Good afternoon,

On May 12, 2009 CURA hosted a Symposium: on  "Neighborhood Responses to the
Foreclosure Crisis". CURA was proud to host this event with the National
Neighborhood Indicators Partnership NNIP) organized by the Urban Institute. Over
30 cities were represented at the symposium. Researchers, local government
agency staff and neighborhood staff presented best practices and experiences for
responding to the foreclosure crisis.  We believe the symposium makes an
important contribution to informing neighborhood strategies for grappling with
this significant challenge.

Attached is a summary  of the symposium prepared by CURA.   (This article will
also appear in the forthcoming CURA Reporter. see
http://www.cura.umn.edu/Reporter.php )  NNIP has posted all the presentations on
their web site at http://www2.urban.org/nnip/symposium.html

I hope that you find this summary of the symposium of value to your work in
dealing with the foreclosure crisis in your community.

Ed Goetz
CURA Director

Twin Cities Research Group is conducting a quick survey of our e-list
subscribers, Yahoo Group members, and twitter followers:
- What do you think about the Group's monthly series of speakers?
- How about TCRG's online presence?
- And what do *you* want to bring to TCRG?

Whether you're new to Twin Cities Research Group, or you've been attending TCRG
Brown-Bag Lunch events for years, we want your viewpoint.  The survey takes less
than 5 minutes. You can find it here...
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=VJa_2fIlMXgDELqvjeudMRvw_3d_3d


Please complete the survey in the next two weeks, and we'll publish top-line
results to the TCRG e-list.

Thanks!

--Todd Graham, E-List Moderator
  Ela Rausch, TCRG Program Coordinator
  Doug Petty, TCRG Program Coordinator

TCRG Brown Bag Speaker Series: Wednesday, September 9,
12:00 Noon to 1:00 p.m.

Topic: "Signs of Distress: Navigating the Twin Cities Commercial Real Estate
Market"

Featured Speaker: Joe Hollman, Cushman & Wakefield (Minneapolis office)

Where: Wilder Foundation, Room 2610
   451 Lexington Parkway (at University Ave)
   Saint Paul, MN 55114
For a map see the TCRG website at http://www.TwinCitiesResearch.org

Event is free -- parking in Wilder's parking lot is free -- bring your own
brown-bag lunch.


Joe Hollman will describe drivers and trends affecting the Office, Industrial
and Retail real estate sectors.  His talk will include an interpretation of
current Twin Cities conditions, as well as the emerging "distressed" property
segment.

__________________________


Upcoming:  There will NOT be a TCRG Brown Bag on the 2nd Wednesday in October. 
(Many of the Brown Bag regulars are attending the UofM's Policy Analysis
Conference that day.)

Have something you want to present???  We are currently recruiting volunteer
speakers for late Fall.  If YOU would like to present to TCRG, please plug your
topic by completing the TCRG Subscribers Survey.

By the way... Have YOU taken the TCRG Subscribers Survey.  It's online for the
next two weeks at
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=VJa_2fIlMXgDELqvjeudMRvw_3d_3d



Welcome to Fall -- see you on 09-09-09 for Joe Hollman's talk on "Signs of
Distress."


--Todd Graham, List Moderator
   Doug Petty, Program Coordinator
   Ela Rausch, Program Coordinator and Meeting Host

Please join us this fall for our MPC Seminar Series presentations.
All presentations are held on Mondays from 12:15 to 1:15 PM in the MPC Seminar
Room (50 Willey Hall). Snacks will be provided.

Our first presentation is scheduled for Monday, September 14. Hope to see you
there.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For more information on our Fall 2009 Seminar Series, please visit the following
URL: http://www.pop.umn.edu/

_____________________________

MPC - Minnesota Population Center
Seminar Series
www.pop.umn.edu


Fall 2009 Speakers
12:15-1:15pm on Mondays in the MPC Seminar Room (50 Willey Hall)

Sept 14: "Creating a National Data Enclave System for Health Data Resources" 
Peter S. Meyer, National Center for Health Statistics

Sept 21: "Latin American Immigrants in Spain and the United States: A
Comparative Analysis from the American Community Survey of 2007 and the Encuesta
de Inmigrantes of 2007"  Herbert S. Klein, Stanford University

Sept 28: "Does It Matter Where You Live? Neighborhoods and Health"  Barbara
Entwisle, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Oct 5: "Grazing, Goods and Girth: Determinants and Effects"  Daniel S.
Hamermesh, University of Texas at Austin

Oct 12: "Supercentenarians and the Theory of Heterogeneity"  James W. Vaupel,
Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research

Oct 19: "An Overview of Data Resources at the Minnesota Population Center" 
Trent Alexander and Katie Genadek, Minnesota Population Center, University of
Minnesota

Oct 26: "Northern Coresidence across Generations: Northern Norway during the
Last Part of the Nineteenth Century"  Hilde L. Jåstad, Minnesota Population
Center visiting scholar from the Centre for Sámi Studies, University of Tromsø

Nov 2: "Should Everyone Go to College?"  Eric Grodsky, Department of Sociology,
University of Minnesota

Nov 9: "Public and Private Schools in Nepal: A Comparative Perspective"  Uttam
Sharma, Applied Economics, University of Minnesota

Nov 16: "Historical Family Systems and the East-West Divide in Europe:
Persistence of the Past or Persistence of Perspective?"  Mikolaj Szoltysek, Max
Planck Institute for Demographic Research

Nov 23: "New Zealand in the Early Stages of the Modern Health Transition"  Evan
Roberts, History Programme, Victoria University of Wellington

Dec 7: "Single Mothers and Minimum Wage"  Peter Brandon, Department of Sociology
and Anthropology, Carleton College


____________________________
Minnesota Population Center
50 Willey Hall
University of Minnesota
e-mail: seminar-series@...

To Register:  Contact cduling@...

Location:
Park Plaza Bloomington
4460 West 78th Street Circle
Bloomington, MN 55435 US

When:  Tuesday, September 15, 7:00AM to 9:00AM


Are You Sure About That? Letting Respondents Change Their Answers: A Lufthansa
Case Study Using the Previous Rating Displayed (PRD) Technique.

Presented by: Stefan Althoff, Team Manager Market Research for Lufthansa Technik
AG, Hamburg/Germany, the aircraft maintenance division of Lufthansa German
Airlines.

About the Event:
Time: 7:00 - 7:30am Registration
           7:30 - 8:00am Breakfast
           8:00 - 9:00am Presentation and Q&A

Cost: $40 for MRA Member
            $50 for Guest
            $15 for Student* (*enrolled in a higher education program and not
currently employed in a research position)

PRC: 1 Hour Research

Why is the event important?
As online response rates decline and the quality of online data is questioned,
researchers are constantly looking for survey tools that respondents find
engaging and actually want to use. Allowing respondents to change responses they
had given in a previous question has traditionally been considered off-limits.
But the results of a side-by-side case study Lufthansa conducted as a part of
their employee survey may surprise you - giving respondents some flexibility
shows some surprising advantages.

What will I learn if I attend?
* What is Previous Rating Displayed (PRD) and how does it relate to Magnitude
Estimation Scaling (MES)?
* In what types of studies can the technique be used?
* How did case study respondents react to the technique?
* What impact did it have on results, compared to traditional scale questions?

About the Speaker:
Stefan Althoff is Team Manager Market Research at Lufthansa Technik AG. He is a
member of the steering board for FEAMA, the Forum for European Aerospace Market
Analysts and coordinates the Research Circle, the market research community
within the Lufthansa Group.

Aside from his Lufthansa responsibilities, he is a lecturer at the Hamburg
School of Business Administration (HSBA) and for over 15 years has written
extensively on market research topics, particularly online quantitative research
and sampling. His articles include Should an Online Interview be Fun?,
Innovative Communications - Market Research with Web Surveys in China, and Using
the PRD Technique Online.

Stefan holds a masters degree in Applied Social Research from the Ruhr
University Bochum/Germany.

Over the course of the 2009-10 academic year, the MPC will be offering data
Training Workshops at Wilson Library. In these hands-on workshops, local
researchers will learn about the content of the data resources and receive basic
information about how to get and use the data, which are available free over the
internet.

The first of the series will focus on IPUMS-USA, which includes harmonized data
on people in the U.S. Census and American Community Survey from 1950 to the
present.

Friday, September 25
Noon to 1:30 PM
Wilson Library, Room S30C Computer Lab

Workshops are free but limited to 20 people.
Please e-mail training@... to register.


Workshop flyer at
http://www.pop.umn.edu/events/USA%20workshop%20flyer.pdf


____________________________
Minnesota Population Center
50 Willey Hall
University of Minnesota

Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience.

Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence.

Hal Borland

Barbara J Ronningen

Minnesota State Demographic Center

www.demography.state.mn.us

www.mn2010census.org/

651-201-2473 (office) 

651-226-6217 (cell) 

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.

A Big Thanks to the 119 folks who responded to the TCRG Survey in August &
September.  Response rates were roughly: one-quarter of TCRG (Yahoo) e-list
subscribers; and one-third of LinkedIn "TCRG Researchers Directory"
participants.

We designed this survey for multiple purposes - program evaluation, exploration
of new opportunities, and identifying NEW VOLUNTEERS.
(Contact dr.petty@... if that describes YOU.)

"SurveyMonkey" results can be found at
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/TCRG/files/
But we also wanted to highlight key findings.

Program evaluation first. One-third of survey participants attended at least one
TCRG Brown-Bag Lunch in the past 12 months. Half that number are repeat
event-goers (attended 2 or more events).

Beyond increased attendance, TCRG also has a goal of great events.  The good
news is: The events are great!  At 8 events this year, 71% to 100% of
evaluations came back "great"!  If there are volunteers who can help the Program
Committee in 2010 we need you.  Contact Doug Petty: dr.petty@...

Among our new events in 2009 was the TCRG Social Hour last February. Most
attendees considered it "satisfactory" (less than great).  So, there is room for
improvement.  If there are volunteers who know how to put on a better Social
Hour, please get involved.  Contact Rachel Vilsack re: our new Social &
Networking Committee: rachel@...

Looking forward, the survey asked: What activities should the Group prioritize? 
We opened a basket of possibilities – but there were two majority favorites:

•       #1 "Events emphasizing networking and research connections" was
identified by 74%.  This is what the TCRG Brown-Bag Lunch series has done for
more than a decade – but we are open to ideas for improvement.

•       #2 "Event podcasts, other resources or website improvements" at
www.TwinCitiesResearch.org  was prioritized by 61%.  So how should we improve
the web resources?  We are looking for volunteers and techno talent!  Contact
Ela Rausch if you can help us figure out podcasts or audio-video-webinar
recordings of events: erausch@...

Finally, a program for year 2010.  Three dozen survey participants shared
information on their current research projects – and offered to present that
research – AND provided contact information.  We've got a good pool of leads –
so TCRG participants can look forward to another year of great Brown-Bag events.

Stay tuned for more.


- Doug Petty, Program Committee
- Ela Rausch, Program Committee
- Rachel Vilsack, Social & Networking Committee
- Todd Graham, E-List Moderator

Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience.

Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence.

Hal Borland

Barbara J Ronningen

Minnesota State Demographic Center

www.demography.state.mn.us

www.mn2010census.org/

651-201-2473 (office) 

651-226-6217 (cell) 

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.

Hello fellow researchers-

We released our Q3-2009 Update to "Foreclosures and Short Sales in the Twin
Cities Housing Market" this morning. It features some new insights into the
differing market conditions of foreclosures vs. short sales, using a new
methodology.

Lender-owned foreclosure inventory available for sale in the Twin Cities is down
60 percent from last year, falling from an estimated 4,886 at the end of last
September to 1,960 this September. Short sales are a different story — basically
holding steady over the last 12 months.

The simple reason for this growing chasm is that foreclosures are selling
roughly three times as frequently as short sales.

To access the report, visit:
http://www.mplsrealtor.com/downloads/market/FSS/fss_2009-Q3.pdf.

To view our neighborhood data center, visit:
http://www.mplsrealtor.com/downloads/market/Lender-Mediated/Main.htm.

Best,
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jeff Allen
Research Manager
Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors
jeffa@...

35 Years In Market Research = 35 Lessons Learned

Tue Oct 20 3:30pm – Tue Oct 20 7pm
The Happy Gnome, 498 Selby Ave., St. Paul, MN 55102

Doug Berdie is a legend in Twin Cities Market Research, but even legends learn
hard, painful lessons. Doug's experiences could help you avoid some of the
potholes in our industry.

Doug Berdie, Ph.D., has founded two research companies, served as V.P. of
Customer Satisfaction Research at Carlson Research, and was President of
Strategic and Brand Research at Total Research.  Currently he is a Senior
Business Manager at Maritz Research.

Doug has taught research courses at the University of Minnesota and the
University of St. Thomas, and is senior author of the survey research text,
Questionnaires: Design and Use (2nd ed.)

Join us for Doug's Lessons Learned, a mouthwatering appetizer buffet, and
convivial camaraderie networking time.

More details: 
http://www.google.com/calendar/event?eid=bTV0ZGFoajh0ZzBmMDhvcW9rYWxyNWF1dXMgaGN\
nc2RxZjV1bWpzdjJjb3Zhc2RnMzFqZmNAZw&ctz=America/Chicago

Email info@... to make your reservation now!

Essentials of Ethnography:  Local Marketing Research Association Event

Location:  Doubletree (394 & Park Place)

When: Thursday, November 19, 11:00AM to 1:00PM

Speaker:  Joanne Kaplan is an ethnographic and qualitative professional with 20+
years experience.  Her specialization in motivational research using advanced
projective techniques as well as her extensive practice in b-to-b interviewing
bring unique value and insight to her experiences.  She was trained at
Macalester College and is an active member of the QRCA and MRA.  Currently, she
is EVP, Business Consultant, & Active Moderator at GfK Custom Research.

Cost:  $40 MRA Members; $50 non-MRA members/guests; $15 students (enrolled in a
higher education program and not currently working for a research company)

Reservations:  info@...

Additional Information:   http://www.mnmra.org/

Topic: Preparing for the H1N1 Novel Virus Pandemic

Epidemiologists have developed interesting research techniques to learn about the nature
velocity, and severity of a pandemic flu. Their work drives the planning for infectious waves 
that may overwhelm the health care infrastructure. Learn about Minnesota's preparations for 
the "swine" flu.

Featured Speaker: Ruth Lynfield, State Epidemiologist

Where:  Wilder Foundation, Room 2610
  451 Lexington Parkway (at University Ave)
  Saint Paul, MN 55114
 Map   with the meeting's location

Event is FREE---Wilder's parking ramp is FREE (bring your own brown-bag lunch)

As always, we will have a free-flowing question and answer period after the presentation.
Join us to participate with your ideas, questions, and suggestions.

You can join the TCRG Researchers Directory, a self-maintained collection (Linkedin group) 
of member profiles, opt into the Directory Here.  

Find the presentations of earlier events in the "Files" section of our website .

Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience.

Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence.

Hal Borland

Barbara J Ronningen

Minnesota State Demographic Center

www.demography.state.mn.us

www.mn2010census.org/

651-201-2473 (office) 

651-226-6217 (cell) 

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.

Topic: H1N1: The Makings of a Pandemic
The epidemiology of novel H1N1 influenza, from detection to pandemic

Epidemiologists have developed interesting research techniques to learn about the nature
velocity, and severity of a pandemic flu. Their work drives the planning for infectious waves 
that may overwhelm the health care infrastructure. Learn about Minnesota's preparations for 
the "swine" flu.

Featured Speaker: Ruth Lynfield, State Epidemiologist

Where:  Wilder Foundation, Room 2610
  451 Lexington Parkway (at University Ave)
  Saint Paul, MN 55114
 Map   with the meeting's location

Event is FREE---Wilder's parking ramp is FREE (bring your own brown-bag lunch)

As always, we will have a free-flowing question and answer period after the presentation.
Join us to participate with your ideas, questions, and suggestions.

You can join the TCRG Researchers Directory, a self-maintained collection (Linkedin group) 
of member profiles, opt into the Directory Here.  

Find the presentations of earlier events in the "Files" section of our website .

Hi, all subscribers to [TCRG]:

I like getting [TCRG] by email.  I expect you do too.

Still, Twin Cities Research Group has branched out to other social e-networking
channels.  So you now have the option, if you want, of receiving the very same
[TCRG] announcements via RSS feed or twitter.

Twin Cities Research Group's RSS feed is here...
http://feeds.feedburner.com/TwinCitiesResearch/

And we're also on twitter... http://twitter.com/TCResearchGroup/

Yes! These sites carry the very same [TCRG] posts and announcements you now
receive thru email.


And now there's more!  Recently, we added a twitter "list" that displays the
tweets of other TCRG members.  Really.  Take a look at what others are
tweeting... http://twitter.com/TCResearchGroup/list/

If you are a twitterer (?!?) and  would like your tweets "listed," just go to
http://twitter.com/direct_messages/create/TCResearchGroup/
then type in "add me to the new list"
and we'll take care of the rest.  See you on the web!

Cheers.

The topic of the Minneapolis Fed’s December 1 Community Development Forum, Neighborhood stabilization initiatives in the wake of the foreclosure crisis, is high on the housing and community development policy agenda in Minnesota.  

Join us to hear about local and national efforts to leverage resources for neighborhood stabilization efforts and the challenges and opportunities local government and nonprofit housing developers face as they implement the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program.    

This half-day forum is sponsored by the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers, Twin Cities Local Initiatives Support Corporation, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.  

Community Development Forum: Neighborhood Stabilization Initiatives in the Wake of the Foreclosure Crisis

December 1, 2009
8:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

For additional information or to register for this forum, please visit http://www.minneapolisfed.org/news_events/events/community/

 We look forward to seeing you there!

The Office of Rural Health and Primary Care, Minnesota Department of Health has
an opening for a Research Analysis Specialist.

Click here for the the position description: 
https://statejobs.doer.state.mn.us/JobPosting/62eadfee0ecb20c53d459b41907b9672/V\
iew

Apply online at http://www.careers.state.mn.us.  Contact Jill Myers, Office of
Rural Health and Primary Care with any questions (jill.myers@...)

The topic of the Minneapolis Fed’s December 1 Community Development Forum, Neighborhood stabilization initiatives in the wake of the foreclosure crisis, is high on the housing and community development policy agenda in Minnesota.  

Join us to hear about local and national efforts to leverage resources for neighborhood stabilization efforts and the challenges and opportunities local government and nonprofit housing developers face as they implement the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program.    

This half-day forum is sponsored by the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers, Twin Cities Local Initiatives Support Corporation, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.  

Community Development Forum: Neighborhood Stabilization Initiatives in the Wake of the Foreclosure Crisis

December 1, 2009
8:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE:  Friday, November 27

For additional information or to register for this forum, please visit http://www.minneapolisfed.org/news_events/events/community/

For bank location, driving directions, and link to parking map, please visit http://www.minneapolisfed.org/about/locations/mpls/

We look forward to seeing you there!  

Topic:  Is City Sales Tax Equalization Possible in Minnesota?

While some cities in Minnesota have authorization to increase local sales
taxes to pay for stadiums, convention centers, etc., others, perhaps
unfairly, do not. Should the State Legislature consider equalizing local 
sales taxes to "level the playing field?"

Featured Speakers: Pat Dalton and Steve Heinz, Legislative Analysts
with House Research 

Where:  Wilder Foundation, Room 2610
  451 Lexington Parkway (at University Ave)
  Saint Paul, MN 55114
 Map   with the meeting's location

Event is FREE---Wilder's parking ramp is FREE (bring your own brown-bag lunch)

As always, we will have a free-flowing question and answer period after the presentation.
Join us to participate with your ideas, questions, and suggestions.

You can join the TCRG Researchers Directory, a self-maintained collection (Linkedin group) 
of member profiles, opt into the Directory Here.  

Find the presentations of earlier events in the "Files" section of our website .