February 2011 SCCA NEWS

Seward’s Business Community [Link]

February Meeting 2010

Board of Directors
Property Assessment Chair:
with David Peterson Jim Welna
Welna II Hardware
David Peterson, student attorney with the William Mitchell Com- Vice Chair:
munity Development Clinic, will be speaking about how building Rick Siewert
owners can contest the valuation of their property for property Siewert Cabinet
tax assessments Treasurer:
Max Duckler
CaptionMax
Wednesday, February 16th, 2011 / 11:45 am – 1:00pm
Shabelle Deli / 2325 East Franklin Ave Suzanne Weinstein
Coastal Seafoods
Shabelle Deli will provide lunch for $10. *Lunch is optional*
Jennifer Larson
To RSVP, please contact Megan: 612.435.0279 / megan@[Link] Communications Design

Russ Scott
A-Craft Windows

Joe Buck
January Meeting Notes Buck Bros. Construction
Crime and Safety Update, Wednesday, January 19th, 2910 East Franklin Ave.
by Sally Holzapfel and Dave Madsen Sean Doyle
Seward Co-op
On Wednesday, Jan. 19, residents and business owners from the Seward and Longfellow
neighborhoods gathered at Seward Towers East (2910 East Franklin Ave.) to hear presen-
tations from Inspector Lucy Gerold and Shun Tillman regarding crime prevention and Monthly Meetings are held
safety awareness in the area. Before SCCA board chair Jim Welna called for announce- on the 3rd Wednesday of
ments, the crowd of about 30 attendees mingled and ate the delicious food from Glaciers each month from 11:45
Café (3019 Minnehaha Ave.). - 1pm.

Program manager for the Seward Longfellow Restorative Justice Partnership (SLRJP), Upcoming Dates
Michelle Braley, then announced that the teen outreach circles have been very success-
ful as teens in the area now have a safe space to converse. Also, Braley reported that the February 16
SLRJP received funding from the Seward Co-op and Common Bond in order to start
another teen circle program at Seward Commons East.
March 16
Jennifer Schoenziet from Zipp’s Liquors then took the floor to inform attendees that she
April 20
MEETING NOTES continued on page 4
SCCA Mission: to provide a forum for Seward area businesses to plan, discuss, advocate and network for mutual benefit.
Page 2 Member Updates
Cake Eater Lets Them Eat More Than Cake
Cake Eater Bakery, 2525 E. 25th St.
by Dave Madsen
In addition to the scrumptious cakes from the oven, the bakery
now offers a house-made soup as well as bagels from St. Paul
Bagelry. If you stop in between 8:00am and 12:00pm on week-
days (or 8:00am and 3:00pm on weekends), you can sit down
for an omelette, pancakes, or other breakfast options. Neighbors
will also be happy to hear that Cake Eater still offers Intelligentsia
Coffee to curb a caffeine fix. Moore Harris said that there are now
options for vegans and vegetarians, as well as options for people
who need to grab a lunch on-the-go.

“I know we will lose some customers because we are no longer

doing cupcake catering, but it’s a tradeoff,” Moore Harris said. “I
Cake Eater’s Window Display Photo credit: Steve Neuharth
think what we offer now is a good, varied menu with something
for everyone.”
If you stopped by Cake Eater Bakery (2929 E. 25th
St.) during the first two weeks of January, you may According to Moore Har-
have noticed that the doors were locked, the win- ris, the most challenging
dows were covered, and delectable, uncharacteristi- part of the re-envisioning
cally savory smells emerged from the building’s walls. process was the short period
You may have even asked yourself, What is this mad of time in which she and
laboratory of a bakery concocting now? her staff had to close and
reopen with an expanded
These questions, among many others, were answered menu. “The first day was
as the bakery, now under the sole direction of owner rocky, but I see us getting
and chef Emily Moore Harris, reopened on Jan. 15. more efficient everyday,” she
said. Though the reopening
Last December, former co-owner Sheela Namakkal was difficult, Moore Harris
decided to continue her career as a cupcake connois- reported that the multi-
seur at Bleeding Heart Cakery in the windy city of talented staff of Cake Eater
Chicago, IL. This left Moore Harris and her hus- remained very close and
band, Taylor, to shift the focus of the bakery toward worked very hard to ensure
a café-style menu that includes savory options for the bakery’s success. “I’m the A recent offering of Orange-Glazed Muffins
hungry patrons. According to Moore Harris, this luckiest boss in the world,”
menu expansion is an attempt to “[attract] new Moore Harris added.
customers as well as more of the neighbors who are

not sweets lovers.”
The future of Cake Eater looks very bright as more breakfast and
lunch items are constantly being developed and improved. Fruit
Since reopening, the cupcake menu has been refined
pies, tarts, cold salads, as well as house-made pickles and condi-
to two or three options, as opposed the usual six.
ments are all slated to be offered in the Bakery within the next
The most recent offerings at the bakery were Mop
few months. As the snow begins to recede in the early weeks of
Top-almond cakes with marzipan icing, topped with
spring, Moore Harris said she is excited to make full use of her
chocolate, almonds, and coconut, as well as Black
bakery’s garden area as well as offer outside dining to all patrons.
Cat Mocha-mocha cakes with dark mocha icing. In
“We adore our neighbors and we want to drink iced coffee with
case your sweet tooth can’t be satisfied with three
them once again,” Moore Harris said.
cakes, Cake Eater still offers scones, muffins, as well
as an assortment of cookies, brownies and bars.
 SCCA NEWS Page 3

New Bookstore to Shake Things Up

Boneshaker Books , 2002 23rd Ave. S. SCCA is online!
by Dave Madsen
In an effort to better estab-
The rooms behind 2nd Moon lish SCCA’s presence on
Coffee Café (2225 East Frank- the internet, we have de-
lin Ave.) sat vacant ever since cided to create a Facebook
the Seward Co-op (2823 East and Twitter page.
Franklin Ave.) moved its of-
fices into a new location fur- If you or your business has
ther down on the Avenue. This a Facebook page, be sure
to follow us and we’ll keep
opening practically begged for
you updated on member-
another small, independent ship meetings and newset-
business to share its space with ter releases.
the café and Mezzanine Salon.
The new business that moved Also, if tweeting is your
into 2002 23rd Ave. S. had to thing, make certain to
be one that would engage the Boneshaker’s Grand Opening caused quite a stir check out our daily hap-
community, provide a service that neigh- to stay on Lyndale, those on staff had to penings on:
bors would show interest in, and have a consider relocating to an area of the City [Link]

dedication toward a worthwhile cause. that had a reasonable amount of pedestri-

Feel free to write on our wall
Luckily, Boneshaker Books moved into an traffic and an environment that would
or tweet something at us if
that space and has been received very well support their cause.
you find something notewor-
by neighbors and business owners alike. thy in the area. We’ll be sure
“We knew Seward would be a great fit to respond as soon as we
Boneshaker Books is an all-volunteer run because it’s very progressive and family- can!
progressive bookstore that has a com- friendly, just like us,” Luker said.
mitment toward community, education,
and activism. The store is operated by On Saturday, Jan. 15, Boneshaker Books
seven people, all of whom are unpaid but celebrated its first day of business with a
equally passionate about the power of the Grand Opening celebration. By the end of Write an SCCA
written word and the implications of a the night, the store was filled with patrons Newsletter Article!
socially-conscious business in the area. and gave the volunteers a chance to ap-
In addition to providing unique litera- preciate all of their hard work in soliciting Is there a business in
ture, such as zines, Boneshaker’s goal is to donations and preparing the space. Seward that has always in-
create a welcoming space for the free ex- trigued you? Interested in
change of ideas. “Pizza Luce, Seward Co-op and Zipps do- getting to know what goes
nated food and drink for our opening; the on inside other neighbor-
Another unique aspect of this new book- Playwrights Center and Seward Café have hood businesses?
store is the fact that it is allied with the given us welcome gifts; and 2nd Moon has
Women’s Prison Book Project (WPBP), managed to direct a lot of traffic our way,” If so, you would make a
which was recently forced to move with Luker added. “We feel very welcome.” perfect author for an SCCA
the closure of Arise! Bookstore. Bone- newsletter article!
shaker maintains a level of commitment In order to expand business and draw
toward the WPBP as the bookstore assists more patrons in, Luker reported that the No writing skills necessary,
with mailings, donations, and a space in collective is planning to conduct book just an interest in your fel-
which to sell their books. swaps and facilitate family-friendly events low business owners
for the community. Also, the store is going
Amanda Luker of Boneshaker Books said to offer free bicycle book delivery program contact Dave: 435-0277
that when the store had to revise its plan when the snow begins to melt. SRI@[Link]
Page 4 SCCA NEWS
MEETING NOTES continued from page 1
would like all neighbors and business owners to consider lock up the valuables and keep and up-to-date inventory of
the possibility of having a block party along Franklin the important objects on one’s property. Tillman then closed
Avenue. Zipp’s is also supporting the SLRJP in fundraising the meeting by reminding attendees that those who commit
event at the Eagles Club (2507 25th Street East). these crimes live within a mile of the crime itself; all the more
reason to report suspicious characters in the area.
City Council Member for Ward 2, Cam Gordon, made an
announcement regarding his support for a new commercial
recycling program for the area. Reportedly, an approximate
70-80% of commercial spaces already recycle, but Gordon
said that he would like to see improvement. Also, Gordon
said that in February or March, the Mobile Vending Ordi-
nance will be open for review and food carts may find their
way onto Lake Street and Franklin Avenue.

To begin their discussion on crime and safety, Gerold and

Tillman announced that there was a recent robbery in the
area and steps could’ve been taken to prevent this crime.
According to the inspectors, an officer is likely to see a
crime and attempt to stop it once in every fourteen years Shamso Abdi, Sulebaan Mohamed’s mother, in the frame work of
of duty. Due to this, both Tillman and Gerold stressed the her family’s new home. Photo credit: Elizabeth Flores, Star Tribune
importance of neighborhood residents supporting the po-
lice by calling in any suspicious activity. The authorities are Sulebaan Mohamed gets a new home
then to determine the severity of the situation and respond Source: James Eli Shiffer and Lora Pabst, Star Tribune
accordingly.
In October, Sulebaan Mohamed spent his first night in his new
One way to cut down on crime in the area, according to home. It was fitting that the man who carried the 15-year-old
the inspectors, is to contact police regarding panhandlers severely disabled boy into the house on Clinton Avenue S. was
on highway overpasses as these people are trespassing on the contractor who made it all possible.
state property; though these calls may not be responded to
immediately, it is important to let the authorities know of James Brown of Brownsmith Restoration volunteered to fin-
any public disturbances. Gerold and Tillman also encour- ish renovations on the formerly condemned house after read-
aged those in attendance to report persons who consume ing Whistleblower’s story in June about a real estate investor
alcohol in public as the crime may indirectly harm the who sold the property to Sulebaan’s family without disclos-
community. ing its true condition and the contractor who didn’t complete
the job after being paid $46,000. Brown was joined by more
Preventative measures to cut down on crime in Seward and than 100 volunteers who showed up over the summer and fall.
Longfellow include removing important and/or valuable Strangers and Brown’s suppliers donated materials: a washer
items from one’s car and making sure to lock the doors and and dryer, cabinets and granite countertops. The home now
windows of one’s home and vehicle. The need for preven- includes a first-floor bedroom for Sulebaan, complete with a
tion was made very clear as Longfellow robberies (defined handicapped-accessible bathroom and a motorized lift over his
by one person stealing directly from another person) bed. He and his mother, Shamsho Abdi, had previously shared
decreased by 30% between 2009 and 2010, but burglaries a cramped apartment in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood
(defined by a person stealing from one’s home, business, or with several other relatives.
property) increased by about 30%.
On move-in day, Abdi said she was overwhelmed by all the
Tillman announced that he would be more than willing work Brown and the other volunteers did to transform the
to come to one’s business and facilitate crime prevention house.
and personal safety workshops as a means to cut down
theft in the area. In addition to these workshops, Tillman “I can sleep tonight,” she said. “He’s my angel. I didn’t know
said that offices and businesses may be safer if one were to anybody to help me. God sent him to me.”
 SCCA NEWS Page 5

2nd Moon hosts Desert Job Opening for SCCA

By: Bruce Johansen
Position Title:
Thursday, Jan. 20 was the coldest night Project Assistant Intern
of the winter to date, but that didn’t stop
close to 30 people from gathering in the Applications Due:
warmth of Seward’s 2nd Moon Coffee March 15, 2011
Cafe for a screening and discussion of
Desert in the Coffeehouse. When ap- Primary Function:
proached about hosting the short film The Project Assistant In-
about Twin Cities residents’ perceptions tern works with a team
of the Middle East, Osama (aka “Sam”) consisting of the Redesign
and Rochell Ansari, 2nd Moon’s owners, Associate Director, SCCA
jumped at the opportunity. Sam is Pales- Program Manager, and
tinian. He grew up on the east side of Je- other interns to assist with
rusalem, where his parents, brother and the implementation of spe-
sister still live, and came to Minnesota The poster for Pamela Nice’s documentary cial events for SCCA.
ten years ago, not knowing a word of at 2nd Moon had an opportunity to grapple
English. It was that personal background, Hours and Compensation:
with many hard truths about the U.S. pres-
in tandem with the neighborhood’s large Hours: 15-20 hours/wk
ence in the world. One young man spoke of
Muslim presence, which prompted the June through December
his regular travels between the U.S., where
couple’s enthusiasm. They thought that 31st, 2011.
he has lived for over ten years and his native
an event like the one proposed could Compensation: Project sti-
Somalia. He described how perplexing it is
bring people of various backgrounds pend.
to experience Americans as kind and helpful,
together to have a conversation about yet in Somalia to witness how much violence
the Middle East. Rochell said that she For more information, con-
our government’s policies perpetuate.
was especially excited to see who would tact Katya Pilling, Associ-
come. Both ended up being pleased that ate Director of Redesign,
In separate conversations, Nice, Hend al-
so many people braved the elements, and Katya@[Link].
Mansour, board chair of the Arab Ameri-
that the discussion engaged members of can Cultural Institute, which sponsored the
different segments of the community. event, and Kelly Povo, who helped organize
the screening, agreed that the exchange at
Pamela Nice, the independent film- Seward’s coffeeshop was the richest to date.
maker, teacher, and theater director who Include your
They said the audience was the best-in- business in the
made the film, began by inviting every- formed of any who have come to screenings
one present to do a not-so-simple ex- so far, and expressed regret that 2nd Moon
Member Update
ercise: filling in the names of countries was not among the venues Nice had visited
Section!
on a blank map of the Middle East. She for the project. For 2nd Moon’s Osama and
then explained the origins of her project: Rochell, the first-of-its-kind event to be held If your business has news
a request by a young Moroccan man who at one of Seward’s main gathering spots, was to share, we want to hear
wanted to get a handle on what Ameri- especially rewarding. It was a way to give about it. Let us know if
cans think of Middle Easterners, as well back to the community in a meaningful way. you’ve won an award, are
as how they view living in an empire. The Ansaris say they would absolutely like offering a new product or
For answers, Nice interviewed over 100 to do other, similar events, especially if those service, moved your space,
people of different ages and backgrounds events help people learn about different cul- etc. and we’ll share it here.
in Twin Cities coffeeshops. Following tures. In fact, the successful event has already
the screening, Nice facilitated a conver- begun stirring thoughts about how to offer contact Megan: 435-0279
sation, probing the audience’s reactions something like the January exchange on a megan@[Link]
to what they had seen and heard. Like regular basis.
those captured on film, the diverse crowd
Page 6 SCCA NEWS

Thank you to SCCA members who have contributed in 2010!

2nd Moon Café * A Craft Windows * Air Engineering and Supply * Allweather Roof * ArtiCulture
At Last Gourmet Foods, Inc * Augsburg College * Beaupre Aerial Equipment * Bethany Lutheran Church
Big Print * Birchwood Cafe * Blue Nile * Brownsmith Restoration * Bruce Johansen - Writer & Editor
Buck Brothers Construction * C.H.I.L.D. (Creative Hours In Learning Development) * Cake Eater Bakery
Canyons Structural, Inc. * CaptionMax * CCI Properties * Charles Levin Architects
Close Associates Architects * Coastal Seafoods * Community Connections Partnership
Crew 2: The Home Services Specialists * Cushman Motor Company * Dave’s Riverside Shell
Decisive Moment * Dero Bike Racks * DeVries Bar Grinding * DigiGraphic Photos Inc
Dr Gary Miller Chiropractic Center * Employment Action Center * Franklin Accounting Income Tax
Franklin Housing Cooperative * Garlock French Roofing * Glaciers Café * Hayat Beauty Salon
Hi Line Unique Flooring * Hiawatha Metalcraft Inc * Himalayan Restaurant * History Crafters
House Green - Energy Efficiency & Architecture * Imagin Studios * Infinite Real Estate Group
J.C. Miller & Sons Cement Contractors * Jefferson Lines * Jennifer Larson Communications Design
Jim’s Barber Shop * Kaal Home Health Care * Koyi Too Sushi * Madden Accounting & Tax Service
Midwest Lock and Safe * Mill City Builders * Minneapolis Maintenance * Minnesota Resource Center
Misco: Minneapolis Speaker Company * Movement Arts Center * Nguyen Architects * Pizza Luce IV
PF Hyper * Posl Photography * River Realty * Seward Church * Seward Community Co-Op
Seward Market & Halal Meat * Seward Neighborhood Group * Seward Towers East * Seward Towers West
Shabelle Grocery and Meat Market * Shega Bakery * Sheldon Mains * Sierra Club North Star Chapter
Siewert Cabinet and Fixture Manufacturing * Skol Liquors * Speak To Solve * SwirlyGig Industries
The New French Bakery * Tracy’s Saloon * True Thai * Twin Cities Media Alliance
Twin City Filter Service Inc * United Noodle * Verde Strategies * Volunteers of America Education Center
Welna II Hardware * Whiskey Junction * Wood from the Hood * Woodland Stove and Fireplace
World Endeavors * Worry Free Enterprises * WW Johnson Meat Co * Zipp’s Liquors

Minneapolis, MN 55406
2619 E Franklin Avenue
Seward Civic & Commerce Association