The following is a press release from the City of Minneapolis.

Maybe you’ve thought homeownership wasn’t possible, or you didn’t know where to start. Maybe you thought your credit wasn’t good enough or you haven’t saved enough for a down payment. We can help!

The City of Minneapolis is partnering with Minnesota Housing and the Minnesota Homeownership Center to provide access to down payment assistance, quality, affordable mortgages and free, non-biased housing experts that can help you become a successful home owner!

Most people can appreciate art, but I think many may be like me. They don’t know if it’s good or bad, or why it costs so much and are generally intimidated by the typical gallery. Is someone judging the size of my pocketbook or looking down their nose and wondering why I would even bother looking?

Fortunately, not all galleries are created equal. Our neighbor, Naomi Joy, costumer, designer, sculptor, and performance artist, started a space just over a year ago. She calls it the “Island”. It is a very unique, wonderful and ever-changing space available to an artist or group of artists for creative exploration, workspace or platform to showcase their creativity. This is not your typical white wall gallery (in fact the walls are bright red!). Shows tend toward the eccentric. As an artist or group takes up residency they are encouraged to completely “inhabit” the space of the room, not just the walls. Shows have been running about every other month and consist of an artist or a group collaborating around a specific theme.

“As a salon we provide a calm and friendly atmosphere where your days are made and your experiences are had. We strive to be on the top of education and fashion trends. Every service is an experience when you sit with us. Leaving time for you to Be Beautiful, Be Unique and Be You!” —Tammy Angrimson, owner.

That is why Shear Art Hair Studio exists. Since she was a teenager, Tammy always knew she wanted to “do hair.” Over the years she worked to get a business degree and a cosmetology license so that she could properly create the business she wanted with her own specific missions and goals.

I really found this to be true! When I stepped into Shear Art Hair Studio I found an inviting space with friendly stylists. I was immediately greeted with a hospitality I’d expect from a long lost family member.

The following is a press release from Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.

A Brush With Kindness is a repair & restoration program of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity that serves struggling homeowners who live in the Twin Cities 7 county metro area whose home needs paint, maintenance and general restoration work.

As they say in Real Estate, part of the appeal of the Corcoran Neighborhood is “Location! Location! Location!”. We have Lake Street, light rail, major shopping and local restaurants, but the one thing that is difficult to get around here is a cocktail. While Du Nord sits just across Hiawatha from Corcoran, it definitely fits the bill – good quality, locally made spirits within walking or biking distance in an elegant setting.

Chris Montana grew up around the neighborhood and went to South High and his wife, Shanelle, is from rural Minnesota. The two watched as the craft beer industry exploded and customers became educated about things like ABVs and IBUs and the quality of the beer they were drinking. Chris was a home brewer and since the science of distilling is similar up to the distillation process they had a hunch there just might be a market for craft spirits as well!

Lobbying succeeded in getting the licensing needed to start their business but they still needed to find space. Going back to his roots, Chris thought South Minneapolis would be the perfect place and the 32nd Street location had the proper zoning as well as proximity to light rail and local neighborhoods.

Peeling exterior paint is not only a housing code violation in the City of Minneapolis, but could pose a serious risk to children under the age of 6. Recent research from the Minnesota Department of Health states that there is no safe level of exposure to lead.

Lead paint can be present on any painted surface, but it is most often found on windows, trim, doors, railings, columns, porches and outside walls. Surfaces that have been repainted may have layers of lead paint underneath.

I remember how sad both my wife and were when we heard the Town Talk Diner on East Lake St. and 27th was closing its doors. Door, singular. That marquee remained, but there were no more of those amazing fries; until now. Someone was smart enough to use that iconic marquee and simply put a little “Le” on top of it.

That someone is the new owner of Le Town Talk, Emilie Cellai. We mentioned how happy we were that the space was being revitalized. Cellai responded that she was happy to be a part of a neighborhood that reminded her of the diversity of her hometown, Marseille. She added that she wants people from the neighborhoods bordering Lake St., like you all Corcoronites, to feel bienvenus et chez lui (welcome and at home. I got to practice mon français with her.). Ok, to the food!

Plans to redevelop the 6.5-acre property at 2225 East Lake reached a milestone on Feb. 12 when the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization (CNO) board of directors passed a resolution of conditional support for the Phase I proposal and master plan concept proposed by Hennepin County and L&H Station Group. The plans include a permanent home for the Midtown Farmers Market. Find the detailed resolution here [PDF file].

Owner Elen Bahr invited me to come join a yoga class on a beautiful Sunday afternoon called Yin/Yang yoga. This was my first time going to a Yin/Yang class and I wasn’t sure what to expect as I’m a beginner sometimes intermediate yogi.

The first half of class was Yin taught by Steve Streitz, mostly laying positions with mellow stretches. This is my kind of class LOL! The second half of class was Yang led by Elen herself. This half picked up the pace just a bit. It had a nice gentle workout feel.  At this point I am realizing that I haven’t been to a yoga class in a while and my balance could use a bit of work.  At no point in the class was I worried about what people were thinking about me and I definitely found it challenging in a very achievable way.

Corcoran residents sustain the work of the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization possible through their volunteer leadership and financial contributions.

The CNO board set a goal to raise $8,000 in individual donations during 2014. With strong leadership from board members April Riordan, Stacey Burns, Salena Acox and others, the CNO Board launched a year-end campaign in October.