Dealing WIth Computer Stuff In A Neighborhood Organization, A VERY SPECIAL ILLUSTRATED BLOG POST!!!

Photos By John Hoff


A grassroots neighborhood organization like the Hawthorne Neighborhood Council doesn't use the most modern computer equipment and, furthermore, they don't have the money for a round-the-clock Information Technology geek to solve technical issues as they arise. So often...

Those who work in the office--and those who come by with frequency--are left to "geek around" on our own. We find technical solutions that may not be brilliant, may not be optimal, but somehow get the document printed or (in this case) the photo up on the website.

FOR REASONS I CAN'T FIGURE OUT, the computers at the office can download and save images off my blog, but when I try to send those same images as attachments...I just get a blank spot in the photo file, where the image should be when I save it. I've tried using Jeff's computer, thinking I could "geek around the problem" that way. Turns out, oh, yes, I can download the pictures all right...I just can't load 'em up on the website!!!

So I have a solution, and it's ugly, like wiring a muffler to a car with a clothes hanger is ugly, but it gets the job done: load the pictures to my blog. Then download them to the office computer which appears to work best with our website.

I hope that works.

So enjoy, enjoy, enjoy these generalized images which may, in another context, make good illustrations for topics. The struggle for a better neighborhood--an urban utopia, if you will--comes from moments like this, when you're frustrated and you want to throw up your hands, but you're NOT going to give up, because somebody else is depending on you.

I'll probably delete this post at some point, once I get the images where they need to go and, well, I may even switch images on this post if I have to keep using this crude (yet high tech!) solution to my computer issue.

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Stupid North Minneapolis Property Repairs Takes A Classic Turn!

Photo by John Hoff 

It's funny how you can drive by a house hundreds of times, but then one day you look at it closely and notice...oh, the thrill of it! A STUPID NORTH MINNEAPOLIS PROPERTY REPAIR! 

This house is....

...on Lyndale Ave. N., and any Realtor (trademarked word!) worth his/her commission will tell you the houses along Lyndale are finer inside with nice wooden buffets, leaded glass, that kind of thing. This particular house shows something old and fine on the exterior which hints treasures which may reside in the interior: a porch column made to look like--good grief--a Greek or Roman column.

(Some people know the difference. I merely know there IS a difference)

But check out the replacement column in the middle. Clearly, Rome has fallen and barbarian hordes have overrun a once-proud empire.

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Makeshift Movie Sound Studios In North Minneapolis

Photos By John Hoff

Jake and Gabe of 612 Authentic continue to press forward with their documentary, "The Adventures of Johnny Northside: A Subprime Mess." Recently, they had me...

...read some excerpts from this blog, which will become audio portions of the documentary. Some of my favorites included "Evil Pink Pony" and my conversation with "The Devil." These are the times when I discover how many different characters live inside me, and have their own individual voices.

Last time when we needed a "sound studio," we used Peter Teachout's attic. (Photo above) The insulation is thick and creates studio-quality sound. This worked out well when I was house sitting Peter's residence for a week while he and the family went to Disneyland.

(Yeah, I wasn't going to blog about the fact they were away until they got BACK. Duh)

This time, (second photo) we used a different location in North Minneapolis, hanging thick quilts on a bathroom sink and over a shower curtain, creating an instant sound studio. As long as I kept my mouth really close to the quilt, it seemed to work. Maybe after the movie is made, Jake and Gabe will have ANOTHER hit on their hands: the MAKING of "The Adventures of Johnny Northside: A Subprime Mess."

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An Interesting Twist With An Old Book Of Matches

Photo By Jeanie Hoholik

Word reaches me that a relative of the person who once owned "Worwa's Restaurant" has made contact with "Jennifer the Flipper," hoping to lay hands on the old book of matches Jennifer found in a house she purchased, click here.

I think it's pretty cool how the blogosphere creates person-to-person connections in the real world and, therefore, basically mints the currency of "social capital." That's why I try to blog like a maniac, and I encourage others to blog about our cool, colorful struggle to make North Minneapolis something better.

I'm convinced the blogosphere can "virtually" pull us upward!

(Do not click "Read More")

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JOHNNY NORTHSIDE EXCLUSIVE: Possible Ward 3 City Council Candidate

Flickr.com Photo

There is a possible candidate to run for the Ward 3 City Council seat. First of all...

...let me make it clear the possible candidate is NOT ME. I have been asked to make a kind of announcement on my blog, soliciting feedback for somebody who is in an exploratory phase and may consider running in Ward 3. Any feedback can be mailed to hoffx106@umn.edu and I will forward it or, if appropriate, publish it. You can also use the comment threads, not just to this post but to posts discussing relevant issues impacting city politics.

I know this candidate. He is a natural leader. He has the ability to read people, see your needs and speak to those needs. He doesn't just deal with the surface, but wants to tackle the real issues that matter to you and me. (So tell me what those issues are in Ward 3! I have some ideas, and I've passed those thoughts on to the possible candidate, but it's time to hear from all of you by comments or email)

This man focuses on what you're struggling with right now. He does not have his head up in the clouds but rather he's down in the street where the people are.

I know a man, he can talk to anyone about anything. But he doesn't just talk, he listens. This guy is not like the politicians, he's one of you. He hears what you are saying.

This guy has had to put groceries on a credit card before, and it wasn't to earn airline miles. He's been more among the "have nots" than the "haves."

This is a man who is not afraid to confront wrong doing no matter who is guilty. He's had to chase "solicitors of uncouth ilk" from his very doorstep and lived to pay the price. But he rises up, every day, refusing to give in.

This guy looks out for children, Minneapolis' most precious asset. He says, "If we don't invest in the children, we have no city in which to invest."

He says, "Our great city is starting to change for the better. Will the leadership of Minneapolis be able to handle the change?"

Is there room for a man like this among the leadership of Minneapolis? When you look for a city council member, what do you look for:

Honesty. Integrity. Determination. Straightforwardness. Proper representation. Hope. Inspiration.

So that's the deal.

Some may think, "Whoah! Didn't we just finish a big election cycle?"

But guess what? Election cycles never end. In a democracy, we are in a perpetual campaign to determine who will lead, what are the relevant issues, and how will those issues be handled.

Democracy never rests.

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ReBuilding Together Announces New Program, Calls For Volunteers

Photo By John Hoff

Brett Thompson, Emergency Repair Coordinator for ReBuilding Together, was at the December Hawthorne Housing Committee Meeting, and announced a program to help low-income homeowners, as well as putting out a call for volunteers...

You will find Brett's email address at the bottom. At the meeting, I told Brett I'd simply publish her letter to put out the word. I will say, however, the new program to help citizens with much-needed repairs is really exciting. But not everybody who may need such a program is internet savvy, so please help spread the word if you know a neighbor in need who doesn't regularly "surf the web."

Here's Brett's letter:

Calling ALL Skilled Volunteers!

My name is Brett Thompson and I am the Emergency Repair Coordinator with Rebuilding Together Twin Cities (RTTC). RTTC is a non-profit housing organization that brings volunteers and communities together to improve the homes and lives of low-income homeowners. RTTC provides the tools, building materials, and volunteer labor to help low-income homeowners repair or modify their homes to make them accessible, safe and warm at no cost to the homeowner.

Since being founded in 1997, RTTC has rehabilitated 131 homes and 8 non-profit centers thanks in large part to the hard work and dedication of more than 3,500 volunteers.

RTTC is excited to announce Safe & Healthy Homes, a duel minor home modification and emergency repair program that will start in 2009 serving low-income homeowners who are faced with the prospect of losing their home or independence as the result of needing a home modification they are unable to address. The goal of minor home modification is to improve the quality of life and degree of independence for low-income elderly or disabled homeowners by increasing mobility and safety in their homes.

The emergency repair program will address home repairs that present and immediate risk to the safety or health of individuals in the home. To help meet the needs of low-income homeowners with emergency repairs, RTTC has partnered with Project for Pride in Living (PPL).

PPL started their Emergency Repair Program in 1972 and RTTC is excited to join them in this effort to help homeowners when the need is most urgent.

In light of the current economic instability our country faces, it is more critical than ever that low-income homeowners who may qualify for this program are made aware of the services that could help them through the difficult times ahead. In preparation for the launch of Safe & Healthy Homes in January 2009, I am contacting local individuals, organizations, groups and businesses to establish relationships that will help us spread the word about our new program.

Volunters are going to play a critical role in the success of Safe & Healthy Homes. Working with homeowners and RTTC staff, skilled volunteers will provide the dedication and motivation to ensure the needs of homeowners are attended to in a timely manner. There are numerous ways to get involved; including working with RTTC to network with skilled individuals, referring possible low-income homeowners, providing in-kind donations, and/or becoming Safe & Healthy Homes' volunteers.

Skilled volunteer support is also critical for the continued success of RTTC's fall and spring rebuilding days. RTTC prides itself in making quality, in-depth repairs on the homes of low-income homeowners. These repairs are indubitably made possible due to skilled volunteers who bring to RTTC their construction knowledge and those who join the Home Team Volunteer Core and become teachers as they empower and inform volunteers and homeowners in completing home modifications and repairs.

From construction supervisors who spend multiple weeks working with RTTC staff to plan and prepare projects, to house captains who lend their construction expertise to making repairs on rebuilding day, killed volunteers are key components to the success of RTTC's Rebuilding Day Program.

With skilled volunteers taking on these important leadership roles, RTTC is able to focus efforts and resources on addressing the needs of a larger number of low-income homeowners.

If you, your business organization, club or family would like to work with RTTC to improve the lives of your community, please contact me (Brett Thompson) at 651-776-4273. Or email at b.thompson@rebuildingtogether-twincities.org to gather more information or schedule a meeting.

Click here for the Twin Cities Rebuilding Together website.

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