Start the new year planning for a new rain garden! The City of Rochester now accepting applications for the Realize Raingardens Rochester Cost-Share Grant program. Now Accepting Realize Raingardens Rochester Grant Applications In 2009, the City of Rochester launched Realize Raingardens Rochester – a cost-share grant program promoting the installation of residential raingardens in Rochester.  A task force of interested citizens and the City’s Public Works staff developed this program.  Selected sites are used to demonstrate how raingardens slow, treat,…

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Barrel Depot Rain Barrels Rain Barrel Sale! During the Healthy Green Living Show Saturday and Sunday, March 24-25, 2012 Mayo Civic Center on the Zumbro River in downtown Rochester Rochester, MN 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. each day (or while supplies last) AmeriBarrel Rain Barrels $69 (a $159 value) MADE IN THE USA! Barrel includes diverter and hole saw bits! ($30.00 value) Whiskey Rain Barrel $169.00 Pre-order online at www.barreldepot.com Discount code: ROCHESTER2012 Questions? email Barrel Depot at barreldepot@live.com Receive free tickets to the…

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On March 25, 2012 from 2-3 pm, the Rochester Public Library will host the first Wasi Oju lecture of 2012 entitled: “Olmsted County’s First Residents: Archaeology Overview and Recent Survey Results”  Dr. Constance Arzigian, Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center senior researcher and associate lecturer in Sociology and Archaeology at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, will offer an overview of past cultures in our area, from big-game hunters at the end of the Ice Age to the first farmers at 1000 A.D….

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Does your property have a mature, beautiful tree? In addition to being aesthetically pleasing and creating safer environments, modern society is valuing these trees in new ways. Trees reduce storm water runoff and flood potential by capturing the first 30% of precipitation in their leaves and absorb another 30% in their root structure. Increased pavement longevity, lower urban air temperatures, improved air quality, higher property values, reduced urban traffic speeds – the list goes on! In seeing these benefits, it…

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The Rochester-Olmsted Council of Governments (ROCOG ) is inviting Olmsted County residents to apply for an opening on the ROCOG Policy Board as a Citizen Representative. Range Transportation Plan and meeting other state and federal planning requirements associated with transportation projects (highways, transit, bikeways, etc.) in the Olmsted County/Rochester area.There are 2 Citizen Reps on the Board with one current opening, with the other 14 members comprised of local elected officials. The Policy Board generally meets 6 times annually. The…

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Don’t let the warm temperatures fool you – snow and ice are definitely coming and we need to consider how we will keep our sidewalks and driveways safe. Before you rush out to stock up on snow and ice control products, please consider a “low-salt diet” for the sake of the environment. Just one teaspoon of deicing salt in 5 gallons of water is toxic to aquatic life! What many people don’t realize is that when snow and ice melt,…

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