The Neighborhood Advocate may 15, 2007

Community Reimagines 34th and Cedar, Again, Through Mural

The Modern Window Shade building at 34th and Cedar was transformed by over 50 youth and adults last weekend. Artists of all skill levels each painted their own 'night creature' onto a composition imagined and led by local muralist Elise Kyllo. The mural site was a hive of activity both Friday and Saturday, with most participants coming from the immediate 34th and Cedar area. As shown in the accompanying photo, text was projected onto the wall after dark on Friday night and sketched with chalk. In like fashion, many young muralists sketched and practiced on the sidewalk before painting their creature onto the wall. Many stayed to celebrate the mural's completion with food and music on Saturday evening. "It was a pleasure to watch a graffiti-vandalized wall transformed into a community art piece," said Elise. "It was a bit like watching the northern lights or fireworks; lots of ohhs and ahhs and the feeling that I couldn't blink because I didn't want to miss a moment." The night scene, watchful moon, and Hafiz poem of the new mural compliment elements of the neighboring mural at the Shell gas station led by Elise last summer. Click here for a slideshow.

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Artists Invited to Share Ideas at Susan Hensel Gallery

Susan Hensel invites visual artists of all sorts to her gallery at 3441 Cedar Ave S next Wednesday, May 23 at 7:00 pm. Susan says, "I'm curious to find out what other artists are doing in their studios, their garages, on their kitchen tables...amateur, hobbiest or professional, it doesn't matter to me. It is enough that we all love the arts." Attendees are encouraged but not required to bring a piece of their own art. Questions? Contact Susan by e-mail or at 612-722-2324.

Leaders Meet With Youth, Latinos En Acción Adds Staff

20 high school-aged Latino youth met at Corcoran Park to tell elected officials, police leadership, and neighborhood staff about their dreams, barriers, and sense of belonging in the neighborhood. When asked if they feel that they belong in this community, most said that they do not, even though most were born here. Latinos En Acción, a program of the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization, recently hired a new Community Organizer to work with Latino youth and families...(Read more)

Bike To Work This Friday: National Bike to Work Day

Two 'bike to work' rides leave from the Corcoran neighborhood at 7:00 am this Friday, May 18 -- one heading for downtown Minneapolis and the other heading for downtown St. Paul. Both begin from the parking lot at the southeast corner of Lake Street and 22nd Avenue -- better known as the site of the Midtown Farmers' Market. The groups, each led by a volunteer, will converge on celebratory events at Government Plaza and Rice Park. To learn more click here.

Learn Crime Prevention Skills at Free Training

There will be a free block leader training on Wednesday, May 23, 6:30 pm at the Minneapolis Police Department 3rd Precinct, 3000 Minnehaha Ave. Develop skills for effectively working with your neighbors and solving problems. Topics include: organizing a block/apartment club, working with your community crime prevention specialist, dealing with problem properties, and effective use of 9-1-1 and 3-1-1. RSVP required. Call Karen Notsch at 612-673-2856.