Annual Garage Sale Day set for June 18

100+ sales sites expected

It’s time to clean out the garage, the basement, and the house, and make a little money at the same time. The annual NENA garage sale brings buyers and sellers together for a neighborhood-wide event.

This year the sale will take place on Sat., June 18. Plan your garage sale and we’ll help bring you the shoppers. Last year over 100 households participated. It is a way to get rid of unused clutter, connect with neighbors, and make a little money. If you plan to have a sale, be sure to register at http://nokomiseast.org/garagesale by June 5 to be included on the NENA map. Printed maps will be available the week of the sale at the NENA office, on the NENA website and at local businesses.

NENA has moved

Visit us at our new location at 4313 54th St. E., in the Morris Park neighborhood. Activity and growth fueled our move to a new location with more room for community activities and NENA events. Stop in and see the new office; we’ll have more details to come about an open house event in August.

Summer park program registration now open

If you are looking for some great summer activities for the whole family, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has you covered. There will be plenty of choices available at your local park this summer to get moving, challenge minds and express creativity all summer long!

Only a few weeks remain until the start classes and fun. For more information stop in or call your local recreation center.

• Lake Nokomis Community Center, 612-370-4923

• Keewaydin Recreation Center, 612-370-4956

• Morris Park Recreation Center, 612-370-4934

Block Leaders needed

Minneapolis Police provide training for volunteers who work with neighbors to deter crime and improve the quality of life on their block or in an apartment building.

Volunteers encourage neighbors to know one another, watch out for each other, and report suspicious activity. They also work with neighbors in building a stronger and safer community. Annually, they promote National Night Out, an annual event encouraging neighbors to gather, meet one another, and socialize.

Block clubs are usually made up of neighbors who live in an apartment building or across the street or alley from each other, usually on one block, who work together to be alert and watch out for each other. They also call 911 when they see suspicious activity or crimes in progress. And, they work to solve problems and deal with issues.

There are many benefits to forming a block club. Working as a team, neighbors can deter crime and improve the quality of life on their block or in their building. Leaders also receive “Action Alert” emails summarizing significant crime incidents on or near their block.

As part of the police block/apartment club network, you will hear about other successes and ideas which can help your lock club.

How can you get a block or apartment club started? Contact Crime Prevention Specialist Shun Tillman at 612-673-2846, or email crime.prevention@minneapolismn.gov. Include your name, address, phone and email address.

Changes coming to Bossen Field

The new Bossen Field concept offers six softball fields, updates to the baseball field, the existing structures, and parking. The plan also adds new flexible play fields for community use and will offer a new playground, gardens and picnic areas in the park.

To see updates on the project, or to sign up for notifications, visit the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board website. Construction should start in July. Construction will impact all areas of the park used by the public.

Upcoming NENA events

• Thur., May 26, NENA Board of Directors Meeting, 7-9pm, Keewaydin Recreation Center, 3030 E. 53rd St.

• Wed., June 1, NENA Housing, Commercial and Streetscape Committee, 6:30-8:30pm, Nokomis East Neighborhood Association, 4313 E. 54th St.

• Every Tuesday, Nokomis Naturescape Garden - Group Gardening, 6-8pm, Nokomis Naturescape on Lake Nokomis at 50th St. and Nokomis Pkwy. All are welcome!

• Every Thursday, Nokomis Naturescape Garden - Group Gardening, 1-4pm, Nokomis Naturescape on Lake Nokomis at 50th St. and Nokomis Pkwy. All are welcome!

• Sat., June 18, NENA Garage Sale Day, 8am-4pm.

• Thur., June 23, NENA Board of Directors Meeting, 7-9pm, Nokomis East Neighborhood Association, 4313 E. 54th St.

Pollinator garden volunteers needed

The Nokomis Naturescape Garden volunteers meet twice monthly. They meet at the Nokomis Naturescape on Lake Nokomis at 50th St. and Nokomis Pkwy. and at the Nokomis Gateway Gardens at the corner of E. 50th St. and Hwy 55. No experience is necessary, and you can help on an occasional basis or all summer long. Through your work, you will be helping maintain an important stop for pollinators in the neighborhood and the environment of the entire region. For more information about volunteering or about the gardens contact NENA or monarch@nokomiseast.org.