Neighborhood news - Dec 14, 2023

Bryn Mawr Bikes Lights Ride will go past cheerful holiday lights on Sunday, Dec. 17. The group will leave from the corner of W. Laurel Ave and Cedar Lake Road at 6 p.m. First time riding with Bryn Mawr bikes? All riders joining for their first ride will receive a free set of battery-operated holiday lights to attach to their bike. All are encouraged to decorate their bikes for the holidays for this 5-8 mile ride to peep at some of the neighborhood’s best holiday light displays. Got questions about winter bike set up or not sure if this ride is for you?  Contact josh.nichols@bmna.org.

 

The DNR is in possession of the cougar that was struck and killed on Interstate 394 on Dec. 6. The cougar had been sighted in Lowry Hills, and was the subject of an alert issued by the city of Minneapolis on Tuesday. The cougar will be transported to DNR Wildlife Research in Grand Rapids, where it will undergo a necropsy. The cougar was marked, and DNR has confirmed with Nebraska Game & Fish that it was a wild cougar tagged in northwest Nebraska. The cougar was a male and 2.3 years old. 

 

The 3nd Annual Lyndale Cookie Exchange will be on Saturday, Dec. 16 from 10-11 a.m. at South Nicollet Action Center Community Room (3537 Nicollet Avenue). Bring your favorite homemade cookies to share with neighbors and friends, and leave with a delightful assortment of treats to enjoy throughout the holiday season. All are welcome.

 

The USDA recently updated its Plant Hardiness Zone Map for the first time in a decade. This is an essential reference material for gardeners and growers to decide which plants are likely to grow well. Most parts of Minnesota have increased at least half a zone, which means that parts of the Twin Cities are now considered Zone 5a.

 

On Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board celebrated the new Spark’d Studios location opening at Whittier Recreation Center. Spark’d Studios are new spaces in Minneapolis park buildings that help young people build creative skills and career readiness through free multimedia arts programs, access to technology, and mentorship from creative professionals.

This is the third of six planned Spark’d Studios locations. The other two are at Powderhorn Recreation Center and Harrison Recreation Center, with locations planned at Phillips Community Center, Luxton Recreation Center, and the new park building under construction at Graco Park.

The Spark’d Studios space at Whittier Recreation Center features top-of-the-line multimedia equipment and creative professional staff to produce opportunities for youth and teens to explore their interests. All Spark’d Studios programs and equipment are free.

Whittier Recreation Center, located at 425 W 26th St., had its lobby remodeled and air conditioning installed as part of this project. Next year a new playground and basketball/futsal court are also planned for construction at Whittier Park.