Bloomington Briefing newsletter
Published monthly, the award-winning Bloomington Briefing is mailed to all single-family households and businesses. The June issue includes two special inserts: the City's annual Corporate Report to the Community and Water Quality Report.
Older copies of the Briefing can be obtained by contacting the Communications Division.
Bloomington Briefing 2021
April 2021
- Enjoy new and updated trail areas
- Planning for the future of Bloomington parks
- Mayor’s memo: Get out and volunteer Bloomington
- Celebrating Volunteer Appreciation Week
- At your service: Barb Wolff
- The making of a COVID-19 vaccine clinic
- Let’s Talk Bloomington
- Recognizing Bloomington Public Health staff
- Bob Carr retiring from BIG
- Spring opening at Dwan Golf Course
- Earth action heroes: Goats gobble up buckthorn
- Help Bloomington celebrate Earth Day
- Going from turf grass to meadow lawns
- New yard waste bag limits and FAQ
- Don’t use fertilizer with phosphorus
- 2021 Bloomington summer experience
- Continental Ballet classes offered
- Hyland Greens changes
- Crime prevention coordinator receives award for excellence
- Recognizing 911 dispatchers
- Have safe recreational fires
- Notable neighbor: Imam Mohamed Omar
- Consider pool and fence requirements
- Enjoy Bloomington parks
March 2021
- COVID-19 vaccinations underway at the City
- Why it is important to get vaccinated
- Curbing COVID-19 fatigue
- Mayor’s memo: Homelessness in Bloomington
- Save the date: 2021 State of the City
- Motor Vehicle service options nearby
- Development in South Loop for seniors
- Property valuation notices on the way
- Portland Avenue Legacy project update
- At your service: Danielle Birkhofer
- Council invests in neighborhoods
- City awards grants to local nonprofits
- Parks and Rec program sign-up opens April
- A snowy scene
- Earth action hero: Katrina Moberg
- Prevent spring flooding around your home
- Clean up pet waste
- City considering curbside organics
- Artistry presents Unfurled art exhibit
- Park System Master Plan reviewed
- BIG Ice Show coming up
- Bloomington Chorale’s looking forward
- When to wear a mask outdoors
- We want to hear from you
- Plant a tree to celebrate Arbor Day
February 2021
- Birding in winter in Bloomington
- Changes coming to Curbside Cleanup in 2022
- Mayor’s memo: Taking stock of last year
- Survey uncovers pandemic’s fallout on Bloomington businesses
- Creative Sparks applications due in March
- Creekside set to reopen in 2021
- Rental assistance during COVID-19
- Traffic projects finishing at I-35W and 106th Street
- Chief Potts retires
- Save the date: 2021 State of the City
- Earth action hero: Clara von Dohlen
- Keep storm drains free of ice and snow
- How organics recycling becomes compost
- Organics recycling at City facilities
- Virtual home energy visits available
- Grants available for eco-friendly garden and landscape projects
- Plant a tree to celebrate Arbor Day
- Vaccine for COVID-19 coming to Bloomington
- Remembering friends and family lost to COVID-19
- Stay vigilant to curb COVID-19 in the community
- How to care for cloth face masks
- COVID-19 dashboard improved
- Bloomington yesterday
- What to do during a traffic stop
- Calling all seniors 55 and up!
- Free tax prep help
- Loaves and Fishes has a new location
- Bloomington pioneers and changemakers
January 2021
- City Council approves 2021 budget
- Walk in Bloomington’s natural beauty this winter
- Mayor’s memo: Taking stock of our annual survey results
- Ranked choice voting passed: Now what?
- COVID-19: How big is your social bubble?
- How were CARES funds used in Bloomington?
- Volunteer group aims to create local tribute to veterans
- CBAC wraps up its work
- City Council changes meeting start time
- Earth action hero: Sustainability Commissioner Deanna White
- Snowplowing service rankings increase
- Sustainability progress made in 2020
- How to recycle your tree
- Energy assistance programs available
- At your service: Marie Sharah
- Bloomington Police team up with Meals on Wheels
- Police deliver Thanksgiving meals
- Tools of the trade: Mini-pumper
- COVID-19 testing site in Bloomington
- Importance of exercise
- Bloomington yesterday: Dome whirl by the sledding hill
- New trail promotes accessibility
- Parks and Rec summer information coming
- Fit for winter: Tips for exercising
- Book a park shelter
- Register for summer softball
- Take a hike and find some fun
Bloomington Briefing 2020
December 2020
- October snowfall nearly sets record
- Residents give City good grades in annual poll
- Mayor’s memo
- Voters decide on ranked choice voting and garbage and recycling collection
- Zoning changes encourage home development
- Council considers budget options presented by Community Budget Advisory Committee
- City hires new HRA Administrator
- Flu shot reminder
- The flu and COVID-19
- COVID-19 in Bloomington
- Holiday recycling tips
- 2020 Holiday garbage and recycling schedule
- Recycle your tree
- Extra recycling around the holidays
- At your service: Steve Gurney
- How to recognize a scam at your home
- Notable neighbor: Ayan Abukar
- How things work: Inspecting underground stormwater storage
- Bush Lake well to be sealed
- City closes facilities due to COVID-19
- Enter ARTBOX contest
- Bloomington yesterday: Turning a page of history
- Recent college grad helps students
- Omar Bonderud Human Rights Award winners named
- Joe Rath wins Parks and Recreation award
- Temporary boardwalk trail added at Hyland Park Reserve
- Parks planning for outdoor rink changes
- Pickleball courts naming at Westwood Park
- Book a park shelter
- Snow emergency survival guide
November 2020
- Rusty patched bumble bees in Bloomington
- Council to vote on final levy in December
- Mayor’s memo
- Digital engagement: Let’s talk Bloomington
- How to watch City Council meetings
- What you need to know about the vote on organized solid waste collection
- Senior housing developments coming
- Sewer upgrades allow business expansion
- Passport services reopened
- Join a commission
- Earth action hero: Helping bees in Bloomington
- Holiday garbage and recycling changes
- Bloomington water upholds standards
- Energy-efficiency upgrades completed
- Battle buckthorn
- At your service: Ann Sattler
- Bloomington native leads Minnesota’s COVID-19 response
- How to keep holiday foods safe
- Snow plowing season approaching
- Police debut awareness stickers
- Get your flu shot
- Bloomington yesterday: Gideon and Agnes Pond House fireside
- Visiting the Gideon and Agnes Pond House
- Dwan Golf Course season a success
- Virtual programs available for seniors
- Park System Master Plan: New opportunity to provide input digitally
- Shop Gifts in the Gallery
- Learn skating at BIG Winter Skate School
- Up to code: Keeping Bloomington at its best
- Recognizing veterans
October 2020
- Ballot questions cover garbage and voting
- Mayor’s memo
- Community Budget Advisory Committee: Reviewing services and delivering budget options
- Bloomington yesterday
- Dred Scott Playfield wheelhouse improvements complete
- Around the Airport project nearly complete
- Books on race in a little library near you
- Bloomington COVID-19 statistics
- Earth action hero: Picking up litter adds to the walk
- Sustainability, racial equity training in progress
- Earth Day turns 50
- Only rain down the drain
- Keep goldfish out of lakes
- How to dispose of ash tree waste
- Battle buckthorn
- Meet a Bloomington firefighter
- Notable neighbor: Dr. Hazel Claiborn
- How to help street sweepers
- At your service: Greg Chapman
- Respect rules of the road
- National Night Out canceled for 2020
- Drive-in for a family fun Halloween event
- Outdoor Farmers Market season ending
- Project P.L.A.Y.’s lasting benefits
- Park System Master Plan update
- Halloween coloring contest’s a real treat
- Take Continental Ballet courses online
- Bloomington destinations: Sculptures to see
- Enjoy two art exhibits
- Vote November 3
- Get preregistered by October 13
- Illegal campaigning
-
2020 general election guide
September 2020
- City addressing disparities with COVID-19 and race
- Discovering fall’s beauty at the Japanese Garden
- Mayor’s memo
- The Community Budget Advisory Committee wants your feedback
- What’s happening in the Gateway District: Lyndale Avenue corridor
- Garbage collection on the ballot
- Ranked choice voting on the ballot
- Provide feedback on City’s Racial Equity Business Plan
- Early and absentee voting
- Minnesota House and Senate candidate forums
- Earth Action Hero: Meg Hannasch
- Want to dispose of your fall leaves or other yard waste?
- What to do with leaves?
- Adopt a storm drain this fall
- Bloomington rising as a GreenStep city
- Battling buckthorn
- New Station 3 complete
- Answering the call to slow the spread of COVID-19
- How contact tracing helps in different ways
- National Night Out canceled for 2020
- Connecting to community resources
- Playing ball at the ga-ga pit
- Bloomington Center for the Arts
- Project P.L.A.Y. provides youth recreation opportunities
- Learn or improve your skating at skate school
- Park system master plan underway
- Bloomington yesterday: Driving along in ’70s style
- Old Cedar Avenue Bridge celebration canceled
- At your service: Emily Taplin
- Get the City news you need
-
Take a tour of public art
August 2020
- Ballot questions to consider in November
- Community Budget Advisory Committee starts its work
- Mayor’s memo: City addressing racial equity issues
- Community trauma resources available
- Recognize excellent human rights work
- I-35W bridge construction update
- South Loop apartment developments planned
- National Night Out moved to October
- Get help connecting to community resources
- Update your home
- COVID-19: Bloomington’s statistics
- Earth action hero
- Solar lights added at Normandale Lake
- Improving water quality from lawn to pond
- Curbside Cleanup changes explored
- Organics drop-off use increasing
- Meet a firefighter
- At your service: Amanda Lemke
- Restaurants reopen with limitations
- Restaurants remodel during pandemic
- Q&A with BPD
- Summer meal service available
- Shop at the Farmers Market
- Off-leash recreational area improvements
- Community engagement shaping Park System Master Plan
- Follow Parks and Rec on Facebook
- Parks and Recreation receives grant
- Bloomington yesterday: Big screen drive-in movie shows
- Free drive-in movie show for families
- See art show by Christopher Palbicki
- Explore 50 years of history at BIG
- Your guide to the primary election August 11
July 2020
- Proactive efforts to ensure equity in policing
- Mayor’s memo: Listening, learning and moving forward
- What’s happening in the Gateway District?
- Taprooms permitted
- Organized collection to be on the ballot
- Resident survey will be underway soon
- Worried about keeping your home due to COVID-19?
- Bloomington Motor Vehicle office open by appointment
- Flags on display at Civic Plaza
- Celebrating Pride
- Earth Action Hero: Student of sustainability: Rachel Schauer
- Bloomington joins 15 other cities to promote home energy efficiency
- Park prairies conserve resources, add beauty
- Adopt a drain
- Meet a firefighter
- How to vote early and by mail
- COVID-19 symptoms and treatment
- Wear a mask to slow the spread
- New manager for Center for the Arts
- Utility flags make the mark
- Bloomington yesterday: Big, bold eating at the Red Barn
- Tribute to Dr. Dwan and Dwan Golf
- Dwan Golf Course, a hole-in-one for fun
- Ten tips for Farmers Market shopping
- Nominees sought for Award of Excellence
- Artistry presents two-person abstract show
- Enjoy REC online activities at home