Jennifer Samountry

With the rise of foreclosures there are a lot of vacant houses in Minneapolis, especially in North Minneapolis. Vacant houses increase crime, so Minneapolis is asking for citizens to help keep their blocks safe.

If you live near a vacant property here is what you can do to help keep your block safe.

Call 911 if you see anyone inside or around the property. Don’t confront anyone yourself!

Occasionally check on the vacant property to make sure it is still in tact, make sure there are no broken windows and that doors are locked and secure. If you notice a way trespassers can enter, if the house is not boarded up, or if you notice any health and safety issues call 311. http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/311/

You may maintain the public space of the property, the sidewalks can be shoveled, litter collected, leaves raked, just remember only to do this on the public space.

The city reminds you that it is NOT okay to dig, climb on a building, enter the property, or make improvements without written permission.

Do you have a property that already has an ongoing problem? Call your Crime Prevention Specialist at your police precinct.

Without aid from the government we will continue to see an increase in foreclosures and with them will come an increase in crime. Please be a good neighbor and keep an eye on these properties.

Info on foreclosures in Minneapolis: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10348014

Info on purchasing foreclosures in Hennepin County: http://www.co.hennepin.mn.us/portal/site/HCInternet/menuitem.3f94db53874f9b6f68ce1e10b1466498/?vgnextoid=8e38656d1a9fc010VgnVCM1000000f094689RCRD

Help if you are facing a foreclosure: http://www.hocmn.org/map_details.cfm?Id=84&pageID=7

If you are interested in investing or purchasing foreclosed properties or need help facing a foreclosure please contact me and I will try to answer any questions you may have.

So… it’s St. Patrick’s day and you forgot to wear green, did not add the food coloring to the kid’s milk and blame the leprechauns, and can’t figure out the best place to go to chug your green beer. The good news is this holiday is not over and there are fun events to attend, even if you missed the weekend’s greeny festivities.

The following is taken from the Minnesota Monthly (www.MinnesotaMonthly.com) A great resource to events in the Twin Cities.

Minnesotans for a United Ireland 34th Annual Saint Patrick's Day Ceilabration.
Irish music and dancing, 6:30 p.m. Price: $8. Randolph Heights Elementary School, 348 Hamline Ave. S, St. Paul.

Boiled in Lead 25th Anniversary St. Patrick's Day Concert
With the Minnesota Police Pipe Band, Lehto & Wright, Wild Colonial Bhoys, Brass Messengers, Sweet Colleens and more. 4:00 p.m. Price: free. $10-$12 after 7 p.m. First Avenue, 701 1st Ave. N, Mpls.

Gaelic Storm
7:30 p.m. at the Guthrie Theater. Price: $32.50-$37.50. 818 2nd Street South, Mpls.

The Minneapolis St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Held Monday on the Nicollet Mall, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The parade route will start at Nicollet and 13th Street and run until it reaches 5th Street. www.mplsstpats.org.

18th Annual Irish Ceili Dance
With Barra. 7:00 p.m. Price: $9.50. CSPS Hall, 383 Michigan St., St. Paul.

3rd Annual Thin Lizzy Tribute Night
With Jailbreak and Bastard Saint. 9:00 p.m. Price: $5. Triple Rock Social Club, 629 Cedar Ave. S, Mpls.

St. Patty's Day at Nomad’s
Free beer until someone pees. Nomad World Pub, 501 Cedar Ave. S Mpls.

Brit’s Pub
The parade goes right past Brit’s front door and for the first time, Brit’s will have a huge beer tent on the Rooftop Garden level this year. Bagpipers and happy hour between 4.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. No cover charge.

Kieran's Irish Pub
Hear some of the best local talent on three stages. Enjoy the 1600-square-foot heated tent on the patio; the festivities in the main bar, The Lifeboat Lounge; and the music in the banquet space, The Titanic Lounge. 330 Second Ave S Mpls., 612-339-4499.

Kip’s
The day starts at 10 a.m., and is filled with great food, entertainment, and plenty of activities so you can celebrate until the wee hours of the morning. 9970 Wayzata Blvd., St Louis Park, 952-593-1995.


Whiskey Junction
Live music by The Lost Marbles Band. Drink deals: $2 Summit; $3 Heineken. 8 p.m.-12 a.m. 901 Cedar Ave., Mpls. 612-338-9550.

Station 4
Open at noon. Live music starts at 6 p.m. Alpensterne at 8 p.m., 32nd Day rounds out the night. Celebrity bartending with the MN Rollergirls, featuring Savage Animal & more! Age: 21+. Cover: Free. 201 Fourth St E, St. Paul, 651-298-0173.

Rock Bottom Minneapolis
With support from the Brewer’s Society to Eliminate Green Beer, enjoy a St. Patrick’s Day weekend with progressive drink specials and giveaways. Monday: $2 pints of RB Irish Stout and $2 Irish carbombs, plus the Jameson Girls will have free giveaways from 8 p.m.-10 p.m. Enjoy $3 corned beef sandwiches from 7 p.m. to close.

Keegan’s St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Tent Party
Live music by Locklin Road, Minnesota Police Pipe Band, Erin Rogue, and Drunk & Disorderly (1-3 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 7:30 p.m.). Keegan's Irish Pub - 16 University Ave. NE Mpls.

Triple Rock
Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band, performing live in the old bar at 7 p.m. Age: 21+. Cost: free.

A very brief history of Saint Patrick:


I find the history behind these saint holidays interesting. So in honor of the day here is a brief history of who this day is really all about.

Born in Scotland in 387 and Died on March 17, 461, it is believed that Saint Patrick’s parents were actually Romans. So all of you St. Patty’s day lovers who aren’t Irish don’t have to feel bad, our beloved Irish saint wasn’t Irish either! Around age 14 he was captured and taken to Ireland, at the time a place of Druids and pagens. He escaped captivity at the age of 20. He became a priest and amazingly went back to the country where he was held in captivity. He spent 40 years in Ireland and is attributed to converting all of Ireland to Catholicism.

There are so many legends attributed to this simple man who spent his days in poverty and suffered greatly. So raise a glass of that green beer to him tonight.

Have a hankering for a good Irish meal? Go to www.epircurious.com for some great recipes.