Tidbits

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 New Music Machine, 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!

Bike Safety Seminar and Free Safety Equipment

SECIA received a Good Neighbor Fund Grant from the SAAG to promote bike safety in Como and the rest of the area surrounding the University of Minnesota Minneapolis campus. There will be a free bike safety seminar at the Como Cookout on September 20^th, at 3 pm. Participants in the SECIA Bike Safety Program will receive free reflective safety gear at the Cookout. Those who agree to participate in an on-going survey about bike safety will receive free solar powered headlights or LED head and tail light kits. Our goal is to increase bike safety to help eliminate a common barrier to increased bike usage. Cycling is better for the environment than driving a car, provides great exercise, is less expensive and now, thanks to SECIA’s Bike Safety Program, biking will be a little bit safer in the community!

7th Annual Tomato Tastin' Experience
All are invited to stop by SE Como’s own tomato event happening during the Como Cookout on Sunday, September 20th!  The Tomato Tastin’ Experience is like a trip around the world;  Druzba from Bulgaria, Black Krim from Russia, Stupice from Czech Republic, Costoluto Genovese from Italy, Kentucky Beefsteak from the United States, Eva’s Purple Ball from Germany, and Money Maker from England are all varieties of tomatoes, some we have seen in past years at the Tomato Tastin’.  Community & home tomato gardeners can bring a pound or two of tomatoes for this event, however this year the contest portion of the Tomato Tastin’ Experience will not run due to the late date of the Cookout.  Past wining varieties can be found at the Como Green Blog.  Tomato bounty!

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 Katie Beddow at 612-626-6843 today!

School District News – Changes on the Horizon

The administration of the Minneapolis School District will be making a final recommendation and presentation on September 1^st, at the regularly scheduled Minneapolis School Board Meeting, to “right-size the school district”. This plan, at least if similar to already released drafts, will include the closing of several schools, including the closing of Longfellow, Emerson, Windom, Folwell and Pratt school sites for the 2010-2011 school year. In addition, Hall IB, Marcy Open and Sheridan would serve as magnet schools for the North and Northeast sections of the city, which would include SE Como, as a portion of Northeast Minneapolis. It is unclear how that change would effect current enrollment at Marcy Open, though discussion of “grandfathering” in the current enrollment choice of students was mentioned (though without the district providing transportation services). These are only some of the major changes discussed by the school administration and the school board. More information can be found on-line at http://www.mpls.k12.mn.us/Changing_School_Options.html.

Survey Tool for TCF Bank Stadium Events

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 at: http://sites.google.com/a/comogreenvillage.info/good-neighbor-fund-research/

The actual survey can be found at: http://sites.google.com/a/comogreenvillage.info/good-neighbor-fund-research/Event-Survey

SECIA's goal is to capture positive and negative information to inform the decisions made by the University of Minnesota in the future.  Please be civil, as any submissions deemed offensive will be deleted by the system administrator.

Neighborhood Meet n’ Greet

The University does a great job welcoming First-Year students to campus, but what about the Upperclassmen in the neighborhoods?  You can help make a difference in just 2 hours! We’re searching for Homeowners, Landlords and Businesses to “Meet & Greet” student renters in the surrounding neighborhoods together with Student Leaders, University Administrators, Staff, and Faculty on September 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th.  Groups will door-knock student rental houses and share information about living in your neighborhood and being a good neighbor.  Email neighbor@umn.edu or contact Kendre Turonie in the Office for Student Affairs at 612-625-8939 by Aug. 24, 2009 to volunteer, or for more information. 

Como Green Village Blog

Learn about what eco things are happening in and around Como by checking out the Como Green Blog at our website http://www.comogreenvillage.info/ where we feature a weekly update. This week’s topic is where to find local farmers’ markets, and last week we had info about the HERC garbage incinerator in downtown. We will work to keep this current with the latest updates. As always, if you would like to be more involved with Como environmental/gardening initiatives in the neighborhood, come to the Environment Committee meeting the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7pm at the SECIA office (next meeting is next Tuesday the 25th) or call the office at 676-1731 to talk with Justin or Steph.

MSHS Free Seminar on Emerald Ash

Because of the heightened threat of Emerald Ash Borer in Minnesota, the Minnesota State Horticultural Society will be holding a free informational seminar on the invasive insect.

Emerald Ash Borer-What You Need to Know
Tuesday, September 22, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Free, but registration is required. Please call 651-643-3601 to hold your spot. Location: Minnesota State Horticultural Society classroom, 1755 Prior Avenue North, Falcon Heights, MN 55113

Emerald ash borer (EAB) is an insect that destroys ash trees – and it has arrived in Minnesota. EAB was found in a St. Paul neighborhood on May 14, 2009. The insect only kills ash trees, but it does so in great numbers. EAB has already killed millions of ash trees in North America. It is expected to have a huge effect on Minnesota's landscape and the 937 million ash trees that grow in our cities and forests.

Early detection and isolation of any current and future emerald ash borer infestations is vital to saving the ash trees in our forestlands and urban areas.
Join us for this free information session by Don Mueller of the Minnesota DNR and get your questions answered. 

A Celebration of Home

Mark your calendar now to join PPL, Cabrini Partnership, and Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity in celebration of the Van Cleve Commons Development Grand Opening. These wonderful new buildings enable over 150 people to have safe, stable, and welcoming places to call home. The event will be held on Thursday, September 10^th, from 4 to 6 pm at 919 12^th Ave SE. For more information, please contact Shalaunda Holmes, PPL Project Manager, at 612 455 5154.

When and How to Use 911

• To report a situation requiring a police officer at the scene.

• To summon an ambulance for medical assistance.

• To report a fire.

• To report a crime in progress.

• When you see suspicious activity. (Examples include alarms, shots fired, the sound of breaking glass, shouts for help, or an unfamiliar person carrying items from a house. Such activity may be a crime or may be leading to a crime.)

TTY users—please press the space bar or any key when you connect to 911. This lets the operator know you are using a TTY.

STAY CALM.

STATE THE PROBLEM—Briefly describe the problem.

STATE THE LOCATION—Give the full address of where the problem is occurring, including apartment number. Knowing the exact addresses of all buildings on your block is important. If you are off your own block, be as specific about location as possible.

ANSWER THE OPERATOR’S QUESTIONS.

STAY ON THE LINE until the 911 operator ends the call. Help can be sent while you talk.

INFORM OPERATOR IF:

• You wish to remain anonymous. (Note that 911 system data listing your address and phone number information will remain part of the call record.)

• You want to speak to the officer in the squad car that responds to your call.

• You need a translator. Translators are available for 150 spoken languages. Tell the 911 operator what language you need.

CALL 911 BACK IF THE SITUATION CHANGES.

• If the problem ends, let the operator know that a response is not needed.

• If the situation changes (becomes worse or improves), let the operator know so the call can be updated as needed.

Pay phones—911 calls from pay phones are free.

When you call 911, the operator may direct you to call 311 depending on the nature of the event.

Report 311 and 911 Calls

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. 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.

National Night Out Thank You

Thanks to everyone in the neighborhood who came out for National Night Out! Thanks also to the UMPD, MPD and MFD for making it out into the neighborhoods to visit us in SE Como. The event was a terrific success. Please contact your Student Neighborhood Liaison about throwing an event for you block after the new school year begins so that we can welcome new student renters to our neighborhood.

Como People of the Past: Bernt Eidsmo

After lumber milling ceased at St. Anthony Falls, there was no need to keep lumber supply yards near the river. In the early 20th century, east Como was home to a number of such yards. They had rail spurs near major railroad lines that brought lumber from Canada, the West Coast, and the South. In the late 1920s Bernt Eidsmo, an immigrant Norwegian carpenter, bought the fuel and lumber yard at 3011 Como Ave. SE that had belonged to the Home Supply Co.

Beginning in 1945, Eidsmo watched as the University of Minnesota used its power of eminent domain to take land to the west and south of his yard as sites for temporary veterans’ housing. The University gave two ex-G.I.s just several days to get their small sign-painting business off land it bought across Como Ave. from Eidsmo; he immediately built them a shack on his own lot for their business.

Then, one Thursday in 1946, two “suits” from the University visited Eidsmo at his lumberyard; they wanted to buy his land and his business. One of the “suits” was Vice President Middlebrook, who realized that Eidsmo had no idea of the post-war value of his fine hardwood lumber. The University began to write up a formal offer to buy Eidsmo’s land, buildings, and all his stock for an amount that Middlebrook knew was far below its market value. Eidsmo would have to go back to his carpentry for a living.

Two days later, that Saturday, there was a tragic accident at the lumberyard. The raised bed of Bernt Eidsmo’s dump truck collapsed on him, killing him.

The University made his widow a low-ball offer to buy the business and the land, but generously agreed to Mrs. Eidsmo’s request that she be allowed to keep her deceased husband’s car and his personal carpentry tools.

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

Community Garden Dates

· Como Corner – 22^nd Ave SE and Como Ave SE

o Aug. 18^th, 6:30 pm

o Sep. 1^st, 6:30 pm

· Gateway Garden – 12^th Ave SE and E. Hennepin Ave

o Aug. 19^th, 6:30 pm

o Sep. 2^nd, 6:30 pm

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. The SECIA Board Meeting on October 6^th will also feature a presentation about Ranked Choice Voting. More information on the presentation will be coming in the weeks to follow.

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.

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!

Educate Your Children About Bus and School Safety

With the start of the new school year, the Minneapolis Police Department is reminding parents/guardians and children about safety.  The following tips are just a few suggestions:

· Have a safe place to wait for your bus, away from traffic and the street.

· Stay away from the bus until it comes to a complete stop and the driver signals you to enter.

· When being dropped off, exit the bus and walk ten giant steps away from the bus. Keep a distance between you and the bus. Also, remember that the driver can see you best when you are away from the bus.

· Use the handrail to enter and exit the bus.

· Stay away from the bus until the driver gives his/her signal that it's okay to approach.

· Be aware of the street traffic around you. Drivers are required to follow certain rules of the road concerning school buses, however, not all do. Protect yourself and watch out!

· Be aware of putting your child's name on anything that is readily visible. This might allow an abductor to get on a "first name" basis with your child and develop a sense of trust.

· Walk the route to and from school with your children, pointing out safe places.

· Talk to your children about strangers approaching them and ploys they might use.  Stress to your child that adults should not need a child's help to find a puppy or get directions.

· Teach your children that it is okay to say NO - tell them to trust their instincts.

· Remind your children never to give the impression they are home alone if strangers telephone or come to the door. 

· Since a growing number of kids are riding their bikes to school, make sure they always wear their helmet. Helmet use can reduce the risk of head injury by up to 85 percent.