Larry Maxwell - Merchant of (Housing) Death

Post by the Hawthorne Hawkman, image from wcco.com

Earlier this week, I came across a rather interesting document from several years back.  Oddly enough, my knowledge of Larry Maxwell's mortgage fraud predates my employment with Hawthorne.  Here was this guy who was representing BOTH the buyer and seller (which, although rare, is very legal) and managing to sell his properties within two weeks or less, and for top market value or even higher.  Much of this was happening while the mortgage industry as a whole was slowing down.  Either Maxwell had figured out something that nobody else had, or there was some kind of fraud happening.

Based on his "maximum" sentence, we all know what the answer to that question was.  Since I knew I'd be starting up at Hawthorne, I called up a Realtor with whom I worked, and asked him to compile a list of Maxwell deals from the MLS for me.  He put together a list of every transaction Maxwell worked on in the 55411 and 55412 zip codes from 2005 through part of 2007.  Another researcher did some additional work with the data.  When I was doing a bit of housecleaning and came across this document, I thought I'd see what these properties are like now.

There were a total of fifty-nine transactions, and out of those fifty-nine...

Six Turnovers Propel Polars to Victory

Ballard's teammates carry him for the post-game handshakes.

Fumble!

And the Polars recover.

Post and photos by the Hawthorne Hawkman

Last week against the Patrick Henry Patriots, the Polars' defense played with heart, desire, and grit. This time, they played with confidence, and it showed. North high forced six turnovers and stopped Minneapolis Edison on fourth down four times, including twice sacking the punter.

North's offense showed improvement over last week as well, but still needs to be more disciplined. At least ten times they were called for delay of game, false start, or illegal procedure (improper motion or formation before the ball is snapped) penalties. And although they put together quite a few impressive drives, they scored only when they did not commit such penalties. If that doesn't change, they'll eventually come across an opponent that can take advantage.

For instance, on their first drive...

Dream Homes Are Made of This

Post and photos by the Hawthorne Hawkman. Above photo originally appeared on Johnny Northside.

About six years ago, Paul Koenig and David Kohlenberger concocted a plan to build hundreds of "Dream Homes" throughout the Twin Cities, but primarily in north Minneapolis. Approximately 80 such homes were built before a moratorium on new construction in north Minneapolis was put into place. For once, I can say, "Thank GOD they were committing fraud and lying to each other and their investors about the income streams associated with the properties." That helped put a stop to these housing atrocities.

As the Eurythmics song referenced in the tile says, "I've traveled the world and the seven seas." I've shoveled out homes that were filled with dirt in Honduras after Hurricane Mitch. I've been in huts made entirely out of cow dung in Tanzania. Don't even get me started on El Salvador. And never ONCE have I been inside a dwelling as dreary as a Dream Home. Pictures are after the link, if you dare...

Paying Bashir's Property a Visit

From here, one can see both the building permit posted AND the alleged notice that no work is currently permitted, which according to neighbors was improperly removed.

Does it really take over three years to install sheetrock and insulation?

Photo by the Irving Inquisition.  Windows open to the elements abounded at this house.

Post and photos by the Hawthorne Hawkman, except where noted otherwise.

Here's a great example of how the NoMi Justice League works together.  Johnny Northside posted an item revealing a neglected Bashir Moghul property all the way out in Inver Grove Heights.  Then on Labor Day, the Hawthorne Hawkman sent Irving Inquisition a top-secret message, indecipherable without the proper cryptography equipment:  22-9-19-9-20 2-1-19-8-9-18-19 16-18-15-16-5-18-20-25.  The I.I. busted out his secret decoder ring and quickly understood the mission at hand.  We were off to see Bashir's Inver Grove Heights property for ourselves.

It was a perfect day for a slummy expedition.  We both had the day off, and the overcast skies were sure to add to the dreary mood - much like how one should only listen to The Cure or watch "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" when it's miserable outside.  So we expected to find a substandard property.  What we DIDN'T expect though, was...

Staunch Defense Carries Polars to 7-6 Win

The Patriots were stuffed in the backfield on their 2-point conversion attempt that ended the game.

Shelby Deloney (#3) celebrates his game-winning tackle.

Post and photos by the Hawthorne Hawkman

Editorial note #1: One website and another source listed the start time for the game as 7:00 instead of 3:30. Those errors led me to arrive late and miss the first quarter.

Editorial note #2: This was my first attempt at covering a football game AND taking pictures. I found it rather difficult to keep track of which specific players made tackles, interceptions, etc. I could use some help with photography, and NXNS is now accepting applications for a sports field correspondent. This is not a paid position, but I will cover admission into the games.


Several key seniors from last year's deep playoff run had graduated, and the coaching staff went through its own turnover. Still, the North High Polars played with grit, and guts, and pure desire. That combination led to a stingy defense and an offense and special teams that still need work. But the defense covered other shortfalls and gave North High the opportunities they needed to win.

The first indication that this is a football team still working out some kinks was...

A Year of Buying into NoMi

The Teachouts enjoying a meal at Good Sports Bar & Grill on Jim Wentzell Day

You can always find a hearty meal at the Bangkok Market in the EcoVillage.

Or a cup of coffee at 42nd Avenue Station

Post by the Hawthorne Hawkman, photos from www.johnnynorthside.com

My post about needing a bike shop got me thinking about NoMi, and how my blogging might continue to make an impact. For the next few months, the North High Polars' football team will be prominently featured here, but what comes next?

I started to ponder where my money goes, and how I could best use what little I have to make an impact in my own neighborhood. What would happen if I spent an entire year buying things only in NoMi or from a business with a connection to north Minneapolis? For instance, organic foods are hard to find in NoMi, but Local D'Lish in downtown is owned by a Ann Loyd, a NoMi homeowner.

There would be exceptions, of course. I can't very well go on vacation and spend money back home. Then there are some things that I just can't find or connect to NoMi, like...

The 2.2 Million-Dollar Question: Does CeaseFire Work?

Post by the Hawthorne Hawkman, photo from www.johnnynorthside.com. Part 4 in an ongoing series, click here, here, and here for the previous posts.

By now it's no secret that there is potentially $2.2 million in federal money just waiting to be used to implement the CeaseFire model here in Minneapolis. There's plenty to be skeptical about, both in terms of CeaseFire's methods in Chicago and who exactly would put them into practice here.

But the big question is simply whether or not the program actually works. To answer that, I looked at the final 80 or so pages of the 229-page report...