Spring into Art!

Don't forget...this Saturday, June 7, the Spring Art Party will be held from 10AM to 6PM to celebrate the Northside's rich multicultural arts community. Come to Folwell Park, 1615 Dowling Ave. No., to enjoy live music, performances, storytelling, artmaking activities and tasty food. Talented artists - many of them your neighbors - will be showing and selling their fine arts and crafts at this fifth annual event.

NMTF Update

The Northside Marketing Task Force (NMTF) voted at its last meeting to elect Jim Wentzell, the past chair, to fill the remainder of a one-year term as a business representative. Wentzell represents Winner Gas on West Broadway and has been involved in the NMTF since its inception in 2006.

NMTF plans to select one of five firms to assist with a North Minneapolis marketing campaign at its June 18 meeting.

NMTF also established a volunteer committee to help promote North Minneapolis by wearing and selling North Minneapolis t-shirts and providing visibility at community events, like the PEACE Foundation's 5K run, the Spring Art Party and Juneteenth. Anyone interested should contact Allan Malkis, 612-521-4500.

Public policy program participant wins award

Della Sveningsen recently received the Sullivan Ballou Award, which honors members of the community who devote heartfelt energy to those around them. Della is a graduate of NorthWay's first Northside Public Policy Leadership Training Program. Congratulations, Della!

No summer break for the NorthWay Family Project

The NorthWay Family Project will extend its work with low-income families and students through summer 2008. More than 60 students and 20 adults will continue to gain valuable on-the-job experience in community businesses and receive stipends from June through August. This increases their incomes and enhances their prospects for employment once their participation in the program is complete. Look for the next issue of Community Matters for a great success story!

Hats off to 100 Hard Hats

Summit OIC, the lead agency for the 100 Hard Hats Program, described the collaboration's progress at an April 22 community breakfast. Summit President Louis King and his staff reported that enrollment and graduation figures are on target for this year and they have placed a number of individuals in various trades with average hourly wages of $17. They are still striving to place more workers with the firms building the new Twins stadium, and are working to convince contractors, public officials and the business community that it is good for business, has positive community impact and is morally correct. A May 18 Star Tribune article praised the initiative's success.