Golden Valley Historical Society hired a licensed and bonded professional hazardous waste materials removal company to properly abate asbestos and improve public safety at the Golden Valley History Museum.
An interpretive exhibit and program plan, "Dakota Native Plant Garden", was designed and developed for outdoor display. The exhibit uses the stories from several generations of a Dakota family who originally lived along the shore of Mde Waka Ska (Lake Calhoun). The stories reveal the ethno-history of the Bakken's restored wetland and prairie. This area contains more than 40 species of native plants historically used for medicinal and cultural purposes.
Thirty monitors were installed to measure moisture readings in the upper reaches of the Basilica of St. Mary. Restoration projects had been put on hold due to previous water infiltration and the damage that was caused by saturation of masonry walls and ceiling plaster. Such infiltration takes a long time to dry. There were concerns that plaster was continuing to absorb moisture from the attic insulation or the masonry walls.
Vegetated buffer and filter strips along waterways is a practice that addresses many surface water concerns. Establishing permanent vegetation along waterways is an implementation priority in the Blue Earth County Water Management Plan and required by local ordinance and Minnesota Rules. Minnesota Shoreland Rules, Chapter 6120 and the County Shoreland Ordinance contain standards for agricultural uses in shoreland. Agricultural uses are permitted in shoreland areas if steep slopes and shore and bluff impact zones are maintained in permanent vegetation.
Ravine, stream bank and bluff erosion contribute significant amounts of sediment to rivers and streams. The MPCA report, Identifying sediment sources in the Minnesota River Basin, found the Blue Earth and Le Sueur watersheds contribute as such as half of the sediment to the Minnesota River, even though they account for only one-fifth of its drainage area. These watersheds contain the majority of the bluffs in the basin as well as many large
ravines.
This Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) project will develop a TMDL Report and Implementation Plan defining the sources contributing to the impairments and outlining the steps necessary to bring Bluff Creek back to meeting water quality standards.
This project will develop a Final TMDL report and Implementation Plan for the Bluff Creek Watershed. The main outcomes of this project are the development of a Final TMDL Report approved by MPCA and EPA and a Final Implementation Plan approved by MPCA.
A 3-volume boxed set of "Patriots of Brooklyn: Suppressors of the Great Slave Rebellion" was published by the Brooklyn Historical Society. The books document the historic role that 200+ soldiers from Brooklyn Township played in the American Civil War. The books are a valuable reference resource for local residents and historians.
A professional quality book documenting the stories of refugees in Minnesota is now in print. The book, "This Much I Can Tell You", was self-published by the Minnesota Council of Chuches Refugee Service. It is a compilation of eighteen stories told by local refugees, from nine different countries, who have resettled in Minnesota after fleeing their country of origin. The 980 books printed through this project make important refugee histories accessible to a wider Minnesota audience.
The ESNDC developed a 39-minute audio/video tour of the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary, a distinctive natural landscape on the Mississippi River floodplain on St. Paul's East Side. Experts were asked to advise on the project and then narrate a specific tour stop using their expertise to comment on aspects of its ecological history and/or cultural value.
The tour was publicized on the Lower Phalen Creek Project website, on the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary Facebook page and in the local nespaper.
Funding to purchase lighting, sound, computer equipment, and light masking to provide a higher degree of technical support for the artists using the space.
Funding to replace and upgrade the organization’s technology system including the purchase of a desktop and laptop computer, and to work with a consultant on a server upgrade.
Preservation of a historically important collection of photographs, taken for the purposes of insurance underwriting in the mid-1950's, was the goal of this project. Appropriate storage was researched and determined. Archival grade sleeves and storage boxes were obtained. An inventory of all photographs was performed, cataloged and entered into a professional software database. Digital imaging of the original photographic prints provides researchers with a sustainable alternative to viewing the prints.
In May 2009, the Minnesota State Legislature asked the Minnesota Humanities Center and four state councils-the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, the Council on Black Minnesotans, the Chicano Latino Affairs Council, and the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans-to collaboratively create new programs and events that celebrates and preserves the artistic, historical, and cultural heritages of the communities represented by each council.
This is the third installment of a project to purchase microfilmed Minnesota city directories to add to the Minnesota Genealogical Society's research collection. Eighty-one rolls of microfilm, covering the post-1930's period, were acquired this time.
The nine member Counties and Soil and Water Conservation Districts of the Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance (GBERBA) will be able to enhance our effectiveness to provide elevated levels of technical assistance, education and outreach in the areas of urban stormwater, wellhead protection, nutrient management, conservation agronomy, drainage and agricultural best management practices to reduce nonpoint source pollution in the Blue Earth, Le Sueur and Watonwan River Watersheds.
This program will restore and/or enhance in-stream and riparian fish and wildlife habitat in six coldwater streams located in existing Aquatic Management Areas and one Minnesota State Park. The proposed projects will improve habitat for both game and non-game fish and wildlife species uniquely associated with coldwater trout streams and provide expanded recreational opportunities for Minnesota anglers.
Funding for Balkanicus, a free public concert featuring contemporary Balkan chamber music. The concert will take place at the University of Minnesota Lloyd Ultan Recital Hall in April 2011.
Funding for the production of C-Sharp Lounge, a televised forum for artists, producers, and leaders in the black arts community to preserve, promote, and educate the community about their craft. The showcase will result in a 30-minute segment to be aired
Funding for Caribbean Carnival, a cultural celebration featuring live salsa music, Latin dance performance groups, and festive art. The event will take place at the Cedar Cultural Center in March 2011.
Funding to produce and stage Shakespeare’s All’s Well That Ends Well. Performances will take place in May 2011 at Walker Community Church in Minneapolis.
Funding for The Moon’s Desire, a contemporary flamenco theater production exploring the life and poetry of Federico Garcia Lorca. Four performances will take place at Intermedia Arts in April 2011.
Funding for THR3E x THR3E, a modern retelling of The Three Little Pigs, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Performances will take place in spring 2011 at Open Eye Figure Theatre in Minneapolis.
Funding for two large-ensemble Baroque chamber music programs, including Tobias Hume, Mercenary Composer, and Monteverdi’s Fifth Book of Madrigals. Each program will be presented at The Baroque Room in Lowertown, St. Paul, and The Rogue Buddha Gallery in
Funding to host bi-weekly open mic nights and monthly spoken word workshops for residents of North Minneapolis’ Heritage Park Neighborhood. The open mic nights and workshops will take place between April and December 2011.
Funding for the third annual Italian Film Festival, consisting of seven recently produced feature films to be shown at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. The project, which includes discussions with local film critics and historians, will take pla
Funding for The King is Dead, the world premier of a clown show set in Medieval England featuring British and American performers. Performances will take place at the Southern Theater in summer 2011.