Tidbits

National Night Out

The Student Neighborhood Liaisons want to help blocks organize their National Night Out events! They can help with permits, food and supplies, but they need your ideas and suggestions for what you would like to see happen. The liaison program will also help sponsor $50 for SE Como National Night Out block events! Therefore, if you are interested or planning on hosting a National Night Event, they would love to hear from you! Contact the Student Neighborhood Liaisons at neighbor@umn.edu or call Elora Turner at 651-353-8672.

Ranked Choice Voting

This fall, voters will be able to rank their choices for Mayor, City Council, Park and Recreation Board, and Board of Estimate and Taxation. Instead of just marking one candidate on the ballot, voters will be able to rank multiple candidates in order of preference. Much like the current system, voters will vote by filling in an oval on a paper ballot. What is new is that voters can also mark a 2nd and 3rd choice candidate on the same ballot, in the columns just to the right of a voter’s first choice. This new voting process will combine the Primary and General Elections into a single election so you only have to make one trip to the polls – on November 3rd.  For more information, visit www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/elections.

Garage Sales

The Liaisons are hosting the popular SE Como Neighborhood Garage Sales this year, upon residents’ requests! Utilizing the past success of SECIA’s organized garage sales, the Liaisons are continuing the tradition of having SE Como’s Neighborhood Garage Sale the week of the SE Como Cookout. We hope to encourage the neighborhood’s collaboration to recycle his or her used stuff, so that one “neighbor’s sale can be another neighbor’s treasure!”

WHEN: September-Thursday 17th, Friday 18th, Saturday, 19th…and we need participants to sign up! Como Cookout follows Sunday, 20th from 2-5pm.

For 7$ registration, we will provide advertising, signs, & maps! You can drop a check off at SECIA’s office.

WE NEED AT LEAST 20 HOUSES TO HAVE THIS GARAGE SALE, SO PLEASE SIGN-UP! To register, email neighbor@umn.edu or call Elora Turner at 651-353-8672 today!

Como Cookout

The Como Cookout is fast approaching! The 7th Annual Como Cookout will be held on September 20th, from 2 pm until 5 pm, at Van Cleve Park. We are holding the Cookout on a Sunday this year due to conflicts with the opening of the new TCF Bank Gopher Stadium.

There will be live music, free food (hot dogs, corn, sweets etc.), children’s games and a resource fair for all ages. Entertainment includes Click 4 Life, a local high school band, The Lions, a band of local youth from Van Cleve Park, our probable headliner - the Charn Band, and The Heart of the Beast Puppet Theatre.

If you are interested in volunteering at the Cookout, and receiving a free Como Cookout t-shirt, please either call the SECIA office (612 676 1731), or email us (secomo@secomo.org). Past Cookout’s have only been a success due to community involvement, so please sign-up to volunteer today!

Alliance Feasibility Study

The August 11th SECIA board meeting will include a presentation by a University District Partnership Alliance study group on the feasibility of the Cuningham design concepts for 15th Ave SE, facing Van Cleve Park. Como Neighborhood meetings last winter identified the 15th Avenue blocks from Rollins to Como as the site where a ‘transformative’ project could do the most for the neighborhood. The Cuningham firm translated the neighborhood’s descriptions into drawings of cottage-styled town-homes and flats. Since March, an Alliance task force (the ‘pro forma’ committee) has been researching the feasibility of this concept. The committee will make a 30-minute presentation of its work to the board and to neighbors at 7 p.m. on August 11th, at Van Cleve Park. Como representatives on the committee were Katie Fournier and Calder Hibbard. Other members include Ted Tucker, Dick Gilyard, Dick Poppele, Kris Nelson, and city planners Haila Maze and Joe Bernard. Housing consultant Janet Pope assisted with the research.

Looking For Help – Possible Architect Consultations

SECIA has an opportunity to host an open house where local property owners (within the Alliance area, including SE Como) would be able to have free consulting time with an architect or landscape architect. The purpose would be to analyze remodeling or improvement ideas related to your property. This opportunity is modeled on similar sessions hosted in St. Paul. In order to take advantage of this opportunity, we need a couple of community members to volunteer to be an ad hoc planning committee. Time commitment would probably be 2-3 short meetings, some email work and possibly some calling. A planner from the St. Paul sessions is available to help with details. If you think you may be interested, please give SECIA a call 612 676 1731, or email at secomo@secomo.org.

Como Neighbor Involvement

Now is an exciting time to get more involved in your community. There are numerous opportunities in Como to become involved, help direct future projects and participate in working on issues that concern your community. Some options do require a time commitment (such as becoming a SECIA board member), others are regularly scheduled but you can attend as you can (such as attending standing committees), sometimes it may be to work on short term projects (such as planning the Como Cookout), or you could focus on working on your own block by developing a block-club. Occasionally there are also specific workshops that we try to announce in the Comotion or on-line, as part of the Tidbits (our electronic newsletter: to sign-up, email the office). Whether a structured commitment, or occasional participation according to your ability, all community involvement is important. For more information, contact SECIA at 612 676 1731, or secomo@secomo.org.

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. For more information or to order food, call Fare For All at 763/450-3880 or visit their website at www.fareforall.org.

SE Como Neighborhood Cookbook

The Student Neighborhood Liaisons are partnering with SECIA, Van Cleve Park and the neighbors of SE Como to create the first SE Como Neighborhood Cookbook! Based off the idea from a SE Como resident, the Liaisons are helping compile resident’s recipes and stories to design a cookbook that also serves as a resource guide for the neighborhood. With our goal to bring people together and build a strong community in SE Como, we are encouraging the neighborhood to bring back the old “cup of sugar hospitality” by sharing their favorite dish, dessert, beverage or appetizer recipes! We are having a “calendar/season” themed cookbook so if you can help label your dish with a certain season that would be helpful!

We also encourage residents to send in a short story about their history in SE Como, a picture of them in the neighborhood, or a contribution they think will be valuable to include and richen the neighborhood’s first cookbook.

The deadline is rolling but we strongly encourage residents to send their recipes as soon as they can so the cookbook team can have time to design the book. We will be collecting cookbook recipes at National Night Out events too! If you wish to be included in the design process we encourage your participation! Our goal is to have a template design of the Cookbook available at the Como Cookout!

Together we can cook up a recipe for building positive relationships and a vibrant neighborhood!

Please submit your recipe/story via email at: neighbor@umn.edu with “Recipe” in the subject line or drop off at SECIA’s office. Call Elora Turner with questions or ideas at 651-353-8673.

Van Cleve Updates

REC Plus+ Registration

Working parents searching for an affordable, quality, school-age child-care program need look no further! The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board offers Recreation Plus+ for children in grades kindergarten through 6th grade at Van Cleve Park.

Rec Plus+ focuses on three goals:

1. Provides parents with affordable, recreation based, school age child-care in local park centers.

2. Enables children to experience positive benefits of a balanced recreation program.

3. Provides a safe environment for children that promotes healthy physical and social development.

$141.00 per week, with part time also available. Call Van Cleve at 612-370-4926 to register.

Fall Sports Registration

Register now for Fall sports at Van Cleve Park. Football, Soccer and Volleyball are all available! Go to www.minneapolsiparks.org for age groups and information, or call 612 370 4926 for more information.

Como People of the Past: Blanche LaDu

Women received the right to vote in 1920. They then became eligible to run for elective office and to be appointed to local, state and national bureaucratic positions.

In 1921, Blanche LaDu became the first woman to be appointed to the Minnesota Board of Control. The Board oversaw all matters relating to state prisons, reformatories, parole and probation, and charitable institutions like state asylums and hospitals, orphanages, and other public welfare programs, particularly during the Depression when federal funding expanded their reach. Blanche LaDu in the 1920s was also a member of the Minnesota Commission on Indian Affairs (she had worked with the Ojibwe).

By the time Public Welfare functions were split off from prisons in the late 1930s, she was the Chairman of the Minnesota Board of [Prison] Control. “A pioneer in the corrections profession,” Blanche LaDu in the 1930s rose to be the first female President of the American Prison Association (now the American Correctional Association). She established an annual prize for the U. S. correctional institution with greatest growth in dual membership (state and national), called the Blanche LaDu Award. It is still given today.

From 1922 to 1946, the years of her ascendancy to national prominence among prison professionals, Blanche LaDu owned and lived in the home at 1075 14th Ave. SE. She retired in 1946, sold her home, and moved to California where she died at the age of 94 in 1974.

Railroad History Walking Tour -- A Rapids, Reins and Rails Event

Saturday, August 1, 11 am - Beginning with the arrival of Minnesota’s first rail line in 1862, Minneapolis boomed in population, flour milling, lumber production and warehousing as a rail network extended throughout the Upper Midwest. Discover the impact of railroads on the Mill City with a guided tour of railroad landmarks such as the Stone Arch Bridge, Milwaukee Road Depot and the Minneapolis Eastern Railway engine house and trestle. Find clues to the vanishing railroad landscape and learn about the new rail era that is arriving with the Hiawatha light rail and the North Star commuter rail. The tour will begin and end at Mill City Museum, where participants can visit the museum’s gallery, included in the price of the tour. This tour is made possible in part with support from the Chute Family Fund. Fee: $12 adults, $10 seniors and college students, $8 children 6-17 and MHS members. Reservations required; call 612-341-7555. For information: 612-341-7555; www.millcitymuseum.org

2^nd Precinct Update

Upcoming activities:

· Meet the Inspector:  July 28th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  The 2nd Precinct Police Station wants you to meet Inspector Bryan Schafer, the new commander of the 2nd Precinct.  The Reception will be at the 2nd Precinct Police Station, 1911 Central Ave NE.

· Block Club Training -- Learn to build a safer community by knowing neighbors and working together. Block Club Training will be Thursday, July 30th at 6:00 p.m. at the 2nd Precinct, 1911 Central Ave NE. Please RSVP to your Crime Prevention Specialist, Carol Oosterhuis (673-2874) or Nick Juarez (673-2797)

· National Night Out -- Preparations are underway for NNO 2009. This year it will be held on Tuesday, August 4th.

· Deadline for Citizens Academy is August 1st. The 10-week program for community members to learn about the police department is being offered on Wednesday evenings in south Minneapolis, starting in September. For more information visit http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/police/about/citizens-academy.asp or contact Carol at 673-2874.

Vandalism Forum

The Liaisons hosted a Vandalism Forum last Wednesday, July 22nd where we discussed the results from our vandalism surveys from the blocks south of Como. The residents and Liaisons present discussed community solutions for this issue and came up with the following:

1. 311/911 Report Initiative for SECIA’s webpage. (This new initiative encourages residents to email or call SECIA after reporting 311 or 911 in order to have better documentation of problematic areas and also to note the frequency of calls. SECIA will record what block called, for what issue or problem, and the response (or lack thereof) from the city. This information will be very helpful to hold the city and police accountable for better action and help create a support system for residents to see the impact of their calls. This 311/911 Report Initiative will be up and running next month in order to increase the safety and livability of SE Como).
2. Safety walks by residents, Liaisons and UMPD (every Thursday starting at 6 at Joes Market)
3. Increased neighborhood participation with Block Clubs; Neighborhood Night Out in August
4. Creative neighborhood block parties to call 311 on vandalism; (like the Rocky-Road Ice Cream Party that will be hosted on 14th Ave after National Night Out at 9ish to write letters and call to report the critical pothole problem - Ice Cream will be provided by Liaisons)

These results and other suggested solutions will be posted on SECIA’s website. For additional suggestions, concerns or questions please call Elora Turner at 651-353-8672 or email her at turne311@umn.edu.

Vandalism Forum-Continued

Due to the frequent activity of vandalism in SE Como, the Student Neighborhood Liaisons will be continuing to facilitate a vandalism survey for residents to document their reports and concerns. Based on the request from a resident near the Fairmont Street area, this survey hopes to identify the most repeated offenses of vandalism and identify possible solutions (like motion detector lights, safety walks, etc). The focus will also be on reporting 311/911. We will now focus on the north part of SE Como from Como up to Hennepin.

SECIA has posted a copy of the Vandalism survey on their website. We encourage residents to fill it out and send it to the Liaisons at neighbor@umn.edu or drop it off at SECIA. Call Elora Turner at 651-353-8672 if you have any questions.

Safety Walks Continue

The SECIA Safety Walks have been on-going throughout the summer and will continue this autumn. Local residents, Neighborhood Liaisons and officers from the 2nd Precinct walk the streets together on Thursday nights. Everyone is encouraged to attend for the exercise, community building and current safety information. The Walks begin at Joe’s Market, 6 pm, and usually run for at least an hour. This is excellent chance to reconnect with your neighbors and learn about the neighborhood!

Eat Local, America!
The 11 Twin Cities natural food co-ops, along with dozens of food co-ops nationwide, challenge area residents to put their money where their mouths - and producers – are, and help stimulate local economic growth by taking the Eat Local, America! challenge Aug. 1 - 31.

Those wishing to join simply sign a large poster at any of the participating Twin Cities and area co-ops, or register online at www.eatlocalamerica.coop to show their commitment to eat local food. Seasoned locavores are encouraged to commit to eating four out of five meals with local food - roughly 80 percent of their diets. Those who are just starting out – the local newbies - are urged to begin by eating five meals a week made with local foods.

The first Minnesota co-op sponsored Eat Local Challenge took place in 2006 at Just Food Co-op in Northfield, MN. The following year, all Twin Cities area co-ops embraced this "locally grown" initiative, and in 2008 the campaign expanded nationally and became "Eat Local, America!."

The Challenge maintains strong roots among Twin Cities and surrounding communities, with hundreds of people annually committing to showing their support for local farmers and producers for an entire month.

"There are many benefits to eating local food," said Kim Kusnier, marketing programs specialist for National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA) – a business services cooperative, to which the Twin Cities food co-ops and 100 other food co-ops nationwide - belong. "It's good for the economy, because money from each transaction stays in the region. And it connects residents to the people who grow or produce their food, while helping to support family farms."

"Plus, local food is more nutritious and simply tastes better, because it's often harvested or processed the same day it arrives at the co-op," she said.

For years, Twin Cities and surrounding area co-ops have cultivated reciprocal, long-term relationships with local growers and producers. This allows the co-ops to offer shoppers a convenient connection to fresh and delicious food of the highest quality.

To learn more about the Twin Cities-area Eat Local, America! challenge, visit www.eatlocalamerica.coop or www.twincitiesfood.coop.

About Twin Cities Natural Food Co-ops
The Twin Cities are nationally recognized for their progressive and strong natural food cooperative system. In the metropolitan and surrounding area, there are 11 independently owned natural food cooperatives: Eastside Food Co-op (Northeast Minneapolis), Just Food Co-op (Northfield), Lakewinds Natural Foods (Anoka, Chanhassen and Minnetonka), Linden Hills Co-op (Southwest Minneapolis), Mississippi Market (two St. Paul locations), City Center Market (Cambridge), River Market Community Co-op (Stillwater), Seward Co-op Grocery & Deli (South Minneapolis), St. Peter Food Co-op (St. Peter), Valley Natural Foods (Burnsville) and The Wedge (Uptown Minneapolis). For more than 30 years, Twin Cities natural food co-ops have proudly offered local and organically grown foods and products. For more information and a list of local food co-ops, visit www.twincitiesfood.coop.

Parade of Community Gardens

Saturday, August 22nd is the Parade of Community Gardens — an opportunity to get out and enjoy your own neighborhood garden, the Accord. Visit all your neighborhood gardens, or head out via car or bike to see community efforts all over the Twin Cities. We will be in the Accord from 10 am to 2 pm, with the annual birthday celebration for one of our neighborhood elders whose birthday coincides with the Parade, so join us for cake, lemonade and live music. For other participating gardens, see www.gardeningmatters.org

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. Last week we talked about Block Club events and National Night Out! We encouraged neighbors to attend these coffee hours to share their concerns, ideas and meet with the Liaisons. All SE Como residents welcome!

This week’s topic: National Night Out Planning

Free Falun Dafa Yoga at Van Cleve

Come experience Falun Dafa. SE Como resident, Akiko Tsutsui, will be teaching this type of Qi Gung yoga, which is a high-level cultivation practice, guided by the characteristics of the universe-Truthfulness, Benevolence, and Forbearance at Van Cleve Park every Monday from 6:30-7:30 in the multi-purpose room.