Update On Outdoor Pool Progress

The outdoor pool at Salem Green is getting closer to opening! It has been quite a lot of work getting the pool ready this spring. The first step was having the pool sandblasted. Then new blue tiling was installed along the edge of the pool. After that the pool was resurfaced with a 'diamond bright' finish, which is made of crushed marble and will give the pool a blue luster and sparkle. The whole deck area still has to be caulked, but the pool is being filled up and we have the chairs out. Our maintenance staff is hoping to have the pool opened by Monday. Let the countdown to summer sun begin!

The pool is just about finished and it's being filled up!

Memorial Day Observances

Memorial Day is on Monday, May 28 and there are a couple events in the Twin Cities that you can attend to honor the men and women that have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

The grounds around the Minnesota State Capitol host several war memorials. Two veterans organizations are gathering at the State Capitol on Monday. The Twin Cities Veterans for Peace will hold a memorial event at 9:30AM and the Vietnam Veterans of America will have a program beginning at 11:00AM.

At the Historic Fort Snelling, the park is opening for the summer with events all weekend. On Monday Fort Snelling will be hosting a Memorial Day Tribute and Military Historic Timeline from 10:00AM to 5:00PM. Costumed staff will help interpret United States military history, with characters from 225 years of history. There will be military drills, cannon firings, and other historical reenactments. Veterans are given free admittance on Memorial Day.

Minnesota Korean War Memorial on the grounds of the State Capitol.

Reenactments are a part of Memorial Day activities at Fort Snelling.

Salem Green Is All Summerfied With Flowers

Salem Green is getting Summerfied! Yes, we made up a new word! You know summer is here when we have the flowers planted. They bring out the joyfulness of summer. Take a look at our beautiful flowers by the office and around your building! It's just another way Salem Green is making your summer a little more beautiful.

Ahh, beautiful begonias.

New Guinea Impatiens.

Jeremiah and Jaime getting their thumbs all green.

A finished pot bursting with summer color!

World's Cutest Minnie Mouse Fan Club!

We just love it when residents send us photos or let us take their picture. Here's a recent photo of three darling sisters all dressed up in their Minnie Mouse dresses and headed to the playground. They've been out enjoying the sunshine with the wonderful weather we have had lately.

All the kids at Salem Green can look forward to some exciting new additions to the playground in the coming weeks!

Rebecca, Erica and Riley off to the playground!

Master Your Gardening Skills This Summer.

Do you love to garden or have a green thumb? Well you're in luck! There are plots just down the road with 18 garden plots operated by the Inver Grove Heights Parks and Recreation Department. The plots are located at Salem Hills Park in Inver Grove Heights. The cost for a plot is $25 for the whole season. One plot is available per household address on a first come, first served basis. There is access to water at the site and plot renters will be responsible for planting, watering and maintaining their own plot.

If you are interested in a plot for the 2012 season, please contact the Parks and Recreation Office at (651) 450-2585.

Balconies are Blooming!

We may have had cold and rainy Saturdays for the last three weeks, but that doesn't mean you can't get patio and balcony decorations going! Jeremiah, a resident from our sister community Lexington Heights spent his afternoon filling his balcony with osteospermum, bridal veil, lobelia, million bells, bacopa, sweet potato vine, petunias, flowering tobacco, and sweet allysum. We are excited to see these blooming for the rest of the season!

Appropriate patio and balcony plants and decorations are not just allowed -- they are encouraged. Your green thumb could even win you a prize for the best looking balcony in the community. Let's see some nice competition for Jeremiah! Send us pictures of your beautiful balconies -- we'd love to see them and hopefully feature them on the blog.

Jeremiah prepares for potting pretty plants

Celebrate Heritage And Service During May Holidays.

May has some great holidays ranging from a heritage celebration to honoring national service and caregivers such as mothers and teachers. Here's a few of the major holidays coming up this month.


May 5th, Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo, which translates to “Fifth of May” in Spanish, is a national holiday in Mexico and is celebrated by many people in the United States as well. This day commemorates the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, in which the Mexican army defeated the French in an unlikely victory. A great local celebration is along Cesar Chavez Street on the West Side of St. Paul. Celebrations begin at 9:00AM and last until 6:00PM on Saturday, May 5th. Check out some wonderful entertainment, music, dancing, food, children’s activities and a parade. For more information visit www.cincodemayosaintpaul.com.

May 8th, National Teacher’s Day 

This day is to honor our teachers. Many of us have had a special teacher who took time out of their day to go the extra mile for us. If not for some of those teachers in our lives we may not have made it where we are today. So take some time this day to show a special teacher your appreciation.

May 13th, Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is an American holiday to honor our mothers. Whether a biological or adoptive mother, or a motherly figure in your life, celebrate the women in your life that helped you grow and showed you the love of a mother.





May 28th, Memorial Day

Memorial Day is an American holiday remembering the men and women who died during military service to the United States. This Memorial Day plan a visit to the Historic Fort Snelling. On Memorial day, from 10:00AM to 5:00PM there will be a living history timeline of military life. There will be weapons demonstrations and costumed staff interpreting different eras of military history. For more information visit the Minnesota Historical Society website here. 

Two Great Events To See And Do This Weekend.

One of the great benefits of living at Salem Green is our proximity to so many great events in the Twin Cities. There are a couple great events we thought we should tell you about that are taking place this weekend.

On Saturday, May 5th, from 9:00AM to 6:00PM is the West Side Cinco de Mayo celebration in St. Paul. The Cinco de Mayo festival celebrates Mexican heritage and will feature parades, three different stages with shows, plus new to the festival is a "Community Village" where local artists, craftsmen, growers and vendors will display their wares. For more information about the Cinco de Mayo festival visit http://www.cincodemayosaintpaul.com.

Another big event this weekend is the Living Green Expo at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. This two day event on Saturday and Sunday, May 5th & 6th, will have over 300 exhibitors and presenters that showcase the latest in green and sustainable living. All new to the Expo this year is a Bike Rodeo! The Expo will feature food, creative activities and it's indoors so if this patch of rainy weather is still with us, you can have fun and stay dry. For more information about the Living Green Expo visit
http://www.livinggreenexpo.mn