 p.m. (Harmony and guitar, Johnny Cash to Steely Dan) More information about Parks and Recreation programs is available at 763785-6164 or in the current Recreation Connection online at www.blaineparks.com .

Machines (Pulleys)

(Grades 1 to 5) Build a motorized crane, a conveyor belt, a garage door and many more projects! Held at Blaine City Hall Cloverleaf Room. DATE: Saturdays, April 6, 13 & 20 TIME: 10 a.m. – noon FEE: $51

Adult Tennis League

Matches will be scheduled by the players at an agreed upon location and time. A weekly ladder will be sent to all of the players to keep them informed of what position they are in. Leagues for men and women will be offered. First, second and third place trophies will be awarded to each league. Call 763-785-6161 for more information. DATE: May 13 thru August 11 FEE: $18

Senior Scene Mary Ann Young Senior Center 9150 Central Ave. | 763-786-9375

March Mondays - Income Tax Assistance, sign up! March 8, 10 am – T-Shirt Scarf Making, sign up! March 14, 11am – Estate Planning, Trusts, Probate Info. Session-sign up!

Women’s Self-Defense Seminar (Ages 18 & up) Class held at Sunnyside Park Building. DATE: Saturday, April 13 TIME: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. FEE: $15

Pitch, Hit & Run Competition

(Ages 7 to 14) Kids will get to test their skills of pitching, hitting and running. Winners of each event and an overall champion at their age bracket will move onto a sectional championship. This event will take place at Sunrise Park, Lino Lakes. DATE:. Saturday, April 27 TIME: 10:30 a.m. FEE: FREE

Adult Summer Co-Rec Kickball

Recreational competition. Entry fee includes one ball and umpires. Games held at Airport and Aquatore parks. Teams play doubleheaders each week for a total of 16 games. Register by April 26! Call 763-7856161 for more information. DATE: Sundays, starting May 12 TIME: 5, 6, 7 and 8 p.m. FEE: $350/team

March 18, 11 am – St. Patrick’s Day Party March 18, 1 pm – Prize/Penny Bingo March 19, 9 am to noon – Wii Bowling Tournament, sign up! March 19, 1:00 pm – “500” Card Tournament March 21, 1 pm – Cribbage Tournament, sign up w/partner by 3/14. March 27, 11 am – Birthday Party, noon luncheon, entertainment, prize bingo at 1 pm. March 28, 1 pm – Movie Day, “Life of Pi”

April Mondays – Income Tax Assistance (thru 4/15), sign up! Apr. 24, 11 am – Senior Dining Volunteer Appreciation Party Apr. 24, 11 am – Birthday Party, entertainment, noon luncheon, prize bingo at 1 pm. Apr. 25, 1 pm – Movie Day

May May 2, 8:30 am – Senior Safety and Wellness Fair at SBM Fire Station #3, $10/person. Advanced registration and payment required. Sign up by April 22. Call for details.

march | april 2013

Mayor Tom Ryan Announces Office Hours at City Hall Blaine Mayor, Tom Ryan, holds regular office hours every Tuesday, from 2:30 to 5 p.m. You can stop by Blaine City Hall, 10801 Town Square Dr. NE, and meet with Mayor Ryan on any issue you want. There is no need to call and make an appointment; visits are done on a dropin basis.

Community Outings Bus departure/return locations will be Blaine City Hall except casino trips depart/return at Blaine Senior Center, 9150 Central Avenue NE. Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. No phone in registrations please. Registrants will be notified only if outing is cancelled. For more information please call 763-785-6164. Cancellation Policies: Refunds cannot be guaranteed after the registration deadline, due to policies of attractions, restaurants and transportation establishments. Absolutely no refunds 24 hours or less prior to the outing date. (KSTP Studios and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory) DATE: Tuesday, April 9 TIME: 10:15 am – 4 pm FEE: $50 REGISTER BY: March 25 Fee includes lunch, tours, transportation and guide. Please indicate your lunch choice when registering: Roast Beef, Roast Turkey or Grilled Vegetable Sandwhich. Pickup will be at the Circle Pines Credit Union (4 South Pine Drive).

“Mahalia” – Old Log Theater DATE: Thursday, April 18 TIME: 10:15 am – 4:45 pm FEE: $45 REGISTER BY: March 27 Fee transportation, ticket and lunch. Please indicate your lunch choice when registering: Chicken Divan, Windsor Pork Chop, Walleye Pike Almandine, Beef Stroganoff, or Vegetarian Lasagna when registering.

Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago White Sox DATE: Wednesday, May 15 TIME: 10:30 am – 4:30 pm (CR) 10:45 am – 4:30 pm (Blaine) FEE: $50 REGISTER BY: April 15 Join us as we root for our Minnesota Twins. We have great covered seats along 3rd base line, very few steps to the Skyline Deck. Fee includes ticket and motorcoach bus.

Safety Services to Host Two Bike Helmet Sales Events this Spring Why wear a bicycle helmet?

Office visits with Mayor Ryan are held in the Laddie Lake Conference Room located on the second floor of Blaine City Hall, on the west side of the building.

Sneak Peak and Spring Flower Show

CASINO TRIPS St. Croix Casino – Danbury DATE: Wednesday, April 10 TIME: 8:30 am – 5 pm FEE: $5 ($5 back at casino) REGISTER BY: April 3 Treasure Island Casino DATE: Monday, May 20 TIME: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm FEE: $5 ($3 food coupon and 10 pull tabs) REGISTER BY: May 13

Entertaining and Ethnic Chicago July 11 – 14, 2013 Call 763-785-6164 for more information. **Please call for dates/times of all continuous activities including bingo, “500” cards, line dance, Wii bowling, blood pressure checks, woodcarving, computer sessions, bunco, hand and foot cards, driving refresher classes, foot care, canvas/craft class, legal service, garden club, quilting, North Country Jamboree and more. The Mary Ann Young Senior Center offers a variety of programs, social events, and dining options on weekdays. Call 763-786-9375 for more information and times or learn more online at www.ci.blaine.mn.us and search keyword senior center.

It’s simple. If you fall from your bike, the bicycle helmet takes the force of the blow — instead of your head. Although collisions with cars or other vehicles are likely to be the most serious, even a low-speed fall on a bicycle path can be dangerous. For kids and adults alike, wearing a bicycle helmet is the most effective way to prevent a lifethreatening head injury.

Where can I get a helmet? The City of Blaine Safety Services Division will host two bike helmet fitting and sales events this spring as part of an ongoing effort to ensure the safety of bicyclists in the community. Sale dates are Tuesdays, April 16 and May 7, at Blaine City Hall, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. each night. Bike helmets are available for $12 each and will be available in a variety of colors and sizes ranging from toddler to adult. All helmets are Bell® brand helmets and comply with U.S. CPSC Safety Standards. Safety Services professionals will also ensure all helmets fit properly. Residents may also bring any helmets they already own for proper fitting. Parents are encouraged to get a helmet for themselves or have an existing one fitted to model safety practices for their kids. No appointments are necessary and helmets are available only while supplies last. Cash or check only. For more information about the bike helmet fitting and sales event, contact Andrea Hunt of the Blaine Police Department at 763-785-6113 or ahunt@ci.blaine.mn.us, or visit our website at www.ci.blaine.mn.us.

Mark Your Calendars

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 29418 Minneapolis, MN

10801 Town Square Drive NE Blaine, MN 55449-8101 (763) 784-6700

ECRWSS

POSTAL CUSTOMER DATED MATERIAL PREPARED BY THE OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

POSTMASTER: TIME SENSITIVE MAIL

Second Annual Blaine Triathlon The Park and Recreation Department is excited to conduct the second annual triathlon in the City of Blaine on Saturday, May 18, 2013, beginning at 8:00a.m. The venue for the Blaine Triathlon the beautiful Lakeside Commons Park located at 3020 Lakes Parkway. This is a USA Triathlon sanctioned race. From novice to veteran triathletes, the Blaine Triathlon will be a fun and challenging race consisting of a .3-mile swim, 16.7-mile bike ride, and a 3.5-mile run. If swimming or biking or running is not your favorite exercise, participants can register a relay team of two or three individuals whereby they choose the leg of the race they want to compete. The options of an individual racer or relay teams maximize participation for many different age and ability levels.

finishers in each age category and the top two finishers in each team relay age category. For registration and more information about the Blaine Triathlon, please go to www.blainetriathlon.com.

We are also seeking enthusiastic volunteers to help at the triathlon that will include a wide range of duties throughout the race. For more information, please go to www.blainetriathlon.com and click on volunteers for details.

We always welcome community businesses and organizations that are interested in a sponsorship opportunity for this exciting event. Please check out the sponsorship brochure on our website under the sponsors tab to see how you can be part of the Blaine Triathlon. We hope to see many people from our community participate, volunteer, or cheer at this new and exciting event here in Blaine!

The registration fee is $75 for individuals and $100 per relay team and includes a dry fit race tee shirt, swim cap, post race refreshments, and all finishers receive official race hardware. An awards ceremony follows the completion of the race to recognize the top three overall

Thank you to our Generous Blaine Triathlon Sponsors! Title Sponsor Interested in sponsoring this event, go to www.BlaineTriathlon.com/Sponsors.

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors