Lyndale Pictures
Recent Updates
I was having an interesting conversation at Dia del Nino about why people do or don’t get involved in the neighborhood. It was similar to many conversations I’ve had over the years with people about the how and why they got involved in the neighborhood.
Over the years I’ve heard a lot of different answers about how people started getting involved, for some people it was a public safety issue, for others it was a big project like the street lighting proposal, and for some it was because they wanted to get to know their neighbors better.
I’ve also had similar conversations with people I meet from Lyndale who don’t come to a lot of events or volunteer with LNA. As you can imagine these conversations are a bit different, but they might not be as different as you think.
When talking to Jon and Lisa Lewis, there are three themes that emerge and are present in just about every facet of their lives: music, art, and travel, with a special affinity for Paris. Art adorns the walls of their Lyndale home alongside photo albums and objects collected from their travels. All together the couple have been to over 20 countries and to every continent except Australia and Antarctica.
In theory, floral arrangements inspired by works of art sounds really interesting; in reality it’s not just interesting, it’s magnificent! Every Spring the Minneapolis Institute of Arts hosts its Art in Bloom event in which the museum drips with luscious flowers for four glorious days. Suits of armor made from leaves and “bleeding hearts”, ikebana arrangements mimicking the stance of a crane, a cardinal’s robe constructed of rose petals, and a tornado of flowers all were on view to delight.
LNA is excited to announce that this summer we will be partnering with Project Footsteps, a local Minneapolis organization whose mission is to “inspire, empower, and prepare youth and communities to be change agents, social leaders, and volunteers.”
Project Footsteps will be working with youth and families in LYndale to develop activities or events for long-term engagement of families with each other and the neighborhood. The first phase of the project is research: Project Footsteps will be out in the neighborhood talking with families about the spaces and activities in which they are already participate. Shortly after, we will pull together groups of families and children to plan and design a long-term plan to engage families in a meaningful way.
Since I’m new to the neighborhood, I’m looking for ways to get to know the people and concerns of Lyndale. One of the ways I’ll be doing that this summer is by knocking on every door in the neighborhood. I'm hoping to do that with members of every block, so that you can meet me and your neighbors in one visit.
In the course of these visits I'm hoping to get to know you. I want to know what you think about your block, your neighborhood, and your city. I would love to know what you’re concerned about, and what kind of neighborhood you want to pass on to the youth of the city.
This year’s Lyndale Open House, held Friday, March 22 at the Lyndale Community School, was quite a hit! Attendees explored the many “intersections” of Lyndale, the places we eat, shop, and meet one another around our neighborhood. Many neighborhood restaurants provided food from around the globe as a part of this year’s Taste of Lyndale. Residents were able to enjoy everything from Sonny’s Ice Cream to spanakopita to mini-eclairs!
On April 8 at 9:30 in the morning, something special is coming to Lyndale. Something that community members asked for, the Somali Women’s Leadership group gave voice to, volunteers supported, Wells Fargo Bank stepped up to host, and LNA initiated—a new morning ESL class. Building on the work of the flagship evening class, the Lyndale ESL program will begin offering English classes to adults in the neighborhood three mornings a week, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the community room of the Wells Fargo Bank, located at Nicollet and 31st.
Do you want to give back to your neighborhood? Do you like to be in the middle of what’s going on? If so, you should consider serving on LNA’s Board of Directors. On Monday, June 24th LNA will be holding an election for six seats on LNA’s Board of Directors. Serving on the board is a really important service to the neighborhood and a great way to be involved in everything going on in the neighborhood.
There was a really interesting question asked at this past month’s General Membership meeting; which is “why do we even have General Membership meetings?” It’s a good question and a really good way to get started on a bigger neighborhood conversation LNA’s Board would like to have over the next several months with the neighborhood about future General Membership meetings.
Do you have dreams for your family and community? Want more information about available city services and programs? Do you see ways to improve the area you live in? Are you interested in what other people care about?
If you answered yes to these questions, LNA has a way for you to get involved and accomplish your dreams. Latinas de Lyndale en Liderazgo, the Latina part of the Women's Leadership Program, is starting its third cohort very shortly and looking for new participants.
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Upcoming Events
Join us for an afternoon of great food and fun games. We'll be serving all of your favorite homemade, slow-cooked, mouthwatering BBQ favorites with some interesting twists and a few surprises. We'll also have some fun backyard games and interesting drinks to get summer off to a great start. This is a family-friendly event that you should come really hungry to!
Join us at the May General Membership meeting to hear from Minneapolis Mayoral candidates Mark Andrew & Cam Winton, learn about the noise mitigation process for the I35W Access project, and Avenues for Youth. We will also be having a community vote on a request from Teen Challenge for a variance for expansion of services.
Monthly Committee Meeting for the LNA Environment Committee. The Environment Committee meets on the first Tuesday of the Month.
Join us for one of the best Lyndale events of the year.
Volunteer Special
Neighborhood Beautifiers:
On Saturday, May 4th from 10am to 1pm LNA's Environment Committee will host its annual Litter Outta Lyndale. This event brings neighbors together to pick up the debris uncovered by the melting snow. Come to the Lyndale Community Center (3537 Nicollet) anytime between 10-1 and enjoy some breakfasty treats, get a bag, gloves, and a route and pitch in for this great neighborhood clean up. Contact jennifer@lyndale.org or 612-824-9402 ext. 12 for more information.
