The Neighborhood Advocate July 9, 2010

Shut down your street and throw a party with neighbors on National Night Out

Deadline for free street closure is July 14

NNO event National Night Out is Tuesday, August 3. While you don't have to close your street to have a block gathering, NNO is the one night each year when Minneapolis residents can close their street for free! You'll need verbal permission from 75% of your neighbors in order to close the street.

July 14 is the deadline to apply for free street closure on National Night Out. After that, street closure costs $100 through July 30, and is not possible after July 30. To register your event and/or apply for street closure visit the City's NNO website or call 3-1-1.

Whether or not you close the street, National Night Out is your best opportunity each year to bring neighbors together and strengthen your part of the neighborhood. It's a great opportunity to create or update a block contact list, share ideas and concerns, and plant the seed for future block club meetings. Your event can be as simple as a potluck meal, or lawn chairs and lemonade.

Need help organizing your block event? Eric at CNO is happy to help with flyers, door-knocking, and ideas. CNO can also help you bridge language barriers by connecting you to a Latina organizer who works in the neighborhood. 10-cent photocopies are available at the CNO office (3451 Cedar Ave S), but as always, there's no charge to copy flyers for a Corcoran block event including National Night Out. CNO staff are frequently out in the neighborhood this summer, so call 612-724-7457 to make sure the office is open before you stop in.

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Make the most of your block event: invite "the right people"

National Night Out is your best chance this year to connect with neighbors, so be sure to invite everybody who lives on your block, and invite them in person if possible. Sometimes planners avoid inviting a "problem house," but don't miss this opportunity to make a connection. Don't miss the renters, and don't miss folks whose home faces a street (most Corcoran residents face an avenue). Also consider inviting the people who own, but don't live at, the rental buildings on your block. And consider inviting a nearby block that didn't participate last year. Simple flyers are a great way to spread the word. For assistance with any of the above, please contact Eric at CNO.

July brings abundance, neighbors to the Midtown Farmers Market

This month find corn, broccoli, beets, peas, beans, kohlrabi, radishes, raspberries, and more at the Midtown Farmers Market, 2225 East Lake. Delicious prepared food, art vendors' wares, and music round out the market experience. Visit the new website for hours, updates on what's available, and info on upcoming events including a Solar Energy demo with Corcoran GROWS on July 10, KBEM's Bluegrass Saturday Morning broadcast live from the market on July 17, and a cooking demo with Mike Phillips from The Craftsman Restaurant on July 17.

Historic resources survey will hold public meeting

The City of Minneapolis is conducting a historic resource survey of 15 south Minneapolis neighborhoods including Corcoran, to assess the potential for historic properties and designation. The project has already begun and will end in August 2010. The City invites residents to a public meeting on Tuesday, July 20 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at McRae Recreation Center, 906 E. 47th St. The purpose of the meeting is to present draft findings and solicit additional public feedback.

Picnic and enjoy Shakespeare in the Park at Powderhorn

The Strange Capers Presents William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream in Powderhorn Park, 3400 15th Ave S. Meet at the gazebo near 35th Street on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. The show runs for 4 weeks only: July 10 to August 1. Performances are held rain or shine. Admission is free and donations are encouraged. Bring your family, your lawn chairs or blanket, and pack a picnic! Learn more about the troupe and the production at The Strange Capers website.

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