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 2020
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
June 2020
- Budget discussions continue with new advisory committee
- How things work: Ensuring food safety
- Primary election voting options
- Mayor Busse's statement on the killing of George Floyd from the June 1 City Council Meeting
- City cemetery service requests
- City services accessible online
- COVID-19 symptoms and treatment
- Help community partners
- National Night Out moved to October
- Bloomington United: Police engaging with the community
- Why reporting crime is important
- At home project: Building a rain garden
- Bike safety tips
- Lift station project underway
- Park Response Team helping keep parks safe
- Parks as important as ever
- Parks and Recreation delays, cancellations and closures
- COVID-19 sparks creativity
May 2020
- Mayor’s memo: Bloomington rising to the challenge in face of uncertainty
- Access City services online
- Get the City news you need
- COVID-19 FAQ
- Supporting Bloomington businesses: Curbside pickup at restaurants
- Protect yourself from COVID-19 scams
- Book ’Em cancelled
- Medical emergency response during COVID-19
- Be an election judge
- Resources available during the COVID crisis
- Back to basics: COVID-19
- Ways to reduce COVID-19 stress
- Giving back
- Around the community: Social distancing: Alive & Kickin
- Parks provide nature breaks
- Help protect water, adopt a drain
- You can count on Bloomington’s water
- Organics recycling continues
- Yard waste services
- Don’t flush wipes
- Public Works open house cancelled
April 2020
- Event cancellations and facility closures
- Enjoy a summer adventure with Parks and Rec
- COVID-19: Staying healthy and informed
- Mayor’s memo: Building a community of choice
- Reimagining Lyndale Avenue corridor
- Household help for seniors
- Minnesota Supreme Court decision on organized garbage and recycling
- Highway 5 road construction starts
- Bloomington Ice Garden turns 50
- Get ready, get set, get counted
- Park system master plan input
- Earth Action Hero: Thermo King
- Organics recycling reminder
- Celebrate 50 years of Earth Day
- Adopt a storm drain
- Happy 50th Dwan Golf Course
- Spring opening at Dwan Golf Course
- Fifth grade class finds Winter Fete medallion
- Join a league
- Bloomington yesterday
- Stay up to date with City news
- Take part in Artistry Mother’s Day clay class
- See Bloomington by bike
- Meet a firefighter
- Why is commercial code enforcement important? Maintaining property values
- Bloomington Police want to keep you informed with the Community Crime Map
- Have safe recreational fires
March 2020
- Dwan Golf Course turns 50
- Mayor’s memo: Planning for the future with community in mind
- Portland Legacy community design workshop
- Save the date: 2020 State of the City
- Building improvements: Fire Station 3 and 4
- Valuation notices coming soon
- City hires new Racial Equity Coordinator
- City Charter changes on tap
- Meet Community Outreach and Engagement Coordinator Amanda Crombie
- Bloomington yesterday: From farm to water for your table
- BIG ice show celebrates 50 years
- Enjoy open skating at BIG
- In memoriam: Longtime BIG Manager Denny May
- Create gyotaku fish prints at Creekside
- Creekside Family Ultra-Fun Nights
- Meet a firefighter
- Experience classical ballet with Continental Ballet Company
- Bloomington Chorale selects music director
- Bloomington Police hosts conversations
- Make fine prints from found objects
- Make a Nuno felted scarf
February 2020
Parks and Recreation Summer Experience 2020
- Nail down your home improvement plans
- City establishes affordable housing trust fund
- Mayor’s memo: Bloomington Leadership Program
- Save the date: Minnesota presidential primary
- Business expansion to bring jobs, space tech
- Park System Master Plan—Get Involved!
- Lyndale Avenue corridor design workshop
- Johnson receives Rubinger Fellowship
- 2020 Census committee at work
- Earth action hero: An electric car sparks chang
- Curbside Cleanup study released
- Donate and recycle items instead of setting them on the curb
- Home Energy Squad visit reminder
- Watershed district grants available
- Meet a firefighter
- Learn about crime prevention
- Public Health helps young families
- At your service: John Carlson
- How things work: A recipe for anti-icing
- Seeking business nominations
- Bloomington yesterday: Old Cedar Avenue bridge
- Work for the City this summer
- Youth leadership opportunities
- Check out the city’s community gardens
- Enjoy an egg hunt
- Old Town Hall enlivens history
- Bloomington Historical Society board members retiring
- Enjoy two more winter Farmers Markets
- Meet Community Outreach and Engagement staff: Emily Larson
- Free tax prep at Creekside
- Teen Video Boot Camp returns
January 2020
- Walking in a winter wonderland
- Welcoming new leadership
- Mayor’s memo: Bold leadership has moved Bloomington forward
- Community center project put on hold: Council says community center proposal at Valley View Park is ‘not viable at this time’
- Presidential primary coming in March
- City utility rates going up
- Council approves 2020 tax levy
- Penn American project awarded and recognized
- Save the date: Home Improvement Fair
- Join a commission
- Book a park shelter
- Shop the Winter Farmers Market
- Parks and Rec catalog changes
- Summer softball
- Figure Skating Club foursome wins sectionals
- Sharpen your skills: Sign up for Skate School
- How it works: Zambonis at Bloomington Ice Garden
- Hidden gem: Westwood Park
- Winter volleyball
- Parks master plan to include green infrastructure
- How to dispose of batteries properly
- Make your new year sustainable
- Meet a firefighter
- Public Health partners with school district on new tobacco policy
- Bloomington Police recognized for inclusion efforts
- At your service: Peter Zuniga
- How things work: Plowing sidewalks
- Notable neighbor: Arlyn Grussing
- Artistry presents indigenous North American artists
- Bloomington yesterday: Classic cars ruled the road
- Watch BTV on Roku or Apple TV
Bloomington Briefing 2019
December 2019
- Reflecting on Bloomington’s natural beauty
- Longtime mayor retiring: Bidding farewell to Mayor Gene Winstead
- Mayor’s memo: Signing off
- Bloomington voters elect new mayor, approve ballot question
- Park system master plan underway
- City Council, staff gather input on potential community center
- More amenities available at BIG
- Water park proposal offers exciting positives
- Earth Action Heroes: Carpoolers
- Holiday recycling tips
- At your service: Laura Horner
- Book a park shelter
- Do more with less salt
- Helping bees be better
- Winter Farmers Market continues
-
2019-2020 Outdoor rink and warming houses
-
Snow emergency and survival guide
November 2019
- Bloomington Engagement Vehicle hits the streets
- Mayor’s memo; Envisioning our future: These are exciting times for Bloomington
- City partners with Stantec on Gateway Development District project
- Fire Station 3 construction update
- Preliminary budget: 2020 Preliminary property tax levy
- HRA donates land to help homeless veterans
- IT delivers services
- City communications nationally awarded
- Earth action hero: Monarch makers
- Go green for the holidays
- Electric vehicles now at the City
- Enjoy a Welcome Meal
- Naturalization ceremony welcomes new citizens
- Your voice matters
- You count! Respond to Census 2020
- Motor vehicle: How things work
- Real ID reminder
- Shop local for holiday gifts at Creekside
- At your service: Park-keeper Craig Havlicek
- Hidden gems: Northcrest Park
- Hole-in-one on the seventh hole
- Indoor Farmers Markets begin
- Staying safe while off leash
- Meet a Bloomington firefighter
- Multiunit housing going smoke-free: Local data making the case for property managers to go smoke-free
- Snow plowing season coming
- BPD launches C.O.V.E.R.
October 2019
- Dred Scott facilities to be improved
- Mayor’s memo: Past, present and future: Bloomington’s amenities and infrastructure
- City scores well in national poll
- MOA Transit Station nearly complete
- How did Valley View become the preferred community center site?
- Real ID: Easy as A, B, C
- Plans unveiled for Hyland Greens golf
- South Loop water park project update
- Hidden gems: Discover more at Moir Park
- The scoop on dog waste
- Battle buckthorn this fall
- Adopt a drain and protect water
- Keep streets leaf free
- Street sweeping coming your way
- Meet a firefighter
- Rules of the road: Hands free
- Domestic violence month awareness
- Outdoor Market closing for season
- Bloomington yesterday
- Notable neighbors: Proud, prizeworthy state fair participants
- Poplar Bridge Park getting new playground
- At your service: Jill Murphy
-
Your guide to the General Election November 5
September 2019
- Bloomington Crime Association event tops record bestseller
- Exploring new community center options
- Mayor’s memo: Donation launches affordable housing fund
- Focused renewal: Gateway Development District
- BIG renovations finishing up, Phase two projects considered
- Forward 2040 Plan update adopted
- I-35W update
- Earth action hero: Master Water Steward Program
- Community Development permit forms go paperless
- New electric vehicles rolling in
- Take a test drive at Electric Vehicle Expo
- Canada goose control at Bush Lake
- Meet a Bloomington firefighter
- How things work: Signs in the City
- Reduce your risk of house fires: Get a free home safety survey
- National Night Out chalked up as a success
- Protect yourself from phone scams
- Sign up for Skate School
- Experience augmented reality at Old Cedar Bridge
- Bloomington yesterday: Making the grade in elementary school
- Rules of the road: Stay safe around school buses
- City recognizes businesses that support breastfeeding
- At your service: Chris Myers
- Hi, neighbor
- Coming soon to the Bloomington Center for the Arts
August 2019
- Artful amenities renewal
- Mayor’s memo: Water park proposal gains nonprofit partner
- Bloomington in focus: Local photographers share their shots
- An owl’s perspective
- Cleaning up Normandale Lake
- Affordable housing resources
- Park plan input wanted
- On the ballot: Charter amendment question
- Earth action hero: Planting sustainability as a Master Gardener
- Farmers Market brings smiles
- Food for Thought draws a crowd
- Join a renewable energy challenge
- Organics recycling increasing
- Meet a Bloomington firefighter
- August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month
- Training for food safety
- At your service: Caitlin Ebner
- Ask a public health nurse
- Pup places: Going off leash
- Fall is a great time to golf
- Bloomington yesterday: Filling ’er up at Clark Super 100 in 1966
- 100 Years of Bloomington living
- Media by the community, for the community
- Check out a temporary mural in South Loop
- Far East-inspired art exhibit coming to Bloomington
- New Artistry executive director
July 2019
- Midweek Music and Market returns
- On course for a renewed community
- Mayor’s memo
- Take the lead in community leadership
- Get ready, get set, get counted
- Hyland Greens reimagined
- Drive, chip and putt at Hyland Greens
- New location for FootGolf at Hyland
- Recruiting and hiring a more diverse workforce
- France Avenue trail project
- Earth Action Hero
- Share your opinion
- Public Health partners on sweet project
- Bring a tote, get a tote at the Market
- Water less for more sustainability
- Bloomington yesterday
- Public Works open house draws record crowd
- Artistry director turns another page
- Council to consider chicken ordinance
- Skate BIG in July
- Ice cream and polka party at Creekside
- At your service: Mark Morrison
- Meet a firefighter
- Prevention is key when preparing to go back to school
- New hands-free law goes into effect August 1
- Enjoy National Night Out
- Play it safe this summer
- Car seat clinics
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Your guide to the Primary Election August 13
June 2019
- Body-worn cameras join Police force
- Welcome Meals bring people together
- Water park development services agreement reached
- Your questions answered: Bike lanes and bike-friendly roads
- Grow eco-friendly turf
- Bluff standards update
- Tackling troublesome ticks
- Breaking ground on Fire Station 3
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Arts in the Parks 2019
May 2019
- Snapshots of Bloomington
- What’s developing in Bloomington
- Mayor’s memo
- Better bike detection, better travels
- City counters Burnsville’s landfill proposal
- Bloomington in Focus
- Construction update: I-494 and I-35E Closures
- Get involved: Public art can be a hoot
- Planting trees to strengthen the urban forest
- Celebrate Earth Day every day
- Bloomington yesterday: Seeing shows at the Carlton Celebrity Room
- Calling all carvers
- Longtime Loaves and Fishes coordinator retires
- Watch BCAT anytime, anywhere!
- Go fish Bloomington lakes
- Reel in prizes at kids fishing fair
- Get golfing faster with online booking
- Hyland Greens launches new par 30
- Meet a Bloomington firefighter
- Recognizing excellence in health and wellness
- At your service: Keeping moms and families healthy
- Community collaborations
- Mental well-being workshops
- Mark your calendar
- Election judges needed
- Frequently asked election questions
April 2019
- Firefighters among friends
- Preserving and creating affordable housing
- Mayor’s memo: Celebrating Earth Day and Sustainability Commission successes
- Enjoy Old Cedar Avenue area enhancements
- Passport processing available at Civic Plaza
- Hennepin County raises solid waste management fee
- Earth Action Heroes: The energy savers
- Cut waste
- Your questions answered
- Golf courses opening for season
- At your service: Keeping water clean
- Spring maintenance time
- Students keeping water clean
- Rainwater garden maintenance
March 2019
- New water park plans discussed
- In Memoriam: Bill Belanger
- Courts moved to downtown Minneapolis
- How to get your Minnesota Real ID, Enhanced ID or Standard ID
- Do some spring cleaning in your yard
- Refresh your routine with organics recycling
- Spring thaw reveals uncollected dog waste
- City Attorney’s Office goes paperless
- Sustainability Commission work plan
- Don’t move wood
- Give back before throwing it out
- Meet a Bloomington firefighter
- Bus route 537 gets more stops, improved safety
- Bloomington Police give back
- Grow your garden with the City
- Country Kickers at Creekside
- Behold the best of Bloomington birding
- Dwan Golf Club up to par
- Bloomington yesterday: A helping of history from AAA Auto Club Country Club
- BIG Spring Ice Show: ‘Skating under the BIG Top’
- At your service: Jessica Jutz
- Food awards honor service and safety
- Ask a public health nurse