SNG E-NEWSLETTER – Nov. 15, 2011

. In this edition … …Give to the Max Day November 16 …..SNG awarded a $2000 grant!!…Tissue paper needed….Seward Arts Festival Kick-off…Seward Arts Festival/Franklin Frolic …Special rebates and Home Improvement Assistance… …

I.   SNG News and Events

II. SNG Committee Calendar  

III. Seward Longfellow Restorative Justice Partnership News

IV. Community News and Events 

I.  SNG News and Events

***Give to the Max Day – Wednesday, November 16***

Your $10 Donation Could Help SNG Win $1000 on November 16!

Give to the Max Day returns on Tuesday, November 16 and you can take this opportunity to support the Seward Neighborhood Group — and maybe win a chance to get us an extra $1,000! Just send us $10 or more through the link below on November 16. If you haven’t made a contribution to SNG this year, this is a quick and easy way to support your neighborhood organization.  And if you have already contributed to SNG, we thank you for your support, and ask that you consider making another donation that could make a big impact. 

***To visit our GiveMN.org page and make a donation, click http://www.razoo.com/story/Seward-Neighborhood-Group

Win a Golden Ticket!

Every hour a donor will be selected at random and $1,000 will be given to the non-profit of his or her choice. You can increase your chances of being chosen by giving late at night or early in the morning—or by making several smaller donations throughout the day. Wouldn’t it be fabulous if YOU got SNG that extra $1,000 donation?

FFI, contact Kerry Cashman at Kerry@sng.org  or 612-338-6205, x119

Seward Neighborhood Group Awarded a $2,000 Grant!

The Seward Neighborhood Group (SNG) was awarded a $2,000 grant from the Center for Energy and Environment and the McKnight Foundation on Tuesday, October 25^th, for placing 3rd in the implementation award challenge, with 31.37% of homes participating in Community Energy Services (CES) completing recommended energy efficiency upgrades.  Seward Housing Coordinator, Doug Wise, was on hand to accept the award.  The award was presented at the Community Energy Services Award Ceremony where partnering neighborhood organizations and volunteers were awarded over $45,000 in grants for their work with CES. 

Since fall of 2010, SNG has been a partner in the Community Energy Services program, providing over 55 home visits that have helped homeowners’ save energy and money in their homes.  CES is still available in Seward and throughout Minneapolis, with now being a great time to participate and prepare your home for winter.  Please visit www.mnces.org for a list of upcoming presentations where you can learn how to save energy and money in your home and sign up for the home energy visit for $30.

Come join over 4,000 Minneapolis homeowners already participating.  For more information about Community Energy Services or to view a list of Community Energy Service Award Recipients, visit www.mnces.org or call (612) 219-7334.

Seward Arts Festival Kick-off at the Playwrights Center, Dec. 2^nd 6:30 – 9PM   Local Readings and performance artists! Great food and wine from Seward Businesses—only $10. Save the Date!!  Email Kerry@SNG.org if you have any questions.  Tickets are now available.

Seward Arts Festival/Franklin Frolic—December 2^nd  5 – 7 PM and December 3^rd 12 -5 

Don’t miss this annual neighborhood event.  There are over 60 artists and businesses registered with sales and activities all over the neighborhood.

Tissue paper needed for SAF lantern making—all colors.  This doesn’t have to be in great condition, it will be cut into small pieces anyway.  Drop off donations at the SNG office at 2323 E. Franklin Ave.

Bakesale for Somali Famine Relief  December 3^rd at Bethany Lutheran Church 2511 E. Franklin Ave.  Email Kerry@sng.org if you want to donate.  Make sure you stop by and pick up some treats for the holiday season!

SNG 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.

In addition, Seward homeowners can take advantage of special loan programs available through a partnership between the Seward Neighborhood Group and the Center for Energy and Environment at interest rates from 0%-5.99%.  The SNG Revolving Loan Program provides loans up to $12,000 to income eligible homeowners for exterior, energy, mechanical, electrical and code improvements at 3.99%.  The Minnesota Fix-up Fund provides loans up to $35,000 for home improvements including additions at 5.99%.  Income eligible Seward homeowners can have their fix-up fund interest rate reduced to 3.99% on up to $20,000 for up to 15 years. The Home Energy Loan Program provides loans up to $20,000 from 0%-4.99% for energy related improvements (0% for terms 36 months or less).

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Doug Wise, SNG’s Housing Coordinator, at (612) 338-6205, ext. 102 or doug@sng.org.

Seward Environment Committee Rebate

The Seward Environment Committee is offering a special $150 rebate to members of the Seward community who are participating in both the Minnesota Energy Challenge and Community Energy Services!  This rebate is in addition to the rebate of up to $350 from Center Point Energy for participants in the program.

To receive this rebate, you must be a member of the Seward Energy Challenge team

<http://www.mnenergychallenge.org/Teams/Neighborhoods/Seward_Mpls.aspx>;  have received a home energy visit through Community Energy Services and completed one of the recommended upgrades* from that visit between 9/1/2010 and the end of this year.  To receive this $150 rebate, you need to submit the following:

·                                Copy of your “Home Energy Report - Reduction Plan” that you received at your home visit;

·                                A signed invoice from your contractor for the completed work;

·                                A print-out of your Energy Challenge dashboard (“My Challenge”).

Submit these forms to Kerry Cashman at kerry@sng.org or the SNG office at 2323 East Franklin Avenue.

*Qualifying upgrades are: attic insulation and air sealing, wall insulation and air sealing, new furnace or boiler and new water heater.

II. SNG Committee Calendar

-Crime and Safety Committee –  January 14 

7:00 PM, Matthews Center, 2318 29^th Ave. S. 

FFI, contact committee chair Kathy Sikora at ksikora@me.umn.edu

-Community Development Committee – December 13

7:00 PM, Matthews Center, 2318 29^th Ave. S.

FFI, contact Doug Wise at doug@sng.org

-History Committee – December 7

6:30, SNG office, 2323 E. Franklin Ave.

FFI, contact Dick Westby at sandrich22@comcast.net.

-Seward Arts Festival-TBD

            7PM Matthews Center 2318 29^th Ave. S

            FFI contact Kerry Cashman @ kerry@sng.org or 612-338-6205

-Environment Committee Meeting – Nov 21

6:55PM , SNG office, 2323 E. Franklin Ave.

FFI, contact committee chair Carol Greenwood at carolgwood2@gmail.com

-Board of Directors Meeting – November 30th

7:00 PM, SNG office 2323 E. Franklin Ave. Board meetings are open to the public—all residents and those who work or own property in Seward are invited to attend.  FFI, contact board chair Sheldon Mains, smains@visi.com.

II. Seward Longfellow Restorative Justice Partnership News

Welcome to 6 new volunteers who completed conference facilitator training over the weekend.  For announcements about future training opportunities, please contact Michele Braley at 612-338-6205 x108 or michele@sng.org.

For more information about restorative justice, SLRJP and how you can get involved, contact Michele Braley at michele@sng.org or 612-338-6205 x108

III. Community News and Events

6th Annual Green Gifts Fair—Saturday, November 19 10 AM – 5PM at the Midtown Global Market Lake St. & Chicago Ave.  Free event. http://www.doitgreen.org/gifts-fair

Financing Now Available for Residential Energy Efficiency Upgrades

The Center for Energy and Environment now offers 0% financing to qualified homeowners of single family owner occupied residences statewide.  Designed to address the needs of homeowners prior to the winter, this program offers 0% financing for many energy efficiency upgrades including air sealing, insulation, windows, high efficiency heating systems and more.  Insufficient insulation is the main cause of ice dams which created huge damage to homes across Minnesota last year.   Did you know that it only costs approximately $2-3,000 to have the average home’s attic air sealed and insulated?   That’s about $85/month for 3 years at no interest for peace of mind this winter.  The chart below identifies the monthly payments associated with the corresponding loan amount.  CEE offers up to a $20,000 loan amount for this program.

For more information on this program and others offered in your community by the Center for Energy and Environment, visit www.ceeloans.org  or contact 612-335-5884 or loaninfo@mncee.org.

*These monthly payments are meant to be estimates only.  Monthly payment may vary slightly depending upon several factors.

This newsletter was compiled by SNG with the assistance of neighbors who contributed suggestions and news items. To subscribe, send an email to admin@sng.org with “subscribe” in the subject line. To unsubscribe, send an email to admin@sng.org with “unsubscribe” in the subject line. If you know of an upcoming event, meeting, or news item that should be included in a future newsletter, please email admin@sng.org. Thank you! 

Kerry Cashman, Community Coordinator

Seward Neighborhood Group

2323 E. Franklin Ave. 

Minneapolis, MN 55406

612-338-6205, x119