Tuesday, January 29, 2013

L.A. NIK DONATES BOOK PROCEEDS TO SANNEH FOUNDATION'S 3RD ANNUAL GALA 4 GOALS

This Saturday evening (February 2nd, 2013) marks the 3rd Annual Gala 4 Goals by The Sanneh Foundation. Tony Sanneh is a personal friend of mine and I believe in the work he is doing both here, in the midwest region of the United States and abroad. 

I've committed two things to Tony and The Sanneh Foundation. This Saturday at Gala 4 Goals, I will be signing my new book "Life is Short, Then You're Dead Forever". The entire proceeds of my book that evening will go to the Sanneh Foundation at the end of the evening, so its very important that if you are attending Gala 4 Goals and you support The Sanneh Foundation, that you buy my book that night. I'm bringing 150 copies.


Live with Jamie Yuccas on WCCO 4

Going forward, $1.00 from every book purchase online will go to The Sanneh Foundation until January of 2014. If we sell 50,000 books in 2013, I'll be writing a check to Tony for $50,000. So buy the book, review the book, and recommend it online and to friends. Every dollar will help make a difference in the lives of the children that benefit from The Sanneh Foundation.

Follow The Sanneh Foundation on Twitter 



The Facebook event page for Gala 4 Goals is HERE.

The Sanneh Foundation’s third annual Gala 4 Goals will be a fun filled, spirited evening to inform their guests of the valuable work of the foundation in The Twin Cities and around the world. The evening will have a silent and live auction, an appetizers buffet, complimentary wine and beer, music, as well as special guest speakers.


John Hope Bryant, Gala 4 Goals Distinguished Guest Speaker.


A philanthropic entrepreneur, leader and businessman, John Hope Bryant is one of the leading voices on poverty eradication today. As Founder, Chairman and CEO of financial dignity nonprofit Operation HOPE, Bryant has advised the last four sitting U.S. Presidents on economic justice issues, and has been recognized by the last five U.S. Presidents.



He currently serves as Chair of the Subcommittee on the Underserved and Community Empowerment for the U.S. President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability. Prior to that, Bryant served U.S. President George W. Bush as vice chairman of the U.S. President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy, and Chairman of the Council Committee on the Underserved.


Karen Sorbo, Gala 4 Goals Auctioneer.

As one of the leading auctioneers in the country, Karen Sorbo’s dedication to her profession, its purpose and results, has impacted organizations across the United States and Mexico. To see her work is to catch THE spirit. Her natural, unbridled energy, a commanding yet elegant stage presence, combined with precision techniques has aided in raising over 450 million dollars for deserving organizations. She has orchestrated and conducted over 2200 auctions over the past 20 years.

You can see the The Sanneh Foundation's Sponsors HERE

Event Timeline:

5:30 VIP Meet and Greet 
7:00 General Admission - Gala and Silent Auction commences
8:30 Program begins: Lifetime and High School Achievement Awards, Scholarships and Keynote Speakers.
9:45 Program and silent auction end and music begins.
11:00 Gala concludes.

General Admission: $65.00
Reserved Seating: $150.00
VIP Access to Private Reception & Reserved Seating: $250.00
Table for 10: $1,500.00 

All admissions include entrance to event, complimentary wine and beer, and appetizer buffet.

Register here www.gala4goals.com

Watch Tony on FOX 9 HERE

Watch Tony on WCCO 4 CBS HERE


Tony Sanneh, along side Sandy Simmons, at my book signing at Bank Westin, downtown Minneapolis
If you can NOT make it to Gala 4 Goals, or it's simply not in your budget right now, you can still make an impact by purchasing my book online. Its available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble online. Ebook formats are available next week. Simply click below for reviews and to order your copy today!

You can follow me on Twitter.


Buy local. Shop local. Support local and help out where you can.



Sunday, January 20, 2013

IS DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS SAFE? SURVEY SAYS....

The Minneapolis DID - is an organization formed in 2009 "To support, preserve, create and enhance a vibrant, competitive and a thriving downtown that attracts and retains businesses, employees, residents and visitors".

DID is a non-profit entity formed by the Minneapolis Downtown Council. Its a great group of people that work hard to keep the streets clean and keep the attitude positive in downtown Minneapolis. These people are seriously trying to make change in Minneapolis, but they face adversity from the public, and from our own Mayor's office as well. Its not an easy job and I'll take my hat off (and I don't do that often) to any of them for the BS that they have to endure in order to do their jobs. Support your Downtown Council, get active in the community and make a difference.




Mark Stenglien (left), LA. Nik, Kris Arneson, Lisa Goodman, & Bryan Schafer


And they did a recent survey...
Minneapolis DID surveyed people about their feelings for Downtown Minneapolis. This data below is Not yet Released; I just happen to have it. Downtown cleanliness and downtown safety are the two main topics. I want to point out that the survey, if taken on the streets of Minneapolis, is largely composed of white, middle class, midwestern, conservative people. Its possible they are scared of the city even if they work in it. They could possibly be scared of Bloomington to! But these are the people walking our streets.  See below.

Honestly about half the people feel unsafe in downtown Minneapolis. It's about normal for any city with diversity; it will always be there.  Its really not that unsafe, but the problems we do have are very tough problems to fix. They are not problems that the government can just take care of. They're our problems to.

Remember, YOU are the government. The city can not just step in and fix these things. They are really more in the realm of social responsibility problems.  Its really up to the people that live in the community and work in the community stepping up to help people like Lisa Goodman (our downtown Ward Representative), to make the city better. As a passionate voice for downtown Minneapolis, which is seeking to grow into a travel destination, I will speak first to encourage people to step up rather than step aside and complain.


Let's use a social responsibility example. Haskell's liquor is on 9th street across from Hell's Kitchen. Its a very nice, well-known and very profitable liquor store in the Twin Cities. This store does not sell any single serving beer, or liquor offerings. They may have cigars in the store but I don't think they even sell cigarettes. They definitely won't sell to an intoxicated person. Its a higher class business helping out by managing their own clients, their section of the street, and their social responsibility. Fast forward up the block to Team Liquor Wine & Spirits on 7th street. They serve single serve beer, single serve vodka and liquor. I've seen homeless people walk in whom had fully peed themselves, drunk and they get served. The block they live on has plastic alcohol bottle and related litter on it in every direction. The DID ambassadors can't pick it up fast enough. That's not social or community responsibility. This is the equivalent of a factory dumping pollutants into our gutters. 

Im willing to bet half of the people in these surveys are complaining about people on the street. I would encourage you to DO SOMETHING about it.
You know what? These are your streets! Don't walk by with blinders on. Don't be passive. Don't bitch when you get home that downtown is "scary". Call the police department. Call the Mayor's office and start getting involved on your streets. Its all of ours, this city, and three people can't solve all of the problems.

Every single day there are problems on the street, but there can't be a cop on every corner all day, every day. Its just not going to happen. It's up to the people that live in the community to make the city better. If I were the Mayor, I would petition heavily to earmark more police power to ground level street interactions during specific parts of the day. I really believe Minneapolis needs this.

Look below.. these photographs are secured data from cameras on Nicollet Mall, that I have. Do you see a problem here? What's the first thing you notice?? Note the dates. Note the times of day... This is a problem! You can't just go home and bitch about this.  Get involved. Call the police and call your commissioners and tell them what you're seeing.

What about PanHandlers?  Do you feel safe or are you being aggressively attacked?


Remember the City Government is your City Government. Not all of them are narcissists; (maybe one or two..) There are a few people that are working very hard, publicly, to make serious change downtown for the people. But the people of the city need to step it up and help the change become reality. You know there are 30,000 residents in downtown Minneapolis and more than 160,000 workers. Actually, there are nearly 30,000 Target employees alone whom fill the skyway, take over side-walks and often single-handidly offer a representative face for downtown Minneapolis. I watch them turn a blind eye everyday to the problems on Nicollet Mall. And sure, we also have millions of dollars of bike paths and green initiatives, but no one will care if they can't walk down the street without feeling like they're on high alert or hoping to blindly just bypass something that might not be right.

This city thrives on corporate tourism. Meet Minneapolis runs the Convention Board and drives tens of thousands of people into this city every year. The Hyatt, the Millenium Hotel, The Hilton, The W and every other hotel and restaurant in downtown stays in business because of conventions. If we can't keep a couple streets like Nicollet Mall safe and clean.. we will lose corporate tourism. And our problem of restaurants and clubs opening and closing will be a never-ending story more than it is now.


Here's another thing.. Landlords. Building owners. There are greedy landlords all over Hennepin Ave and other areas of town.  Businesses are being charged $15-25 / square foot for a tenant to move in.  Some of these spaces are huge!  Nobody is going to rent them and no one can afford to move in.  Buildings like Chevy's, Block E and others have been empty for years.. and will likely continue to be. We will continue to foster an environment that progressively will attract more crime, more problems, and more darkness. In fact, read this article in the Star Tribune from this past fall.  Minneapolis is one of the highest penalty cities in the U.S. for these buildings sitting vacant, yet they still sit.. 

If I were the Mayor, I would raise these fines even higher. Nicollet Mall is experiencing crime (in the simplest explanation) because Hennepin ave is clogged up with bars and restaurants and night life only. People simply aren't walking on it during the day, so those looking to rob and harm others move to where the people are. I've seen it a dozen times in cities I've lived in. Fill these spaces with smaller businesses. Offer subsidies as landlords to put faces on the streets, pay down your tax burdon to society and be recognized by livening Minneapolis.  

"There were 4,282 housing building permits in the Twin Cities, covering 9,042 units, in 2012 – about double the 2011 numbers, according to the Excelsior-based Keystone Report."  (Read this whole story from Finance & Commerce HERE) And though there is a skyline of construction and cranes and a $100,000 million Opus project in the heart of the city.. our problems are not resolving. The Hotel Ivy is a possible example of why 35 floors of $3500 / month living spaces may likely have problems.  Let's focus on the streets first so people want to move into these spaces. Our current trends do not support the mind-set.

Drugs are also a massive problem. I have met people buying drugs right out of HCMC! This has to stop! 
Due to my looks.. I get offered drugs of all kinds every week in Minneapolis and at very high-end venues - NOT just the Nicollet & 6th street bus stop mentioned in the image below. And you'd be surprised if I mentioned from who.. 
Minneapolis was recently mentioned in Travel & Leisure magazine as one of the top places to visit in 2013. Read the article; its' primarily focused on food and the new offerings on Hennepin ave. There's a real problem with this. The DID statistics show us that an upward trend of people are leaving downtown due to cleanliness and safety concerns. We also have Neiman Marcus leaving this month and there's talk of Macy's as well. These are more massive voids in our city, at least for now.


We need Action. We need social responsibility. We need to know our neighbors and their kids. We need a society of people in Minneapolis that everyone thinks they are, and is proud of. "MN NICE" You've heard that one? Are you aware that every person that visits Minnesota from someplace else goes home and reports back about how that term actually means people are passive aggressive and turn blind eyes, or stab you in the back? Its true!   If you want to see a depiction of the origin of 'MN Nice" from a painting representing the Dakota conflict trials of 1862, go to the Minneapolis Institue of Arts. You'll find yourself contemplating this depiction in modern day people all around you.

Here's what we don't need... We don't need - smoke & mirrors politics. We don't need one of the lowest crime rates in the nation. All that means is were not arresting people and if we are, they are out within hours. The police on the streets will confirm that - I talk with them every night. We need action on the streets and we need a police city.

With all of the tax payers money that goes to ill-willed programs, I am calling this city out on regular beat cops. The cops want it, the people want it.. where is it?


"SURVEY SAYS....."

We need 5 or more regular beat cops on Nicollet Mall alone, every night between 5:30 and 11pm.  People need to know their names and recognize them daily. They can't be in cars or riding on horses. They need to be walking the streets to the point, that criminals, loiterers, panhandlers and mis-directed youth also know who they are. It will deter crime and engage the public with city initiatives. Young kids won't be flashing 9mm handguns by Marshall's if they know the cops that work that block. Let's face it, Old Man Winter cleaned the streets but he'll be gone before you know it and warmer weather brings more crime. Minneapolis is our city. We need to own it and make a statement before it gets worse. We can not cover up the real issues affecting people coming downtown.  None of the other initiatives matter if people don't feel safe because they simply will not come. Your award winning restaurants will close, your bike lanes will go unused, your issues will deepen and all behind closed doors where you likely won't see them. OTHER CITIES DO NOT STAND FOR THIS - WE'RE ONLY 120 BLOCKS DEEP.


DID's summary brings it all together. They work hard, they watch the streets, they see things you don't want to know about. They've done their job and they've surveyed you. They've informed you.They simply can't do anymore. Its up to the people to drive these directives and call the police, call the Mayor's office and make change. We're too focused on being clean and happy, rather than facing reality. Get out there and make a difference and consider this your own, larger, neighborhood watch program. This is our town!

~L.A.Nik




You can buy my book here.



Monday, January 7, 2013

L.A. NIK - BOOK SIGNING & BIRTHDAY PARTY JAN 10TH

I've been talking about writing a book for a while...

If there's one thing I can speak confidently about its how to stand out and make a difference in your own life. You see, I was raised in an Italian, Roman Catholic family and I attended Catholic school and church regularly. I was taught by Nuns.

At some point in my life though, the page turned and I simply became who I am today. It started at about age 17. I left school to play with Liza Minelli in Joel Grey's Cabaret. That was the catapult that pushed me to move to Los Angeles and pursue rock n roll. And I did.  Life got really crazy, but I learned a lot in that time and experienced things that many people will never get to experience.  I do not take them for granted; in fact I want to share them.

My book does just this. Its 200 pages; an airplane read really, but its action-oriented. I think you'll really get some take-aways and find your self trying out what Im telling you to do.
Book Cover

The chapters of my book are as follows:

Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: The Power of Confidence
Chapter 3: The Power of Difference
Chapter 4: The Power of Place
Chapter 5: The Power of Finesse
Chapter 6: The Power of Communication
Chapter 7: The Power of Responsibility 
Chapter 8: The Comfortable State of Hatred
Chapter 9: The Power of Persistance
Chapter 10: The Power of Dreams


Im passionate about the contents of this book. Its not your standard self-help book; its my very abbreviated life to help deliver a message to middle-aged people that feel stuck in the rut of daily minuta - doing exactly what they they've been taught they are supposed to do. They have a spouse, kids, dogs, a cat, a house and white picket fence yet.. they're not happy.

"After reading this book, I want you to be learn to live life to the fullest and understand that, “Life is Short and Then You’re Dead Forever.”

There are no second chances.
No do-overs.
You can’t get on the ride again once it’s over with".


Please - come to my book signing this Thursday, January 10th, 2013.  Bank Restaurant at The Westin in Downtown Minneapolis is sponsoring the party. You'll have free food to nibble on and a happy hour drink menu to choose from.  I'll be selling my book and signing it there.  Its also my birthday so I'd love to meet knew people and get to know you (5:30pm - 8:00pm)

The event is listed on Facebook and you can attend it HERE

The new fan page for the book is HERE

The latest press release concerning the book is HERE.

I've also partnered with the Sanneh Foundation to help the children that they affect on a daily basis. One dollar from every book sale will go towards the foundation. We have a large stretch goal for this first year, so your purchase of the book helps our community and the lives of others. Yes, Tony Sanneh will be there.

Full Book Jacket
There's a second book coming out this summer. Its the brutal truth about what men think. I lay it out on the line for women and tell it like it is. Regardless of your relationship or security in your lifestyle, I will openly tell you exactly what men are thinking in nearly every scenario.  It's called "Every Woman Should Read This Book"

Book Cover - Summer of 2013
Vist my website for updates and press at www.RockinThisTown.com

If you can't make it to the signing this Thursday, you can buy the book at Amazon and HERE - soon to be available at Apple iBook, Sony Reader, Nook, Kindle, B&N and others.

My fan page is HERE

You can follow me on Twitter at

AND


The hash tag for this book is #LifeisShort
Please help spread the love.

Keep on Rockin'
~L.A. Nik