Nokomis East Neighborhood Association

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The Nokomis East Neighborhood Association (NENA) is a neighborhood association serving the Nokomis East neighborhoods of South Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States.[1] The Nokomis East area consists of four smaller neighborhoods; Wenonah, Keewaydin, Morris Park, and Minnehaha.

Contents

[edit] History and actions

Nokomis East Neighborhood was established in about 1988 with the goal of revitalizing and improving the neighoborhood.[2] In 1998, the association voted and ratified, and was approved, to be the recipient of Nokomis East's Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) funds.[3]

The neighborhood association has been responsible for many different projects and programs ranging from neighborhood planning to environment to housing to safety. These have included a commercial facade improvement program, tree planting along the Minnehaha Creek and Lake Nokomis, Earth Day cleanups of greenspaces, and the distribution of Children First grants.[4]

NENA has only two paid employees. The rest of the organization is made up of volunteers who live in the neighborhood. This includes the association's many committees, which each focus on different areas for improvement. Additionally, a board oversees the operations of the group.

[edit] Events

May 2008 neighborhood meeting
May 2008 neighborhood meeting

The neighborhood association hosts 6 to 10 town meetings per year.[2] These have included meetings with property developers and discussions about significant neighborhood happenings, such as the rennovation of the Nokomis Community Library. In April or May, NENA usually hosts a neighborhood meeting to update the public on its affairs and those of the neighborhood, and deliver its annual report. The 2008 neighborhood meeting featured state senator Patricia Torres Ray as the keynote speaker.[5]

On December 30, the neighborhood association holds a 'Night Before New Year's Eve' Celebration with family games, music, crafts and horse-drawn hayrides.[6] New Year's is celebrated at 8:00pm, instead of midnight.[6]

[edit] April Fool's stories

Every April Fool's Day, fictitious stories written as news articles are posted on the NENA website. Usually, they involve local topics, such as the Hiawatha Light Rail Line or Lake Nokomis.[7] One such story, released in 2006, supposed that bull sharks had been pushed up the Mississippi River and into the Minnehaha Creek after hurricanes Katrina and Rita.[8] The story was picked up by online forums, websites and word of mouth, and at one point was averaging almost 1,000 views a day.[9]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Nokomis East Neighborhood Association (NENA), Mpls MN 55417. Nokomis East Neighborhood Association (2008-05-13). Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  2. ^ a b The Association. Nokomis East Neighborhood Association. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  3. ^ 46 Nokomis East Neighborhood Summary. Neighborhood Revitalization Program. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  4. ^ Current NENA Programs and Projects. Nokomis East Neighborhood Association. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  5. ^ NENA: 2008 Neighborhood Meeting. Nokomis East Neighborhood Association. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  6. ^ a b 8th Annual Night Before New Years Eve Party. Nokomis East Neighborhood Association. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  7. ^ Welcome to the Back Yard. Nokomis East Neighborhood Association. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  8. ^ Shark Tales No More. Live Sharks Caught in Minnehaha Creek. Nokomis East Neighborhood Association (2006-04-01). Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  9. ^ Ulrich, Rita. "Shark Tales", Longfellow Nokomis Messenger, June, 2006. Retrieved on 2008-05-17. 

[edit] External links