Crafts Arts Dance Music Food Theatre Services Community

Fall Quarterly 2013

Autumn Reverie:
Discover the festivals, the shops, the who-what-when-hows that embraces our many differences makes our hood one that great places eat and learn Fall in to all things Seward!

Enjoy a full life

SNG Annual Meeting

The Storytelling Project Its Kings Fair time

The Hows of Voting 2013 Get Biking with SPOKES

Read all about why Seward is the neighborhood folks talk about, visit and want to live in!

SNG Annual Meeting

The Seward Profile, a quarterly publication of the Seward Neighborhood Group (SNG), strives to keep neighborhood residents, businesses, property owners and organizations informed of what's happening in Seward and assist SNG in building and sustaining a strong, diverse, and vibrant community. As a typical Seward endeavor, the Profile relies on volunteers to plan each issue, create copy, sell ads, and prepare the printed edition for mailing. We welcome your suggestions and would welcome your time and energy even more.

Seward Neighborhood Group will hold its Annual Meeting on Wednesday evening, November 6 at Matthews Community Center. In addition to the traditional community potluck supper, silent auction, and time to socialize, SNG will present its Strategic Plan for the next three years for discussion and adoption. Elections for the SNGs Board of Directors will also be held. Mark your calendars now to save the date. Everyone who lives,works, or owns property in Seward can become a member of SNG simply by signing up at the Annual Meeting. Although the organization always welcomes financial support, membership in SNG is free. For more information about SNG, the Annual Meeting, or serving on the Board of Directors, contact Kerry Cashman, SNGs Community Coordinator, at 612-338-6205 or kerry@sng.org

Falls got-to-be-there event!

Published by The Seward Neighborhood Group Minneapolis, MN 55406

Volume 2, Issue 7 2013

To get involved, contact us at profile@sng.org or Seward Profile, 2323 E. Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis, 55406.

Upcoming Issues and Deadlines:

If you or someone you know would like a written translation of the Profile Quarterly, please contact profile@sng.org or call 612-338-6205, ext 119.
Editors: Diann, Bruce, and Trevor Contributors: Doug, REbekah and Jessica Design: Marne e-mail:profile@SNG.org Printer: PrintCraft

Winter Issue 2014 - The Frolic & More Copy and Ad Deadline: November 9 In Homes and Businesses: November 29-30

community without signing up for a slew of boring meetings or hours of door-knocking? Consider becoming a Seward Profile volunteer. The Profile needs folks willing to research and write short stories of all sorts, to lend a hand with publication design or to assist with cultivating our advertisers or helping with preparing the publication for mailing. Since the Profile is a quarterly venture, your time commitment could be as little as two or three hours every three months. The compensation package superb! Nothing to report to the IRS, but loads of fun, a chance to be in the know about whats happening, the pride of seeing your name in print, and that wonderful feeling of helping to strengthen our community. If youre intrigued by this opportunity, please contact the Profile at profile@sng.org (612338-6205). Or stop by the planning meeting for the Winter Quarter issue on October 2, 7 pm at the SNG Office, 2323 East Franklin Avenue.

Are you delighted by the quirky nature of the Seward neighborhood? Or looking for a way to contribute to the

Discover all that is Seward at www.sng.org

The Storytelling Project

This fall, there will be a series of informal storytelling sessions happening in Seward based around themes such as cooking, gardening, and identity.
by Rebekah Peterson

To achieve the long-term goal of a more diverse leadership, Johansen explained that short-term goals, such as increased communication between residents, have to happen first. He said, The first step is having these conversations and building these relationships. Because if you don't even know who your neighbor is, how are you going to get them involved in your organization and vice versa. So we were just thinking about it logically, what has to come first, before we start to think about leadership.

However, weekly conversations between neighbors arent the only goal. Organizers hope that these sessions will lead to better representation of the diversity of the Seward neighborhood at local events, in community organizations and boards, and in leadership roles. Bruce Johansen, board member of the Seward Neighborhood Group and Redesign, as well as TCMAs engagement coordinator, commented, The boards don't really reflect the neighborhood at all, so its a pretty narrow slice of Seward that's at the table and having conversations and making decisions that affect everyone.

The sessions, organized by the Seward Neighborhood Group and the Twin Cities Media Alliance in partnership with Common Bond and Spokes Bike Walk Connect, will be an opportunity for residents and business owners from all backgrounds to meet and learn more about each other. People who wouldn't stop and have a conversation on the street can come together over food and have these fun conversations that let you get to know the other person, explained Lolla Mohammed Nur, engagement editor at TCMA.

Opening up and having conversations with others can be especially difficult for East African residents. SNG board member Tariku Belay explained, Its hard for Somali and Oromo people to open up to others. They went through a lot of hardship and dont want to be reminded of everything they have lost. He added, You have to build that friendship before you can ask the harder questions. The storytelling sessions are the result of a series of conversations between a diverse group of people from the neighborhood.

This article was originally published in My Broadsheet, a near-daily news site for the neighborhoods of Seward and Longfellow. www.my-broadsheet.com

The community storytelling sessions are funded by a grant from the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs. They will be held on Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. in September and October at various locations in the neighborhood. For more information on how to participate, email Lolla Mohammed Nur at lolla@tcdailyplanet.net.

Stretch yourself

by Bruce Johansen

On November 5th, some Seward residents will be voting at a different location than at the last election. Coupled with redistricting and the first use of ranked choice voting in a wide open mayoral race, the change in polling places may frustrate many who wait until the last minute to try to determine when and how to vote. Here are a few tips to make your voting experience less of a hassle and more of a community-spirited event:

Every Vote Counts

Big River Yoga is a locally owned yoga studio. We are 25th Street. Our mission is to tion and excited to be moving to Minneapolis at 3336 East awaken the consciousness of people to realize our interconnecbring unity to our community. Our teachers have years of training and are registered with yoga alliance (RYT cer-

Seward now is divided into two wards (2nd and 6th) and four precincts (2-2, 2-9, 6-1, and 6-2). The general Seward boundaries for each precinct are: 2-2: South from the south side of 24th Street from Hiawatha Avenue to the river 2-9: North from the north side of 24th Street to the north side of 9th Street between the west side of 30th Avenue to the river 6-1: North from the north side of 24th Street to the south side of Franklin Avenue between the east side Hiawatha/Cedar Avenues and the west side of 25th Avenue 6-2: North from the north side of 24th Street to I-94 between the east side of 25th Avenue and the west side of 30th Avenue and including the north side of Franklin Avenue to I-94 between 25th Avenue and the east side of Cedar Avenue

Know your ward and precinct:

tified). We teach a variety of classes including align & nidra, meditation and more.

flow, vinyasa yoga, gentle yoga, restorative yoga, yoga Chris Gordon is the owner/director of Big River

Thai Massage. This style of bodywork is performed

Yoga and is a massage therapist specializing in

body. Chris also offers deep tissue massage and

and release muscle tension throughout the entire relaxing Swedish massage. Big River Yoga welcomes you. To learn more about yoga classes and massage visit our website www.bigriveryoga.com and call

techniques help free energy blocks, open joints

sion, joint mobilization and deep stretching. These

comfortable clothing. It involves rhythmic compres-

on a mat on the floor while the recipient wears loose,

Polling places have changed in an effort to correct the problems encountered during the last election. Precinct 2-9 will vote at Augsburg College rather than At Seward Tower East. Precinct 6-2 will vote at Seward Tower East rather than at Seward Square Apartments. 2-2: Sullivan Community School, 3100 28th Ave. S 2-9: Augsburg College, Oren Gateway Center, 610 22nd Ave. S 6-1: Heltzer Manor, 2121 Minnehaha Ave. S 6-2: Seward Tower East, 2910 E. Franklin Ave. You will be able to choose a first, second, and third choice candidate for each office. You may list the same candidate as your first, second, and third choice; however, this wont improve that candidates chances of winning. Your second and third choices will only be counted if your first choice candidate fails to meet the threshold for election when all the first choices are counted. You do not have to pick a second and third choice candidate.

Find Your Polling Place:

612-729-9549 or stop in to see us at 3336 East 25th Street (across the street from the Birchwood). We open on September 3rd 2013!

Ranked Choice Voting:

Discover all that is Seward at www.sng.org

For more information check out the citys Elections and Voter Services website at www.minneapolismn.gov/elections/

Neighborhood Note

Whats (Hip and) Happening in Seward

Seen in Seward, Phillips, Ventura Village and more North Country Food Alliance. A new, registered non-profit in the Twin Cities, this organization is helping to build community through sustainable food justice. Acting to increase access to and share with those in need, this food alliance offers free, high-quality food weekly to those struggling to make ends meet. For further information, e-mail info@northcountryfood alliance.org

SPOKES Bike Walk Connect is your community bike and walking center with a goal of getting more people biking and walking for transportation & exercise.
Where is SPOKES? Regular EventsEvery week or every-other week:

bike-walk-connect

SPOKES

1915 East 22nd Street. (1/2 block west of Minnehaha Avenue, 1 block south of the Franklin/Cedar/Minnehaha intersection Free Open Shop (Use our tools to fix your bike with the help of our mechanics. Used and new parts available) o Every Wednesday, 5pm-9pm o Every Saturday 1pm to 5pm Woman,, Transgender and Fem Open Shop (with GreaseRag.org) o Every 2nd & 4th Monday, 7pm-9pm Free Youth Open Shop o Fridays, 3pm to 6pm Volunteer Night (help us with work around the shop, repairing bikes, supporting our programs, whatever. o Thursdays, 5pm-9pm Hub Bicycle Coop Mini-Store Open o Saturdays, 10am-5pm

Free Classes

Adult Learn-to-Ride (for adults who have never ridden before) o Four Tuesdays starting on September 3, 5:30 to 7pm, at Matthews Park (29th Avenue South and 24th Street East) Learn-to-Ride MORE (for people who have completed the Learn-to-Ride class or just want some more experience with basic bike skills and riding on streets and trails) o Every Friday, 5:30pm to 6:30pm at SPOKES Earn-a-Bike (for people who dont have a bike and want to gain basic bike maintenance skills. People pick one of our donated bikes to work on and own a working bike after four weeks of work.) Four Saturdays, 9am to Noon, starting September 7 Youth Earn-a-Bike (for youth from 14 to 18 years old who dont have a bike and want to gain from basic bike maintenance skills. They will pick one of our donated bikes to work on and own a working bike after four weeks of work.) o Four Tuesdays, 6pm to 9pm starting October 8. Basic Bike Tune-up Part 1 and Part 2 (come to one or both) o Monday, September 16, 6pm-8pm o Monday, September 30, 6pm-8pm Bike Commuting to Work or School o Monday, October 7, 6pm-7:30pm How to get from A to B by BikeRoute Planning o Monday, October 21, 6pm-7:30pm Preparing Yourself and Your Bike for Winter Riding o Monday, November 4, 6pm-7:30pm

(please emailinfo@SpokesConnect.org--or call612-787-7433 to register for classes):

Seward Neighborhood Group

Home Improvement Assistance

Are you thinking about making improvements to your home, but not sure how to proceed? The Seward Neighborhood Group's Housing Coordinator can help with project planning, hiring contractors, obtaining financing and advice during construction.
Low Interest Home Improvement Loans for Owner Occupied and Rental Housing

SNG Home Improvement Loan Programs:

The SNG Revolving Loan Program can now be used for improvements to 1-4 unit owner occupied and non-owner occupied rental properties. The loans are also available to townhouses and condominiums. The Revolving Loan Program provides loans up to $12,000 for exterior, energy, mechanical, electrical and code improvements at 2.5%.

For more information on the loan programs or general home improvement advice, contact Doug Wise, SNG's Housing Coordinator, at (612) 338-6205, ext. 102 or doug@sng.org.

A second home for your old bike: SPOKES can always use any old bikes you want to donate. Just email or call us for when to drop them off!

Verdant Tea

Keeping open minds, David and Lily have allowed the space to grow into something much bigger. "It turns out that the same thing that usually makes the most people happy and excited and satisfied is usually the right way to go," said Lily. Verdant Tea is located at 2111 E. Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN

"The Seward Co-op was here and this end of Franklin Avenue had all of the energy that the Seward Co-op brought into the building, and then the building had sort of struggled to find meaning. What we really want is to revive that sort of excitement over on this side of Franklin."

The tea on its own can speak for itself. To build on the culture of hospitality, they've invited local business owners into the space to collaborate with them using tea as the commonality. Birchwood Cafe is working on developing a menu that will pair well with the teas, Sweet Science is developing tea-infused ice creams, and Real Deal Chocolate is working with the leaves to create tea-flavored truffles.

For David and Lily Duckler, owners of Verdant Tea, a cup of tea isn't steeped in oriental mystery or buttoned up with rigid etiquette guidelines, instead tea is all about hospitality, and brewing a pot of tea is an invitation to sit and enjoy the leaves. David and Lily spent several years in China learning about tea direct from the source - tea farmers. But it was a desire to share the welcoming Chinese tea culture they experienced in their travels that led them to open their new tea house in Seward. "We're not trying to create this super exotic far east experience," explained David. It's supposed to be something you can make a part of your every day life.

Leaves, Water, and a Good Brew

by Rebekah Peterson

TOUCHSTONE MENTAL HEALTH Rising Cedar Apartments and Community Health & Wellness Center in the Seward Community by Jessica Ryan
The Rising Cedar Apartments is a new kind of long-term supportive housing that includes 40 apartments with 24/7 care on-site. This unique 40 one-bedroom unit apartment building offers state of the art construction specifically designed as a healing environment to enhance health and wellness for adults living with mental illness. By September 2013 Rising Cedar will house approximately 30 clients, with the long-term plan to reach full capacity of 40 clients by October 2013.

This article was originally published in My Broadsheet, a near-daily news site for the neighborhoods of Seward and Longfellow. www.my-broadsheet.com

Touchstones Community Health and Wellness Center opens in fall 2013. Touchstones Community Health and Wellness Center will focus on programs, services and supports that are specifically designed to address the holistic health needs of adults with mental illness. A broad array of healthy lifestyle classes, workshops and trainings will be key components of the Community Health and Wellness Center services. Nutrition, physical activity, heart health, diabetes, smoking cessation, and mindfulness-based stress reduction are some of the offerings that the Center will provide to the community. Touchstone Mental Health inspires Hope, Healing and Well-Being.

Visit www.touchstonemh.org for more information.

Its all Happening at the Fair!

Whoo hoo! Its Kings Fair time!

by Diann Anders

The Kings Fair has been a Seward tradition since 1877. In its early years the Kings Fair rivaled the Minnesota State Fair. The fairgrounds of the nineteenth century included an amphitheater, racetrack and exhibition halls for agriculture and industry. The fair also included a visit from President Rutherford B. Hayes and a hot-air balloon launch which was set to land on the East Coast but ended up in Ramsey County instead. The modern-day Kings Fair takes place in Matthews Park every two years and includes many family-friendly events and activities. The 2013 Kings Fair on September 21 includes numerous new activities and should be the best fair yet! New events include: a 45-animal petting zoo, hula hoop building and performance, and demonstrations of Tai Chi, Yoga and Karate. The Kings Fair is also having more traditional events such as flower judging, a strong man contest, and plenty of food! Whats a fair without a little music? This year the Kings Fair will be host to two stages with multiple bands, including high school groups and college bands, playing throughout the afternoon. Runners, fast and slow, are invited to start the festivities early on September 21 with a Kings Fair Fun Run. The Seward Saturday Morning Runners, are hosting a morning jog at 8:30 a.m. The event will begin at the rock at the west end of the Franklin Avenue bridge and offer a shorter and a longer loop. No registration required. Just show up.

Come one; come all to the 2013 Kings Fair on September 21 in Matthews Park from 12:00-5:00PM.
Whats (Hip and) Happening in Seward

As a local event the Kings Fair has something to offer to anyone and everyone.

Neighborhood Note

The Hub Bicycle Coops mini-store at SPOKES sells affordable, reliable, used bikes that have been reconditioned at SPOKES. Check out the always-changing inventory on Saturdays from 10 AM to 5 PM. They also sell new bike parts and accessories (including helmets, lights and locks). 1915 East 22nd Street 1/2 block west of Minnehaha on 22nd Street.

14th Annual Seward Winter Frolic: Art in the hood

Save time on December 6th and 7th to join the 14th annual Seward Winter Frolic: Art in the hood. This early winter festival
The event is sponsored by Seward Neighborhood Group and the schedule or register as an artist at sewardarts.org or contact Kerry Cashman at 612-338-6205 or kerry@sng.org

of Seward Arts and Culture features galley openings, live performances, holiday sales and specials at neighborhood businesses and more. Seward Civic and Commerce Association. Check out the plans and

Keep up with neighborhood events, meetings, and issues at The Forum.

Join your Neighbors Online

at the Seward Neighborhood Online Forum!

Join today at: http://bit.ly/sewardforum

Check out Seward's other "virtual" properties at: http://goo.gl/Xa6AR

SNG Energy Conservation Grants

Seward Residents receiving a Home Energy Squad Enhanced Audit will have the cost of the energy audit reduced from $70 to $30. (Audits are also available at the $70 cost for rental property.) To find out more go to http://mncee.org/hes-mpls/How-It-Works. To sign up, go to http://www.mncee.org/hes-mpls/. The SNG Environment Committee is offering $150 Conservation Grants to homeowners making improvements recommended by the audit. Participants also have access to 0% financing from CEE and utility company rebates. For more information, contact: Doug Wise, at 338-6205, ext. 102 or doug@sng.org; or Carol Greenwood at 724-8430 or carolgwood2@gmail.com.

by Doug Wise

Discover all that is Seward at

www.sng.org

Seward Neighborhood Group 2323 E. Franklin Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55406