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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAboutTownFall15_webBraemar Arena Celebrates 50 Years Page 38 AUTUMN•2015 Official Magazine of the City of Edina AboutTown AboutTown Volume 26, Number 4 Circulation 25,000 Autumn 2015 Official Publication of the www.EdinaMN.gov City of Edina, Minnesota 4801 West 50th Street Edina, Minnesota 55424 952-826-0359 Editors: Jennifer Bennerotte & Kaylin Eidsness Contributing Writers: Chris Beeth, Krystal Caron, Jordan Gilgenbach, Lauryn Grimes, Marci Matson, Frank Petrović and Mary Woitte. Photographer: Michael Braun Publisher: City of Edina About Town is produced by the City of Edina. To advertise in About Town, call Barb Pederson, 612-998-7412 . Copyright 2015 by City of Edina, 4801 W. 50th St., Edina, MN 55424. About Town is published quarterly by the City of Edina. The purpose of the magazine is to keep Edina residents informed of news, activities and programs that are important to them. We include articles of interest about our residents and community history as well. About Town is printed on recycled paper to conform to City conservation guidelines. Cover photo by Jennifer Eisler Table Of Contents Calendar Of Events ..............................................................1 Autumn Calendar Highlights .............................................4 A Word From The Mayor ...................................................5 Braemar Arena Made Edina A Hockey And Figure Skating Power House ..............................................6 It’s Not Only Neighborly ... It’s The Law .......................12 Assistant City Engineer Carter Schulze Joins Edina Team ................................................................14 Score A Goal For Public Art And Help Buy ‘Slapshot’ ...........................................................16 Clarke Hones Skills As New Recreation Supervisor .....18 Rotary Club Of Edina Morningside Celebrates Silver Anniversary ..........................................20 Schaefer Promoted To Assistant City Manager .............22 Alzheimer’s Association Showcases Rotating Art Exhibit ...........................................................24 VEAP Shows Appreciation For Community Support ..........................................................28 Crime Prevention Fund Donates Mobile Camera System to PD ...........................................32 Learning Plan Focuses On Continuous Improvement, Strategic Plan ............................................34 Hockey Exhibit To Open In Turkey Trot Tradition ......37 Braemar Arena Celebrates 50 Years ................................38 Edina Community Foundation: Meet Our Board of Directors ............................................40 Planning Matters ................................................................44 Business Notes ....................................................................48 The Last Word ....................................................................54 Te a r H e r e Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Noon, Teddy Bear Band, Edinborough Park. 4 p.m., Public Art Edina working group, Edina City Hall. 2 3 4 7 p.m., Minnesota Mandolin Orchestra, Edinborough Park. 5 6 6:30 p.m., Community Health Commission, Edina City Hall. 7 p.m., River City Jazz Orchestra, Edinborogh Park. 7 p.m., City Council, Edina City Hall. 7 8 Noon, Will Hale & The Tadpole Band, Edinborough Park. 7 p.m., Energy & Environment Commission, Edina City Hall. 9 10 9:30-11:30 a.m., Edina Family Center Harvest Party, Edina Family Center. 11 2 p.m., Edina Historical Society cemetery walking tour, Adath Yeshurun Jewish Cemetery. 7 p.m., Medalist Concert Band, Edinborough Park. 12 13 7 p.m., Park Board, Edina City Hall. 7 p.m., Heritage Preservation Board, Edina City Hall. 14 7 p.m., Planning Commission, Edina City Hall. 16 17 18 7 p.m., Jazz on the Prairie Big Band, Edinborough Park. 19 20 7 p.m., Zuhrah Shrine Band, Edinborough Park. 7 p.m., City Council, Edina City Hall. 21 22 Noon, Storytime with Joey the Mini Horse. 4:30 p.m., Arts & Culture Commission, Edina City Hall. 6 p.m., Transportation Commission, Edina City Hall. 23 6 p.m., Halloween Party, Edinborough Park. 24 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Pumpkin Fest, 50th & France. 10 a.m.-noon, Shred Event, Edina Liquor – Southdale. 27 7 p.m., Human Rights & Relations Commission, Edina City Hall. 2625 7 p.m., The First John Philip Sousa Memorial Band, Edinborough Park. October 2015 28 7 p.m., Planning Commission, Edina City Hall. 29 Noon, Brodini the Magician, Edinborough Park. 30 15 Noon, The Bazillions, Edinborough Park. 31 About Town Calendar 2015 AUTUMN • 1 Te a r H e r e 2 • AUTUMN 2015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 3 Election Day. Polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. 4 7 p.m., City Council, Edina City Hall. 5 Noon, Richardson Nature Center Live Animal Tour, Edinborough Park. 4 p.m., Public Art Edina working group, Edina City Hall. 6 72 6:30 p.m., Community Health Commission, Edina City Hall. 8 7 p.m., La Dolce Vita Jazz, Edinborough Park. 9 10 7 p.m., Hopkins Dixieland Band, Edinborough Park. 7 p.m., Park Board, Edina City Hall. 7 p.m., Heritage Preservation Board, Edina City Hall. 11 Veterans Day. City Hall closed. 12 7 p.m., Energy & Environment Commission, Edina City Hall. 7 p.m., Planning Commission, Edina City Hall. 13 14 9:30-11:30 a.m., Edina Family Center Dads ‘n’ Donuts, Edina Family Center. 15 7 p.m., Seward Concert Band, Edinborough Park. 16 17 7 p.m., Star of the North Band, Edinborough Park. 7 p.m., City Council, Edina City Hall. 18 20 21 22 7 p.m., St. Paul Police Band, Edinborough Park. 23 24 7 p.m., Human Rights & Relations Commission, Edina City Hall. 25 7 p.m., Planning Commission, Edina City Hall. 26 Thanksgiving. City Hall closed. 27 City Hall closed. 28 3-5 p.m., Tree- Lighting Ceremony, 50th & France. 3029 7 p.m., The First John Philip Sousa Memorial Band, Edinborough Park. November 2015 19 Noon, Mr. Jim, Edinborough Park. 6 p.m., Transportation Commission, Edina City Hall. About Town Calendar 1 7 p.m., Execs Big Band, Edinborough Park. 3 • AUTUMN 2015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Online registration begins for winter/ spring adult Community Education programs. 7 p.m., City Council, Edina City Hall. 2 3 Noon, Richardson Nature Center Live Animal Tour, Edinborough Park. 4 p.m., Public Art Edina working group, Edina City Hall. 4 5 6 7 p.m., Minneapolis Police Band, Edinborough Park. 7 6:30 p.m., Community Health Commission, Edina City Hall. 8 6 p.m., City Council, Edina City Hall. 7 p.m., Park Board, Edina City Hall. 7 p.m., Heritage Preservation Board, Edina City Hall. 9 7 p.m., Planning Commission, Edina City Hall. 10 7 p.m., Energy & Environment Commission, Edina City Hall. 7 p.m., Human Rights & Relations Commission, Edina City Hall. 11 12 13 7 p.m., Capri Big Band, Edinborough Park. 14 15 7 p.m., St. Louis Park Community Concert Band, Edinborough Park. 7 p.m., City Council, Edina City Hall. 16 18 19 20 7 p.m., Good News Big Band, Edinborough Park. 21 22 23 7 p.m., Planning Commission, Edina City Hall. 24 Christmas Eve. City Hall closed. 25 Christmas. City Hall closed. 26 29 2827 December 2015 30 31 17 6 p.m., Transportation Commission, Edina City Hall. About Town Calendar 4 • AUTUMN 2015 Autumn Calendar Highlights Other Dates To Remember Dec. 1 7 p.m., South of the River Community Band, Edinborough Park. Dec. 8 7 p.m., Prior Lake Windjammers, Edinborough Park. Dec. 10 Noon, Snap Dragon Seeds, Edinborough Park. Halloween Party What: Attention boys and ghouls! A “not-so-scary” version of Halloween happens annually at Edinborough Park. The park closes early for this exclusive event, which includes trick-or- treating, games, special entertainment and mask-making with the Edina Art Center. Costumes are encouraged. Activities are geared toward children ages 1 to 12. When: 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23. Where: Edinborough Park, 7700 York Ave. S. Cost: $9/child; adults free with paying child. Info: 952-833-9540 or www.EdinboroughPark.com. Pumpkin Fest What: The 50th & France Business and Professional Association hosts Pumpkin Fest, a fun, family-oriented day filled with festive activities, including trick-or-treating, face painting, horse-drawn trolley rides and a cake walk. When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24. Where: Downtown Edina, 50th Street and France Avenue. Cost: Free. Info: 50th & France Business and Professional Association, 952-922-1524, or www.50thandfrance.com. Te a r H e r e Fi l e P h o t o Two attendees in costume enjoyed the Edinborough Halloween party last year. This year’s party is from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23. A Word From The Mayor 2015 AUTUMN • 5 Edina Liquor has been one of the top municipal liquor operations in the state for well over a decade, bringing in hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to offset property taxes. That’s still the case today, but revenues have dived since national retailer Total Wine opened next door in Bloomington late last year. Once we knew Total Wine had plans to open a store in the southwest metro in 2014, we did what we could to prepare for the new competition. We did studies to better define our target markets. Our staff completed new customer service training. We reevaluated our prices. We worked to freshen up our stores. We rolled out a new marketing plan to reinforce what really differentiates us from other liquor stores: Profits from Edina Liquor get poured back into the community. We’ve lessened our profit margin to be more competitive and our locations are more convenient for residents, but it’s clear we’ve lost some of our customers to the draw of Total Wine’s very low prices – prices we simply can’t match given our small size. Our 2015 budget projected Edina Liquor revenues of about $1.8 million. Now in a completely different market than the one we were in when the budget was crafted, we are doing what we can to bring in half that amount. Edina Liquor is still very much a profitable business and one that we are proud to operate. However, we can no longer count on beer, wine and liquor sales to support the City budget in the way it did before the market changed. Without the expected transfer of Edina Liquor profits, we must raise municipal property taxes by about 7 percent to keep City services at the current level next year. The only other substantial change to the 2016 budget over the 2014-2015 budget is in staffing. Since 2013, we’ve adjusted staffing levels to more efficiently deliver services. Positions were cut at Edinborough Park and Braemar Golf Course in an effort to stabilize their operations. However, we’ve added four new positions to meet the demand of redevelopment occurring in Edina. We’ve had to hire two new Building Inspectors, a Building Inspections Specialist and an Engineering Technician. All of them review building plans and help issue permits for the millions of dollars in new construction we’re seeing each year. The Edinborough and Golf Course positions were not paid for out of the General Fund. So, while we are only increasing staff by one full-time employee as an organization, the General Fund budget shows an increase of four. The median value single-family home in Edina is now $457,300. The effect of this budget would be an increase of about $71 per year, or about $6 per month. We take pride in the fact that Edina has had the lowest taxes on a $400,000 house of any comparable community included in the League of Minnesota Cities’ property tax calculator for several years. It is likely we will still have some of the lowest city taxes after this kind of increase. None of us on the City Council are excited about increasing property taxes for a “lights on” budget like the one proposed. We are still sharpening our pencils and will continue to do our best to be good stewards of municipal property taxes. James B. Hovland Mayor Te a r H e r e Braemar Arena Made Edina A Hockey And Figure Skating Power House 6 • AUTUMN 2015 By Marci Matson Contributing Writer When Braemar Arena opened almost 50 years ago, on Dec. 15, 1965, the facility was one of the first indoor ice rinks in the metropolitan area. “Perhaps one day soon we shall know that Braemar Arena is a new way of life for the residents of Edina and its neighboring communities,” stated the program for the dedication ceremony on Jan. 16, 1966. “One day soon” turned out to be “almost immediately.” The impact of the Edina facility cannot be over-stated, according to former Park & Recreation Director Bob Kojetin. “Without Braemar, we wouldn’t have Edina hockey. Even if it managed to survive, it would have diminished in power instead of being one of the top programs in the state.” The Edina indoor rink also helped bring the Braemar-City of Lakes Figure Skating Club to international acclaim, according to Jean Pastor, who taught Edina’s first figure skaters with skating school partner Eleanor Fischer. To fully appreciate Edina’s indoor arena, let’s go back to when skating happened in the great outdoors. Before Braemar In the 1950s, the Edina hockey season was set by the temperature, not the dates on the calendar. Before Braemar Arena opened in 1965, the Edina High School team worked out on Lake Harvey, a shallow pond that was the first to freeze in November. “Sometimes, with the weight of 18 people, all of a sudden the ice would crack and we’d scramble,” said Willard Ikola, who coached the Hornets for 33 years (1958-1991). “The cops would chase us off, but we’d sneak back on. Some guys would break through, but it was only hip deep.” Weather challenges didn’t end once winter set in. The team often started practices shoveling snow off the ice and struggled with bitter cold. Ikola laughed when he remembered his first season: “You’d think a boy from the Iron Range would be used to the cold, but I grew up playing hockey indoors” at the famed Eveleth Hippodrome, which provided perfect ice year around. By the time February rolled around, sunny days turned rinks to mush, prompting frustrated high school and youth hockey players and coaches to talk about building their own indoor arena. “Then, the season would end in March, and people would forget about the issue until the next November when they Ed i n a H i s t o r i c a l S o c i e t y C o l l e c t i o n The 1952 Edina-Morningside High School yearbook covered the hockey team’s record and also noted that the team had to maintain the rink ice during the unseasonably warm weather. 2015 AUTUMN • 7 were waiting for ice to freeze,” said Kojetin, who then was Assistant Park & Recreation Director under Ken Rosland. Finally, in the spring of 1965, the hockey community decided to push for an arena and met with Mayor Art Bredesen. Within two weeks, City Manager Warren Hyde and his staff figured out how to pay for a $500,000 facility with a combination of user fees and municipal liquor store proceeds. Braemar’s Beginnings Braemar began with one sheet of ice, now known as the West Arena. While the facility itself was modest by today’s standards, two things made the arena the success that it is today: great ice and a large seating capacity of 2,600. “There’s a reason why everyone wants to play at Braemar for the sections playoffs and all the big tournaments, as well as regional ice competitions,” said Larry Thayer, who grew up playing at Braemar and went on to manage the arena from 1978 to 2010. The Park & Recreation Department learned how to make great ice after more than a decade of trying to turn Edina’s hard water into a smooth surface on its 19 public outdoor rinks. The Village also brought in “ice consultant” Art Nickolas from Madison, Wisconsin, to advise on the mechanicals. As work crews spent the summer building the arena, Kojetin went to work finding enough customers to pay for the facility. Lake Conference Home Ice Luckily, in 1965, Braemar Arena faced little competition, with the only Golden Valley-Breck (1958), Blake (1964) and the Dupont (1924) arenas in the Minneapolis area. The Park & Recreation Department worked with Edina school district’s Athletic Director Howard Merriman to bring in the entire Lake Conference on a five-year contract for home games. “That was key to filling our ice time,” Kojetin said. Edina, Richfield, Minnetonka, Hopkins, Bloomington Jefferson, Bloomington Kennedy and St. Louis Park rented ice time for home games and took in a percentage of the gate receipts. After the initial contract period, other schools built their own arenas, with Bloomington opening in 1970 and Richfield following in 1971. According to Minnesota Vintage Hockey website, the Twin Cities metropolitan area had 25 ice arenas by 1970, including the Metropolitan Sports Center in Bloomington, built in (continued on next page) Ed i n a H i s t o r i c a l S o c i e t y C o l l e c t i o n Braemar Arena’s 1965 brochure touted a variety of activities during its inaugural season. 8 • AUTUMN 2015 1967 for Minnesota’s new professional hockey team, the North Stars. By then, Braemar was firmly established and had to juggle demands for ice time. A Home for Youth Hockey To get an arena built, the Edina-Morningside Hockey Association (later known as the Edina Hockey Association when the Village of Morningside joined the Village of Edina in 1966) committed to buying ice time, and each boy was required to purchase a $6 season ticket for open skating. While the organization’s expenses shot up to $4,393 from $2,537 the previous year, registration also grew to an all-time high of 360 boys in 1966. Teams still practiced outdoors, but played games at Braemar. City of Lakes Figure Skating Club Signs On To raise enough in user fees, the Village needed to find customers other than Edina’s youth and high school hockey teams. “My job was to schedule ice time 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Kojetin said. That meant finding organizations that would rent ice time during the hockey off-season. Because the Edina Park & Recreation Department already was registering skaters at the Minneapolis Dupont Arena, Rosland and Kojetin invited the Minneapolis-based City of Lakes Figure Skating Club to rent 50 percent of the ice time – provided that they incorporate “Braemar” in its name. “We didn’t hesitate,” said Pastor, a former Ice Follies performer who taught classes with Fischer, a Canadian Junior Ladies Figure Skating Champion. Not only was their home ice, the aging Dupont Avenue arena, slated for teardown, they both lived in Edina and wanted to start their own skating school. The club’s first ice show in April 1966 went beyond the basic recital to a mini ice show, complete with theme, props and costumes. Not only did Pastor bring her experience with the Ice Follies, first Braemar Manager Gordon Bowen had conducted music for “Holiday on Ice” shows in Minneapolis. The Edina club became well-known for its professional staging, and soon was able to attract pros and former Olympians like Janet Lynn to open the shows. Ed i n a H i s t o r i c a l S o c i e t y C o l l e c t i o n Braemar Arena as it looked shortly after opening in December 1965. The original building is now the West Arena. 2015 AUTUMN • 9 Ken Yackel Hockey School With the opening of Braemar, the hockey season extended from three to four months (in a winter with ideal weather) to almost year around. After the season ended in March, hockey players continued to train after the introduction of hockey camps and schools pioneered by Ken Yackel. The former Olympian briefly coached the Edina High School hockey team (1956-57) before playing for the Boston Bruins for three years. When his pro career ended in 1964, Yackel started what some consider the first hockey “day school” at Wakota Arena in St. Paul. The following year, the Village convinced Yackel to open another school at Braemar. Yackel brought in talented coaches, like North Star Lou Nanne and Bill Masterson, another pro playing for the Cleveland Barons of the American Hockey League. Open Skating And Other Uses Braemar offered open skating with $1 single admission or $6 per season for individuals and $15 per family during the hockey season when hours were limited; the cost went up to $10 and $25 during the summer months. The Minnesota Twins donated an organ, and skaters during the early seasons circled the rink to music played by a professional musician. With the City on a mission to fill ice time, Braemar also brought in Joe Nagengast, an Edina resident who taught speed skating on Minnehaha Creek near his house, to teach classes during Christmas vacation, and contracted with college teams like Mankato to play late-night games. A Second Arena In 1969 In March 1968, Braemar’s third season, Edina Peewees defeated Minneapolis Southwest, Warroad and Grand Rapids to win the state title – marking the first time a team from the southern part of the state had won the state championship, according to former Park & Recreation Director John Keprios, who wrote his master’s thesis on the Edina Hockey Association. The following March, Edina High School won its first Minnesota State High School League championship. (Edina boys’ teams now have 12 state titles.) Victories and Edina’s growing population led to a growth in youth hockey to 810 players, resulting in even more pressure for ice time. Letters from various hockey groups, figure skating clubs and others interested in additional hours prompted the Edina Village Council to approve a second $250,000 ice arena in July 1969 at “no burden to taxpayers.” The Pavilion, as it was called, was a temporary structure with sides that could be removed in the summer for other sports. (continued on next page) Ed i n a H i s t o r i c a l S o c i e t y C o l l e c t i o n Team Braemar, Edina’s championship Synchro skating team, has its roots as the Braemarettes, which formed in 1966 by former Ice Follies performer Jean Pastor. 10 • AUTUMN 2015 Even with another sheet, the demand for ice time soon exceeded the space. In 1972, the Edina school district split into two high schools, Edina East and Edina West, each needing game and practice time. The youth hockey program for the first time authorized purchasing ice time outside of Edina, then just 25 hours. That number would grow to more than 200 hours in 1988. In 1986, improvements transformed the Pavilion into a permanent facility instead of a winter-only arena. Logically, it was dubbed the “East Arena.” Figure Skating Gold While Edina hockey was rising to prominence, the figure skating club was racking up national gold medals in United States Figure Skating Club competitions, which judged skaters in both technical “figures” and a freestyle program. Dede Dahlberg and Lowell Green won the first gold for Braemar with their pairs performance in 1966. Eleanor Fischer coached 33 gold medalists before she retired. “That’s just a phenomenal number,” Pastor said. “I don’t know of anyone who has more medal winners than she had.” Her students purchased a bracelet for her and added an inscribed gold link for each new medal winner. To date, the Braemar club has 88 gold medalists and 57 state champions. The precision skating team, formed as the “Braemarettes” in 1966, has gone on to international acclaim. In 1980, with a new name, Team Braemar performed in the opening ceremonies at the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid. Coached by mother/daughter Toni Swiggum and Pam May, the precision synchro team won the first of four national championships in 2009. They have also earned medals in international competitions. Girls Play Hockey In 1972, Title IX of the Civil Rights Act passed, stating that “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” The first Edina girls’ hockey program formed that year, under the auspices of the Edina Girls’ Athletic Association. The “instructional league” focused on fundamentals and practiced outdoors. After growing to 57 girls on five teams in 1975, the girls’ hockey program faded when other girls’ athletic teams formed in the mid-1970s. Without a girls’ high school program, Jenny Hanley tried out for the Hornets and made the team – and history. After Edina’s first high schools girls’ hockey team formed in 1995, the hockey ommunity sought another sheet of ice at Braemar. The bonding referendum passed in 1997 to build the South Arena. Ed i n a H i s t o r i c a l S o c i e t y C o l l e c t i o n 2015 AUTUMN • 11 Media from all over the country covered her 1991 performance at the boys’ state tournament. She went on to become the first woman to play on a college men’s team, earning a spot as goalie for Hamline University. In 1995, the program revived as an official Edina High School sport. By the end of the season, community members pressed the City for another sheet of ice to accommodate the expanded sport. South Arena Opens Until 1997, Braemar improvements were paid for with municipal liquor proceeds, donations and user fees. This time, the City went to the voters, who overwhelmingly approved a two-part referendum: $5.5 million for bonds for general park improvements and $2.5 million for a third sheet of ice at Braemar. Hornets Nest and ‘The Backyard’ In July 2012, the Edina City Council approved the construction of the “Hornets Nest” at Braemar Arena. The two-story expansion, initiated by a group of dedicated Edina Hornet hockey fans, includes new locker rooms, a General Sports retail store and Velocity dryland training facility. The hockey community paid almost $800,000 of the $3 million project, and both hockey players and figure skaters agreed to pay a $20 surcharge per person per year to help cover the costs. In addition, a fourth sheet of ice, a $1.4 million rink dubbed “The Backyard,” opened in December 2014. The outdoor rink is a far cry from the practice rink of 50 years ago on Lake Harvey. It features an arched metal roof, heated players’ benches and an environmentally friendly ice- making system. In the summer, the space is converted for use as a futsal court. Braemar’s Legacy In February 2015, Let’s Play Hockey pondered the question, “Why is Edina hockey so successful?” after rankings of teams throughout Minnesota showed that within the 10 levels of boys’ hockey from PeeWees through high school, four Edina teams held a No. 1 ranking, four held a No. 2 ranking and two teams held a No. 3 ranking. At the Bantam B1 level, Edina fields two evenly rostered teams, and each are rated in the state’s top 20. Within the ranked levels of girls’ hockey, Edina teams were ranked Nos. 1, 7 and 9. The Edina girls’ high school team was ranked No. 5 in Class AA. “Good things of this magnitude and consistency usually don’t ‘just happen,’” wrote columnist John Hamre. “Large programs and organizations don’t just appear in full and successful operation no matter the context in life. There has to be a starting point.” Many factors play a role in Edina’s hockey success, but one key ingredient is Braemar Arena, sources told Hamre. “Once Braemar was built in 1965, our program really exploded,” Ikola said. “… We won our first state title in 1969. It was a tough proposition to develop hockey players with the finesse you need to get to the state tournament on only outdoor ice … fighting the temperatures and snow.” Information in this story came from Braemar Arena scrapbooks, John Keprios’ masters’ thesis on the Edina Hockey Association, interviews and other sources at the Edina Historical Society. Marci Matson is Executive Director of the Edina Historical Society. 12 • AUTUMN 2015 It’s Not Only Neighborly … It’s The Law The Law: Minnesota Statute 609.68 – Unlawful deposit of garbage, litter, or like Whoever unlawfully deposits garbage, rubbish, cigarette filters, debris from fireworks, offal, or the body of a dead animal, or other litter in or upon any public highway, public waters or the ice thereon, shoreland areas adjacent to rivers or streams …, public lands, or, without the consent of the owner, private lands or water or ice thereon, is guilty of a petty misdemeanor. Minnesota Statute 115A.99 – Litter penalties and damages A person who unlawfully places any portion of solid waste in or on public or private lands, shorelands, roadways, or waters is subject to a civil penalty of not less than twice nor more than five times the costs incurred by a state agency or political subdivision to remove, process, and dispose of the waste. What it means: Littering anywhere is against the law. Whether you are at one of the many parks, a City facility or in your own neighborhood, please properly dispose of your litter. The Law: Edina City Code Chapter, Article III, Div. 2, Sec. 126 – Location of containers Containers on residential property shall be stored in such a manner as to be out of view from the street in front of the premises or in a garage located on the premises except as provided hereafter. Occupants of single-dwelling unit, double-dwelling unit and townhouse properties may, but are not required to, place refuse containers adjacent to the street or alley adjoining the dwelling and off the traveled portion of the road, but not earlier than 12 hours prior to the day scheduled for collection. Within 12 hours after the scheduled collection, the containers and any material not collected shall be returned by the resident of such dwelling to the same location designated for storage by this subsection. What it means: Trash cans and recycling carts are all about function, not form. Please place them in their designated areas during pickup times, then get them out of sight soon after – no longer than 12 hours after collection. The Law: Edina City Code Chapter 23, Article II, Div. 3, Sec. 68 – Discarded or disused equipment or material and refuse Accumulations of discarded or disused machinery, household appliances and furnishings, or other material, or storage in the open of machinery, equipment or materials not in normal use on the premises where stored, in a manner conducive to the harboring of rats, mice, snakes or vermin, or to fire, health or safety hazards from such accumulations. What it means: Nobody likes to see non-operational machinery, appliances, refuse or temporary trash receptacles on the front lawn. Please dispose of these things promptly and responsibly. Visit www.hennepin. us/dropoffs or call 612-348-3777 for information on recycling household problem waste and hazardous waste. – Compiled by Frank Petrović Littering Junk Trash Cans And Recycling Carts 2015 AUTUMN • 13 To us, great doesn’t just mean size. Design, functionality, and beauty are critical. For 36 years, our goal has been to deliver a great result, no matter the space. Call (952) 925-9455. The term “great room” should apply to every room in the home. mapeterson.com 14 • AUTUMN 2015 By Chris Beeth The City’s new Assistant City Engineer is a Wisconsin native, but not a Packers fan, and when he’s not in the office, he’s fighting fires. Newly appointed Assistant City Engineer Carter Schulze not only holds the skill and experience for the job, but a variety of interests and hobbies that make him a welcome addition to the Edina team. Schulze holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota, where he attended with his new supervisor, Director of Engineering Chad Millner. Schulze began his career with Granite Construction, working on the Hiawatha Light Rail – currently branded as METRO Blue Line – as a Quality Control Engineer. “I tested the concretes and soils, ran the lab and tested things for everything that had to do with [METRO Blue Line],” said Schulze. After, Schulze worked for Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. (SEH) for seven years; both Schulze and Millner were employed by the consulting firm. It was in this position that Schulze became acquainted with the City of Edina. “Some of our clients were cities around the metro area, one being Edina,” said Schulze. “I personally worked out on the field on three neighborhood projects for Edina before working here. I met a lot of Edina staff when working on neighborhood projects for the City.” Next, Schulze served as Senior Project Engineer for the City of Eden Prairie, before being contacted by Millner for an open position with Edina. Schulze succeeds Patrick Wrase in the position. “I think we will be able to use Carter’s varied background to improve processes specifically related to our Capital Improvement Plans,” Millner said. “He has experience in the construction industry, a private engineering firm and in the public sector. I look forward to seeing how our CIP projects can be successfully implemented under Carter’s direction.” “It was a natural progression. The City of Edina offered the ‘next step’ up for me,” said Schulze. “I look forward to working with the staff. I can already tell they are energetic, hard working and intelligent.” When he has time off from his engineering duties, Schulze fights fires. Schulze has served with the Eden Prairie Fire Department for more than three years on a volunteer basis. Assistant City Engineer Carter Schulze Joins Edina Team Ph o t o b y M i c h a e l B r a u n Carter Schulze joined the City in July as Assistant City Engineer. 2015 AUTUMN • 15 “Every kid dreams of being a part of the Fire Department; it’s a different challenge and hobby,” said Schulze. Schulze currently resides in Eden Prairie with his wife and two children, spending free time up north at their cabin. When at the cabin, Schulze enjoys wakeboarding, water skiing and pulling his kids around on the tube. For more information, contact Schulze at 952-826-0443. Celebrating 23 Years of Dance Excellence www.victoriadance.com (952) 835-7497 EDINA’S PREMIERE DANCE STUDIO 7109 AMUNDSON AVE. Training Minnesota’s Top Dancers Since 1993! Enroll Today! VDP offers high energy classes with PROPER technique! TAP l JAZZ l CLASSICAL BALLET l LYRICAL l MODERN l HIP HOP CREATIVE MOVEMENT l MUSICAL THEATER l DANCE LINE Sylva Zoraqi REALTOR® Edina Realty Office: 952-924-8739 50th & France Cell: 612-710-8081 SylvaZoraqi@edinarealty.com SylvaZoraqi.edinarealty.com 16 • AUTUMN 2015 By Jordan Gilgenbach Motion, movement and action. Those are what artist Judd Nelson strives to capture in his art. “I use open strips of metal, and go for movement and motion so that when people look at it, they can feel it,” he said. Nelson, who first starting using welding to create metal sculptures at the age of 15, has had several of his sculptures featured on Edina’s Promenade, including “Letting Go” and “Birds of a Feather” in this year’s Public Art Edina annual outdoor sculpture exhibition. Another of Nelson’s works, “Slapshot,” a four-foot, 300- pound steel sculpture, depicts a hockey player with a hockey stick. The sculpture was on display on the Edina Promenade in 2013. It has since become the focus of the hockey community. City Council Member Ann Swenson is leading an effort to purchase Nelson’s sculpture “Slapshot” to be placed at Braemar Arena. Her goal is to make it a permanent fixture among Edina’s public art and celebrate hockey’s importance in the community. “We’re fortunate to be able to locate public art all over the city and excited to have a piece that could be at Braemar Arena,” Swenson said. “Edina has one of the largest youth hockey associations in the country. Erecting ‘Slapshot’ at the arena is a great way to show community support for these kids and their passion for hockey.” “I’m really excited about hockey and art in Edina in this project coming together,” said Barbara La Valleur, Chair of Public Art Edina. “It’s a fun way to bring the two together and an opportunity for sports enthusiasts who appreciate art to come forward and support art.” “It’s important to get kids introduced to public art at an early age,” Swenson said. “It’s the kids who would touch Spaulding [at 50th & France] who motivated me to put together a group to buy it. Slapshot is another piece of art kids can relate to.” “My kids became the inspiration for this piece,” Nelson said. “I’ve been around hockey and rinks and players for so long.” Not only did he watch his kids play hockey, but he played it himself. To add to that, Nelson’s dad, Hubert “Hub” Score A Goal For Public Art And Help Buy ‘Slapshot’ Fi l e P h o t o The City is raising funds to purchase ‘Slapshot’ as a permanent sculpture at Braemar Arena. 2015 AUTUMN • 17 Nelson, was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 1978. “I have hockey in my blood,” Nelson said. The goal is to raise $12,000 to purchase and install the sculpture. Swenson and La Valleur encourage both hockey and art lovers to donate and help make “Slapshot” part of the City’s permanent public art collection. Anyone who would like to donate to purchase Slapshot can do so at www.gofundme.com/EdinaMN. “We’re fundraising in a different way than we did for ‘Spaulding.’ Instead of looking for one or two large donors, we’re asking for 400 families to each give $25,” Swenson said. “That really helps give people a sense of ownership and a way to make art feel like it isn’t out of anyone’s reach.” Any funds raised above and beyond the fundraising goal will be used to commission a sculpture of a figure skater, also to be placed at Braemar Arena. Donations of $25 or more will be acknowledged with a hockey puck on the wall at Braemar Arena, until the goal is met. Each puck will have the name of the family or player who donated. At press time, $1,520 had been raised for the sculpture. To make a donation, visit www.gofundme.com/EdinaMN. In Edina since 1961, serving Christian families with an outstanding education built upon a rich, biblical world view. Visit today! Call to arrange a school-day visit that fits your schedule. Kindergarten through 8th grade CALVIN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL www.calvinchristian.org 952-927-5304 4015 Inglewood Ave. S. www.calvinchristian.org 952-927-5304 Personal Cheffor hire: Italian & French Specialties Planning • Shopping • Prep and Service • Clean-upLuis [References available upon request] ENTERTAINING MADE EASY, EXCELLENT, AND SPECIAL! SCHEDULING NOW FOR THE HOLIDAYS! emilypederson@comcast.net 612-251-0651 Clarke Hones Skills As New Recreation Supervisor 18 • AUTUMN 2015 By Jordan Gilgenbach From a recreation program participant as a kid to making parks and recreation a career, Amanda Clarke has seen both sides of the field. “I have always had a passion for parks and recreation and loved attending recreation programs when I was a kid,” Clarke said. “When I got my first recreation job after college, my interest in the field was even more clear. It’s so rewarding to see these kids outside, having fun and playing games that have been around for generations.” Clarke has recently transitioned to Recreation Supervisor in the City’s Parks & Recreation Department, succeeding Kristin Aarsvold. Having varied personal and professional experience in recreation, programming and facility management, Clarke said she is ready for this new challenge. “Everything has been busy, fun and energizing,” Clarke said. “This last summer went well, and there was a lot to learn.” Prior to becoming Recreation Supervisor, Clarke worked as Assistant Manager of Braemar Arena since October 2013. She first began with the City of Edina at Edinborough Park in 2009 in guest services. She was promoted to manager of the concessions stand at Edinborough Park once it opened in the fall of 2011, and shortly after, became Assistant Manager of Edinborough Park and the Edina Aquatic Center in March 2012. In her new role, Clarke will serve as staff liaison to the Fourth of July parade planning committee and oversee summer youth recreation programs, including playgrounds which sees about 1,000 kids each summer. She will also plan many special events, such as Vehicle Day and Barnyard Boogie. Clarke will also work with Adaptive Recreation and Learning Exchange (AR&LE) to provide opportunities for adaptive recreation and inclusion. “I love the energy this field brings and how we can make a difference in people’s lives,” Clarke said. “This community is full of passionate people who love to give back and really make a difference. People have been so nice to work with and so welcoming.” “Amanda has tremendous experience in a variety of aspects in parks and rec,” said Parks & Recreation Director Ann Kattreh. “She has been working in the field for many years as both recreation supervisor and in facility management. She brings the perfect mix of skills to work well with residents and staff and her personality is a really nice mix with the rest of our team.” Clarke’s passion for working in parks and recreation began in 2003, long before joining the City of Edina. She worked at a few City of Minnetonka facilities – Gray’s Bay Marina, the City’s Fitness Center and the Minnetonka Ice Arena. In the summer of 2007, Clarke began work in the Minnetonka-Hopkins Recreation Department as a Summer Recreation Supervisor, where she was in charge of summer playgrounds, Camp Jidana and the T-ball programs. 2015 AUTUMN • 19 “Working for other cities has helped in the sense that I was able to learn and see how they operate and see what works and what doesn’t for them,” Clarke said. Clarke said her work with the different City facilities helps with the administrative side of programming– budgeting, staff supervision and more. And from a programming side, she understands how those facilities operate. “Overall, [Clarke] has proven herself in different roles in the City. She has a great personality and determination,” said Assistant Parks & Recreation Director Susan Faus. “You can ask her to get something done, and she’ll get it done.” “Having those relationships with the facilities and understanding how they work will help when looking at new programming opportunities,” Clarke said. “Understanding what they can offer allows me to present new valuable and viable programming ideas.” “Amanda has worked for other cities and has a good idea of what we’re doing, what other communities are doing and ways to enhance the programs and facilities in Edina,” Kattreh said. “My goals are to provide new and more recreational opportunities for all residents of Edina,” Clarke said. “I am working on new programming opportunities and looking at past programs to see if there is an opportunity to grow those. If there are programs that are not meeting our participants’ needs and numbers are low, then we will look at replacing or changing those programs, too.” Clarke said other new or expanded programming opportunities in the future could include youth sports programs, nature-based programming and health-and- wellness activities. Clarke enjoys meeting new people, exercising and taking her dogs, Piper and Lola, on long walks and to the dog park. For more information, contact Clarke at 952-826-0433. Ph o t o b y M i c h a e l B r a u n Amanda Clarke was promoted in April to Recreation Supervisor in the City’s Parks & Recreation Department. 20 • AUTUMN 2015 By Krystal Caron Early this year, the Rotary Club of Edina Morningside celebrated its 25th anniversary with a hangar dance at Thunderbird Aviation in Eden Prairie. Edina Morningside is a local branch of Rotary International, which has a goal of bringing together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian services and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Edina Morningside was organized with help from the Rotary Club of Edina and was formed by Thornton “T.P.” Anderson and Peter Pierce. The club was chartered in December 1989. Heather Haen Anderson is the current club President and daughter-in-law of the club organizer and founding member, T.P. Anderson. She recalls that, “the noon [Edina Rotary] Club was growing and it was thought that it was needed to have a second club, a morning club. We do good work. All the money we raise goes right back out the door to fund grants for national and international projects. And now we’ve helped to form [another Rotary club,] South Metro Minneapolis Evenings.” When Edina Morningside formed, they had about 30 members and has since grown to include about 70, including Edina leaders like Mayor James Hovland, City Council Members Mary Brindle and Kevin Staunton and Edina Public Schools Superintendent Ric Dressen. The group has led an astounding number of humanitarian initiatives over the years. Mark Moore has been with the club since the very beginning. “There’s just been too many [projects to list],” he explained. “We’ve built playgrounds in Nepal and Israel. We have a program called ShelterBox (that provides emergency shelter and vital supplies to communities overwhelmed by disaster). We have an annual golf tournament. … [We organized] the Junior Police program, (a program that introduces children to basic safety ideas Rotary Club Of Edina Morningside Celebrates Silver Anniversary Su b m i t t e d P h o t o Past Edina Morningside Presidents Jim Warner, Nancy Olson Grazzini, Rob Laughlin and Mary Brindle toast to the longevity of Edina Morningside at the 25th anniversary hangar dance. Olson Grazzini was the club’s first female president and hosted the event at her company, Thunderbird Aviation. 2015 AUTUMN • 21 and an opportunity to meet an officer from the Edina Police Department), and the ABC Program, an initiative that offers a better chance for minority youth.” Haen Anderson got involved in Rotary after her daughter participated in the Youth Exchange program. “Every year, Rotary sends about 8,000 kids around the world. In this district, we exchange students with about 30 different countries and we send out and bring in about 75 students from around the world,” she explained. “My daughter was an exchange student in South Africa and [after that experience], I thought, ‘Rotary is something that I need to join.’” She also is proud of Rotary International’s End Polio Now campaign. She explained that polio was once a disease that was pervasive throughout the world. Because of Rotary International’s effort in eradicating polio, Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries that still have new cases of polio. “Rotary’s gift to the world is ending polio,” said Haen Anderson. Moore also appreciates the local contributions that the club has been able to undertake. “I went to a district conference in 1990 and the Minnesota Department of Transportation was promoting highway cleanup. We could get our sign on Highway 100 for the area that we would clean up,” he said. “It may not mean much if you live in Minneapolis, but I’ve just got back from living in Detroit and Chicago and one thing that struck me was how dirty it was and how clean it is in Minneapolis.” Jim Warner is also a founding member and son-in-law to club organizer and founding member Peter Pierce. “We really believe that [membership in Rotary] is a great opportunity within the community. We’d love to have more people join -- strength in numbers,” said Warner. “I’ve received many benefits. ... The contacts and relationships and I’ve gotten some business out of it, but more importantly I’ve made some really great friendships.” Edina Morningside always welcomes new members. Those interested in joining can attend a meeting. All meetings are free and open to the public and are held at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday mornings at Edina Country Club, 5100 Wooddale Ave. “We made it our focus to have fun so that it was something that was enjoyable and you look forward to it,” said Warner. “While we do good things we have fun.” Membership is open to anyone, including those who live and work outside Edina. To learn more about membership, contact the Edina Morningside Membership Chairman, John Sorteberg, at 952-915-6325. For more information, visit the Club’s website at www.EMRotary.org. 22 • AUTUMN 2015 By Lauryn Grimes Passionate about the services provided by local government and being a responsible, strategic and fiscally prudent public servant, Lisa Schaefer is excited to serve Edina as Assistant City Manager. Schaefer was promoted to the position in June after Karen Kurt resigned from the position. Kurt is now the City Manager of Platteville, Wisconsin. Schaefer has more than 17 years of experience in local government, but her familiarity with local government doesn’t stop there. Local government and public service isn’t something Schaefer has only encountered in her profession; it’s always been a part of her life. “My family has always been active in local government,” said Schaefer, whose dad was Mayor as well as a volunteer firefighter along with her grandfather and brother in Rockville, Minnesota, where she was raised. “It’s about improving how we provide services to the public. In local government, you can directly see the results of that very quickly,” she said. “You can see the parks that people are using, the clean water that they’re drinking and public safety services.” Schaefer was hired with the City in August 2011 as Director of Human Resources (HR) where she oversaw recruitment, compensation, benefits, payroll, employment policies, risk management and leadership development. Though her experience is primarily in the realm of HR, Schaefer says she’s always been excited about both HR and Administration of local government. “My career path, to this point, has been more focused on HR,” she said. “What I’m really excited about is being able to take a bigger-picture look at the operations within the City and how to make that more efficient and effective.” Schaefer will now focus her efforts on overall internal operations and determine how the City can be more effective in how it supports City employees and the public. Schaefer’s goal is to better align departments with one another to increase efficiency. City Manager Scott Neal will now focus primarily on external operations of the City, a different structure than when Kurt was Assistant City Manager. Directors of the Administration, Communications & Technology Services and Finance departments will report to Schaefer. “Lisa has a great management skillset,” said Neal. “Because her core discipline is Human Resources, she has had in-depth exposure to all aspects of city government operations, and it’s her operational management where I expect her to make her initial mark with the City of Edina.” One of Schaefer’s biggest initiatives will be technology and how to better incorporate it into every department’s daily tasks. Schaefer Promoted To Assistant City Manager 2015 AUTUMN • 23 “I think it’s really important that we, as an organization, stay current with technology so that we can spend less time managing records and more time delivering results for our residents,” she said. Finance Director Eric Roggeman looks forward to working with Schaefer in her new role. “Lisa has an excellent understanding of the City’s business that goes well beyond her former HR role,” he said. “Lisa is a great problem solver and knows how to work with people to get things done.” “I’ve worked with Lisa for the past four years. We know each other well. She has complementary strengths to my own. I am confident that we are going to be a good team,” Neal noted. “Just as Karen Kurt was the right person at the right time when I appointed her as Assistant City Manager, I think Lisa is just the right person for what the City needs right now.” Schaefer holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Psychology from St. Cloud State University and a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas. Prior to working for City of Edina, Schaefer worked for the League of Minnesota Cities and the City of Eden Prairie. Schaefer assumed her new duties as Assistant City Manager June 8, and transitioned from HR through the summer as the City completed the hiring process for a new HR Director. For more information, contact the Administration Department at 952-826-0364. Ph o t o b y M i c h a e l B r a u n Former HR Director Lisa Schaefer was promoted to the position of Assistant City Manager in June after Karen Kurt resigned from the position. Minnesota Center, Suite 270 I 7760 France Avenue South l Minneapolis, MN 55435 ISC FINANCIAL ADVISORS Helping you achieve your financial goals. TOM GARTNER, MSAPM, CFP® Wealth Manager ISCfinancialadvisors.com 952-835-1560 24 • AUTUMN 2015 Alzheimer’s Association Showcases Rotating Art Exhibit By Kaylin Eidsness According to the Alzheimer’s Association, someone in the United States is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s every 67 seconds. By 2050, someone in the United States will be diagnosed with the disease every 33 seconds. That’s why the Alzheimer’s Association works on a global, national and local level to enhance care and support for those affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia. Mollie Paulson, whose artwork graces the walls of the Alzheimer’s Association’s Minnesota-North Dakota chapter office in Edina, first noticed signs of memory loss in her husband, Dave, four years ago. “I was suspecting things. We’d drive out to the end of our block and we’d be going to a place we’d been going to for years and he’d ask which way to turn,” she said. “And then there were other things; increasingly more questions over something I had just said.” Shortly after, Dave was diagnosed with early cognitive impairment, the very beginning stage of Alzheimer’s. “The last few years have been a big upheaval for us,” said Mollie, who lived in Edina with her husband for 20 years before moving to Eden Prairie. “He had so much going on, that it was really hard to see him give up those things.” While Dave had to give up professional and volunteer opportunities as the disease slowly progressed, there are things that he and Mollie have been able to hang onto: music and art. Dave, who plays jazz piano by ear and has sung in choirs with Mollie for many years, including at Church of St. Patrick in Edina, continues to perform. He and Mollie currently sing in Giving Voice, a MacPhail Center for Music choir for those with Alzheimer’s and their care partners. “It’s just great. He can read music, he can sing and we both just really enjoy it,” said Mollie. “He might not remember that we were just at rehearsal, but at the time, it brings enjoyment and happiness.” Mollie, an artist who spent more than a decade working for the Edina Art Center planning exhibits as well as starting up the gift shop, said she hasn’t been painting as Ph o t o b y M i a V a c a n t i Mollie Paulson’s artwork will hang at the Alzheimers Association office through the end of the year. 2015 AUTUMN • 25 much as she used to because of the changes in her life. However, she’s beginning to paint once again. “It’s a really important part of my life,” she said. Mollie’s art is part of a rotating exhibit at the Alzheimer’s Association’s Minnesota-North Dakota chapter office, 7900 W. 78th St., Suite 100, which changes about once a year and features art created by those with Alzheimer’s or their care partners. “We moved into the office and there was this odd space that was hard to fill, so we thought let’s hang some art created by people who participate in our programs,” said Marsha Berry, Education Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association’s Minnesota-North Dakota chapter. “It’s certainly nice to have some color. It’s nice to also have the work, especially when we’ve had work from people living with early Alzheimer’s.” Berry said each artist who has hung work in the gallery has kindly donated some portion of the profits back to the Alzheimer’s Association’s Minnesota-North Dakota chapter. Mollie is currently donating 30 percent of any profits she makes to the organization. “They have all kinds of resources that can help with your situation,” said Mollie about the Alzheimer’s Association. One resource Mollie and her husband take advantage of is the monthly Memory Meet Ups for couples. Mollie said this resource is one she highly recommends people attend when they first find out a loved one has Alzheimer’s or dementia. “Right away, get to meet people outside of your regular social group and get involved. You find out that you meet some wonderful people who are going through the same thing and it’s not too late to make some new friends,” she said. 10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s • Memory loss that disrupts daily life • Challenges in planning or solving problems • Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure • Confusion with time or place • Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships • New problems with words in speaking or writing • Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps • Decreased or poor judgment • Withdrawal from work or social activities • Changes in mood and personality (continued on next page) 26 • AUTUMN 2015 “You have to have a good attitude about this,” said Mollie about her husband’s disease. “You have to approach it and work with it. You can’t hide it. The realization is admitting that there’s something wrong. I think that’s important, and being able to laugh through it.” Mollie’s exhibit, which features paintings as well as prints and greeting cards for sale, will continue through the end of the year. For more information about the exhibit, contact Berry at 952-857-0541. Su b m i t t e d P h o t o Mollie Paulson and her husband, Dave, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s four years ago, celebrate their 50th anniversary at a party. Preferred provider for most insurance companies. Call or request your appointment online. 6545 France Ave. S, Suite 390, Edina, MN 55435 952-926-3534 | parkdental.com Ann M. Thiele Burt, DDS Camille M. Jensen, DDS Annette G. Dunford, DDS General dental care for the entire family. Early morning & evening appointments. New patients welcome. With you every smile of the way. Walter F. Teske, DDS Owen J. Thoele, DDS C M Y CM MY CY CMY K EdinaOnTheGoAd-RayG.pdf 1 8/8/15 1:37 PM 2015 AUTUMN • 27 More power to you. U.S. Bank FlexPerks® American Express® Card The creditor and issuer of the U.S. Bank FlexPerks Travel Rewards American Express Card is U.S. Bank National Association pursuant to a license from American Express. American Express is a federally registered service mark of American Express. © 2015 U.S. Bank See how FlexPoints go farther. Apply today at your local Edina U.S. Bank branch or visit flexperks.com. 28 • AUTUMN 2015 VEAP is grateful for the many Edina residents who support its mission through volunteerism; financial support and donations of food, school supplies and toys. “VEAP’s commitment to this community is steadfast and enduring,” said Patty Schulz, Advancement Director for VEAP. “We believe that helping a neighbor in need strengthens the social and economic fabric of our community and when individual households are stable and strong, our neighborhoods benefit as well. Our vision is that by improving lives of people in the community, we all benefit and our communities will endure and remain strong for the generations that follow.” Transportation is the most used VEAP service by Edina residents. VEAP’s Transportation Program provides timely, safe and friendly transport for low- and fixed- income seniors to get to medical appointments, grocery stores and pharmacies or to visit a loved one in a care facility. In 2014, volunteer drivers provided 8,471 rides to 300 seniors. Nearly 70 percent of all rides were to medical dialysis and chemotherapy appointments; 15 percent were for essential errands and 16 percent were considered quality-of-life rides (care visits, hair dresser appointments, etc.). VEAP’s volunteer drivers provide more than a ride; they provide a listening ear and friendly conversation to seniors who are generally homebound due to transportation barriers. VEAP helps riders maintain a level of independence and reduce the sense of social isolation. VEAP is able to deliver its programs thanks to the talent and expertise of more than 1,700 volunteers, 14 percent of whom live in Edina. These individuals are people from the community serving their neighbors. A significant number of VEAP volunteers are retired professionals – social workers, teachers or health care providers – with skillsets that make them especially adept in serving low-income clients with respect, compassion and knowledge. Ninety people volunteer as Transportation drivers using their own vehicle or a VEAP van. However, VEAP desperately needs more volunteer drivers. Besides driving, there are many other ways for Edina residents to get involved with VEAP. Residents are encouraged to host a toy drive, attend an event or make a donation. VEAP’s next big event is its annual gala on Friday, Oct. 30, at the Hilton Doubletree in Bloomington. Residents can participate in Give to the Max Day, Minnesota’s day of giving, on Thursday, Nov. 12, or provide much needed support by making a financial gift at www.veap.org/give/donate. For more information about VEAP, visit www.facebook.com/ VEAPvol or www.veap.org or contact Schulz at 952-955- 8310 or pattys@veap.org. VEAP Shows Appreciation For Community Support 2015 AUTUMN • 29 Edina SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 | 9:00 A.M. - 3:30 P.M. | TEDxEDINA.COM EDINACOMMUNITY EducationPRESENTING SPONSOR 30 • AUTUMN 2015 1INSALES # FIFTEEN YEARS RUNNING CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE 2015 AUTUMN • 31 Jeff and Diane Anderes 952-927-2842 Winnie Crosbie 612-741-9556 Diane Eldredge 612-310-3812 John Everett 952-927-1646 Mark Granlund 612-803-8129 Ruthann Holetz 952-927-1624 Cindy Jarvis 612-600-4119 Gary Judson 612-859-4863 Mary Greig Krieter 612-719-0665 Jane Larson 612-720-1048 John MacKany 952-927-1163 Francy Matson 612-865-3549 John McDonald 952-927-1197 Kim Melin 952-201-4758 Jane Oelfke 952-200-5712 Jude Dugan Olson 952-927-1186 Aaron Ouska 612-940-8020 Ginna Raming 952-210-8342 Kevin Ries 952-927-1196 Tom & Erick Ries 952-393-6600 Margie and John Sampsell 952-927-1195 Danya Spencer 952-237-6611 Josh Sprague 612-501-0252 Jim Starr 612-247-5898 Michael Tierney 952-927-1676 Susan Wahman 952-927-1114 Chris Willette 612-388-8828 Dan Willette 952-927-1694 Find us at edina6800.edinarealty.com Find us at edina50thandfrance.edinarealty.com EDINA 6800 FRANCE EDINA 50TH & FRANCE Pam Aagaard 952-261-7576 Dave Anderson 612-750-2209 Babette Bean 952-924-8722 Meg Boehne 952-240-4417 Megan Brinkman 612-802-5057 Stephanie Chandler 612-599-7107 Krysta Clark 612-644-3173 Morgan Clawson 612-810-5793 Sheila Cronin 952-915-7951 Karen Daly 612-751-0663 Alli Deckas 612-306-3735 Amy Deckas 612-735-7430 Chad Eckert 612-590-3090 Lisa Eckert 952-915-7964 Mark Kouatli 612-708-8400 Kyle Litwin 612-803-5595 Brad and Amy McNamara 952-924-8785 Tom and Meg Meyers 952-924-8712 Andy and Teresa Mitchell 612-242-4514 Sara Moran 612-720-7560 Elizabeth McKevitt Perez 952-500-1500 Sandy Remes 612-791-1094 Marcia Russell 612-965-7997 Margaret Shaw 952-928-9810 Linda Smaby 612-325-7972 Kris Waggoner 612-965-3655 Martha Webb 612-384-4413 Sylva Zoraqi 612-710-8081 SALES By Chris Beeth The Edina Police Department recently added a mobile camera system to its inventory, thanks to a donation of nearly $50,000 from the Edina Crime Prevention Fund. The Mobile Pro Defender Camera System will be used to deter crime through remote monitoring of areas where utility and communication services are limited or non- existent, which are often locations with low civilian traffic and limited security. “The Edina Crime Prevention Fund is made up of people who live or work in Edina, who work together to raise money to fund programs and tools that are not in the budget for the Police Department,” said Jon Barnett, President of the Edina Crime Prevention Fund. “We asked, ‘what does [the Department] need, and how can [the Fund] help?’ They brought us the budget and pitch for the new mobile camera system.” The Department requested the camera system because of its versatility and ability to address crime with new, more effective technological means. “After a formal presentation and field demonstration, the Department and Crime Prevention Fund agreed that this technology would be of great value to the citizens of Edina through deterring crime, assisting in investigations and increasing public safety,” said Deputy Police Chief Jeff Elasky. “I think it’s a great piece of technology that will help the Department solve crime problems that normal police tactics have trouble resolving.” Other cities have found success implementing mobile camera systems, including the City of Minneapolis. “The City of Minneapolis has had a system of fixed public safety cameras and [the Department] saw the benefit of having a mobile camera that could be placed in locations that fixed cameras did not cover,” said Minneapolis Police Commander Scott Gerlicher. “The tool has helped [the Department] make arrests, obtain convictions and provide a safer environment for our residents.” The mobile camera system has the ability to sync or collaborate with other pieces of technology, improving the effectiveness and reach of monitoring. The system’s mobility allows for use at special events such as the Edina Art Fair, Fourth of July Parade and Fall into the Arts Festival. Crime Prevention Fund Donates Mobile Camera System to PD 32 • AUTUMN 2015 Su b m i t t e d P h o t o The mobile security system is a brand new tool for the Edina Police Department to help deter crime. Lt. Tim Olson said the new piece of equipment will not only benefit the Department, but residents as well. “It’s presence alone deters criminal acts. It also reduces the number of potential victims of property crimes such as vandalism and theft from auto,” he said. Olson also said the tool has the ability to stream audio and video remotely, so “we can monitor events from squad cars or in the Public Safety Communications Center.” “[The Department] plans to use this tool where crime has been documented or is a concern, as well as special events,” he added. While this donation to the Department from the Crime Prevention Fund is a larger one, the Fund has financially supported many Police programs and Department needs for decades. “The Edina Crime Prevention Fund is a quiet, but powerful ally in keeping Edina a safe place to live, work and play. It has supported the Police Department in offering rewards for the apprehension of criminals, helps fund the K-9 programs and supplements the purchase of equipment that keeps our officers protected and in return, keeps our residents safe,” said Lt. Brian Tholen. “The entire community of Edina and its residents can sleep well, because of the unyielding support from the Crime Prevention Fund and its directors.” For more information, contact Olson at 952-826-0490. 2015 AUTUMN • 33 SOUTHDALE Y FREE WEEK PASS $0 ENROLLMENT, $150 SAVINGS *OFFER EXPIRES 10/28/2015 x FREE DROP OFF CHILD CARE x 190+ GROUP EXERCISE CLASSES x SWIMMING & FAMILY POOL x FULLY EQUIPPED FITNESS CENTER x ALL AGES & FITNESS LEVELS To activate pass - contact Karl 952 897 5476 karl.wilbur@ymcatwincites.org Cosmetic, Family & Sports Dentistry, PA Dentistry with eye on today a vision for tomorrow..!& Call us at 952-922-9119 www.yoursmiledocs.com DR. DOUGLAS L. LAMBERT, DDS DR. SANDRA J. HOUCK, DDS DR. ELIZABETH A. LAMBERT, DDS 34 • AUTUMN 2015 By Mary Woitte, Edina Public Schools At Edina Public Schools (EPS), everyone is a student. Lifelong learning is encouraged and valued as a core competency for all, and as a means of growth and enrichment at every stage of life. For those seated behind teachers’ desks, learning is no less important. In fact, there is an expectation that every staff member in the district also learn throughout the year. It is part of a philosophy of continuous improvement and the goal of the long-term professional learning plan being developed by the school district. This year, staff learning opportunities will be further aligned around areas identified as key to advancing the EPS’ “All for All” mission. “We’ve always had professional learning opportunities, but we haven’t had a cohesive, long-term plan that addresses the needs of all employee groups,” said Randy Smasal, Director of Teaching and Learning. “We are better organizing what we are already doing and focusing on the most important growth areas so that the information is more easily accessed and understood by staff.” Smasal, along with Enrollment and Equity Director Mary Manderfeld, Peer Coach Facilitator Libby Sandvick and former Director of Student Services Molly Hollenbeck, worked with district administration and the staff development committee to create a draft framework that guides staff in the selection of appropriate opportunities that advance their practice, help them meet licensing and certification requirements and advance the district’s strategic efforts. The professional learning plan builds on the Next Generation ( NextGen) of EPS Strategic Plan and its Birth through Grade 5 and Secondary program studies. It includes training on the policies, expectations and procedures for current and new employees, and, according to Smasal, will help define the “Edina way.” It will be a filter for recruiting and hiring new staff, helping both the district and potential employees recognize when the fit is right. “When someone new comes into the district, they will more clearly understand the expectations of working for Edina Public Schools,” Smasal said. Learning Plan Focuses On Continuous Improvement, Strategic Plan Su b m i t t e d P h o t o Staff throughout the school district participate in profressional learning experiences throughout the year. 2015 AUTUMN • 35 Offerings are focused on six “pillars” of learning identified as key areas of learning for every staff member and correspond with the district’s educational competencies – racial equity, cultural responsiveness, personalized learning, professional learning communities, wellness and organizational excellence. “We have to focus on high-leverage strategies that will make a difference with kids and prepares them for the next stage,” Smasal said. In addition, as the district moves ahead with its facilities plan and two years of renovation and construction, professional learning will also address Next Gen learning environments. “We can’t just build a different learning environment and hope people will do things differently,” Smasal said. “Professional learning needs to parallel our facilities work so all staff are ready to work effectively and achieve the highest potential from our Next Gen buildings into 2017 and beyond.” Some of the professional learning courses are developed and presented by district staff; others are made available through partnerships with other districts and organizations. To help personalize the learning, staff is able to participate online, in face-to-face sessions, using internal and external experts or in a hybrid of the two. The Edina Learning Institute (ELI) is an example of a summer learning opportunity developed by and for Edina staff that is focused on four of the six educational competencies. This year’s ELI featured four days of learning, which combined sessions taught by colleagues, as well as four keynote speakers with national reputations. Another professional learning example is the Global Competence Certificate program, which 10 EPS teachers are currently working to complete. This collaborative effort with Columbia University, World Savvy and the Asia Society – made possible by donations from the Edina Education Fund and an anonymous donor – is a 15-month graduate-level program that includes fieldwork in another country. “These teachers will use what they have learned and experienced in the program to train and mentor their colleagues about how to make our classrooms more globally aware,” Smasal said. “It is really a life-changing opportunity for them.” While the focus is often on teachers, Smasal emphasized that professional learning opportunities extend to all district employees. “Some opportunities are about skill sets around jobs,” he said. “Some, like cultural responsiveness, we will do with all staff at workshops, and then break into groups to address this learning based on specific roles in the district.” Later this fall, the planning team will finalize a “one-stop shop” website whereby staff can see course offerings and availability, and register for learning opportunities that will enhance their own competency and contribute to the strategic plan’s overall objective of providing a world- class education for Edina learners of every age. (continued on next page) 36 • AUTUMN 2015 “To achieve our ‘All for All’ mission, we need all of our staff to embrace the concepts of lifelong learning and continuous improvement,” Smasal said. “In order to have high levels of learning for our students, we must make sure our staff have the skills, knowledge and attributes to meet the needs of all learners.” For more information, contact Smasal at randy.smasal@edinaschools.org. Open House &Tour January 15, 2015 9:30-10:30 a.m. 2015-16 Registration January 22, 2015 9:30 a.m. normandalepreschool.org 952-929-1697 X43 6100 Normandale Rd. Edina, MN 55436 •Christian Faith & Values • Half and Full Day Programming • Kindergarten Readiness Classes • •Lunch, Extended Day Options • Enrichment Opportunities • Music and Movement Activities• • Library and Chapel Times • Dedicated College Educated Professionals• Celebrating 40 years of serving families just like you! 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The story of Edina’s rise to power is documented in a new exhibit, “The City of Hockey,” opening on Saturday, Nov. 28, at the Edina History Museum. The celebration actually kicks off two days before on Thanksgiving morning at Braemar Arena. It follows the long-standing tradition of the “Turkey Trot” of the 1970s and 1980s when the community came out to Braemar to see the newly selected high school team scrimmage, socialize and enjoy coffee and doughnuts. The Edina Historical Society has been working for almost two years to collect Edina’s youth and high school hockey histories, in partnership with the City of Edina, the Edina Hockey Association, Edina High School and the Edina Hockey Alumni. “Edina’s hockey history is an incredible community story worthy of exhibiting, preserving and celebrating,” said exhibit chair Bruce Carlson, who was a member of the Edina’s first State high school hockey championship in 1969. “The story goes beyond trophies and records to the community-building spirit of the sport.” The exhibit title plays off Minnesota’s claim as the “State of Hockey,” and encompasses the pervasive culture of hockey in the community, with backyard rinks, huge fan base and support for players at all levels of the game. The year-long exhibit at Edina’s History Museum at Arneson Acres, 4711 W. 70th Street, is open during museum hours: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Admission is free. Hockey Exhibit To Open In Turkey Trot Tradition Su b m i t t e d P h o t o Edina’s first youth hockey teams played on the city’s first hockey rink, outdoors at Arden Park in the 1950s. 38 • AUTUMN 2015 By Chris Beeth Five decades of history adorns and decorates Braemar Arena, which has provided the Edina community with ice time and a friendly place to gather for half a century. Murals and plaques illustrate the Arena’s past, while green benches line three NHL-sized ice sheets. For some, Braemar Arena is a place to play and watch hockey; for others, it a place to figure skate for fun or competition. But for all who enter the spacious complex, it’s a place of character, smiling faces and a great time. The Village of Edina constructed Braemar Arena with one sheet of ice in 1965, after solidifying an agreement with nine school districts in the Lake Conference, the City of Lakes Figure Skating Club and the youth hockey program. The Arena was the sixth indoor refrigerated ice arena in the Twin Cities, serving as home rink for all Lake Conference games. “The Minneapolis City of Lakes Figure Skating Club (now the Braemar-City of Lakes Figure Skating Club) was asked to relocate to the newly built Braemar Arena in Edina,” said President of the Braemar-City of Lakes Figure Skating Club Sharon Friedli-Welter. “Braemar Arena is home. Generations of skaters now bring their children back to Braemar Arena to figure skate and play hockey.” Braemar Arena has undergone several additions over the years. “The Arena has gone through a ton of improvements and additions since its beginning, but the whole time, it’s maintained the original feel,” said General Manager Susie Miller. The Pavilion – better known as “the Pav” – was built in early 1970s, constructed with tin walls in the winter that were removed in the summer to serve as a community gathering place in the form of an open pavilion. The Pavilion took its final form in 1987 as an enclosed, indoor arena – known today as the East Arena. “I recall coaching my kids and others on both girls’ and boys’ youth teams for the entire decade of the 1990s,” said Bruce Carlson, former President of the Edina Hockey Association and current Board Member of the Edina Braemar Arena Celebrates 50 Years Su b m i t t e d P h o t o Hockey players celebrate on the ice at Braemar Arena, nearly 50 years ago. 2015 AUTUMN • 39 Historical Society. “I continue to be reminded of how blessed we are as a community to have such an incredible facility that has now grown to four rinks.” The South Arena was constructed in 1997 to accommodate growing programs. In 2012, the Hornets Nest opened after $800,000 in funding was raised by community volunteers to help pay for the construction. The most recent addition to Braemar Arena is the Backyard Rink, which was completed last year. “The City of Edina is extremely fortunate to have a facility like Braemar Arena. Since it was originally built 50 years ago, Braemar has remained one of the premier ice arenas in the state,” said current President of the Edina Hockey Association Mike DeVoe. “Having such as great facility at our disposal has most certainly been a contributing factor to Edina’s hockey success. Braemar Area is a special place that holds a lot of great memories for a long list of talented teams and players over the last 50 years.” The Edina Historical Society will kick off a year-long exhibit of Edina hockey history on Thanksgiving weekend. The exhibit itself will open from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 28 at the Edina History Museum. The Society and the community’s hockey organizations will also hold a free celebration event from 9 a.m. to noon on Thanksgiving morning at Braemar Arena, with coffee, doughnuts, open skating, open practice of Hornet boys’ hockey and a program at 11 a.m. featuring hockey greats from Edina’s history. “The history and legacy of those before us has created such an incredible atmosphere for any hockey fanatic, player or fan,” said Edina native Dean Williamson. “We will never forget all the memories and life-long friends we made along the way.” For more information, contact Miller at 952-833-9502 or visit www.BraemarArena.com. Upcoming Events at Braemar Arena Cheer on the Edina Hornets Schedule posted at www.BraemarArena.com. Friday Nights at the Backyard Rink 8-9:30 p.m. starting Nov. 6 Saturday Nights at Braemar Field 6:30-8:30 p.m. starting Nov. 7 Join your neighbors for a fun night indoors! Anniversary Celebration Saturday, Dec. 5, visit Braemar Arena for a day full of games and events to celebrate 50 years. Holiday Pops Figure Skating Show to benefit VEAP 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6 Skate with Santa 10:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Dec. 19 50 1965-2 0 1 5 B R A E MAR AREN A YEARS 40 • AUTUMN 2015 By Dick Crockett Executive Director Six new Edina residents have been elected to the Foundation’s Board of Directors, joining nine returning Board members in representing the community in the governance of the Foundation. These six Directors bring a wide variety of business, professional and community service experience to their new roles: Katie Aafedt has served on the Edina Soccer Board and is currently the head coach for the EHS Soccer team. She has a marketing/I.T. background and very strong organizational skills. Katie is well connected in the Edina community with strong relationships across age demographics. She lives in the South Harriet Park neighborhood with her husband David and three kids. Tom Gump is a lawyer and real estate developer serving as “of counsel” with Stier Law Offices. He is President-Elect of Edina Morningside Rotary Club, which recently named him “Rotarian of the Year.” He was Chair of the Community Involvement Programs Board of Directors and served on the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota Board. He also chaired Edina’s Construction Board of Appeals. Tom and his family live in the Sunnyside neighborhood of Edina. Dr. Michele Herring is a partner at Sharpe, Dillon, Cockson & Associates, an internal medicine group. She and her husband, Andy, have raised four children in Edina. She has volunteered extensively on hospital committees, in the Edina Public schools and at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. She provides medical care to low income, uninsured patients through St. Mary’s Health Clinics. The Peggy Kelly Memorial Fund maintained by ECF honors her mother, a former Edina City Council member. Her family lives in the Hilldale neighborhood. Andy Matysik is the Managing Partner of Punch & Associates Investment Management. He is also trustee of the Karleen/ Valentine scholarship trust, which offers educational support for aspiring doctors from rural areas who attend the U of M Medical School. Andy and his wife, Jennifer, are passionate about supporting mission and Edina Community Foundation: Meet Our New Board of Directors Bringing People Together to Serve, Strengthen and Celebrate Our Community 2015 AUTUMN • 41 related work, and they live with their four children in the Country Club neighborhood. Jeff Ohe is the President of Cahill Financial Advisors. He is finishing his term as President of the Rotary Club of Edina and helped lead the Legacy Campaign for the Club’s Foundation. He has also been active in the Edina Chamber of Commerce and the University of Minnesota Alumni Association. Jeff and his wife Ally and family live in Edina and he enjoys running and golf as hobbies. Rebecca Bell Sorenson is a Massachusetts native who moved to Edina a decade ago following a career in cultural public relations. She “lives for building community by creating opportunities to bring people together.” Mpls./St. Paul Magazine recognized her extensive involvement in charitable fundraising by describing her as “The Connector” in a 2011 cover story on Our Housewives. She and her family live in the Morningside neighborhood. The new Board members join the four officers and five other returning Directors who have generally served one or two three-year terms on the Board: Paul Mooty, President Mamie Segall, Vice President Scot Housh, Secretary Steve McDonald, Treasurer Ron Erhardt Jim Hovland Richard Olson Lana Slavitt Maxine Wallin They will be featured in Part 2 of this column, in the Winter issue of About Town. Their participation has been vital in expanding the Foundation’s impact in the community and engaging in a strategic planning process that led to their adoption of a new mission statement shown above. These 15 Board members are committed to continuing the excellent work of three Directors who have left the Board at the end of their terms this last June—San Asato, Brad Beard and Bernie Beaver. All three have made important contributions to the Foundation and community, and we thank them greatly for their service. Questions about to the Foundation or any of its programs or services may be addressed to Crockett at 952-833-9573 or edfoundation@EdinaMN.gov. Additional information about the Foundation and links to other articles about the Foundation may be found at its website, www.edinacommunityfoundation.org. Bringing People Together to Serve, Strengthen and Celebrate Our Community 42 • AUTUMN 2015 Only the Best Care for Your Best Friend Banfield.com EDINA 5103 Gus Young Ln. 952-929-9236 Donate Now! With $25 donations from 400 families, we can purchase ‘Slapshot’ to be placed at Braemar Arena. SCORE A GOAL FOREDINA PUBLIC ART! www.gofundme.c o m / e d i n a m n www.smilesatfrance.com 4999 France Ave. South, Suite 230 • Edina / Minneapolis • 612-824-7033 Enhancing Smiles... Building Confidence... Changing Lives Complimentary,Cosmetic,Restorative & Implant Consultation Located at50th &France When it comes time to make your most important financial decision, trust an expert. 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Merril Lynch would also be a tenant in the building, but each business would have a separate, dedicated entrance. The 21.8-acre site is already zoned Planned Office District (POD-2), and currently includes an eight-story office building and attached restaurant. The new building would use existing shared site access and parking. Storm water ponding areas are also included in the proposal. No formal application had been filed at press time. For more information, contact the Planning Division at 952-826-0369. City Reviews Plans For New Apartment Buildings If three concepts recently reviewed by the City as sketch plans come to fruition, 649 more apartments could be built in Edina. NLD Edina, LLC has proposed tearing down the existing Walgreens at 4916 France Ave. and building a new 14,265-square-foot Walgreens. Four levels of residential apartments units are proposed above the store. The plan would include 64 apartments, two levels of underground parking for the apartments and 20 enclosed, surface parking spaces for the store. The new store would also continue to have a drive-thru for its pharmacy. Collage Architects has proposed tearing down the former Best Buy at 3101 W. 66th St. to build a six-story, 201-unit apartment building. The building would have one level of underground parking and a 3,800-square-foot restaurant. In the opposite corner of West 66th Street and York Avenue, DLC Residential has proposed a two-stage development. If approved, the existing office building at 3250 W. 66th St. would be razed and replaced with a six- or seven-story, 230-unit apartment building. In a second phase, the office building at 6550 Xerxes Ave. would also be razed and a five- or six-story, 145-unit apartment building would be built. Each building includes one level of at-grade parking. “Edina continues to be a highly desirable community in the Twin Cities,” said Economic Development Manager Bill Neuendorf. “While the three concept plans are unique, they each respond to the major characteristic of Edina – an exceptional quality of life.” Sketch plans give developers an opportunity to present an informal conceptual plan to the City’s staff, Planning Commission and City Council, and allow the City to provide non-binding advisory comments. No decisions are made until after a formal application is filed. None of these projects had submitted a formal application at press time. For more information, contact the Planning Division at 952-826-0369. – Compiled by Jordan Gilgenbach Planning Matters 2015 AUTUMN • 45 70th & Cahill (952) 944-5770 www.FlowersOfEdina.com $10 off any order over $40 Local area only. Not valid with other offers. 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Insured s Licensed s Dependable 48 • AUTUMN 2015 Business Notes Children’s Hospital And Clinics Administrative Office To Move To Edina Children’s Hospital and Clinic has leased a 200,000-square- foot office space in Edina. The Minneapolis-based nonprofit health system plans to begin consolidating 650 to 700 non-clinical staff into Lincoln Corporate Center, 5901 Lincoln Drive, in the spring of 2016. “As we grow and evolve as the leading pediatric health system in our region, we must explore ways to generate greater efficiency, creativity and collaboration, while continually delivering the best care to children,” said President and Chief Operating Officer Dave Overman. “Bringing together colleagues who are currently scattered across several locations in the Twin Cities can help achieve this goal by providing energizing new space for our non- clinical staff.” Children’s operates two hospitals, one in Minneapolis and one in St. Paul, as well as 12 clinics around the metro area. With roughly 5,750 employees, City Manager Scott Neal said the new Children’s branch will be a welcome addition to the community. “Edina has had a strong medical office and medical service economic base for a number of years, so I think the addition of the Children’s Hospital headquarters to Edina fits in very nicely to our overall local economy and business community,” said Neal. “I’m excited to have them here. I’m happy they picked Edina as their new home.” For more information on Children’s Hospital and Clinics, visit www.childrensmn.org. Dave & Buster’s Is Latest Addition to Southdale Center Bar? Check! Restaurant? Check! Hundreds of heart-racing arcade games? Also, check! Dave & Buster’s opened Aug. 3 and occupies the once- vacant space on the third floor of Southdale Center. The 40,000-square-foot venue serves as a bar and restaurant for patrons and houses a sizeable arcade with an extensive collection of games. The new addition to Southdale Center employs 140 to 160 employees, and will greatly benefit the community in a variety of ways. Because the business will serve as a profitable asset for the community, the Edina City Council amended the City Code last July to allow the issuance of Su b m i t t e d P h o t o Dave & Buster’s opened Aug. 3 on the third floor of Southdale Center. 2015 AUTUMN • 49 full-service liquor licenses with restaurants that also offer amusement games of skill. The bar and restaurant is open 11 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday through Sunday. For more information, contact Dave & Buster’s at 612-913-5900. Southdale Center Is Home To New Gordmans Southdale Center has leased 45,000 square feet to Gordmans in the lower level of the shopping center. The discount retail store opened its doors to customers July 16. The Nebraska-based company specializes in home décor and employs 125 people. Gordmans’ expansion to Southdale Center is of no surprise, as the retail giant boasts 99 stores in 22 states with plans on of opening its 100th store this year. Gordmans is open 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday. For more information, contact Gordmans at 952-283-0845. Edina Q. Cumbers Celebrates 25 Years Of Business It’s not only fresh greens that the family-owned, local restaurant should be noted for. Fresh ideas, such as being the first restaurant in the Twin Cities to be smoke-free and one of the first venues to adopt a website are why Q. Cumbers has found 25 years of success in Edina’s Centennial Lakes area. Husband-and-wife duo Mickey and Sheila McCabe, who opened Q. Cumbers in 1990, oversee operations and share the General Manager position at the restaurant. Originally operated by Sheila McCabe, Mickey took over as General Manager with the birth of their first child. Since then, the majority of her time has been spent raising her two children, as well as finding time to jump in as General Manager for a few brief stints over the past 25 years. Mickey allotted much of its success to the location and customers. “The Centennial Lakes area has really become the jewel of Edina,” said Mickey. “The area, park and consumers are phenomenal. You can walk the park and then come sit down to eat. The location, you can’t beat it.” Even though Q. Cumbers has found success, Mickey often has to reassure consumers that the dining venue is equipped to serve warm food – a trait very important for those picking a spot to eat during the cold winter months. “We have always been a healthier style of restaurant. We have the salad bar as the centerpiece of the restaurant. It’s good and bad,” said Mickey. “In the winter, people still Su b m i t t e d P h o t o Mickey and Sheila McCabe opened Q.Cumbers in 1990. They oversee operations and share the General Management position at the restaurant. (continued on next page) 50 • AUTUMN 2015 think of us as only a salad bar buffet, when obviously we are much more than that. Our salad bar is a big asset in the summer; people really value this healthier, lighter food in the summer. But, we have the hot bar and substantial entrees that get us through the winter.” Q. Cumbers plans to keep things fresh by remodeling the venue in the near future. In the meantime, those looking for a salad full of leafy greens, a plate full of hot wings or both can check out the buffet at 7465 France Ave. “It’s a great business. It’s a consistent business. And we have great clientele,” said Mickey. “It’s fun seeing people come in all the time; they’re part of the family.” For more information on Q. Cumbers, visit www.qcumbers.com. Southdale Medical Center Expansion Nears Completion The $25 million expansion of Southdale Medical Center, 6525-6545 France Ave., one of the Twin Cities’ largest medical office complexes, is nearing completion. Under construction since last summer, the-four story, 57,000-square-foot medical office building brings the Southdale Medical Center campus to over 350,000 square feet. The complex is connected by tunnel to the neighboring Fairview Southdale Hospital. “The new medical office building received its certificate of occupancy in early June and the first tenant has already moved in,” said Paul Reinke, President of Silver Oak Development. “The first phase of the parking ramp was completed in March and is being used by employees and valet parking. A second phase of the ramp, under construction now, will be finished in November.” Edina Mayor James Hovland said the expansion is “a reflection of the growing importance of the entire Southdale Medical campus to good health outcomes for both Edina residents and those in the broader southwest metro region.” He praised Reinke and the entire development team for months of hard work in closely coordinating the planning and construction of the project with city staff. For more information, contact Paul Reinke at 651-330-1737 or preinke@silveroakdevelopment.com. Romano’s Macaroni Grill Closes, Lou Nanne’s Steakhouse Takes Over One of Edina’s own, Lou Nanne, will take over the closed Romano’s Macaroni Grill spot in the Centennial Lakes Office Park complex, 7651 France Ave S. The McDermott Restaurant Group, which operates Rojo Mexican Grill, Shag and Ling & Louie’s, has teamed up with U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer and former Minnesota North Stars player Nanne to create a steakhouse restaurant. “It’s going to be a steakhouse, but more accessible. We’ll have a really good beef program – we’ll offer a product that’ll be exclusive to that part of town – and we’ll offer fresh seafood,” said Executive Chef of Manny’s Steakhouse Josh Hill, who has been tapped to run the Lou Nanne’s kitchen. 2015 AUTUMN • 51 Newly constructed rental apartment homes offering senior living, assisted living, memory care, care suites and transitional care within one welcoming community. AURORA ON FRANCE Senior Living is Edina’s premier place to call home! on France Vibrant Senior Living and Care Part of Fairview Health Services • Beautiful studio, one- and two-bedroom apartment homes near shopping, restaurants and connected to Fairview Southdale Hospital • Heated, underground parking • Restaurant-style dining • Movie theater • Large, beautiful outdoor spaces to include a patio fireplace & walking path around Lake Cornelia • Hair salon and spa ~ Library ~ Craft Room ~ Private dining ~ Bistro Café ~ Fitness center Call today to be added to our interest list and receive project updates! 612-874-3432 6500 France Ave. S. Edina, MN 55435 www.auroraonfrance.com Nanne has an ownership stake in the business, but a less defined day-to-day role. “It was always the same, a sports bar, never anything unique,” he said. “But all the dynamics here, they’re just perfect.” The restaurant is still in the early stages of the menu- planning process, but they hope to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, catering to the neighborhood’s large office and hotel population. McDermott is aiming for a February 2016 opening. – Compiled by Chris Beeth & Mia Vacanti 52 • AUTUMN 2015 1011 Feltl Court · Hopkins, MN 55343 952-933-3333 Independent Living · Senior Apartments with Services Assisted Living · Memory Care Adult Day Program · Short Term Stay Suites www.StThereseSouthwest.com Gracious Retirement Living Options For Over 25 Years! 55 Years of Service to the Community • Private apartments with month to-month rental • Flexible meal plans • Transportation for shopping, banking and more • Physician visits and 24 hour nursing staff on site • Personal & concierge services • Wellness program with PTA • Weekly housekeeping • Respite and hospice stays• Age in place with loving care, dignity and serenity Call for a tour and a Free Lunch (952) 920-9145 Independent Living, Assisted Living, Extended Assisted Living We want to help you OWN AN EDINA HOME Want To Learn More? 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The goal of the exercise was to learn how the various levels of government work together to respond and recover from a disaster. The participants learned how to coordinate their respective strengths and resources to save lives, protect property and the environment, and meet basic human needs during and after a disaster. I was invited to the event by Edina Fire Chief Tom Schmitz to observe the training exercises of Minnesota Task Force One, an urban search-and-rescue team based in the Twin Cities metro area and comprised of firefighters, police officers and paramedics from Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, Dakota County and Edina. Minnesota Task Force One is a highly skilled resource for local Minnesota agencies that are dealing with natural or manmade emergencies that require highly skilled search and rescue personnel. The State of Minnesota provides financial and logistical support to the Task Force, but personnel from the five partner agencies are the Task Force’s “boots on the ground” when the team responds to emergencies. Edina has a number of firefighters who are active participants on the Task Force. The Chief wanted me to see them in action. As a passive observer, I was impressed with the seriousness of the participants. The participants were handed a disaster scenario by the event planners and then forced to react to it, even as the planners changed the details throughout the four-day, around the clock exercise. The participants’ ability to roll with the changes and modify their reactions was also impressive. Taking this all in gave me a great sense of calm and confidence that if or when the Big One ever happens, we have the right people behind the scenes to help us through the trouble – wherever it might come from and whatever it might be. As Edina City Manager, I had an enormous sense of pride for the Edina members of the Task Force. Our people are leaders on the Task Force. Our resources are very important to the overall performance of the Task Force. Edina may be the smallest agency member of the Task Force, but let’s just say we “fight well above our weight class” when it comes to our overall contributions to the Task Force team. We are fortunate to have a strong and intelligent group of people working in our Fire-Rescue & Inspections Department. It was truly special to see how they shined among their peers at Camp Ripley in August. Their sacrifice and concern for the well-being of the public they serve is something we can all take pride in. Scott H. 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