February 2019 Neighborhood Night Recap

Location: Folwell ParkDate: 2.18.2019# of People: 19Board Members Present: Beryl Ann Burton, Buzzy Bohn, Joe BellCommittee’s Present: Crime and Safety, Folwell Farmer Coalition, Special Guests/Contact Info:

• Joe Davis:  www.joedavispoetry.com  
• Comfort Adult Day Care: eden10@hotmail.com, 651.373.9778 or 612.224.9971
• County Commissioner Irene Fernando: Contact Aid, Bill at bill.emory@hennepin.us

Presentations:Joe Davis started the night out with a spoken word piece and tips for Storytelling. There has been a collective ask for a focus on Storytelling. The ability to own the narrative of our experience in Folwell, as a community, and as the Northside. Creating space for performance art in Neighborhood Night while also learning skills will be a focus for 2019. County Commissioner Irene Fernando came and shared with the community about the work she is focusing on as she settles into her new position. Some of that work being focused on is the process of bail, Affordable Housing, and transportation. It was a wonderful time to get to hear from her and create an opportunity for residents to get access to our County Commissioner. You can find out more about Irene at her current website www.hennepind2.com or her campaign website www.voteirene.comComfort Adult Day Care on 37th and Emerson came and invited the community to come and participate/volunteer with the work they do at their center. They have been spending a lot of time out in the community getting to know residents and connecting their resource with the Seniors who need it. Folwell is looking forward to getting to know our new neighbor and small business better. You can find out more about the Adult Day Care at eden10@hotmail.com or 651.373.9778 or 612.224.9971.Community Build Question/Activity:

• This didn’t happen as our time was used for presentations.

Topics/Issues brought forth from the Community:

• Snow Removal on sidewalks and side streets and the problems they cause
• Be aware of the Census coming out. Who is in charge of the Census, and how can Neighborhood Org’s participate in making them successful.
  • Dani has reached out to Ariah at NCR to learn more about the process and where Folwell fits in to the work.

Committee Reports:

• Crime and Safety: Buzzy Bohn - buzzy@folwell.org
  • Safe Street Workshops will be held at Folwell Park on April 13 from 1:30-3:30pm
  • Look at what it would take to put Stop Lights on Penn and 36 and/or Lowry and Logan.

• Folwell Farmer’s Coalition: Dani Tietjen - danielle@folwell.org
  • Took a look at schedule and events folks want to have at the garden’s
    • Penn Ave Garden:
      • 2nd Sunday’s Potluck
      • Every Thurs work night
      • Meditation and yoga at garden
    • Story Garden:
      • First Friday Movie nights
      • Every Weds work night
      • Storytelling bonfire events
  • Other Events neighbors want to see:
    • Growing/Cooking lessons
      • Learn how to garden
      • Container gardening
      • Pickling and Canning
  • First weekend in April have a sign party at Folwell Park. These signs will be at all the gardens to help folks navigate where they can harvest and what items are. Communication is key to ensuring people feel comfortable in the gardens.
  • All these events will be added to the Folwell Calendar that comes out this April, as well as updated on the website.
  • Comfort Adult Day Care would like to connect with Project Sweetie Pie to offer gardening opportunities in the plot behind their building.
• Green Team: Kathy Acaso - green@folwell.org
• Formal meeting didn’t happen. Will be waiting till next month to organize. Tentative schedule is for Spring Clean Sweep to happen April 27-28, 2019

One Word Evaluation:This activity didn’t happen due to running over time and ending on lively conversation.