Monday, July 28, 2008

Hawthorne Community Standards

It's been a while since we've talked about the Hawthorne Community Standards that emerged from the late 1990s, but many of the points remain valid and interesting today. From the revised standards (June, 1999):

The Hawthorne Community is working together to build a strong, pleasant and livable community. We as a community in partnership with a variety of stakeholders, have worked hard to develop standards for our community.

Based on information we have gathered from our community, the month Hawthorne Huddle has identified several short-term and long-term steps for improving our community. Our immediate priority is to address those problems that are disrubtive to our community life for the entire commmunity. We invite you to work with us in this endeavor.

Please help us in taking a stand against the following behaviors in our community and in supporting strong implementation of each positive standard.

-Excess noise in our neighborhood. This includes loud car stereos, horn honking and loud parties. We believe that everyone in our neighborhood has the right to peace and quiet, and these activities adversely affect the livability of our neighborhood.

-Litter and garbage around homes and in the streets. This neighborhood is YOUR neighborhood, also. We all have a right to a well-kept neighborhood. Each of us needs to do our part to make it a place we can be proud of.

-Disrespect for people and property. This includes harassing people, yelling obscenities, stealing, writing graffiti and picking fights. We believe all people should be treated with respect, and getting along with people is one of the most important actions we can take to build a stronger community.

-Violence, drugs and crime. Specifically, dealing and using drugs, and carrying and using a weapon. We believe in a violence-free community. We all have a responsibility to be law-abiding citizens and to set an example for one another.

Thank you!
The Hawthorne Huddle, including community residents and participants from Hawthorne Block Clubs, Hawthorne Neighborhood Council, Hawthorne Churches and Clergy, Hennepin County Social Services, Hennepy County Probation Office, Minneapolis Public Schools, Minneapolis Police Department, Community Crime Prevention/SAFE, Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Department, and other community organizations.

Monday, July 21, 2008

This Week At Hawthorne

The July Hawthorne Business Committee meeting is July 25th at US Bank, 1030 W. Broadway at 8:30 AM. Doughnuts and coffee provided! Already we are planning on discussing:

Facade Improvement. If you've been thinking of improving and updating your storefront, we have free funds for you! Learn how to make the changes you've wanted to your exterior through a matching grant of up to $10,000 for $20,000 of facade improvements.

Hawthorne Marketing Program: Hear the latest updates on our marketing efforts to energize Hawthorne businesses! We have world-class businesses as well as many new start-ups in Hawthorne. This is a chance to learn what we're doing to help you succeed.

Northside Chess Match: Find out about the great Northside Live Chess Match
( http://northsidechess.blogspot.com ) that is part of our strategy to connect residents to businesses and the city.

Also: The Northside Chess Match is this Saturday! Stop by the Vogel Sculpture Garden on the corner of 2nd St. N and W. Broadway (across from Johnny A's) and see our fun and exciting festival for all members of the community!

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Hawthorne At Third Ward CARE



On July 16th at the monthly 3rd Ward Care Meeting was convened by Minneapolis City Councilperson Diane Hofstede (diane.hofstede@ci.minnapolis.mn.us).

Jeff Skrenes, Housing Director of the Hawthorne Neighborhood Council presented a ten minute report on the progress made in the EcoVillage project and discussed current directions and challenges our neighborhood faced.

There is much to be excited for but the Council recognizes the continued need for community input and support, which has clearly made a pivotal decision in recent discussions of public policy and process.

Your presence and input at 3rd Ward CARE meetings is effective! Join us next month on August 20th, 2008 at Eastside Neighborhood Services at 1700 2nd St. NE Room 103e in Minneapolis MN (612) 781-6011 and let your voice be heard.

Welcome Laban Ohito, our new executive director!

Please join the Hawthorne Neighborhood Council in welcoming our new Executive Director, Mr. Laban Ohito!

Mr. Ohito has over 12 years experience in development, leadership and fundraising.
Laban also has a Masters degree in Public and Nonprofit Management and is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.He has been the Director of Development with the Fort Snelling Tennis and Learning Center and Director of Development with St. Paul/Ramsey County Children's Initiative, among others, including KFAI.

Mr. Ohito has been very impressed with the direction and growth of the neighborhood and wants to work with everyone to continue that tradition and help Hawthorne grow in exciting and positive ways.

Please join our staff and board in welcoming Laban Ohito. Stop in and introduce yourself and answer questions he may have about the organization and our neighborhood.

You can e-mail him at lohito@hawthornecommunity.org or (612) 529-6033 x 202.

Photostudy: Flowers in Hawthorne

Here are some great examples of flowers growing in the Hawthorne Neighborhood this year!



Thanks to everyone who works so hard to make Hawthorne a vibrant and environmentally friendly neighborhood that everyone can enjoy!

Monday, July 14, 2008

Crime Prevention and Family Safety Committee Meeting, Monday, July 10th

Crime Prevention and Family Safety Agenda
Monday, July 10th, 2008
7:00–8:45 p.m.
Farview Park – 29th and Lyndale

Introductions

Approval of Minutes

4th Precinct Updates

Problem Addresses

Old Business:
Northside Chess tournament, July 26th
National Night Out, August 5th
Popsicle Social, August 21st
Annual Meeting, September 26th

New Business:
Police Buy-Back Program Contract Extenstion to 2010.

Adjourn

Friday, July 11, 2008

All About Family BBQ: July 12th

This Saturday, July 12th, at Farview Park (29th and Lyndale Ave. N) from 2-5 PM,is the 3rd Annual BBQ Off organized by All About Family.

It's free to watch, with hot dogs and orange drink for families interested in watching. There is a $25 fee for teams of 2-10 if you would like to compete. It is an exciting family-friendly event. To learn more information about this activity you can contact:

Brian Kelley, Director of All About Family at kelley01@visi.com or visit http://www.allaboutfam.org

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, July 10, 2008

July Hawthorne Huddle: Youth Mentoring






With a packed house led by Donna Svendsen of General Mills Community Action, the July Hawthorne Huddle was filled with diverse voices to discuss many issues, particularly focusing on the importance of youth mentoring.

Among our expert panelists this time were Joellen Gonder-Spacek, Executive Director of Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, Penny Kallas, the director of Community Partnerships for Kinship of Greater Minneapolis, Lori Strong, the executive director and co-founder of Parents With Purpose, Franklin Rich, the Community Outreach Coordinator with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Twin Cities, and Becky Palarzyk and Keisha Blackman from the program department of Bolder Options.

You can visit them online at:
http://www.mentoringworks.org/
http://www.parentingwithpurpose.org/
http://www.bigstwincities.org/
http://www.kinship.org/
http://www.bolderoptions.org/

It was also a great opportunity to meet the Hawthorne staff and board members including Treasurer Jim Wentzell, Communications Director Bryan Thao Worra, Housing Director Jeff Skrenes, and the new Hawthorne Neighborhood Council Executive Director, Laban Ohito.

The next Hawthorne Huddle is scheduled for Thursday, August 7th at Farview Park. We hope to see you there!