City Launches a Façade Improvement Guidebook and Monies to Support Business Districts

May 22, 2008 (MINNEAPOLIS) - A vibrant business district sends a positive message about the neighborhoods surrounding it, just as a poorly maintained or a vacant row of storefronts conveys a negative impression. To support neighborhood businesses, the City of Minneapolis has produced a Façade Design Guide for commercial property owners. The guide provides suggestions and ideas for storefront improvements and compliments the City’s Façade Improvement Matching Grant Program, a renewed city program administered by local organizations. See www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cped/great_streets_home.asp to view the guidebook and learn what locations within the city offer a Façade Improvement Matching Grant Program, or call 612-673-5018 for more information. Neighborhood business districts are essential elements of a great city. In 2007, the Minneapolis City Council approved the Great Streets Neighborhood Business District Program, a coordinated effort to help businesses develop and succeed along commercial corridors and at commercial nodes throughout the city. In addition to the façade guide and Façade Improvement Program, the City also provides funding to business districts for other activities that support the economic vitality of the entire district, including business loans, real estate development gap financing and business district assistance such as market studies and retail recruitment efforts. City Launches a Façade Improvement Guidebook and Monies to Support Business Districts http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cped/Facade%20Improvement%20Guidelines.asp

Summer walking tours set by Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission

First Stop, City Hall and Courthouse What: Celebrate the sesquicentennial of the city and State by enjoying a historic walking tour of Minneapolis. The Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission and the City’s Department of Community Planning and Economic Development invite you on a tour of historic places in Minneapolis. Expert guides will lead 16 tours, including five new tours, ranging from Minneapolis cultural gathering places and residential neighborhoods to bustling commercial and industrial areas to the theaters of Hennepin Avenue and remnants of the city’s once extensive streetcar system. Many local organizations are co-sponsoring the summer tours, including neighborhood groups, historical societies and businesses. For schedule information and tour descriptions, call 612 673 2516 or see http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/hpc/walking-tours.asp. There are specific requirements for the Riverside Generating Plant Tour. Please call 612 673 2615 if you are planning to attend this tour. Tours are free, except for a $5 charge for the Como Harriet Streetcar Line tour. Reservations are not required, however, participants must have a ticket. Tickets are available 15 minutes before the start of each tour. Tour sizes are limited, so please plan to arrive early. Most tours will continue in inclement weather, so please dress accordingly. Some degree of stamina is necessary if tours cover long distances. Parts of some tours are not ADA accessible. When: Tours begin May 21 and will be offered through September 17. More: Tours include: Minneapolis City Hall & Courthouse, Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery, Northside Synagogues, Nokomis Knoll Residential Historic District, Riverside Generating Plant, Washburn-Fair Oaks Historic District, Park Avenue and Its People, Como-Harriet Streetcar Line, Tangletown, Grain Belt Brewery, Red Cedar Lane, Warehouse District, Elliot Park, Hennepin Avenue Theaters, and Christ Church Lutheran. If you can’t attend the tours, create your own! A reminder, all profiles of locally designated landmarks and historic districts are located on the City’s website. See http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/hpc/landmarks/ to put together a tour of your favorites. The Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) was formed in 1972 to serve as a citizen advisory body to the Minneapolis City Council. The Commission holds public hearings on matters related to preservation twice each month. Projects that come before the commission are administered through professional preservation-planning staff in the City of Minneapolis Department of Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED). CPED provides preservation related services within Minneapolis local government. These services include professional review for preservation permit applications, ongoing efforts to evaluate the historical significance of buildings and districts, recommendations for designation of local landmarks; prepares and administers design guidelines; conducts on-going research of eligible sites and districts; provides public education and community outreach programs; collaborates on the integration of historic preservation with City planning and development activities. # # # Contact: Krista Bergert, Communications, CPED, (612) 673-5015 Summer walking tours set by Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission: First stop, City Hall and Courthouse http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cped/Summer%20Walking%20Tours.asp

City sets public hearing for Central Corridor light rail project plans

The City of Minneapolis is giving residents and businesses an opportunity to comment on the preliminary design plans for the Central Corridor Light-Rail Transit (LRT) Project at a public hearing on June 3. The Central Corridor LRT Project would run from Minneapolis to Saint Paul along University Avenue. It would share stops in downtown Minneapolis with the light-rail line currently in service. Plans call for construction on the 11-mile Central Corridor line to begin in 2010, with service beginning in 2014. City of Minneapolis Central Corridor LRT public hearing 
1:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 3, 2008 
City Council Chambers, room 317 City Hall 
350 S. Fifth St., Minneapolis
Open House from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Room 333, City Hall Central Corridor LRT Project staff will host an open house an hour before the public hearing to allow attendees to view and ask questions about the design plans. Copies of the preliminary design plans and large plan view will also be available. The Open House will be in Room 333 of City Hall. More information on the meeting, open house and plans is available on the project Web site. According to Minnesota law, cities, counties and regional rail authorities must hold public comment hearings on state construction projects whenever they have a direct effect on their residents. This process deals only with the content of the preliminary design plans, which includes elements such as general dimensions and locations of the light rail alignment, station locations and access for commuters with disabilities. Aesthetic considerations, such as public art, station design and streetscapes are NOT part of these preliminary design plans, and will be the focus of future meetings. At a later date, City Council members will vote on the preliminary design plans. Their options are to approve the plans, disapprove them, or disapprove them with requests for changes. Utilizing the “disapprove with request for changes” option does not mean the City is taking an adversarial position or is opposing the project. This is simply a city’s authorized option for outlining the modifications it seeks. The City must exercise this option even if it is actively working with the project team to craft a mutually agreeable solution to design concerns. May 21, 2008 20080521CCLRTPublicHrng http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/news/20080521CCLRTPublicHrng.asp

Section 8 housing voucher waiting list takes applications June 12 and 13

For the first time in five years, individuals and families interested in Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance will have the opportunity to apply. On Thursday and Friday, June 12 and 13, 2008 only, the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) will open its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List and accept requests for applications. Applications can be made online (encouraged) and on paper. Electronic applications will be available from 12:00 a.m., June 12 through 11:59 p.m. on June 13. Paper applications can be picked up during regular business hours only on June 12 and 13 only at specific branches of the Minneapolis Public Library and at two Minnesota Work Force Center locations. Paper applications will be available from noon to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 12 and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, June 13 at the library branches, and from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Work Force centers (both days). Computers and staff assistance will also be available at these locations for those who wish to apply online. Paper applications and computers for online applications are available at the following locations: North Regional Library 1315 Lowry Ave. N. Sumner Library 611 Van White Memorial Blvd. N. Northeast Library 2200 Central Ave. N.E. Walker Library 2880 Hennepin Ave. S. Nokomis Library 5100 34th Ave. S. Hosmer Library 347 E 36th St. S. Minnesota Work Force Center 1200 Plymouth Ave. N. Minnesota Work Force Center 777 Lake St. E. Online applicants will receive immediate confirmation upon successful submission of the completed form. Paper applications should be postmarked no later than June 16, 2008 and mailed to: MPHA Section 8 HCV Waiting List, PO Box 581126, Minneapolis, MN 55458-1126. Complete information on the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program Waiting List is available at http://www.mphaonline.org/s8waitl.cfm. May 27, 2008 Section 8 housing voucher waiting list takes applications June 12 and 13 http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/news/20080522Sec8WaitingList.asp

Farmers market season begins

With the start of the growing season comes the opening of farmers markets. This year, there are several farmers markets here in Minneapolis offering fresh produce to residents. Farmers markets are a good way to shop for healthful food grown on farms in our region. Produce grown locally is fresher and more nutritious because it doesn’t sit on trucks losing nutrients. Also, supporting local growers reduces fuel use and pollution from transporting food across the country or across the world. And buying from local growers keeps the money you spend closer to home – which is better for our local economy – and you invest more in the food itself and less in moving the food. At the Nicollet Mall farmers market, which is held downtown every Thursday this season, signs will identify local growers, local producers and local processors. These notices will also be shown at vendors at the North Lyndale farmers market, which is open seven days a week during the growing season. To find one nearest you, go to www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/sustainability and click on “eat local.” May 16, 2008 Farmers market season begins http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/news/20080516FarmersMarket.asp

Help, information available at Southside foreclosure forum on May 30

Free information and advice, including foreclosure counseling, tenant rights information and policy and advocacy information will be available at a Southside Foreclosure Forum on Friday, May 30. U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison and other officials will be on hand to explain what’s being done to address the foreclosure on the federal, state and local level. Also foreclosure counselors will be available to help residents who are having problems making mortgage payments or foresee foreclosure problems in the near future. Southside Foreclosure Forum
6 – 8 p.m., Friday, May 30, 2008
Sabathani Community Center, 2nd Floor Banquet Room
310 East 38th St., Minneapolis The foreclosure forum is being sponsored by City Council wards 6, 8, and 9, and is open and free to the public. Food and child care will be provided at this meeting. Residents who are facing possible foreclosure but cannot attend this meeting can call 311 or (612) 673-2300 for assistance. May 15, 2008 20080515ForeclosureForum http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/news/20080515ForeclosureForum.asp

Neighborhood Safety Committee Workshops Starting June 19

Safety Committee Workshops Third Thursdays starting June 19, 2008 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Crown Roller Mill Second Floor Conference Room 105 5th Ave S, Minneapolis If neighborhood safety is a priority for you, your block club, or your neighborhood association, join us for the first of a series of upcoming workshops on June 19, 2008, hosted by Luther Krueger of the Minneapolis Police Department and Robert Thompson of NRP. This first workshop will cover organizing and maintaining neighborhood watch groups on a volunteer basis. Neighborhood watch groups can be as small as one apartment building, or can cover several blocks. Organizing them is as simple, though time intensive, as knocking on doors, tapping the shoulders of those attending your community meetings, or just flyering and see who shows up! Future workshops will cover topics such as: walking your way to a safer neighborhood; how to connect with your rental property owners; mind your own businesses; be a graffiti defeater; how to calm down traffic; hiring cops; shedding light on your crime situation; and designing out crime. These workshops will feature opportunities to learn from guest presenters, from community organizers, and from each other. More importantly, the workshops will provide an opportunity to meet and network with other neighborhood leaders who face some of the same safety issues you do, and learn what has worked well, what hasn't. Please RSVP to Robert Thompson at training@nrp.org, or by phone at (612) 673-5149, so that we know how much material to provide (if you forget to RSVP, don't let that stop you from coming! Just expect to share materials with someone else). Parking is available in the lot next to Crown Roller Mill on the North corner of Second St. and 5th Ave S. Please park in spaces marked "NRP Parking" first. If those are filled, you may park in spaces marked "WMQ". We will provide you with a tag allowing you to park in those spaces for the evening. If you haven't been to the Crown Roller Mill, you can view a map online at http://tinyurl.com/3foc8z

Volunteer Gardeners Needed to Help Beautify Habitat for Humanity Home on May 31

Jazz88 Northside Community Friends, Would you like to join other Jazz 88 friends volunteering with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity this Saturday May 31st? This is a fun event beautifying a new Habitat home that was recently built at 1135 Irving Av N. with bushes, trees and perennial flowers. Saturday's event will be led by a University of Minnesota Extension Service Master Gardener. The day begins at 9:00 am and the planting is usually completed by mid afternoon. All tools and materials will be provided. All you need to bring is gloves, a water bottle and a bag lunch. You can sign up to bring other family or friends too. We're in need of about ten people for this project. We will be planting rain or shine. Plants, soil and tools have all been delivered to the site and rescheduling this event is very difficult. If there is thunder or lightning we will take cover in the home until the storm passes. Please email Kevin Barnes at kbar264@aol.com if you would like to join in this fun Northside community event and be a volunteer with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity this Saturday! I hope to see you Satuday! Kevin Barnes

Windom Park Neighborhood Carnival on June 6

Reported as one of the biggest carnivals in Minneapolis, don’t miss our special event of the year. The Windom Park Community Carnival will be held on Friday, June 6th, from 5:00-8:00pm. Come join your neighbors and friends for food, games, entertainment, raffles, moonwalk, and some community fun. Windom Park Community Carnival is co-sponsored by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, Pillsbury School and the Windom Park Citizens in Action. Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board - Recreation Center Details http://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=88&parkid=225

Bicycle Master Plan Public Open House on Wednesday June 18

The City of Minneapolis is hosting an open house to solicit public input for a new Bicycle Master Plan. Unlike the last bicycle plan (which was approved in 2001), the 2008 plan will include goals, policies, and design guidance in addition to a map of future facilities. The plan will focus on the 6 E’s required to make a city bicycle friendly: Education, Enforcement, Engineering, Encouragement, Evaluation, and Equity. The plan will also include a prioritized list of projects and initiatives. Bicycle Master Plan Public Open House: Wednesday June 18, 2008 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM Room 319 City Hall Public ideas and suggestions will be solicited at this event.  A brief presentation will be given at 5PM, 6PM, and 7PM.  Members of the City of Minneapolis Bicycle Advisory Committee will be present to answer questions. If you have any questions please contact me directly. Donald Pflaum, P.E., P.T.O.E. Transportation Planner 309 2nd Avenue South, Room 300 Minneapolis, MN 55401-2268 612-673-2129 donald.pflaum@ci.minneapolis.mn.us

Trolley Tour of Historic Homes on June 7

Trolley Tour of Historic Homes Showcases Diamonds, Some Now in the Rough May 16, 2008 For immediate release Contact: Jim Parsons (612) 824-1333 Historic homes in south Minneapolis will be on display on Sat., June 7, on a trolley tour sponsored by a neighborhood that’s proud of the character of its houses, even as they come through hard times. Faced with the highest number of vacant houses on the south side, a group in the Central neighborhood invites the public to a historic renovation home tour. On display will be the amazing possibilities for historic renovation offered by the rich, turn-of-the-century architecture original to the neighborhood.  The tour will cover ‘before’ and ‘after’ renovation, ending with a lovingly-restored old place that has just come on the market. The tour starts at 10:00 a.m. at Midtown Global Market on Lake Street at 2929 Chicago Avenue South.  Breakfast foods and coffee will be served free of charge to those who complete a same-day registration for the tour.  The first 30 registrants (one trolley full) will receive a free coupon for two Twins tickets for a dollar.  Tour participants can park for three hours for free with validation in the ramp on the 10th Avenue side of Midtown Global Market. Lenders and agency representatives will be on hand to help participants explore home finance options.  New funding from the Minneapolis Advantage Program, and from non-profit lender Neighborhood Housing Services, is now in place to serve a wide variety of potential home owners in the Central neighborhood and elsewhere in the city. Local banks such as Wells Fargo, US Bank, M & I Bank and Franklin Bank will promote their home-finance products as well. The tour will be by trolley, which will depart after 10:00 a.m. and tour several houses in Central neighborhood.  Central is bounded by 35W, Lake Street, Chicago Avenue and 38th Street. Tour goers will see houses with great renovation potential, and will learn about each house from Realtors and neighborhood volunteers.  Participants will return to the Midtown Global Market before 12:30 p.m. Those who miss the trolley will receive a map of the houses so they can tour them on their own. The historic renovation home tour is perfect for those thinking about buying a home as well those who love historic homes and the architectural craftsmanship for which this part of Minneapolis is well known.  The tour is sponsored by the Central Area Neighborhood Development Organization (CANDO), call (612) 824-1333 for more information.

Live on the Drive, June 12

Thursday, June 12 34th and Xerxes, 6 PM A trio of international talent featuring pianist/vocalist Viviana Pintado (Cuba), percussionist Eliezer Freites-Santos (Brazil), and saxophonist/flutist Douglas Little (USA). The group’s repertoire spans the musical spectrum of the Americas including Cuban son, rumba, cha-cha-cha, choros, samba, and jazz. Each an amazing performer, the trio's musicians have played at major festivals and concert venues throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. Viviana Pintado was born and raised in Havana, Cuba and attended that country’s finest music schools. As a professional musician she has traveled the world and in the 1990’s was nominated for three Latin Grammys as a member of the band for salsa super star, Albita. Percussionist Eliezer Frites-Santos is the son of folkloric Brazilian priests and grew up in the country’s most legendary region for music, Bahia. Following fourteen years in Buenos Aires he moved to Minneapolis where he is the unquestioned reigning master of Brazilian percussion. Douglas Little is originally from California and has been based in Minneapolis for several years. He has recorded numerous acclaimed jazz CDs, played throughout Europe and the United States, and lived and studied in both Cuba and Brazil. He leads several ensembles including the salsa group Charanga Tropiocal and the Latin jazz septet Seven Steps to Havana. http://www.clevelandneighborhood.org/live.html

Community Organizing Seminar on June 7

Saturday, June 7, 2008 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Crown Roller Mill Building Second floor conference rooms 105 Fifth Ave S, Minneapolis (see map below) Set aside Saturday, June 7 for a day long seminar on community organizing, hosted by Robert Thompson of NRP and Jay Clark of CURA’s Minnesota Center for Neighborhood Organizations (MCNO). We will bring together a group of experienced Minneapolis organizers to share their knowledge and skill with staff and volunteers of Minneapolis community organizations. The seminar will include panel discussions, presentations, and group work around how to gather information from the community, how to make sense of that information, and particularly, how to organize around important community issues. The seminar will cover proven outreach techniques, models of decision making, and different methods of organizing. We will provide coffee and refreshments for the morning, but please plan on bringing a brown bag lunch for lunch (there is also a Subway shop about a block away). Please RSVP to Robert Thompson at training@nrp.org, or by phone at (612) 673-5149, so that we know how much material to provide (if you forget to RSVP, don't let that stop you from coming! Just expect to share materials with someone else). Parking is available in the lot next to Crown Roller Mill on the North corner of Second St. and 5th Ave S. Please park in spaces marked "NRP Parking" first. If those are filled, you may park in spaces marked "WMQ". We will provide you with a tag allowing you to park in those spaces for the evening. If you haven't been to the Crown Roller Mill, you can view a map online at http://tinyurl.com/3foc8z

Hawthorne Neighborhood Council seeks Executive Director

Hawthorne Neighborhood Council seeks Full Time Executive Director Deadline: June 15, 2008 ORGANIZATION SUMMARY: Hawthorne Neighborhood Council is 501 (c) 3 working for over 30 years to improve the quality of life in the Hawthorne neighborhood of North Minneapolis. With over 6,000 residents, the Hawthorne neighborhood features a diverse mixture of residential properties as well as retail, light industrial and non-profit organizations. PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: *The Executive Director (ED) provides vision, leadership, financial stewardship, and strategic direction. Working in partnership with the Board of Directors, the ED is responsible for implementing the strategic plan. In addition, the ED is the primary development officer for the organization, assuming direct responsibility for generating sufficient funding to meet budgetary and strategic goals. The Executive Director needs to be skilled in managing and supporting collaborations between organizational and grassroots coalitions and has a passion for working with the Minneapolis neighborhood system. They will also have an interest and skill in organizational marketing and representation and is effective in fundraising from federal, regional and local funding sources. The ED will also be responsible for the management of several innovative housing development efforts in the Hawthorne Neighborhood and surrounding area. EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: * Understanding of the philanthropic world and potential funding streams * Working knowledge of NRP structure and funding * Understanding of organizational hierarchies and reporting structure * Financial management skills at an organizational level * Understanding of Minneapolis and Hennepin County governmental structure * Knowledge of the Twin Cities' nonprofit community and diverse neighborhoods * Understanding of community collaborations and be able to lead and manage those efforts HOW TO APPLY: E-mail your cover letter, resume and references to: chair@hawthornecommunity.org Executive Search Committee Hawthorne Neighborhood Council 2944 Emerson Avenue N. Minneapolis, MN 55411 Hawthorne Neighborhood Council is an equal opportunity employer. Hawthorne Neighborhood Council seeks Executive Director http://www.nrp.org/R2/AboutNRP/Jobs/20080615.html

Kingfield Farmers Market Opens June 1

Sundays, June 1 -October 12
9:00 to 1:30
Nicollet Ave. & 43rd Street
 Opening Market & Plant Exchange
June 1
 Bring your extra garden plants to trade with neighbors. Talk to Master Gardeners about your garden questions. Free event. 
 http://www.kingfield.org/Farmers'%20Market%20index.htm

Camden Communities Garage Sale, May 31

Saturday, May 31, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It’s time to clean out the old and get ready for the new. Cleveland residents who wish to participate in the Camden Garage Sales can do so by joining the Victory Sale. The 14th Annual Victory Garage Sale will be on Saturday, May 31. Send your completed registration form and $7.00 to the Victory Neighborhood office before Monday, May 12th. For your registration fee you will receive: • Advertising in the Camden News and the StarTribune • The use of a yellow garage sale sign for the duration of your sale • Your sale information included on the map which will be handed out at each sale site and in the area businesses. Each year, residents get the opportunity to ‘clean house’ and gives us the chance to showcase our neighborhoods. Hundreds of people from across the metro area visit the Camden area on the day of the Garage Sale. If you are not hosting your own sale, there is an opportunity to shop the sale and a meet others from the area. http://www.clevelandneighborhood.org

Greenway Shasta Planting on May 31

Saturday, May 31st 8:30 am – 12:30 pm 3400 28th Street East Pre-registration is required Longfellow Community Council is partnering with Great River Greening on an exciting project to beautify the Midtown Greenway. We  plan to establish an oak savanna plant community on the section between 34th and 36th Avenues, adjacent to the former Shasta bottling plant. 50 volunteers are needed to plant oak trees and shrubs and spread native prairie seed. Pre-registration is required. Register online at www.greatrivergreening.org under “Volunteer” or contact volunteer@greatrivergreening.org or 651-665-9500 ext. 11. For information about future Greenway events contact Hillary Oppmann at hillary@longfellow.org or 722-4529.

East Harriet Sale-O-Rama 2008 on May 31

Neighborhood Garage and Yard Sale
Saturday, May 31st   •   9 am – 3 pm

Spring is almost here and that means its time to clean out your closets, basement and garage!  Join us for the East Harriet Sale-O-Rama, our annual neighborhood garage and yard sale.  You’ll end up with clean closets, make some money and have FUN!  

INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING?  SIGNING UP IS EASY!
•    Email (info@eastharriet.org or call (612-824-9350) to let us know you’re interested.  Be sure to include your name, mailing address, phone number and email address. 
•    Emily Winter, our EHFNA Coordinator, will follow-up with you and ensure you get a Sale-O-Rama registration form or you can print out the pdf by clicking HERE.

•    Complete the registration form, which will include:
1)    Your contact information.
2)   Key items you’re selling (i.e., kids clothes, collectibles, books, queen size bed).  This will be listed next to your   address on the flyers.  
3)    Your tip on how to make a garage sale successful.  We’ll include it on the “East Harriet’s Tips for a Successful Garage / Yard Sale” that will go into your kit.  
•    Once you get the registration form, mail in or drop off your completed registration form (no later than noon on Tuesday, May 27th) and a $10 check made payable to “EHFNA”.  

Please mail or drop off your registration form with payment to the East Harriet office address:  
EHFNA “Sale-O-Rama”, Attn: Emily Winter 
East Harriet Farmstead Neighborhood Association 
3612 Bryant Avenue South 
Minneapolis, MN 55409

WHAT DO YOU GET FOR YOUR $10?  
•    Advertising!  Your address will be listed in our Garage Sale Ad in the StarTribune newspaper & website, Craigslist, Facebook and more!
•    Sale-O-Rama Flyers!  A neighborhood map with all the participating households and key items will be listed.  Each sale address will get a supply of the flyers to hand out AND Java Jack’s will be our advertised location to pick up maps the day of the sale.
•    Sale-O-Rama Kit!  By Thursday, May 29th participating households will receive their Sale-O-Rama Kit that includes flyers, a list of advertising and a copy of “East Harriet’s Tips for a Successful Garage / Yard Sale”.  
•    Clean closets.  Make money.  And fun!  

Don’t forget!  The deadline to submit your registration and check for $10 is no later than noon on Tuesday, May 27th.  

Questions?  Contact Emily Winter, info@eastharriet.org , 612-824-9350 East Harriet - Sale-O-Rama 2008 http://www.eastharriet.org/sale-o-rama-2008.html

Pratt Ice Cream Social on May 30

Friday, May 30, 2008, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Rain or Shine! Climb the Tower: 5:00-8:00 p.m. Great View--Bring Your Camera! This is the only day of the year that the Tower Observation deck is open to the public. Meet your neighbors and have fun! Food Ice Cream! Cake, Brats, Ice Cream!, Sambusas, Egg Rolls, Ice Cream!, Wontons, Beverages & Ice Cream! Games Fish Pond, Fortune Telling, Moon Walk and more! Entertainment line-up: • Music by Machinery Hill, Len Yaeger's Easy Does It Band, and performances by the Pratt Middle Eastern Dancers, Tap Dancers and Preschool Dancers. Plant Sale by PPERRIA Garden Club Silent Auction by Pratt Parent-Teacher Organzation Begin bidding online May 28th at http://www.prattschool.org/auction/. Pratt Community Education Center
66 SE Malcolm Avenue, Minneapolis
612-668-1122 Prospect Park East River Road neighborhood of Minneapolis http://www.pperr.org/events/icecream-social.html

Job Opening: Cedar Riverside NRP Director

Position: Director, Cedar Riverside Neighborhood Revitalization Program Classification: Full-Time, Regular, Salaried, Exempt Location: Coyle Center, 420 15th Avenue So., Minneapolis, MN 55454 Closing Date: May 26, 2008 AGENCY SUMMARY: Cedar Riverside Neighborhood Revitalization Program is an affiliate of Pillsbury United Communities. Their overall objectives include building neighborhood leadership capacity, increasing community involvement, and creating effective partnerships for neighborhood planning and community development initiatives. Areas of focus in the neighborhood include 1) housing, economic development and infrastructure 2) safety, 3) human opportunities, and 
4) neighborhood relations. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's Degree in Community Organizing and Development, Public Policy, Non-profit Management, or related; minimum of 5-years of related work experience in a non-profit setting; or equivalent of experience and education.
• Demonstrated expertise in non-profit housing, economic, or human development programming.
• Demonstrated experience fundraising and securing foundation and government grants and contracts.
• Knowledge of financial, budgetary, and reporting procedures for non-profits.
• Experience working with a Board of Directors.
• Ability to work some evening and weekend hours.
• Bi-lingual; English and a prevalent language spoken in the neighborhood desired.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensure the organization has an effective fundraising plan, operating policies, budget and budgetary controls.
• Manage all contracts and subcontracts with partners when used for program design and implementation.
• Ensure the organization provides the community with a mix of relevant housing, economic, infrastructure and human development initiates as created by the Community as outlined in the program’s full action plan.
• Support community involvement in initiatives through established work groups and committees, and provide organizing support on an ongoing basis for increased community involvement.
• Ensure each program area has an annual work plan with measurable outcomes; evaluate progress/effectiveness.
• Provide leadership to the neighborhood and stakeholders through active participation, membership, organizational guidance, technical assistance, long-range planning and advocacy in order to empower residents, property owners, community organizations, institutions and business to work together to improve the neighborhood.

BENEFITS AVAILABLE (depending upon eligibility and policy):

Paid Personal Leave Optional Health Care Plan Group Life Insurance Payroll Direct Deposit Paid Holidays Temporary Disability Bank Retirement Plan Flexible Spending Acct. Dental Insurance Group Disability Insurance Optional Tax Deferred Annuity Employee Assistance Prog.

Send Resume and Cover Letter to:

MACC CommonWealth Attn: Human Resources 414 8th Street Minneapolis, MN 55404 E-mail: hr@puc-mn.org Fax: 612-341-1653

Application Forms Available at:

All Centers/Locations of Pillsbury United Communities or Website: www.puc-mn.org

Artists Selected to Design Drinking Fountains

The City of Minneapolis Arts Commission has selected the artists to design ten public water fountains throughout the city. The program, a partnership of the City of Minneapolis Art in Public Places Program and the Department of Public Works, is designed to celebrate the role water has played in Minneapolis history as part of the City’s 150th anniversary. The focus of the project is to reestablish public drinking fountains as central to the health and wealth of the City and to foster the commitment to honor and protect water as fundamental to all life. The program was inspired by the initiative “Invigorate the Common Well”, a multi-year public art/public health project, by Sandy Spieler, Artistic Director, In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre and the Tomales Bay Institute. Selected artists include: Douglas Freeman; Mayumi Amada; Marjorie Pitz; Seitu Jones; Peter Morales; Andrew MacGuffie; Lisa Elias; Gita Ghei, Sara Hanson and Jan Louise Kusske Design, fabrication, installation and dedication of the fountains will be in conjunction with the sesquicentennial celebration, July 2008, and in collaboration with community partners throughout the summer of 2008 and 2009. Sites were selected by the Minneapolis Arts Commission. Criteria included destinations that celebrate the story of water and Minneapolis; on pedestrian corridors or bike trails, near schools, libraries, within plazas, or other public gathering places; publicly owned sites that are easily accessible; readily accessible to sources of water and to a broad range of people; associated with a public or private partner able to provide daily and ongoing maintenance. Sites include: Nicollet Mall; Marquette and Second Avenues; Lake Street; Franklin Av, near 13th Av S; Plymouth and Penn Avenues North; Dinkytown area; Uptown area; and Central Av NE. Contact: Krista Bergert, Communications, CPED, (612) 673-5015 http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cped/Drinking%20Fountain%20Artists%20Selected.asp

Report tracks progress in making Minneapolis more sustainable

Minneapolis continues to make progress in becoming a more vital, livable city, but challenges remain. That is the message delivered in Minneapolis - Living Well, the City’s 2008 sustainability report, which was presented to the City Council’s Health, Energy, and the Environment Committee on Monday, May 5. Living Well is the City’s third annual report taking stock of its work on 24 sustainability indicators, which include things ranging from air quality and solar power, to healthy infants and airport noise. The report tracks targets, trends, and recent activities related to the sustainability indicators, which allows Minneapolis to measure its progress and match actions with goals. The report is now available on the City’s Web site at www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/sustainability/. Minneapolis made progress on many goals. The report also shows challenges that remain toward achieving some goals. Using multiple, integrated strategies and improved data collection and reporting, the City continues working to close these gaps by finding new ways to protect our health and community resources, and reduce our impact on the planet. Creating a more sustainable community is a top priority for Minneapolis leaders. The quality of life in Minneapolis is linked to the health and well-being of our community and our environment. http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/news/20080505SustainabilityReport.asp

Resident survey helps Minneapolis improve services

Answering the phone this spring could help make Minneapolis a better place. As part of Minneapolis’ ongoing effort to improve services to its residents, the City is conducting a survey to get perspectives from residents about the quality of services the City provides. This May and June, approximately 1,100 residents will complete a telephone survey, which will be conducted by an independent research firm. Residents will be randomly contacted with the goal of reaching a diverse cross-section of Minneapolis residents. The survey will be translated for people who prefer to take it in Spanish, Hmong, Somali, Laotian, Oromo or Vietnamese. If you are contacted to participate in the survey, please take the few minutes necessary to provide honest opinions about services in Minneapolis. The survey will last approximately 20 minutes. Results from the survey will guide City staff and elected officials to provide improved services to all Minneapolis residents, regardless of age, gender, income, ethnicity or location in Minneapolis. The City has conducted similar surveys in 2001, 2003 and 2005; For more information or to see the results from past surveys, visit http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/results-oriented-minneapolis/citizensurvey/index.asp. http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/news/20080423ResidentSurvey.asp

Minneapolis recognized as a bike friendly community

Minneapolis is already well known as a bike-friendly city. Now, the League of American Bicyclists has designated the city as a “Bicycle Friendly Community” and given the city a silver status ranking. The organization, which is dedicated to promoting bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, awards the four-year designation to communities that have made impressive, measurable efforts to integrate bicyclists into the community. The May 12 award ceremony came on the heels of the Twin Cities’ first-ever Great Commuter Challenge in which Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak pedaled his bicycle to a first place finish over Hennepin County Commissioner Toni Carter who rode the bus and light rail, and Star Tribune “Roadguy” blogger Jim Foti, who drove. The Great Commuter Challenge, organized by Transit for Livable Communities, kicked off the first-ever Twin Cities Bike Walk Week. A series of events are planned for the coming days, including Bike Walk to Work Day on Wednesday, the opening of a bike center on the Midtown Greenway and the naming of the greenway’s bridge after former U.S. Rep. Martin Olav Sabo. For more information on all of the bike activities, visit http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/bicycles/. May 13, 2008 http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/news/20080512BikeFriendlyCity.asp

Share a graffiti-prevention solution to help clean up your neighborhood

Have you found a way to prevent graffiti vandals from damaging your property? If so, the city wants to share it with your neighbors. Residents can take a snapshot of their garages, homes, fences or any other surface that they’ve made graffiti resistant and e-mail those images to the City. Pictures will be posted on the City’s “graffiti solutions” Web page – www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/graffiti/solutions.asp – so others can put these ideas to good use. Graffiti solutions may include:

• large, colorful murals on otherwise blank walls;
• thick ivy, shrubs or other plant cover on the sides of buildings; and
• fences with board gaps or lattices that do no provide a large, flat surface.

To submit a graffiti prevention idea, e-mail images and a brief description of the idea to GraffitiSolutions@ci.minneapolis.mn.us. May 8, 2008 http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/news/20080508GraffitiSolution.asp

Linden Hills Garage Sale and Festival on May 17 and 18

Saturday, May 17 (Linden Hills garage sales and sidewalk sales) 
8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (garage sales throughout neighborhood) 
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (sidewalk sales, prizes, special events at businesses) Sunday, May 18 (Festival) 
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
Linden Hills Park, 43rd and Xerxes Ave S Start the weekend in the neighborhood on Saturday by visiting garage sales opening at 8 a.m. and sidewalk sales, prizes and special events at area businesses from 10-3. Download a map of the garage sale locations at http://www.lindenhills.org/documents/Festival08/lindenhills_gs_map.pdf On Sunday, come to the 33rd Annual Linden Hills Festival! The Festival starts with a Community Parade at 11 AM and includes family fun (pony rides, face painting and games) community information tables, area artists, a used book sale, and one of the best silent auctions in town. Read all about it! In an effort to reduce the environmental impact of the Festival as well as to highlight the curbside compost collection pilot project in Linden Hills, the Festival is going Zero Waste this year. The Festival is a Linden Hills Neighborhood Council production. Silent Auction proceeds benefit LHiNC and other groups in Linden Hills. Contact: Linden Hills Neighborhood Council (LHiNC) at (612) 926-2906 or visit www.lindenhills.org/whatwedo/festival.php http://www.nrp.org/R2/News/Events.html

Cleveland Neighborhood Plant Swap on May 17

Saturday, May 17, 2008 Noon Cleveland Park, 33rd and Queen Ave North Contact: Debbie Nelson at (612) 588-1155 Visit the Cleveland plant swap! The plant swap and potluck round out Cleveland's Spring Greening and Cleaning Day. This event is coordinated by the Cleveland Neighborhood Association. http://www.nrp.org/R2/News/Events.html

Bryant B.E.A.T! on May 17

Saturday, May 17, 2008 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM Clara Barton Open School, 4237 Colfax Ave S Contact: Emily Winter, East Harriet Neighborhood Coordinator, at (612) 824-9350 or visit http://www.eastharriet.org/bryant-beat.html Bryant B.E.A.T! (Barton Environmental Awareness Team!) is an exciting partnership between EHFNA and Barton Open School that shows neighborhood residents how each of us can improve our community's environment. From alternative energy sources to clean water to clean air, we can all work small habits into our lives that, taken together, will greatly improve the quality of our natural resources. Bryant/BEAT! tells us what works and how we can each make a difference. The project is now in its 4th year. This year's theme is clean air and the students are creating projects to share that day on the subject. Families will be encouraged to sign up for the Minnesota Energy Challenge and there will also be tree planting on school grounds. http://www.nrp.org/R2/News/Events.html

Art-A-Whirl 2008 May 16 to 18

Friday, May 16th - Sunday, May 18th, 2008 Friday: 5:00 -10:00 PM, Saturday: noon - 8:00 PM, Sunday: noon - 5:00 PM Northeast Minneapolis, of course! (and even a few places in North Minneapolis) Pick up a map of open studios and galleries at the Welcome Booths at 13th and Marshall or Quincy and Broadway or download a map here. Contact: NEMAA, the Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association, at (612) 788-1679 Art-A-Whirl is an open-studio and gallery tour of Northeast Minneapolis. It is an enticing event that calls and welcomes local and regional visitors who want to see the art being produced in NE. NEMAA is the bridge between the local and regional world and NEMAA artists. As visitors come to see the art, they also experience the NE Community. More than 500 artists participate in AAW, including potters, tile makers, painters, sculptors, musicians, photographers, glass blowers, printmakers, and textile designers. They showcase their art in warehouses, homes, storefronts and cafes. Art-A-Whirl and the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District received start-up support from multiple Northeast Minneapolis neighborhood associations. http://www.nrp.org/R2/News/Events.html

6th Annual Johnstock May 16 to 18

Friday, May 16th - Sunday, May 18th, 2008 2800 block of Johnson St. NE Contact: www.myspace.com/northeast johnstock for details, including artists and band lineup "Johnstock" is an outdoor neighborhood event held in celebration of Art-A-Whirl. The event includes a Friday night movie, more than forty artists and crafters, live local music, and family events such as music and magic. See the flyer here. Come join the celebration! http://www.nrp.org/R2/News/Events.html

Third Ward CARE meeting with Mike Freeman on May 21

The next Third Ward CARE/Problem Property/Foreclosure Meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at the Center for Families, 3333 4th Street N. at 7:00 PM.   Mike Freeman, Hennepin County Attorney will be at this meeting as well as representatives from the Minneapolis Police Department, U of M Police, Hennepin County Probation, Minneapolis City Attorneys, Regulatory Services Personnel, Council Member Diane Hofstede and your fellow neighbors to address problem properties and other livability issues in the Third Ward.    I look forward to seeing you there.   Diane Hofstede Minneapolis City Council-3rd Ward   350 South 5th Street Rm 307 Minneapolis, MN 55415-1383   diane.hofstede@ci.minneapolis.mn.us 612-673-2203

Help Address Crime In Your Community

Restorative Justice Community Action Inc. brings people together to address crimes that affect the quality of life in Minneapolis neighborhoods. Using a restorative justice model, court referred offenders meet with community members to discuss the impact of the incident and to determine how to best repair the harm done. RJCA operates in the 16 Minneapolis neighborhoods including Downtown, Elliot Park, Loring Park, North Loop, Prospect Park, Southeast Como, University of Minnesota, Cedar Riverside, Marcy-Holmes, Stevens Square, Cleveland, Whittier, Jordan, and Hawthorne neighborhoods. Any person who lives, works, worships, attends school, volunteers, or owns property in these neighborhoods can be involved. This service opportunity is perfect for those with busy schedules. There is no training required, just a short orientation for first time participants. If you are interested in social justice, care about the quality of life in your community, and feel that people should have a voice in the justice system, than this is the opportunity for you. Conferences typically last two hours and participants can decide how often they would like to participate. If you would like to help protect the quality of life in downtown Minneapolis call or email Reggie Prim at rprim@rjca-inc.org or 612-746-0781 or visit us on the web at www.rjca-inc.org.

CPED Quarterly Performance Report

The City's Department of Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) has published its latest Quarterly Performance Report. The format of the report has been revised to provide a brief, newsletter-style report with links to more detailed updates and performance measures for each of the departmental goals identified in the CPED Business Plan. The CPED Quarterly Performance Report can be found at the City's Website at: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cped/docs/1st_Qtr_2008_Progress_Report-Highlights%20Page.pdf If the link breaks, please go to CPED's home page: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cped Once there, click on "Reports and Presentations" in the Resources section of the menu on the left-hand side of the page. If you have any questions about the report, or comments on the new format, please contact David Fey, CPED Senior Policy Manager, at david.fey@ci.minneapolis.mn.us or 612-673-5238.

Free Exterior Rehab for Qualified Homeowners

If you own your own home and need significant painting help, please contact Hearts & Hammers by May 15, 2008. Hearts & Hammers is a volunteer organization that does free exterior home rehabilitation like painting and landscaping (but no roofs) for homeowners who meet certain criteria: • You have to own and live in your own single-family residence; • You intend to live in your home for at least 3 years; • Your house needs significant exterior painting; • You are physically unable to care for your house; • Your income is at or below the guidelines shown here: # of Residents/Monthly Gross 1 $2,030 2 $2,766 3 $3,470 4 $4,176 For information contact: Mike Hutson - Executive Director, Hearts & Hammers at 952-992-2451 or email at bmhuts@earthlink.net

New Minneapolis Web Site Provides Information On Green Building Options

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/mdr/GreenBuildingOptions_home.asp The City of Minneapolis is committed to providing sustainable options for metro living. “GREEN” construction is a holistic approach which encompasses healthy air quality, sustainable building materials, conservation of water, energy efficiency and environmentally friendly landscaping. The code provides minimum requirements for construction and remodeling, but there are many options listed below for going ‘green’ which can help you protect the environment and often save you money over the lifetime of the investment. Green Building Options *The Minneapolis Green Building web site contains links to many other web sites. These links are set up to provide information that is currently available. The City of Minneapolis cannot guarantee the accuracy of information found at any linked site. Providing links to non-Minneapolis sites are for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement by the City of Minneapolis.

Minnesota Home Energy Makeover

Enter the Minnesota Home Energy Makeover for a chance to win $15,000 in free energy improvements! The Center for Energy and Environment, a Minneapolis based nonprofit, wants to give energy-efficient improvements to one Minnesota house as part of a demonstration project. It will award up to $15,000 to the homeowner for the makeover. The project will demonstrate how making energy improvements to your home can save you money and help the environment. Following the May 15, 2008 application deadline ten finalists will be selected through an application screening process aimed at identifying those homes that use the most energy and that can benefit the most from the installation of energy efficiency measures. Each of the ten finalists will receive a complete energy analysis from the Center for Energy and Environment, an estimated $600 value. Based on the results of the energy analyses of the finalists, one grand prize winner will be selected to receive up to $15,000 worth of energy efficiency measures. In addition, a random drawing will be held to select 25 winners who will receive a variety of prizes, including certificates toward energy star appliances, programmable thermostats, compact fluorescent light bulbs, appliance energy meters and more. For more information or to request a paper application, contact the Center for Energy and Environment at (612) 335-5852 or go to www.mnenergychallenge.org.

Home Ownership Fair on May 17

The City of Minneapolis is co-sponsoring a home ownership fair with St. Paul on Saturday, May 17. Whether you're a home owner or planning to buy, come to the fair and get answers and resources to all your home ownership questions! Bring your children, as there will be tons of activities for them. For more information, see: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cped/docs/Home_Ownership_Fair_Flyer.pdf