Blaine W W W . C I . B L A I N E . M N . U S

CityConnectJanuary/February 2014

For the fourth year in a row, the Blaine Police Department teamed with Blaine SuperTarget to make the holiday season extra special for some local children. Formerly known as Shop with a Cop this year’s program has been renamed Hero’s and Helpers, and includes members of the Spring Lake Park, Blaine, Moundsview Fire Department.

With the help of school social workers, the Blaine Police Department identified children from six local elementary schools who needed an extra special holiday season. Target, with the help of many of their employees, then put together a special holiday shopping event for each these children.

To make the day special, Blaine Police Officers, Explorers, Community Service Officers Police Reserves, and members of the SBM Fire Department, all wearing Santa hats, picked up the children at school prior to their shopping spree. Once they arrived at SuperTarget, children received a donated gift card to complete holiday shopping for their family members.

Donations from Target, Blaine city employees, the Blaine Police Federation, SBM Fire, and a private Blaine citizen, were used to fund the donated gift cards. Funds were also set aside for non-gift necessities such as food, underwear, socks, boots, and mittens.

The children, many with shopping lists in hand, were paired with police and fire helpers to guide them throughout the store. They were

also treated to a meal at Target’s Food Avenue. After loading their carts and purchasing the presents, cops, firefighters, and kids gathered with Target employees to wrap the gifts.

At the end of the day, Police Officers, and Fire Fighters returned the children home with bags of presents to share with their families so they could help spread the holiday cheer at home this season.

Blaine’s 2014 Tax Levy is 2.2% Lower Than 2009

Heros and Helpers is a Huge Success

As required by law, the Blaine City Council set the property tax levy for taxes payable in 2014 at its final City Council meeting of the year. The levy showed a modest increase, while the Tax Capacity Rate showed a modest decrease. The same evening, the Council levied specifically for Economic Development to maintain long standing economic development efforts. The Council also passed a modest increase in the Pavement Management levy that funds the Pavement Management Program. From 2009 through 2013, Blaine reduced its levy by $1,187,270 and the 2014 levy is 2.2% lower than the 2009 levy.

When the budget process started in June, the Council’s goals were to maintain services, achieve structural balance (where revenues match expenditures over the long term), not increase the tax rate, and utilize a planned budget reserve draw. While all properties are different, the City expects to see a return of market value increases due to the improving economy.

The City of Blaine continues to maintain an Aa1 bond rating from Moody’s Investor Services. This is one level below the highest credit rating a city can receive. A high credit rating means Moody has reviewed the City’s financial data and views the City of Blaine as a good credit risk due to conservative budgeting and expenditure practices, community growth, and actual and projected property values.

The City is positioning itself for the future by utilizing a long range, 5-year budget forecasting model and employing new technology upgrades for continued productivity improvements. In 2013, the City

began to update the water meter system to newer technology that uses a hosted data center for water meter information, eliminating the need for additional hardware. The data travels from the home meter wirelessly to the water towers and then to city hall via a fiber-optic network. The new water meter system also ties into the utility billing software package that the City uses, creating more efficiency and accuracy in the City’s utility billing operation. Additionally, the City Council began using i-Pads in order to eliminate the need for paper Council agendas, saving hours of staff time and paper supplies.

The City has continued to see growth throughout the recession, adding roughly 370 new homes this year - placing Blaine in the top 3 home-building cities in the state. Blaine also continues to add commercial and industrial tax base that will assist with maintaining the service levels necessary for a community of 60,199.

As part of this growth, the City has begun planning for the new Lexington Athletic Complex located north of 109th Avenue and off of Lexington Avenue. This athletic complex will be a significant amenity for all residents. There will be fields for baseball, soccer, lacrosse, and football along with new, lighted tennis and pickle ball courts. The park will also have a playground area with a shelter and a full size basketball court. The focal point of the park will be the new building, which can be used for classes, meetings, and possibly voting. The project is scheduled for completion in 2015.

In all, the City is well positioned for continued success as we head into 2014.

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PUBLIC MEETINGS

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Blaine City Hall10801 Town Square Drive NEBlaine, MN 55449

763-784-6700763-785-6156 (fax)

CITY COUNCILMAYORTom Ryan12147 Radisson Road NEBlaine, MN 55449

763-757-3390tryan@ci.blaine.mn.us

WARD 1Wes Hovland 8650 Van Buren St. NEBlaine, MN 55434

763-228-1117whovland@ci.blaine.mn.us

Dick SwansonP.O. Box 49725Blaine, MN 55449

763-370-2557dswanson@ci.blaine.mn.us

WARD 2Dave Clark10833 Fillmore St. NEBlaine, MN 55434

763-754-7643dclark@ci.blaine.mn.us

Mike Bourke83 103rd Ave. NEBlaine, MN 55434

763-784-1986mbourke@ci.blaine.mn.us

WARD 3Kathy Kolb11308 Jefferson St. NEBlaine, MN 55434

763-757-6887kkolb@ci.blaine.mn.us

Russ Herbst12875 Lever St. NEBlaine, MN 55449

763-784-6143rherbst@ci.blaine.mn.us

CITY MANAGERClark Arneson

763-785-6120carneson@ci.blaine.mn.us

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Police and Fire ............................................... 911Police (non-emergency) ...................763-785-6168Fire (non-emergency) .......................763-786-4436Building Inspections .........................763-785-6170Cable Channel 15 .............................763-780-8241City Cable Channel 16 .....................763-785-6192City Clerk .......................................763-785-6124City Manager ...................................763-785-6120Community Standards ......................763-785-6187Crime Prevention .............................763-785-6113Economic Development ....................763-785-6180Engineering .....................................763-785-6172Fire Inspections ..............................763-785-6187Forestry .........................................763-717-2660Housing Services ............................763-785-6146Human Resources ...........................763-785-6109Job Line .........................................763-717-2679Newsletter .....................................763-785-6192Operator .........................................763-784-6700Parks and Recreation .......................763-785-6164Planning & Zoning ...........................763-785-6180Public Works ...................................763-785-6165Recycling & Solid Waste ..................763-785-6192Senior Citizens Center .....................763-786-9375 Streets ...........................................763-785-6165Stormwater .....................................763-785-6188Utility Billing ...................................763-785-6141Water & Sewer System ....................763-785-6165Web ...............................................763-717-2638

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all city legal notices are published in the city’s official newspaper, the

Blaine/Spring Lake Park Life.

About this Newsletter...CityConnect is published bimonthly by the City of Blaine and distributed to all residents and businesses. Past copies of the city newsletter are available at www.ci.blaine.mn.us/go/newsletter. Feedback can be directed to: newsletter @ ci.blaine.mn.us .

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www.FaceBook.com/Blaine.mnwww.FaceBook.com/BlaineBizMNwww.FaceBook.com/BlaineParksMN

Learn more about the City of Blaine and keep updated with happenings by following the city online.

www.Twitter.com/BlaineMinnesotawww.Twitter.com/BlaineBizMNwww.Twitter.com/BlaineParksMNwww.YouTube.com/CityofBlaine

www.ci.blaine.mn.us/go/emailupdates

City Council*Jan. 2 | Jan. 16 | Feb. 6 | Feb. 207:30 pm | City Hall Council Chambers

City Council WorkshopsJan. 2 | Jan. 9 | Jan. 16 Feb. 6 | Feb. 13 | Feb. 206:30 pm | City Hall Cloverleaf Room

Planning Commission*Jan. 14 | Feb. 117 pm | City Hall Council Chambers

Park Board*Jan. 28 | Feb. 257 pm | City Hall Council Chambers

Natural Resource Conservation Board Jan. 21 | Feb. 187 pm | City Hall Cloverleaf Farm Room

Arts CouncilJan. 14 | Feb. 116:30 pm | City Hall Lunch Room

Historical Society Feb. 116:30 pm | City Hall Sanctuary Room

*meetings can be seen live on cable channel 16

holiday

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Anoka Conservation DistrictAnnual Tree and Shrub SaleThe District offers a wide variety of native stock for sale, including black cherry trees, mixed oak trees, red maple trees, and white pine trees. The trees and shrubs are sold in bare root seedlings or transplants and are approximately 12” to 24” in height. They may be purchased in bundles of ten for $17, or twenty-five for $30. Native prairie seed and tree aides are also available.

If you are interested, go online and check out the Anoka Conservation District website at www.AnokaSWCD.org. Once there, you can go to the tree sale products section of the website and click on the species title which contains links to detailed descriptions and photographs of each of the varieties being offered. The website also contains information about the kinds of trees and shrubs to plant in your particular situation along with planting directions. If you would prefer, you may talk directly to Anoka Conservation District staff by calling 763-434-2030.

You may purchase these trees and shrubs in one of the following ways:Go to www.AnokaSWCD.org and use the online ordering option or to print a form and send it in with payment. Call the ACD office at 763-434-2030 x10 and have a form

sent to you or order by phone. Orders will be accepted until the second Thursday in April (April 10) and will be available for pickup Saturday, April 26 at the Anoka County Fairgrounds

between 8:00 and 10:00 am. Please order early to guarantee availability.

Got Radon?What is radon:• Radon is odorless, colorless gas that comes from

Uranium in the earth. • Radon is found in nearly all soils.

Get the facts:• Over 21,000 lung cancer deaths a year happen in the

U.S. are from radon.• When inhaled, it gives off radioactive particles that can

damage the cells that line the lungs.• The Minnesota Department of Health estimates that

about one in three Minnesota homes have enough radon to pose a large risk to the occupants’ health over many years of exposure and that all homes be tested.

• The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.

How it gets in homes:Radon typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any home may have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements.

Checking my home for radon:Testing is easy and should only take a few minutes of your time. The quickest way to test is with short-term tests. The tests are the size of an envelope and can be bought for a small cost. The radon test is placed on the lowest living level of the home.EPA Recommends the Following Testing Steps:Step 1. Take a short-term test. If your result is 4 pCi/L or higher, take a follow-up test (Step 2) to be sure.Step 2. Follow up with either a long-term test or a second short-term test:

What if the test is positive for radon?EPA recommends: Fix your home if you followed up with a long-term test and the result are 4 pCi/L or more.

For more information and how the Fire Department can help,visit the website at www.health.state.mn.us. Sign up for a FREE home safety survey

and receive a FREE radon test kit for your home from the Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View Fire Department at 763-767-4003 or log on to homesafetychallenge.org.

Annual North Metro Home & Garden Show

The cities of Blaine, Fridley, and Mounds View will host the 16th Annual North Metro Home and Garden Show at the NSC Sport Expo Center in Blaine on Saturday, Jan. 25, from 9 am to 3 pm. Several dozen vendors will be available to answer home improvement questions and provide inspiration and encouragement to homeowners in the community to improve their homes and yards. Informational seminars will also be presented. Admission is free and door prizes will be awarded. More information about the 2014 North Metro

Home & Garden Show is available at www.northmetrohomeandgarden.com

Car Seat Clinic Set for January 15 The Blaine Police Department, Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View Fire Department and Safe Kids Anoka County will host a free car seat clinic on Wednesday, January 15.Scheduled from 4 to 7 pm at SBM Fire Station 3 in Blaine, the clinic is open to all Anoka County residents and is offered by appointment only. In Minnesota, four out of five car seats are installed incorrectly. During this free clinic, experts will inspect your child’s installed car seat, provide installation tips and check the seat for recalls. Parents will demonstrate proper installation of their seats and have an opportunity to ask specific questions of trained technicians. Effective July 1, 2009, a child who is both younger than age eight and shorter than 4 feet 9 inches is required to be fastened in a child safety seat or booster seat that meets federal safety standards. Booster seats are designed to keep the lap belt positioned low on a child’s hips and the shoulder belt positioned between the neck and shoulder. Under this law, a child cannot use a seat belt alone until they are age eight or 4 feet 9 inches tall, whichever comes first.

For more information or to make an appointment, contact Andrea Hunt, Blaine

Police Department, 763-785-6113.

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Mayor Tom Ryan’s Office HoursBlaine Mayor, Tom Ryan, holds regular office hours every Tuesday, from 2:30 to 5 pm. You can stop by Blaine City Hall, 10801 Town Square Drive NE, and meet with Mayor Ryan on any issue you want. There is no need to call and make an appointment; visits are done on a drop-in basis.Office visits with Mayor Ryan are held in the Laddie Lake Conference Room located on the second floor of Blaine City Hall.

Are You an Aggressive Driver?Source: http://mhso.mva.maryland.gov/SafetyPrograms/program_aggressive_drivers.htm

Mark Your Calendars2014 Election InformationREGISTER TO VOTE EARLY TO

SAVE TIME ON ELECTION DAY! If you have moved or changed your

name, have not voted in the past four years or have never voted before, you can register to vote any time before 5 pm, Jul. 22, 2014, for the Aug. 12, 2014, primary election.

- OR - You can register to vote anytime before

5 pm, Oct. 14, 2014, for the Nov. 4, 2014, general election.

The 2014 candidate filing period is May 20 to Jun. 3, 2014. The deadline to withdrawn an affidavit of candidacy is 5 pm, Jun. 5, 2014.

Absentee voting for the primary election begins Jun. 27, 2014.

The primary election is Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014. Polls are open 7 am to 8 pm.

Absentee voting for the general election begins Sep. 19, 2014.

The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014. Polls are open 7 am to 8 pm.

If you are interested in being an election judge for the 2014 elections, you can download an application from the city website Elections page or by calling the Clerk’s office at 763-785-6122 or 763-785-6124.

All election judges working the 2014 elections must have access to email to receive election-related correspondence and must have direct deposit for their election judge pay.

What is Aggressive Driving?Aggressive driving occurs when an individual commits a combination of moving traffic offenses that endangers other people or property. Behaviors include a variety of dangerous driving maneuvers:• Speeding• Tailgating• Runningredlightandstopsigns• Improperpassing• Weaving

You are an Aggressive Driver if you ever:• Driveoverthepostedspeedlimit• Runredlightsorstopsigns• Weaveinandoutoftraffic• Changelanefrequentlyandabruptlywithout

the use of signals • TailgateothervehiclesThe fact is most motorists drive this way at times. Anytime you become selfish, irritated, bold, or pushy in your vehicle, you stop respecting the rights and safety of other drivers and pedestrians.

The Speed Factor• Speedisaprimaryfactorinaggressivedriving

behavior – and also a factor in nearly one-third of all fatal crashes.

• Theprobabilityofdeathanddebilitatinginjurygrows with impacts at higher speeds, doubling for every 10 mph over 50 mph that a vehicle travels.

• On average, 70% of motorists exceed theposted speed limits.

Some Causes of Aggressive Driving:Aggressive driving is caused by driver frustration, impatience, and anger, which lead to selfish, irritated, bold, or pushy behavior in a vehicle. Sources of driver feelings are many:• Roadsandhighwaysareevermorecrowded.• Drivershaveverybusylivesandtoolittletime.• Traffictie-upsandroadworkisincreasingand

never-ending. • Driversmaybestressedfromworkorpressures

at home. • Over thepast20years, trafficonarea roads

has nearly doubled. Crowded roads encourage aggressive driving. Fender-benders, potholes, rain, and sun glare compound the problem and can cause chain reactions.

A Contagious ProblemImpatience, hurrying, stress, and irritation at something totally unrelated to driving - these are all major factors leading to unsafe driving behavior. It endangers, infuriates, and antagonizes other drivers. When frustration and anger levels get high, concern for fellow motorists becomes low.Aggressive driving is highly communicable. When you watch another driver’s offensive manners on the road, or see them get away with outrageous violations of the law, it can ignite your temper and convince you that you, too, can drive with impunity. If you react to an aggressive driver, you become part of the problem. Unsafe behavior has a domino effect, passing from car-to-car down the road.And when you drive aggressively with children in the vehicle, you teach them to drive like you do, even before they have a driver’s license. Kids learn by example. They’re always watching and learning.

Proudly Display Your K-9 PrideThe Blaine Police Department K-9 unit now has T-shirts available for purchase to help support the efforts of the K-9 program. The Blaine K-9 Unit is dedicated to the apprehension of criminal suspects and public education. The education opportunities allows the fearless K-9 to demonstrate training abilities and share with the public all that is involved with training their handler. The support shown with the purchase of a Blaine PD K-9 T-shirt will help ensure the quality of service this valuable resource provides to the officers and the Blaine community to which they serve. T-shirts are $15.00 each with all proceeds going to the Blaine K-9 unit.

To make a purchase, please contact K-9 Officer Reggie Larson by email at

Rlarson@ci.blaine.mn.us or 763-286-0070.

FRONT BACK

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In Case of Sewer Backup, Contact Public WorksResidents experiencing a sewer backup should immediately contact the City of Blaine Public Works Department. Public Works will check the sewer main for blockages, as tree roots in the line can cause backups for neighbors as well.

During regular business hours, Blaine Public Works can be reached

at 763-785-6165. Outside of business hours, call Anoka

County Dispatch at 763-427-1212 in order to notify Blaine Public Works.

Winter Parking Regulations

Along with the return of cold temperatures, parking restrictions between November 1 and April 1 also go into effect.

• No parking on any Blaine streetbetween the hours of 2 am and 7 am from November 1 through April 1.

Please note that there are several posted signs regarding this parking restriction throughout the city; however, signs are not posted on every city street.

• No parking on any highway, streetor alley for more than 12 hours after snow begins to fall.

Salt the Fish on Your Plate,Not the Ones in the Lake

Did you know that our creeks and lakes can be polluted during our winter months? Since the early 1950’s, our metro area waters have become increasingly salty. Chloride (salt) levels in our water have become so high that many metro area creeks are now considered unhealthy. According to the Environmental Protection Agency standards, many creeks around the state are unhealthy due to high chloride levels. Standards are being developed for lakes, and soon we will be able to identify area lakes with high chloride levels.

Chlorides are applied on our roads, sidewalks, and parking lots to melt ice. However, once dissolved in water, the salty mixture goes directly to our creeks and lakes from our streets and homes via our storm drainage system. Chloride is considered a “conservative pollutant”, meaning it does not break-down into a non-toxic substance. Once chloride is in a stream or lake, it is nearly impossible to get rid of. Salt harms plants and animals, contaminates our drinking water, damages buildings, and corrodes vehicles, roads, and bridges. Too much salt results in costly damages and serious environmental consequences. Even if your bag of deicer says environmentally friendly it does not mean it is friendly to our waters especially, if the word ‘chloride’ is listed in the ingredients.

Tips to Keep Your Roads, Driveways and Sidewalks Safe and Our Waters Healthy

Before the storm, apply a liquid deicer before snow storms to prevent snow and ice from building up. This is not a substitute for shoveling; it just makes it more effective.

Shovel that snow. Shoveling, snow blowing, plowing and/or sweeping are all effective measures that will remove snow and minimize ice build-up.

Less is better. When applying salt, if there are leftover crystals still visible then the salt has been over-applied. The left-over salt can be swept up and reused or disposed of in the trash.

Temperature matters. At low temperatures, salt begins to become less effective. When the temperature falls below 15°F, consider using small amounts of sand for traction.

Make a difference this winter; help us keep salt out of our waters! If you would like to know more about this topic and other topics related to water quality, go to www.ricecreek.org to

sign up for the RCWD eNews on the right side of the homepage.

Homeowner Education for Septic Systems

Are you a homeowner? Do you have a septic system? Are you interested in saving money? Would you like to protect your family’s environment and the natural environment?

Homeowners wanting to better understand, operate, and maintain their septic systems will want to attend a Homeowner Education for Septic Systems program being presented by the University of Minnesota Extension. Hear about water saving ideas, find out if you should be using additives, and get your questions answered.

This two-hour program will be held Tuesday, February 25, from 7 to 9 pm at the Bunker Hills Activities Center, 550 Bunker Lake Blvd NW, Andover, two miles west of Highway 65 on Bunker Lake Boulevard. The cost to attend is $10. You will receive the University of Minnesota Extension Septic System Owner’s Guide at the class.

Pre-registration is required. You can get the flyer and registration form onlineat www.extension.umn.edu/county/anoka, look under Publications in

Anoka County or you can call the University of Minnesota Extension, Anoka County at 763-755-1280 to request the flyer and registration form. Presentation of this program is partially covered by an Anoka County Ag Preserves Grant and is presented by Valerie Prax, Retired Extension Educator.

Snow Plowed Sidewalks and TrailsDid you know that residents have access to over 60 miles of trails and 80 miles of sidewalks throughout the City of Blaine, and that most are available for use during the winter? Even though streets are the first priority, the majority of trails and sidewalks that provide connectivity to schools, libraries, businesses, parks, and open spaces, are generally plowed in one to three days depending on the amount of the snow event.

A map that shows the plowed trails and sidewalks is available at www.blaineparks.com. Go to Parks, Trails and Open Space, and

click on Park Maps, Plowed Trails and Sidewalks Map.

Boulevard Tree TrimmingCity Crews will be out trimming boulevard trees this winter as weather and time permit. Please watch for City crews to ensure their safety as well as your own. For information on specific locations where work will take place, please check the City web site.

Winter/Spring Brochure Online2014 Winter/Spring Recreation Connection available online. To register, visit us atwww.blaineparks.com.

Snow DayFree to All Families and AgesThe Anoka County Parks & Recreation Dept., in collaboration with Lino Lakes and Blaine Park & Recreation Depts. are thrilled to be offering the 14th annual Snow Day. Held at Wargo Nature Center. For more information, call 651-429-8007.

DATE: Saturday, January 25TIME: 1 to 4 pm

Outdoor Skating Rinks are Open!For all hours and locations of outdoor ice skating rinks in Blaine, call 763-785-6161 or visit our webste at BlaineParks.com.

Teen Art ShowAges 12 to 19Submit your artwork to Blaine City Hall the week of Feb 18-21. One submission per artist must be framed and ready to be hung/displayed for the month of March. Categories include: painting, drawing, pastel, photography, sculpture. The Blaine Arts Council will judge and prizes will be awarded March 18 at 6:15 pm at City Hall.

More information about Parks and Recreation programs is available at 763-785-6164 or in the current Recreation Connection online at www.blaineparks.com .

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Amazing AthletesAges 3 to 6

Learn the basic fundamentals and mechanics of nine different sports while also building self – confidence, practicing teamwork, and improving

fine and gross, motor skills. Held at Sunnyside Park Bldg.

Session 1: Wednesdays, Jan. 15 – Feb. 19 Session 2: Wednesdays, Mar. 5 – Apr. 9TIME: 5 pm (ages 3 & 4) 6 pm (ages 4 to 6)FEE: $57/resident $62/non-resident

Super Hero CarnivalAges 10 and under with parent/adult

Dress up like your favorite Super Hero and fly around. Activities include carnival games, bingo, crafts, face painting, temporary tattoos, coloring

sheets, and relay races - all with our Super Hero theme! Refreshments provided. Held at Blue Heron Elementary School. Register by Feb. 25.

DATE: Saturday, Mar. 8TIME: 10 to 11:30 amFEE: $8/resident $9/non-resident

Sesame Street LiveElmo’s Make a New Friend

At Target CenterLower level seating tickets. You need to provide your own transportation. We will call when your tickets are ready to be picked up.

DATE: Saturday, Jan. 25TIME: 2 pmFEE: $19/resident $21/non-resident (ages 1 & up)

Disney On IceLet’s Celebrate

At Target CenterLower level seating tickets. You will need to provide your own transportation. We will call when your tickets are ready to be picked up.

DATE: Saturday, Mar. 1TIME: 11 amFEE: $25/resident; $28/non-resident (24 months and up)

Softball LeaguesMen’s, Women’s, Co-Rec, and Church leagues offered. Registration information is available at BlaineParks.com, or at the Park and Rec office after Jan. 1. Register starting Feb. 3. Call 763-785-6161 for more information.

Summer Co-Rec Kickball LeagueDouble header leagues played at Airport and Aquatore parks for 8 weeks. Register by Apr. 25. Begins May 11. Call 763-785-6161 for more information.

Fitness ClassesStart off the new year by signing up for one of our fitness classes. We offer Zumba, Jazzercise, Kettlebells, Yoga, and Belly Dancing. Find out more on-line at BlaineParks.com, or call 763-785-6164.

The Blaine Parks and Recreation Department is currently seeking

sponsorship for the 2014 Performance in the Park Series. The performances attract thousands of audience members

and brings in quality musicians, performers, artists, and dancers. These performances are

scheduled throughout the summer months and remain free to the public due to sponsorships from Blaine businesses. Sponsorship packages range from $1500 to $250. Download the sponsor brochure and find out how sponsoring the Performance Series can help your business at BlaineParks.com.

Sweetheart PartyAges 8 and under with parent/adult

Dance to deejay music, make a valentine craft, get a sweet temporary tattoo, play in the gym, enjoy some refreshments, and have your pictures

taken in front of our sweetheart backdrop! (bring your own camera). Registration is required. Held at Centennial Elementary School. Register by Jan. 28.

DATE: Friday, Feb. 7TIME: 6:30 to 8 pmFEE: $8/resident

$9/non-resident

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Jr’s appliance recyclers651-454-9215

•Appliances, florescent lamps,electronics,rechargeablebatteries,andtires.

Please note that there is a fee forsomeitems.Mostappliancesare$10each.Airconditionersare$15.Mostelectronics are between $2 and $25dependingonsize.Youcanalsodropofftiresandrechargeablebatteriesforasmallfee.

Freeitemsincludescrapmetalandcarbatteries.

Salvation army612-332-5855

•Furniture (good condition, no rips,stains,scratches,andpethair)

•Textiles (clothing, bedding, towels,etc.)

•Toolsandsportinggoods (includingbicycles)

•Household items (dishes, pans,collectables,etc.)

SalvationArmydoesnotaccept:

•Mattresses&BoxSprings (perMNlaw)

•Recalleditems(carseats,cribs,etc.)•Productsmadeofparticleboard

randy’s environmental Services612-332-5855

•Freepapershredding.

The City of Blaine sponsors a recycling drop-off day the third Saturday of each month in the parking lot at Aquatore Park. The parking lot is near the City water tower and water treatment plant.

The collection event runs from 10 am until 2 pm, and is open to anyone. You do not need to be a Blaine resident to bring items to the drop-off day.

Please note: No garbage will be accepted at the drop-off day.

To learn more about recycling opportunities available in Blaine, call 763-785-6192 or visit www.ci.blaine.mn.us and

search keyword recycle.

Monthly Recycling Drop-Off Day at Aquatore Park

Community outings

The Incredible Season of Ronnie Rabinovitzat the History Theater

Thursday, February 13, Fee: $30Almost Maine

at the Old Log Theater Wednesday, February 26, Fee: $54

Lonely Soldiers - Women at War in Iraqat the History Theater

Thursday, March 13, Fee: $30Irish or Not it’s No Blarney!

at the History Theater Tuesday, March 18, Fee: $58

Extended Tour: Washington Cherry Blossoms/Lancaster, Pennsylvania

March 31 – April 8, 2014Call 763-785-6164 for a complete itinerary.

DATE: Monday, February 10 Register by February 3TIME: 8:30 am to 4:30 pmFEE: $3 food coupon and $10 pull tabs

Shoveling GuidelinesWhile shoveling, the City would like to remind residents that City Ordinance does not allow residents to “throw” snow onto neighboring properties or into public right-of-ways without permission. The City’s snow and ice policy is available online from the Public Works page on our web site. The address is http://www.ci.blaine.mn.us/publicworks.

For more information on the Senior Center daily activity schedule, or to be

added to the Senior Center Monthly newsletter, please contact Shelley or Ann

at 763-786-9375.

All casino trips leave from the Mary Ann Young Senior Center. All day trips leave from Blaine City Hall unless

otherwise noted and include lunch, tickets, and transportation. For more information regarding departure and return times, call 763-786-9375.

Bikes 4 Kids•WillnotbecollectinguntilApril.

Keep Fire Hydrants ClearThe fire and public works departments are asking for your help. Please remember to shovel out around fire hydrants after each snowfall. It is very important for residents and business people to keep hydrants clear of snow and visible from the street.

If the fire department has to spend time trying to find a fire hydrant under the snow, they lose precious time needed to fight fires. Please help us out by keeping your fire hydrants clear of snow. The house you help save may be your own.

Snow-Related Safety ConcernsAs the snow pack continues to build this winter, the City of Blaine would like to remind residents of three very important snow-related safety concerns:

Snow Tunnels and FortsDo not allow children to build snow structures or tunnels in the snow banks at the end of driveways, in cul-de-sac or along roadways. Snowplows and other snow removal machinery may pass by at any time to remove snow or make space for future snow events. For your children’s safety, don’t let them play in the right-of-way!

Garbage and Recycling CartsEach winter as we get more and more snow, it becomes harder to find a place for garbage and recycling carts at the curb. Please DO NOT place garbage and recycling carts in the street where they can be hit and damaged by snowplows. Not only will this create problems for the plow drivers, but is also creates problems for the garbage and recycling truck drivers as well as creating a great deal of litter left on the ground when the snow melts each spring!

10801 Town Square Drive NEBlaine, MN 55449-8101(763) 784-6700

PrSrT STdu.S. Postage Paid TWIN CITIES, MNPermit no. 32324

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PoSTMaSTer: TiMe SenSiTiVe MaiL

The Park and Recreation Department is excited to conduct the third annual triathlon in the City of Blaine on Saturday, May 17, 2014, beginning at 8:00 am. The venue for the Blaine Triathlon will be held at beautiful Lakeside Commons Park located at 3020 Lakes Parkway. The race is sanctioned by USA Triathlon.

From novice to veteran triathletes, the Blaine Triathlon will be a fun and challenging race consisting of a .3 mile swim, 16.7 mile bike ride, and a 3.5 mile run. If swimming, biking, or running is not your favorite exercise, participants can register a relay team of two or three individuals whereby they choose the leg of the race they want to compete. The registration fee is $75 for individuals and $100 per relay team and includes a dry fit race tee shirt, swim cap, post race refreshments, and all finishers receive official race hardware. For registration and more information about the Blaine Triathlon please go to www.blainetriathlon.com.

We are also seeking enthusiastic volunteers to help out at the triathlon that will include a wide range of duties throughout the race. For more information please go to www.blainetriathlon.com/volunteers .

We always welcome community businesses and organizations that are interested in a sponsorship opportunity for this exciting event. Please check out the sponsorship brochure on our website under the

sponsors tab to see how you can be part of the Blaine Triathlon.

Deadline for sponsorship is February 3, 2014. We hope to see many people from our community participate, volunteer, or cheer at this exciting event here in Blaine.

To be part of the 2014 Blaine Triathlon, contact Nate Monahan at 763-785-6151.

Blaine Triathlon Returns for 2014

Thank you to our Generous Blaine Triathlon Sponsors!

PLATINUM SPONSORS GOLD SPONSORS

TITLE SPONSOR