Photos from President Carter's Visit to Hawthorne

Post and photos by Jeff Skrenes, Hawthorne Neighborhood Council housing director.  Group photo above taken by Pat Carney.

More photos from the day of President Carter's visit to Hawthorne after the jump...

Photos from Day 1 of Habitat Week

The first volunteers of the week!

At the beginning of the week, there was only a foundation at 430 30th Ave N.

Post and photos by Jeff Skrenes, Hawthorne Neighborhood Council housing director.

A technical, editorial note:  Blogger is acting up and only allowing one photo at a time to upload.  Posts therefore are coming in more slowly than I'd like due to time constraints with other job duties.

More photos after the jump...

Photos from the Habitat Week Opening Ceremony

Post and photos by Jeff Skrenes, Hawthorne Neighborhood Council housing director.

More photos after the jump...

Video Footage from Habitat Week Closing Ceremonies

Post and videos by Jeff Skrenes, Hawthorne Neighborhood Council housing director; videos with Jeff Skrenes in them contributed by Habitat staff or volunteers.

With such an extraordinary month, capped off by thousands of volunteers and a visit from  President Carter, Hawthorne still has photos and videos to share from the events of the Habitat week.  Above are several videos from the final day of work.

Former HNC board chair Peter Teachout asked for a statement of his to be read at one of the final events, and I obliged.  Some people have said that the sound quality on that video makes it difficult to hear.  In response, I've posted Peter's speech after the jump.  Peter said...

Press Coverage from Habitat Week in the EcoVillage

Post by Jeff Skrenes, Hawthorne Neighborhood Council housing director.  Photo by Pat Carney.

After the rousing success of last week, and the spotlight that President Carter's visit has shined on the Hawthorne EcoVillage, I thought I'd try and collect as much of the media coverage we received and put it all in one place so that Hawthorne members, NoMi residents, and others can easily access these terrific stories.  I've tried to be as complete as possible, but have excluded some items.  For instance, TV stations and newspapers in Duluth, Fargo, and LaCrosse all picked up this story but only published brief blurbs that offer no new material.  The same goes for newspapers, TV stations, and websites/blogs in other cities where Habitat and the Carters did work last week.  They may have mentioned Minneapolis or the EcoVillage, but only in passing.

NoMi photographer extraordinaire Pat Carney took the above photo, although a similar one may be available on the Habitat website in the near future.  Pat also has an excellent photo album of the Carters' visit on his website.

The other media coverage we've received is listed after the jump...

Star Tribune

http://www.startribune.com/local/104425463.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/104457523.html?elr=KArks:DCiUHc3E7_V_nDaycUiacyKUbPi87EK_g:D_GD7EaDh_0c:aD:aUr

http://www.startribune.com/local/104267628.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU


http://www.startribune.com/local/104249733.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU

Pioneer Press

http://www.twincities.com/ci_16237132?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com&nclick_check=1

http://www.twincities.com/ci_16272519?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com

kstp

http://kstp.com/article/stories/S1777808.shtml?cat=0

wcco

http://wcco.com/politics/jimmy.carter.habitat.2.1948871.html

fox 9

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/Jimmy-and-Rosalynn-Carter-Work-Project-oct-5-2010

City of Minneapolis

https://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/mayor/news/20101006newsmayor_carterecovillage.asp

Minnpost

http://www.minnpost.com/steveberg/2010/10/04/21997/extreme_makeover_hawthorne_ecovillage_transforms_tough_north_side_patch_awaits_carter_visit_this_week


http://www.minnpost.com/politicalagenda/2010/10/06/22127/jimmy_carter_heads_the_political_star_power_at_twin_cities_habitat_for_humanity_project

Twin Cities Daily Planet

http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/news/2010/10/06/jimmy-carter-visits-hawthorne-ecovillage

http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/news/2010/10/07/hope-back-twin-cities-jimmy-carter-and-big-plans-ahead-habitat-building

http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/news/2010/10/04/one-week-26-twin-cities-homes-jimmy-and-rosalynn-carter-work-project

The Uptake

http://theuptake.org/2010/10/07/jimmy-carter-habitat-for-humanity-build-homes-in-twin-cities/

Kare 11

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=876035&catid=391

Irving Inquisition

http://www.irvinginquisition.com/2010/10/jimmy-rosalynn-carter-work-project-2010.html

Minnesota Daily

http://www.mndaily.com/2010/10/07/carter-aims-revitalize-n-mpls

If readers have other links that we've missed, please use the comment section or email me at jskrenes@hawthorneneighborhoodcouncil.org.

Habitat Luncheon with President Carter in the EcoVillage (part 3 of video footage)

Post and videos by Jeff Skrenes, Hawthorne Neighborhood Council Housing Director

There will be time to explain in more detail the events of the week, but for now, we want to make the video footage available to everyone. Two things should be pointed out, however. First, President Carter once again praised Hawthorne for being the best neighborhood he's worked in. And second, a slight slip of the tongue by our Mayor needs to be corrected. He accidentally called Valeria, a long-term resident of the EcoVillage "Russian." Valeria is POLISH and darn proud of it. We're grateful for the commitment and hard work of Rybak, but for the sake of Valeria's Polish pride, we have to make that correction here.

President Carter: "We've Never Worked in a Nicer Neighborhood" (part 2 of video footage)

Post and videos by Jeff Skrenes, Hawthorne Neighborhood Council Housing Director

There are two things that stand out about these press conference videos. First, President Carter described the view from Farview Park and lauded our historic housing stock, then stated, "We've never worked in a nicer neighborhood than this one." Granted, this could be like a proud parent who tells their child, "I love you all the same," or a rock singer who whispers to his bandmates, "Which city are we in?" before stepping to the mic and declaring Minneapolis to be awesome. Still, Jimmy Carter said that Hawthorne was the nicest neighborhood he's worked in, and we get to brag about that.

Secondly, Carter is not the bragging type. Knowing that the media (and even the community) tends to focus on the star power of an ex-President, he kept on deflecting and asking if there were questions about Habitat or bringing the focus back to our community or Habitat's work. Here's a man we can admire.

Oh, and he said Hawthorne was the best. Did I mention that?

Videos of Habitat Week in Hawthorne! (part 1)

Post and videos by Jeff Skrenes, Hawthorne Neighborhood Council Housing Director

This has been a tremendous week for the Hawthorne Neighborhood Council, as we've had the honor of President Jimmy Carter and Vice President Walter Mondale working together on a Habitat project for the very first time in 27 years of Habitat for Humanity housing work done by the President and his wife.  Plenty of other media have been doing an excellent job covering the success of the EcoVillage, Hawthorne community members, and the countless volunteers who have descended upon our neighborhood.

Here at the Hawthorne Neighborhood Council, we've been so busy that we haven't had a chance to sift through all the great photos, videos, and stories of the week.  As things settle down, we'll be sure to add more content on this blog.  In the meantime, here is the first of several video posts.  The footage above is from the opening ceremonies at the Mall of America.  Senator Franken spoke and we had excellent music from the angelic Ashleigh Still and the always racuous Belfast Cowboys.

Hawthorne Neighborhood Honored by the City!

Post and photos by Jeff Skrenes, Hawthorne Neighborhood Council Housing Director.  Videos by Jeff Skrenes except where noted otherwise.

Based on the neighborhood's award-winning success in and around the EcoVillage, and in celebration of Habitat for Humanity's and former President Jimmy Carter's partnership in bringing several new families to our community, the Minneapolis city council recognized the tremendous accomplishments of Hawthorne, PPL, and Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity at today's full council meeting.

Videos are after the jump as well, and the resolution reads...

Meet the New Homeowners! (Yes, ALL of Them)

A few weeks ago, I met some of the folks who will be new homeowners in and around the EcoVillage thanks to Habitat for Humanity.  They were amazing people and we'll be blessed to have them in our community.  Then, last week, I received paper copies of the neighbors' profiles and stories.  Today, I learned they were posted on the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity website.

Halima Abdi, Abdul Wali, and family

For Halima Abdi and Abu Wali, life is about balance. With three energetic young boys and their teenage niece at home, it can be hard for these working parents to find time for their own careers. And for the next few months...(click here for the rest of their story)

Hamza Ahmed, Abdulazize Hamza & family

A room, no larger than a small office, houses four mats, four pillows, and a TV on a stand. Abdulazize, his father Hamza and two younger brothers share these four walls, which hold all of their possessions. “It’s a room to sleep,” Abdulazize says. The family of four, all boys...(click here for the rest of their story)

Drakeima Ingram, Robbie Loyde Jr., and family

Drakeima Ingram moved her family from Chicago to Minneapolis in 1995, hoping to find a better life. Since then, they have been at the mercy of bad landlords, dealing with...(click here for the rest of their story)

Nina Kimmons and family

When Nina heard that she had been selected for a Habitat home, she shouted with joy and then fell silent, stunned by the good news. As she hung up the phone, Nina’s children stared at her in surprise. “Mom,” they asked, “Are you okay?” (click here for the rest of her story)

Melo Lawson and family

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Melo Lawson and her family are an incredible reminder of these powerful words. Since coming to the United States from Togo in 2003, (click here for the rest of their story)

Donjia McDonald

Born and raised in the Twin Cities, Donjia McDonald is a friendly, busy, and proud mother of three. She currently works as an overnight counselor at a group home. She had worked at a bank for four years, but she lost that job when the recession deepened...(click here for the rest of her story)

Kitessa Nigere, Ebise Bayisa, and family

By the time their home in North Minneapolis is ready, Kitessa and Ebise’s family of three will become four. Kitessa and Ebise, both from Ethiopia, are expecting a second child at the end of July. For this young and growing family...(click here for the rest of their story)

Just reading these stories and finding out about the new residents we'll have in Hawthorne gives me goosebumps.  I never imagined that we'd be adding this many people to the EcoVillage and surrounding blocks all at once.  Now, if you're like me, you're probably wondering, "How do I volunteer during the first week of October for this completely transformative event?"  (That IS what you're wondering, right?  RIGHT?!)

Well, I'm glad you asked.  Click here to sign up for various tasks; we still need plenty of help.  Or you can email Andy Barnett or Trista Matacastillo.

Once again, thanks a million to Habitat and President Carter, and to all of our new residents, welcome to the neighborhood!

Habitat Spurs Progress in EcoVillage!

Post and photos by Jeff Skrenes Hawthorne Neighborhood Council Housing Director

As we gear up towards the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter visit in October, I strolled through the EcoVillage this week. Pictured above is 430 30th Ave N. When I went by one day, it was a normal vacant lot with a Habitat sign and some markers on it. The following day, ground was being broken here, as well as at 416 30th Ave N. I also had the chance to meet two of the families who will be living at 430 30th and 419 30th. They're wonderful people who will be excellent additions to the neighborhood.







Just south of the EcoVillage boundaries is another Habitat rehab at 2917 6th St N.



And while the new LEED home at 400 31st is a PPL project and not Habitat, it's still coming along nicely. The garage, being worked on in the photo below, is likely complete by now.



Mike Christenson of CPED has been fond of saying, "When things are done in the EcoVillage you're not going to belive it." Well, we're only in the infancy of building anew, and the future is already so bright. Here's what I believe: I believe that in several years, we'll put the finishing touches on this project. And when that happens, we'll tell all the newbies about how rough it was here for a while. When that happens, things will have been so good for so long that THEY'LL be the ones who don't believe us.

Video Footage from the Hard Hat Gala

Post by Jeff Skrenes, Hawthorne Neighborhood Council Housing Director. Video contributed by Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.

This spring, Habitat for Humanity came by and shot some footage of the EcoVillage in order to promote the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project at their annual Hard Hat Gala. Folks who saw the video at the gala kept on coming up to me, saying how passionate my acting was in the video. "That's because it wasn't acting," I said.

Interestingly enough, one of the first houses we went to was what the neighborhood has nicknamed "The Brick House," one we are hoping to save and rehab. As we were walking up to the place, I was telling the story about how excited I was in seeing all kinds of mortgage geeky paperwork that would get posted here. (Click here for a picture of that.) Frankly, I had to struggle to keep my composure when I saw the order to raze the building posted.

After shooting the footage, I went into high gear and contacted our partners at the city to ask that the raze order be removed. They complied by the end of that same day, a sign of how committed our partnership with them really is in the EcoVillage. But out of all the footage we shot, the ONE clip I had hoped WOULDN'T be used instead was put RIGHT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE VIDEO. I love the irony of it all.

Habitat House Near Farview Park Nears Completion!

Post and photos by Jeff Skrenes, Hawthorne Neighborhood Council Housing Director

What a difference a few weeks make! When I left for vacation in Tanzania, the exterior of the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity project at 610 29th Ave N was still being worked on, and I hadn't had a chance to see the interior. And now the house looks almost done. Several TCHH board members were volunteering today, practicing what they preach.

Work also started up this week on two of Habitat's rehab projects in and around the EcoVillage in preparation for the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project in October. Hawthorne and Habitat are looking for volunteers to contribute and help coordinate the rehab and new construction leading up to President Carter's visit. More information is on its way on how Hawthorne members, NoMi residents, and anyone who's willing can help.

In the meantime, Hawthorne thanks Habitat for their partnership!