Opportunity: sign up for Elections information email

Greetings from the Minneapolis Elections Office! You are invited to find current election information at www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/elections including the opportunity to sign up for e-mail updates or to view information on these current topics:

• Absentee voting prior to the primary
• Election Day registration for the September 9 Primary -- since pre-registration closed August 19
• Voting Precinct Finder -- find the polling place for your residence &view a picture of your polling place and the Sample Ballot for your precinct
• How to pre-register for the November 4 General Election

We expect to send no more than one message per month. Thanks much for your efforts to plan ahead to participate in the upcoming elections. Judy Schwartau Election Specialist Elections &Voter Registration - City of Minneapolis

Volunteer to spruce up Minneapolis before company comes! on August 16

Date: August 16 Time: 7:30 a.m. through afternoon Location: Metrodome Address: back parking lot (11th ave S and 5th St) url: www.msp2008.com/home Spruce up Minneapolis day is Saturday, Aug. 16. On Saturday, hundreds of volunteers in Minneapolis, Saint Paul and Bloomington are volunteering to clean and spruce up our cities before 45,000 visitors come to town for the Republican National Convention, Sept. 1 – 4. Volunteers for the Spruce up Minneapolis effort should report to the volunteer tent located in the northeast corner of the back parking lot of the Metrodome (enter on 11th Ave. and 5th St.) anytime between 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to receive an assignment. The clean-up effort will continue through the afternoon, but volunteers must arrive prior to 1 p.m. to receive an assignment. Parking is available at no cost to the volunteers. The first 150 volunteers to register at the site will receive free tickets to the Minnesota Twins vs. Seattle Mariners game at 2:55 p.m. Volunteers don’t need to bring anything except a willingness to help (and possibly a pair of gloves). Trash bags will be supplied. Light beverages and snacks will be provided. For more information visit www.msp2008.com/home, or contact Emily Van Ort at 612-767-8216 or at emilyvo@meetminneapolis.com. The volunteer spruce up event is sponsored by the City of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Building Owners and Managers Association, Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce, Minneapolis Downtown Council and Meet Minneapolis.

Pedestrian Master Plan public meeting on September 18

Date: Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008 Time: 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (presentation at 6 p.m.) Location: Minneapolis Central Library Address: 300 Nicollet Mall url: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/news/20080819PedestrianPlanOpenHouse.asp Help make Minneapolis the most walkable city around Minneapolis is already an active, walkable community, but there is more to do to make our city a better place to walk to work, to play or just to stay active. Help the City improve walking in Minneapolis by attending an open house to hear more about the City’s Pedestrian Master Plan and sharing your thoughts and ideas on walking in Minneapolis. Participants will be invited to discuss some of the major challenges the City faces in meeting pedestrian needs and best practices for improving walking in Minneapolis. This is the second Pedestrian Master Plan public meeting on shaping the city’s first Pedestrian Master Plan. More than 100 people attended the first open house in March. The City Council directed the preparation of a citywide Pedestrian Master Plan, which will be completed by the end of 2008. The plan will include recommendations on policies, projects and procedures related to pedestrian facilities and programs. The plan is funded by a federal Non-Motorized Transportation Project grant and a grant from Blue Cross/Blue Shield. To learn more about Minneapolis’ Pedestrian Master Plan, visit www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/pedestrian. The meeting site is wheelchair accessible. If you need other disability related accommodations, such as a sign language interpreter, or materials in an alternative format, please contact Anna Flintoft at (612) 673-3885 or anna.flintoft@ci.minneapolis.mn.us before Sept. 11.

Minneapolis History Series September 23 and October 21

Date: September 23, October 21 Time: 5:00-6:00 p.m. (social hour) 6:00-7:00 p.m. (first session) 7:20-8:20 p.m. (second session) Location: Minneapolis Central Library, Pohlad Hall Address: 300 Nicollet Mall url: http://www.friendsofmpl.org/events_home.html#MPLSseries Cost: Free ($15 for boxed dinner) What: Celebrate Minneapolis during its sesquicentennial with eight special events on four nights – from July through October – at Minneapolis Central Library. Details and event descriptions follow.   Who: Local historians, authors, educators and experts will present information on history, culture, architecture, immigration and growth.   When: Sept. 23, Oct. 21; 5-6 p.m. social hour (boxed dinners can be ordered for $15 by calling 612-630-6081); 6-7 p.m. first session; 7:20-8:20 p.m. second session   Where: Minneapolis Central Library, Pohlad Hall, 300 Nicollet Mall     September 23 Session 1: 6-7 p.m.: Our People and Their Stories Why did 19th and early 20th century immigrants choose Minneapolis? How did they get here? What was their experience of local culture? How were they accepted? Panelists include: Bill Green, Superintendent of the Minneapolis Public Schools and author of A Peculiar Imbalance, the fall and rise of racial equality in early Minnesota; Iric Nathanson, author, historical researcher, educator, community activist; Nina Clark, American Swedish Institute’s Education Programs Coordinator; and Moderator Hy Berman, University of Minnesota History professor, Twentieth Century Minnesota labor movement and immigrant history.

Session 2: 7:20 -8:20 p.m.: New Stories from New Arrivals How did 20th and 21st century immigrants get to Minneapolis? What was their experience of this new culture and community? Panelists include: Hussein Samatar, Executive Director of the African Development Center, past board member, Minneapolis Public Library; Ramon Leon, Executive Director, Latino Economic Development Center; and Moderator Renee Reed, Department Head of Music Art, Literature, History and Social Sciences, Minneapolis Central Library.
 October 21 Session 1: 6-7 p.m.: Buildings and Their Tales The current state of the Minneapolis built environment and an overview of the post World War II, growth, flight to suburbs, urban renewal (civic embarrassment or unique urban response), and the new urbanism. Illustrated look into Minneapolis urbanism. Panelists include: Charlene Roise, principal, Hess, Rosie and Company, architectural historian, author; David Lanegran, author, professor of geography, department chair, Macalester College; and Moderator-John Crippen, director, Mill City Museum. 

Session 2: 7:20 -8:20 p.m.: Architecture and the Future Discover the city’s “not-to-be missed” buildings, and learn more about new homes, rediscovery of the riverfront and new cityscape trends. Panelists include: Larry Millet, architectural critic for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, author of AIA Guide to the Twin Cities: The Essential Source on the Architecture of Minneapolis and St. Paul; Linda Mack, architecture critic for Star Tribune for 21 years, writes about architecture and design for regional and national publications; and Moderator Bob Roscoe, Preserve Minneapolis, owner of Design Preservation. JoEllen Haugo, Librarian Minneapolis Central Library 300 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, MN 55401 Tel. 612-630-6081 Email jhaugo@hclib.org   

Bohemian Flats Day on August 16

Date: August 16 Time: Noon to 5:00 p.m. Location: Upper Riverside Park url: http://www.bohemianflatsday.com/ wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohemian_Flats#Bohemian_Flats_presently Party like it’s 1899! Gera Pobuda, the originator of Bohemian Flats Day was inspired by the dual nature of the word Bohemian, both as a place of origin and a lifestyle choice. An artist by profession and a Bohemian in both sense of the word, she thought the Bohemian Flats should be celebrated and remembered for it's unique character and importance in the history of Minneapolis immigration. In working to create Bohemian Flats Day, our board has determined that the importance of immigration to the area and the sense of transition in the community the surrounds the flats location, should be celebrated. We thought the flats neighbors should be remembered, and at the same time, other Immigrant experiences could be presented to festival goers. Everybody asks each other "Where are you from, how did you get here and how has the trip been?" Because of construction on the I35 bridge, Bohemian Flats Day 2008 will be held in Riverside Park on the West Bank in Minneapolis.

3rd Annual Parade Of Community Gardens on August 16

Day: Saturday, August 16th, 2008 Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Location: A free metrowide event featuring 45 community gardens across the Twin Cities, Stillwater, Mankato, and Northfield! Address: Garden addresses and map available at www.gardenworksmn.org/Parade.htm Contact: Ila Duntemann at 612-278-7123 or info@gardenworksMN.org On Saturday, August 16th, 45 community gardens across the Twin Cities swing open their gates and invite community members in to wander, observe, learn, and celebrate! Walk, bike, or drive from one garden or to all 45 community gardens. Gardens will feature a variety of attractions including music, a labyrinth, cool treats, massage, chickens, heirloom tomato festival, and a beehive Parade events are free to the public. Visit www.gardenworksmn.org/Parade.htm for more details.

2008 Village Multicultural Art Fair on August 16

Day: Saturday, August 16th and Sunday, August 17th, 2008 Time: Noon to 6:00 PM Location: East Franklin Ave between 11th and 14th Aves, just 8 blocks south of the Metrodome Contact: 612-874-9070 or visit www.venturavillage.org The second annual outdoor Village Arts Festival will be held Saturday, August 16th and Sunday, August 17th, Noon to 6 PM each day on East Franklin Avenue between 11th and 14th Avenue in Minneapolis. This is just 8 blocks south of the Minneapolis Metro Dome on Eleventh Avenue. The Village Arts Festival is unique in that unlike many local Art Fairs that feature art from primarily Northern European artists, this Arts Festival serves as a opportunity for many non-European artists to display their talents while receiving technical assistance and mentoring with respect to the display and marketing of their artworks. Ventura Village has requested and received assistance from the established and professional art institutions and their staff in providing this help directly to the artists themselves. The Village will host an eclectic mix of art and entertainment for its participants and guests. Artists will be invited to present their creations from many world cultures including African, American Indian, Asian, European, Hispanic and unique indigenous and cultural blends. The Village Arts Festival’s mission is to encourage and support all artists and instill an appreciation and support for the art and culture of our neighbors. This event will include artworks that can be viewed and purchased, performing arts, and foods from the many cultures represented in the neighborhood. It will feature a GREEN TENT for presenting the Minnesota Energy Challenge. In addition, it will also feature the Mari Cruz Safety and Wellness Fair and special programming in the Children’s Art Section. For more information contact Ventura Village at 612.874.9070 or go to our website at www.venturavillage.org.

Bike Walk Ambassadors Launch Celebration on August 17

Date: August 17 Time: 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Location: Historic Main Street under the 3rd avenue Bridge url: http://www.bikewalktwincities.org/ambassadors/ The Bike Walk Ambassadors invite you to a Bike Walk Celebration on Sunday, August 17th, from 1-3pm at the park along Historic Main Street under the 3rd avenue Bridge. Bring your family and friends and help launch the Bike Walk Ambassador Program. Come meet the Bike Walk Ambassadors and learn how biking and walking will shape the future of our communities. At the Bike Walk celebration: • Meet the Bike Walk Ambassadors and Youth Ambassadors; • See bikes for all ages, ability levels, and needs; • Gather resources for walking as transportation and Safe Routes to Schools; • Hear from bike walk advocates; • Find out how to get involved with Bike Walk Twin Cities Come and get tips on making biking and walking a fun, healthy, economical and time saving part of your day-to-day life. Complimentary summer refreshments and sweet treats from area bike and walk friendly businesses.  Group bike rides and walks to this event will be lead by local bike and walk groups.  This event is also easily accessed by Metro Transit buses.  Visit www.bikewalktwincities.org for more information. About the Bike/Walk Twin Cities Ambassadors The Bike/Walk Twin Cities Ambassadors are here to help you out! The Ambassadors provide the information and support needed to help you start bicycling and walking more often. The Ambassadors are available to give presentations, lead safety/user clinics, and host events year-round. They'll help your group learn how to reach destinations by foot or bike with ease. The Bike Walk Ambassador program is an educational and outreach program of the City of Minneapolis, which in partnership with the Bike Walk Twin Cities initiative, encourages people in Minneapolis and the 13 neighboring communities to bike and walk more, and drive less. You can request an Ambassador for a meeting, event, or demonstration in Minneapolis and the following communities: Brooklyn Center, Columbia Heights, Edina, Falcon Heights, Fridley, Golden Valley, Lauderdale, Richfield, Robbinsdale, Roseville, Saint Anthony, St. Louis Park, and St. Paul. The Bike/Walk Twin Cities Ambassadors are managed by the City of Minneapolis as part of the Bike/Walk Twin Cities initiative, an exciting program that is helping more people starting bicycling and walking in the Twin Cities. The initiative, administered by Transit for Livable Communities, is part of the federal Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot Project (NTP), which aims to get more people bicycling and walking by 2010.

Elliot Park Neighborhood Archaeology Project on August 17

Day: Wednesday, August 13 through Sunday, August 17, 2008 Time: 9 am - 5 pm daily Address: 722-724 East 17th St Contact: Ken Bakken (bakk0029@umn.edu) or Pat Emerson at 612-725-2410 url: www.elliotpark.org WOW! A bona-fide archaeology dig in this historic urban neighborhood as the EPNA Project returns for a fifth year of digging. A host of archaeologists, students and other interested volunteers will work for five days to peel back the layers of contemporary life from this early residential neighborhood. This is a free event and neighborhood residents and visitors are encouraged to get involved. Stop by to watch, visit or volunteer. You can dig, sift, wash and sort artifacts, help map the site, learn how to read a soil profile, welcome visitors and more! Volunteer for an hour or a day.

Safety Committee Workshop: "Crime Stats--How To Put Them To Work For You" on August 21

Date: Thursday August 21, 2008 Time: 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Location: Crown Roller Mill Address: Second Floor Conference Room, 105 5th Ave S, Minneapolis Contact: Robert Thompson, NRP, (612) 673-5149 or training@nrp.org url: www.nrp.org If neighborhood safety is a priority for you, your block club, or your neighborhood association, join us for the third of a series of workshops on Thursday, August 21, 2008, hosted by Luther Krueger of the Minneapolis Police Department and Robert Thompson of NRP. Find out how your neighborhood's crime prevention task force can sift through crime statistics and use maps to get organized, get *better* organized, and actually contribute to the City's crime reduction efforts.  Crime maps aren't just for the curious any more--they can be used to focus your efforts, mobilize your walking crime watch, and reinvigorate dormant block clubs. Please note: This time we will have someone by the front door of the Crown Roller Mill to let people in! Our apologies to those who were turned away by the security guard last time. Future workshops will cover topics such as: 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 www.nrp.org NRP Workshops are accessible events. 
Requests for accommodations are welcome!
Please call (612) 673-5149 
Or email to training@nrp.org

Bryant Neighborhood Seeks Neighborhood Coordinator

Bryant Neighborhood Organization--Neighborhood Coordinator (Independent Contractor Position)

The Bryant Neighborhood Organization (BNO) is seeking to contract with an individual who will serve as Neighborhood Coordinator. The Neighborhood Coordinator will report directly to the BNO Board and its chair, and will perform a wide-range of services for the BNO including community outreach, policy development and advocacy, and administrative/office management tasks. A qualified applicant will be self-motivated, able to work both independently and with teams of community volunteers, open to learning new skills, and willing to perform a variety of tasks from event coordination to basic accounting. The BNO anticipates that the Neighborhood Coordinator will serve at a 40 hour/week capacity, though this and all other terms of the contract are negotiable.

The Bryant Neighborhood is located in South Minneapolis, with boundaries extending from East 38th Street to the north, Chicago Avenue to the east, East 42nd Street to the south, and Interstate 35W to the west. The BNO is responsible for directing Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) funds to neighborhood use and for implementing a variety of programs and activities including homeowner loan/assistance programs, monitoring a range of development and planning activities in and around the Bryant Neighborhood, promoting neighborhood cleanup and other revitalization programs, and organizing neighborhood outreach and community-building events. Scope of Activities:

1. Works with the BNO Board and its chair to accomplish the organization’s short and long term programmatic and financial goals and objectives.
2. Works with the BNO Board, NRP staff, and local decision-makers to manage the efforts of the BNO Board to develop a neighborhood action plan and apply for funding through the NRP Phase II process.
3. Provides support to standing committees of the BNO Board, assists in planning and implementing community events and other outreach activities, which may include fundraising initiatives.
4. Represents the BNO Board at certain events and community meetings, advocates for the positions of the BNO Board to local decision-makers.
5. Assists the BNO Board in designing, producing, and coordinating the distribution of a neighborhood newsletter.
6. Assists the BNO Board with basic office-management tasks and institutional record-keeping.
7. Assists the BNO Treasurer and Chair with basic accounting and bookkeeping practices.

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.A./B.S. degree or equivalent experience.
• Excellent demonstrated written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability and willingness to network with community leaders, volunteers, and city/neighborhood organization staff to gather information, learn necessary skills, and accomplish the goals and objectives of the BNO Board.
• Demonstrated ability and effectiveness working with volunteers and community leaders.
• Willingness to attend evening BNO and community meetings, work occasional evenings /weekends from time to time as necessary.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with event planning and/or community organizing.
• Experience with basic accounting and/or budgeting practices.
• Prior experience in fundraising that includes donor relations, and/or grant-funded project development and oversight.
• Ability to speak Spanish
• Bryant Neighborhood Resident

Compensation: The BNO Board will negotiate a contract with a qualified individual, the terms of which will include compensation commensurate with experience. Contractor will be responsible for payment of their own taxes and benefits.

Application Process: Please email a cover letter, resume, and compensation requirements to Brian Pasko, BNO Chair at brian.pasko@gmail.com. Position will remain open until filled.

Contribute to Minnesota’s Plan for the Future on August 18

Date: August 18 Time: 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Location: Eastside Neighborhood Services Address: 1700 2nd St NE url: www.mn150years.org It's Minnesota's 150th anniversary of statehood--a time to reflect on the past but, more importantly, plan for the future. Statewide input is being sought to identify the key issues that citizens feel should be seriously addressed to create a future we can all celebrate. What will most contribute to having successful communities? Rep. Diane Loeffler has arranged to make sure urban voices get heard and contribute to the plan (most meetings have been in Greater Minnesota). Start thinking big and challenge the state to make your dreams for a stronger state real. Monday August 18 7-8:30 p.m. Eastside Neighborhood Services 1700 2nd St. N.E. Can't make that date? You can contribute on-line at www.mn150years.org.

Bicycle Path Updates

Summertime is not just a great time to ride your bicycle – it’s a great time to build a bicycle path!  The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board has recently completed the reconstruction of the St Anthony Parkway bike path from the Camden Bridge to Ulysses Street NE.  A new trail segment has also been constructed between Ulysses Street and Stinson Boulevard.  Read more about the St. Anthony project here.   More recently, the Park Board has begun the reconstruction of East River Parkway bicycle path, between Franklin Avenue and Fulton Street SE.  Construction is expected to be completed this fall.  During construction, this portion of the East River Parkway bicycle path will be closed.  Read more about the East River Parkway project here.   Meanwhile, the much anticipated Luce Line Trail will begin construction this summer.  The missing link into Minneapolis will be completed by mid-2009.  The new trail segment will complete a 72-mile path between Minneapolis and Cosmos, Minnesota.  The trail project will end at Theo Wirth Parkway, just north of Olson Memorial Highway.  When complete, bicyclers will be able to ride between Golden Valley and downtown Minneapolis via Bassett’s Creek Trail and the Cedar Lake Trail.   Read more about the Luce Line Trail project here and here.   Finally, another good piece of path news – the number of cyclists on the Midtown Greenway is on the upward trend.  Between 2008 and 2007, rates of bicycling have increased 30%.  The Midtown Greenway has also set a new record for its highest single day of use.  5,336 bicyclists rode on the Midtown Greenway at Hennepin Avenue on Sunday, June 1st, 2008.  Read more about the data here.   Happy Riding,   City of Minneapolis Bicycle Program

Citizen Journalist Workshops Starting August 14

Date: Thursday August 14th Time: 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Location: Crown Roller Mill Building, second floor, conference room 3 Address: 105 Fifth Ave South Citizen Journalist Workshops: Using the Twin Cities Daily Planet The Daily Planet? Isn't that the name of the newspaper in Superman? Yes. It's also a local online news source that can be a useful tool for your organization. This workshop will teach you how to upload articles, op-eds, events, pictures, and videos to the Daily Planet. Learn how to get your voice heard through our site. Presented by Lisa Peterson-de la Cueva of the Twin Cities Daily Planet Following up on this workshop, the Twin Cities Daily Planet will host the Citizen Journalism Writing Fellowship Program. Starting in October (dates to be determined) Twin Cities Daily Planet will offer six sessions, one per month. At these workshop, you will learn basic journalism skills for use in community and neighborhood newsletters, non-profit publications, journalism web sites and blogs, podcasts, and other citizen journalism formats. We will focus on crafting a story, adopting a journalistic mindset, how to conduct interviews, and how to document stories from your organization. You will get feedback on your writing and will gain concrete technology skills to help you in your craft. NRP Workshops are accessible events. 
Requests for accommodations are welcome! Please call (612) 673-5149 Or email to training@nrp.org Directions to NRP: These workshops will be held in the Crown Roller Mill Building, Second Floor Conference Room 3; 105 Fifth Ave South The Crown Roller Mill is located one block off Washington Ave and Portland Ave in Downtown Minneapolis (Between Washington and St. Anthony Falls–two nearby landmarks are the Hyatt Hotel and the Ceresota Mill Building). Free on-street parking is available after 6:00 p.m. on 5th Ave. north of Second Street. Meters on 2nd Street are enforced until 10:00 p.m. You may also park in the lot on the northwest corner of 2nd and 5th in spaces marked WMQ or NRP after 6:00 p.m. for these events only.

Historic Walking Tours in August

Dates: August 13 and 16 url: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/hpc/walking-tours.asp Warehouse District Date: Wednesday, August 13 Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Place: Lobby of Butler Square, 518 1st Ave. North Guide: Rolf Anderson
 Located just west of Hennepin Avenue in Downtown, the Warehouse District is Minnesota’s largest commercial historic district. This area was the major jobbing center for the upper Midwest during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Experience the district’s many renowned commercial buildings that were designed by some of the city’s most distinguished architects. Elliot Park Co-sponsored by the Elliot Park Neighborhood
Date: August 16
Time: 11:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Place: Elliot Park Recreation Center, 1000 E. 14th St. 
Guide: David Fields
 Elliot Park was the first residential neighborhood in downtown Minneapolis. Visit the landmarks that make Elliot Park a charming urban neighborhood. On the tour you will visit 19th-century brownstone row houses, North Central University, the Band Box diner and the site of the 2006 Elliot Park Neighborhood Archaeological Project. The Ninth Street South Historic District in Elliot Park

Removing blighted properties promotes stronger, safer neighborhoods

Date: Aug. 5, 2008 url: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/news/20080805BlightedProperties.asp Thanks to $1.25 million in additional funding provided by Hennepin County, Minneapolis is beginning an accelerated effort on the North Side to improve neighborhood livability and encourage investment by demolishing the vacant and boarded properties that are unrecoverable and the most detrimental to neighborhoods. The demolition work is one way Minneapolis and its partners are working collaboratively to stabilize and secure neighborhoods, especially in areas hard-hit by foreclosures. The Hennepin County funding is geared toward northside neighborhoods, but the additional funding gives Minneapolis the flexibility to address properties in all areas of the city. In an average year, Minneapolis carries out about 50 tear-downs. This summer, City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County staff did field surveys of 250 properties on the City’s Chapter 249 list, which consists of vacant and boarded buildings. Through a careful screening process, they worked to identify 50 additional properties that were the best candidates for demolition. In some cases, vacant and boarded buildings are more than an eyesore; they can decrease the security of a neighborhood and even pose a public safety threat. Many properties also have structural problems that would prohibit them from ever being rehabilitated into quality housing. A maintenance plan has been put in place to guarantee that the vacant lots will be well-maintained once the structures are removed. Each lot will be graded and seeded for grass, and City staff will inspect the properties weekly for the next year to ensure they are well maintained by the owners. Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development has in place a five-point strategy to restore a healthy housing market in north Minneapolis that addresses foreclosures and focuses on prevention of, rehabilitation and removal of boarded and vacant properties. Work also focuses on the promotion of reinvestment in neighborhoods, the retention of residents and ways attract a healthy mix of stable residents. As part of that work, the City has increased funding for the Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Program and coordinates closely with non-profit partners to quickly acquire and rehabilitate foreclosed or boarded and vacant properties to get them back in the hands of stable homeowners when possible.

"Live on the Drive" on August 14

Date: August 14 Time: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Location: Victory Memorial Drive and 34th Ave N url: http://www.clevelandneighborhood.org/live3.html The third and final concert in the “Live on the Drive” concert series  will be held on Thursday, August 14, 6- 8 pm. Save on gas and walk or roll on down to Victory Memorial Drive and 34th Ave No. Bring your own blanket or chair and enjoy the sound of the New Primitives playing a variety of New World music from Ska and Calypso to Rhythm and Blues. This free concert series has been sponsored by the founding partners of North Memorial, Minneapolis Park and Recreation and the Cleveland Neighborhood Association.

National Night Out on Tuesday, August 5

Date: Tuesday, August 5 Time: 6:00 to ??? Location: on your block? The easiest way to get started on a great NNO event is to have a meeting with interested neighbors. If you are new to NNO or would like some new options this year, review the NNO Activity Ideas sheet. There’s still time to put together a NNO block party. IT’S NOT ESSENTIAL TO CLOSE YOUR STREET FOR A SUCCESSFUL NATIONAL NIGHT OUT GATHERINGS Many groups meet in yards, parks, vacant lots, or inside. Register for events for free reminder door hangers, coloring/word search sheets, name tags, Mystery Point Passes for Nickelodeon Universe at MOA, or Minnesota Twins vouchers. Just call 311 or visit www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/nno. If you need to close your street for National Night Out, you can still apply between July 26 and July 31, but there is a $100 fee. Applications for street closure will not be accepted after July 31. Call 311 or visit www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/nno.

Lynnhurst Summer Fest on August 7

Day: Thursday, August 7, 2008 Time: 5:30-8:30 PM Location: Lynnhurst Park - Minnehaha Parkway and West 50th St. Contact: 612-822-7466 Come join the fun!

Kenny Summer Fest on August 9

Day: Saturday, August 9, 2008 Time: 5:00-10:00 PM Location: Kenny Park - 1328 58th St. W. Contact: Kenny MessageLine at 612-392-4477 The Summer Festival is back! Come for friends, food and music. For more information, please see the Kenny Neighborhood Newsletter.

Farmers' Markets continue in five neighborhoods

Contact: Stevens Square: Dave Delvoye at 612-874-2840 Camden: Debbie Nelson, at 612-529-9558 Eastside Farmers' Market: Rod at nefarmersmarket@gmail.com Midtown Farmers' Market: Corcoran Neighborhood Organization at 612-724-7457 or at 612-578-1453 during market hours Kingfield Farmers' Market: Joanna S. Hallstrom at 612-823-5980 x3 Support your neighborhood associations as they sponsor these great weekly summer events! Stevens Square Farmers' Market is held each Wednesday, 4:00-7:00 PM at at the Plymouth Church parking lot at Franklin and Nicollet. For more details, visit Stevens Square Community Organization. A new Camden Farmers' Market in the Victory neighborhood is now being held on Thursdays from 3-7:00 PM in the parking lot of the Warren at 4400 Osseo Road. The Eastside Farmers' Market is held on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 1:00 in the St. Boniface Church parking lot at University and 7th Aves. NE. This Market was initiated by the Eastside Food Co-op, and is now sponsored by the St. Anthony West Neighborhood Organization. The Midtown Farmers' Market is held on Tuesdays from 3:30-7:30 and Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 1:00 at Lake and 22nd. For more details, visit www.midtownfarmersmarket.org. The Kingfield Farmers' Market is held on Sundays from 9:00 AM to 1:30 at Nicollet Ave 43rd St. For more information, including a list of Market vendors and summer events, visit www.kingfield.org.

Camden Farmer's Market open Thursdays from 3-7 p.m.

The Camden Farmers Market is now  open every Thursday 3 - 7pm . in the parking lot of The Warren: An Artist’s Habitat, located at 4400 Osseo Road. Three to five farmers attend each week offering a variety of seasonal produce. Victory Neighborhood Association and The Warren are pleased to be bringing locally produced, fresh, healthy and affordable food to the Camden Community – and Camden residents can walk or ride their  bikes to get it! No gas required!

Volunteers needed for Eco Experience at MN State Fair

Want a free t-shirt and ticket to the Minnesota State Fair?   The Eco Experience, the largest environmental event of its kind, is looking for volunteers during the Minnesota State Fair. Last year more than 350,000 fair-goers walked through The Eco Experience. Volunteers make a huge difference at the exhibit and are the reason why The Eco Experience is a success. They provide valuable information and are an important resource for the thousands who walk through the exhibit doors. There are several volunteer opportunities available at The Eco Experience, if you are interested in volunteering please visit www.ecoexperience.org and click on the volunteer link on the left sidebar. All volunteers will receive an Eco Experience t-shirt and one admission ticket to the Fair.   The Eco Experience is brought to you by the Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.