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From YouTube: Bloomington Today: May 4, 2011
Description
On this episode of Bloomington Today we'll take a look at plans for an environmentally friendly lighting update to the Mall of America, announce an upcoming event that will bring blue ribbon baker Marjorie Johnson to Civic Plaza, and speak with Mayor Gene Winstead about the recent State of the City address.
A
Welcome
to
Bloomington
today,
I'm
kailyn
real
thanks
for
joining
us.
Well,
Earth
Day
is
intended
to
inspire
awareness
and
appreciation
for
the
Earth's
natural
environment.
So
what
better
day
than
Earth
Day
2011
for
the
Mall
of
America
to
announce
that
they
will
be
replacing
5400
outdoor
lights
around
the
facility
and
inside
the
parking
ramps
with
new
energy-saving
LED
lights?
Well,.
B
As
we
all
know
that
the
energy
grid
is
getting
more
and
more
demand
on
it
regularly,
so
this
will
reduce
about
800
kilowatt
kilowatt
hours
on
that
grid
itself,
which
is
equivalent
to
about
11,000
homes.
So
it's
very
significant
just
in
energy
savings,
the
fixtures
that
are
going
up
are
54
wats.
Again,
if
you
do
the
math,
that's
replacing
a
175.
The
efficiency
is
substantial.
B
The
lights
that
are
going
out
there
will
produce,
probably
somewhere
in
the
range
of
ten
to
twenty
percent,
more
light
than
what
we're
seeing
out
there
right
now
and
it'll
be
a
very
significant
change
in
color,
because
it
will
all
be
very
white,
very
vivid,
no
more
of
the
yellow
that
you
see
and
there
will
be
no
pollution
going
to
the
outside.
In
addition,.
A
To
pollutant
and
energy
reductions,
the
lack
of
maintenance
is
another
huge
savings.
The
LED
lights
will
last
five
to
seven
years
before
needing
to
be
changed.
Funding
for
the
project
was
made
possible
by
a
sizable
grant
from
the
US
Department
of
Energy
and
the
Minnesota
Chamber
of
Commerce
Xcel
Energy
provided
a
conservation
rebate
as
well.
It.
B
Is
anticipated,
the
lights
would
be
put
up
in
July,
maybe
early
June
mid-june,
but
July
for
sure
it
is
the
plan
at
this
time
to
replace
the
fifth
floor
and
then
the
third
floor
of
a
ramp.
So
people
can
see
the
progress
as
it
goes.
This
will
be
a
two
to
three
month
process
to
replace
all
5400
lights
in
the
mall.
They
cannot
do
it
at
a
time
where
they're
going
to
disrupt
the
traffic
and
the
parking
that's
essential
to
make
sure
everybody
can
visit
them
all.
It
took.
A
Four
years
of
light
testing
for
the
mall
to
settle
on
this
particular
lighting
design
made
by
acuity
Brands
according
to
mall
officials,
this
is
the
largest
conversion
project
of
its
kind
in
the
entire
US
and
will
reduce
energy
consumption
in
the
ramps
by
two-thirds.
That's
enough
saved
energy
to
run
Nickelodeon
Universe
for
six
years.
We'll
keep
you
updated
right
here
on
Bloomington
today,
as
installation
kicks
off
early
this
summer.
Last
week
on
Bloomington.
Today
we
let
residents
in
on
a
kickoff
event
for
the
Hennepin
County
traffic
enforcement
group.
A
A
I'm
sorry
I
didn't
see
you
there
if
I
can't
even
talk
while
checking
my
email
and
applying
my
lip
gloss.
I
probably
shouldn't
be
trying
to
do
those
things
while
driving
that's
exactly
the
mindset
that
had
in
pain,
county
traffic
enforcement
group
has
when
starting
their
summer
tour,
they
are
targeting
distracted
drivers
as
well
as
law.
Breaking
pedestrians
and
bicyclists
in
the
area.
Driver
distraction
is
one
of
the
leading
crash
factors
in
Minnesota
accounting
for
around
twenty
percent
of
crashes
every
year,
resulting
in
70
deaths
and
350
injuries.
A
The
Department
of
Public
Safety
says
those
numbers
are
much
lower
than
they
actually
are
because
of
the
challenge
officers
face
when
determining
distraction
as
a
crash
factor,
the
Hennepin
County
traffic
enforcement
group
will
continue
patrols
throughout
the
summer.
Distracted
driving
includes
texting,
checking
emails,
putting
on
makeup
eating,
reading
and
shaving,
just
to
name
a
few
in
celebration
of
older
Americans
month,
Bloomington
Human
Services
is
making
civic
plaza
the
site
of
a
very
special
lunch
where
blue
ribbon
Baker
Marjorie
Johnson
will
share
her
story
while
teaching
the
mayor
of
thing
or
two
about
baking
gingersnaps.
A
As
the
two
team
up
for
a
cooking
demonstration
Marjorie,
a
Minnesota
native,
has
received
more
than
1,000
blue
ribbons
from
the
Minnesota
State
Fair,
which
earned
her
national
attention.
She's
been
on
shows,
like
the
view
Rosie
O'donnell
and
is
now
correspondent
for
The
Tonight
Show,
with
Jay
Leno
gigs,
like
this
keep
Marjorie's
baking
career
going
strong,
but
her
love
of
baking
began
decades
ago.
You.
C
Know
I
baked
my
first
cake
when
I
was
8
years
old
and
oh
I.
Remember
so
well,
because
we
had
made
this
chocolate
cake
and
it
was
on
the
counter,
including
my
mother
and
I'd,
had
us
okay,
I,
say
so,
and
then
the
back
door.
There
was
a
knock
at
the
back
door,
and
so
my
mother
went
to
it
and
I
heard
her
say:
cuz,
it's
right
off
the
kitchen
on
her
say:
Oh
door.
She
lets
come
in
and
taste
this
cake
that
Marjorie
made
you'll,
never
believe
how
great
it
was.
C
C
Want
to
be
entertained
for
and
I
understand
them
at
your
right,
we're
going
to
make
these
gingersnaps
and
then
they're
going
to
get
a
chance
to
taste
them.
Oh
boy
and
you're
gonna
score
gonna,
go
on
and
go
home
and
make
them
and
I'm
gonna
have
my
book
there,
and
and
and
not
only
does
it
have
these
wonderful
recipes,
but
it
has
something
about
each
recipe,
so
it's
more
fun
to
make
them.
You
know
when
you
know
something
about
it
and,
and
so
it's
just
a
win-win
situation
on
hand.
A
There
will
be
lots
of
copies
of
Marjorie's
cookbook,
the
road
to
Blue
Ribbon
baking
with
Marjorie
that
will
be
available
for
purchase
and
autograph.
Again,
the
event
is
set
for
May
twenty-third
at
Civic
Plaza,
beginning
at
11am
for
guests
under
60
years
old.
The
cost
is
six
dollars.
People
over
60
are
asked
to
make
a
small
donation
up
to
three
dollars.
Seats
are
limited.
Please
call
human
services
at
95,
2563
4948,
to
make
your
reservation
by
May
nineteenth
now
it's
time
for
a
short
break.
D
F
A
A
G
My
12th
year
of
presenting
the
state
of
the
city,
it's
something
we
do
every
usually
every
March
it
really
brings
together.
All
that's
been
happening
in
Bloomington.
We
always
work
in
a
little
bit
of
history
where
the
city
is
at
and
where
we
think
we're
going,
and
so
it's
it's
a
long
presentation.
It
usually
runs
about
an
hour.
We
cover
a
lot
of
ground
with
it
a.
A
G
Sure
there
are
multiple
elements
that
go
together
and
putting
together
the
state
of
the
city.
Like
I
say
we
want
to
bring
together
kind
of
a
little
bit
of
history
and
frame
what's
going
on
in
Bloomington,
then
we
talk
about
the
financial
condition
of
the
city.
Where
we're
at
the
taxing
structure,
where
we're
going,
how
the
taxes
are
being
played
out,
then
we
get
to
development
within
our
community.
G
What
we
see
on
the
horizon,
the
projects
that
are
taking
place
and
what's
happening,
and
then
we'll
talk
about
things
that
affect
the
residents
of
the
city
of
Bloomington.
We
spoke
of
such
things
as
unemployment
within
the
community,
the
foreclosure
rate
of
different
homes
in
the
city,
different
programs
and
events,
the
tire
city
together
things
that
we
do
to
really
unify
ourselves
as
a
community
and
then
what
we
can
do
in
the
future
to
really
try
and
improve
upon
all
those
areas
and
just
keep
working
forward
to
make
a
better
community.
Now.
A
G
We
reduce
that
a
minor
decrease
over
this
past
year
and
I
think
it
really
helps
people,
and
so
their
property
taxes
are
really
going
to
be
maintained
for
about
the
next
year
at
a
level
amount.
So
we're
maintaining
our
good
financial
status
as
well
as
the
taxes
are
still
very
much
in
line,
and
if
we
were
to
even
compare
our
property
taxes
to
other
communities
comparable
to
us,
we
always
show
favorably
to
them.
So
all
is
good
in
the
financial
aspect.
G
That
doesn't
mean
people
don't
like
to
pay
property
taxes,
no
one
likes
them,
but
Bloomington
you're,
getting
a
real
value
and
I'm
also
happy
to
report
that
I
think
the
services
provided
in
the
city
of
Bloomington
are
of
par,
if
not
better
than
anywhere
else
in
the
area.
So
all
good
in
the
financial
arena
absolutely.
A
G
South
loop,
of
course,
you've
defined
where
it
is
and
what
it
is.
It's
primarily
the
area
south
of
the
airport
now
known
as
south
loop,
and
it
represents
about
sixty-five
percent
of
any
future
development
in
growth
in
the
city
of
Bloomington.
So
it's
really
a
big
portion
of
our
future
and
what
we
can
do
now.
It
will
include
commercial
area.
It
will
include
phase
two
of
the
Mall
of
America.
It
will
include
a
great
degree
of
housing.
It's
got
great
transportation
links
into
the
area,
it's
adjacent
to
the
Wildlife
Refuge.
G
It
just
has
a
whole
lot
of
things
going
for
it
and,
as
I
said,
it's
going
to
be
the
major
concentration
of
development
of
Bloomington
over
the
next
couple
of
decades.
So
it's
very
important
we're
talking
about
making
it
a
very
sustainable
area.
You'll
see
high-density
housing
in
there,
whether
it
be
condos
and
apartments
townhouses
you'll
see
business
is
going
in
there.
Hundreds
of
thousands
of
square
feet
of
office
and
other
business
you'll
see
manufacturing
areas
there
and
here's.
G
G
These
are
major
players
in
the
manufacturing
of
all
those
little
chips
and
gizmos
that
we
all
need
and
all
the
new
electronics,
all
the
gadgets
that
were
purchasing
these
days,
and
these
are
companies
that
have
very
high
tech,
engineering
and
project
production,
jobs
that
really
can
represent
good
employment
for
the
community
and
both
of
them
are
going
through
expansion
projects,
both
of
them
in
the
South
Loop
area.
We're
talking
about
adding
hundreds
of
jobs
to
the
workforce
in
the
city
of
Bloomington.
G
So
we'll
see
all
these
things
coming
together,
we're
talking
about
a
new
roadway
system
in
this
area,
we're
talking
about
a
very
pedestrian-friendly
area
where
people
will
be
able
to
walk
to
where
they
want
to
get
to.
So
it's
just
a
lot
of
things
going,
so
the
planning
is
taking
place
and
we
hope
to
get
this
going
and
rolling
quickly.
Perfect.
A
G
Well,
we
sometimes
have
a
tendency
to
focus
only
on
commercial
or
office
development,
but
there
is
so
much
more
happening
in
the
city
of
Bloomington.
Now,
I
think
everybody
is
aware
that
we
are
a
fairly
developed
City
when
it
comes
to
the
residential,
but
there's
a
40
home
subdivision
being
it's
been
proposed
and
approved
by
pulte
homes
on
the
Bethany
campus
there,
and
so
that's
going
to
be
40
homes
all
of
those
at
around
four
hundred
thousand
dollars.
So
that'll
be
a
nice
new
subdivision
for
the
community.
G
We
also
see
some
senior
buildings
coming
in
there.
They've
been
approved,
they're
ready
to
be
developed
in
our
community
another
one
at
the
Bethany
campus.
We've
got
the
well
Shire
building
under
construction
out
on
lyndale
avenue
106.
So
there
are
just
many
other
things
happening
all
in
the
residential
arena
in
the
city
of
Bloomington.
A
G
Like
you
say
we're
fully
in,
but
we're
looking
to
see
things
improve
for
the
people
in
the
city
of
Bloomington,
as
I
mentioned,
we
see
unemployment
and
unemployment
for
people
in
Bloomington
is
at
about
six
point
four
percent
and
that's
based
on
this
past
January
numbers.
Now
that's
better
than
this
metropolitan
regions
better
than
the
state
it's
better
than
the
national
average
of
unemployment.
G
But
still,
if
you're
one
of
those
people
that
is
is
unemployed,
it
really
presents
hardship,
so
we're
looking
for
great
improvement
there,
and
we
hope
that
the
development
of
the
jobs
in
our
community
can
really
help
in
that
arena.
We're
looking
at
the
foreclosure
rate
in
our
community
at
any
given
time.
There
are
maybe
about
200
homes
in
the
foreclosure
process
in
the
city
of
Bloomington.
Now
that
doesn't
mean
there
are
vacant
homes
or
people
have
moved
out
of
them.
Most
of
them
are
still
occupying.
G
So,
there's
just
a
lot
of
different
things
that
we
see
coming
up
through
2011
and
into
2012
different
projects,
different
community
events,
different
things,
we're
looking
forward
to
opening
of
the
farmers
market
coming
again
this
summer
and
people
don't
realize
that
about
40,000
people
through
this
summer,
we'll
visit
that
farmers
market
it's
a
great
community
event.
It
does
bring
people
together.
People
are
really
appreciating
it
and
it's
a
good
way
to
go,
find
some
healthy
produce
right
here
in
city
of
Bloomington.
G
We
do
work,
we
were
afforded
a
grant
by
the
state
of
Minnesota,
it's
called
a
ship
grant
and
it's
regarding
health
improvement.
That's
where
the
ship
comes
in
state
health
improvement
program,
and
so
we
have
worked
diligently
within
the
ship
grant
to
really-
and
it
involves
the
communities
of
Edina,
Richfield
and
bloomington,
but
to
really
make
things
better.
Get
people
out,
get
them
active
work
to
really
give
them
a
better
quality
of
life
and
address
some
of
the
issues
that
can
affect
their
health.
The
alternative
transportation
plan
is
part
of
that
grant.
G
A
A
G
I
think
people
who
follow
are
aware
that
councilmember
Steve
Elkins
resigned
his
position
on
the
City
Council
due
to
his
appointment
to
the
Metropolitan
Council
by
Governor
Dayton,
and
so
that
left
us
a
vacancy,
and
just
this
past
week
we
did
appoint
mr.
Tim
boosie
to
that
seat.
We
were
fortunate.
We
had
many
people
come
out
about.
Eight
different
applicants
came
out
some
very
talented
and
qualified
people
who
wanted
us
to
consider
them
for
that
appointment
to
the
seat,
and
so
it
was.
It
was
really
a
good
field
of
candidates
on
which
to
choose.
G
A
A
G
Marjorie
Johnson
is
really
a
personality
and
she
is
just
a
lot
of
fun
and
it's
kind
of
one
of
the
events
that
were
selling
older,
celebrating
older
Americans
month
and
Marjorie
as
I
am
I.
Think
we
both
fall
in
that
category
now
of
older
Americans.
But
she
is
going
to
try
and
teach
this
mayor
on
how
to
bake
some
things
and
I
think
she's
going
to
win
that
1i
I
have
no
skills
but
you'll
see
how
she'll
see
to
it
that
I
either
become
a
baker
or
become
very
embarrassed.
One.
A
Or
the
other
you
will
be
taught
I
have
I,
have
confidence
in
that
well,
we'd
like
to
thank
mirror
Winstead
for
being
here
with
us
today.
Coming
up
later
on
Bloomington
today,
we'll
have
more
on
Tim
bussy
being
sworn
in
to
the
city
council.
Also,
the
full
state
of
the
city
presentation
is
available
for
viewing
right
from
the
city's
home
page.
Just
click
on
the
youtube
link.
It's
now
time
for
a
short
break,
we'll
be
right
back
after
these
messages.
H
When
someone
abducts
a
child
they're
not
about
to
advertise
it,
but
we
will
sign
up
at
wireless
Amber,
Alerts
org
to
get
free,
Amber,
Alert
text
messages
on
your
cell
phone
help,
put
a
child
abductor
out
of
business
for
good
wireless
Amber
Alerts
a
child
is
calling
for
help
that's
great
day.
Isn't
it
yeah
too.
I
A
Welcome
back
everyone,
the
city
of
Bloomington
would
like
to
extend
a
big
congratulations
to
three
women
that
truly
make
people
say.
Wow
the
Bloomington
Chamber
of
Commerce
is
happy
to
announce
the
2011
women
of
the
workplace
or
Wow
Achievement
Awards.
There
are
three
categories
of
winners,
including
community
spirit
award,
going
to
Debra
Krieg
volunteer
of
the
year
being
awarded
to
Laurel
burger
and
woman
of
the
year
honoring
former
Bloomington
Mayor
coral
who'll,
who
now
works
extensively
with
nonprofit
organizations
throughout
Bloomington.
This
year
marks
the
8th
annual
Wow
achievement
award
luncheon.
A
The
purpose
is
to
honor
individuals
who
have
contributed
to
the
success
and
empowerment
of
women
to
these
Wow
Achievement
Award
winners.
Thank
you
for
the
amazing
service
to
our
community.
The
public
is
invited
to
participate
in
the
luncheon
set
for
Monday
May
9th
from
11am
to
1pm
at
the
bloomington
hilton.
The
cost
for
Chamber
members
is
thirty
dollars
and
sixty
dollars
for
non-members
Bloomington,
City
Council
once
again
has
all
of
its
members.
Tim
boosie
was
appointed
to
the
vacant.
District
three
council
seat
after
Steve
Elkins
resigned
to
join
the
Met
Council
back
in
March.
A
F
That
I
will
support
the
Constitution
of
the
United
States
and
of
the
state
of
Minnesota
and
of
the
state
of
Minnesota
and
faithfully
discharge
the
duties
and
faithfully
discharge
the
duties
of
the
office
of
council
member
district
3
at
the
office
of
council
member
district
3
of
the
city
of
Bloomington
of
the
city
of
Bloomington
in
the
county
of
hennepin
and
the
state
of
Minnesota
in
the
county
of
hennepin,
the
state
of
Minnesota
to
the
best
of
my
judgment
and
ability
to
the
best
of
my
judgment
and
ability.
Congratulate.
Thank
you.
E
A
Is
currently
the
communications
director
for
university
services
at
the
University
of
Minnesota
boosie
holds
a
master's
degree
in
management
of
public
and
nonprofit
agencies
from
the
U
of
M.
He
has
20
years
of
experience
in
the
communications
field,
primarily
in
the
public
sector
working
eight
years
with
the
League
of
Minnesota
cities.
The
2011
curbside
cleanup
is
almost
over
now.
That
spring
is
officially
here,
get
that
spring
cleaning
taken
care
of
crews
will
be
making
their
final
rounds.
Picking
up
items
from
portland
avenue
to
the
eastern
boundary
of
bloomington.
A
We
visited
a
few
homes
already
filling
their
curbs
with
bulky
items
that
wouldn't
normally
be
taken
by
regular
trash
services.
Items
like
mattresses,
furniture
and
appliances
are
all
acceptance.
Goods
like
electronics,
tires
paint
and
oil
are
not
accepted
at
the
curb,
but
the
self
hennepin
recycling
center
would
be
happy
to
take
those
goods
off
your
hands.
That
final
cleanup
date
is
set
for
Saturday
May.
A
Seventh,
if
you'd
like
a
full
list
of
items
that
are
accepted,
visit
the
city's
website
well,
with
the
curbside
cleanup
winding
down
many
residents,
hopefully
discarded
lots
of
unwanted
items,
but
also
may
have
come
across
some
treasures
that
would
be
perfect
to
see
at
the
2011
city
wide
garage,
sale.
The
Bloomington
optimist,
youth
foundation
with
support
from
Human
Services
offers
the
annual
citywide
garage
sale
taking
place.
A
Thursday
May
nineteenth
through
Saturday
May
21st
gather
up
your
packed
away
treasures
and
start
pricing
them
to
sell,
because
the
registration
deadline
is
Friday
May,
thirteenth
registration
is
twenty
seven
dollars
and
include
is
a
yard
sign.
Registration
is
$22
without
a
sign.
Also
that
includes
advertising
and
an
individual
listing
in
the
official
registry
of
sale
addresses
for
garage
sale,
registration
form
visit.
A
The
city's
website
from
the
home
page
keyword,
search
city
wide
garage
about
halfway
down
the
page,
you'll
see
a
link
to
the
registration
form
on
May,
seventeenth,
the
city
will
have
a
complete
sale
list
site
up
or
you
can
purchase
a
list
for
three
dollars
at
the
Edward
Jones
office
located
at
3920,
west
old
shakopee
road.
Well,
that's
all
the
time
we
have
for
today
to
get
more
information
on
city
projects,
parks,
road
construction
and
other
events
visit.
A
The
city's
website
to
check
out
past
bloomington
today
shows
or
other
city
productions
visit,
bloomington's
youtube,
channel,
accessible
right
from
the
city's
homepage.
That
and
so
much
more
is
online
right
now
at
wwc,
I,
bloomington,
MN,
us
if
Facebook
or
Twitter,
is
that
your
thing
sign
up
for
a
subscription.