2011 Block Party

We had a pretty good turnout last evening for our NNO Block Party event - more photos should be posted as I get them from any who send them - or you can post your own - feel free - here is the one we took of the Good Neighbor Award winners for 2011 - just so you know, I consider everyone on the block to be a good neighbor!

And I took some pretty bad video of the bike parade - or was it a race? Anyway, apologies for the shaky camera work - but they took me by surprise - enjoy -

Thanks for making our block so vibrant and fun -

Spring Is The Thing!

Happy spring to all on the block - should we get a permit to close the street sometime in April or May? Perhaps have a little street fun and get to know each other again after this seemingly endless and cruel winter?

4200 Wentworth/Blaisdell Alley

I don't know if anyone uses this blog anymore, but I thought I would pass on some information I received from the City on the alley between Wentworth and Blaisdell:


from Long Jr., Gary D - Street
to paul@mogush.net
cc "Thoreson, Dennis E." ,
"Johnson, Jeff A. - PW"
date Thu, Jun 3, 2010 at 8:04 AM
subject RE: Alley Resurfacing - 4200 block of Wentworth/Blaisdell
mailed-by ci.minneapolis.mn.us


Paul,



We have your alley scheduled for resurface this year. There will be no further assessments. It seems there were some retaining wall issues in this alley and it should not have been assessed until they were resolved. On behalf of the City of Minneapolis I apologize for any inconvenience. Our alley resurfacing will begin sometime mid-August. We have 13 alleys scheduled this year. We begin by grinding the old asphalt surfaces off of the alleys. Your alley has a stretch of 43’ that we will remove before resurfacing takes place. Prior to the resurfacing, we will hand deliver notices and the night before we will send out a recorded message to inform all the residents affected by our work. Feel free to contact me at 612-673-5591.



Sincerely,





Gary D. Long Jr

City of Minneapolis

Transportation Maintenance and Repair

Supervisor I

198 Aldrich Ave. N

612-673-5591



From: Thoreson, Dennis E.
Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2010 7:29 AM
To: Long Jr., Gary D - Street
Subject: FW: Alley Resurfacing - 4200 block of Wentworth/Blaisdell



Fyi



From: Paul Mogush [mailto:paul@mogush.net]
Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2010 4:02 PM

To: Johnson, Jeff A. - PW
Cc: Collin, Steve E.; Thoreson, Dennis E.; Kennedy, Mike D.
Subject: Re: Alley Resurfacing - 4200 block of Wentworth/Blaisdell
- Hide quoted text -



I haven't heard back on the status of this alley resurfacing. Can you please check on this and get back to me ASAP?

Paul Mogush


On Fri, Mar 19, 2010 at 4:09 PM, Johnson, Jeff A. - PW wrote:

We are checking this out and will get back to you on it. Thanks jj



From: Paul Mogush [mailto:paul@mogush.net]
Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 3:43 PM
To: Johnson, Jeff A. - PW
Subject: Alley Resurfacing - 4200 block of Wentworth/Blaisdell



Jeff,

A couple of years ago I recall receiving a notice of a public hearing for possible assessments for resurfacing the alley behind my house (the 4200 block between Wentworth and Blaisdell Avenues). I checked my most recent property tax statement, and it looks like I'm paying the assessment. Do you know when we can expect the resurfacing to take place?

Here is the council report (that's where I got your name):

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/2007-meetings/20070629/Docs/07_2007_Alley_Resuf.pdf

Thanks!

Paul Mogush
4223 Wentworth Ave

Homemade Cheese

Many of you have asked for the recipe for Homemade Cheese you sampled at the block party. Here it is!

1 quart whole milk (4 C), local and organic tastes best (not ultra-pasteurized)
1 C heavy whipping cream
5 T white vinegar
Rosemary, thyme, salt, garlic or other herbs of your choice
Strainer lined with double layer of cheesecloth*

Combine milk and cream in a saucepan. Over medium-high heat, warm until tiny bubbles form at the edge of the pan. Do not boil it. Immediately remove from heat. Add 5 T vinegar. Stir gently. Do not touch or stir again--let rest for 20 minutes. Pour into cheesecloth-lined strainer. Let drain 4-24 hours, covered, in refrigerator.

*Cheesecloth is available at most grocery stores as well as many local hardware stores. It is very cheap and can be used again and again.

Dump cheese from cheesecloth into a bowl. Stir in approximately 1 teaspoon coarse salt, or to taste. Serve as is or add herbs:
1 T chopped fresh thyme
1-2 T chopped fresh rosemary
1-2 cloves garlic.
This garlic-herb version pairs beautifully with red wine. Enjoy!

Heidi

Block Party Sign-up

Please be on the look-out for the Block Party sign-up sheet to be placed on your door this week. Return the sheet to my mailbox - let's all work to make this the biggest turn-out ever! There will be food, fun, and photos for all who attend - AND drawings for fabulous prizes donated by the local businesses! Thanks!

It's Official!

I just received the package of info and some goodies from the city for our National Night Out Block Party. Mark your calendar for Tuesday, August 4, 5-9 pm and join us for food, fun, games, drawings and other such fun times! The block will be closed to through traffic during those hours. Look for a visit soon from some of the local kids on the block with a flier containing more information.

Welcome to the Blog!

We will be hosting our annual Neighborhood Block Party to celebrate National Night Out on August 4th from 5:00 till 9:00 PM. Join us for food, games, drawings and neighborliness!