July2012

Th e city is sponsoring the third annual New Hope In Focus photo contest to give local photographers an opportu-nity to showcase their best photos and share some of the things about New Hope that have caught their eye (and their camera’s lens).

Th e contest is open to anyone who lives or works in New Hope. Con-testants may enter up to two photo-graphs. Submitted photos must be taken somewhere in New Hope.

A group of volunteer judges will select winners in three categories: Nature, People, and Places (with a $50 prize for fi rst place in each category). Judges will also select the best pho-tograph submitted by youth under 16 (with a $25 prize). And, the public will have the chance to weigh in on their favorite, with a $25 People’s Choice award.

A registration form and more in-formation is available on the city’s website, www.ci.new-hope.mn.us/in-focus or by calling 763-531-5103. Th e deadline for submissions is Monday, August 13, at 4:30 p.m.

Enter the In Focus photo contest

Does your neighbor have a beautiful garden or yard, or did they recently complete a nice home improvement project? Why not nominate them for a New Hope RAVE! Award?

Any residential property in New Hope is eligible to be nominated for a RAVE! Award, including owner-oc-cupied or rental single-family homes, and multi-family dwellings owned by individuals or corporations. Anyone in New Hope is welcome to submit as many nominations as they like. You can even nominate yourself.

While gardening and landscaping are easily the most popular categories, the RAVE! Awards also include categories for remodeling or renovation projects, additions, general property mainte-nance, and environmentally sensitive improvements (including use of a rain garden, or “green” building materials).

To nominate someone for a RAVE! Award, download a nomination form from the city’s website, www.ci.new-hope.mn.us/rave, or call 763-531-5196. Th e deadline for nominations is August 1.

Make a RAVE! nomination today

July/AugustCity Council regular meetings: July 23, August 13 and 27

City Council work sessions: No July work session, August 20 - Council meal at 6, meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Citizen Advisory Commission meetings: No meeting in July or August

Human Rights Commission meetings: No meeting in July, August 6

Planning Commission meetings: July 10, August 8

Holidays (city offi ces closed): Independence Day, July 4

Events: Duk Duk Daze - July 20-22 in Northwood Park, OBMT’s Footloose - Th .-Sa. evenings, July 19 to August 4, National Night Out - August 7, 6-9 p.m.

All activities are at City Hall, 4401 Xylon Ave. N. unless otherwise indicated. Agendas and minutes for meetings are available on the city’s website. Schedule

is subject to change. Call 763-531-5100 for more information.

Footloose begins July 192012 is the 42nd year that New Hope will present musical theatre under the stars. Th is summer, Off Broadway Musical Th eatre will present Footloose on three consecutive weekends begin-ning July 19.

Performances are Th ursdays through Saturdays, July 19 to August 4. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 9 p.m. Family-friendly Th ursday shows begin at 8 p.m. Th e July 26 per-formance will be signed by an Ameri-can Sign Language interpreter (July 27 rain makeup).

All performances are free, but a free-will donation of $4 per person is suggested. Th e New Hope Outdoor Th eatre is located at 4401 Xylon Ave. N. (just west of City Hall). Visit obmt.org for more information.

Celebrate Duk Duk DazeDuk Duk Daze, New Hope’s annual community celebration, will be July 20 to 22. Most of the events will be in Northwood Park, 38th and Boone avenues. Th e festival will include a variety of fun activities for the entire family, many of which are free.

Fair hours are Friday, July 20, 5 to 11:30 p.m., Saturday, July 21, 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., and Sunday, July 22, noon to 5 p.m.

Activities scheduled include carnival games, rides and food, Lion’s Bingo, music by Honey Wagon on Friday and Rook on Saturday night, a kiddie parade (this year’s theme is “Fantasy Storybook Characters”), the beer tent, and much, much more.

Th e highlight of Duk Duk Daze, will be two gigantic fi reworks displays. Th is year, the fi reworks will be on both Friday and Saturday evenings at dusk.

For a complete Duk Duk Daze sched-ule, visit www.dukdukdaze.com.

May was a particularly deadly month for motorcyclists in Minnesota. Seven riders were killed. So far in 2012, there have been 13 motorcycle fatalities, compared to fi ve at this time in 2011. About half of all motorcycle crashes involve a collision with another vehicle. In many crashes, the driver never saw the motorcyclist – or didn’t see the rider until it was too late.

Th e Minnesota Department of Public Safety Motorcycle Safety Center encourages everyone – drivers and motorcyclists – to practice these techniques to make motorcycling safer for everyone:

When turning left: Most crashes between vehicles and motorcycles involve turning left at an intersection. If crossing traffi c or turning left, look twice for motorcycles before turning.

Blind spots: Motorcycles are easily hidden in traffi c. Always take a sec-ond look over your shoulder – don’t rely solely on your mirrors.

Weather: Rain and sun glare can make a motorcycle “invisible.” Be extra cautious to make sure the way is clear.

Signals: Use turn signals. Th is allows the rider to anticipate traffi c fl ow and fi nd a safe lane position.

Larger vehicles: A car or truck can conceal a motorcycle traveling behind it. Take an extra moment after a larger vehicle passes before beginning a turn.

Eye contact: Motorcyclists make eye contact often to feel confi dent that other drivers see them. Give a nod back to acknowledge them.

Distance: Motorcyclists prefer to use a large space cushion, allowing them more time to react. Do not cut in front of a motorcycle and eliminate the safe following distance. Allow at least two seconds of following distance during good weather and more when weather conditions are poor or at night.

Signals: Most motorcycle turn signals do not cancel automatically. If a cycle is coming, and the signal is fl ashing, wait a moment for the cycle to pass.

For more information visit the Motor-cycle Safety Center at dps.mn.gov.

Safety Tipof the Month

Th ere are a few common ordinance violations that inspectors from the Community Development Department would like to encourage residents to keep in mind.

Vehicle ParkingNew Hope city ordinance prohib-•

its outside parking of unlicensed or inoperable motor vehicles on residen-tial properties.

All licensed vehicles and equipment • must either be parked on a driveway or other hard-surfaced parking area. Th ey may not be parked on the grass.

No parking is allowed within three • feet of any property line.

Building Supplies/DumpstersBuilding materials (including block, •

lumber, etc.) landscaping supplies (dirt, sod, etc.) and dumpsters may

Ordinance violation remindernot be placed in the street. Th ey must be placed entirely on your property.

Trash and Recycling ContainersCity ordinance requires that all trash •

containers be stored in the garage or screened from the view of all streets and buildings within 50 feet.

Water report onlineTh e Minnesota Department of Health requires water suppliers, including the city of New Hope, to prepare annual water Consumer Confi dence Reports to report the water quality for the previous year. New Hope’s 2011 report has been posted on the city’s website, www.ci.new-hope.mn.us. A copy is also available for review at New Hope City Hall, 4401 Xylon Ave. N.

Recreation CornerNew Hope offers several youth sports camps in JulyNew Hope is off ering several youth sports camps in July. A soccer camp for kids entering grades 1 to 5, a volleyball camp for girls in grades 3 to 9, a skateboard camp for kids ages 6 to 10, and a tennis camp geared for more competitive players in grades 6 to 9 are scheduled for the week of July 9-13. A lacrosse camp for kids in grades 1 to 5, and a tennis camp for beginner and developing players in grades 3 to 5 are scheduled the week of July 16 to 20. And, separate boys and girls basketball camps for youth entering grades 3 to 9, a wrestling camp for kids in grades Kindergarten to 6, and a track camp for youth in grades 3 to 9 are scheduled for the week of July 23 to 27. Most of the camps cost only $56 for residents. Call for details.

Learn fencing skillsKids ages 6 to 10 will learn the fundamentals of fencing at Fencing Camp on July 9 to 13. Th e camp, led by MN Sword Play, focuses on foil fencing skill building, concentration, self discipline and fun. It will meet from 11 a.m. to noon each day at New Hope Community Gyms, 8230 47th Ave. N. Th e camp fee is $63 for residents.

Tripsters to enjoy show at the Centennial ShowboatTh e Community Tripsters will travel to the U of M Centennial Showboat in St. Paul on July 17 to enjoy a matinee performance of the turn of the century melodrama, Th e Vampire. Th e trip fee of $65 includes transportation and a buff et lunch. Community Tripsters is a group for fun-loving adults.

July tennis lessons for youth ages 4 to 16July sessions are scheduled for Rockin’ Rackets tennis for kids ages 4 and 5, children’s tennis lessons for beginner and intermediate players ages 6 to 12, and teen tennis lessons for youth ages 13 to 16. Sessions begin the weeks of July 9 and July 23 (except Rockin’ Rackets) at Civic Center Park. Call for details.

For more information about these programs or to register, call the New Hope Parks and Recreation offi ce at 763-531-5151.