Hot Topics: July 1, 2010

Fireworks rescheduled for October 5 New!

The Summer Festival fireworks show that was cancelled due to rain has been rescheduled to take place Tuesday, October 5, at 8 p.m., at the conclusion of this year’s Fire Department and City Open House. Learn more

City offices closed Monday, July 5; trash/recycling not affected New!

Minnetonka city offices will be closed Monday, July 5, in observance of Independence Day. Learn more

Farmers’ Market starts Tuesday, July 6 New!

Gather up your shopping bags and mark your calendar for the second year of the Minnetonka Farmers’ Market, set for Tuesdays, July 6–Sept. 28, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Minnetonka Civic Center Campus. Learn more

Minnetonka Farmers’ Market Update: July 6, 2010 New!

We hope to see you at the first Minnetonka Farmers’ Market for 2010, set for Tuesday, July 6, between 3 and 7 p.m.! Learn more

Williston Fitness Center renovation starts New!

Planned renovations to the Williston Fitness Center will be underway soon, including interior remodeling, additions to the existing pool building, parking lot expansion and exterior painting of the tennis building. Learn more

July speed enforcement planned New!

The Minnetonka, Maple Grove and Plymouth police departments will team up during the month of July for a “Speed Wave,” part of a statewide campaign. Learn more

Minnetonka Fire Department public educators visit farmers’ market July 6 New!

Minnetonka Fire Department public educators will be at the Minnetonka Farmers’ Market Tuesday, July 6, from 3 to 7 p.m. with their fire extinguisher simulator—see if you can put out the fire! Learn more

News for Neighbors: July 2010 New!

News for Neighbors appears quarterly in the Minnetonka Memo with news for you about happenings in the Minnetonka Police Department. Learn more

Photo contest entries due Sept. 13 New!

The Minnetonka Community Commission will host the annual photo contest again this year, in conjunction with the October Fire Department and City Open House. Deadline is Monday, Sept. 13, by 4:30 p.m. Learn more

Fall recreation brochure online July 30; printed copies will not be mailed New!

The 2010 Recreation Services fall brochure will be posted online July 30 at www.eminnetonka.com. It will not be mailed to homes. Learn more

Applications available for 2011 nonprofit funding New!

The city of Minnetonka is now accepting requests for a limited amount of 2011 nonprofit funding. Learn more

Ask Mike: Carpenter ants and your trees New!

This month, Mike addresses a resident’s question about carpenter ants. Learn more

A summer reminder: city rules and ordinances New!

Pets, noise, parking, recreational fires, outdoor storage—these are just a few of the concerns that peak each summer as residents are out and about more. Learn more

Enjoy July events for senior residents New!

Learn about upcoming senior services programs. Learn more

MAM hosts July concerts, choir auditions New!

The Music Association of Minnetonka (MAM) Civic Orchestra presents its summer pops concert at multiple locations this summer. Learn more

Conserve energy and water this summer while staying cool New!

Rising temperatures don’t have to mean rising energy and water use. Learn more

Know the rules about election signs New!

During election season, it’s important for Minnetonka residents to be aware of the city’s zoning regulations related to posting political campaign signs. Learn more

Music in the Park continues through August 10

Mark your calendars for the 2010 Music in the Park series, set for Tuesdays, 7 to 8:30 p.m., starting June 15. Learn more

Tree disease control underway

The city of Minnetonka’s shade tree disease control program, aimed at keeping Dutch elm disease (DED) and oak wilt (OW) at bay, has begun. Learn more

Canoe Minnehaha Creek

The city of Minnetonka will offer a rental and shuttle service May 1 through July 11 for anyone interested in canoeing the Minnehaha Creek corridor this spring and early summer. Learn more

Burwell House regular tours now available

The Burwell House regular tour schedule continues through August 31. Learn more

Shady Oak Beach open

Shady Oak Beach, located at 5200 Shady Oak Road in Minnetonka, opened for the season June 11. Learn more

Night for Neighbors is August 3

On Tuesday, August 3, from 6 to 9 p.m., Minnetonka residents are invited to join hundreds of other neighborhoods across Minnetonka in the tradition of an evening of getting to know your neighbors. Learn more

Primary election is August 10

Due to a recent change in federal law, the state primary election was moved up to August 10. Absentee voting is available for those who are unable to visit the polling place on primary election day for one or more of the following reasons. Learn more

Reserve your summer picnic shelter now

Minnetonka facilities staff reserve space at both Minnetonka and Hopkins picnic shelters, located in Burnes, Central and Valley parks in Hopkins, and Lone Lake, Gro-Tonka and Shady Oak parks in Minnetonka. Learn more

Take an express bus to Twins games!

Why drive to Target Field when you can take an easy ride instead? Avoid downtown parking and take an express ride from Minnetonka to the ballpark! Learn more

About door-to-door sales in Minnetonka

While solicitors, peddlers and canvassers are allowed in Minnetonka, for-profit sale of products or services requires a license from the city. Learn more

Show your green thumb: adopt a sign

Minnetonka’s Adopt-A-Sign program has been a great way for individuals, families and community organizations to share their gardening talents with others by planting flowers around city park signs. Learn more

Lawn care tips

Find tips on chemicals and your yard as well as keeping streets and storm drains clean. Learn more

Dreaming of a new construction or landscape project?

This spring, think about how to plan, design and build your project while still protecting our natural resources. Learn more

Recreation brochure to move online in fall

The 2010 Recreation Services fall brochure will not be mailed to homes late this summer. Instead, it will be posted online July 30. Learn more

Upcoming events for Minnetonka seniors

Don’t miss out on the fun and friendship at Minnetonka Senior Services with these upcoming events! Learn more

HOME program: helping older adults

Household & Outside Maintenance for Elderly (HOME) is a program offered by Senior Community Services (SCS), a 59-year-old nonprofit agency dedicated to helping meet the special needs of older adults and their caregivers through a variety of outreach and support services. Learn more

Apply now to be a Minnetonka firefighter

If you’ve always wanted to be a firefighter, now is the time! Learn more

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.

Power outage? Don’t call 911

Minnetonka police are reminding residents of when it’s appropriate to call 911. Learn more

Why did families enjoy fish for supper on an evening in July 1908?

Taken from the oral history of Edwin (Ed) Swanson, who lived and worked in a store owned by his uncle, J.C. Nelson. The store had formerly belonged to S.H. Smith and stood where the The Mills Church, formerly Minnetonka Community Church, now stands. The mill pond Swanson refers to was located near the site of the Charles H. Burwell House on Minnetonka Boulevard.

“I remember the millpond as being there on July 4, 1908, but just a few days later the dam was torn out and the millpond disappeared, leaving hundreds of pickerels stranded. All the men and boys rushed about killing fish with sticks and bats and most of the families in the area had fish for supper that night.”