Tidbits

SECIA Annual Meeting

SECIA will be holding its Annual Meeting on November 4th, the first Wednesday in November. The meeting will begin at 7 pm at Van Cleve Park, with a half hour social beginning at 6:30 pm. Items on this year’s agenda include the annual SECIA Board elections (contact the SECIA office if you’re interested in running for a seat on the Board of Directors), presentations on the Como Green Village and the SECIA Stadium Research Project, and a State of SECIA address. There will also be a community vote to allocate funds to ensure that the SECIA office remains open into the summer of 2011. Without this allocation of returned program funds, the SECIA office will close next summer. The SECIA Annual Meeting, as well as all SECIA committee and board meetings, is open to the public. Any person who owns property or lives in Como is eligible to vote and/or hold office with SECIA. To prove voting eligibility, we ask that you either bring a photo ID with your current Como address, a utility bill with your name and current Como address, or have someone else with established Como residency vouch for you at registration. If you have any questions about the Annual Meeting, the SECIA election process or voting eligibility, or about the proposed allocation of returned program funds, please contact James at the SECIA office (612 676 1731 or secomo@secomo.org).

Architecture Consults

On Saturday, November 7, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, SECIA will present Architect Day for Alliance residents at Van Cleve Park. Based on a program presented by Bob Roscoe in St. Paul, there will be landscape and AIA architects available, by appointment, to discuss remodeling and landscaping ideas for upgrading homesteaded property. This is a great opportunity to bounce your ideas off the experts and take home rough drafts of your future dreams. You’ll need to bring scaled drawings (1/4” to 1’ preferred) and any relevant photos or other information to the event. This is a free event. You can reserve a space by contacting James at the SECIA office, or going on-line at http://secomo.org/drupal/index.php?q=alliance-architect-day. Appointments will close once all the slots are filled. Check the SECIA website for more information in the coming weeks.

Ward 1 Candidate Forum

Come and learn more about the candidates for the Ward 1 City Council seat. The forum will be held on Tuesday, October 27^th, from 6:30 pm to 8 pm, at the Northeast Community Library, 2200 Central Ave NE. This forum is sponsored by League of Women Voters, Minneapolis.

Voting Update

Citywide elections will be held on November 3^rd. The Tuttle School building, now that it is closed, will no longer be the voting location for those Comoites living in the 1st Ward (north of Hennepin Ave, or north of Como Ave and east of 18th Ave SE).

Instead, your voting location is now the ELECTIONS WAREHOUSE, 724 HARDING ST NE RM B, MINNEAPOLIS MN 55413.

If you would like to double check your voting location, you can search on-line at www.pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us/

For those living in Como in the 2nd Ward, you will still vote at Van Cleve Park, 901 15th Ave SE.

Before you can vote, you must be registered. In Minnesota, you may register before Election Day, or on Election Day at your polling place. Your registration remains current until you move, change your name, or do not vote for four consecutive years. You may update your registration information by completing another Voter Registration Application. If you register the same day as the election, you must bring a photo ID and a utility bill showing your current address (a rent statement or current student fee statement also works). You may also register with any one of these: a valid MN driver’s license with your current address, a tribal ID card, a valid registration in the same precinct but under a different address, or a voter in the same precinct that will confirm your residency with a signed oath.

SECIA Finalist for Wedgeshare Grant

Wedge membership voting on SECIA's Grow Box proposal began October 1^st. SECIA is on the list of well-known, small, eco & local foods orgs and the competition for the grants will be fierce.  The goal of the Southeast Como Grow Box Pilot Project is to provide the residents of the Como neighborhood the means to produce a portion of their own food, targeting those with limited green space and/or those renting. The "Grow Box" is a portable, reusable, affordable, self-contained means of growing vegetables that will include the actual box, plants, growing medium, instructions and technical support. It is ideal for locations where space is at a premium and where the opportunity for a long-term garden is not feasible. These conditions are prevalent in the Southeast Como neighborhood (by the U of M), especially for rental properties. Access to fresh, organic, locally grown produce is limited in this geographic area, and the Southeast Como Grow Box Project intends to provide an option for those seeking a healthy food choice, a decreased carbon footprint for their food supply, and increased food security. Here is the full list of other the other finalists http://www.wedge.coop/newsletter/article/995.html.  If you are a Wedge member, or know a Wedge member, we would certainly appreciate your support for the SECIA Grow Box proposal!

Gopher Stadium Reporting Tool

SECIA has developed a survey tool to collect data on the impact that the new TCF Bank Gopher Football Stadium will have on the community. We all know there will be impacts, and by collecting how the stadium and its attendees affect the community, we can better address those issues. So if you witness something negative, or positive, about event-day activities related to the new stadium, please take a few moments and visit the Good Neighbor Fund Research website located under Stadium Research at www.secomo.org.

The actual survey can also be found on the left-side menu at: www.tinyurl.com/Stadium-Survey

SECIA’s goal is to capture positive and negative information to inform the decisions made by the University of Minnesota, and the City of Minneapolis, in the future. Please be civil, as any submissions deemed offensive will be deleted by the system administrator. If you do not have internet access, please call the SECIA office to lodge your report.

311 and 911 Reporting Tool

The Student Neighborhood Liaisons, in conjunction with SECIA, are asking residents to report their calls (emails) to 311 and 911 through a new survey tool located on the SECIA website under the Housing and Livability section. This information will allow the Liaisons to collect data on emerging trends in the neighborhood, enabling them to respond to the needs of their blocks. SECIA has also used this data to work with the 2nd Precinct and Council-member Gordon’s office to address specific problems in the community, such as house parties. Your feedback has encouraged the City to concentrate more attention to 15th Ave SE, especially during U of M Gopher football games. This doesn’t mean that the issues on 15th have been resolved, but the City is more actively addressing the issues of safety, loud parties and parking because residents have taken the time to report their issues. We need you to continue to call the authorities. So the next time you interact with 311 or 911, let SECIA know, and we’ll follow-up to make sure you’re being heard.

Free Self Defense Safety Workshop

Thursday, October 29, 2009, Pratt School 66 Malcolm Ave. SE

Learn how to decrease your chances of being a victim of crime along with personal safety techniques at this workshop. The 2^nd Precinct’s black belt instructor is Mary Brandl, a self-defense expert. The program will start at 6:30 p.m. and last approximately two hours. To reserve a place in either of the classes, call Carol at 612-673-2874.

Help Prevent Auto Theft

Auto Theft:  During the week of September 22 through September 28th, there were 18 auto thefts.  Auto theft is defined as the theft or attempted theft of automobiles, trucks, buses, motorcycles, motor scooters, and snowmobiles. Some stats about auto theft:

· Auto theft occurs once every 27.1 seconds in the United States.

· One of every five vehicles stolen has the keys in it.

· A higher percentage of automobiles are stolen over the weekend.

· The longer the automobile is in the hands of the thief, the lower the chance of recovery.

Please help reduce the opportunity for auto theft by:

· Never leave your car running or the keys in the ignition when you’re away from it, even for a minute

· Always roll up the windows and lock the car, even if it’s in front of your home.

· Never leave valuables in plain view, even if your car is locked.  Put them in the trunk or at least out of sight.  Buy radios and tape and CD players that can be removed and locked in the trunk.

· Park in busy, well-lit areas.

· Investigate security systems.

Addition tips on preventing Auto Theft are available at: www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/police/crime-prevention/docs/PrevAutoTheft.pdf

Winter Sports Registration Begins at Van Cleve on Monday November 2nd- 6pm

Basketball (Open)
Level:	Ages:	Cost:
□ 11U - Open	9/1/98 – 9/1/00 OR in 5^th grade born 6/1 – 8/31/98	$30.00
□ 12U - Open	9/1/97 – 9/1/98 OR in 6^th grade born 6/1 – 8/31/97	$30.00
□ 13U - Open	9/1/96 – 9/1/97 OR in 7^th grade born 6/1- 8/31/96	$30.00
□ 14U - Open	91/95 – 9/1/96 OR in  8^th grade born 6/1- 8/31/95	$30.00
Basketball (Girls)	Ages:	Cost:
□ 11U- Girls	9/1/98 – 9/1/00 OR in 5^th grade born 6/1 – 8/31/98	$30.00
□ 13U- Girls	9/1/96 to 9/1/98 OR in 7^th grade born 6/1- 8/31/96	$30.00

Meeting for Southeast Park Users

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board will host a community meeting to discuss programs and services for residents who visit parks in the University Southeast area. The meeting will be held Tuesday, October 27^th at 6:30 pm at Van Cleve Park (901 15^th Ave SE). For more information, contact Emily Ero-Phillips at 612 230 6468 or eero-phillips@minneapolisparks.org

Family Halloween Party

All the ghosts and goblins, and their parents, are welcome to join the Van Cleve Park staff for this festive, safe, Halloween Party, before you go trick or treating. Enjoy carnival games, refreshments, and candy. The party runs from 3 to 5 pm at the Van Cleve Park Community Center (901 15th Ave SE). Contact the Park staff for more information at 612 370 4926. This event is free and open to all.

Coffee Hours for Student Neighborhood Liaisons Sunday at 3pm

Have Coffee on Us! The Student Neighborhood Liaisons will be hosting the Coffee Hour for SE Como residents every Sunday at 3pm at Muddsuckers Coffee (1500 Como Ave. SE) to discuss various topics regarding the neighborhood. We encouraged neighbors to attend these coffee hours to share their concerns, ideas and meet with the Liaisons. All SE Como residents welcome!

Fare for All

Fare For All is a program to help stretch your food dollar. Each month you can order from a variety of 5 packages of food, pay for it and pick it up the following month. Packages contain a variety of healthy, fresh, quality food items, including fruits, vegetables, frozen meats and staple items. It is open to all - there are no income-based requirements. Pick up your food and order the next month’s food every third Saturday from 9:00-10:00 AM at Southeast Christian Church. The schedule for November and December will be November 14 and December 12. For more information or to order food, call Fare For All at 763/450-3880 or visit their website at www.fareforall.org.

The City of Minneapolis and Live MSP Invite You to the: 

South Minneapolis Housing Resource Fair

Tuesday, October 20, 5:00 - 7:30PM

Park Avenue United Methodist Church, 3400 Park Ave South
                         and
North Minneapolis Housing Resource Fair

Wednesday, October 21, 5:00 - 7:30PM

Minneapolis Urban League, 2100 Plymouth Ave North

Each event will have information for potential homebuyers and current homeowners.  If you are looking to purchase a home, you can learn more about down-payment assistance programs, the federal tax credit, and other programs and opportunities.  If you are a current homeowner, learn more about low interest renovation loans, energy efficiency programs, and loan modification and refinancing options to lower your monthly payment. Meet one-on-one with lenders, real estate agents, and housing and financial educators. The open house events are free and refreshments will be provided.  These events are sponsored by Freddie Mac and US Bank

Mom and Dad Want to Stay Home

Thousands of Minnesota Seniors are successfully aging at home with private-pay home care services. Your loved ones can too. Private-Pay Home Care is the fastest growing segment of Home Care in America. Find out how Minnesota families are accessing and benefiting from home care services. Understand how your personal resources can be utilized in coordination with long-term care insurance and Medicare benefits to make living at home possible as the effects of aging take place. Understand what home care options are available before a crisis and learn how to choose the right provider for your family. Hear from local experts about home care services that are available and understand the cost effective alternatives to placing your loved one in an assisted living or nursing home. Keep your loved one at home, where they want to be.

Saturday, November 14th, 2009 | 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Radisson Hotel: 2540 N. Cleveland Ave. Roseville, MN 55113 Phone: (651) 636-4567

October SECIA Calendar

17 Accord Comm. Garden 10am

15th Ave SE & Como Ave SE.

20 Housing & Livability Committee 7pm

Van Cleve Park, 901 15th Ave SE

25 Gateway Garden 1:30pm

12th Ave and E. Hennepin Ave.

27 Environment Committee 7pm

SECIA Office, 837 15th Ave SE

27 Safety Committee 7pm

Van Cleve Park, 901 15th Ave SE