Hot Topics: April 18, 2008

Coming Up...

Neighborhood alert: dog vs. dog attack (New!)

The Minnetonka Police Department is asking for your help in locating dogs that may live in your area. These dogs have been seen in the vicinity of Scenic Heights Elementary and a residence where a small dog was attacked and seriously injured. Learn more.

Council meeting set for April 21

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Minnetonka City Council is Monday, April 21, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd., Minnetonka. Regular city council meetings are broadcast live on cable channel 16. Agendas and minutes are posted on the city council meetings page. For more information call 952.939.8200 or visit the April 21 meeting page.

Severe Weather Awareness Week
starts April 21

Severe Weather Awareness Week is April 21 through 25, with each day focusing on a different topic. Learn more.

Tree planting clinic is April 22

Attend a free, city-sponsored tree planting clinic on Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Big Willow Park. Learn more.

Garlic mustard workshop is April 24

Learn about garlic mustard, a very invasive woodland herb, at the second annual garlic mustard workshop Thursday, April 24, 6:30 p.m. at the Minnetonka Council Chambers. Learn more.

Low-impact landscape workshop is April 24

Learn to create a low-impact landscape using native plants, rain gardens and rain barrels at this workshop Thursday, April 24, at the South Shore Center in Shorewood. Learn more.

Spring plant walks set for April and May

Take a guided plant walk in a Minnetonka park where native habitat restoration is underway. Learn more.

Silver Skates Ice Revue is May 1, 2 and 3

Minnetonka Ice Arena’s All Season Skating School is proud to present the 34th Annual Silver Skates Ice Revue, “Lights on Broadway.” Learn more.

City tree sale pick up is May 2 and 3

If you ordered trees through the city of Minnetonka’s tree sale, be sure to pick them up on May 2 or 3! Learn more.

Visit these April senior services events

If you’re a Minnetonka resident who’s 55 or older, don’t miss out on the fun and friendship at Minnetonka Senior Services with these upcoming April events. Learn more.

One hundred years of Lake Minnetonka postcards

Enjoy a brief history of postcards from the early glory years of Lake Minnetonka to current times, presented by Twin City Postcard Club Vice President and Minnetonka resident Chuck Donley, Thursday, May 1, at 7 p.m. at the Minnetonka Community Center. Learn more.

Register for a rain garden workshop

If you’re interested in learning how to manage yard runoff by installing a rain garden, consider attending a Metro Blooms rain garden workshop Thursday, June 5, 6:30–8:30 p.m., at the Minnetonka Community Center. Learn more.

Skating lessons start June 9

Interested in skating lessons? Summer skating lessons for both youth and adults are held Monday evenings starting June 9. Learn more.

Public Safety

Take a stand against crime: join a Neighborhood Watch

Neighborhood Watch, Block Watch, Town Watch, Building Watch, Crime Watch—whatever the name, it’s one of the most effective and least costly ways to prevent crime and reduce fear. Learn more.

News You Can Use

Get a discount on membership fees when you workout at Williston! (New!)

The Williston Fitness Center is proud to announce their partnership with MEDICA, Blue Cross Blue Shield of MN, HealthPartners, UCARE of MN, and Definity. Learn more.

2008 Burwell Art Fair applications due May 15

Artists, you’re invited to apply to exhibit at the Burwell House Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social Saturday, June 28, 2008. Learn more.

Help monitor Minnetonka’s wetlands

If you’ve ever wanted to wade in a wetland, get your hands muddy, and discover the plants and animals that live in the murky shallows, we want you! Learn more.

Brush drop-off opened April 12

The brush drop-off program for Minnetonka residents opened Saturday, April 12, and will remain open through November 15. Learn more.

Water main flushing started April 14

Minnetonka Public Works will flush city water mains weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., which started April 14 and continues through May 8. Learn more.

Spring load restrictions in effect

Spring load restrictions for area roads went into effect Friday, March 14, at 12:01 a.m. Learn more.

Street sweeping delayed one week

Due to weather conditions, Minnetonka Public Works began limited street sweeping the week of March 31, with full street sweeping starting April 7, a week later than originally planned. Learn more.

Wanted: history lovers

If you’ve thought about being a tour guide, consider volunteering at the Burwell House this year. Learn more.

Need emergency home repairs?

If your home is in need of emergency repairs, you may be eligible for a loan if you meet certain income restrictions. Learn more.

Get Active

Register now for summer adult basketball

Minnetonka Recreation Services is accepting team registrations for a seven-week, five-player summer adult basketball program. Learn more.

Plan now for summer fun!

It’s never too early to make plans for the summer and Recreation Services is now accepting registrations for a new offering—Summer Theater Camp for Kids—and an old favorite—Adult co-rec summer soccer. Learn more.

Summer recreation registration underway

Summer recreation registration started March 10 for residents and March 24 for non-residents. Learn more

Adult softball, kickball registration underway

Spring is just around the corner, and now is the time to register your adult summer softball or adult summer kickball team. Recreation Services is now accepting team registrations for men’s, women’s, and co-rec softball and for co-rec kickball. Learn more.

Project Center

Curious about city construction?

If you have questions about construction projects in the city—from roads, to sewer and water utilities, to drainage and storm sewer—visit our City Projects page to find out everything you want to know. Learn more.

History Fact

What was the unofficial name of Thomas Avenue in the late 1970’s? (New!)

Oftentimes, Minnetonka’s street construction or maintenance workers gave the streets on which they were working unofficial names, usually related to a dominant feature of the street or a prominent family that lived on the street.

Thomas Avenue became known as “Be Be Shoppe Road” in the 1970’s because of its most famous resident, Beatrice Bella Shopp, who was crowned Miss America in 1948. She retained the distinction of being Minnesota’s only Miss America until 1977, when Edina resident Dorothy Benham earned that title.