Blaine CityConnect - November/December 2019

BlaineMN.gov

CityConnect November/December 2019

What’s Inside

How to Contact the City Council................................................................3

National Sports Center Photo by Sarah Grace Photography

Living Next to Stormwater Ponds..................................................3

Blaine Named to Best Places to Live in America List The City of Blaine is proud to announce that it has been named to the prestigious annual Money.com (formerly Money Magazine) 100 Best Places to Live in America list. Blaine is one of only three Minnesota locations to make the list.

Apply Online for City of Blaine Job Openings...............................4

This year 1,796 eligible places were researched for possible selection. The rankings took more than 80 types of data sets into account. They included: economy, cost of living, diversity, education, housing, health and safety, amenities, and ease of living.

City of Blaine 10801 Town Square Drive NE Blaine MN 55449

POSTMASTER: TIME SENSITIVE MAIL

DATED MATERIAL PREPARED BY THE OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

ECRWSS

POSTAL CUSTOMER

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID TWIN CITIES, MN Permit No. 32324

This exceptional ranking and Blaine’s recent AAA bond rating shows that Blaine continues to be one of the best places to live, work, and grow.

Coffee with a Cop Every Third Thursday 9 – 11AM at Starbucks, 1384 - 109th Avenue NE

Coffee with a Cop is an opportunity to break down the barriers that, on occasion, exist between police officers and the people they serve. Taking time to meet in a neutral location provides for real conversations about issues that matter. The officers have a chance to answer questions and share important information.

It is also a chance for kids to meet an officer and get some fun give-a-ways and for adults to enjoy a free cup of coffee.

Over the past few years the Blaine Police Department has expanded on the Coffee with a Cop idea and created Bike with a Cop, Coffee and Story Time with a Cop, Donut with a Cop, Pop with a Cop, and Popsicle with a Cop. To learn more about Coffee with a Cop and to see a schedule of upcoming events visit, BlaineMN.gov/CoffeewithaCop

Page 2

BlaineMN.gov - CityConnect

Upcoming Meetings

Recycling Calendar November s

Blaine City Hall

m

t

w

t

f

s

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

10801 Town Square Drive NE Blaine, MN 55449

December

763-784-6700

s

m

t

w

t

f

s

Communications@BlaineMN.gov

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

City Council MAYOR Tom Ryan 12147 Radisson Road NE Blaine, MN 55449 763-757-3390 TRyan@BlaineMN.gov

m

t

w

t

f

s

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

WARD 1 Wes Hovland 8650 Van Buren Street NE Blaine, MN 55434 763-228-1117 WHovland@BlaineMN.gov Dick Swanson 926 - 97th Lane NE Blaine, MN 55434 763-370-2557 DSwanson@BlaineMN.gov

WARD 2 Julie Jeppson 3062 Aspen Lake Drive NE Blaine, MN 55449 763-354-4709 JJeppson@BlaineMN.gov Jess Robertson 4175 - 114th Lane NE Blaine, MN 55449 612-964-0503 JRobertson@BlaineMN.gov

WARD 3 Andrew Garvais 12744 Petersburg Street NE Blaine, MN 55449 612-229-8890 AGarvais@BlaineMN.gov Richard Paul 1560 - 123rd Lane NE Blaine, MN 55449 763-390-1499 RPaul@BlaineMN.gov

CITY MANAGER Michelle Wolfe 763-785-6120 MWolfe@BlaineMN.gov

Holiday

Zone A

City Council Workshops November 4 | November 13 | November 18 December 2 | December 9 | December 16 6PM | City Hall Cloverleaf Farm Room Arts Council November 12 | December 10 5:30PM | City Hall Lunch Room Historical Society December 10 6:30PM | City Hall Sanctuary Room Mayor’s Office Hours November 12 | December 10 2:30 - 5PM | Laddie Lake Room Natural Resources Conservation Board* November 19 | December 17 7PM | City Hall Council Chambers

January s

City Council* November 4 | November 18 December 2 | December 16 7:30PM | City Hall Council Chambers

Zone B

For more information, visit WaltersRecycling.com or call 763-780-8464.

City Directory

Park Board* November 26| December Canceled 7PM | City Hall Council Chambers Planning Commission* November Canceled | December 10 7PM | City Hall Council Chambers Traffic Commission* November 6 | December 3 6:30PM | City Hall Council Chambers *Meetings can be seen live on cable channel 16 and 799.

Stay Connected

Police & Fire................................................. 911 Police (non-emergency) ... 763-785-6168 Fire (non-emergency)........ 763-786-4436 Public Works Aft. Hours.... 763-427-1212 Building Inspections.......... 763-785-6170 City Cable Channel 16 ...... 763-785-6192 City Clerk ............................ 763-785-6122 City Hall............................... 763-784-6700 City Manager...................... 763-785-6120 Communications................ 763-785-6181 Community Standards...... 763-785-6187 Community Outreach........ 763-785-6113 Economic Development.... 763-785-6180 Engineering......................... 763-785-6172 Finance................................ 763-717-2677 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.......................... 763-785-6192 North Metro TV.................. 763-780-8241 Parks & 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 Sewer Backup..................... 763-785-6165 Streets ................................ 763-785-6165 Stormwater......................... 763-785-6188 Utility Billing . ..................... 763-785-6141 Water & Sewer System ..... 763-785-6165 Web...................................... 763-717-2638

Receive Emergency Communications BlaineMN.gov/CivicReady

NotifyMeÂŽ

Connect with your community and sign up for topics that interest you.

BlaineMN.gov/CommunityConnect 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 BlaineMN.gov/Newsletter

November/December 2019

Page 3

How to Contact the City Council Wondering how to get in touch with a member of the Blaine City Council? Contact information, including phone numbers and email addresses, for the council is available on the city website, on page two of this city newsletter, or by stopping at the Resident Participation Center at Blaine City Hall. Residents can contact the Mayor, an individual councilmember, or even send a message to the entire Blaine City Council at the same time.

Truth in Taxation Hearing The annual truth in taxation hearing will be held on Monday, December 9, at 8PM in the Blaine City Council Chambers at Blaine City Hall. City staff will share information regarding the City of Blaine 2020 general fund budget and annual tax levy.

For more information, visit BlaineMN.gov/CityCouncil Top row: Councilmember Wes Hovland, Mayor Tom Ryan, Councilmember Dick Swanson; bottom row: Councilmembers Andy Garvais, Jess Robertson, Richard Paul, Julie Jeppson

Information about the preliminary general fund budget and levy can be found on the city website at BlaineMN.gov/2020Budget.

The truth in taxation hearing is an opportunity for residents to ask questions and share comments on the 2020 general fund budget and tax levy.

For more information, visit BlaineMN.gov/Finance

Living Next to Stormwater Ponds What are Stormwater Ponds?

Stormwater ponds are constructed bodies of water designed for the purpose of treating stormwater runoff and providing flood storage.

What is Stormwater Runoff?

Stormwater runoff is water that flows off surfaces such as roads, sidewalks, roofs, and other hard surfaces that do not allow water to soak in and drain.

Are Stormwater Ponds for Recreation?

No. Stormwater ponds are not designed for swimming, boating, ice skating, or any other type of recreation.

The water is not clean and poses a health risk for those choosing to recreate in a stormwater pond. These ponds are designed to hold dirty water and slowly clean the water through natural methods.

Maintaining a Stormwater Pond Stormwater ponds will always be just that, ponds that clean stormwater runoff. Residents can help reduce algae and odor and promote an attractive appearance by doing some or all of the following: • • • • • •

Maintain buffer strips around ponds. Buffers will absorb nutrients, catch sediment, provide habitat, and add to the natural effect of ponds.

Do not place docks, riprap, retaining walls, bridges, sand, etc. in stormwater ponds or buffers. This harms the effectiveness of the pond and is against city ordinance.

Pick up trash and pet waste before it enters ponds or storm sewers. Keep trash out of the street and use proper disposal containers.

Use phosphorous-free fertilizers and apply only the necessary amount of fertilizer. What the lawn does not absorb will be washed into storm sewers and ponds.

Do not dump household or automotive chemicals in yards or storm drains. This includes swimming pool water.

Keep grass clippings and leaves out of ponds. As grass and leaves decompose, they produce phosphorus, the nutrient that promotes algae which decreases oxygen in water and causes scum and odor.

For more information, visit BlaineMN.gov/StormwaterPonds

Good

Bad

Census Spotlight Everyone Gets Counted The 2020 Census is less than a year away and the planning and preparation for this important event is well underway. ​​If you are filling out the census for your household you should count anyone who is living there as of April 1, 2020. This includes anyone who is living and sleeping there most of the time.

The U.S. Census Bureau is currently looking to hire field representatives for Anoka County. Having enough local census workers is vital to Anoka County getting a complete count. Making sure that everyone gets counted is important for Blaine.

Census data provides statistics that help in planning for future roads, schools, and emergency services.

Additionally, business owners and developers use census data to determine where to open new commercial and retail businesses.

Watch for more census information in upcoming issues of the Blaine CityConnect.

For more information including job opporunities, visit BlaineMN.gov/2020Census

Page 4

BlaineMN.gov - CityConnect

Restoration Work Southern Blaine Wetland Sanctuary

The Blaine Wetland Sanctuary has been part of the city’s vision since the late 1980s. That vision called to have land to be used as a nature preserve, maintain water quality, and provide opportunities for education and recreation.

Restoration is scheduled to begin in 2020 in the third section of the site thanks to a unique grant opportunity.

Great River Greening, a non-profit agency that leads community based restoration of prairies, forests, and waters was able to receive a grant from the Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Fund to finish the restoration work at the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary through an agreement with the Anoka Sand Plain Partnership.

New Online Applications The Blaine Human Resources Department is now accepting applications for job opportunities online. Applicants are able to create an account, upload a resume, and start applying for jobs. The jobs site allows applicants to automatically save applications in a centralized place for tracking and status updates.

The restoration efforts will help preserve the natural area, protect clean air and water, and increase resident access to healthy natural areas and sustainable open space. The third section of the restoration will include 117 acres. The complete scope of the restoration work is still under review but will likely include removal of non-native, invasive, and overabundant native woody species like European Buckthorn and the removal of non-native and invasive herbaceous species like reed canary grass. The restoration will be done through a combination of strategies including cutting, raking, herbicide treatment, mowing, and prescribed burns to expose the native seed bank.

Restoring lost and degraded wetlands to their natural state is essential to ensure the health of area watersheds.

This process has allowed many threatened and endangered plants to flourish in the northern sections of the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary. The native wetland habitat provides the necessary food, water, and shelter for birds, animals, and pollinators.

For more information, visit BlaineMN.gov/BWSRestoration

Seasonal Reminders

Subscribers to the previous jobs site will simply create a new account in the online system and receive email and/or text updates when new jobs are posted in categories of interest.

For more information, visit BlaineMN.gov/Jobs

Fall Leaf Season Is Here Please keep in mind that all decaying plant material that ends up in the city’s ponds and streams contributes to greater phosphorous levels and poorer water quality. Do not rake or blow leaves into the street. Either mulch leafs, bag them for curbside pick-up, or use a nearby drop site.

Bunker Hills or Rice Creek Compost Sites April – November Monday through Friday: 10AM - 7PM or sundown (Bunker Hills) Tuesdays and Thursdays: 10AM - 7PM or sundown (Rice Creek) Saturday: 9AM - 5PM Sundays: Noon -5 PM (Both locations) December – March Saturday: 9AM – 1PM (Both locations)

Online Permitting Coming in 2020

Many residents and builders have asked the city to transition to online building permits. Hearing this feedback the City of Blaine researched potential partners for this project. Earlier this year the city selected Intuitive Municipal Solutions to develop an online permitting tool that would integrate with the City of Blaine website.

City staff and the project team at IMS having been working diligently at this project over the past several months.

The online permit tool is expected to be available in the first half of 2020.

Public Works Helps Residents Prepare for Winter

Here are a few helpful reminders from Blaine Public Works as the city prepares for the winter season.

• • • • • • • • •

As the online permit launch date gets closer the city will share more information on how this new important tool will help streamline the permit process for residents, builders, home remodelers, and staff.

For more information and updates, visit BlaineMN.gov/BuildingInspections

Fall is a good time to check your mailbox post condition. Make sure that the mailbox post is ready to handle the weight of a snow drift.

Fall street sweeping crews are out now. Please keep cars and any obstacles out of the road as much as possible to allow crews to do their job.

Boulevard tree trimming is completed in the winter months as time allows.

After a snowfall do not plow, blow, or shovel snow onto or across any public street. This is against Minnesota state law.

After a snowstorm the city roadways are the first priority. Sidewalks and park trails will be cleared after the roadways.

Any sod damage caused by city plows will be repaired with new dirt and grass seed in the spring.

Blaine Public Works is responsible for plowing only city streets. MnDOT and Anoka County also have plow crews assigned to their roads in Blaine as well as private contractors on private neighborhood streets.

The City of Blaine routinely posts plow updates on Facebook and Twitter before, during, and after a snowstorm.

Help plow crews locate the curb by marking the edge with a wood stake. Free stakes are available at the public works building.

Winter Parking Reminder Regulations in effect from November 1 – April 1 •

No parking on any street from 2AM until 7AM. A permit for overnight parking may be obtained from the Blaine Police Department in emergency situations.

•

No parking after a snowfall of two inches or more until the street has been fully plowed from curb to curb.

November/December 2019

Garbage & Recycling Cart Placement Do Not Place Them in the Street

Garbage, recycling, and yard waste carts may not be placed in the street. This is especially important during the winter months to prevent the snow plows from hitting them and spilling garbage all over the snowbank where it will show up in your yard after the spring thaw.

The proper placement is simple but extremely important for efficient operations. Carts should be placed up to two feet behind the curb, in the driveway or an area of the boulevard cleared to allow for their placement. This allows snowplows in the winter and the fall and spring street sweeping crews to clean the streets from curb to curb. The City of Blaine would like to thank all residents in advance for helping to keep the streets clear this season.

For more information, visit BlaineMN.gov/GarbageandRecycling

Seasonal Reminders

Please Keep Fire Hydrants Clear Shovel After Each Snowfall

Residents and business owners are asked to please remember to shovel out around fire hydrants after each snowfall. It is very important to keep hydrants clear of snow and visible from the street.

If the fire department has to spend time trying to find a fire hydrant under the snow, they lose precious time needed to fight fires. A fire can double in size every 30 seconds. If it takes firefighters even two extra minutes to locate and dig out a hydrant the damage could be massive. Please talk with your neighbors to determine who will keep the hydrant clear. Remember, the house you help save may be your own.

Winter Salt Alternatives As snow season draws near, consider this, sodium chloride is the most common form of salt used for de-icing roads and walkways. It is used so much that it has become a water pollutant. Here are ways to reduce chloride pollution, have safer walking areas, and maybe save some money.

•

Remove snow during a snowstorm instead of waiting until the end. Start with the very first snow and keep up the rest of the winter, especially in shaded walkways.

•

Think anti-icing. The goal is to break the bond between ice and pavement just where you need it so it can be shoveled or plowed.

•

Treat before a storm to help prevent ice buildup so less de-icer is needed.

•

Use products containing liquid magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium magnesium acetate, or potassium acetate.

•

Do not apply if ice has already formed, in rainy, sleety, blowing conditions, or if snowfall is more than one inch per hour.

•

Concrete may require specialized use or product. Salt, chlorides, and urea-based or pet friendly options can cause pitting or spalling of concrete surface. Check product label before concrete use.

•

After storms use as little de-icer as possible.

•

The closest salt substitute is potassium acetate, but is hard to find, ask for it to create consumer demand.

•

Use sand it is safe for pets and children, sweep up any excess as needed.

For more information, visit CoonCreekWD.org

Page 5

Blaine Recycling Saturdays 10am — 2pm

3rd Saturday of Each Month Drop-Off Location Green Lights Recycling Enter at 1525 - 99th Lane NE The City of Blaine sponsors a recycling drop-off day the third Saturday of each month. You do not need to be a Blaine resident to bring items to the drop-off day. Please note, no garbage will be accepted.

Recycling drop-off day is funded by the Anoka County Board of Commissioners and State SCORE funds (Select Committee on Recycling and the Environment).

Green Lights Recycling 763-785-0456|GLRNow.com Cash or Check Only Collects mattresses, box springs, carpet, appliances, florescent lamps, electronics, rechargeable batteries, and tires. Free items include scrap metal and vehicle batteries. Items with a small fee: • Mattresses/box springs: $20 each • Most appliances: $10 each • Most electronics: $2 - $50 depending on size • Carpet: $6/ roll up to 7 rolls • Tire and rechargeable batteries: small fee See the complete list of fees at BlaineMN.gov/ RecyclingSaturdays

Randy’s Environmental Services | 763-972-3335 R a n d ys E nv i ro n m e n t a l Services.comRandy’s offers free paper shredding. Please note, there may be long wait times for shredding.

Bike Collection Bikes4KidsMN.org No bike pick up until April 2020.

Walters Recycling & Refuse 763-780-8464 | WaltersRecycling.com/Blaine

Contact Walters to report missed garbage, recycling, or yard waste pickup.

City Recycling Information 763-785-6192 | BlaineMN.gov/Recycle

Page 6

BlaineParks.com or BlaineEvents.com - Recreation Connection

Morning at the North Pole ages 10 & under with an adult

Staff will take a picture of kids with Santa and email it to you or bring your own camera for pictures with Santa. Fee includes a continental breakfast for one child and one adult, crafts for one child, and a visit with Santa. Registration is required and limited to 30 children per time slot. Event held at Blaine City Hall Atrium. Some time slots are full.

parks & recreation

connection

Saturday, December 7 $10 resident; $11 non-resident

Saturday, December 14 $10 resident; $11 non-resident

9am, Activity #7406 Full 10am, Activity #7407 Full 11am, Activity #7408 Full noon, Activity #7409

9am, Activity #7410 Full 10am, Activity #7411 Full 11am, Activity #7412 noon, Activity #7413

Winter/Spring 2020

RecConnect RecConnect BlaineParks.com BlaineParks.com

Winter/Spring Winter/Spring 2020 2020

Robotic Builders: Gamer-Bots grades 1 to 5

Designed by the experts at MIT, LEGO WeDo Robotics’ unique system teaches students about simple machines, engineering, programming, and so much more. Students will be taught foundational building and introduced to programming concepts while learning about the sensors, motors, and special technical components. Students will build and program smart robots based on popular games: Angry Birds, Chutes and Ladders, Hockey, Just Dance, Pinball, Duck Hunt, and more. Please bring a drink, snack, and lunch. Class is held at Blaine City Hall Cloverleaf Room B.

What’s What’s Inside Inside

kating Skating Rinks Rinks nd Lessons and Lessons ..............................................................4 ..............................................................4

AnokaAnoka County County now Snow Day ....................................................................6 Day ....................................................................6

Saturday, November 16, 9am - 3pm $86 resident; $95 non-resident, Activity #7449

arth Earth Day Day itywide Citywide Celebration Celebration .............................................. ..............................................

Mary Ann MaryYoung Ann Young Center Center ventsEvents and Program and Program ........................................... ...........................................

27 27

BlaineEvents.com BlaineEvents.com

Online Program Registration Winter/Spring Begins December 9 The Winter/Spring 2020 RecConnect catalog will be mailed in early December and online December 3 at

BlaineParks.com/ RecConnect Online registration for Winter/Spring 2020 programs begins December 9 at

BlaineParks.com/Register

Jam Hops Classes and Clinics Jam Hops, 1460-133rd Lane NE, Ham Lake

Camptastic, ages 5 to 12 Kids will participate in a wide variety of activities including open gym, crafts, interactive games, science experiments, ninja obstacles, snack time, and more. The gym has trampolines, climbing ropes, bars, beams, expansive spring floor space, foam pits, a warped wall, a rock climbing wall, a tumble track, and more.

Children may bring a lunch or purchase one at the time of drop off. Children should also bring a book each day as they will have some silent reading time. Participants also have the option to sign up for before and after care for any of the days. Call Jam Hops at 763-413-0647 to register for this option. $35/day, 7:30am - 5:30pm Tuesday, November 5, Activity #7423 Wednesday, November 27 – Activity #7424 Monday, December 2 – Activity #7425

Tuesday, December 3 – Activity #7426 Monday, December 23 – Activity #7427 Thursday, December 26 – Activity #7428 Friday, December 27 – Activity #7429

Dance Classes and Camps Stay Connected BlaineParks.com More information about Parks and Recreation is available at 763-785-6164 or in the current Recreation Connection online.

BlaineEvents.com

QC Dance Studio, 9967 Ulysses Street NE

Puppy Patrol Mini Camp, ages 3 to 7 Enroll in the pup training program to become a member of the dance rescue team. Themed crafts also included. Register by November 8.

Saturday, November 16, noon - 1:30Pm $20, Activity # 7481 Parents Night Out, ages 5 and up All children are welcome to join in for a night of fun.

Parents enjoy a night out, maybe a date night, start or finish that holiday shopping, or whatever they choose. Participants will enjoy dancing, games, movies, crafts, and make new friends. Pizza will be served part way through and then it will be back to playtime. Fun for dancers and non-dancers. Open to all. Register by November 25.

Friday, December 6, 5 - 9pm $20 resident; $22 non-resident, Activity #7420

Winter/Spring 2020

Page 7

Outdoor Lighted Ice Skating Rinks with Supervised Warming Houses

Aurelia Park

Ostmans Park

Happy Acres Park

Quail Creek (unsupervised)

Hockey/General Rink 130th Avenue and Buchanan Street

Hockey/General Rink 91st Avenue at Jefferson Street

General Rink 2206 Quail Creek Parkway

3 Hockey and 1 General Rink 119th Avenue and 7th Street

Lexington Athletic Complex Hockey Rink 4286 - 121st Avenue

Warming houses are tentatively scheduled to open December 20.

parks & recreation

connection Winter/Spring 2020

Warming House Hours Monday - Friday.........................................................................................................................4 - 9pm Saturday..............................................................................................................................noon - 9pm Sunday..................................................................................................................................noon - 7pm School Vacation Days....................................................................................................noon - 9pm Christmas Eve, Christmas Day...................................................................................noon - 5pm New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day...............................................................................noon - 8pm

Quincy Park

Warming houses close when unsafe ice conditions exist or the temperature is -10° Fahrenheit or below or the wind chill is -10° F or below.

Small Hockey/General Rink 10601 Quincy Boulevard Thursdays & Fridays........................ 4 - 9 pm Saturdays & Sundays............. noon - 7 pm

Visit BlaineParks.com for updated ice skating information.

Unlighted Rinks without warming houses or supervision

Austin Park

4041 85th Lane

Carrara East Park

13129 Eldorado Street

Deacon’s Park

11200 Arnold Palmer Drive

Xylite Park

9033 Xylite Street

Ivy Hills Park

12197 Fergus Street

Community Outings All community outings depart from and return to the Mary Ann Young Center located at 9150 Central Avenue NE and include motorcoach transportation, lunch, and a ticket unless otherwise noted. Posted times include pick up and return.

For more detailed descriptions of these trips, please call 763-786-9375 or visit BlaineParks.com.

Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol

at Daytripper’s Theater Bloomington Tuesday, December 17 11am - 4:30pm, $70, Activity #7401 Register by December 3

Explore Movies

Looney Lutherans

in Livin’ LaVida Lutheran

North Metro TV, 12520 Polk Street NE Early Film Treasures: 1896-1901 This one hour class is your chance to see footage of nearly two dozen movies from the world’s earliest films, including the very first movie ever made. Learn where the first movies were made, how people saw movies before the creation of the first movie theaters, and even see the only existing footage of the real Annie Oakley.

Tuesday, November 12, 6:30 - 7:30pm, $10, Activity #7474

Friday, January 31 11:15am - 4:15pm, $70, Activity #7402 Register by January 3

Star Wars Holiday Special This class will take you on a trip behind the scenes of one of the most bizarre television events of all time: The Star Wars Holiday Special. Aired only once the winter after the first Star Wars movie was released, this strange variety show featured all of the stars of Star Wars. There were songs, comedy sketches, cartoons, and more. And it was all terrible!

Thursday, December 12, 6:30 - 8:30pm, $10, Activity #7475

Adult Co-Rec Volleyball League This is a non-officiated co-rec volleyball league. Blaine and Fridley teams will combine to form a cooperative league. Players must be at least 18 years old. Games are held at Roosevelt Middle School in Blaine. Register

by November 8. Game times vary in the evening.

Wednesdays, December 4 - March 4, 6:30-9:30PM Team Fee $250, Activity #7479

Zumba/Zumba Gold QC Dance Studio, 9967 Ulysses Avenue NE Zumba Thursdays, December 5 - January 2, 8 - 8:45pm $30 resident; $33 non-resident, Activity #7459

Zumba Gold Wednesdays, November 20 - December 18, 7:45 - 8:30pm $30 resident; $33 non-resident, Activity #7462

Van Drivers Needed The Blaine Parks and Recreation Department is looking for substitute or permanent van drivers to transport people to and from the Mary Ann Young Center for meals and programs. Training is available and a free lunch is provided the day you drive. Please consider this valuable volunteer opportunity.

For more details about this job, contact the Mary Ann Young Center at 763-786-9375.

Page 8

BlaineParks.com or BlaineEvents.com - Recreation Connection

Holiday Concert at Blaine City Hall Sunday, December 1, 7:30pm

Mayor Tom Ryan receives Seven Seals Award from Jack Grams, ESGR, and members of the Blaine Beyond the Yellow Ribbon committee

Mayor Receives Seven Seals Award

Come out for the annual holiday concert featuring the Lake Country Chorus and North Star Chorus at Blaine City Hall. This free concert is a great way to kick off the holiday season. Complimentary coffee and cookies available.

For more information, visit BlaineEvents.com

On October 7 at the Blaine City Council meeting, Mayor Tom Ryan was presented with the prestigious Seven Seals Award. The Seven Seals Award is given by Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR).

ESGR is a Department of Defense program and operates in all 50 states. Mayor Ryan, a veteran himself, has been a dedicated supporter of veterans, active military members, and military families. The Seven Seals Award is presented to an individual who makes a significant impact in the lives of veterans and active service members and supports the mission of ESGR. Mayor Ryan was instrumental in getting Blaine recognized as a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Community in 2012 and continues to serve the large military community in Blaine.

Congratulations to Mayor Ryan.

December 9 West Blaine

December 10 East Blaine

December 11 The Lakes

Parade Start: 131st Avenue and Jefferson Street

Parade Start: Rice Creek Parkway and Xylite Street

Parade Start: Eldorado Street and 113th Avenue

Santa Parade & Food Shelf Collection The Spring Lake Park – Blaine – Mounds View Fire Department is proud to announce the 2019 Santa Parade. The Santa Parade will make its way through local neighborhoods with Santa’s sleigh being pulled by the fire truck as the reindeer have the night off.

To view an interactive map with times and more information, visit BlaineMN.gov/SantaParade

2019 Blaine WorldFest Photos by A Kendle Photography

Blaine WorldFest Brings Community Together The 11th annual Blaine WorldFest was held on Saturday, September 14. Nearly 1,000 people came out to enjoy the afternoon. WorldFest visitors enjoyed food from five different food trucks, watched seven different performances on the stage in Town Square Park, and visited with different organizations at 16 informational booths. People danced, laughed, and had a great time being together. Save the date for the 12th annual Blaine WorldFest on September 12, 2020.

For more information, visit BlaineMN.gov/WorldFest

Now Hiring Warming House Attendants The Blaine Parks and Recreation Department is accepting applications for warming house attendants.

Applicants must be 17 or older.

For more details about this job, contact Jerome Krieger at 763-785-6161 or visit BlaineMN.gov/Jobs