An Affair to Remember

Welcome incoming Humphrey Students!

I am Sarah Martyn, the Community Engagement Chair on PASA. As you explore Humphrey this year, take some time to explore what’s outside the building. Humphrey not only has a lot to offer academically, but it is fortunate to be surrounded by the Cedar Riverside neighborhood. This neighborhood is very culturally and ethnically rich, which is illustrated in its large immigrant population. Somali is the largest immigrant population, but Korean, Vietnamese, and Oromo ethnicities are represented as well. The neighborhood is also very active. There are well over 15 different community groups covering a wide array of interests, from business development to health care.

There are many ways to get involved with the Cedar Riverside neighborhood. Last year Humphrey students founded an organization called CHANCE – Cedar Humphrey Action for Neighborhood Collaborative Engagement. The group serves to connect Humphrey to the neighborhood and vise versa. They meet every other week to talk about on-going and new partnerships with Cedar Riverside community members and organizations. To learn more about their initiatives and how to get involved see their website at www.hhh.umn.edu/projects/chance/ or contact me marty039@umn.edu.

Another way to get involved in the community is through academics. Humphrey is offering a year long course about engaging the public in policy making. This course offers students an opportunity to work with the Cedar Riverside community and provides the foundation for students to understand the powerful connection and impact of communities in public policy. The first semester of the course focuses on gaining a theoretical and practical understanding of this model as well as getting involved in the neighborhood. The second semester is the infamous capstone experience where you focus more specifically on a community initiative or complete your professional paper. Interested? Learn more by contacting Andie Martinez – mart1575@umn.edu.

Perhaps you’re just looking for some good food or a place to hang out? Cedar Riverside has got some great options. Plus it’s only a couple blocks away. Here’s an easy guide to some of the favorite Humphrey local attractions. For a full listing with addresses check out http://www.cedarriverside.com/listings.html

Restaurants

• Chai’s: Amazing Thai food. I recommend the curries.


• Jewel of India: All the Indian food you can eat lunch buffet


• Red Sea Bar and Restaurant: Delicious Ethiopian food and great music at night


• St. Martin’s Table: A great place for natural and organic food. Wonderful soups and sandwich spreads. Only open for lunch.


• Tam Tam’s: Quality East African food with great lunch specials.


• Keefer Court Food: Wonderful bakery (PASA VP, Ben Marcy, loves this place)


• K-Wok: Family run Chinese restaurant


• Lucky Dragon: Huge, delicious Chinese lunch buffet


• The Wienery: Alternative hot dog place, and I’m told they serve veggie dogs

Chain Restaurants (for the not-so-adventurous)

• Noodles and Co.


• Chipotle


• Quiznos


• Brueggers

Coffee Joints

• Hard Times Café: Great coffee, tea, and food. Alternative setting.


• Mapps Coffee & Teas: A classier joint that Hard Times, but more $$ too.

Bars

• 400 Bar


• Bullwinkle's Saloon: In 7 Corners, smaller and low-key


• Nomad World Pub: Bocce ball on Mondays, good happy hour, outdoor seating!


• Sergeant Preston’s Saloon: In 7 Corners, if you like kamakazi’s or buckets of beer- this is the place


• Triple Rock Social Club: Alternative music, open late


• Grandma’s Saloon: Recently bought by outside developer, so get the drinks while it’s still open


• Town Hall: Great homebrews and solid happy hour. Outdoor seating is awesome!


• Palmer’s Bar: Never been there, but heard it’s a great spot.

Culture/Arts

• Bedlam Theater: Lots of good local theater productions


• Southern Theater: Another great theater with a variety of local productions


• Cedar Cultural Center: A wide array of musical performances


• Mixed Blood Theater: Excellent theater with captivating shows on race, culture, and gender


• KFAI Fresh Air Radio: Great local radio station only blocks away. If you time it right, you may be interviewed live!


• Global Village: Wonderful store for the worldly shopper