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From YouTube: Bloomington Today: May 11, 2011
Description
On this episode of Bloomington Today, we'll spend some time at the MN Valley Wildlife Refuge learning about some family fun activities offered at the refuge, and visit one local school gaining national attention for a healthy school lunch recipe.
A
Welcome
to
bloomington
today,
I'm
kalyn
cochriel
thanks
for
joining
us
school
officials
at
south
education
center
alternative
in
richfield
believe
that
healthy
living
values
are
built
long
before
students
leave
the
classroom,
and
now
the
school
is
receiving
national
attention
for
a
healthy
school
lunch
alternative.
Take
a
look
south
education
center
alternative's
healthy
living
initiative
began
with
a
school
garden
funded
by
a
statewide
health
improvement
mini
grant.
Today,
it's
blossomed
into
something
much
more
earning
students
national
attention
for
their
work.
A
B
A
We
were
on
site
at
a
practice
demonstration,
as
the
team
made
up
of
students,
two
bloomington
public
health
nurses,
a
local
chef
and
teachers
prepared
their
original
healthy
recipe
called
porcupine
sliders.
First,
the
kids
start
by
chopping,
onions,
garlic
and
celery,
then
simmering
it
dried,
cranberries
and
spinach
are
then
added
to
the
mix.
Combine
that
with
brown
rice
and
ground
turkey,
and
you
have
a
nutritious
porcupine
slider.
A
C
A
A
Prizes
include
up
to
twelve
thousand
dollars
in
aid
to
create
nutritious
school
lunch
recipes,
as
well
as
having
a
recipe
published
in
a
recipe
for
healthy
kids,
cookbook
on
may
9.
The
students
made
porcupine
sliders
for
the
entire
school.
They
also
demonstrated
the
dish
for
a
panel
of
judges.
It's
not
just
up
to
the
judges,
though
the
team
needs
your
help
to
continue
on
in
the
competition
click.
The
link
vote
now
for
the
15
semifinalists
and
cast
your
vote
here
on
bloomington.
Today.
A
A
on
today's
in
the
loop
segment
we
stopped
by
the
minnesota
valley
wildlife
refuge
to
find
out
about
some
family
fun
activities
happening
in
south
loop.
Take
a
look
less
than
a
mile
from
the
mall
of
america.
You
wouldn't
expect
to
find
more
than
14
000
acres
of
wildlife
refuge
that
span
nearly
a
hundred
miles
of
the
minnesota
river,
but
nevertheless
nestled
back
in
the
trees
off
of
american
boulevard
is
the
minnesota
valley,
wildlife,
refuge.
D
A
Here,
with
more
than
10
miles
of
hiking
trails,
interactive
learning,
opportunities
inside
the
visitor
center,
various
programs
for
all
ages
and
a
view
that
will
take
your
breath
away,
visitors
are
made
aware
of
the
perks
that
come
along
with
the
minnesota
valley.
Wildlife
refuge
center,
almost
immediately
if
they
realize
it's
there.
I.
D
Think
the
greatest
benefit
is
the
fact
that
people
kind
of
stumble
upon
us
and
they're
so
excited
that
we're
here
and
they
go
out
for
a
walk,
see
something
really
interesting
like
a
neat
bird
or
maybe
even
a
meat
animal.
Like
a
fox
today,
some
kid
sauce
snake
eating
a
toad.
It
was
very
exciting
so
once
they
see
something
that
decays
their
interest,
then
they
come
back
and
we
have
miles
and
miles
of
trails
to
hike
enjoy
just.
A
D
E
D
A
Hunting
opportunities
are
also
available
in
the
refuge
down
near
carver,
not
in
bloomington.
At
this
time,
we'll
keep
you
updated
on
different
programs
being
offered
at
the
wildlife
refuge
center
right
here
on
bloomington
today,
inside
of
our
in
the
loop
segment.
If
you
are
interested
in
the
dates
and
times
for
the
upcoming
bird
watching
treks
visit
www.fws.gov.
A
Studies
show
that
skateboarding
and
rollerblading
are
two
of
the
fastest
growing
activities
in
the
country.
That's
exactly
why
the
city
of
bloomington
partnered,
with
southdale
ymca,
along
with
the
cities
of
edina
and
richfield,
to
design
a
park
where
skaters,
bikers
and
bladers
could
have
free
reign
over
this
popular
past
time
in
a
controlled
setting.
G
One
of
the
key
factors
is
safety.
You
have
a
facility
where
we
can
have
supervised
usage.
We
can
make
sure
that
the
appropriate
safety
equipment,
helmets,
wrist
guards,
pads,
etc,
are
being
worn
and
that
it's
in
an
area
where
we
know
the
structures
are
safe.
We
know
that
the
conditions
are
safe
and
the
operation
is
safe
versus
out
in
streetscapes.
G
A
The
tri-city
skate
park
located
outside
the
southdale
ymca
in
richfield
has
once
again
opened
its
doors
to
spring
riders
and
skaters
with
varying
hours
and
prices.
From
now
until
june,
6
people
are
invited
to
come
out
from
3
p.m,
to
7
p.m,
on
weekdays
and
from
12
p.m,
to
7
p.m,
on
weekends,
those
hours
extend
to
12
to
8
p.m.
Every
day
of
the
week
once
school
is
out
for
the
summer
starting
on
june,
7th.
H
A
Individual
and
group
lessons
are
offered
through
the
ymca.
The
price
for
a
daily
pass
is
five
dollars
also
available
are
monthly
passes
for
sixty
dollars
or
a
season
pass.
That's
good
through
halloween
for
just
a
hundred
and
fifty
dollars.
It's
time
now
for
a
short
break.
When
we
return
we're
joined
by
bloomington
fire
inspector
chris
kaiser
to
talk
with
us
a
bit
about
making
sure
your
next
recreational
fire
isn't
breaking
any
city
ordinances
stay
with
us.
J
Okay,
well,
first
of
all,
I
think
a
lot
of
folks
may
not
even
know
that
there
is
a
city
bloomington
ordinance
regarding
recreational
fires,
and
the
main
reason
we
have
this
in
place
is
for
for
safety
and
to
make
recreational
fires
for
enjoyable
for
everybody
in
the
community,
not
just
for
the
folks
that
have
them,
but
for
also
for
the
neighbors
as
well.
Okay,
some
of
the
things
that
they
want
to
keep
in
mind
is
is
the
size
of
the
recreational
fire?
J
The
city
ordinance
specifically
states
that
the
pile
of
wood
that
they're
going
to
be
burning
can
be
no
larger
than
three
feet
in
diameter
and
two
feet
high
that
comes
into
play.
Sometimes
we
get
a
lot
of
concerned
citizens
that
call
on
other
citizens
that
may
be
having
a
large
recreational
fire,
large
campfire
and
they're
concerned
of
the
size.
So
if
folks
just
keep
it
to
that
size,
generally
they're
going
to
be
okay,
some
other
things
they
want
to
make
sure
they
do
is
burning
the
right
type
of
material.
J
The
city
ordinance
states
that
it
needs
to
be
clean,
dry
firewood
and
what
they
mean
by
that
is
cord
wood.
Presto
logs.
You
know
the
split
woods
that
you
normally
use
inside
inside
a
fireplace
is
the
same
things
you
want
to
be
burning
outside
where
folks
get
in
trouble
again
is
when
they
start
burning
branches.
Needles
leaves
construction
materials.
All
those
things
are
prohibited
from
burning
in
recreational
fires
because
they
generate
a
lot
of
smoke
and
that.
B
J
I
think
the
main
two
things
is
going
to
be
location
and
wind
conditions
again
back
to
the
city
of
bloomington
recreational
fire
ordinance.
It
specifically
states
that
recreational
fire
shall
be
a
minimum
of
25
feet
away
from
any
structure
or
any
other
combustible
items.
So
you
need
to
make
sure
if
you're
going
to
have
a
recreational
fire
that
is
25
feet
away
from
houses,
garages
wooden
fence
lines,
decks
things
like
that,
so
that'll
help
keep
things
safe,
also,
wind
conditions,
that's
even
listed
also
inside
the
city,
bloomington
ordinance.
A
J
A
Well,
I
know
that
you
and
I
had
been
talking
and
you
said
that
the
fall
and
the
spring
the
fire
station
generates
a
lot
of
calls
as
far
as
concerned,
citizens
talk
about
some
of
the
calls
that
you
guys
routinely
get,
and
maybe
some
suggestions
to,
I
don't
know,
deter
callers
or
maybe
you
know,
put
some
minds
at
ease.
Well,.
J
We
welcome
all
calls,
you
know
you
can,
if
you
have
any
concerns
about
any
type
of
recreational
fire,
either
can
call
the
fire
marshal's
division
between
monday
through
friday,
between
8
and
4
30..
If
it's
after
those
hours,
you
know
please
go
ahead
and
call
the
police
non-emergency
line
and
they
can
dispatch
an
officer
to
go
out
and
and
inspect
a
recreational
fire.
A
J
A
J
Well
started
off
with
cooking
cooking
fires.
Are
the
number
one
cause
accidental
fires
in
the
state
of
minnesota
and
in
bloomington
as
well?
That's
what
we
see
is
the
number
one
excellent
cause.
So
a
lot
of
the
precautions
that
you
take
inside
for
cooking
can
pertain
to
the
outside
as
well
things
like
ensuring
that
that
your
don't
leave
your
grill
unattended,
while
you're
cooking
keeping
your
grill
clean,
especially
if
you
have
a
propane
type
grille
you
clean
that
drip
pan
out
you
clean
that
oil
catch
basin
out
things
like
that
also
with
grills.
J
A
J
Well,
bloomington
has
a
city
code
that
addresses
multi-family
dwellings
and
grills,
specifically,
and
basically,
what
it
states
is
any
more
than
any
more
than
two
units
combine.
Two
units
cannot
have
a
grill
or
barbecue
on
a
deck
on
a
patio
or
anything
balcony.
Anything
like
that
so
town
homes,
condo
units
apartment
buildings,
anything
like
that.
They're
not
allowed
to
have
a
girl
on
those
decks
or
balconies.
J
A
K
Travel
advisories
to
small
business
loans,
student
loans
to
taxes
online,
whether
you
have
information
to
get
or
ideas
to
give
usa.gov
is
the
official
place
to
connect
with
your
government
from
surplus
car
auctions
to
finding
a
new
job.
Our
new
mobile
apps
will
keep
you
updated
on
the
go
so
check
out
usa.gov
because
the
country
runs
better
when
we
stay
connected.
A
Welcome
back
well,
we
here
at
bloomington
today
would
like
to
extend
a
big
congratulations
to
one
city
employee
who
recently
earned
the
highest
professional
certification
in
arbor
culture
park.
Maintenance,
employee,
jeffrey
loso,
is
one
of
just
18
minnesotans
to
successfully
complete
the
board.
Certified
master
arborist
examination
having
someone
on
the
park
staff
with
the
knowledge
of
advanced
tree
care
is
something
that
has
been
useful
in
loso's
professional
career.
L
Right
now,
my
my
primary
responsibility
is
I'm
kind
of
the
crew
leader
out
in
the
field,
and
I
have
a
lot
of
one-on-one
with
residents
and
what
I
do
on
a
day-to-day
basis
in
doing
arbor
culture.
I
am
able
to
actually
utilize
a
lot
of
the
knowledge
I've
learned
in
the
day-to-day
applications
and
being
able
to
talk
to
residents
and
help
them
solve
some
of
their
problems.
A
Bloomington
park
maintenance
supervisor
dave
hanson
also
is
a
certified.
Arborist
loso
is
one
of
six
state
of
minnesota
certified
tree
inspectors.
The
city
has
on
staff
continued
education,
training
and
program
improvements
will
help
keep
staff
informed
and
provide
quality
service
to
bloomington
residents.
A
Reading
trends
can
change
very
frequently.
One
day
you
could
be
reading
a
stack
of
mystery
novels,
the
next
romance
literature.
Why
not
do
something
with
those
old
forgotten
books
that
will
benefit
someone
else
by
donating
to
the
19th
annual
used
book
sale,
also
known
as
bookum.
The
bloomington
crime
prevention
association
is
looking
for
gently
used,
adult
and
children
fiction
and
nonfiction
books,
as
well
as
cds,
dvds
and
vhs
tapes.
A
There
are
drop-off
sites
located
all
over
the
city,
including
bloomington
city
hall,
bloomington,
elementary
schools
and
creekside
community
center
drop-off
sites
are
looking
for
book
donations
until
june
3rd.
Then
volunteers
will
sort
and
organize
the
donated
books.
Then,
starting
on
june
4th
through
the
18th,
from
11
to
8
p.m,
or
from
11
to
5
pm
on
weekends
residents
are
invited
to
stop
by
9801
lindale
avenue
and
purchase
books
at
a
largely
discounted
rate.
All
proceeds
will
then
fund
crime
prevention
in
bloomington.
A
It's
not
uncommon
to
see
parents
proudly
displaying
their
children's
artwork
in
their
homes
or
office
here
at
the
city.
We're
proud
to
announce
our
next
art
display
featuring
the
creative
sides
of
some
of
our
local
youth.
From
now
until
may,
30th.
The
atrium
gallery
on
the
second
floor
of
civic
plaza
is
the
proud
home
of
dozens
of
art
projects
from
some
of
our
area.
Elementary
schools,
sculptures,
paintings,
drawings
and
sketches
you
name.
It
you'll
find
it
on
our
walls.
A
A
It's
now
time
for
another
city
faces
segment
where
we
take
you
into
a
day
in
the
life
of
a
bloomington
city
worker
and
see
how
they're
meeting
the
city's
mission
of
providing
quality
services
at
an
affordable
price.
Today,
we'll
step
into
the
shoes
of
city,
laboratory
analyst,
deb
welton,
take
a
look.
M
The
main
duties
of
this
lab
is
really
for
our
city.
We
are
constantly
checking
water,
meaning
we
are
checking
for
metals.
We're
checking
it
for
bacteria,
all
the
parameters
that
the
water
goes
out
as,
like
we
check
the
chlorine
levels,
the
fluoride
levels,
nitrate
levels,
ammonia,
phosphates,
anything
you
can
think
of
that
would
be
in
water,
we're
checking
for
it.
E
E
M
It's
a
certified
environmental
lab,
so
that
means
that
we're
certified
by
the
state
of
minnesota
to
do
testing
for
anyone,
and
so
we
do
testing
for
various
cities
around
the
metro
area,
and
then
we
also
do
private
companies
well
drillers
private
homes.
Anyone
who
wants
to
come
here
can
come
and
pay
a
price,
and
then
we
test
their
water.
M
E
M
M
E
Despite
that,
minneapolis
water
is
blended,
with
bloomington's
some
residents
still
notice.
The
difference.
Bloomington
is
testing
the
water,
the
water
is
safe.
It
holds
all
the
true
standards
that
the
epa
and
state
want
to
see
as
far
as
safe
drinking
water
debra's
job
as
a
lab
analyst
requires
a
variety
of
skills,
including
critical
and
methodical
thinking,
as
well
as
the
ability
to
collaborate
well
with
others.
M
M
M
A
Well,
that's
all
the
time
we
have
for
today
to
get
more
information
on
city
projects,
parks,
road
construction
and
events
visit.
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
www.ci
dot,
bloomington
dot.