This year the Revolution will take place on Sunday, April 22, 2012 at the Edison High School gymnasium (700 22nd Avenue NE, Minneapolis). Doors open at 4pm. Hotdish and Jello entries for competition will be accepted until 4:30pm. Food will be served at 5pm, after our celebrity judges have had a chance to sample your delicious creations!

This year, there are six hotdish categories – Spicy, Vegetarian, I Made It! (for kids under 16), Tater Tot, the new Fins and Feathers, and Darn Good (which covers anything that doesn’t fit elsewhere). Jello from all will be judged on both creativity and deliciousness.

Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for adults entering a hotdish (9×13″ pan, please) or Jello, and $5 for kids 5-12. Kids under 4 are free. Come out, have a beer, listen to some accordion and have fun with your neighbors!

For more information on how you can be involved, please call HNIA at 612-781-2299 or join the Hotdish Revolution on Facebook or Twitter.

Donations and volunteers are also needed! Cat food (urgent), dish soap, laundry soap, toilet paper, and canned chicken/tuna along with vets/vet techs, dog and cat handlers, and help directing traffic and doing paperwork are needed and appreciated. The proceeds of this clinic benefit outreach programs at Northeast Community Lutheran, including the Little Kitchen Food Shelf.

On Thursday we are going to launch our Neighborhood Revitalization Program Phase II plan that will determine how over $451,000 of neighborhood funds will be spent to serve our neighborhood. We need our residents, community leaders, and stakeholders to be involved in this process. This is more than just deciding how money will used. It is about strengthening the community bonds and working together for the common good.

We are looking for Holland neighborhood residents, leaders and stakeholders to form a steering committee that will guide the development and outreach efforts for this plan. Steering committee members will help ensure that residents’ voices are heard and that the plan truly reflects the priorities of the residents and stakeholders of the neighborhood.

Also at the Meeting:

• Northeast Investment Co-op will discuss an innovative new effort to revitalize Central Avenue by redeveloping vacant and unused properties. Don’t miss the opportunity to find out what they are doing and how you can become involved.
• Get information and an application for the Holland Home Improvement Loan Lottery. These new programs will help homeowners make repairs and improvements to their property this year.
• Enter a FREE raffle for cool prizes!

Please join us on Thursday to learn more about these opportunities. Email or call us at 612-781-2299 with any questions or input.

On January 12th, HNIA celebrated the roll out of our 2012 Loan Programs with a party at our monthly General Meeting. There are three programs, a forgivable loan for homeowners living on limited incomes, a low interest loan program for people improving their homes, and a loan fund for landlords who want to repair their small rental properties. Residents suggested that we include the ability to use these loans for ramps or other home modifications for people with disabilities.

The board agreed to take this up with GMHC. The board would also like to thank HNIA’s Loan team which included: Glenn Wennerland, Patricia Fenrick, Laura Stopyro, Lily Vaughn, Joe Truax, Dan Scoggins and others who participated in our General meeting brainstorming session in September last year. See our January 10th website announcement for an outline of the program and the full guidelines. Make sure you fill out the coupon in the application and mail it to Holland’s Office to enter the lottery for a loan to work on your home this year!

Questions? Email Dan or Sean at HNIA.