October 19, 2018
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Hike Brings Together Two Communities
Prairie Island Indian Community and the City of Red Wing Host Event
More than 100 people came out for a gorgeous hike on He Mni Can [Heh-Meh-NEE-Cha] - Barn Bluff on Tuesday, October 16. Tribal Council President Shelley Buck welcomed the gathering, Art Owen told the history of the bluff and shared a blessing, and Mayor Dowse presented a gift that represents He Mni Cha (hill, water, wood). Attendees walked the bluff and learned about edible plants, then enjoyed buffalo chili and herbal tea. PIIC and the City are excited to start planning additional events in 2019. To learn more about the two communities coming together or background on the bluff and graffiti policy, go to the City's web page.
Stay Informed!
Red Wing Public Schools Newsletter & Referendum
We want you to have access to all things Red Wing, especially important information and events. Sign up for the weekly Red Wing Public Schools eNewsletter to stay on top of updates such as programs, school closures, sporting events & other happenings that affect Red Wing residents.

We also have a big community decision to make regarding the November 6 school referendum. Do you know what's on the ballot? The school has created a short video to help explain it; watch it here or find more information at WingersSoar.org.
Click the image above to see the most recent edition of the RWPS newsletter.
Food, Fire Trucks & Sparky the Fire Dog
Fire Station #1 Open House
Sunday, October 28
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Come see the new renovations at Fire Station #1 on Sunday, October 28, during the annual Open House. Kids and adults all love the chance to explore the station (420 Plum Street), sit inside fire trucks, meet the firefighters, and shake hands with Sparky the Fire Dog. Mark your calendars today!
Watch the Candidate Forums Here!
D o you know who's running for office and what each person stands for? Get to know all the candidates for local, county, state, and school board positions. Just click on our links and you can watch the question-and-answer style sessions at your convenience. Get informed before you vote. Thanks to the League of Women Voters , who organized and facilitated all the events.


REMEMBER: VOTING DAY IS NOVEMBER 6!
Old West Main Street Renewal Project
We Asked - You Answered
Old West Main Street will be getting a makeover in 2022 and the planning starts now. We asked what was important to you at multiple events over the summer , and in an online survey. Hundreds of you weighed in. The top four priorities were more parking, continuing a diverse mix of businesses, making a stronger connection to the riverfront, and creating a strong sense of character and history. For specific feedback results, click on the graphics below. Or, click here to see the full website.
Is Your Next Trip Japan?
Adventure is calling! You could be the next chaperone to Ikata, Japan in 2019. The Sister Cities Commission is accepting applications now. It's a great chance for a community member who wants to accompany students to Japan and learn more about the culture. The deadline is November 9, 2018. Applications are available here and on the Sister Cities Facebook page .
Banner Up!
Design work by Wendy Amundson of
Night Owl Graphics in Red Wing.
Main Street's light poles now sport banners that spotlight Red Wing's history, character, and fun. Unique, hand-cut metal designs highlight icons of Red Wing. Additional red fabric banners display words like "Welcome" in six languages: English, Spanish, Dakota, Chinese, Japanese, and Norwegian (the last three are spoken in RW sister cities). Banners in the street's center medians show off bold, graphic florals that mimic our famous flower baskets. Thanks to everyone who made this project happen, especially the City's partners: Downtown Main Street, the Jones Family Foundation, and Red Wing Area Fund.
Nicky Buck Wins Amos Owen Award
The world is a better place with Nicky Buck in it, and to celebrate her work advocating for others, the City's Human Rights Commission named Buck its 2018 Amos Owen Award winner. The award, given out since 2001, is named after the Mdewakanton elder, spiritual leader, and World War II veteran from Prairie Island Indian Community who worked to preserve Dakota culture. Read more here. Congratulations, Nicky!
Veterans Day Program
Save the date and spread the word
What are you doing on Veterans Day? Consider joining our community at the Red Wing High School on Friday, November 9, at 9:30 a.m. The commemorative program honoring of our veterans will include a keynote address, brass band, and choir. Make plans to join us!
Friday, Nov. 9 @ 9:30 a.m.
Don't Flush Those Pills!
Like most communities around the country, Red Wing is seeing higher levels of prescription medication entering our water supply because pills are being flushed or sent down the drain. Don't flush them! Drop them off instead at the Red Wing Police Department's prescription drop box. Learn how in this short video .
Drink Up All the Details
What's FOG and how does it affect our drinking water? Come find out. A special City display gives you a chance to learn about what matters in our drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater. Plus, learn how to conserve water in big and small ways. You'll find all the materials at the Red Wing Public Library now until the end of the month.
Teeing Up for the Future
Mississippi National Golf Links is one of the only public-private courses in the state (and one of the most beautiful in our humble opinion). City owned, the course is managed by a volunteer, non-profit group called Red Wing Municipal Golf Corporation, and together we're looking toward the future. To make the best use of local funds, we want to examine the most up-to-date golf course trends and economic impacts, consider additional activities and attractions (including potentially a world-class ski jump), and explore other big-picture ideas for making this spectacular green space even better. We'll conduct a study in 2019 and invite anyone to look at the Request for Proposals. Applications are due October 31, from which we'll choose the study's consultant. Findings will be available next year and we'll report back what we learn.


Fall Arts Festival Brings Dollars to Red Wing
For more than 50 years people have flocked to Red Wing for the Falls Arts Festival. Last year alone the Festival drew 16,000 visitors. That's the same as the whole population of Red Wing! Each attendee spends an average of $200 according to a recent study. Hear more about the economic impact the festival provides in this presentation that Emily Foos of Red Wing Arts made to the City Council.
All in a Day's Work
As Fire Marshal, Andy Speltz is the expert on every truck at the Fire Department. He worked on the restoration of the Ahrens - Fox historic engine , and he even owns a fire truck of his own. His days as a Fire Marshal are always different. Whether inspecting a building to make sure it meets fire codes, working on a public education program, or investigating the source of a fire, it's all in day's work. Come meet Andy at the Fire Department's Open House on Sunday, October 28 and say hello!
Did You Miss That Meeting?
Now you can watch any City meeting on demand, 24-hours a day, through our website. Click here, then scroll down to Available Archives to see the meeting of your choice. Want to see what’s playing on Channel 6 right now? We offer a live stream through our website.  Just click the “Channel 6” button to watch on any device.
We'll Save You a Seat
You're invited to these workshops, meetings, and events
City Council
City Hall Council Chambers
Monday, Oct. 22 @ 6:00 p.m.
Budget Workshop
City Hall Council Chambers
Monday, Nov. 5 @ 5:00 p.m.
Election Day!
Tuesday, November 6
Harbor Commission
City Hall Council Chambers
Tuesday, Nov. 6 @ 7:30 a.m.
Port Authority
City Hall Council Chambers
Tuesday, Nov. 6 @ 4:30 p.m.
Monthly Bridge Update
City Hall Council Chambers
Wednesday, Nov. 7 @ noon
Airport Board
City Hall Council Chambers
Wednesday, Nov. 7 @ 4:00 p.m.
Heritage Preservation Commission
City Hall Council Chambers
Wednesday, Nov. 7 @ 5:30 p.m.
This issue of City Beat is produced by City of Red Wing staff members Melissa Hill, Michelle Leise, Kate Berg, and Patrick Harris.
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