Common Cents: The Money Class is a series of four classes that will meet on the following Tuesdays: November 7, 14, 21, 28 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Community Action Duluth -19 North 21 Avenue West. Pizza and child care will be provided. The class is free, however the class size is limited. To register for the class, call 726-1665.

Community Action Duluth offers classes designed to help people get out of debt, improve their credit, save money for the future, get ready for homeownership, learn the basics of investing, avoid predatory lending and become financially smart.

With your help, Hillsider makes progress
On behalf of The Hillsider Board of Directors, I am pleased to report that we continue to make progress in our service to the community through the newspaper you are holding. We are not "out of the woods" yet, but our position has become stronger with each of the three issues that Editor Naomi Yaeger-Bischoff has produced since June.
First, the board wishes to commend Naomi for her hard work, patience, sense of humor and flexibility. Naomi has done a great job. Her gifts as a photographer and writer are evident everywhere in this and previous issues. Naomi has done much to establish and build relationships within the community -- and she is always on the move finding stories and photos, meeting with advertisers, and connecting with the heartbeart of the Hillside.
Naomi has also been persistent in her efforts to develop her graphic design skills and master the complexities of desktop publishing software. One of the reasons we are only running a 12-page issue this month is to reduce some of the stress on Naomi as she takes larger responsibility for graphic design and layout. When you have a chance please give Naomi a word of encouragement and thanks.
Second, the board thanks the many advertisers in our neighborhoods who have been supporting The Hillsider with their business. A number of these advertisers have shown their trust in us by making advance payments on their ads, allowing us to print The Hillsider. We are deeply appreciative of that trust and working very hard to deepen that trust.
The financial position of The Hillsider is steadily improving thanks to the confidence and support of our advertisers. As this improved position translates into a growing operating reserve fund, we will be able to expand coverage of the community, increase our size, and explore the possibility of adding color.
Right now, one of our bigger challenge is translating our advertising sales into cash flow in order to build our bank account. Moving to a monthly publication schedule means that there is a shorter billing and payment cycle (which I handle).
I have a "day job" with a nonprofit organization and I know firsthand the challenges of paying the bills in as timely a manner as possible. It is from this position that I appreciate the challenges our advertisers face in the area of cash flow.
With this said, Advertiser Friends, whatever you can do during the next few months to keep your Hillsider accounts current will help us better serve our community. Thanks!
Another thing advertisers can do to help us is to provide "press ready" advertising in the proper size. Naomi will communicate with you about this. Providing advertising in this manner will really help this lean organization. It is worth noting that we have only one (under)paid part-time position (Naomi), five volunteer board members (all working full-time in some capacity), and a modest number of contributors/helpers.
By the way, we continue to need additional board members and volunteers -- growth in these areas will have a major influence on the Hillsider’s direction. Please contact Naomi or any board member to join with our efforts.
Third, the board wants to thank our readers. The last two issues have each had a couple of letters to the editor -- and this reflects that the paper is both being read as well as sparking reflection and conversation. To the best of my knowledge, this is the most letters to the editor in two consecutive Hillsiders that we have ever had. Feel free to send letters to the editor to The Hillsider. This is your paper and your forum for learning about and speaking about what is important to you in our neighborhoods. Letters are a priority to print!
Finally, a word of thanks to PrintCorp which prints The Hillsider each month. PrintCorp has been a great business to work with, helping us identify and address technical aspects of the printing process. We deeply appreciate their patience, flexibility and helpfulness.
On behalf of the Hillsider Board of Directors,
--David Clanaugh, Hillsider Treasurer

Photo Caption: Tim Weber and Jacquelyn Schneider in the living room of their East Hillside, three-bedroom home.





“New Baby, New Home:” Couple Purchases First Home

Submitted by LISC

http://www.lisc.org/duluth

Tim Weber and Jacquelyn Schneider are excited about owning their own home. “It has always been our dream to own our own home, especially since we will soon have a new baby,” said Jacquelyn. “It’s also great not to have to continue to pay high rent every month,” added Tim.
Tim heard about the “Hillside Homeownership Incentive Program” (HHIP) at St. Luke’s where he works. Through this program, he and Jacquelyn received a $2,000 grant to help them with downpayment and closing costs. “Without this grant, it would have taken us many more years to save enough money to buy a home,” said Jacquelyn.
Tim and Jacqueline participated in the Hillside Homeownership Incentive Program, an employer-assisted program of the “At Home in Duluth” partnership. Because of the generosity of seven Duluth employers, owning a home in the Central Hillside, East Hillside or Endion neighborhoods has become a reality for their employees.
HHIP is a partnership among local employers, Duluth Local Initiatives Support Corporation (Duluth LISC), Neighborhood Housing Services of Duluth (NHS Duluth), and the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund (GMHF). Current employers are Miller-Dwan Medical Center, North Shore Bank of Commerce, Northland Foundation, SMDC Health System, St. Luke’s, U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo Bank.
To date, 108 families have become homeowners in the Central and East Hillside neighborhoods.

Here’s how the program works:
Employees interested in purchasing a home in the Hillside neighborhood contact NHS Duluth at 727-8604 to discuss participating in the Hillside Homeownership Incentive Program. NHS verifies that grant funds are available, and HHIP participants are required to complete the NHS homebuyer education course. NHS also links them to money management education and other sources of purchase and rehabilitation funding.
There are no income limits for the employer-funded $2,000 grant. In addition to the $2,000 grant, families may qualify (based on income and family size) for an additional $2,000 in funds provided by Duluth LISC and GMHF.
“We learned a lot during the homebuyer course,” said Tim. “Kris Monson [who teaches the class at NHS] shared many good ideas about how to find a home, what to look for, and what to watch out for,” added Jacquelyn.
There is a similar program for employees who wish to live in the Lincoln Park neighborhood: Homeownership Program for Employees in Lincoln Park. The process is the same: interested employees contact NHS at 727-8604.
The “At Home in Duluth” partnership continues to look for employers who understand the value of providing this homeownership benefit to their employees who would like to live in the Hillside and be near their work site. Employer contributions to Duluth LISC are tax deductible, charitable donations, and contributions are matched by national LISC. For further information, interested employers should contact Duluth LISC at 727-7761.
Initiated by Duluth LISC in 1998, “At Home in Duluth” is a 20-member partnership that works to revitalize Duluth’s core older neighborhoods, including Central and East Hillside. Through “At Home,” older deteriorated housing is being upgraded; families are assisted to become homeowners; new homes are constructed on vacant, infill lots; commercial corridors are revitalized; and streets and parks are improved.
Note: This is the second in a series of articles about the “At Home in Duluth” partners and what they are doing to continue to improve the quality of life in the Hillside neighborhoods.

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Grant Community School Collaborative News

We are wishing returning students, families, teachers and staff a warm welcome back to school. We are also very happy to see so many new faces this year. Together we can make the Grant Language and Arts Magnet School an even more creative place for students, parents and neighbors to learn and grow together.

Upcoming Community Events and Classes
As a note to our neighbors, we’d like to let you know we have after school programming that is open to all who live in the East Hillside community- we have activities for adults, youth and for families. We welcome parents, grandparents, and neighbors to volunteer in any of our youth and family programs as well. Please do not hesitate to call us at 733-2016 if you would like to become involved in the Grant Community School Collaborative programs.

Youth Programs:
“Terrific Tuesdays” and “Thurzday Thrillz” after school enrichment classes are for elementary aged youth in the East Hillside neighborhood (youth do not have to be currently attending Grant Language and Arts Magnet School). We have a variety of classes which meet 3:30-5:30 p.m. beginning Tuesday, October, 10th 2006. Children can choose from a slate of classes in the arts, games, dance, outdoor adventures, science, cultural activities and more. If you are interested please contact our office, ask for Kathy Bogen or Jess Blake for more information. Our number is 733-2016.

Grant Extended Day Program
(Before and After School Care)

The YWCA before and after school program in Rm 201 still has some openings. This program is free to families who qualify for free/reduced lunch. For all other family’s the fee is $60/month for am care and $100/month for PM care, $160 for both. We accept Child Care Assistance and can scholarship your co-pay. We welcome all children who are enrolled at Grant. You may sign in as early as 7 a.m. and stay as late as 6 PM. Pick up registration materials and look at our monthly calendar of activities in Room 201. We serve a healthy tasty snack every day and expect the students to bring in their homework. We will keep your child supervised, safe and having fun! If you have questions please call Susan at the YWCA 722-7425.

Family Programs:
We are in the process of planning lots of community events to showcase the many talents of our youth, to celebrate the wonderful diversity of our community and to meet the needs of our community.

Family Event Schedule for Fall Semester 2006-2007 at Grant Language & Arts Magnet School:

Thursday, October 5th, 5:30-7:45 Family Health & Fitness Fair - Healthy eating and
outdoor recreational games (indoors in case of rain)
October 12th, 6:00-8:00 Hispanic Cultural Family Night- Hispanic dinner and
Paraguayan Music and Puppets
Thursday, October 19th, 5:30-7:00 Baroque Music Festival- Dinner, childrens’ activities and a musical performance featuring the Chatham Baroque
Thursday, November 30th 5:30-8:00 Grant School “Steps to the Future” Powwow –
Feast, Dancing, Career Fair
Thursday, December 14th 5:30-7:30 “Enda Semestah Fiesta” Cultural foods, student
exhibits and performances, Latin dancing.

While donations are always appreciated, there is no charge for these events.

For more information, call the Grant Community School Collaborative at 733-2016

Girl Power! Program at the YWCA of Duluth

Girls ages 9 – 15 are welcome to attend our “just for girls” Girl Power! Program. This free program allows girls to participate in non-traditional recreation, self-esteem building activities, community service and explore new careers/vocations. We do things girls love to do! We will pick you up after school Monday, Wednesday and Friday and can in most cases drive you home at 6:00 PM. You choose which days of the week work best for your schedule, all three or maybe just one. Bring your homework and dress for the weather. We usually swim once a week so have a suit and towel handy! Registration materials are available in the main office. Call Susan at the YWCA 722-7425 so we know when you will be with us!

Gloria Dei Radio Ministry is 64 Years Old
By Britt Carlson

“I gave myself a title: Radio Ministry Coordinator, RMC,” says Doug Maguire, the man who is in charge of broadcasting the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church service over WDSM 710 AM radio each Sunday from 10-11am. This title is apt for both the man and the ministry he speaks of.

A live radio broadcast of the Gloria Dei Sunday service has been a part of the church for 64 years this March and is the longest running church broadcast in the state of Minnesota. The first broadcast was March 12, 1943. The reason for beginning the broadcast is much the same as its goal today: to spread God’s word, especially to folks who can’t leave their home. The AM frequency used to broadcast the weekly service travels farther than FM radio and so Maguire suspects that there are listeners as far north as the Gunflint Trail and east into central Wisconsin.

Though no one knows for sure how many listeners there are each week, Maguire is constantly surprised by the number of people who he meets that listen to the service. “Oh, you’re the one who puts the Gloria Dei service on the air! I’ve listened to that before,” people will tell him.

The broadcast is sent over the phone line as it has been for years. The phone line limits the sound quality, Maguire explained, but many improvements have been made over the years in technical equipment. Members are constantly supporting the ministry. “There are members of our church who will anonymously donate toward equipment they have never heard of. The members here support the church in incredible ways.”

With the help of church members and radio listeners, Gloria Dei is constantly updating its sound system for broadcast. The sound quality of the choir, band, and instrumental and vocal soloists is high because of this commitment and Maguire’s knowledge.

Maguire is a Gloria Dei Lutheran Church member and long-time volunteer. Radio Ministry Coordinator seems like a fitting title for the man who commits every Sunday to the broadcast. He’s been in charge of the broadcast for 15 years now. “I like all the dials and gadgets. And I like giving back to the community. That’s what it is for me—community service.”

There are others who put weekly efforts into the broadcast. Maguire has two volunteers who help him and he hopes to get new people involved. “I never thought I would do this every Sunday for 15 years,” he says with a chuckle.

Whether Maguire is the man behind the “dials and gadgets” or it is someone else, the answer to the Beatle’s question “Will you still need me? Will you still feed me, when I’m sixty-four?” is yes at Gloria Dei.

Central Hillside residents meet to brainstorm for ideas to improve the neighborhood


Caption:
Wanda Sayer and Myrna Raisnen write down ideas during a brainstorm session for Central Hillside.









By Naomi Yaeger-Bischoff
hillsider@sundogpress.com
Residents of the Central Hillside neighborhood gathered to brainstorm for ideas to make the area a nicer place to live and do business on Thurs., Sept. 14. Mike Fisher and Heidi Bringman, consultants with LHB Corp. led the group in three exercises. People sat at round tables and shared ideas. In the first exercise people wrote down what they thought were problems. The group was then treated to a supper. The next step was to complete and exercise with “idea Cards” in which people drew a picture or wrote down in words what would be a good, important or exciting idea for Central Hillside. Twenty-four ideas cards were used. Some of the ideas include: drawings of street-lights, better traffic controls, addition of fencing, a neighborhood watch, street improvements, a mini-bus transportation system, improving the acoustics in the Washington Center, beautifying or adding green space, creating gardens, encouraging walking and biking, a youth center, leveling of the hill of the Park and Rec area. The third and final exercise of the night was to define an area of focus. People were asked to circle or pinpoint on a map the exact area they would like to see the ideas implemented. Before people left for the night, people were giving a sticker and asked if they woke up in the morning with $1million to spend in the Central Hillside, which area of focus would they spend the money. Lighting the Hillside received the most stickers. Bringman said, “A lot of people were pretty clever in their ideas.” A unique idea she heard was to have a training program with a volunteer from University of Minnesota or the University of Wisconsin to help with simple landscape ideas to apply to our own homes. Another idea was to have a training process for landlords to make sure rental properties are up to code. LHB Corp was hired as the consultant for the “At Home in Duluth,” which is a collaboration of the City of Duluth, Duluth LISC, and Neighborhood Housing Services. Bringman said that the Duluth Neighborhood Revitalization planning is off to a great start. She urges residents to come hear what Central Hillside neighbors think and share ideas for future revitalization efforts.

The next meeting is scheduled for:
Thursday, November 2nd at the Central Hillside Community Center, 6pm.

Scott Neustel will lead HBA through challenge of new projects for funding
Naomi Yaeger-Bischoff
hillsider@sundopress.com

Caption:Scott Neustel, president of the Hillside Business Association, poses at his business the Ski Hut, 1032 E. 4th St. His father started the business 51 years ago. (Photo by Naomi Yaeger-Bischoff)

Scott Neustel, 2006- 2007 president of the Hillside Business Association (HBA), became an active member of the HBA after he saw what a difference street lamps along 4th Street made to the atmosphere of the neighborhood. Before the new streetlights were added a few years ago, the big picture windows of his business, Ski Hut, 1032 E. 4th St., were vandalized about twice a year. “I was so impressed with that project,” Neustel said, “I became more motivated.”
The Hillside Business Association encourages and facilitates additions and improvements along the 4th Street corridor and the Hillside neighborhood in general. Neustel said, “I believe in small business. You can’t run small business out of malls.” He said the 4th Street corridor lends itself to small businesses, which are specialized businesses with stand-alone structures. If the neighborhood is clean and safe, people will want to shop at these businesses.
“If the 4th Street corridor were to deteriorate, crime rates would go up and property values would lower.” He says a vibrant neighborhood is the key to prevention of crime. Whatever the HBA can do to add to the quality of life for the residents of the Hillside neighborhoods comes back to benefit the businesses and customers of the businesses.
Currently the HBA receives funding from charitable gaming run through the Twin’s Bar. Neustel said, “As of January the charitable gambling contract is up. Our income source will be from other projects. That will be a big challenge.” Neustel said the HBA does have some projects “in the works,” but declined to say what they are until deals are firm.
One new project the HBA uses for funding is the ownership of the building, which houses Ma and Pop’s 4th Street Market. The new owners of the market, Deyona and Jamar Kirk, pay rent to the HBA. There are also two apartments over the grocery store and the lower level of the building has two commercial spots. Neustel said it would be ideal if a catering service could rent part of the lower level to compliment the grocery store. An old house will be demolished to make room for parking.
“It’s easy to do business on 4th street right now,” said Neustel. It is the only two-way street above Superior Street. If people take ownership there will be less and less vandalism. One of the ways to take ownership is by removing graffiti right away. The HBA now has material to help people remove graffiti.
The HBA also has a financial interest in the Village Place Apartments on 5th Street. They have a 33 percent partnership with VP Development (Scott Vesterstein and Paul Vesterstein.) The HBA is authorized under the state of Minnesota as a community development corporation. Another project the HBA has completed is the remodeling of storefronts on the 500 block of East 4th Street and the bridgework over Chester Creek at 14th Avenue. The membership flyer says of the future, “Many more things need to be done: further improve traffic flow and parking, eliminate the graffiti and garbage, curb the growing gang related activity in the area, develop a bike path, create a desirable place for people to come to shop and live.
Membership in the HBA is $15 for individual residents and $50 for business. Meeting are held the third Wednesdays of the month at 12 noon at the Village Place Apartments. Serving on the board are: Tammy Gosline, Claudie Washington, Melissa Taylor, Mary Bjorklund, Jeff Fifield, Henry Banks, Michele Lebeau and Rod Raymond.