Hello, Corcoran Neighborhood Residents! I’m Brettina Davis and I am the new Organizer at Corcoran Neighborhood. Though I know I will be filling big shoes by replacing Ross, I am ready to take on the job and make it my own. I grew up in Minneapolis and adore the city, but I ended up going to University of Wisconsin Stout for four years. I graduated with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Cognitive Neuroscience. After I graduated I went through a few different types of employment: waitress, host, retail, and social media marketing. After leaving the social media marketing job, and dealing with a great amount of discrimination there, I started studying black history to better understand my roots. This is when I sat at a table with my mentor (Mel Reeves), close activist friends (Thandisizwe Jackson-Nisan and Rose Engstrom), and some other amazing activists to start the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice 4 Jamar. It was only fitting that after an interview with Eric Gustafson, Executive Director at Corcoran Neighborhood, I take a position that calls for change and equality in the community. Being an Organizer means caring about the community and making sure every voice is heard! I plan on learning Spanish so I can connect with those of you who speak Spanish. I am excited to door knock, to meet, and to build in this community. Feel free to stop by and chat with me. Excited to meet all of you. Solidarity!

Terry Williams and Nehemiah Inverse

Wintergoddessfoods.com

It’s spring and it’s time for the Midtown Farmer’s Market!   While most people think of plants and fresh vegetables, our local market offers more than just thus normal farm fare.

Husband and wife duo Terry Williams and Nehemiah Inverse are creative.   As writers, cooks, and bakers this Corcoran couple has been able to share that talent locally through Winter Goddess Foods.  Their first year at the MFM they were invited to fill a market void.  The usual coffee vendor was unable to finish the season and they were more than happy to step in. They loved the local market and have been there on Saturdays ever since.  They say the great vendors, community vibe and seeing their fellow Corcoran residents all help make the market special to them.

Long ago they had decided to abandon corporate cubicles and make Winter Goddess Foods their livelihood.  When talking with them, it is clear they truly love what they do and take pride in every detail. Their dream is to own their own commercial kitchen with living quarters and be able to rent it out to others when they aren’t busy creating their delicious goods.

You’re invited to the May 18 Membership Meeting of the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization (CNO) from 5:30-7:30pm, to be held outdoors at Corcoran Community Garden at 3301 24th Ave S.

This is a free event and all are welcome! Meet new and interesting neighbors, eat grilled food with live music in a beautiful garden, and run for or elect your neighbors to 4 positions on the CNO Board. More below.

Saturday, June 11^th, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Start spring-cleaning now for the largest neighborhood garage sale in Minneapolis! The 14^th Annual Standish, Ericsson & Corcoran Neighborhood Garage Sale will be on June 11^th. Last year 150 households participated - sign up today!

For those who would like to have a sale: The Standish, Ericsson, and Corcoran Neighborhood Garage Sale is a community-wide event that extends from Lake Street to the Minnehaha Parkway, and Cedar Avenue to Hiawatha Avenue. Individual households will set up their own sales at their homes, and SENA & CNO will take care of the publicity, including advertising in the StarTribune and other media. We’ll create a “Sales Guide and Map” of all homes having sales that day. To be added to the list of sales and to the map, simply call the SENA office at 612-721-1601 by Friday, June 3^rd. We will ask you to provide:

- Your address

- Type of merchandise being sold at your sale

We’ll add this information to the map and guide to all sales, which is available FREE to all shoppers Saturday, June 11^th. The Neighborhood Garage Sale will be held rain or shine. Check out the Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/252937888393091/

When: Saturday, May 7^th

Where: Corcoran Park

Time: 4-7pm

Why:  To celebrate the emergence from winter with our neighbors and the good folks of Corcoran GROWS. 

What:  Springfest has four distinct components! 

As the temperatures have risen and spring rains have turned the landscape green, I’ve been pleasantly reminded that the 2016 Midtown Farmers Market Season has also arrived! Although construction of Hennepin County’s Family Service Center has begun adjacent to the market site, Midtown will be operating in the same space as last year as we eagerly await our new home at 2225 E. Lake St. See the image below for our exact location for the 2016 season. In anticipation of our 14^th Season, we’ve planned lots of exciting summer programming, entertainment and activities for our shoppers.

Risen tells the story of a dead man who comes back to life.  As a Christian, this was not new fare for me, but seeing it certainly was.  I must admit I have seldom pondered the time between the cross and the empty tomb.  What did it mean for Jesus' body to have no life in it…and for three days?  Risen asks these questions from the perspective of a Roman military tribune, Clavius, played by Joseph Fiennes, who is tasked with finding the body after it is discovered 'missing.'

I can think of few movie experiences where I was forced to look into the eyes of a dead person.  This was one of those experiences, and by far the most agonizing and disturbing, as the camera seemed relentlessly focused on this lifeless corpse.  However, as the title suggests, this is ultimately a story about resurrection.  And so [spoiler alert] at the moment when the audience sees the body alive again it makes for a powerfully cathartic experience.  Director Kevin Reynolds (a long way from his Waterworld days) brilliantly pans the camera past the disciples from Clavius' point of view several times until you realize that one of the 'disciples' is a face you have seen before…wait, he's the dead man whose features we have been compelled, against our will, to study…and he's smiling…aaaaahhh!

Have you noticed that Corcoran News looks a bit different? We are excited to have a Corcoran resident, Lori Auer, designing the layout of our paper! You will notice that Page 2 is the Community Calendar that lists CNO meeting times, community announcements, and event happening in and around Corcoran. Also, the Midtown Farmers Market information will be featured in the middle pages to give color to the beautiful array of photos of residents, vendors, vegetables, crafts, musicians, exercise classes, and more at the market. This summer, we will be sending out a survey to get your feedback so watch for it in June or early July! In the meantime, enjoy the new layout!

The newspaper is also seeking people who would be interested in writing Spanish content about the happenings in the neighborhood! If you are interested, please contact [email protected] or at 612-724-7457.

May 5 Agenda for Land Use & Housing committee

Please join us! All are invited and welcome.

Meeting: 6:00pm on Thursday, May 5 at CNO, 3451 Cedar Ave S

Land Use & Housing Committee of the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization

Agenda:

1.) A development team will present a proposal to develop vacant land at 1901 East Lake Street with restaurant and office space. Discussion to follow.

2.) Presentation on plans to develop Micro Housing on vacant lots in the neighborhood by a team of architects. The plans were developed through the Search for Shelter program at the U of M. Learn more: http://www.aia-mn.org/get- involved/committees/housing-advocacy/search- for-shelter-design-charrette/

3.) Discuss Hi-Lake interchange study. Advance plans to engage residents during Open Streets East Lake on July 24.
a. Full study document and recent press here: http://www.minneapolismn.gov/cip/2016/WCMSP-174849
b. Learn more about efforts to Humanize Hi-Lake: https://www.facebook.com/HumanizeHiLake
c. Learn more about Open Streets East Lake: http://www.openstreetsmpls.org/

4.) Discuss the nomination of a new Chair or Co-chairs of the Land Use & Housing committee.

5.) New business and announcements

Last month I wrote about how spring weather seemed to be on the horizon. Little did I know that in March there would be days that felt like summer. It is certainly possible that we may end up with a lot of snow this month – though I doubt it will hang around for more than a couple of days. If this is the case, allow me one more indoor activity to help occupy your time: chess.