Community input on a refined plan for a new playground at Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Park will be sought at a community meeting on December 17, 2013 from 6:30-8:30 pm at Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Park (4055 Nicollet Avenue). The plan that will be presented on December 17 builds on community input that has been gathered through two community meetings, a community survey, input opportunities at the Kingfield Farmers Market and park events, and on-site interviews at the park since July 2013.

A community meeting has also been set for February 4, 2014 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at the park. The February 4 meeting will focus on the selection of play equipment for the new playground.

All are welcome to participate in both meetings – kids too! Children can engage in the design process and/or a child care program.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is working with artists and the community to enhance a typical plan for MPRB playground with play features and interpretive information that will help tell the story of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, the Civil Rights Movement and/or African American History.

Read more about the project here

A group that formed to knit hats for people experiencing homelessness is now meeting at Butter the third Saturday's of each month. New and experienced knitters are invited to sit in and learn more or share their time to this effort.

Barb Melom, project organizer, and her knitting friends were recently highlighted in the Star Tribune - you can read about them from this link.

For the 11th year Sara Thomsen, joined by special guest star Paula Pedersen, brings to Judson her beloved Winter Solstice Concert. Fans have returned for this beautiful and intimate concert year after year.

“Thomsen’s soulful voice, poetic lyrics and unforgettable melodies cut through to the heart and the soul of human experience,” proclaims the Minnesota Women’s Press. Sara Thomsen and her songs have been hailed by Sing Out Magazine, the Star Tribune, the Duluth News Herald and more. Join us and find out why at an evening of beautiful ballads, folk songs and more at the historic Judson Memorial Baptist Church in the Kingfield neighborhood of south Minneapolis.

Judson Memorial Baptist Church
4101 Harriet Ave. S., Minneapolis

General admission at the door – $20 each
www.judsonchurch.org - 612-822-0649

The sale is all day Friday, December 20th through Sunday, the 22nd, with a special Friends of the Library-only preview sale Thursday 5:30 - 7:30. There will be books, DVDs, books on CD, comics, music, and more!

This paper is printed and mailed to every address and property owner in the Kingfield quarterly because KFNA believes that every one has the right, and the responsibility, to be aware of what is happening in their community. We thank you for staying in touch with your neighborhood between issues via this eNews, as well as by Liking the Kingfield Neighborhood Association’s Facebook Page

Donations can still be made for 2013 tax benefits! Some of you might ask, why should I give money to my neighborhood, they are all the same aren’t they?

I want to assure you that all neighborhoods are not created equal. Kingfield is special in part because KFNA has worked really hard for the last 20 years to engage amazing neighbors in their very own neighborhood. The goal of doing this is to assist these residents in developing and sharing their own special talents and skills to solve both smaller, neighborhood-level concerns but also to pilot programs and projects that can be duplicated across the City. KFNA has helped develop programs and leaders in the areas of urban agriculture including farmers markets and community gardens, alternative energy including solar and geo-thermal education and installation, public art including tried and true methods to deter graffiti and build identity using exterior business murals and wrapped utility boxes, and much more including programs and projects focused on store-front development, street usage and traffic calming, recycling, race-based discussions and building connections to other neighborhoods and communities, and affordable housing.

KFNA uses your donations to support these programs and more. Although KFNA is fortunate to receive some support from the City of Minneapolis for the outreach and long-range planning we do in the neighborhood, the City only provides about $50,000 annually, which is less than 50% of KFNA’s annual operating budget. To continue to do all the work we do in Kingfield Neighborhood, we need your financial support as well. Donations can be made here where you can also read about all the fabulous prizes available to donors from KFNA’s amazing volunteer board members!

Sincerely—
Sarah Linnes-Robinson,
KFNA’s Executive Director
sarah@kingfield.org

• KFNA Board and Committee Recruitment Party
  Wednesday, January 15th | 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
  Home of KFNA President Hetal Dalal | 3641 Pleasant Ave, Minneapolis (lower unit)


• Annual Meeting — “Is That You, Neighbor?”
  Monday, January 27th, The Aliveness Project
  6:00 PM -- Potluck and Social Time
  7:00 PM -- Meeting
  3808 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis


• MLK Playground Community Meeting
  Tuesday, Febuary 4th | 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
  Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 4055 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis
  


• Kingfield Empty Bowls
  Thursday, Febuary 6th | 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 4055 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis

As many of you are probably aware, The Seward Food Co-op has proposed a new store on 38th Street between Clinton and 3rd Ave. South call the Friendship Store or Friendship Site due to the former property occupant, the Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. The Joint-Neighborhood Task Force has developed the following survey to better understand the community’s needs and desires for the new store.

Link to Survey