Self referencing update

I sent out an email to our mailing list explaining what has been going on with the campaign over the last week. For completeness I've copied it here although it is a little self referencing :o) The emails will be a less frequent now I am writing this blog. If however you would like to subscribe to the mailing list send an email to "grunerlokka+at+gmail+dot+com" with the word "subscribe" as the subject.

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Hi Everyone,

It's been a week or so since the last update. So much is happening that we can barely keep up and it has become clear that a mailing list is not the correct medium for getting the information out to those that are interested. Therefore, we have set up several other means of disseminating information and organising meetings and events.

BLOG

I have set up a blog that will be updated regularly. It contains a running commentary of what is happening in the Campaign to Save Grünerløkka as well as links to related information, other blogs, underskog posts, media articles etc. You can even subscribe to the blogs RSS feed if you like. Please feel free to make lots of comments and tell us what you want out of the campaign.

The link to the blog is http://darkwinters.blogspot.com.

Facebook Group

You can join our facebook group to share ideas and meet likeminded people. The group already has over 1000 members and can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2396621897. We also have a private facebook group for those that want to offer their help. You can only become a member of the private group by being invited by one of the current members. If you don't know anybody that is in the private group already send an e-mail to grunerlokka@gmail.com with a description of the skills you can bring to the campaign.

A lot can happen in a week

Since the last e-mail we sent out a great deal has happened, most of which is detailed in the blog. Here's a quick roundup of the news:

• We held a meeting for people interested in helping out with the campaign in Villa Paradiso. The meeting was very productive and we gained many strong new members.
• We are in the process of setting up a new, non profit organisation that will likely be called "Grünerløkka Kultur og Næring". It will be possible for both businesses and individuals to join. I will discuss more in a future blog posting.
• We presented our case to local politicians and got a very favuorable response. They seemed amazed that we had already collected over 6000 signatures. That was nearly a week ago though, now we're close to 7000 names! Let's see if we can hit 10000 by the end of the month. Please ask all your friends to sign and send the link to the petition to everyone you know. The link can be found on my blog.
• We have met several politicians from various political parties and discussed how they can help save Grünerløkka.
• A borettslag in Grünerløkka agreed to only rent their shops to small businesses and not chain stores. Aftenposten ran an article that you can find here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/44240/Aften-04-05-2007
• Due to the campaign, one of the businesses that has had a lot of citisism, has agreed to our demands for them to integrate better into the community. I can't say too much yet as we have not finalised the deal, but when it is signed and sealed informatation will appear on my blog.

Urgent!

You have probably heard about the plight of Sultan, the grocery shop in Thorvald Meyers gt. They have had a 1000% increase in rent over the last few years and may be forced to close their store. If, like me and many others, you rely on Sultan please show them your support. Time is running out. Do we really need another 7-11 in Grünerløkka? Especially another 7-11 across the road from a Deli de Luca!

Want to help?

We still need lots more volunteers. If you would like to join the campaign and fight for a great cause, simply reply to this e-mail, visit the blog and leave a comment or join the facebook group.

Cheers,
Paul Thornton
Save Grünerløkka Campaign.

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