The 2014 Made in Minnesota (MiM) solar incentive program has begun! This year, $15 million will be available for solar projects in Minnesota; approximately $7 million of which will be dedicated to residential solar projects and $7 million for commercial projects. MiM will help drive a faster-than-ever expansion of solar in our state. Please join us and your neighbors for an event laying out the why and how of residential solar and the MiM incentives.

Questions? Contact sarah@kingfield.org

Join in, Share it on Facebook!

On the agenda:

• Dustin Denison, Principal of Applied Energy Innovations - Dustin will explain the key differences between the 2013 and 2014 rebate cycle and why 2014 will be the biggest year for solar in Minnesota so far
• Kim Havey, Made In Minnesota Solar Program Coordinator, Minnesota Department of Commerce - Kim will be explaining how the Made in Minnesota program makes solar affordable for homeowners. Information is available at MN.Gov/Made-in-Minnesota
• AEI will be offering free solar site reviews for those interested

Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman has announced she is leaving her seat to take the helm at St. Stephen's starting March 3. This is a chance for voters to get to know the candidates running for this seat before the upcoming DFL caucus and special election.

Bring your questions and meet the candidates:

• Anne Mavity -- confirmed
• Ben Schweigert -- confirmed
• Katie Hatt -- confirmed
• Ken Kelash -- confirmed
• Marion Greene -- confirmed

A map of the Third District is available from Hennepin County here

More info here

To continue to connect with as many Eighth Ward neighbors as possible, the 8th Ward has a NEW program at a NEW time: Lunchtime with Elizabeth. Please join Elizabeth Glidden for the very FIRST lunch program, where every other month engaging topics and speakers will be invited to dialogue with you.

The 8th Ward will continue the Early Mornings with Elizabeth program in February, at its regular location and time (7:30-9 am, Turtle Bread @4762 Chicago). For 2014, we will alternate monthly constituent programs between Early Mornings and Lunchtime with Elizabeth.

Racial and Economic Justice in OUR MPLS
On January 31, at our first LUNCHEON event, we will discuss racial equity, a top priority issue for Mayor Betsy Hodges and many if not all Council Members as we begin a new election term for the City. How do we define racial equity as a community? How can we work to achieve racial equity for all residents in Minneapolis?

We are excited to welcome Vina Kay, Director of Research and Policy for the Organizing Apprenticeship Project, Chaka Mkali, Director of Organizing and Community Building for Hope Communities and Avi Viswanathan, HIRE Minnesota Organizer, representing a collaborative of twenty organizations that have helped to develop “A Vision and Agenda for Racial and Economic Justice in OUR MPLS.” You can access a copy of the report here.

Our speakers will provide an overview of the policy and program proposals in the Vision and Agenda for OUR MPLS and we will invite your ideas and input on how Minneapolis can move a racial equity agenda forward. Please join us for our first event at Butter Bakery Café, 3700 Nicollet – arrive early, grab some lunch or a treat, and settle in for a provocative and engaging program that will begin at 12 noon.

Pillsbury House Theatre’s Breaking Ice Company of professional artists created a performance about our neighborhood and issues that have been brought to the forefront by the community surrounding the Seward Friendship Co-op, food access and jobs.

Dates:

• Thursday, January 30th
• Friday, January 31st
• Saturday, February 1st

Time:

• 7:00 PM (Doors Open at 6:30 PM)

All performances and discussions will be interpreted in Spanish. If you need interpretation in any other language or other accommodations contact Hannah Kamath, 612-824-1333 or hannah@thecentralneighborhood.com.

Handmade Bowls+ Handmade Soup= Kingfield Empty Bowls, an event to build community & raise funds for NICOLLET SQUARE, a home for formerly homeless youth in Kingfield

Join and Share the event here!.

The concept of the Kingfield Empty Bowls Event is simple: Attendees make a donation (suggested at $20 per bowl), select a beautiful handmade bowl donated by a local pottery artist, enjoy a hearty meal of soup prepared by volunteers, and then keep their bowl as a reminder that many of our neighbors are in need of food and housing.

Restaurants supporting Kingfield Empty Bowls include:

• Anodyne Coffeehouse
• Butter Bakery Cafe
• Cafe Ena / Rincon 38
• Corner Table
• Curran's Family Restaurant
• Grand Cafe
• Kings Wine Bar
• The Lowbrow
• Royal Grounds
• Sunstreet Breads
• Victor's 1959 Cafe

Promotional Support:

• The Color Wheel Gallery
• Johnson Design & Etc

Decorations:

• Petersen Flowers

Organization and Outreach support provided by:

• Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative
• Kingfield Neighborhood Association

Bowls donations are still being accepted – just drop them off at the The Color Wheel Gallery, 46th & Grand, Tuesday-Saturday noon-7 PM or on a Sunday afternoon! Need someone to pick up a larger donation? Just contact KFNA at info@kingfield.org!

Contact Sarah Linnes-Robinson at sarah@kingfield.org or 612.823.5980 if you have any questions or are interested in getting involved.

Visit the Facebook Event and Share it with friends so they are sure to save the date!

“What should you do if you fall through the ice? Join Minneapolis Fire Department for a show and tell of equipment they use for ice rescue, some tips on how to prevent falling through the ice, and what you should do should that ever happen.”

Organized by the Kingfield Neighborhood Association Crime and Safety Committee and the East Harriet Farmstead Crime, Safety, Transportation and Noise Committee

Got questions? Contact cheryl@kingfield.org

$10 for Kingfield Residents and $15 for Neighbors from Adjoining Neighborhoods; pizza, program and networking included. Full counter service available for beverages.

Register and pay here. Not on Facebook? Email info@kingfield.org and we will arrange for payment and get you registered. Capacity for this event is limited to 60 adults.

The recent homicide that occurred in Kingfield along with plenty of conversation about what neighbors can do to be safe and share information in future situations like this, will be covered at this next KFNA Crime Prevention & Safety Meeting. Come meet our new 5th Precinct Crime Prevention Specialist and share your concerns, support each other, and develop community-solutions!

At this meeting, the design team will present playground equipment options for the park that are being developed based on input from the community, projects artists and playground manufacturers. The community will be asked to review the equipment options, provide comment and work with the design team to finalize the play equipment for the park. At this meeting, the community and design team will also finalize the phasing strategy for the playground.

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

Learn more about the project and get involved! Please visit the project’s web page and sign up for updates or contact Jennifer Ringold at email: jringold@minneapolisparks.org, phone: 612-230-6464.