National Night Out (Minneapolis) and Night To Unite (St. Anthony) block parties August 2, were much like previous years. Neighbors getting to know each other better. Talking about common interests.
At one event a teacher was talking about meeting a man at Office Max who asked her about the supplies she was buying for her students. He donated a large amount of supplies for her school and now donates every year. Another group was talking about early computers and where that technology has gone since the 80s. People talked about their children, schools, neighborhoods, gardens, etc. Some were playing games. They all were eating. Children enjoyed the opportunity to play and ride bikes in the street. Most parties had their street blocked off so they could meet in the common area on the street.
At the Central Salvation Army party the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Department and some of their Explorer students were giving out badges and telling people about their work. They had people from the University of Minnesota Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program encouraging healthy eating.
The Salvation Army had their Worship Team performing, a bounce house for kids, a Hula-Hoop contest, and the food truck was serving hotdogs, chips and watermelon. Another visitor was K9 police officer Brandon Bartholome with Taz a Belgian Malinois police dog. Officer Bartholome told about the jobs and training done by police dogs. Everyone was petting Taz and enjoying interaction with him. Some Hennepin County Attorneys were visiting the 32xx Cleveland party and headed for other stops. The police also visited the 32xx Cleveland Party.
At the St. Anthony Night to Unite, the Police, Fire and City Council were visiting as many parties as possible. As they have done in past years, their plan was, between them, to stop and greet the neighbors at all 54 of St. Anthony’s parties. Citizens were also told about the extensive training involved to work as police and firefighters to take care of their people. At the Mirror Lake and other parties the firemen let some of the children sit in firetruck. The Skycroft and Croft Drive people said they also included people along 32nd and 33rd at their party.
Hennepin County Sheriff officers were giving out badges to kids and wristbands to adults. Wristbands said “Trust Change Together 2016.” An attached tag said, “Wear this wristband to show a partnership between neighbors and law enforcement. Let’s work together to create trust and positive change in our communities. National Night Out 2016.
Note: Margo Ashmore also reported on St. Anthony Night to Unite, on page 4 of the August 10 Northeaster.
Below: Photos from NNO and NTU (Photos by Carol Jensen).