Last time I wrote a blog post here was 09/09/09. Time to revive this blog.

I have had a thing for 11/11 ever since my dad died. The day he died was on 11/11 and at that time he had 11 children and 11 grandchildren. Whenever I notice a digital clock showing 11:11 I remember my dad and think maybe he is sending me a reminder.

Once, on Nov. 11th, when waiting on a customer, I asked what the date was. I then glanced at the computer and noticed the time was also 11:11:11. Chills.

11/11/11

Science Museum of Minnesota

I retired from volunteering at the Science Museum’s Collector’s Corner. After 11 years I am now entitled to life time benefits, or emeritus status.

HaHa even though I was not finished with this post I clicked publish at eleven minutes after 11 am this eleventh day of November and was told I had 111 words so far.

After more than five years, I also gave up my job as a current science blogger. (link takes you to 100s of my posts)

Sibley Bike Depot

I have also gone inactive at Sibley Bike Depot but before I left I helped write their 2011-2013 Strategic Plan.

Free Geek Twin Cities

Free Geek Twin Cities is where I now spend most of my volunteering time. Since I started with them we have gone from Saturdays only to Sat., Sun., and Wed. hours. I am responsible for opening up on Wed. from 12 to 5.

Our mission is to recycle technology and provide access to computers, the internet, education and job skills in exchange for community service.

My contribution has been to create a thrift store and marketing plan that will produce  $1000/month we need for rent, and to provide educational guidance to volunteers as they turn broken down computers into computers we can either sell for about $40 or grant for free to qualified individuals.

I also contribute to our Facebook Page and our Google +1 Page. I am currently working on converting and redesigning our website using WordPress’ content management system.

Web Design

Speaking of websites, I did a redesign and update for the Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota’s School of Medicine website. Kept me busy for most of the summer. I am still on a retainor to do weekly updates.

Social Security Checks

Last week was a real milestone. I got my first social security check!

Community Communications

As I mentioned in my 09/09/09 post, I want to facilitate communications within my community and between it and the governments it resides within. In addition to my community website comopark.us, and the district10comopark.org website, I agreed to be Forum Manager for a Como Park Neighborhood Forum that is part of e-democracy.org. We currently have more than half of the 100 members required to be open for discussions. Here is a link to my membership drive kickoff post.

Video Production

I continue to shoot videos and most recent ones are found on my ARTiFactor YouTube Channel. Two years ago the videos were 480p resolution. For 2010 I bought a camera that was 720p HD (high definition). Even my one year old iPod Touch 4 shoots 720HD. Soon, very soon I hope, I will have equipment to shoot 1080p resolution video. YouTube now allows video uploads longer than 10 minutes. I have one that is 48 minutes. A 12X zoom really helps, too, to “get in their face”. I am also upconverting VHS and Hi8 videos from as far back as 1988! Hopefully when I revamp this website I will have an easy way to navigate and access my archive of photos and videos.

I usually like to note these notable dates with a blog post. I remember in 04/04/04 I wrote my first blog post with a Six Apart serice called TypePad. I had been a beta tester of that blogging tool before that. Too bad that when I stopped paying for their service all my posts disappeared. I have them saved somewhere. I just need to figure out how to make them appear on this hosting service.

06/06/06

This day was notable because it was the day my brother hit bottom, quit drinking, and entered a treatment program.

07/07/07

I wrote a post that this was the 40th birthday of “The summer of love” and my 40 year Appleton high school graduation in 1967.

09/09/09

Community Organizer

I feel I am entering a new phase of activities. Tonight I meet with my Saint Paul City Council representative, Russ Stark, as a community activist concerned about the future in Como Park, where I live. I have been involved with my Como Park Community Council (District 10) since last summer. One of my goals was to improve 2-way communication between my neighborhood and city government. A new District 10 Como Community Council website is something I helped with as a member of the D10 communications committee.

I also have created my own Community website call comopark.us. I played an active part in the Como Park swimming pool redevelopment and communicated the process of designing the new pool. It still needs financing and I will follow the process.

I also joined the Como Park Alliance and continue their mission -

To preserve the park’s rich history and natural environment to ensure the integrity of the park for the future through partnerships, proactive activities and education.

Video Production

Last night I went to training for the use of professional grade video cameras. Saint Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN) allows the use of their video production equipment, studios, and editing suites if the resulting production is aired on public access cable.

I plan to produce a video promoting the use of the Como Park Shuttle service which will reduce traffic and parking problems around the Como park Campus.

I also hope to volunteer helping teens produce videos.

Bike Rebuilding

I started going to the Sibley Bike Depot where volunteers rebuild bikes to donate and also help kids fix their bikes. (video)

I need to quit for now so I can publish this at 9 minutes after 9am on 09/09/09.

Science Museum

I forgot to mention that I still am going in every Wed to volunteer at Collector’s Corner at the Science Museum Of Minnesota. I also am paid to blog about Current Science on their Buzz Blog.

I posted all the information and links I could find about emerald ash borer beetles and ash trees over on my ComoPark.us website. There are a lot of ash trees in Como Park and in Saint Paul (50,000 I think). Minnesota has more ash trees than all other states except for Maine.

The script was alien and has of yet not been deciphered. The layout resembled a primer or mini-encyclopedia explaining basic concepts from an alternate reality.

The page numbers apparently use base 21 arithmetic.

If you are intrigued, there are several websites that discuss the book, Codex Seraphinianus.

Clicking on the images will make them larger.

Town Hall Meeting, Ellen Anderson from Art Oglesby on Vimeo.

I posted some videos and more information about the Hamline Midway Library closing on my ComoPark.us website (click link to view).

Area included in Como Pool renovation

I applied to be on the Como Pool Planning Committee to represent residents of Lexington Parkway. I was not selected but have been attending the meetings anyway. I put pictures and an explanation of what went on at the first three meetings at comopark.us. (click this link in blue to read more about the Como Pool repair process)

The closing of the Como Park swimming pool has received attention by the media. You can read about it by clicking the links below.

Como Park changes get neighbors’ attention (TwinCitiesDailyPlanet)

Como Pool torpedoed; other area swimming pools are in deep water (South St. Paul Examiner)

Como Park pool beyond repair; no plans to reopen next spring (Star & Tribune)

Learn about the Como Park Swimming Pool Redevelopment process

The City of Saint Paul Division of Parks and Recreation is planning a complete redevelopment of the Como Regional Park Pool and adjacent facilities located at Horton Avenue and Lexington Parkway in Como Regional Park, Saint Paul, Minnesota.

I wrote an article on my ComoPark.US website titled Como Park Swimming Pool Redevelopment describing the process (click to read - includes a video)