Launched in 2010, Neighbors Helping Neighbors supports homeowners who have trouble keeping up with home maintenance. It’s a collaboration between PRISM, Calvary Lutheran Church, Valley Community Presbyterian Church, and H.O.M.E. North/West, with support from the City of Golden Valley.

For past projects, homeowners and participating organizations provided what they could, materials or cash, to get the job done. In one case, Neighbors Helping Neighbors secured a loan from the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for a project that needed more extensive work.

To aid the process in 2011, the City of Golden Valley secured a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to establish a funding base. The loan fund can be tapped to help with emergency needs such as a new hot water heater or damage from ice dams. Depending on the scope of job, work is done by volunteers (helping to keep the cost down) or contractors. In either case, Neighbors Helping Neighbors helps homeowners navigate the process.

One goal of the Spring Cleaning Blitz is to raise the profile of Neighbors Helping Neighbors in the community. For more information, visit www.prismmpls.com/programs/neighbors.html or call Neighbors Helping Neighbors at 763-529-1350.

Theodore-Wirth  Park is a regional park that’s located primarily within the Golden Valley City limits.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has convened a Citizen Advisory Committee to review and prioritize needed improvements for Theodore Wirth Regional Park. Because of the scope of this project, CAC members would like to collect feedback from neighbors on their use and ideas of the northern area of the park that is used for trail, winter recreation and golf activities. Take the survey here.

The organizing group would like Golden Valley residents to contribute ideas about the design and location of  the time capsule as well as suggest general categories of materials or specific items that could be included in the time capsule, says Tremere.

The time capsule will be opened by residents 25 years from now, in 2036. If you have ideas to share or would like to help with the project, contact Sandy Werts, Golden Valley’s volunteer coordinator, at SWerts@goldenvalleymn.gov or at Brookview Community Center, 200 Brookview Parkway, Golden Valley, Minnesota 55426. Contributors should include  their name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address.

The deadline for submitting ideas is May 13, 2011.

The time capsule project is just one of many commemorative activities in place for Golden Valley’s 125th anniversary. A group of volunteers, coordinated by Marshall Tanick, is planning for events throughout the year.  Most will have a historical theme. To get involved, contact Werts at SWerts@goldenvalleymn.gov or 763-512-2341.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has convened a Citizen Advisory Committee to review and prioritize needed improvements for Theodore Wirth Regional Park. Because of the scope of this project, CAC members would like to collect feedback from neighbors on their use and ideas of the northern area of the park that is used for trail, winter recreation and golf activities. Take the survey here.

This is a change from the Feb 22 and Feb 25 dates published on the front page of the January/February CityNews, which mailed Jan 22.

Replays can be viewed on GV 16, the City’s government access cable channel, and on the City website.

The annual State of the City reports the City’s accomplishments of the past year and previews goals for the coming year. This year’s report will take a longer look back at progress made since the community was founded 125 years ago and at progress made on Envision Golden Valley goals.

For more information, contact Communications Manager Cheryl Weiler at 763-593-8004.

Replays can be viewed on GV 16, the City’s government access cable channel, and on the City website.

The annual State of the City reports the City’s accomplishments of the past year and previews goals for the coming year. This year’s report will take a longer look back at progress made since the community was founded 125 years ago and at progress made on Envision Golden Valley goals.

For more information, contact Communications Manager Cheryl Weiler at 763-593-8004.

Winning design

Nine entries were received from adults and students living, working, or going to school in Golden Valley.  On Jan 10, a panel of graphic artists and the chair of the 125^th Anniversary Planning Team evaluated the entries and selected one adult and one student entry. 

Judges included Todd Paulson of Knock; Craig Farmer from Perpich Center for Arts Education; Nancy Harris, an independent graphic designer from Golden Valley; City graphic designer Kristi Bucher; and Marshall Tanick, chair of the planning team. The logos will be used on written and electronic materials and to brand events what will have a 125^th anniversary component to them. 

 The Golden Valley Historical Society and Hennepin County Library-Golden Valley will be using the logo on upcoming events.  The winners will receive their prizes at the Jan 27 meeting of the 125^th Anniversary Planning Team.

All development, writing, and design was completed in-house by the City’s communications staff. To start the process, staff conducted focus groups with citizens and staff. People wanted a simple, easy to use design and showed a strong desire for a more attractive, inviting, vibrant website that reflected Golden Valley’s image and provided a good first impression of the community.

Next step: extensive research on website development, with a particular focus on government websites. Using free resources available through professional organizations, staff consulted with colleagues across the country about successful tools, techniques, and trends. After prioritizing goals and resources, staff began reorganizing and redesigning the massive site and rewriting content to reflect today’s preferred website standards.

The previous City website was designed in 1999, with enhancements added over the years. The new website features space-saving drop-down menus and navigation tools, ample graphics and color, use of free or low-cost third-party applications to provide interactive maps, calendars, and forms, and more. It represents a major step forward for the City and will continue to evolve with the addition of new applications and interactivity.

Bookmarks to the old site will no longer work, so be sure to reset them.