No Business Committee Meeting for December

There is no Business Committee meeting for December 28th at Johnny A's at 200 West Broadway at 8:30 AM this month, however, the next meeting will be in January. Please adjust your calendars accordingly. Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you there!

December Hawthorne Huddle A Success

The December Hawthorne Huddle was a warm and wonderful success and an excellent way for community members, non-profit organizations, schools and the city to begin closing the year. Over fifty people from across the Hawthorne Neighborhood and North Minneapolis were in attendance and enjoyed a warm, nutritious hot breakfast and heard reports about the positive progress we've achieved in the last 12 months.

This month's Hawthorne Huddle begin with a wonderful welcome by Ellen Luger, Executive Director of the General Mills Foundation, one of the major supporters and organizers of the monthly Hawthorne Huddle.

Among the highlights of Inspector Mike Martin's Safety Update is that crime in North Minneapolis IS going down, particularly in those areas Hawthorne residents have been concerned the most with, including robberies and violent crimes.

City Council Member Diane Hofstede presented an abbreviated version of the 2007 Third Ward report. Among the highlights was addressing over 155 problem properties in the CARE/Problem Properties Committee, and the closing of Wafana's/4 U Foods (2326 Lyndale Avenue No.) after 900 police calls in one year and the expense of over $500,000 of city resources.

The introduction of a new Third Ward Newsletter was announced, and praise for the EcoVillage project to create environmentally friendly, economically and ecologically sound housing in the Hawthorne neighborhood, and news of the pending Dangerous Animal Ordinance and the future steps of the West Broadway Alive! effort to revitalize North Minneapolis.

Wi-Fi will be coming to Minneapolis soon, and will serve as a national model for other cities implementing wireless services to give all residents access to key technology to improve their lives. A new YWCA and fitness complex will be coming to 800 West Broadway & Aldrich thanks to a $50 Million dollar investment.

The vision for the future includes many ideas including the active solicitation of new businesses and expansion of existing businesses that provide living wage jobs, and to agressively deal with foreclosures, problem properties and youth violence.

City Council Member Diane Hofstede closed her presentation with a powerful quote from Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

Sherman Patterson, the Public Safety Policy Aide from the City of Minneapolis Mayor's Office also provided encouraging news and praise for the efforts of everyone who has contributed to the success of the Hawthorne neighborhood.

City Council Member Don Samuels gave a rousing speech on the need to send our officials a message and to stay involved in community work, and the importance of working for change.

Mark Stenglein, the Hennepin County Commissioner also spoke at length about significant new developments emerging that will benefit North Minneapolis, including the new investment in the merger between the Hennepin County Library and the Minneapolis Public Library that will bring bigger benefits for everyone and keep our libraries open while creating one of the biggest library systems in the nation.

The next Hawthorne Huddle will not be in the first Thursday of the month but temporarily shifted to the second Thursday of January 10th, 2008, once again at Farview Park at 7:30 AM. We look forward to seeing you there as we discuss even more exciting plans for the future.

The Hawthorne Huddle meets monthly and is open to all members of the public who are interested in working together to build a stronger community.

Baskets Of Hope For December

The Emergency Foodshelf Network (EFN) is pleased to announce the 3rd annual Baskets of Hope distribution FOR DECEMBER!

Baskets of Hope provides holiday food packages at no cost to families in need. Each basket is filled with traditional holiday foods such as ham, fruits, bread, vegetables, fresh potatoes, gravy and a frozen fruit pie that serves 6-8 people.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION
• Participants can register online at our website: www.emergencyfoodshelf.org. Registration is online only. Participants may visit their local library, community center or foodshelf to access the website.

• Registration will not be taken by phone or in person. For more information regarding registration, call our automated line at 763-450-3892. Information and registration is available in English and Spanish.

• Participants can register only once for the program. Registrations are processed through a duplicate screening system. Attempts to register for multiple packages will not be honored.

• Registration begins for the December distribution on December 3rd. Registration is first come, first serve as the number of baskets are limited.

PICK-UP INFORMATION
• Participants will chose a date and time to pick-up their package during the registration process. Baskets will be distributed at: The Emergency Foodshelf Network 8501 54th Avenue North New Hope, MN 55428

• Pick-up dates are: Friday, December 14, 10:00am-6:00pm and Saturday, Decemberr 15, 10:00am-6:00pm Participants must come during their scheduled pick-up time. Once scheduled, the pick-up time and date cannot be changed.

• Participants must present a valid photo ID along with a utility bill dated within the past 30 days at the time of pick-up.

• EFN reserves the right to refuse service to participants that display disorderly conduct or are under the influence.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE DECEMBER BASKETS OF HOPE NOW

Mortgage Questions Answered In Free Workshops 12/11, 12/13

***This is free and open to anyone who may have the need.***

The McKinley Community and Emerging Markets Mortgage Initiative
(EMMI) Group are partnering to help any resident of McKinley and all
of North Minneapolis with questions about mortgages at a free
Mortgage Drop-in Center. EMMI is a non-profit company that can
answer all of those questions like:
• I want to buy a home but where do I start?
• I am three months behind on my mortgage payment, what can I do to
stop foreclosure?!
• I have an ARM loan that is ready to adjust, can I get help?

EMMI will be at the Center for Families (3333 North 4th Street) on
December 11th and 13th from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. both days to talk
to anyone who stops by with a mortgage related question.

All information discussed is private and help will only be provided to
those who ask. Call 612.668.2286 for more information, or RSVP.

If you want to discuss your current mortgage you should bring your
mortgage documents.

Hawthorne Huddle This Week!

Please join us at the Hawthorne Huddle on Thursday, December 6th, when we will celebrate the achievements of 2007 and challenge ourselves with 2008 goals. Please come to share your thoughts on the accomplishments we should celebrate, as well as your ideas on what we should work on in the new year!

The Hawthorne Huddle will be held from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. in the Multipurpose Room at Farview Park, located at 621 29th Avenue North. In keeping with the celebratory spirit, we will be enjoying a delicious hot breakfast at this special Huddle. We hope you can attend to help celebrate the work that continues to make a difference in the lives of residents of the North Side.
A G E N D A

 WELCOME Ellen Luger
 SAFETY UPDATE Inspector Mike Martin, MPD 4th Precinct

MAIN PROGRAM TOPICS: ANNUAL HAWTHORNE HUDDLE CELEBRATION;
2007 ACHIEVEMENTS AND GOALS FOR OUR WORK IN 2008

Panelists:
 Diane Hofstede, Minneapolis City Council Member
 Sherman Patterson, Public Safety Policy Aide, Office of the Mayor, City of Minneapolis
 Don Samuels, Minneapolis City Council Member
 Mark Stenglein, Hennepin County Commissioner
 CELEBRATION ITEMS
 IDEAS FOR NEXT YEAR’S HUDDLE WORK