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Home My WebLink AboutAboutTown_2004AutumnPRESORTSTD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 3932 Edina, MN AboutTown Magazine City of Edina 4801 West 50th Street Edina, MN 55424 www.cityofedina.com AUTUMN•2004 About Town Official Magazine of the City of Edina Voters to Elect Mayor and Council Members in November See page 36 for details ***ECRWSS*** POSTAL PATRON CAR-RT-WS ©C O L O U R S 2 0 0 4 The Edina Chamber of Commerce Thursday, Oct. 28, will host “Taste of Edina: Food, Wine & Business Expo,” a food, wine and business exposition to highlight the community. Taste of Edina, sponsored by TDS/US Link, will be held 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Southdale Center. Participating restaurants include P.F. Chang’s Chinese Bistro and Maggiano’s Little Italy. Tickets are $25. Watch for discount coupons at all three Edina Liquor stores. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the Edina Chamber of Commerce, 952-806-9060. Table of Contents Calendar Of Events.................................................................1 Autumn Calendar Highlights.................................................4 A Word From The Mayor ......................................................5 Many Edina Streets Were Named For Early Pioneer Farm Families.................................................6 It’s Not Only Neighborly ... It’s The Law...........................15 Area Graduates Hope African Students Can Do The Same.................................................................16 Walking In These Parents’ Footsteps Requires Polished Boots......................................................21 VEAP Returns With Holiday Support.................................25 Emergency Response Teams Get New Wheels................28 Importance Of Smoke Alarms To Be Emphasized At Open House................................................32 Minnesota Chemical Health Week Focuses On Prevention And Recovery..............................................33 Voters to Elect Mayor, Council Members In November..36 Delin Rotates Back In The Wing Of The Edina Family Center.....................................................38 Edina Community Foundation Begins Raising Money For City Hall Artwork..............................................41 Study Of Greater Southdale Area Begins...........................42 Edina ArtCenterExpands Realism Program....................44 City Of Edina To Flush Hydrants........................................46 The Edina Community Foundation – Neighborhood Associations.................................................48 Making Memories: Painter Connects People With History .........................................................................50 Edina Protects Young People’s Health By Making Parks Tobacco Free..............................................................51 AboutTown Volume 16, Number 4 Autumn 2004 Official Publication of the City of Edina, Minnesota 4801 West 50th Street Edina, Minnesota 55424 952-927-8861 Circulation 25,000 Editor:Jennifer Bennerotte Assistant to the Editor:Lelan Bosch Publisher:City of Edina About Town is produced by the City of Edina. To advertise in About Town, contact Richard Barbeau at Barbeau Marketing Group, 610-277-9252 or 612-965-2041. Copyright 2004 by City of Edina, 4801 West 50th Street, 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 citizens and community history as well. About Town is printed on recycled paper to conform to City conservation guidelines. www.cityofedina.com Chamber To Host Taste OfEdina Special Pull-Out Section: Park & Recreation Insider 1•AUTUMN 2004 SUNDAYMONDAYTUESDAYWEDNESDAYTHURSDAYFRIDAYSATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 7 p.m., HRA&City Council, Edina City Hall. 6 7 p.m., Web Design Class, Edina Art Center. 7 4-8 p.m., Book Sale, Edina History Museum. 5:30 p.m., Board of Appeals, Edina City Hall. 7 p.m., Greater Southdale Area Study Meeting, Braemar Golf Course. 8 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Book Sale, Edina History Museum. 9 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Book Sale, Edina History Museum. 10 1-4 p.m., FireDepartment OpenHouse, Fire StationNo. 1, 6250 TracyAve. 1-5 p.m., Carnival ofthe Arts, Edina ArtCenter. 1112 7 p.m., Park Board,Edina City Hall. 7 p.m., HeritagePreservation Board,Edina City Hall. 13 4:15 p.m., Mosaic Artwith Adama Sow,Edina Art Center. 7 p.m., Web DesignClass, Edina ArtCenter. 15 Beginning at 8:30 a.m.,Podiatrist appointmentswith fee charge, EdinaSenior Center. 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m., Music forPreschoolers, Edina Art Center. 16 171819 7 p.m., HRA&CityCouncil, Edina City Hall. 20 7 a.m., Recycling andSolid WasteCommission, EdinaCity Hall. 5-8 p.m., Skatinglesson registration,Braemar Arena. 21 5:30 p.m., Board ofAppeals, Edina City Hall. 7:15 p.m., City CouncilCandidate Forum,Edina CommunityCenter. 22 Beginning at 8:30 a.m.,Podiatrist appointmentswith fee charge, EdinaSenior Center. 23 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.,Pumpkin Decorating,Edina Art Center. 26 7 p.m., Human Rights & Relations Commission, Edina City Hall. 2524 31 About Town Calendar OCTOBER 2004 27 7 p.m., Planning Commission, Edina City Hall. 28 4 p.m., Edina Art Center Board, Edina Art Center. 6 p.m., Transportation Commission, Edina City Hall. 29 14 7:15 p.m., House ofRepresentativesCandidate Forum,Edina City Council. 30 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Pumpkin Festival, 50th &France. 2•AUTUMN 2004 SUNDAYMONDAYTUESDAYWEDNESDAYTHURSDAYFRIDAYSATURDAY 2 Election Day. Pollsopen at 7 a.m. 12:30 p.m.,Introduction toWatercolor class,Edina Art Center. 1:30-3:30 p.m., Hearingtests by appointment,Edina Senior Center. 34 5:30 p.m., Board ofAppeals, Edina CityHall. 561 Handcrafted Gift Salebegins at Edina ArtCenter. Braemar Golf Domeopens for the season. 7 p.m., HRA&CityCouncil, Edina CityHall. 7 8 9 7 p.m., Park Board, Edina City Hall. 7 p.m., Heritage Preservation Board, Edina City Hall. 10 11 Veteran’s Day. Most City Offices Closed. 12 13 14 Northwoods Boutique ends atBraemar Golf Course Clubhouse. 1516 7 p.m., HRA&CityCouncil, Edina City Hall. 7 p.m., CommunityHealth Committee,Edina City Hall. 17 7 a.m., Recycling &Solid WasteCommission, EdinaCity Hall. 9:30 a.m., BeginningAsian Calligraphyclass, Edina ArtCenter. 1920 212223 7 p.m., Human Rights &Relations Commission,Edina City Hall. 2425 Thanksgiving. MostCity Offices Closed. 26 Day afterThanksgiving. MostCity Offices Closed. 27 302928 About Town Calendar NOVEMBER 2004 18 5:30 p.m., Board ofAppeals, Edina City Hall. 6 p.m., TransportationCommission, EdinaCity Hall. 5•AUTUMN 2004 As I wrap up my final few months as mayor of Edina, I have spent a great deal of time reflecting on the community’s accomplishments in recent years. As a member of the Edina City Council, I am proud to have been part of several of those undertakings. The most recent accomplishment was the completion of Edina City Hall. We formally dedicated the impressive building at a special ceremony July 4. Since Edina has always been a community that has recognized the importance of the past while preparing itself for the future, it was fitting that we opened the community’s 1954 time capsule at the dedication ceremony. With help from Council Members Jim Hovland and Linda Masica, I cut into the small copper time capsule that had been buried for 50 years in the date stone of the old City Hall. The capsule contained items from the era when the building was constructed. The Planning Commission’s recommendations for handling proposed subdivisions dated May 1952, a copy of the Public Employees Retirement Association Law book, a copy of the 1950 Village of Edina annual report, and the City Code from October 1952 were just a few of the documents giving insight into Edina’s past. Other items included were copies of the Edina-Morningside Courier dated Nov. 5, 1953, meeting minutes of the Village Council and Civic Center and Village Hall Citizens’ Committee and a 1951 Edina street map. A penny, roster of Village employees and Edina telephone directory from 1953 were lodged into the small metal box. One item, a copy of the April 23, 1926 South Town Sentinel,even predated the 1954 City Hall. The capsule also contained a program and three faded photos from the cornerstone-laying ceremony at the 1954 City Hall, and a photo of the 1940s City Hall. The photos and program linked the dedication of the new City Hall to the old City Hall’s dedication 50 years prior. I have witnessed firsthand Edina develop into the premiere community it is today. But as we carefully took items out of the time capsule, I was awed by our community’s evolution in just five decades. Fifty years ago when the time capsule was buried, there was no Southdale Center or Galleria. Minnesota Highway 100 was just three lanes. The 1951 street map showed that Morningside wasn’t even part of Edina at that time. Now fully developed, most of the land within Edina was still untouched in 1954. That evolution will continue. I believe that Edina is positioned for great things – things we cannot yet imagine -- in the next 50 years. Beyond 2020, the year to which our long-range plan extends, Edina will remain “the preeminent place for living, learning, raising families and doing business.” Dennis F. Maetzold Mayor 4•AUTUMN 2004 OTHER DATES TO REMEMBER Nov. 2 Northwoods Boutique opens at Braemar Golf Course Clubhouse. Dec. 289:30 a.m. After the Holidays Art Fun for All Ages, Edina Art Center. INDOOR SKATING LESSONS What:Braemar Arena offers ice skating lessons throughout the year. Registration for the winter session of lessons is held in October. When:5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 19. Where:Braemar Arena, 7501 Ikola Way. Phone-in registrations will not be accepted. Info:952-941-1322 or www.Braemar-Arena.com. PUMPKIN FESTIVAL What:The 50th & France Business & Professional Association hosts Pumpkin Festival, a fall event for children. Activities will include a pumpkin- carving contest, costume contest and parade, horse-drawn trolley rides and trick-or-treating. When:9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, with costume parade at noon. Where:Downtown Edina, 50th Street and France Avenue. Info:50th & France Business & Professional Association, 952-922-1524, or www.50thandfrance.com. HOLIDAY STROLL What:Giving shoppers an opportunity to enjoy the holiday season in downtown Edina, the 50th & France Business & Professional Association will host its third-annual Holiday Stroll. The Holiday Stroll offers something for everyone. Kids will enjoy visiting with Santa and his elves at the Edina 5-0 Mall and free horse-drawn sleigh rides will be a spirited attraction for all. Free holiday cookies, hot cocoa and cider will be served and complimentary valet parking will be available. When:Saturday, Dec. 18. 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. -- Complimentary valet parking 10:30 a.m. to noon – Free movie at Edina Theatre Noon to 2 p.m. – Carolers Noon to 4 p.m. – Santa and elves entertain inside the Edina 5-0 Mall 1 to 4 p.m. – Free, horse-drawn sleigh rides Where:Downtown Edina, 50th Street and France Avenue. Info:50th & France Business & Professional Association, 952-922-1524, or www.50thandfrance.com. Autumn Calendar Highlights A Word From The Mayor 3•AUTUMN 2004 SUNDAYMONDAYTUESDAYWEDNESDAYTHURSDAYFRIDAYSATURDAY 1 7 p.m., Planning Commission, Edina City Hall. 2 5:30 p.m., Board of Appeals, Edina City Hall. 3 Beginning at 8:30 a.m., Podiatrist appointments with fee charge, Edina Senior Center. 4 10 a.m., Gift-making workshop for all ages, Edina Art Center. 5 6 7 7 p.m., HRAand City Council, Edina City Hall. 8910 Beginning at 8:30 a.m., Podiatrist appointments with fee charge, Edina Senior Center. 11 10 a.m., Gift-making workshop for all ages, Edina Art Center. 12 . 13 14 7 p.m., Park Board, Edina City Hall. 7 p.m., Heritage Preservation Board, Edina City Hall. 15 7 a.m., Recycling and Solid Waste Commission, Edina City Hall. 1718 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Holiday Stroll, 50th &France. 192021 7 p.m., HRAand City Council, Edina City Hall. 2223 Handcrafted Gift Sale ends at Edina Art Center. 6 p.m., Transportation Commission, Edina City Hall. 24 Christmas Eve. Most City Offices Closed. 25 28 9:30 a.m., After the Holidays Art Fun for All Ages, Edina Art Center. 7 p.m., Human Rights & Relations Commission, Edina City Hall. 27 9:30 a.m., After the Holidays Art Fun for All Ages, Edina Art Center. 26 7 p.m., First JohnPhilip SousaMemorial Band,Edinborough Park. About Town Calendar DECEMBER 2004 29 9:30 a.m., After the Holidays Art Fun for All Ages, Edina Art Center. 7 p.m., Planning Commission, Edina City Hall. 30 9:30 a.m., After theHolidays Art Fun forAll Ages, Edina ArtCenter. 31 New Year’s Eve. Most City Offices Closed. 16 5:30 p.m., Board of Appeals, Edina City Hall. 6•AUTUMN 2004 Many Edina Streets Were Named For Early Pioneer Farm Families By Joe Sullivan Contributing Writer Editor’s Note: Following is part one of a two-part series about pioneer Edina families whose names were immortalized on our City’s street signs. Part two, about 12 more streets named for pioneer families, will appear in the Winter 2005 issue of About Town. In her book Edina—Chapters in the City’s History,Deborah Morse-Kahn aptly described the premise for this article: “Thoughtfully, the City of Edina chose to honor the family farms that yielded land for suburban development … with street names …” Far from exhaustive, the following information (in alphabetical order) covers 12 families and one pioneer Catholic priest for whom Edina streets have been named. As one might expect, more information is available on some of them than others. Amundson Avenue Eleanor Olson Amundson was born in Minneapolis in 1894 and attended the Calhoun School where she met a young grocery delivery boy named Edwin Amundson. After their marriage, the Amundsons moved to the Cahill area of Edina and lived just south of the 1864 one-room Cahill Elementary School at West 70th Street and Cahill Road. The Amundsons’ son, Gordon, graduated in 1933 from the Cahill School. In a 1970 interview with Edina historian Foster W. Dunwiddie, Gordon’s mother recalled that there were only four students in that year’s graduating class: a valedictorian, a salutatorian and two honor students. When asked if any of the four was Gordon, she demurred. Years later, it was proposed that a new street near 70th and Cahill be named Yosemite Avenue. Eleanor Amundson went to bat against City Hall and the street was instead christened Amundson Avenue in honor of her husband. 7•AUTUMN 2004 Balfanz Road Balfanz Road is a short street located just south of Lake Cornelia between West Shore Drive and Creston Road. The Balfanz family home was at 5145 Eden Ave. and two Balfanz brothers, Verlin and LeRoy, operated businesses in Edina during the 1930s and 1940s. Verlin had a taxi service called Edina Auto Livery, which had its headquarters and taxi garage behind the home on Eden Avenue. Verlin later sold the taxi firm to Ashley (Bud) Brooks. When Brooks sold the business to Ruth Braun and her daughters in 1945, its equipment consisted of eight taxicabs and one tow truck. The two-story frame house, taxi garage and other buildings still stand and are now owned by Minnesota Wanner Co. Verlin’s brother, LeRoy, ran a Pure Oil service station at 50th Street and Halifax Avenue for many years. Browndale Avenue In 1859, Browndale Road was re-named for pioneer farmer and cattle breeder Henry F. Brown. According to Edina historian E. Dudley Parsons, Brown was born in 1843 in Baldwin, Maine, and arrived in Minneapolis in 1861 on his 18th birthday. He spent his first Minnesota winter driving a team of horses for a timber company for $25 a month. He later became a prosperous lumberman. Between 1872 and 1894, he acquired the Chamber, Midwood and Craik farms, which together became the Browndale farm. Browndale farm ran along both sides of Minnehaha Creek north of today’s West 50th Street. Brown improved Browndale Avenue for the farmers hauling grain to the mill. He planted elm trees, which eventually arched over the street to form a leafy canopy of lacy green unofficially known as “lover’s lane.” Brown’s permanent residence was in Minneapolis, but he often visited his grand Edina farm. His Shorthorn and Jersey cattle were pastured on what is now the Sunnyslope district across the millpond from Browndale Avenue. LeRoy Balfanz operated a Pure Oil service station at 50th and Halifax in the 1940s and 50s. This ca. 1890 view of the Browndale Farm is from today’s Sunnyslope neighborhood, across the millpond looking toward the barn, water tower and some of the outbuildings and cattle pens. (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 9•AUTUMN 2004 and residences in Minneapolis as well as buildings at Fort Snelling to house the Minnesota soldiers recruited during the Civil War. In 1878, the family moved to their farm in Edina. In a 1993 article, Parsons wrote, “The Cooper farm was originally purchased from the U.S. government in 1855 by John Boyle, one of the many land speculators of that time.” The Cooper family bought the half- section of land that became Hilldale from Boyle. According to Milton’s great-great- granddaughter Betty (Cooper) Strand, the house Milton’s son Preston built for his family “… was a large Victorian farmhouse … with six bedrooms upstairs, two parlors, a library, dining room and kitchen on the main floor … There was a long path to the house through an apple orchard to the farm activity area.” Appropriately, that path became today’s Orchard Lane in the Hilldale neighborhood. Preston Cooper’s sons, Wallace and Willard, and their families occupied two houses built on Cooper Avenue, which were probably received as wedding gifts. Wallace’s house burned [down] about 1926 and the family moved into Preston’s vacant house. Later, Wallace’s son Calvin built [a] handsome brick house at 11 Cooper Ave. In 1939, the Cooper farm was sold to developers Ann and Merrill Hutchinson who platted it as Hilldale. Danens Drive Danens Drive is northwest of 70th and Highway 100 in the Brookview Heights neighborhood—less than a mile from the ranch home Calvin (Sonny) Danens built at 7001 Antrim Road. Sonny’s father, J.A. (Joe) Danens, started his excavation business in 1913, digging basements in Edina. In those days, earthmoving was hard work—done with hand shovels and wheelbarrows. Dirt was hauled away in horse-drawn dump wagons. In 1929, Sonny took over the company’s reins from his father. When winter halted construction and excavation, the Danens survived by using their horses to plow snow, haul firewood and offer horse- drawn sleigh rides. In 1936, J.A. Danens & Son purchased their first power shovel and two years later a “dragline” was added. By 1945, the firm was excavating more than 10,000 basements a year. A 1954 Edina-Morningside Courier article described Sonny Danens’ “ranch” on Antrim Road as “a zoo.” It was an eight-acre farm that claimed “eight burros, seven steers, two horses and four cats.” The Danens’ house was of typical ranch style, with huge ceiling beams and a knotty pine kitchen. 8•AUTUMN 2004 After Brown’s death in 1912, the land remained untended until the 1920s when Thorpe Bros. Realtors purchased the Browndale farm for its new Country Club development. Cahill Road According to Paul D. Hesterman’s book The History of Edina, Minnesota,Cahill Road and the Cahill Community surrounding today’s intersection of 70th and Cahill were named for the Rev. F. Cahill. Cahill, a Catholic missionary priest from St. Anthony Village, served much of southeastern Minnesota, including the Irish families along Nine-Mile Creek. Code Avenue Code Avenue is west of Minnesota Highway 100 and runs across the former Code farm, north from the Crosstown Highway to the west shore of Melody Lake. According to Hesterman, the district’s first schoolhouse was built in 1859 at Code’s Corner. By 1872, the center of the district’s population had shifted north toward the Edina Mills community. A special meeting of the District 17 School Board convened and voted to move the one-room frame school. George Code was assigned to move it. “My father … hitched a yoke of oxen to the building and dragged it up near the [Edina Mill on Minnehaha Creek] to be closer to more homes,” his son William recalled in a 1942 Minneapolis Star article. In addition to farming, William Code also served the Village as a constable and justice of the peace for more than 20 years. Cooper Avenue, Circle Cooper Avenue and Cooper Circle are in the Hilldale Neighborhood, just north of Interlachen Boulevard between Oxford Avenue and Merilane. Milton Cooper, the first-known settler on the land north of Interlachen Boulevard, brought his wife and seven children to Minneapolis in 1857. Cooper and his sons worked as architects, builders and contractors. They built several downtown commercial buildings A recent photo of No. 5 Cooper Avenue in the Hilldale neighborhood. The clapboard farmhouse was typical of Edina architecture in 1870-1900. It was built by Preston Cooper for his son Willard. (continued on next page) Milton Cooper’s son Preston was a builder. He built a house for his family, which faced present-day Interlachen Blvd. in the Hilldale neighborhood. Later, he also built two more houses, at No. 5 and No. 11 Cooper Ave., for his sons Wallace and Willard. Milton Cooper was the patriarch of the Cooper family that came to Edina in 1878 and settled in what would become the Hilldale neighborhood. Ed i n a H i s t o r i c a l S o c i e t y Ed i n a H i s t o r i c a l S o c i e t y Ed i n a H i s t o r i c a l S o c i e t y 11•AUTUMN 2004 Delaney Boulevard Pioneer farmer Michael Delaney built Edina’s first house in 1854. It was a log structure located south of 70th near Wooddale Avenue. Michael and Mary Delaney came to Minnesota from Ireland, by way of St. Louis, in 1844. Not realizing they were on a part of the Fort Snelling military reservation, the Delaneys built a tiny shack near today’s downtown Minneapolis. After being evicted by soldiers, the Delaneys headed southwest and stopped at the Cahill Settlement where Michael decided to “pre-empt” land for a farm. Parts of that farm remained in the Delaney family for 138 years. A son, James Tierney Delaney, was born to Michael and Mary Delaney in 1863. J.T. Delaney served for 25 years on the Edina Village Council. He was also treasurer of School District No.16 for 39 years. In 1970, the Edina Historical Society asked the Edina Park Board to designate Park Board property located on the original Delaney farm as “Delaney Park.” That didn’t happen, but later a street that runs from Dewey Hill Road south to 78th Street was named Delaney Boulevard in honor of the pioneer Edina family. Duggan Plaza Duggan Plaza is about four blocks long. It runs east to west through the middle of what was the Duggan family farm. It stretches from 66th to 70th and west from Highway 100 to today’s Canadian Pacific Railroad tracks. As early as 1854, pioneer Edina settler John Duggan pre- empted the land and settled there with his family. Four generations of Duggans lived there until their farm was sold for residential development in the 1950s. According to Hesterman’s history of Edina, John was 43 when the Duggans arrived. His wife Margaret was 39. They brought with them son William, 15, daughter Catherine, 10, and her sister, Margaret, 7. John and his son William Duggan, Sr., raised wheat and other crops and sold them in Minneapolis. John J. Duggan, grandson of his pioneer namesake, operated a dairy farm on the old homestead until the late 1940s. 10•AUTUMN 2004 In addition to residential basements, the Danens company excavated Southdale Center, Edina’s recently razed 1954 City Hall, the original Edina-Morningside High School and many major commercial and government buildings in downtown Minneapolis. When Sonny decided to retire in 1975, an auction of the company’s equipment filled nearly an acre at company headquarterson Cahill Road. It attracted more than 1,500 bidders from all corners of the world. Sonny died during open-heart surgery only two weeks after the auction. Darcy Lane Darcy Lane is another short street just north of today’s Crosstown Highway between Hansen Road and Wyman Avenue. It was named for Edina pioneer Hugh Darcy who emigrated from Ireland to southwest Richfield in the mid- 1850s. In 1855, Darcy claimed 200 acres that lay between today’s West 68th and 70th Streets and extended about a mile west of today’s Canadian Pacific Railroad tracks. On June 27, 1864, Hugh Darcy agreed to deed two acres of land on the southeast corner of what is now 70th and Cahill to School District No. 16 for the princely sum of $5. The one-room frame Cahill school was built later that year. Hugh Darcy’s son, Moses, built the Cahill Store at 70th and Cahill Road on farmland originally claimed by his father. The store was located diagonally across the intersection from the old St. Patrick’s church. A fire destroyed the original Cahill store in 1918, but Moses Darcy rebuilt it on the same site. The first house built in Edina was on the south side of West 70th Street, near what is now the Cornelia School playground. Built by the Michael Delaney family in 1854, members of the family lived there until 1958 when it was burned by the Edina Fire Department in a training exercise. (continued on next page) The driveway to the J.A. Danens & Son Co. basement garage was entered from the rear of the building at 3905-07 W 50th St. in the late 1930s. The driveway to the basement garage was flanked by cement block walls. It was filled in and replaced by an A-frame building in 1946. Moses Darcy’s Cahill Store at 70th and Cahill Road burned down in 1918, but was rebuilt. In the early 1930s the store’s outdoor phone booth was the only telephone in Edina. From 1944 to 1965 the store was owned by retired Edina teacher John Cameron. Ed i n a H i s t o r i c a l S o c i e t y Ed i n a H i s t o r i c a l S o c i e t y 13•AUTUMN 2004 When Michael Gleeson, Sr., died in 1885, Michael, Jr. and his wife, Elizabeth, took over the family dairy farm. Michael, Jr., also served western Richfield Township as a constable in 1887. As Village Council secretary, Michael, Jr., recorded the landmark December 1888 meeting when the citizens of what would become Edina decided to secede from Richfield Township. Village records from 1888 also list him as an election clerk and School District No. 16 clerk from 1893 to 1913. Three of the 11 children of Michael, Jr., and Elizabeth— William, Mary and Ellen— remained unmarried and continued to live on the family farm after their father died in 1913. Their mother also resided there until her death in 1958. After their mother’s death, Ellen and Mary sold the family home at 6414 Gleason Road and moved to Minneapolis. Green Farms Road, Circle, Court All three of the streets named for the Green farm are clustered in northwest Edina, just east of Van Valkenburg Park. But the Green family’s farm was in the Village’s southwest corner, bounded roughly by Cahill Road, Dewey Hill Road, Delaney Boulevard and 78th Street. The land was originally homesteaded in 1857 by William Maloney and was first occupied by the Carey family who lived there until approximately 1900. The Green family acquired the property about 1925 and remained there until the farm was rezoned for development of the Dewey Hill Condominiums in 1985. James E. Green was born near Sheldon, Iowa, in 1885. In a 1972 interview with Green and his wife Lydia, Charlotte Hauck of the Edina Historical Society learned that the Green farm became widely known for its steam thresher and separator. Farmers would often bring their grain to the Green farm for threshing. When the Greens ceased active farming in 1959, homes and an industrial complex surrounded the land. “James Green was a horse lover,” Hauck reported. “He never owned a tractor, but always farmed with horses. After he quit farming, he went into the business of boarding horses.” James Green died in June 1972, but Lydia and their son Foster stayed on, boarding horses in the aged, three-story wooden barn. 12•AUTUMN 2004 He also served as Village treasurer for 34 years. Bill, Jr.’s mother, Mary Ellen (Mae) Duggan, remembered that there was nothing but farms when she came to Edina in the early 1900s. “But [in the 1950s], the building boom struck,” she said. “The farms went away one by one … More than 400 homes have taken their place on land that was once farmland in our neighborhood.” Gallagher Drive If you look at a modern map of Edina, you’ll find an upside-down L-shaped Gallagher Drive just south of West 72nd Street and west of France Avenue South. It runs west from France, makes a turn and heads south to intersect with Parklawn Avenue. It was named for Daniel Gallagher who served as treasurer of the new Village of Edina when it was incorporated in 1888. The vote for incorporation followed an election in which the citizens of west Richfield Township voted to secede from Richfield and become an independent village named Edina. Gleason Road, Circle, Court, Terrace Gleason Road, Circle, Court and Terrace were named for the Gleeson family, but the street signs were misspelled. Joe Ryan, former captain of the Minneapolis Park Police and descendant of the pioneer Ryan family, was a lifelong friend of John Gleeson. He recalled in a 1975 speech, “Gleason Road was named after the Gleeson family, but the street and directional signs spell the name wrong. It should be Gleeson, not Gleason. This should be corrected.” It never happened. In 1855, Michael and Mary Gleeson traveled to Minnesota with their young son Michael, Jr., and claimed 160 acres of farmland in the frontier Cahill Community that is now southwest Edina. An 1874 plat map shows the Gleeson farm extending south from what is now the Crosstown Highway along both sides of today’s Gleason Road and about halfway to Valley View. The farm was sold for residential development in the late 1940s and now forms part of the Indian Hills district. The Green family’s farmhouse and barn were at 7440 Cahill Road. When they were razed in 1985 to make way for a 50-unit townhouse project in 1985, it was the last operating farm in Edina. The Duggan’s farmhouse was torn down in the 1950s to make way for residential development. “There is still a clump of trees about two blocks west of Highway 100 and a block north of 70th Street where our farmhouse was,” recalled BillDuggan, Jr., in a 1995 interview. John J. Duggan, Sr., was elected Edina Village Treasurer in 1921 and served in that job until his death in 1955. (continued on next page) Du g g a n F a m i l y P h o t o Ed i n a H i s t o r i c a l S o c i e t y Ed i n a H i s t o r i c a l S o c i e t y 15•AUTUMN 2004 It’s Not Only Neighborly … It’s The Law Leaves Keep fallen leaves out of the street to help prevent clogging the storm sewer, which can lead to sewer water runoff, sewer backups and flooding. In the fall, three street sweepers work eight to 10 hours per day for four to six weeks collecting leaves throughout the City. If residents rake leaves from their yards into the streets, the street sweeper will not be able to keep up. Residents should compost their leaves or contact their refuse hauler for proper disposal. Licensed haulers in the City are Aspen Waste, 612-884-8000; BFI, 952-941-5174; Vierkant Disposal, 612-922-2505; and Waste Management, 952-882-2300. Edina Snow Removal Regulations Any snow removed from your walkways, driveways or sidewalks must remain on your property. Do not shovel snow into the street or onto your neighbor’s property. If you have a sidewalk, Edina law states that you must keep it plowed or shoveled for the safety of you and your neighbors. If a fire hydrant is located on your property, please remember that you need to clear snow away from it. As soon as the snow stops falling, start to clear away the snow so that the hydrant is visible. The few minutes it takes to provide access to a fire hydrant might save you and your neighbors precious time in an emergency. Edina Snow Parking Regulations Many Minnesotans have made the mistake of parking their cars or trucks on the street during a snowstorm, only to find later that their vehicles have been “buried” or “plowed in.” Seeing a parking ticket on your windshield would only add to the frustration. You can avoid a citation or tow by following these rules. No vehicle may be parked on a City street, highway or alley under the following conditions: • When 1.5 inches or more of snow has fallen, until it has been plowed to the curbline. • For six hours after the snowfall stops, unless traffic signs specifically allow you to do so or if you are engaged in certain job-related activities as described in the City Code. • From 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. Nov. 1 to March 31. It is extremely important for residents to keep their vehicles off of the roadways during these times. Edina’s Public Works Department has a reputation for providing top-notch snow removing services, but they need your help. Cars parked on the street make it difficult for snowplow operators to maneuver and also prevent the street from being thoroughly plowed. By parking in driveways or lots, you will avoid parking tickets and the expense and inconvenience associated with towing. For more information, contact Public Works Coordinator Steve Johnson, 952-826-0301. 14•AUTUMN 2004 Epilogue If you drive south of the Crosstown Highway on Valley View Road, you will pass a street named Grace and another named Susan. Grace and Susan were members of the Herret family that once farmed in that area. There is also a street between Grace and Susan Street called Lois Lane. Lois may have been someone’s daughter, too, but it could also be a humorous reference to the intrepid Daily Planet newspaper reporter in the “Superman” movies and comic strips. Background material and photographs for this article came from the collections of the Edina Historical Society; meeting minutes of the Edina Village Council and District 16 & 17 School Boards; the writings of Foster W. Dunwiddie, E. Dudley Parsons and Charlotte Hauck; and the following publications: “Edina—Chapters in the City’s History”by Deborah Morse-Kahn, “History of Edina, Minnesota”by Paul D. Hesterman, Minneapolis Star, Edina-Morningside Courier and Edina’s About Town magazine. Joe Sullivan is an Edina resident and freelance writer. He can be contacted via e-mail at edinamail@ci.edina.mn.us. Coverage for backups of sewers and basement drains is available, but not always included in a basic homeowner’s insurance policy. In addition, insurance companies that do offer the protection have varying amounts of coverage. Check your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if you have coverage for backups. If you do not have coverage, consider adding to your policy because in most cases the City’s insurance will not cover your damages in the event of an incident. For moreinformation, call Edina Public Works, 952-826-0311. DOYOU have insurance for sewer back-ups? Check your policy today! By Lelan Bosch The ability to read this article is something most Americans take for granted. After a trip to Ghana, Africa, one Edina resident realized just how important literacy and education are. As a result, she and a high school friend are making education in Africa better. Ginny Winninger, 19, of Edina, and Katie Gehrz, 18, of St. Paul, have been best friends since their freshman year in high school, and are recent founders of an organization called Students United for Africa (SUFA). The organization raised money to renovate an old school building in a northern Ghana village and the group will eventually build a new school there. In the future, Winninger and Gehrz hope the organization will expand and be able to pay for books, uniforms and other school supplies designed to help African children learn. “Education is the passageway out of poverty,” explained Winninger, the daughter of Thom and Lynne Winninger. She aims to give the tribe in Ghana the knowledge necessary to increase their wealth and improve living conditions. In the summer of 2003, Winninger went on a mission trip to Ghana with parishioners of Edina’s Our Lady of Grace Church. Throughout the trip, the students observed various hospitals, schools and other buildings to get a sense of how people in the villages live. The students have no desks, books, paper, pencils or school lunch. Winninger was shocked at the lacking quality of the schools and decided to share American prosperity and help a village in need of education. Winninger asked Gehrz to help her build a new school for the Kasena tribe in the Kasem region of northern Ghana. SUFA came together in January when the students spread word of their plans at their school, Convent of the Visitation School in Mendota Heights, Minn. Soon, they had 14 other students willing to help raise money and plan the rebuilding. The people in the Kasena village are poor because the main source of income is farming and the dry season lasts for about nine months. Most of the tribe members are not 17•AUTUMN 200416•AUTUMN 2004 Area Graduates Hope African Students Can Do The Same earning money during that time. Tribe members could benefit greatly from better education, especially if the curriculum includes learning the English language, Winninger said. The Kasena tribe currently speaks Kasem, but learning English will open Ghana up to international business opportunities. Other education could help industrialize the nation and increase the country’s options for earning wealth. The overarching plan for SUFA involves several phases of involvement in Africa. The first phase, the school renovation completed in March, included new windows and door locks, fixing doorframes and plastering and painting the block walls. People in the village performed much of the labor for the renovation. In the second phase, the students plan to send money to the village and build an entirely new school building complete with desks donated by Catholic Charities. The building must be big enough to accommodate the 900 students in the tribe. In the final phases, SUFA plans to start a lunch program using funds raised in the United States to pay for meals in Ghana. In addition, Winninger and Gehrz visualize buying books, desks, school supplies and uniforms for Kasena students. The estimated cost for the new school building is $16,000. Currently, SUFA has one-fourth of the money necessary. It only costs about $200 per year to send a child to school in Ghana, which covers the cost of books, food, uniforms and supplies. Because of the relatively low cost, SUFA members are confident that the organization will some day be able to pay for children’s education in Africa. The organization raises money by speaking and raising awareness at various schools, parishes and community organizations. Every month, the Convent of the Visitation School has one “Out of Uniform Day,” when students and staff can pay $1 to wear something other than their uniforms to school with the proceeds going to charity. The January 2004 “Out of Uniform Day” was dedicated to SUFA, and the school’s 600 students and staff raised more than $2,000. Most students and faculty donated far more than $1 each, thanks to SUFA members’ knack for raising awareness among their peers. The money raised by the “Out of Uniform Day” was $500 more than necessary to renovate the old school in Ghana. “We were very surprised by how much money we raised at school,” said Winninger in regard to the SUFA fundraiser. The organization also rented out the IMAX Theater at the Minnesota Zoo in an effort to raise funds. The June 15 showing of Mysteries of Egypt helped SUFA raise about $1,500. Francie Cutter, a Spanish teacher at the Convent of the Visitation School, is helping SUFA create a website, www.sufa.info. The site will provide information about the organization and help track the fundraising progress. The Rev. Clement Beeri, a Catholic priest and student at the University of St. Thomas in the Twin Cities, is a member of (continued on next page) Katie Gehrz and Ginny Winninger raise money for SUFA by speaking at community functions such as Edina Rotary Club meetings. African villages by making their culture and buying habits more like those of the United States. SUFA will not likely donate computers or try to get electricity to the villages. Instead, the organization wants to provide the necessities of education such as pencils, books and desks. Next fall, Winninger and Gehrz have different plans for continuing their own educations, but both plans involve the continuation of SUFA. Winninger will attend St. Louis University in Missouri where she plans to study premed and Spanish. Aside from her studies, Winninger will attempt to establish a SUFA chapter in Missouri. Gehrz intends to study English at theUniversity of St. Thomas. From there, she can help supervise the existing SUFA chapter at the Convent of the Visitation School. Gehrz will supervise Kristen Commers and Mary DePuglio, the two newly elected directors of SUFA at the Convent of the Visitation School. Gehrz also hopes attending college will give her more contacts through which she can market and expand the organization. Thom Winninger said he has tried to teach his daughter the power of networking with others in the community. “There is synergy in connectivity,” he said. “Things happen because people make connections.” Winninger and Gehrz both plan to return to Africa after their post-secondary educations. Gehrz wishes to teach English to Kasena students and Winninger wants to become a pediatrician and provide the people of African with medical assistance. The parents of the SUFA founders said they are not concerned about their daughters’ plans to live and work so far from home. Thom Winninger’s only suggestion was that the two of them should not just go to Africa to work, but they should take a talent that is needed. He is confident the young women are on the right track for taking valuable knowledge back to the continent. The accomplishments and good will of these students are a source of pride for both them and their parents. “My parents were overwhelmed at first,” said Ginny Winninger. “They support me in every way, and they just told me to go for it.” “I feel like there is still a chance for unity and peace all over the world,” said Beeri, expressing that the youth, kindness the Kasena tribe. He was also a participant in the Our Lady of Grace mission trip, and was more than willing to help SUFA when the young women asked him. Beeri’s role with the group is acting as the liaison to Africa and the Rev. Desmond Murtala. Murtala lives in Africa and serves as the organization’s contact. He receives estimates regarding how much the construction projects will cost and writes those totals into a contract that he sends to SUFA. After SUFA verifies the contract and sends the money back to Africa, Murtala is also in charge of contracting the labor and materials for construction. “It’s so nice having people you can trust as much as Father Clement[Beeri] and Murtala,” said Gehrz. “They have been such a tremendous help.” Beeri said he is more of a presence during the presentations the young women give. He is there to put a face to the Kasena tribe, but Gehrz and Winninger do the majority of the work required to make SUFA successful. “I am so happy that young people like this are thinking globally,” Beeri said about Winninger and Gehrz. “They are helping people they don’t even see every day.” After the “Out of Uniform Day” fundraiser, Winninger came home with a lot of money and no place to put it. Her father, Thom, suggested she meet with Jay Abdo, senior partner at the accounting firm Abdo, Eick & Meyers in Edina, to help manage the money. Abdo helped the young women establish a non-profit organization at no charge. “They are very bright young ladies who have a great mission, and we wanted to see them succeed,” Abdo commented. He helped the women file applications with the Internal Revenue Service and the state of Minnesota. Abdo said his work with SUFA is basically finished until it is time to file the yearly tax returns for the organization. “I’m basically observing this,” Thom Winninger said in regard to the SUFA project. He said he gave his daughter Abdo’s contact information, but she and Gehrz did the rest. “I feel like everyone has a goal to be less self-centered,” said Gehrz. “SUFA helps me accomplish that.” Gehrz stated that she wants to create a rule within SUFA that the organization should not try to “Westernize” the 18•AUTUMN 2004 19•AUTUMN 2004 (continued on next page) Ginny Winninger traveled to Ghana, Africa, during the summer of 2003. While there, she witnessed how people worked and lived in comparison to the United States. Money raised at the Convent of the Visitation School’s “Out of Uniform Day” helped renovate the Kasena tribe’s existing school. 21•AUTUMN 2004 By Lelan Bosch Some parents have trouble controlling their children’s behavior, but a few area police officers and law enforcement employees are raising their children to prevent the bad behavior of others. Edina Police Department Property Evidence Manager Julie Krull and Officer Kris Eidem both have 16-year-old sons who are members of Edina/Eden Prairie Law Enforcement Explorer Post 925. Through the program, area youth ages 14 to 21 learn about law enforcement situations and tactics, and even get to demonstrate their skills at state and national competitions. “We learn about scenarios a patrol officer would encounter on a beat,” Krull’s son, John, explained. Almost every Tuesday evening during the school year, the 23 youths gather at Eden Prairie Central Fire Station, learning from the area’s police officers and other law enforcement officials. The officers teach effective tactics for solving law enforcement scenarios. Exploring is a coeducational program supported by the Boy Scouts of America. Nationally, there are other Explorer programs such as Fire, Aviation, Engineering Technology, Arts & Humanities and Science. Exploring gives young people hands-on experience in their fields of interest and helps them get to know people in different professions. Benjamin Wagner, 17, is a member of the New Hope, Minn., Explorer Post and son of Edina Patrol Officer Doug Wagner. Doug Wagner said he was surprised when his son developed an interest in law enforcement. “[Benjamin] was not that interested in law enforcement as a kid, but a couple years ago, he decided it was a noble profession and something he wanted to do,” he said. Wagner said he is proud Benjamin wants to do the same thing he does for a living, but he is concerned because police duty can be hard on officers and their families. Wagner went on to say the Explorer Program provides Benjamin good firsthand experience in the field so he can determine whether law enforcement is right for him. Eidem has been an adviser to the Edina/Eden Prairie Explorer Post for 10 years, and her son will enter his third year as an Explorer this fall. Although John Eidem said he is also interested in architecture and the military, he is keeping local law enforcement open as a career option. 20•AUTUMN 2004 and global awareness Winninger and Gehrz have instilled within him a great sense of optimism for the future of the world. For more information on SUFA or to donate, contact Ginny Winninger, 612-940-1273. (continued on next page) SUFA fixed the school up with new doors, locks, windows and a paint job, but students of the Kasena tribe still do not have books, pencils or desks. Walking In These Parents’Footsteps Requires Polished Boots Edina Police Officer Doug Wagner and son Benjamin Ph o t o b y P o l l y N o r m a n 8790 Excelsior Boulevard •Hopkins, MN 55343 tel: 952-939-9282 •fax: 952-935-8268 email: foreign_affairs8790@hotmail.com F ORTHE F INEST IN A UTOMOTIVE S ALES & SERVICE conference was held in Atlanta at the Georgia Institute of Technology in July. Three Edina/Eden Prairie teams participated in a total of four events at the national competition. One of the teams placed fifth in Domestic Crisis Intervention, and John Krull and John Eidem competed in the Shoot–Don’t Shoot scenario. This year, Minnesota teams tried to do just as well as they did at nationals two years ago, when they brought home 14 out of 60 awards -- more than any other state. Minnesota came close by capturing 11 awards this year, again leading the other states. Twelve of the 23 Edina/Eden Prairie Post members attended this year’s national competition, but the New Hope Post did not go due to its smaller membership. The national competition included many of the same events as the state competition. The 10,000 participants were also able to attend seminars at the national conference hosted by law enforcement agencies such as the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). By winning events at the competitions, the posts earn scholarship money from the state and national Explorer associations. The posts then award the scholarships to participants who enroll in college law enforcement programs, further expanding the influence the program has on students’ professional development. John Krull said he would like to get a criminal justice degree and work for a federal law enforcement agency some day, but John Eidem is not as certain about his future plans. John Eidem wants to attend either the University of Minnesota--Twin Cities or Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn. Both John Eidem and John Krull will be juniors at Eden Prairie High School in the fall, but said the Explorer program gives them an advantage over other high school students. “This will give me a leg up because this is experience,” John Krull said. Benjamin Wagner received first-place in interviewing at the 2004 Breezy Point competition. He hopes to carry his success from Explorers to the Criminal Justice program at St. Cloud State University after he graduates from Robbinsdale Cooper High School in 2005. Benjamin especially wants to be a member of a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team once he joins a police force. The Edina/Eden Prairie Post also takes Explorers on field trips to visit different law enforcement agencies. They travel to the airport to watch customs, observe the Hennepin County Water Patrol, and learn about the local operations of the FBI, DEA and other organizations. Explorers from Post 925 have also helped control traffic at Edina’s Fourth of July Parade, searched for a missing weapon from a crime scene, and helped train new officers in role-playing situations. During training, Explorers assume the role of an offender or bystander in a criminal situation. Officers-in-training then move in to resolve the matter according to proper protocol. John Eidem admitted his mother had an influence on his childhood interest in law enforcement, but Kris Eidem said her son does not need her help to be successful in the field. “He’s his own person,” she said. “He could do just as good a job even if I wasn’t involved.” Every April, members of the Edina/Eden Prairie and New Hope Explorer Posts compete against other Posts in the state and attend seminars hosted by several state and federal law enforcement agencies at the Minnesota Law Enforcement Explorer Conference at Breezy Point Resort north of Brainerd, Minn. April 2005 will mark the 30th anniversary of the Breezy Point competition. This year’s competition was held April 22-25, and Post 925 did well. Edina/Eden Prairie Post members were divided into different teams of four or five Explorers, and the teams placed third in Arrest and Search and Emergency First Aid, second in Bomb Threat Response, and first in Domestic Crisis Prevention. John Krull and John Eidem competed together in White Collar Crime and Traffic Stop, and were on the third-place Search and Arrest team. However, they said a team has to be ready for every event at the competition. “Teams draw their events a half-hour before the competition,” John Krull said. “That way, it kind of keeps it fair.” By drawing near competition time, competition organizers make sure none of the teams have an unfair opportunity to prepare specifically for an event. In addition to the state competition, Explorers also attend a biennial national competition held at different locations throughout the country. The 2004 national competition and 22•AUTUMN 2004 23•AUTUMN 2004 (continued on next page) Edina Police Officer Kris Eidem and son John Edina Police Department Property Evidence Manager Julie Krull and son John Ph o t o b y P o l l y N o r m a n Ph o t o b y P o l l y N o r m a n Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People (VEAP) is looking for generous people to make the holidays special for area families and children in need. VEAP plans to distribute food for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals to more than 2,000 families and holiday gifts to over 2,700 children in Edina, Bloomington and Richfield. In order to accomplish this goal, VEAP is asking for volunteers and donors willing to provide gifts and help distribute them. Donations will be accepted in the form of money to help pay the costs of food. Groceries and food certificates will be distributed to families in need, and hot meals will be delivered to homebound seniors and people with disabilities during the holidays. Monetary donations will also cover the costs of gifts for children from low- income families. The gifts will be displayed in VEAP’s “Holiday Store,” where parents can go to select free items their children will enjoy. Individuals can donate gifts instead of money if they wish. The most needed gifts are for children under 3 and ages 8 to 18. VEAP has written a “wish list” that includes good gift ideas for children of all ages. For children under 3, VEAP recommends riding, musical, push-pull, crib, tub, developmental and See ‘n Say toys. Wooden puzzles, toy phones or cameras, talking or pop-up books and electronic learning toys are also suggested. Good gifts for ages 4 to 7 include electronic, building and remote- controlled toys, multicultural dolls, dollhouses and play sets, tents, sleeping bags, children’s videos and books, music players, games and puzzles, Magna Doodles and Lite Brites. Gifts for 8- to 18-year-old children are often in high demand and VEAP has a long list of suggestions for individuals donating to older children. Cosmetics and shaving kits, calendars and daily planners, flashlights, tool sets, telephones, bed sheets and comforters, stationery, compact disc or cassette players, cameras, wallets and billfolds, books and audio books are always useful. Jewelry boxes, electronic games, remote-controlled vehicles, travel carry- on bags, fishing poles and tackle, tackle and tool boxes, clock radios, watches, desk or novelty lamps, ice skates, games, skateboards, scooters, diaries and journals are nice items for that age group. Donated gift certificates will also be helpful. Certificates from grocery stores such as Cub or Rainbow Foods in the amount of $10 or $20 will help provide many holiday meals. Older children also appreciate gift certificates as 25•AUTUMN 200424•AUTUMN 2004 Edina Police Sgt. Jeff Elasky used to be an adviser with Post 925, but for the past two years he has supervised the advisers. Elasky is a proponent of what the Explorer Program can offer youth. “The positive mentoring has a positive effect on the kids,” Elasky said of the environment in which the young people learn. He also said the program is something future law enforcement officials can put on a resume to give them an advantage when looking for jobs. “It’s fun to see kids start out at 14 or 15 and get a badge pinned on them at 21 [years-old],” he said. Doug Wagner said the contact young people get with the officers and the profession through the Posts teaches good values. According to him, the Explorers learn that the rewards from police work are not monetary. For more information on the Edina/Eden Prairie Law Enforcement Explorer Post, contact Officer Jason Behr, 952-833-9175. VEAP Returns With Holiday Support Werness Brothers Funeral & Cremation Services (612) 927-8641 Werness Brothers Funeral & Cremation Services (612) 927-8641 Free Pre-planning Information (612) 922-1932 Minneapolis •Edina •Bloomington Service Beyond Expectation Since 1934 Free Pre-planning Information (612) 922-1932 Minneapolis •Edina •Bloomington Service Beyond Expectation Since 1934 (continued on next page) 26•AUTUMN 2004 27•AUTUMN 2004 gifts. Some suggested retailers where gift certificates can be purchased include American Eagle, Bath & Body Works, Best Buy, GAP, Herberger’s, Kohl’s, Mall of America, Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, Old Navy, Southdale Center, Sportmart, Target, Wal-Mart and movie theatres. Retail gift certificates should be purchased in $15 or $20 denominations. New unwrapped gifts can be delivered to Edina City Hall, 4801 W. 50th St., or Edina Fire Station No. 1, 6250 Tracy Ave., until Dec. 17. Besides donations, VEAP is hoping to find volunteers to help with the project. Volunteers can choose from various tasks such as registering families for Thanksgiving and Christmas assistance, organizing the gift collection drive, sorting gifts and setting up the Holiday Store, assisting families in receiving their holiday food and gifts, and delivering hot meals on the holidays. For more information on donation or volunteer needs at VEAP, call 952-888-9616. Calls should be made after Oct. 25, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Contact Us to Build Wealth Now. My Home Mortgage Edina 4445 West 77th Street(952)224-5670 www.myhomemn.com Free Classes in Credit Repair,Mortgage Transactions, Wealth Management,1st Time Home Purchases, and Real Estate Investment. Important Park & Recreation Contact Information The City of Edina currently oversees and helps facilitate 14 different youth athletic associations. These athletic associations are all independently incorporated and organized by volunteers. For information on each sport or season, please refer to the websites listed below. In the event an athletic association does not list a website or contact name and number, please call the Park and Recreation Department at 952-826-0367. ORGANIZATIONAGES/GRADESREGISTRATION DATECONTACT Edina Baseball Association Ages 7 – 18February www.edinabaseball.org Edina Basketball Association Grades 1 – 8 September www.edinabasketball.com Edina Girls Athletic Association www.egaa.org Flag FootballGrades 4 – 12August BasketballGrades 2 – 9 August VolleyballGrades 5 – 12January Girls Traveling Basketball Grades 5 – 8 August www.edinagirlsbasketball.org Edina Hockey Association Ages 6 – 17September www.edinahockeyassociation.com Edina Soccer Association Ages 5 – 16January www.edinasoccer.org Edina Soccer Club Ages 9 – 19Varies, check website www.edinasoccer.org Edina Football Association Grades 2 – 8 May www.edinafootball.org Edina Youth Softball Association Grades 1 – 12February www.edinayouthsoftball.com Edina Girls Fastpitch Softball Association March and August www.edinafastpitch.org Edina Lacrosse Association Grades 3 – 8February Braemar City of Lakes Figure Skating Clubwww.braemarfsc.org Jr.Olympic Volleyball Julie Rutkiewcz,952-920-9669 Edina Swim Club 952-831-3814 Main Office952-826-0367www.cityofedina.com TTY952-826-0379 Weather/Recorded Info.952-826-0368 Adaptive Recreation952-826-0433 Braemar Arena952-941-1322www.braemar-arena.com Braemar Golf Course952-826-6799www.braemargolf.com Centennial Lakes Park952-832-6789www.centenniallakespark.com Edina Aquatic Center612-928-4582www.EdinaAquaticCenter.com Edina Art Center612-915-6600www.EdinaArtCenter.com Edina Historical Museum 612-928-4577 Edina Senior Center952-833-9570www.ci.edina.mn.us/Pages/L3- 25_SeniorCenter.htm Edinborough Park952-832-6790www.edinboroughpark.com Fred Richards Golf Course 612-915-6606www.ci.edina.mn.us/Pages/L5- 48_CourseMemorial.htm Forester952-826-0308 Family Owned & Operated Since 1938 GOLDEN VALLEY HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING *FREE Duct Cleaning With Heating & Air Conditioning Installation *$25 OFF repairs *not redeemable with any other offers G VG V www.goldenvalleyhtg.com 763-535-2043 rrs TM 29•AUTUMN 2004 Flying Cloud Airport, DHS decided Edina would be a strategic location for applying grant dollars. Edina Patrol Officer Kevin Rofidal applied for the $208,000 grant to help stay on top of the changes in the field of public protection. “You don’t use it very much, but when you need it, you need it,” he said. With the current state of the U.S. economy, Rofidal said public money is harder to find than ever before. The Edina Police Department was one of 114 Minnesota law enforcement agencies to apply for the DHS grant, and one of only 17 to receive part of it. Rofidal explained that Edina’s involvement in the SWAT Consortium helps the grant-writing process because funding agencies know their money will be used by multiple cities. The consortium has had access to an old military armored vehicle owned by the Bloomington Police Department, but has never encountered a situation that required its use. The BearCat offers more defense capabilities than the military vehicle in an age of increased threats. The BearCat costs $185,000, but the rest of the grant money will be used to pay for training and initial maintenance. By purchasing the vehicle, Edina will become the only police department closer than Ohio to have one. The Police ERT should have to take the BearCat no further than the area covered by the consortium. Although there are no requirements for Edina to take the BearCat to other parts of the state, Edina Police Chief Mike Siitari said the Edina Police Department would be willing to offer the services of the new vehicle in case of dire situations. “It would be a small part of our resources and we would be happy to share it,” he said. When the BearCat arrives, it will take time to train ERT members to operate the vehicle and its systems. In addition, the ERT will have to train as a unit in order to resolve the logistics involved with moving in and out of situations using the new transportation. The BearCat will replace the current mode of transportation used by the Edina ERT, a 1989 Ford ambulance from the Edina Fire Department. The ERT emptied the ambulance to adapt it to its own needs, but the emergency vehicle is getting worn out and needs a substitute. The Fire Department SOT has also outgrown its vehicle. The SOT is a 16-member emergency response team that specializes in rescuing individuals from structural collapses. Presently, the SOT keeps much of its equipment such as air bags and concrete chain saws in a garage. When a call comes in, the SOT estimates what equipment it should bring because the current SOT trailer is not big enough to carry everything. The new Custom Fire truck will be approximately the size of a standard pumper truck, and will fit all the equipment so SOT members will not have to make return trips to the fire station for missing tools. Edina Assistant Fire Chief Darrell Todd said the new truck will make things easier for the SOT by giving the team constant access to all equipment. “It’s awkward right now guessing what we need and throwing it in the truck,” he said. 28•AUTUMN 2004 Emergency Response Teams Get New Wheels By Lelan Bosch Most Americans do not like thinking about the potential dangers of crime, terrorism and other disasters. However, a life-threatening situation such as a bomb scare or structural collapse could develop at any time without warning. Now Edina’s Police and Fire Departments have adequate transportation to respond to those circumstances. After Sept. 11, 2001, the federal government has become more sensitive to the possibilities of terrorism and major disasters. As these security threats increase, the federal government is helping state and local emergency response teams such as those in Edina prepare for dire situations. This winter, the Edina Police Department Emergency Response Team (ERT) will receive a Lenco Ballistic Engineered Armored Response Counter Attack Truck (BearCat). The Edina Fire Department Special Operations Team (SOT) will be driving a new transport truck by November 2005. Both vehicles will be paid for by grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Edina Training Officer Tom McKenzie said the BearCat is being assembled in Massachusetts to the specifications of the Edina Police Department, and will include detection systems for chemical and radiological weapons, among other features. The basic function of the vehicle is to prevent individual officers from having to approach mysterious packages, hazardous sites or other dangerous situations without protection. Officers will have a shield between them and any dangers they might encounter. The members of the Southwest Metro Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Consortium, including the Minneapolis suburbs of Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, St. Louis Park, Hopkins and the Edina ERT train and work together in case of emergency situations affecting the southwest metro area. In its letter to the Department of Homeland Security, the Edina Police Department made the case that Edina’s membership in the consortium made it a qualified grant recipient. The area protected by the consortium contains many types of facilities under close watch by DHS and other federal agencies such as the FBI. Shopping malls, courthouses, hospitals and airports are all considered potential targets for terrorism and other criminal behavior. Southdale Center, Fairview Southdale Hospital and the Hennepin County District Court Southdale Division IV are locations in Edina that fit the precarious descriptions. Because of the Edina hot spots and other nearby locations that require close watch such as the Mall of America and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in Bloomington, Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, and Eden Prairie’s This winter, the Edina PoliceDepartment Emergency Response Team will receive a Lenco Ballistic Engineered Armored Response Counter AttackTruck (BearCat). The BearCat will be similar to that pictured here. (continued on next page) In July, the Edina City Council agreed to Fire Chief Marty Scheerer’s recommendation to accept the federal dollars being distributed by Minnesota Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM). Edina is one of five locations in Minnesota to receive part of the DHS grant. Others receiving money are St. Paul, Dakota County, Yellow Medicine County and Rochester. The Fire Department will receive $500,000, a little over half of which will be used to pay for the new truck. Besides maintenance and insurance costs of $500 per year, the Edina Fire Department will not have to pay anything for its new vehicle. The rest of the grant money will be used to buy other equipment associated with special operations. The Edina Fire Department was qualified for the grant because its employees are more highly trained than the other cities receiving money. The SOT was formed in 1996, specializing in confined spaces and trench rescue, and today is trained for structural collapses. “Edina is about two or three years ahead in its training,” said Todd. He also said the Edina Fire Department will be ready to use the new vehicle as soon as it arrives, while the other fire departments will have to train their employees first. The Fire Department SOT may be called on statewide missions by the State Duty Officer. Once the five jurisdictions receive their trucks, the fire departments and State Duty Officer will likely establish a response requirement. The response requirement will mandate how many firefighters each jurisdiction will be required to send and how long their response time should be when they move to a disaster site. Gary Hendrickson, HSEM Exercise Training Officer, said the current deployment goal is 20 minutes. Each team responding to the statewide emergencies will be required to send a minimum of 10 members. He added that a certain number of team members will always stay back in case a situation occurs within their jurisdiction. The plan is to have the five fire departments within the state capable of first response. In case of a major disaster, federal emergency response teams such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) will also be called into Minnesota. However, the closest federal emergency team is in Missouri, and local fire departments are needed to arrive at the scene immediately. Hendrickson said there is about a 24-hour delay before federal rescue agencies can arrive at a disaster in Minnesota, and that the federal grant “closes that gap.” In the case of the Edina Fire Department, most SOT members are trained at the technician level, which is the same level as most FEMA and USAR members. In addition to its new heavy rescue truck, the Fire Department SOT will keep its lumber trailer and possibly replace its current equipment trailer with a smaller one. Because the SOT must be prepared for many types of disasters, it needs a lot of transport vehicles to carry all necessary equipment. City Manager Gordon Hughes said although there have 30•AUTUMN 2004 31•AUTUMN 2004 not been many major security issues or disasters in the southwest metro area throughout history, the world is changing and the added protection will be nice. “We are pleased that the Department of Homeland Security wants us to play such an important role in federal protection procedures,” he said. For more information on the Edina ERT, contact McKenzie, 952-826-0489. For more information on the Edina SOT, contact team leader Tom Schmitz, 952-833-9329. VISIT OUR NEW STATE OF THE ART FACILITY: 7705 Bush Lake Road ~ Edina, MN 55439 952-941-8601 GENUINE GRANITE COUNTERTOPS ~ SOAPSTONE SINCE 1896 The largest in-stock inventory in the Twin Cities!www.northwesternmarble.com OPEN: Monday-Thursday 8:30AM-7:00PM Friday 8:30AM-4:30PM CallTed Field 952-927-1150 www.SeniorExpert.com 30+ years experience working with seniors got hearing? Call us today for a free, no-obligation hearing screening plus a free Listening Kit ($25 value) On-Site Hearing Services, Inc.® Grandview Square 5201 Eden Avenue Suite 130 • Edina, MN 55436 Phone (952) 929-2060 • Fax (952) 929-2067 www.onsitehearing.com “We’re Listening…” 33•AUTUMN 2004 Minnesota Chemical Health Week Focuses On Prevention And Recovery By Kathy Iverson Chemical Health Coordinator Minnesota Chemical Health Week, Nov. 15-21, is a week of celebration with a focus that lasts a lifetime. It is a week that honors two key health initiatives -- prevention and recovery. Edina has participated in Minnesota Chemical Health Week for 14 years. If you’ve had kids in school during that time, you’ve seen the Mothers Against Drunk Driving red ribbons. If you’ve been in the libraries or at a local medical clinic during November, you might have taken one of the ribbons. So, we can pat ourselves on the back each year for getting the ribbons out there. Yet the crux of the campaign is focused on change—change that results in economic gains, improvements in health, higher educational outcomes and greater family and community stability. Some of these changes have been relatively easy. Others continue to challenge us. Nearly everyone can say that they have been touched by substance abuse. How many of us can now say that we have been touched by positive change in prevention and recovery efforts? If someone’s answer is, “not me,” then we know that the gentle reminder of the red ribbon each November is really an opportunity to step up and do what we can here, in Edina, to strengthen our family members, our faith communities, our schools, our business communities and our friends. There is a growing body of evidence that shows when all sectors of the community work together on prevention and recovery, the result is a reduction of substance abuse. We know that every generation is faced with a different set of social factors that determine risks to substance abuse. Included in this risk is the very latest knowledge, showing unquestionable vulnerability in the brain of adolescents to tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. The adolescent brain undergoes a period of intense development when the neurons go through a stage of blossoming and pruning. Recent research confirms that ingesting powerful chemicals like alcohol, tobacco and other drugs during the adolescent brain’s “window of sensitivity” has very harmful lifelong effects. This new information doesn’t allow us to tolerate any use of these “foreign chemicals” by young people in our community. How will we address this important concern in the next year? How will you get involved? Start by taking a red ribbon and making it visible. Tack it onto your computer screen at work, tie it on your purse or backpack and have conversations with those around you. Talk to your children and grandchildren about the new brain research, and share parenting tips or offer your support. Help facilitate an intervention for a loved one, a colleague or a faith community member. Find other ways to change your life for better health. Most important, find the time to enjoy your loved ones and celebrate the upcoming holiday season. It’s what life is all about! Kathy Iverson is the Chemical Health Coordinator for the City of Edina. You may contact her at 952-929-7627 or by sending an email to menze002@tc.umn.edu. 32•AUTUMN 2004 Importance Of Smoke Alarms To Be Emphasized At Open House Residents who attend the Edina Fire Department’s annual open house will learn why to “Test Smoke Alarms.” The open house will be held rain or shine 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 10, at Fire Station No. 1, 6250 Tracy Ave. The open house will incorporate the National Fire Protection Association’s 2004 fire prevention theme “Test Your Smoke Alarms.” “About 70 percent of home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or smoke alarms that do not work,” said Fire Marshal Tom Jenson. “Missing, disconnected or dead batteries are the main reasons that smoke alarms failed to alert occupants when a fire started in a home. Smoke alarms are the great safety success story of the past 30 years, but only when they’re working properly.” Through the end of October, Edina Fire personnel will be visiting Edina’s public and private schools and daycare centers, teaching this theme to preschoolers, kindergartners and first- and second-graders. “Children throughout the United States have taken the safety messages home and made a difference in saving the lives of their families,” said Jenson. The annual open house will include demonstrations and displays on the importance of working smoke alarms and where to locate them and home fire escape plans, among other things. Xcel Energy will demonstrate the importance of staying away from power lines. North Memorial Injury Prevention Specialists will have bike and sport helmets available for purchase and fitted by trained personnel. As in past years, the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Residential Fire Sprinkler Trailer will be on site, demonstrating how residential fire sprinklers work quickly to extinguish a fire in the home. There will be three demonstrations throughout the afternoon and a select number of residents will be able to sit in the trailer during each demonstration. “This is a rare opportunity to see this important life-saving device and how it can protect you and your property if a fire occurs at your residence,” Jenson said. Fire extinguisher inspections will also be offered. All Safe Fire and Security, provider of services for the City of Edina and Edina Public Schools, will be on site to inspect residents’ fire extinguishers. All Safe Fire and Security will inspect any fire extinguishers brought to the open house, service them if needed for a very nominal fee or recommend replacement. Commercial-grade fire extinguishers will be available for purchase. This is an excellent opportunity for home day care providers who are required to have a fire extinguisher to complete their annual inspections. Edina firefighters will demonstrate rescue tools used for removing victims from automobile crashes and the Special Operations Team will display some of the newest equipment and rappel from 100 feet up in the aerial platform truck. The latest in Advanced Life Support equipment, including the 12-lead EKG monitor and defibrillator, will be on display and paramedics will be available to answer questions. Children will have the opportunity to tour the Safety House where firefighters teach home fire safety and practice a fire escape. Children will also be able to practice putting out a fire with a real fire hose and visit with Sparky the Fire Dog. For more information on the open house, contact Jenson, 952-826-0337. 34•AUTUMN 2004 35•AUTUMN 2004 Edina PlasticSurgery, Ltd. 952-925-1765 |www.edinaplasticsurgery.com 6525 France Avenue South |Suite 300|Edina — in the Southdale Medical Center The Board-Certified Cosmetic Surgery Specialists Smile when you look in the mirror. Call us today. CCeenntteennnniiaall LLaakkeess OOffffiiccee PPaarrkk A community for business Centennial Lakes is proud to be part of your community! How often does your business address also become a place for entertainment,retail and shopping? At Centennial Lakes Office Park,those amenities are just a short walk away. CCoonnttaacctt uuss aatt:: 995522--883377--88440000 7650 Edinborough Way, Suite 20, Edina, MN 55435 Call 952-927-8861 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for general information. If you have a situation after hours or on weekends, but do not require immediate response from a paramedic, firefighter, police officer or Public Works crew, call the Police Department’s non-emergency number, 952-826-1610. DIAL911 TO: WHEN IN DOUBT OR UNSURE of any situation, call 9-1-1 and the dispatcher will assist you. •Report an incident that requires a Police Officer at the scene (assaults, burglaries, domestic disputes, accidents, etc.). •Summon a paramedic or ambulance. • Report a fire. •Report suspicious, criminal activity (alarms, shots fired, shouts for help, sounds of breaking glass, unfamiliar person carrying items from a house, etc.). •Report a sewer backup or other Public Works emergency that requires immediate attention. Thos. G. Grace Advisors Fee Only Investment Advisory 7400 Metro Boulevard • Suite 100 • Edina, MN 55439 Tel:(952) 746-6777 • e-mail:trgrace@thosgrace.com Experience Service Performance Innovation Integrity Discipline 37•AUTUMN 2004 Register to Vote You are qualified to vote in Minnesota if: • You are 18 years of age. • You are a citizen of the United States. • You have resided in Minnesota for 20 days. • You are registered to vote. You must re-register to vote if you have moved, changed your name or have not voted within the past four years. Register online or at Edina City Hall 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday until 20 days prior to the election. Election Day Registration On Election Day, you may register at your polling place by presenting one of the following authorized proofs of residence: • Valid Minnesota driver’s license or learner’s permit (or receipt for either) showing current street address in precinct. • Valid Minnesota identification card (or receipt) showing current address in precinct. • Oath of a voter registered in your precinct, who is not a challenger, signed in the presence of an election judge. • Valid registration within the same precinct (applies only if the voter has moved within the same precinct). College students can show their address in the precinct by using a current fee statement and identification card. Absentee Voting Applications for Absentee Ballots may be obtained in person at Edina City Hall 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or by calling 952-826-0363 to have an application mailed to you. Mail your ballot at least one week before the election or mark it at City Hall, whichever is more convenient. Edina City Hall will be open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, for absentee voting. For more information about polling locations, voter registration or absentee ballots, call Voter Registration at City Hall, 952-826-0409. 36•AUTUMN 2004 Voters To Elect Mayor,Council Members In November If you are an Edina resident and a registered voter, you may vote for a Mayor and two City Council members during the Municipal Election, held in conjunction with the State General Election Nov. 2. Two Council members will be elected to four-year terms. The Mayor will also be elected to a four-year term. You will also be able to vote for federal, state and county candidates. Polling Places Polling places are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day at the following locations: PrecinctLocationAddress Precinct 1AShepherd of Hills Church500 Blake Road Precinct 1BChapel Hills Church6512 Vernon Ave. Precinct 2Edina Senior Center5280 Grandview Square Precinct 3Edina Covenant Church4201 W. 50th St. Precinct 4Weber Park Warming House4115 Grimes Ave. Precinct 5Highlands Elementary School5505 Doncaster Way Precinct 6Countryside Elementary School5701 Benton Ave. Precinct 7Normandale Lutheran Church6100 Normandale Road Precinct 8South View Middle School4725 South View Lane Precinct 9Concord Elementary School5900 Concord Ave. Precinct 10Creek Valley Elementary School6401 Gleason Road Precinct 11Creek Valley Baptist Church6400 Tracy Ave. Precinct 12Cornelia Elementary School7000 Cornelia Drive Precinct 13Centennial Lakes Park Centrum7499 France Ave. S. Precinct 14St. Peters Lutheran Church5421 France Ave. S. Precinct 15Valley View Middle School6750 Valley View Road Precinct 16Arneson Acres Park4711 W. 70th St. Precinct 17Southdale Hennepin Area Library7001 York Ave. S. Precinct 18Edinborough Park7700 York Ave. S. Precinct 19Calvary Lutheran Church6817 Antrim Road 39•AUTUMN 2004 Delin Rotates Back In The Wing Of The Edina Family Center For 14 years, Nancy Delin has led the Edina Family Center with the belief that people who share a common direction and sense of community – like geese -- can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the thrust of one another. And, like the head goose in the motivational story she enjoys sharing, she has rotated back in the wing to allow someone else to fly point as coordinator of the Edina Family Center. Delin retired late last spring, handing the leadership baton to Laurie Denn-Hanrahan, who began work as coordinator of the Family Center July 1. Delin, a recognized expert in early childhood family education, was forced to take a break from her work because of a battle with pancreatic cancer. Delin was diagnosed with the disease in 2002, facing grim survival statistics. She took a step back from her post while she underwent surgery and radiation and, after a long (and some say miraculous) recovery, she returned to work parttime in early 2003 and was working fulltime by the start of the following school year. In the winter of 2004, however, periodic bouts of pancreatitis took their toll on Delin’s health. In April, her doctor stepped in and ordered her to slow down. As a result, she was placed on permanent disability and retired. The community celebrated Delin’s career and thanked her for her contributions to the Edina Family Center at a summer “Tea With Nancy” event at Braemar Golf Course. “One thing I think of when I think of the Edina Family Center is the long lines (for registration),” said Superintendent Ken Dragseth. “Any program that can get people to line up at 4 or 5 a.m. must be a good one!” “You can’t be around Nancy without understanding how passionate she is about her work. The key to a successful organization is getting the right people on the bus. If I was going to fill a bus, I’d make sure Nancy was driving the bus.” The Family Center Advisory Council presented Delin with a quilt, handmade by colleagues and youngsters in the early childhood family education program. “[Nancy] will be missed,” said past advisory council chairwoman Karin Rutter. “We can all be really happy that she is leaving us with so much. Among the things we have 38•AUTUMN 2004 [This] fall, when you see geese heading south for the winter, flying along in V formation, you might consider what science has dis- covered as to why they fly that way: as each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in V formation the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own. When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front. When the head goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point. Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. Finally, and this is important, when a goose gets sick, or is wounded by gunshots and falls out of formation, two other geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly, or until it dies. Only then do they launch out on their own, or with another formation to catch up with their group. --Author Unknown Laurie Denn-Hanrahan is the new coordinator of the Edina Family Center. (continued on page 40) The Goose Story Ph o t o b y P o l l y N o r m a n 41•AUTUMN 2004 Edina Community Foundation Begins Raising Money For City Hall Artwork 40•AUTUMN 2004 admired about Nancy are her warmth and openness, honesty, wit and humor, graciousness and compassion, and belief in the family unit … [Her] enthusiasm radiates all over the Center. A quilt is a symbol of a nurturing and loving home – that is what the Center has become to us under Nancy’s leadership.” Denn-Hanrahan is excited to be in her new position at the Family Center. “I’m anxious to continue working with an incredible foundation that Nancy has created and continue to meet the demands of the future,” she said. Denn-Hanrahan received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and then received her master’s degree from the University of St. Thomas. She was awarded her license in Parent and Family Education from Crown College. Before beginning her new position, Denn-Hanrahan had been employed by Minnetonka Public Schools’ Early Childhood Family Education Department as a licensed parent educator. She also worked part-time for the Edina Family Center as a licensed parent educator. Prior to her positions in parent education, Denn-Hanrahan was the Adult Options in Education Outreach and Marketing Manager for the adult basic education consortium in Hopkins, Minnetonka and St. Louis Park Public Schools and was the Parent Involvement Assistant Coordinator for Hopkins Community Education. She has published numerous articles on parent and related topics in Parenting Education and Family Times magazines. “When Nancy first came to Edina,her goals were to raise the Family Center to a new level and make a difference,” said Director of Community Education Services Doug Johnson. “She accomplished those goals quickly and did an incredible job of making geese out of all of us. Now, it’s time to take that to a new level.” For more information on the Edina Family Center, call 952-848-3980. To integrate more fine art into public spaces and reflect the pride of living in Edina, the Edina Community Foundation is working to raise funds for public art and plantings for the new Edina City Hall. The Foundation is working with the Edina Public Art Committee, an ad hoc committee of the Edina Art Center Board, to raise at least $100,000 for public art for the new Edina City Hall. The art will be installed in phases as money is raised. Projects envisioned include: • An outdoor sculpture to create a welcoming space for people to gather. Construction of City Hall included a basic landscaping plan, but additional seasonal plantings and amenities are also needed to make the property stand out as a gateway to the community. •Pedestals for displaying small sculptures and pottery at the entrances to each City Hall department. In addition to displaying fine art, the pedestals would serve as a way to identify the Administration, Assessing, Building Inspections, Engineering, Finance & Health, Park & Recreation, Planning and Police office suites. In addition, the City’s horticulturists have designed an interior plantscape to further beautify the building. •Frames for an Arthur Dickey Photography Retrospect. To be located in the hallway across from the Community Room, this permanent exhibit will highlight photography by the late Dickey, an Edina architect, volunteer and a renowned amateur photographer. His family has donated the prints to the City, but funds are needed to have them professionally framed. •Two-story fabric or stained glass panels to hang in the entrance of the new City Hall and various pieces of framed artwork for the public areas of the building. “Edina enjoys a reputation of being a premier city whose residents value a love of culture and the arts, as well as a strong sense of community identity that embraces the past while preparing for the future,” said Art Center Director Diana Hedges. “A public arts plan supports Edina’s vision and will benefit the community in many ways. Placing art at City Hall is just the first step in this plan.” For more information on the fund-raising campaign or to make a donation, contact the Edina Community Foundation, 952-833-9573. The Foundation’s office is located at 5280 Grandview Square, Edina, MN 55436. The Community celebrated Nancy Delin’s 20-year career in early childhood family education during a June “Tea WithNancy” retirement party at Braemar Golf Course. Practicing high quality medical, surgical and dental care Early mornings, evenings and Saturday hours 612.925.1121 4339 France Avenue South, Minneapolis 55410 wagsandwhiskers.com “They’re our best friends too!” A by-product of the Greater Southdale Area Study will be a detailed examination of information from the 2000 Census. The Census provides a wealth of information about Edina. Understanding the characteristics of the current Edina is an important step in planning for the future. Here are some facts from the Census: Edina is an older community. •23% of Edina’s population was age 65 or older. This compares with 10% for the Twin Cities area. •The median age of Edina was 44.5 years. The regional median age was 34.2 years. •Only 12% of Edina residents fell into the 20 to 34 age bracket. This group accounts for 22% of the Twin Cities population. The 2000 Census suggests that people come to Edina and stay. •Over 62% of the population (over 5 years of age) had lived in the same house for at least five years. Regionally, only 54% of the population reported the same residence in 1995. •This segment of the 2000 population (people living in the same house five years prior to the census) is 12% higher than the same group in 1990. People living in Edina tend to work in Hennepin County. •More Edina residents (workers age 16 years and older) reported working in Edina than any other location. •Minneapolis was a close second as the place of employment. •Almost 85% of Edina workers traveled to employment in Hennepin County. Other Hennepin County 43•AUTUMN 200442•AUTUMN 2004 Study Of Greater Southdale Area Begins The City of Edina, along with Hennepin County, has begun a study of the commercial area along France Avenue south of Minnesota Highway 62. One of the nine objectives of the City’s long-range plan “Edina’s Vision 20/20” seeks to “facilitate the evolution of Southdale and environs into a premier shopping, business and health care center.” This month, the City will launch a process to determine how this objective might be realized. The study, loosely dubbed the “Greater Southdale Area Study,” is a nine-month effort to study the land use and transportation issues that will influence the future of the area. A team of consultants has been retained to lead the planning process and provide needed technical expertise. The planning and design firm Hoisington Koegler Group Inc.(HKGi) heads the team of experts in community planning, urban design, market research, transportation and public finance. HKGi previously assisted the City with the Vision 20/20 process and plan. The Greater Southdale Area Study seeks to: •Work with the community to create a vision for the France Avenue corridor south of the Crosstown Highway. •Understand the opportunities and constraints that will shape the area’s future. •Explore alternatives for the evolution of the area. •Assess the implications of alternative futures. •Help the community create a plan that realizes the desired vision for the corridor. •Identify the next steps needed to move Edina toward the vision. Edina businesses and residents will play an important role in the planning process. Several community workshops will take place over the nine-month planning process. These workshops will be used to shape a vision for the future of the greater Southdale area and to evaluate options for achieving this vision. The first meeting will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, at the Braemar Golf Course clubhouse. The public is invited to attend. “In a relatively short 50 years, this area has changed dramatically,” said Rusty Fifield of HKGi. “In 1955, Southdale was beginning to rise out of the ground. France Avenue looked more like a country road than a major urban transportation corridor. Over time, the area has evolved into one of the most unique settings in the Twin Cities. No other suburban location offers a comparable array of housing, jobs, goods, and services.” “The Southdale area is unique. The Greater Southdale Area Study will provide a tool to ensure that the successes of the past continue for many years to come.” For more information on the study or the Oct. 7 community meeting, visit www.cityofedina.com or contact City Planner Craig Larsen, 952-826-0460. To submit comments or opinions on development in the area, send an e-mail to edinamail@ci.edina.mn.us. Twin Cities SMSA Hennepin County Edina 0%20%40%60%80%100% Under 5 5 to 19 20 to 34 35 to 64 65 and older Twin Cities SMSA Hennepin County Edina Same house in 1995 Same county Different MN county Other State Other Location Other Metro County 14% Other Place 1%Edina 27% Minneapolis 24% 0%20%40%60%80%100% 45•AUTUMN 200444•AUTUMN 2004 Edina Art Center Expands Realism Program By Kathleen Sovell Contributing Writer Over the past 35 years, a rebirth has been occurring. A renewed interest in painting and the technical skills required to make beautiful paintings in a style similar to the Old Masters is being seen and appreciated. This renewed interest is the result of one person in particular, Richard Lack of Minnetonka. As a result of his vision and hard work, knowledgeable and skilled painters are no longer a thing of the past. To learn these skills, students enter “ateliers,” small studio programs. The instructor is a trained, practicing professional painter who received formal training from Lack or one of his students. Edina Art Center (EAC) has listened to the needs of the community by offering more training in fine arts. At this time, the Art Center has four Atelier- trained instructors, Paul Abdella, Michael Frey, Louise Gillis and Rick Kochenash. Enrollment in their classes is at an all time high. Frey is currently teaching 10 classes a week with growing waiting lists. Demand has exceeded available space at the Art Center. EAC’s goal is to initiate a school based on Lack’s realism teachings. This school is the brainchild of Frey and EAC Director Diana Hedges. Frey was trained in the style of Classical Realism at The Atelier in Minneapolis and studied under Cyd Wicker and Dale Redpath. During the past six years, more than 600 students (adults and teenagers) have studied drawing and painting with him at the EAC. He has won many awards for his portraiture, including an Honorable Mention Award at the GLBT Pride Art Show of 2004, two Peer Awards at the Edina Art Center and a Merit Award at the Minnesota State Fair. The school will be held at the Art Center in the Peggy Kelly Media Arts Studio, which is consolidating its services and restructuring its space to make room for the classical realism school. A four-year realism school devoted to students wishing to pursue fine art as a profession will be offered. Part-time courses and weekend workshops will be held for those students who are unable to attend the full- time program but desire to learn traditional drawing and painting skills. The school in the additional space will enable EAC to accommodate many more students. Class sizes are limited to eight to 12 adult students (age 15 and older), giving students a very individualized, guided education in the arts. “During the decade, we have experienced a renaissance of students who are dedicated to learning how to draw and paint realistically,” Hedges said. “Whether it is portrait, still life or landscape, students work hard at capturing a realistic likeness. Whoever says art is a ‘relaxing hobby’ has not been around some of our classrooms!” The Peggy Kelly Media Arts Studio will continue to offer media facilities for transfer of home movies to video and transfer of slides and pictures to video. The photo copy stand, slide copier and photo studio with lighting will be available for rental. According to Phil Johnson, Manager of the Media Studios, “interest is exploding in new technologies, such as DVD video. In the last six months, our clients have demanded more and better ways to make DVD-based movies and we have responded with three new DVD recorders and two computer-based solutions. Now, anyone can preserve their cherished home movies and pictures or slides easily and economically.” Another part of that response was to relocate computer classes to the Edina Senior Center where there is greater demand for their use. The Media Graphic Art Academy program for children will also conduct its classes at the Senior Center. For more information on the Peggy Kelly Media Arts Studio or for a listing of courses and programs, visit the Art Center’s website, www.EdinaArtCenter.com, or call 612-915-6600. The Edina Art Center is located at 4701 W. 64th St., on the northwest corner of Rosland Park. Magnolia Blossom, Oil by Eddi Fesler Instructor: Michael Frey Iwo Jima, March 1945, Charcoal byMargie Grinnel Instructor: Michael Frey 47•AUTUMN 200446•AUTUMN 2004 City of Edina To Flush Hydrants To purge rust and stagnant water from the water distribution system and identify hydrants in need of maintenance, the Utilities Division of the City of Edina’s Public Works Department began flushing hydrants in September and will continue with the project this month. Random hydrants are also flushed throughout the year as weather and water demand allows. Hydrant flushing will take place 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. In an attempt to minimize the impact on residents, the hydrant-flushing schedule is as follows: Sept. 20-24East of Highway 100 and North of Highway 62 Sept. 27-Oct. 1West of Highway 100 and North of Highway 62 Oct. 4-8West of Highway 100 and South of Highway 62 Oct. 11-15East of Highway 100 and South of Highway 62 Due to hydrant flushing, it is inevitable that some residents will receive rust-colored water, which can stain laundry. Iron sediments that cause the discoloration is not harmful. The water might look and smell unpleasant, but it is safe to drink. Residents may also receive rust-colored water when areas adjacent to theirs are being flushed. Residents should check that water coming into the house is clear before doing laundry during the flushing period. The flushing schedule is approximate. For an up-to-date flushing schedule, call the Public Works Hotline at 952-826-0375. For more information, contact the Utilities Division at 952-826-0311. Southdale IMAGING CENTER 6525 France Avenue Suite110 EDINA, MN 55435AN IMAGING NETWORK Half of women over 50 don’t get their yearly mammograms.* Which half are you in? The Southdale Imaging Center offers mammography, bone-density testing,ultrasound,fluoroscopy and X-ray. Let us help you get on the right side of the majority. *March 31,2004,Associated Press. Schedule an appointment today. Call (952) 927-7017 CONSULTING RADIOLOGISTS, LTD. RedefiningSenior “HOME” Whether it’s our pets in resi-dence, or our employees that act more like family than staff.Sunrise Senior Living providesday to day experiences that aresimply, more livable. At Sunrise, we understand that the transition to a senior community isn’t always easy. So, we focus on the details of living, from beautifullyappointed living spaces todelicious meals, engaging social activities, transporta- tion, and personalized assis- tance and care. Visit or call Sunrise of Edina to see what we do to make our community into a place seniors call home. www.sunriseseniorliving.com Sunrise of Edina • 7128 France Avenue, South • Edina 952-927-8000 Assisted Living • Alzheimer’s Care Call today for a personal tour. Our next Open House is in November. Call for details. 3918 W. 491/2 Street • Edina • MN • 55424 Clinic Hours:Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Main Phone: (952) 915-8100 Internal Medicine & Geriatrics:Laurel Laden, M.D. David Pautz, M.D., F.A.C.P. Lou Roxanne Salet, M.D. Patricia Sias, M.D., M.S. Obstetrics & Gynecology:Sharon Kshettry, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist Orthopedics:Peggy Naas, M.D. Bone density testing available New Patients Always Welcome!!! 49•AUTUMN 2004 and move the park’s construction up so that it could be completed two years ahead of schedule. The Edina Community Foundation applauds the efforts of these neighborhood associations (and many others not mentioned here) in bringing our residents together. While many of their activities do not involve money, there may be appropriate opportunities for such groups to expand their impact through using charitable contributions to the Foundation to cover the cost of public benefits such as newsletters, common area landscaping or park improvements. As we look to the future, we believe that these neighborhood activities and Foundation relationships offer a great potential for Strengthening Our Community—the mission of the Edina Community Foundation. Please contact me or any of our Foundation Board members if you have questions about any of our neighborhood-related funds or would like to make a charitable contribution to support our programs. The office of the Edina Community Foundation is located at 5280 Grandview Square, Edina, MN 55436. Contact Crockett at 952-833-9573 or edfoundation@ci.edina.mn.us. The Edina Community Foundation Board of Directors includes: Chairman James B. Hovland, Otto Bang, Ann Bentdahl-Wessels, George Klus, Grethe Langeland Dillon, Frederick S. Richards, Jr., Kevin Ries, and James Van Valkenburg. 48•AUTUMN 2004 The Edina Community Foundation – Neighborhood Associations By Dick Crockett Executive Director We can all take great pride in the extent to which neighborhood associations and activities are thriving in our community. They play an important role in getting us together with our neighbors, helping us welcome newcomers, and developing our sense of community. The Parkwood Knolls Association, for example, organizes a Fall Festival every year, with a costume parade, face painting, food and apple cider, scarecrow building and hayrides. This year’s Festival will be held Oct. 12, and it is only one event on an annual calendar that also features fall and spring cleanups of Walnut Ridge Park (which the Association has adopted), a cookie exchange in December, family iceskating in January and February, a couple’s event in March, a family picnic in June, and separate events for men and women throughout the year. Consistent with our American custom, there is a planning committee to organize these activities and oversee the volunteer work that makes them successful, and a seasonal newsletter to keep everyone informed. Speaking of our American heritage, the Mirror Lake Neighborhood focuses their community activities on a July 4 celebration that we would all enjoy. It begins with a flag ceremony, followed by a parade that includes families with wagons and strollers, kids on bikes, dogs, marching music, and an eclectic variety of prizes. Then, the backyard party begins, with American history lessons, apple dunking, a balloon toss, and, of course, a potluck dinner. The Killarney Shores Neighborhood has a long history of marking the transition from summer to fall with a family picnic (potluck again), and informal competition among Schaefer Road, View Lane, and Killarney Lane neighbors for “best attendance” status. And in July, many families participated in what promises to be the first-annual Children’s Art Fair. The Edina Highlands Neighborhood Association raises funds for improvement of their common areas. Almost a year ago, the Association established a temporary restricted fund with our Foundation, to encourage tax- deductible contributions from neighbors for support of this community project. We made our first grant from such funds for landscaping work this last spring. The Foundation has also established a fund for the improvement of Grandview Square Park, and has received its first contributions in response to including the park on its “Wish List” distributed to Edina homeowners with periodic mail campaigns throughout the year. The Fox Meadow Park Neighborhood provided a more dramatic example of the potential role of the Edina Community Foundation in supporting neighborhood activities by raising $58,500 in contributions for the development of the park. This motivated the Edina City Council to provide the balance of the $150,000 total cost S TRENGTHENING O UR C OMMUNITY You may qualify for up to $25,000 to make repairs or necessary improvements to your Edina home through the Hennepin County Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program. This program provides deferred repayment funds on a first-come-first-served basis to people who can show financial need. If you would like to receive information, income guidelines, qualification summaries, interest rates, and applications, please call Associate Planner Joyce Repya at the Edina Planning Department, (952) 826-0462. Dozens of Edina residents have protected the value of their homes by using this program. If your primaryresidence is located in Edina and needs repair or structural improvements, please give Joyce a call. Home Rehab Funds for Qualified Edina Home Owners CITY OF EDINA PLANNING DEPARTMENT 51•AUTUMN 2004 Edina Protects Young People’s Health By Making Parks Tobacco Free Effective Oct. 15, no person will be allowed to use any form of tobacco in Edina parks. The Edina City Council in August unanimously voted in favor of the new tobacco-free parks regulation. Edina City Council members adopted the policy because they believe that tobacco use in park areas is detrimental to the health of people using the park system and can be offensive to those using recreational facilities. They also feel the tobacco-free policy provides the opportunity to change community norms around tobacco use and will help to reduce youth tobacco use. In addition, the tobacco-free policy complements Edina Public Schools’ tobacco-free grounds policy. All neighborhood parks, as well as all recreational facilities such as Braemar Golf Course and Centennial Lakes Park, are included in the policy. Violations of the regulation are punishable under the City Code or under State law with a maximum $1,000 fine. However, the City will only use law enforcement as a last resort or if there is a complaint. “Our first priority is educating our residents and park users about the new regulations concerning tobacco use in our parks,” said City Manager Gordon Hughes. “We’re confident that nearly all of our park users will observe these rules without the need for enforcement actions.” Park workers will hand out cards to park users describing the new policy and tobacco prevention resources. The Tobacco-Free Youth Recreation program, a statewide tobacco prevention program, is providing Edina with free tobacco-free signs. “We are pleased to add Edina to the growing list of Minnesota cities with tobacco-free parks policies,” said Brittany Meyer, director of the program. Other cities in the area that prohibit tobacco use in park areas include Bloomington, Eagan, New Brighton and Richfield. For more information on Edina’s tobacco-free park policy, contact Park and Recreation Director John Keprios, 952-826-0430. 50•AUTUMN 2004 Making Memories:Painter Connects People With History When people buy an Edina Historical Society ornament, they often buy a memory. “People usually tell us a story when they pick out an ornament,” said Executive Director Marci Matson. “They remember their first day at Wooddale School, going on first dates at the Edina Theatre, and riding the trolley to college.” Some people have collected the entire series, which began in 1988. That’s when artist Linda Stewart approached the Edina Chamber of Commerce with the idea of selling hand-painted ornaments to mark Edina’s centennial. The first design featured the Edina Mill, the City’s birthplace. Stewart has painted the ornaments ever since. The Wayzata resident works in her home and has painted ornaments for many other organizations marking special celebrations, including the Archdiocese of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Courage Center and Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church, as well as Golden Valley Historical Society, which contracted work with her after seeing her Edina ornaments. Asking Stewart to pick her favorite Edina ornament is like asking a mother to name her favorite child. “I can’t,” she said, “but I can tell you my favorite part of the job is connecting people with history” She likes that each year when people take out their ornaments they can “see how much our community has changed and grown.” Stewart loves history. She and her husband use antique tractors, dating from 1925 to 1956, on their organic herb and vegetable farm in Kingston, Minn. They also collect a wide variety of antique farm tools. During the summer and fall, the Stewarts get up at 5 a.m. to pick produce so that they can deliver their vegetables and herbs to restaurants in time for lunch and dinner that same day. The rest of the year, Stewart works in her studio and also as a substitute teacher. Ornament sales generate income for the Edina Historical Society, but just as important, the annual tradition is now a part of history of the community and its residents. Some start with one ornament, when they first buy a home in Edina, while long-time residents remember their many memories in Edina when they take out their box of ornaments every year. This year’s ornament will feature Braemar Golf Course, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in July. For more information on the Edina Historical Society or its ornaments, call 612-928-4577. The museum is open 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays and by appointment.