Powderhorn residents celebrate NNO

A steady rain did not prevent a crowd of about 30 people from gathering on the 3100 block of 10th Avenue South August 1 for the 23rd annual National Night Out (NNO), one of an estimated 1,100 NNO parties throughout Minneapolis. Jeff Smollar and Randy Lyon provided the hotdogs, brats and grill. Jon Wolf, owner of Chicago-Lake Liquors contributed $250 for an inflatable JustJump. Visitors included Amy Blumenshine, David and Barb Tilsen, and Ward 8 council member Elizabeth Glidden. Third Precinct Crime Prevention Specialist Karen Scrivseth (flying with neither raincoat nor umbrella) also attended. Homeowners, apartment dwellers, neighbors and passersby dodged children and basked in the cool, moist weather.

According to the National Association of Town Watch website (the organizers of National Night Out), the event is designed to “heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.” Participating cities and towns arrange with neighbors to close streets and coordinate events with local police officials. Last year approximately 34 million people across the United States and Canada took part. Both Minneapolis and St Paul won awards for their participation in 2005’s National Night Out.