451kGet your camera in gear and capture the community of Hopkins in pictures during the 2008 City of Hopkins Photo Contest. Enter your best shots in any of eight categories, including education, outdoor/recreation, historic Hopkins, and Raspberry Rapture. Entries will be accepted though October 31, 2008. There is no limit to the number of entries that can be submitted per photographer.
Prizes will be awarded in up to eight categories, and each winner will receive $100. Winning photographs will be framed and displayed at The Depot Coffee House in early 2009.
For official rules and to download entry forms, visit thinkhopkins.com or pick up a Photo Contest brochure. Brochures are available at City Hall and the Hopkins Center for the Arts, as well as local businesses including Frame Design and The Depot Coffee House.
If you would like more information, contact Tara Beard at 952-548-6343 or tbeard@hopkinsmn.com. The photo contest is a part of the Think Hopkins campaign.
Improvement Work Continues In 2008
The City continues its commitment to street and utility improvements with the 2008 Improvement Project, which includes Minnetonka Mills Road and Second Street NE from Fifth Avenue N to Blake Road. Construction is anticipated to begin in early July and continue through October.
Improvements to Minnetonka Mills Rd include a complete reconstruction with new curb and gutter, new paving, storm sewer improvements, and utility repairs. Minnetonka Mills will be closed to through traffic during construction, but access will be maintained for property owners. Improvements to Second Street NE include a mill and overlay of the existing pavement, curb repair, and utility repairs. Second Street will be open during construction with some short duration closings during paving operations.
Other projects to be completed this summer include continuing the crack sealing and seal coat program, street striping and light pole painting, and reconstruction of the tennis courts adjacent to the Pavilion.
In the fall, work will begin on restoring the stream bank of Nine Mile Creek. This project is funded by the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District and will include rerouting the creek through Valley Park, an additional treatment basin near Highway 169, and erosion control measures throughout the project. The goals of the project are to reduce erosion of the banks and enhance the natural habitat.
If you have any questions, please contact City Engineer John Bradford at 952-548-6356 or by email at jbradford@hopkinsmn.com.
The Park Bench Dedication Program has only one park bench left in Downtown Park. For $700 individuals, families, or businesses can dedicate a park bench in honor of a family name, business, or in memory of a loved one. The 6-foot bench will proudly display your dedication on a 4” x 6” cast aluminum plaque. If you are interested in dedicating a bench, please contact Ray Vogtman at 952-548-6372.
Recycling Opportunities at the Hopkins Activity Center
The following items are being collected at the Hopkins Activity Center. These items are passed onto area organizations so that they might benefit from their value.
- Used Cell Phones are being collected as part of a Hopkins Activity Center fundraising program organized by the National Council on Aging. This program helps the environment at the same time by keeping phones out of our nation’s landfills.
- Eye Glasses & Hearing Aids are collected for the Lions Club, which helps children and adults throughout the world by providing them with usable eyeglasses and hearing aids.
- Used Greeting Cards are recycled by volunteers into new greeting cards. All kinds of greeting cards are accepted. Please include the entire card.
- Canceled postage stamps are collected for the Lake Minnetonka Stamp Club, which utilizes new & canceled stamps to teach school children about the stamp collecting hobby.
- Acrylic Yarn is used by the Helping Hands to knit and crochet hats, mittens, scarves, finger puppets and blankets for local organizations.
- Kemps Milk Caps, Campbell’s Labels for Education and Box Tops for Education are distributed to area schools.
Items may be dropped off at or mailed to: Hopkins Activity Center, 33 14th Avenue North, Hopkins, MN 55343.
National Night Out Is August 5
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, August 5, 2008 and celebrate the 25th annual National Night Out against crime and drugs.
From 5:30 to 9:00 pm, residents in neighborhoods throughout Hopkins and across the nation are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights, and spend the evening outside with neighbors. Many neighborhoods throughout Hopkins will be hosting a variety of special events such as block parties, cookouts, ice cream socials, potlucks, and games. Last year, 45 neighborhoods in Hopkins registered and took part in NNO.
Register your party early and enjoy a visit from McGruff, Sparky, the Police Department, or the Fire Department! A registration form can be obtained from the City of Hopkins Web site, or by contacting Anne Marie Buck of the Hopkins Police Department at 952-548-6407 or abuck@hopkinsmn.com before July 15, 2008.
Drop Off Your Brush & Yard Waste
The Yard Waste & Brush Drop Off location at 3100 Hopkins Crossroads (the west side of County Road 73, approximately two blocks north of County Road 5) will open Saturday May 3. The scheduled hours of operation will be Wednesdays, 2–7 pm, and Saturdays, 9 am–3 pm (weather permitting).
Yard Waste Bags & Brush Pick Up
Beginning the week of May 12, yard waste bags must have a yard waste sticker on them to be picked up and a fee (based upon volume) will be charged for brush pick up (fee will be placed on residents’ utility bill).
Yard waste stickers are $2 each and must be affixed to each bag as payment for pick up. Stickers may be purchased at City Hall or Public Works. Residents may also call Public Works at 952-939-1382 and request that stickers be sent in the mail; however, a minimum of ten stickers must be purchased for phone orders.
Yard waste will be picked up the same day as your refuse. Brush pick ups take place on Tuesdays and must be scheduled no later than 2 pm on Mondays.
Gain Valuable Advice At Free Foreclosure Workshops
What happens during foreclosure and what do homeowners need to know? What rights do homeowners have? What options are there? Local non-profit foreclosure counselors will provide free advice at upcoming foreclosure workshops at Hennepin County libraries:
- Thurs, May 8, 6:30 pm, Brookdale
- Tues, May 27, 6:30 pm, Hosmer
- Mon, June 2, 6:30 pm, Rockford Road
- Wed, June 25, 6:30 pm, Augsburg Park
- Mon, July 14, 6:30 pm, Brooklyn Park
- Tues, July 29, 6:30 pm, North Regional
Get Rid Of Household Hazardous Waste
Hennepin County has three community events scheduled this spring for household hazardous waste and problem materials collection from Hopkins residents:
- May 1–3, 9 am – 4 pm
Independence City Hall parking lot (1920 County Road 90, Independence) - May 15–17, 9 am – 4 pm
City of Minnetonka Public Works Department (11522 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka) - June 12–14, 9 am – 4 pm
Louisiana Oaks Park - south parking lot (3500 Louisiana Ave, St. Louis Park)
For more information and a list of items that are accepted, click here.
Due to Memorial Day, Monday through Thursday refuse and recycling collection for the week of May 26 will be delayed one day.
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