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AboutTown_2007Spring
PRESORTSTDU.S. POSTAGEPAIDPermit No. 3932Edina, MNAboutTown MagazineCity of Edina4801 West 50th StreetEdina, MN 55424www.CityofEdina.com AboutTown Official Magazine of the City of Edina ***ECRWSS*** POSTAL PATRON CAR-RT-WS ©C O L O U R S 2 0 0 7 City Increases Utility RatesSee Page 46For Details SPRING•2007 9712 AboutTown Spring CoverGuts 2/28/07 11:12 AM Page 1 AboutTownVolume 18, Number 2Spring 2007Official Publication of the City of Edina, Minnesota4801 West 50th Street Edina, Minnesota 55424 952-927-8861 Circulation 25,000 Editor: Jennifer Bennerotte Assistants to the Editor: Laura Fulton & Christina Scipioni Contributing Writers: Joe Sullivan Publisher: City of Edina About Town is produced by the City of Edina. To advertise in About Town,contact Laura Fulton, 952-826-0396. Copyright 2007 by City of Edina, 4801 W. 50th St., Edina, MN 55424. About Town is published quarterly by the City of Edina. The purpose of the magazine is to keep Edina residents informed of news, activities and programs that are important to them. We include articles of interest about our citizens and community history as well. About Town is printed on recycled paper to conform to City conservation guidelines. www.CityofEdina.com Cover photo by Polly Norman Table of ContentsCalendar Of Events...........................................................................1Spring Calendar Highlights.............................................................4AWord From The Mayor .................................................................5Braemar Park & Golf Course Celebrate 42 Years Of Success ................................................................6 City To Say Thanks At Annual Reception...................................18 Sullivan Begins Work As New Assistant City Engineer...................................................................................20 City Accepting Nominations For 2007 Edina Heritage Award.................................................................22 Edina Historical Society Begins Membership Drive..................................................................................24 City Calls For Entries In Community Photo Contest..................................................................................26 Recreational Fires: APrivilege, Not ARight...................................30 More Than $66,000 Donated To Park And Recreation Department In 2006 ......................................................32 ABetter Chance: Making ADifference Throughout Edina............................................................................34 It’s Not Only Neighborly ... It’s The Law....................................38 Edina Community Foundation: Corporate Support..........................................................................40 Play Is Hard Work For Children...................................................42 Investing In Its Infrastructure: City Increases Utility Rates............................................................46 Getting to Know The Edina Fire Department: ‘A’ Shift............48 There's ANew Welcome Center In Town....................................52 City Of Edina To Flush Hydrants In April..................................55 1•SPRING 2007 SundayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday17 p.m., Calhoun Brass, Edinborough Park. 37 p.m., HRA& City Council, Edina City Hall. 7 p.m., Roseville Big Band, Edinborough Park. 455:30 p.m., Zoning Board of Appeals, Edina City Hall. 6 72 8 9 Classes begin at the Edina Art Center. 10 7 p.m., Heritage Preservation Board, Edina City Hall. 7 p.m., Park Board, Edina City Hall. 7 p.m., Bend in the River Big Band, Edinborough Park. 11121314 15 7 p.m., Minneapolis Police Concert Band, Edinborough Park. 16 5:30 p.m., Board of Appeal & Equalization, Edina City Hall. 17 7 p.m., HRA& City Council, Edina City Hall. 7 p.m., Hyebar Dancers, Edinborough Park. 18 7 a.m., Recycling and Solid Waste Commission, Edina City Hall. 2021 22 7 p.m., Somewhat Dixieland Band, Edinborough Park. 2324 11:30 a.m., City Council study session, Edina City Hall. 5 p.m., Volunteer Recognition Reception, Edinborough Park. 25 7 p.m., Planning Commission, Edina City Hall. 26 Noon, Rusty’s Rocking Jamboree, Edinborough Park. 4 p.m., Art Center Board, Edina Art Center. 27 6:30 p.m., Braemar Ice Show, Braemar Arena. 28 6:30 p.m., Braemar Ice Show, Braemar Arena. 3029 7 p.m., First John Philip Sousa Memorial Band, Edinborough Park. April 2007 19 5:30 p.m., Zoning Board of Appeals, Edina City Hall. 6 p.m., Transportation Commission, Edina City Hall. About Town Calendar The Edina Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for its annual “Teacher of the Year Award,” which recognizes a teacher who exemplifies creativity, enthusiasm, commitment and development of positive learning environments. All Edina Public Schools teachers are eligible for the award. Staff, students, parents, business people or residents may submit nominations, which must be received on or before April 20. Nomination forms are available online at www.edinachamber.com or at the Chamber office, 7701 Normandale Road, Suite 101. The organization’s Education Committee will select this year’s winner and honor him or her at the Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting in May. For more information on the Teacher of the Year Award or other programs of the Chamber of Commerce, call 952-806-9060. Chamber Of Commerce To Honor ‘Teacher Of The Year’ 9712 AboutTown Spring CoverGuts 2/28/07 11:12 AM Page 3 2•SPRING 2007 SundayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday11:30-3:30 p.m., Free hearing tests, Edina Senior Center. 7 p.m., HRA&City Council, Edina City Hall. 235 p.m., “Garden Art” opening, Edina Art Center. 5:30 p.m., Zoning Board of Appeals, Edina City Hall. 4 5 6 7 p.m., South of the River Band, Edinborough Park. 78 7 p.m., Heritage Preservation Board, Edina City Hall. 7 p.m., Park Board, Edina City Hall. 7 p.m., Amy &Adams folk duo, Edinborough Park. 91011 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Edina Garden Council plant sale, Arneson Acres Park. 12 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Edina Garden Council plant sale, Arneson Acres Park. 13 7 p.m., Northern Winds Concert Band, Edinborough Park. 1415 6:30 p.m., Community Health Committee, Edina City Hall. 7 p.m., HRA&City Council, Edina City Hall. 16 7 a.m., Recycling & Solid Waste Commission, Edina City Hall. 1819 20 7 p.m., First John Philip Sousa Memorial Band, Edinborough Park. 2122 11:30 a.m., City Council study session, Edina City Hall. 3:30-7 p.m., Public Works Open House, Public Works Building. 2324 4 p.m., Art Center Board, Edina Art Center. 5 p.m., “School of Realism” exhibit opening, Edina Art Center. 2526 2928 Memorial Day. City Hall and Edina Art Center closed. 27 May 2007 30 7 p.m., Planning Commission, Edina City Hall. 31 17 5:30 p.m., Zoning Board of Appeals, Edina City Hall. 6 p.m., Transportation Commission, Edina City Hall. About Town Calendar9712 AboutTown Spring CoverGuts 2/28/07 11:14 AM Page 5 3•SPRING 2007 SundayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday110 a.m.-8 p.m., Edina Art Fair, 50th & France. 210 a.m.-9 p.m., Edina Art Fair, 50th & France. 3 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Edina Art Fair, 50th & France. 7 p.m., Minnesota Symphonic Winds, Centennial Lakes Park. 4 7 p.m., Southside Big Band, Centennial Lakes Park. 5 7 p.m., HRAand City Council, Edina City Hall. 6 Doug Lew workshop, Edina Art Center. 7 p.m., Good News Big Band, Centennial Lakes Park. 7 5:30 p.m., Zoning Board of Appeals, Edina City Hall. 89 10 a.m., Edina Aquatic Center opens for the season. 10 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Parade of Boats, Centennial Lakes Park. 7 p.m., First John Philip Sousa Memorial Band, Edinborough Park. 11 Summer classes begin at Edina Art Center. 7 p.m., South of the River Band, Centennial Lakes Park. 12 7 p.m., Park Board, Edina City Hall. 7 p.m., Heritage Preservation Board, Edina City Hall. 13 7 p.m., Star of the North Community Band, Centennial Lakes Park. 15 6-9 p.m., Highlands Elementary School Continuous Progress Program 25th anniversary celebration, Braemar Golf Course. 16 17 7 p.m., Honeywell Concert Band, Centennial Lakes Park. 18 7 p.m., Celebration Brass, Centennial Lakes Park. 19 7 p.m., HRA&City Council, Edina City Hall. 20 7 a.m., Recycling and Solid Waste Commission, Edina City Hall. 21 5:30 p.m., Zoning Board of Appeals & Adjustments, Edina City Hall. 6 p.m., Transportation Commission, Edina City Hall. 2223 26 11:30 a.m., City Council study session, Edina City Hall. 7 p.m., Human Rights & Relations Commission, Edina City Hall. 2524 7 p.m., Northern Winds Concert Band, Centennial Lakes Park. June 2007 27 7 p.m., Planning Commission, Edina City Hall. 28 4 p.m., Art Center Board, Edina Art Center. 29 14 5 p.m., Student show opening, Edina Art Center. 30 About Town Calendar 4•SPRING 2007 Other Dates To Remember April 10 1:15-3 p.m., Free blood pressure checks, Edina Senior Center. April 24 1-4 p.m. by appointment, Health insurance counseling, Edina Senior Center. April 24 7 p.m., Human Rights & Relations Commission, Edina City Hall. April 24 7 p.m., Northern Latitude Mandolin Quartet, Edinborough Park. May 1 Noon, Centennial Lakes Park putting course and lawn games area open for the season (weather permitting). May 1 7 p.m., The Reeds Saxophone Quartet, Edinborough Park. May 8 1:15-3 p.m., Free blood pressure checks, Edina Senior Center. May 22 1-4 p.m. by appointment, Health insurance counseling, Edina Senior Center. May 22 7 p.m., Human Rights & Relations Commission, Edina City Hall. May 22 7 p.m., Jim Berner’s Great Sounds of the 40s and 50s, Edinborough Park. June 12 1:15-3 p.m., Free blood pressure checks, Edina Senior Center. June 26 1-4 p.m. by appointment, Health insurance counseling, Edina Senior Center. Spring Calendar Highlights Edina Garden Council Plant Sale What:The Edina Garden Council raises many of the plants to be included in the sale. Plants from commercial growers are carefully selected to ensure high-quality choices. Focus will be on plants for containers. Also offered will be a wide variety of perennials and bulbs grown in the gardens of members. Proceeds will go toward projects to beautify City parks and horticulture scholarships through the Federated Garden Clubs of Minnesota. In 2006, the EGC funded the new fountain in Arneson Acres Park. When:10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, May 11, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 12 Where:Arneson Acres Park Greenhouse, 4700 W. 70th St. Info:612-866-1116 Edina Art Fair What:The 50th & France Business & Professional Association will host the 41st annual Edina Art Fair. One of Edina’s premier summer events, the event draws tens of thousands to downtown Edina each year. Featured art will include drawing, painting, ceramics, pottery, glass, jewelry, photography, sculpture and wood. The event will also feature live entertainment and food. When:10 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 1, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. June 2, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 3 Where:Downtown Edina, 50th Street and France Avenue Info:952-922-1524 or www.50thandFrance.com 9712 AboutTown Spring CoverGuts 2/28/07 11:13 AM Page 6 A Wor d F r o m T h e M a y o r At first blush, it might a p p e a r t h a t n o t m u c h h a s c h a n g e d o v e r the past two decades i n o u r f i r s t - r i n g s u b u r b o f E d i n a , b u t e v e n a casual reconsideration o f t h a t t h o u g h t w i l l c a u s e o n e t o r e c o g n i z e how the community h a s e v o l v e d i n t h a t p e r i o d o f t i m e . The Edinborough Park d e v e l o p m e n t , f o r e x a m p l e , w a s c o m p l e t e d in the mid-1980s and a s r e c e n t l y a s t h e l a t e 8 0 s , w h a t w o u l d become our most popu l a r p a r k , C e n t e n n i a l L a k e s , w a s s t i l l a gravel pit. Our admired 5 0 t h & F r a n c e b u s i n e s s a n d e n t e r t a i n m e n t area was in the midst o f r e v i t a l i z a t i o n , l i q u o r w a s n ’ t s e r v e d i n restaurants until the la t e 9 0 s a n d G r a n d v i e w S q u a r e a n d o u r new Senior Center and l i b r a r y w e r e n ’ t e v e n f o r e s e e a b l e b l i p s on the redevelopment r a d a r . Today, when I meet w i t h e l e c t e d o f f i c i a l s f r o m o t h e r p a r t s o f the country, many of E d i n a ’ s a s s e t s a n d a m e n i t i e s I d e s c r i b e a r e less than 20 years old o r h a v e c h a n g e d s i g n i f i c a n t l y s i n c e t h e i r inception. Even places l i k e S o u t h d a l e C e n t e r , w h i c h r e c e n t l y celebrated its 50th anni v e r s a r y a s t h e n a t i o n ’ s f i r s t f u l l y e n c l o s e d , climate-controlled shop p i n g c e n t e r , l o o k s a n d f u n c t i o n s m u c h differently than it did 2 0 , 3 0 , 4 0 o r m o r e y e a r s a g o . C h a n g e i n Edina has clearly contin u e d i t s i n e x o r a b l e m a r c h . Throughout its history , E d i n a h a s b e e n v i e w e d a s a l e a d e r i n land development and r e d e v e l o p m e n t . A s w e m o v e i n t o t h e next stages of Edina’s f u t u r e , h o w d o w e k e e p o u r s t a t u s a s a leader in appropriate a n d i n n o v a t i v e l a n d u s e , b u t p r o t e c t what the community h o l d s s a c r e d ? H o w c a n w e b e s t m a n a g e change? Can we estab l i s h a c o m m o n c o m m u n i t y v i s i o n ? While we may have va r i e d a n s w e r s t o t h e a b o v e q u e r i e s , I think we can all agree t h a t w e w a n t E d i n a t o c o n t i n u e t h o s e historic constants we a l l c h e r i s h s u c h a s a l o c a l s c h o o l d i s t r i c t renowned for its excel l e n c e , a b u s t l i n g d o w n t o w n , a s u c c e s s f u l regional retail shoppin g d i s t r i c t , a s o u n d p u b l i c i n f r a s t r u c t u r e , outstanding City servi c e s a n d g r e a t n e i g h b o r h o o d s . I a l s o earnestly believe we a l l w a n t t o c o n t i n u e t o s t r i v e t o b e k n o w n as “the preeminent pla c e f o r l i v i n g , l e a r n i n g , r a i s i n g f a m i l i e s and doing business,” a s d e s c r i b e d i n V i s i o n 2 0 2 0 . The vision of Edina fo r t h e n e x t d e c a d e w i l l b e r e f l e c t e d i n the Comprehensive Pl a n , t h e c o r e d o c u m e n t w h i c h g u i d e s development and rede v e l o p m e n t a n d a d d r e s s e s c h a n g e s l i k e l y to occur due to variou s s o c i a l a n d m a r k e t f o r c e s . I t i s t h e document which will h e l p u s m a n a g e t h a t i n e s c a p a b l e c h a n g e . Th e M e t r o p o l i t a n C o u n c i l r e q u i r e s a l l c i t i e s i n t h e s e v e n - c o u n t y me t r o p o l i t a n a r e a t o h a v e s u c h a p l a n a n d S t a t e l a w r e q u i r e s ci t i e s t o u p d a t e t h e i r p l a n s e v e r y 1 0 y e a r s . T h e C o m p r e h e n s i v e Pl a n i s a g u i d i n g d o c u m e n t , m e a n t t o a s s i s t t h e C i t y C o u n c i l i n ma k i n g d e c i s i o n s a b o u t f u t u r e d e v e l o p m e n t b a s e d o n t h e i n p u t fr o m t h e b r o a d c o m m u n i t y . E d i n a ’ s C o m p r e h e n s i v e P l a n in c l u d e s c h a p t e r s o n s u c h t h i n g s a s l a n d u s e , t r a n s p o r t a t i o n , wa s t e w a t e r , w a t e r s u p p l y , s t o r m w a t e r m a n a g e m e n t , h o u s i n g an d p a r k s a n d r e c r e a t i o n . Ou r p l a n i s d u e t o t h e M e t r o p o l i t a n C o u n c i l i n 2 0 0 8 . T h e E d i n a Ci t y C o u n c i l , P l a n n i n g C o m m i s s i o n a n d C i t y s t a f f h a v e a l r e a d y be g u n t h e r e v i s i o n o f t h e l a s t p l a n b y s t u d y i n g k e y g e o g r a p h i c a r e a s an d s e c u r i n g c o m m u n i t y i n p u t . P l e a s e j o i n u s i n p a r t i c i p a t i n g i n t h e pr o c e s s t o u p d a t e t h e C o m p r e h e n s i v e P l a n a n d h a v e a v o i c e i n t h e sh a p i n g o f E d i n a o v e r t h e n e x t 1 0 y e a r s a n d b e y o n d . Ja m e s B . H o v l a n d Ma y o r 5• S P R I N G 20 0 7 Ge t I n v o l v e d ! • Li s t e n i n g S e s s i o n s Ci t y s t a f f w i l l v i s i t w i t h c o m m u n i t y g r o u p s , s c h o o l - a r e a gr o u p s a n d o t h e r o r g a n i z a t i o n s t o m a k e a s h o r t p r e s e n t a t i o n ab o u t t h e C o m p r e h e n s i v e P l a n a n d t a k e f e e d b a c k . • Qu a d r a n t M e e t i n g s To b e h e l d i n 2 0 0 7 i n e a c h o f t h e f o u r “ q u a d r a n t s ” o f t h e Ci t y , d e f i n e d b y M i n n e s o t a H i g h w a y 1 0 0 a n d t h e C r o s s t o w n . Th e m e e t i n g s w i l l f o c u s o n s p e c i f i c s o f t h e p l a n . • Pu b l i c H e a r i n g s Th e p r o p o s e d C o m p r e h e n s i v e P l a n w i l l b e p r e s e n t e d t o t h e Pl a n n i n g C o m m i s s i o n a n d C i t y C o u n c i l f o r a p p r o v a l i n la t e 2 0 0 7 . • Ot h e r M e e t i n g s & F e e d b a c k S e s s i o n s An i n t e r g e n e r a t i o n a l d i a l o g u e , s p e c i a l s p e a k e r s a n d f o c u s gr o u p s w i l l b e h e l d t h r o u g h o u t t h e p r o c e s s . Fo r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t w w w . C i t y o f E d i n a . c o m / C o m p P l a n or c a l l t h e C i t y ’ s P l a n n i n g D e p a r t m e n t a t 9 5 2 - 8 2 6 - 0 3 6 9 . 9712 AboutTown Spring Cove r G u t s 2 / 2 8 / 0 7 3 : 5 1 P M P a g e 8 first proposed the possibility of “twinning” the two Braemar courses. Marth Family Came To Edina In 1858 Much of what we know about pre-20th-century southwest Edina comes from a 1970 oral history recorded by Charlotte Hauck, who interviewed early residents Carl and Anne Marth. Carl Marth’s grandparents immigrated from Holland and homesteaded in Edina in 1858. The Marths owned 1,300 acres, 444 acres of which later became Braemar Park and Golf Course. “When they settled on the land, their only possessions were a grain sack, an ax, a grub hoe and a little food,” Hauck reported. “They built a tiny shack on Nine Mile Creek just east of a big pond on land that is now Braemar Golf Course.” Carl’s father was 13 years old when the family came to the United States. Carl was born Aug. 13, 1894. He and his four sisters were all born in the farmhouse on the sheep ranch that is now Braemar. The old sheep barn was located just east of today’s golf course. In the 1850s, this area, then part of Richfield Township, was known as “Hardscrabble Hills” because its many hills were rocky and sandy. Later, it was named the Cahill Settlement for a Catholic missionary priest, the Rev. Thomas Cahill, who tended to the religious needs of the Catholic settlers in the area, who were mostly Irish immigrants. Carl and Anne Marth were married March 3, 1917. For two years before that, Anne had been a teacher at the one-room Cahill School, which Carl had attended as a boy. It was on the southeast corner of what is now 70th Street and Cahill Road. After their marriage, Anne left teaching, but two years later, two men came to her house and told her that she had to come back to the Cahill School because the teacher they had hired “couldn’t handle those Irishmen.” According to Charlotte Hauck's 1970 interview with the Marths, at some point in time, they sold their land to the Saggers family, who owned a roofing company in addition to the farm. 7•SPRING 2007 By Joe Sullivan Contributing Writer According to Edina writer Roger Harrold in his recently published book, Braemar: Celebrating the Forty-Year History Of Braemar Golf Course, Edina’s public coursesare recognized as “one of the most comprehensive municipal golf facilities in the Upper Midwest.” An estimated 1.75 million rounds of golf were played on Braemar’s 18- and 27-hole regulation courses between 1969 and 2003. Avibrant part of the community, the award-winning course has been rated by Golf Digest magazine among the top 75 public golf courses in the nation and ranked as one of America’s top 100 “women friendly” courses by Golf for Women magazine. It is well-known for its leadership in golf for the physically and mentally challenged. Nature’s gifts to Braemar’s southwest Edina site include wooded, rolling hills; oak ridges; and secluded valleys, plus lakes and ponds fed by Nine Mile Creek. These natural advantages made possible the lush green fairways, greens and water hazards of Braemar’s challenging 27-hole course as well as its nine-hole, executive course. Braemar’s Story Parallels The History Of Edina The story of Braemar parallels much of the history of Edina itself. It also boasts of a special connection to a 100-plus-year-old Braemar Golf Club in Scotland—a relationship that began even before Edina’s Braemar course opened in 1964. Our Braemar (Gaelic for “high hill”) was named for the original Braemar Golf Club in the tiny town of Braemar, in the highlands of Scotland. Of all the many names suggested for Edina’s municipal golf course, Warren Hyde, Edina’s Village Manager at the time, developed a particular liking to the Braemar name. During a mid-1960s visit to Scotland, Hyde met Capt. Alwyne Farquharson, prominent landowner and chieftain of the Farquharson Clan of Braemar, Scotland. Hyde informed Farquharson that the American city of Edina was considering the Braemar name for its new public park and golf course. It was Farquharson who Braemar Park & Golf CourseCelebrate 42 Years Of Success 6•SPRING 2007 (continued on next page) Colorful floral gardens and other plantings are meticulously maintained in many places around Braemar’s golf courses and clubhouse. Capt. Farquharson, one of the first emissaries of Scotland’s Braemar Golf Club to meet visitors from Edina, is pictured here with John and Jean Hedberg of Edina. After former Village Manager Warren Hyde returned from Scotland, a stone from the 17th century Braemar Castle was sent by Capt. Farquharson to Hyde’s office in Edina. That stone is now next to the golf cart path leading to the course’s first tee. 9712 AboutTown Spring CoverGuts 3/5/07 4:19 PM Page 9 owners of several of those parcels were not willing to sell them to the Village. According to Rosland, “There were some real disgruntled people who definitely didn’t want to sell their property to the Village. However, some of the land owners agreed to sell them to the Hays family.” Hays was able to obtain options on those properties and the Village signed with him. Afirst-of-its-kind bill was passed by the Minnesota legislature that enabled cities and towns to issue municipal bonds to finance recreational facilities. Central to the bill was the concept of pledging the net revenues of golf courses or other recreational facilities covered by the bill plus the net revenue of the municipality’s liquor operation toward the retirement of the bonds and any shortfalls that might occur from the operation of the recreational facilities. The Edina Village Council approved an $850,000 bond issue Feb. 5, 1957, which included $195,000 for a golf course and park site. The purchase order was issued with the following conditions: •The sale price of $195,000 is contingent on the sale, issuance and delivery of general obligation bonds of the Village of Edina for acquisition of park property in an amount sufficient to pay the stated purchase price. •The Village shall hold an election to determine whether or not such bonds should be issued for the stated purpose of building a public golf course. The bond issue was approved by voters. In May 1957, a contract was signed with golf course consultant Robert Bruce Harris for design of the golf course. Harris had wanted to build fairways on top of the ridges to avoid the peat soil in the lowlands between the ridges, which he felt would make the course unplayable. The Village Park Board felt that Harris’ approach would disturb the natural topography of the site. After listening to the Harris presentation, that Park Board’s chairman stated its position: “We’re not going to destroy that park to build a golf course.” 9•SPRING 2007 Farmer Dewey Hill Buys Marth Farm – Names It Intervale In 1919, Dewey Hill, a local farmer, purchased the farm that the Marths had homesteaded in 1858 and named it “Intervale Ranch.” According to Roger Harrold’s 2005 interview with Ken Rosland, retired Edina City Manager and former Park and Recreation Director, “Dewey Hill owned some property and lived out there. He apparently was giving the Village so much trouble all the time that they named [a nearby] road that went into his place ‘Dewey Hill Road.’” We are not sure of the date, but we presume that Hill sold “Intervale Ranch” to the Hays family sometime after 1933. Edina’s Interest In APublic Golf Course Surfaced In The 1950s Now, we fast-forward to 1950s Edina. Hyde, a died-in- the-wool golfer, became Edina’s Village Manager in 1955. In 1956, shortly after his appointment, the first proposal for a public golf course in Edina surfaced. Already in the middle of a major growth spurt, Edina was lagging behind in the acquisition and development of park and recreation land. It urgently needed to move forward to catch up while appropriate sites were still available. The Village Council and Park Board agreed to develop preliminary plans for a golf course, study land availability and survey the citizens of Edina about their interest in the Village having its own public golf course. The 180-acre Hays farm in southwest Edina was one of the properties considered. Asoil survey of the acreage by the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicated that, because its acres consisted largely of peat and wetlands, the land was undesirable for building and had little cash value. These very conditions would later prove to be very challenging in the development of the golf course. As it turned out, the “Hays farm” actually consisted of seven land parcels that totaled 444.4 acres. But some of the parcels were not owned by the Hays family and the 8•SPRING 2007 This circa 1933 photo shows Edna and Roy Nelson, relatives of Dewey Hill, standing in front of a hill at the western edge of his “Intervale Ranch” farm. Note the name created with painted boulders near the top of the hill. (continued on next page) From the beginning, preservation of wildflowers, birds, rocks and water were high on the priority list for Braemar. Beautiful plantings and rock gardens like this one can be found in many locations around the golf courses. Ph o t o b y B o b A t o l 9712 AboutTown Spring CoverGuts 3/5/07 4:19 PM Page 11 Don Brauer, an assistant to Warren Hyde at the time, described Harris’ position: “It’s either going to be done [his] way or it’s not going to be done.” By 1958, the Hays farm property was assigned the temporary name “Intervale Park,” until an official name could be selected. On March 5, 1958, a special meeting of the Edina Park Board was held at the park to tour the Hays farm property and consider use of the land for golf facilities and other activities. Harrison & Associates, a different design consulting firm, replaced Harris on March 9, 1959, and they continued to work on the project until the completion of Braemar’s construction. The Village took possession of the Hays farm property on April 1, 1959, which allowed time for termination of farm activities and disposal of the farm’s dairy herd. The Search For APermanent Name Although the Hays farm site had temporarily retained the “Intervale” name, most people continued to refer to the hilly acres as “the Hays farm.” In the five years between the purchase of the land and the opening of the golf course, a number of other possible names were actively discussed and debated. Rosland recalled that Hyde had lobbied hard for a Scottish name. “He was very Scottish,” Rosland said. “Warren brought in a Scottish bagpiper to play [at a Village Council meeting] because he wanted a Scottish name so bad he could taste it.” They finally voted to name the park and golf course “Braemar.” Braemar’s Development In The 1960s By 1960, plans for Braemar Park were moving forward. There was early consensus about the need to reserve room for a nine-hole par-three course, as long as it did not infringe on space needed for the 18-hole course. Preservation of as much of the park’s “natural beauty and wildlife” was still of prime importance and a bird sanctuary and wildflower garden remained integral to the park’s overall mission. Early park plans also included a natural amphitheater, which was to serve as a venue for summer concerts and plays, and a swimming pool. By December of that year, Braemar’s tees and greens were staked out. The following February, cost estimates for planning, engineering and construction of the course came in at $850,000. In 1961, a petition from a group of junior high school students proposing conversion of the Hays farm stable for public use, along with a system of bridle paths, was considered by the Park Board. However, members of the Board ruled the proposal infeasible, citing concerns over horses being near to golf facilities and other park amenities including picnic areas, hiking trails and day camping. 11•SPRING 200710•SPRING 2007 The original 1964 Braemar clubhouse was much smaller than the current one. Also, the pro shop was a separate structure detached from the main building. Recipe For A Golf Course This was the recipe for building a golf course with the kinds of challenges facing the builders of Braemar in 1963: The Ingredients: • 800,000 cubic yards of earth to be moved. •26 miles of piping and 1,000 sprinkler heads for irrigation. •700 trees plus shrubs and other plantings. •15,850 pounds of seed for greens and fairways. •8,000 seedlings planted in a tree nursery to be transplanted to the course. The Process: •Reclaim 130 acres of peat land by excavation. •Create 10 acres of ponds adjacent to the south fork of Nine Mile Creek. •Grade tees and fairways. •Haul in and grade sand, gravel, peat and topsoil. •Seed tees, fairways and greens. Source:Braemar: Celebrating the 40-Year History of Braemar Golf Course The schedule of green fees set for Braemar’s 1964 opening was an amazing bargain when compared with more recent fees. But the comparison does provide a vivid demonstration of the effect of inflation over the 41 years covered. Source:Braemar: Celebrating the 40-Year History of Braemar Golf Course PatronNon-Patron 1964200519642005 9 holes $1.00$14.00$1.50$18.00 18 holes $2.00$25.00$3.00$33.00 1964 Braemar Green Fees Vs. 2005 (continued on next page) 9712 AboutTown Spring CoverGuts 3/5/07 4:19 PM Page 13 In September 1962, the Park Board adopted a motion to build a $100,000 clubhouse and requested bids on the golf course project. They also proceeded with plans to sell $825,000 worth of municipal bonds to finance the golf course and clubhouse projects. The winning bid for building the clubhouse came from local contractor Henry Peterson. In February 1963, a contract was also awarded to J.A. Danens & Son, Edina excavators, for excavation, filling and grading that would transform the former Hays farm into a multi-purpose park facility, the centerpiece of which would be Braemar Golf Course. Peat And Wetlands Challenges Surface Construction of the course presented a series of formidable challenges, the first of which was to reclaim and restore the peat and wetland areas of the property for use as golf tees, fairways and greens. Asoil testing firm drilled 150 test holes. Data from those borings indicated that soft, wet, peaty soil existed at depths as shallow as three feet and as deep as 30 feet. By September 1963, the grass had taken hold and grown so much that it needed mowing. Unfortunately, the maintenance crew had not yet been hired. So, who mowed the fairways and tees that fall? It was Rosland and his Assistant Director of Park and Recreation, Bob Kojetin. Using a couple of big Jacobson riding mowers, they mowed the entire course regularly until the snow fell. Come spring, the maintenance workers were in place and ready to take over. In July 1964, only weeks before its opening, a layout of Braemar Park published by the Edina Courier did not include an amphitheater, swimming pool, observatory, stable or bridle paths, all of which had been eliminated from the plans. Later that month, the 18-hole course was pronounced fit for play and a grand opening was held July 22, 1964. Clubhouse Enlarged And Remodeled By early 1980, the clubhouse hadn’t had any major changes since its construction. The grill seated 65, adequate for 1964, but crowded for 1980. During the 13•SPRING 200712•SPRING 2007 early years, Braemar’s golfers didn’t have an area where they could hold a meeting or a function. Space was needed for golfers to socialize after their rounds on the course or for meetings and other activities. The original clubhouse was originally designed for use just nine months of the year, but was being used year-round. It had not been winterized. Starting in February 1980, the Park Board began discussing remodeling and expanding the clubhouse. Other changes were urgently needed, including increasing energy efficiency and bringing the 20-plus-year-old building up to code. In the entire City of some 46,000 residents, there was not one public, all-weather facility where formal and informal functions of any kind could be hosted. For example, the annual summer Pro-Am Dinner was being held at the open-air Braemar Pavilion, a facility used as an ice arena in the winter, with a concrete floor and walls that were removed during the summer. Five-Year Improvement Plan Emerges Improvements to the clubhouse became the major focus of a five-year plan for Braemar. The proposal also included moving the pro shop into the enlarged clubhouse; a larger eating area; and adding a banquet room that could handle meetings, banquets and other functions for golfers and the entire community. When it opened in 1964, Braemar had prohibited use of golf cars on the course so there was no need for storage of golf cars. By the 1980s, the course owned 40 golf cars The new, enlarged Braemar clubhouse included a banquet room, larger kitchen and eating area and incorporated the pro shop under the same roof. The banquet facilities also opened for non-golfing functions. Ph o t o b y T e r e s a H a r r o l d (continued on next page) Braemar’s first foursome on the first tee for opening day, July 22, 1964, were (from left) Warren Hyde, Village Manager; Ev Banks, Village Council Member; Arthur Bredesen, Edina Mayor; and Harry Cooper, Braemar Golf Professional. When the clubhouse was enlarged, accessible, indoor space for golf car storage was made available in the basement of the clubhouse. 9712 AboutTown Spring CoverGuts 3/5/07 4:19 PM Page 15 and storage was a problem. The alternatives to building storage for golf cars would have been to shuttle them to and from the maintenance building or chain them up outdoors. Other major parts of the five-year plan involved building a new maintenance building and converting the 1,100-yard par three course to a 1,775-yard, nine-hole “executive” course by adding land between Gleason Road and Braemar Boulevard. Areport on the five-year plan was presented by the “Friends of Braemar” golf facilities committee (now the Braemar Golf Association) to both the Park Board and the City Council in fall 1984. The report was endorsed by both bodies. Braemar’s Golf Dome In 1982, inflatable domes for golf instruction and practice were beginning to show up in a number of eastern cities. After investigating the feasibility of the new phenomenon, the Park Board entertained a proposal from Golf Dome Associates. In the agreement that was negotiated, the City retained ownership of the land and leased it to Golf Dome Associates on a 15-year lease. Golf Dome Associates would own and manage the dome and guarantee the City a minimum revenue of $3,000 per year. After operating the dome for a number of years, Golf Dome Associates proposed that Braemar management take over operation of the dome while Golf Dome Associates retained ownership. Then, in 1988, the City offered to buy the dome for $575,000. With an annual operating income of $111,000 (after depreciation), it was felt the dome could produce revenue for the proposed Braemar Park Fund as a means for covering any future losses, without having to rely on general tax dollars. When the City bought the dome, Todd Anderson was hired to manage it. Anderson also worked in the clubhouse during the golf season. At present, Anderson is Braemar’s Assistant Manager. 15•SPRING 200714•SPRING 2007 1990s Development Adds Nine Regulation Holes On Aug. 1, 1988, the City Council approved a recommendation by a staff committee for construction of a new nine-hole, 3,000-yard, regulation-length golf course. This would be an addition to the existing 18-hole, regulation-length course built in 1964. An estimated 250 golfers a day were being turned away and additional holes were needed to handle the overflow. Although concern was expressed that the proposed new course would be in a designated flood plain, engineers and officials of the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District approved the additional nine holes. Bids were awarded in October 1988 and $2.47 million in municipal bonds were issued. But the addition to the course was running into obstacles because the layout of the new holes was located mostly in the lower, swampy areas of the park. Several alternatives on high ground on the east side of the park were investigated, but permit approval came down to one simple, final alternative. The City threatened to sue the federal agencies involved. Two weeks later, after the City limited more encroachments into the flood plain and offered wetland mitigation, the federal agencies approved the permit. Braemar had a green light to build the new holes. Construction cost estimates were rebid in October 1992 with a projected opening date for the new nine holes set for summer 1994. Total cost of golf course expansion and improvements to a number of other Braemar Park Facilities during the 1990s were financed by $3.525 million in revenue bonds. Of that amount, $1.450 million went to the golf course. The remaining $2.075 million went to other Braemar Park improvements including: •Braemar Arena/Pavilion •Brian Wipperman Memorial Gun Range •Braemar baseball complex •General park improvements Because of severe space limitations dictated by the flood plain and wetland mitigation, Braemar’s 26th is probably more popular with artists and photographers than with Braemar’s golfers. With the view from its tee overlooking a picturesque bridge, the tree-edged fairway dwindles to a width of only a few yards as it approaches the green Ph o t o b y L i z H a r r o l d The Braemar Golf Dome’s first season was the winter of 1982-83. In addition to Braemar golfers who practice there during the winters, the dome has been used year-round by golf teams from the University of Minnesota and high schools all over the region. It is also used for golf lessons in inclement weather. Today, Braemar is one of few, if not the only, municipal golf courses in the nation that has its own golf dome. (continued on next page) 9712 AboutTown Spring CoverGuts 3/5/07 4:19 PM Page 17 17•SPRING 200716•SPRING 2007 Braemar Succeeds Beyond Planners’Wildest Expectations When the plans for Braemar Park and Golf Course were laid in the early 1960s, few of the planners could have predicted the project’s resounding success. Warren Hyde’s prediction that anything beyond 40,000 rounds a year on the 18-hole course and sale of any more than 1,250 annual patron cards would be “beyond the capacity of Braemar” had been proved too conservative. Forty years later, “rounds played” exceeded 40,000 by a rousing 50 percent and more than 2,500 patron cards were sold. Harrold summed up his view of Braemar’s future with these positive words “…there are good reasons to be optimistic. Braemar is fully developed. It has a 27-hole full-length, regulation facility, an executive course, top-notch learning and practice facilities and programs, an indoor golf dome and, arguably, the finest golf course maintenance … public or private, in Minnesota. Above all, Braemar is one of the best-managed courses in the state … Taken as a whole, Braemar is one of the more comprehensive golf facilities … in the upper Midwest.” Background material and photographs for this article came from Braemar: Celebrating theForty-Year History of Braemar Golf Course by Roger Harrold; personal interviews with Carl and Anne Marth by Edina Historical Society’s Charlotte Hauck, and with Ken Rosland by Roger Harrold; a phone interview with Todd Anderson, Assistant Manager of Braemar Golf Course; a letter written by Caroline Marth Swanson, daughter of Carl and Anne Marth; and the City of Edina’s website. Joe Sullivan is an Edina resident and freelance writer. Write to him at edinamail@ci.edina.mn.us. Braemar historian Roger Harrold, author of Braemar: Celebrating the 40-Year History of Braemar Golf Course. Aerial view of Braemar’s Hole No. 12, looking south $29.95 BRAEMAR Celebrating the Forty-Year History of Braemar Golf Course, By Roger Harrold Whether you’re an avid golfer or simply a resident of Edina, Minnesota, you’ll find familiar vistas and amazing stories in Braemar: Celebrating the Forty-Year History of Braemar Golf Course.Braemar Golf Course is a vibrant part of the community and has been recognized nationally as an exceptional public course. The story of Braemar encompasses not only the story of Edina itself, but also the connection to Braemar, Scotland, a relationship founded before Edina’s Braemar Golf Course opened in 1964. Order your copy of this limited-edition hardcopy book today at www.BraemarGolf.com or buy at Braemar Golf Course or Edina City Hall. 9712 AboutTown Spring CoverGuts 3/5/07 4:19 PM Page 19 enterprise system; organizes foreign exchange programs; and oversees a mentoring program at North Star School. For his efforts, he was honored with the 2006 award. Mayor’s Community Involvement Commendation Awarded to a City employee for outstanding volunteer service to the community, above and beyond his or her position with the City. Horticulturist Tim Zimmerman received the 2006 award for his service to the Edina Garden Council and the North American Lily Society. The community is invited to attend the 2007 Volunteer Recognition Reception and applaud the extraordinary efforts of Edina’s volunteers. For more information or to make a reservation, call Human Services Coordinator Susan Heiberg, 952-826-0403. 19•SPRING 2007 Good deeds are performed throughout the community for the benefit of all in Edina. In Edina, nearly 70 community organizations add to the beauty, culture and recreational opportunities that bring many new residents and visitors to the City. Each year, the City sets aside an evening to focus on the efforts of its service clubs and recognize the individuals who have devoted time and energy to better the community. As part of Edina’s Annual Volunteer Recognition Reception, many volunteers will be recognized 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, at Edinborough Park. At the reception, each organization will be given the opportunity to recognize its own exemplary volunteers in a public setting. More than 25 community organizations are expected to participate in this year’s event. In addition, Mayor James B. Hovland will announce this year’s recipients of five Mayor’s Commendation Awards. The categories are: Mayor’s Service Club Commendation Awarded to a club or organization that has made outstanding contributions to the community through its regular activities or through special projects. The Friends of the Edina Library was presented the 2006 award. Collaborating with several other local organizations, the Friends of the Edina Library has organized and promoted “Edina Reads” for the past two years. In addition, over the past five years, the Friends have contributed money to the library for collections, furnishings and programming and to the City for the beautification of Grandview Square Park. Mayor’s Outstanding Senior Commendation Awarded to a senior citizen for outstanding volunteer service within the community. The 2006 award was given to dietician Janet Johnson, a longtime member of the Edina Chamber of Commerce and the Edina Federated Women’s Club. In addition to her work for the two organizations, she helped plan the 2006 Edina Senior Health & Resource Expo, attended by nearly 200. Mayor’s Youth Commendation Awarded to a young person who has demonstrated a commitment to improving the quality of life in the community. Kelly Hayes received the distinguished award in 2006. Kelly, now a sophomore at Edina High School, has been an active volunteer in youth athletic programs and at her church. In addition, she provides child care at Mary’s Place in Minneapolis and serves meals at People Serving People once per month. Mayor’s Connecting With Kids Commendation Awarded to an individual or organization making a positive impact in the lives of youth. David Kunz is known as a friend of youth—as a hockey coach, neighborhood dad who knows all of the kids’ names and as former Director of Community Service— Youth for the Rotary Club of Edina. Among his many Rotary responsibilities, Kunz helps plan Camp Enterprise, a three-day camp for students to learn more about the free City To Say Thanks AtAnnual Reception 18•SPRING 2007 612 285 5438 9712 AboutTown Spring CoverGuts 3/5/07 4:19 PM Page 21 21•SPRING 2007 By Christina Scipioni When Jack Sullivan studied engineering at Michigan State University, he learned about teamwork by building a concrete canoe with fellow students and testing its seaworthiness against others’ canoes. While Sullivan, who recently began work as Edina’s new Assistant City Engineer, might not use his concrete canoe-building skills anytime soon, his ability to work on a team makes him an excellent fit for the community. “Jack has the ability to communicate one-on-one with people,” said City Engineer Wayne Houle. “He has a broad range of experience in designing roadways and infrastructure, but what sets him apart is his ability to explain his projects to people who aren’t engineers.” In his new position, Sullivan will work with the community on many different projects. Working closely with Houle, Sullivan will assist in planning and designing municipal projects and traffic operations within Edina. In addition, Sullivan will act as staff liaison to the Transportation Commission. He will also assist with the planning, design, construction, inspection, administration and maintenance of public infrastructure. Out of all his responsibilities, Sullivan said what he’s looking forward to most is collaborating with a variety of people. “I’m excited about being able to work with residents, businesses and City staff to enhance Edina.” Along with his work in Edina, Sullivan is an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Great Lakes Log Builder Association. In the position, Sullivan succeeds Steve Lillehaug. Sullivan, who holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Michigan State University, worked for the past five years as a Senior Engineer for SRF Consulting Group. While there, Sullivan worked on numerous large-scale road projects, including the Highway 312 expansion project in Eden Prairie and the Crosstown Commons redesign in Richfield and Minneapolis. Prior to that, Sullivan was a Transportation Engineer at Parsons Transportation Group and an Engineer at Westwood Professional Services. “Jack has the ability to run and manage large-scale projects successfully,” Houle said. “His broad base of engineering experience, his passion for community and his energetic attitude will make him a huge asset to the Engineering Department and the citizens of Edina.” For more information on Edina’s Engineering Department, call 952-826-0371 or visit www.CityofEdina.com. Sullivan Begins Work As NewAssistant City Engineer 20•SPRING 2007 Jack Sullivan recently began work as Assistant City Engineer. Sullivan most looks forward to working with community members to enhance Edina. Ph o t o b y P o l l y N o r m a n West 50th and Vernon Avenue at Hwy.100 952-920-3996 www.washburn-mcreavy.com Family Owned & Operated Since 1857 EDINACHAPEL FUNERAL& CREMATION SERVICES 9712 AboutTown Spring CoverGuts 3/5/07 4:19 PM Page 23 The City of Edina is calling for entries in its fifth-annual Edina Heritage Award contest. The City established the award in 2003 to showcase local historic preservation activity. The Edina Heritage Award is given annually to an individual, family, company or organization that has made an outstanding contribution to the preservation, rehabilitation, restoration and use of Edina’s heritage resources. Any individual, company or organization is eligible for the award, including non-residents, but in order to be considered, the historic property or resource must be located in Edina. Current members of the City’s Heritage Preservation Board are not eligible for the award. No award was presented in 2006. The Morningside Neighborhood, located in northeastern Edina, was presented the 2005 Edina Heritage Award in May to commemorate its 100th anniversary. Morningside was the first residential neighborhood in Edina, platted with the extension of the Twin City Rapid Transit line—the early streetcar line between Minneapolis and Lake Minnetonka. The recipients of the 2004 award were the owners and tenants of Edina Theatre, 3911 W. 50th St., for their preservation of the theater’s sign and marquee. After purchasing the Edina Theatre, Haugland Company and tenant Landmark Theaters, Inc., refurbished the facility and the marquee. Eager to restore the sign and marquee to its former glory, the sign was repainted in June 2003 with colors such as “Peach Angora,” “Primrose Pink,” “Caroline Clay,” “Shell Tint” and “Chantrelle” to replicate the paint used 70 years before. The 2003 award winner was the Baird House, 4400 W. 50th St. The Heritage Preservation Board unanimously selected the Baird House for the award because of the homeowners’ careful attention in building a modern addition to the historic home the year before. The Heritage Preservation Board will select this year’s winner. The Edina City Council will present the award during National Preservation Month in May. The winner will receive a commemorative plaque. Since the National Trust created Preservation Week in 1971 to spotlight grassroots preservation efforts around the country, it has grown into an annual celebration observed by small towns such as Edina and big cities with events ranging from architectural and historic tours and award ceremonies, to fundraising events, educational programs and heritage travel opportunities. Due to its overwhelming popularity, the National Trust has extended the celebration to the entire month of May and declared it Preservation Month to provide an even longer opportunity to celebrate the diverse and unique heritage of our country’s cities and states and enable more Americans to become involved in the growing preservation movement. Announcement of the Edina Heritage Award during May is just one way the City commemorates the month. Award nominations are due 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 13. Anomination should include the address of the heritage resource; description of its preservation, rehabilitation and restoration; and name and address of owner. Aphoto should also be included. City Accepting Nominations For2007 Edina Heritage Award 22•SPRING 2007 Entries should be sent to: Edina Heritage Award, Edina City Hall, 4801 W. 50th St., Edina, MN 55424. Entries can also be e-mailed to EdinaMail@ci.edina.mn.us or filled out online at www.CityofEdina.com. For more information, call Associate Planner Joyce Repya, 952-826-0462. 23•SPRING 2007 9712 AboutTown Spring CoverGuts 3/5/07 4:19 PM Page 25 25•SPRING 200724•SPRING 2007 “We need your help to ensure the future of our history,” said Board President Kay Wetherall. “We raise our money through field trip income, grants, merchandise sales and the generous support of our members. The City of Edina has been generous in caring for our buildings, but our programming receives no tax dollars. We’re not raising money because we haven’t been helped. We are raising money to improve our organization—to become even better.” To donate, send a check to the Edina Historical Society, Attn: Membership, 4711 W. 70th St., Edina, MN 55435. Free gifts must be picked up in person during regular museum hours or donors should include an additional $5 for mailing costs. The Edina History Museum is open 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays and 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays and by appointment. For more information, call 612-928-4577. Edina’s primary resource for local historical information, the Edina Historical Society, wants to do an even better job of preserving and sharing the community’s stories. The Historical Society has begun a membership drive to get more people involved in the organization and raise money to expand its museum hours, update its permanent exhibit and improve record-keeping and archiving. The Historical Society was formed in 1969 as a non-profit organization to ensure that the community’s pioneer past was saved. Members collected photos, artifacts and conducted many interviews with the community’s first settlers. Every year, thousands of children experience a 1900s school day at historic Cahill School and Grange Hall in Tupa Park. Others explore the many decades of Edina’s history at the Edina History Museum, 4711 W. 70th St. The Society also offers outreach speakers to community groups, holds history programs and creates new exhibits on Edina. Members and staff also assist churches, civic groups, government, businesses and individuals research their own histories. “Even though we focus on the past, we constantly look to the future,” said Edina Historical Society Board Member Brenda Erickson, who is leading the organization’s fundraising committee. “We want to further our ability to preserve, tell and share Edina’s stories.” Specifically, the Historical Society wants to expand its museum hours. Currently, the museum is open Thursday and Saturday mornings and by appointment. With additional funding, the group could afford to staff the museum more often. The Historical Society also plans to update its permanent exhibit at the museum, which currently ends with a display of the opening of Southdale Center 50 years ago. The group’s other goal is to computerize its catalog to help 21st century researchers. Erickson said the Historical Society hopes to fund an online photo catalog and research database. The Historical Society currently has about 230 members. To raise $10,000 or more, Erickson is leading an aggressive membership drive. Cost of an individual membership is $15. Ahousehold membership costs $25. Amembership entitles a person to a free subscription to the quarterly Edina Historical Society newsletter, notice of history events in the community, a 10 percent discount in the museum gift shop and credit as a donor in the Edina Historical newsletter and website. “Friends” of the Historical Society donate $50 and also receive a free copy of Edina: Chapters in the City’s History by Paul D. Hesterman. “Supporters” donate $100 or more and also receive a 35-minute DVD or video about Edina’s history. “Sustaining Members” donate $250 or more and also receive a personalized hand-painted ornament of their Edina home, business or organization completed by ornament artist Linda Stewart. Corporate memberships are encouraged in any denomination. All corporate members will be recognized by name in the Historical Society’s newsletter. Corporate members who donate over $1,000 will be recognized by name in the newsletter and all other programming materials. Edina Historical Society BeginsMembership Drive9712 AboutTown Spring CoverGuts 3/5/07 4:19 PM Page 27 Contest winners will receive plaques from the City Council and their artwork will be displayed for up to two years at Edina City Hall. Some photos might also appear in future publications of About Town and AboutBusiness. Each entry should include the photographer’s name, address, zip code, daytime telephone number, age (if under 18), category, title of photo and enhancement description if there was any digital manipulation of the image. Entries will be judged on subject matter, composition, clarity, lighting, depth of field, artistry/drama, degree of difficulty, technical excellence and overall impact. Entries should be mailed to Photo Contest, City of Edina, 4801 W. 50th St., Edina, MN 55424. For more information on the contest, contact Communications Coordinator Laura Fulton at 952-826-0396 or lfulton@ci.edina.mn.us. Whether you prefer strolling around your favorite Edina park or driving through one of the City’s scenic neighborhoods, you have most likely had many opportunities to experience the ambiance of Edina. The City of Edina invites you to share the images you have collected over the past year in the fourth-annual “Images of Edina” Photo Contest. “Edina is a beautiful place to live and work,” said Communications & Marketing Director Jennifer Bennerotte. “Each year, countless photographs are taken in our community showing that Edina is the preeminent place for living, learning, raising families and doing business.” The City of Edina is asking you to share some of those photos by participating in its annual contest. Last year, Ilrid Richards won the photo contest with her photo “March Snows.” The photo is one of a rosy-cheeked boy wearing a bright green jacket and an Edina hockey hat covered with snow. Richards’ photo also won the “Raising Families” category of the contest. Judges selected photos by Polly Norman as winners in the “Living” and “Learning” categories. No prize was issued in the “Doing Business” category. The deadline to enter this year’s contest is 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 15. Following are the basic rules of the contest: •You must either work in Edina or be a resident to enter this contest. •Photographs must be entered in one of four categories, representing the City’s vision statement: Living, Learning, Raising Families or Doing Business. •All photos must have been taken between June 1, 2006, and June 15, 2007. •You may submit up to three color or black-and-white prints. •All entries submitted must be your own work. •Do not submit slides, photocopies, or prints that are not on photo-quality paper. •All photos must be trimmed to 8 x 10. •Do not mat or frame photos. •By entering the contest, you agree to let the City of Edina publish and display your photo(s) with proper credit. •The City of Edina will not be responsible for lost entries. •The contest organizers reserve the right to re-categorize or disqualify any entrant. •If there are identifiable people in the photo and it was taken in a non-public space, it is the responsibility of the photographer to obtain written permission to use the photo. •All decisions will be final, and judges reserve the right not to award in any category. •All photo entries become the property of the City and are not returned. City Calls For Entries InCommunity Photo Contest CallTed Field 952-927-1150 www.SeniorExpert.com 30+ years experience working with seniors 27•SPRING 200726•SPRING 2007 9712 AboutTown Spring CoverGuts 3/5/07 4:19 PM Page 29 29•SPRING 200728•SPRING 2007 EDINA 50th & FranceYYOOUURRNNEEIIGGHHBBOORRHHOOOODD TITLE RELOCATION warranties INsurance hotline HOMEDOCS recommends moving services guaranteed sales program exceptional properties REAL ESTATE RREEAALL EESSTTAATTEE PPRROOFFEESSSSIIOONNAALLSS A Full Service Lender Todd Johnson • 6800 France Ave • 612.207.9550 Kara Egan • 50th& France • 612.325.3735 Robin Leudtke • 6800 France Ave • 612.306.5925 MORTGAGE JOHN SHAW, MANAGER 952.927.1160 EDINA 6800 OFFICE JOHN SMABY, MANAGER 952.924.8757 EDINA 50TH & FRANCE OFFICE EDINA 6800 OFFICE Jeff and Diane Anderes 952-927-2842jeffanddianeanderes.edinarealty.com Ginni and Jeff Anderson 952-927-1669ginnianderson.edinarealty.com Jeff and Connie Cauble 952-927-1115jeffcauble.edinarealty.com John Everett 952-927-1646johneverett.edinarealty.com Jackie Goodlund 952-927-1647jackiegoodlund.edinarealty.com Maggie Goodyear 952-927-1657maggiegoodyear.edinarealty.com Ruthann Holetz 952-927-1624ruthannholetz.edinarealty.com Stacy Johnson 952-927-1608stacyjohnson.edinarealty.com Linda Jones 952-927-1781lindajones.edinarealty.com John MacKany 952-927-1163johnmackany.edinarealty.com John McDonald 952-927-1197johnmcdonald.edinarealty.com Joan E. Mitchell 952-927-1147joanemitchell.edinarealty.com Jude Dugan Olson 952-927-1186judeduganolson.edinarealty.com Linda Platt 952-927-1179lindaplatt.edinarealty.com Kevin Ries 952-927-1196kevinries.edinarealty.com Margie and John Sampsell 952-927-1195margieandjohnsampsell.edinarealty.com Wade Thommen 952-927-1152wadethommen.edinarealty.com Susan Wahman 952-927-1114susanwahman.edinarealty.com Corky Weber 952-927-1198corkyweber.edinarealty.com Michael Tierney 952-927-1676michaeltierney.edinarealty.com Pam Allen 952-915-7187pamallen.edinarealty.com Sandy and Buzz Bainbridge 952-915-7980sandyandbuzzbainbridge.edinarealty.com Babette Bean 952-924-8722babettebean.edinarealty.com Lou Blemaster 952-924-8744loublemaster.edinarealty.com Krysta Clark 952-924-8707krystaclark.edinarealty.com Sheila Cronin 952-915-7951sheilacronin.edinarealty.com Karen Daly 952-924-8746karendaly.edinarealty.com Patti Eastman 952-924-8786pattieastman.edinarealty.com Lisa Eckert 952-915-7964lisaeckert.edinarealty.com Tom Frisk 612-418-6642tomfrisk.edinarealty.com Janie Hays 952-924-8721janiehays.edinarealty.com Jim Jaeckels 952-924-8741jimjaeckels.edinarealty.com Bob Johnson 952-924-8727bobjohnson.edinarealty.com Ruth LeVine 952-915-7956ruthlevine.edinarealty.com Bob and Francy Matson 952-915-7960 bobandfrancymatson.edinarealty.com 952-915-7950 Brad McNamara 952-924-8785bradmcnamara.edinarealty.com Meg and Tom Meyers 952-924-8712 megandtommeyers.edinarealty.com 952-924-8799 Linda Smaby 952-924-8726lindasmaby.edinarealty.com Kathie Volland 952-915-7934kathievolland.edinarealty.com Colleen Wahl 952-924-8789colleenwahl.edinarealty.com 9712 AboutTown Spring CoverGuts 3/5/07 4:19 PM Page 31 To some, the smell of a wood-burning fire on a cool evening is a peaceful reminder of nature. To others, however, the smell is a nuisance and the noise that goes along with some recreational fires can be irritating. Sensitive to those who have complained about recreational fires in recent years, the Edina City Council last fall reviewed regulations and reduced the allowable hours of recreational fires within City limits. Now, open fires are not allowed between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday or between midnight and 7 a.m. Friday and Saturday. “We want residents to understand that recreational fires are a privilege, not a right,” said Fire Chief Marty Scheerer. “There are ways to burn responsibly. We would like everyone who wishes to have a recreational fire to be able to do so when the conditions are safe, but we do not want to have a nuisance created for neighbors.” The new time regulations are part of a long list of rules to which those residents burning open fires in Edina must adhere. •All recreational fires are considered open burning and a permit is required. Recreational fire permits may be obtained at the Fire Station No. 1, 6250 Tracy Ave., or online at www.CityofEdina.com/fire. •Recreational fires must be on private property. •Permits are valid only for the calendar year. •All fires needs to be contained within a fire ring, pit or similar device constructed for such use. •The fire is not to be located within 25 feet of any structure unless contained in a fireplace or manufactured wood-burning appliance, designed for burning wood and having an enclosed firebox and/or screening. •The fire in a wood-burning appliance shall not be located within 10 feet of any structure. •The area within a five-foot radius around the fire or device shall be reasonably clear of combustibles. The area directly above the fire shall be clear of all combustibles. •An approved form of fire extinguisher must be readily available at all times. This may be an extinguisher, hose or other equipment designed for such use. •The wood to be burned must be clean and produce little detectable smoke or odor. Only split and dry fireplace wood a minimum of three inches in diameter shall be used. No treated wood, construction materials or yard waste (leaves, grass, twigs, etc.) shall be burned. •Oils, combustible and flammable liquids, rubber, plastics, chemically treated materials, construction materials, hazardous waste and rubbish/trash are not to be burned or used as starting material. No flammable or combustible liquids may be used to kindle or rekindle a fire. •In all cases, the total fuel load of the fire shall not exceed three feet in diameter and two feet in height. Recreational Fires: A Privilege,Not A Right 30•SPRING 2007 •The prevailing wind at the time of burning needs to be away from nearby residences and must be less than 15 mph. •The fire must be attended at all times by at least one responsible person 18 years of age or older. •The fire must be completely extinguished before leaving it unattended. “The City is not trying to prohibit residents’ enjoyment of sitting at a fire outside their home during evening hours,” said Edina Fire Marshal Tom Jenson. “Our goal is to maintain a safe and neighborly environment in which all parties involved are happy with the arrangement.” It is very important that residents wishing to have a residential fire in their backyards inform their neighbors of their plans. “Often, the complaints we hear stem from neighbors not being made aware beforehand that their neighbor is planning a recreational fire,” said Scheerer. “If smoke is wafting into a neighbor’s house from across the yard or across the street even, we are permitted to discontinue that fire immediately. We take complaints seriously and respond to all valid grievances.” The City also asks that on the evening of a planned recreational fire, residents call the Edina Fire Department Recreational Fire Hotline at 952-826-0398. The Fire Department or the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources may restrict recreational fires during periods of high fire danger. Though April and May are the most common months of restriction, high fire danger may occur at other times. For more information on recreational fires visit www.CityofEdina.com/Fire. —Compiled By Laura Fulton 31•SPRING 2007 9712 AboutTown Spring CoverGuts 3/5/07 4:19 PM Page 33 Those who made donations of $1,000 or more to the Edina Park and Recreation Department in 2006 were: Given To/For State Farm CompaniesBraemar Golf Course Betty and Woody CaterEdina Art Center Jean C. SlatteryEdina Art Center Peggy Kelly Memorial FundEdina Art Center for Italian Mask-Maker Workshop Sandra L. ClarkEdina Art Center Sarah DelaneyEdina Art Center for collector pots Edina Community FoundationEdina Senior Center for defibrillator, supplies and mounting case Edina Community FoundationEdina Senior Center for LCD projector and installation Rotary Club of EdinaTransportation to summer programs North Star Lily AssociationArneson Acres Park for 170 registered lilies Edina Community Foundation11 Burr Oak trees and six River Birch trees Edina Community FoundationCentennial Lakes Park for Sunday concert series Those who made donations of $3,000 or more to the Edina Park and Recreation Department in 2006 were: Edina Community FoundationRosland Grant-In-Aid Program Edina Community FoundationYMCA/Tri-City Skate Park outdoor water fountain Edina Community FoundationCentennial Lakes Park for fireworks for Lighthouse Night Edina Community FoundationLewis Park netting and supports Those who made donations of $5,000 or more to the Edina Park and Recreation Department in 2006 were: Maureen BrockwayEdina Art Center for gas kiln Edina Crime Prevention Fund Those who made donations of $10,000 or more to the Edina Park and Recreation Department in 2006 were: Fairview Southdale HospitalJuly 4th fireworks For more information on donations made in 2006 or to make a donation to the Park and Recreation Department, contact Keprios, 952-826-0430. 33•SPRING 200732•SPRING 2007 More Than $66,000 DonatedTo Park And RecreationDepartment In 2006 Parks and other such amenities greatly improve the quality of life in a community. The City of Edina is the fortunate recipient of many donations each year that improve its parks, adding to the quality of life enjoyed here. Edina Park and Recreation creates community through people, parks and programs. In the year 2006, $66,275 in donations was received. “The City of Edina wishes to extend thanks and appreciation to all those who made contributions to the Edina Park and Recreation Department in the year 2006,” said Park and Recreation Director John Keprios. Those who made donations of $300 or more to the Edina Park and Recreation Department in 2006 were: Given To/For Eddi and Rick FeslerEdina Art Center Edina Community FoundationEdina Art Center Mark and Ruth ValgemaeEdina Art Center Braemar Men’s ClubBraemar Golf Course Mary HertogsEdina Senior Center for watercolor painting in memory of Maureen Malinosky Kathy AndrusTwo park benches memorializing her mother Those who made donations of $500 or more to the Edina Park and Recreation Department in 2006 were: Barbara BindgenEdina Art Center Patricia and Donald SullivanEdina Art Center Thomas W. OsbornEdina Art Center Kimberly Barret/Salara Inc.Edina Art Center Mary GouldEdina Art Center for pottery supplies Michael KellyEdina Art Center Linda MasicaEdina Art Center Nancy JenkinsEdina Art Center for even-heat kiln, furniture and supplies Edina Community FoundationEdina Art Center Laverne WheelerEdina Art Center Edina Community FoundationEdina Senior Center for volunteer recognition 9712 AboutTown Spring CoverGuts 3/5/07 4:19 PM Page 35 Housing the ABC students, keeping them fed and accounting for things like clothes, field trips and extracurricular activities gets expensive. And on top of those expenses, each student is allowed to go home over the winter holiday and for summer break. The cost of those trips is paid for by the Edina ABC Foundation. “Most people believe that since ABC is a national foundation that most of our costs are covered by the national budget,” said Nuness. “That pattern of thought is incorrect. Through fundraising and the generosity of our community, we keep the Edina ABC program going. We do not receive funds from [the national organization], and we are so grateful for the support we have throughout Edina.” One way to support the Edina ABC Foundation is through volunteerism. There are numerous volunteer opportunities, ranging from tutors to host families all the way to the board of directors. “Edina ABC students have mandatory study time from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday,” Nuness explained. “We have a number of highly skilled individuals who come in to help the students with any homework questions they might have. “Each student is also paired with a host family that they visit on the weekends. These families assist the students in establishing long-lasting, rewarding relationships with people in the community.” Volunteering is not the only way to contribute to the Edina ABC program. Events such as the upcoming ABC Gala offer community members opportunities to get involved with the program and learn more about the young adults who are benefiting from their charitable acts. The ABC Gala will take place April 14 at the Edina Country Club. Cocktail hour will start at 6 p.m., and guests will have opportunities to bid on silent auction items throughout the evening, as well as participate in a live auction. Back by popular demand, the band Fargo will shake up the dance floor. “The ABC Gala is about so much more than just raising funds,” said Ted Field, ABC volunteer and Gala Co-Chairman. “It is about community awareness about A Better Chance: Making ADifference Throughout Edina 34•SPRING 2007 35•SPRING 2007 By Laura Fulton 1964. Dartmouth College boasts the beginning of a program that will make a difference in countless lives, impacting numerous communities and making a huge dent in the educational opportunities allotted to those who are willing to take risks for their future. 1972. That same program, Project ABC: ABetter Chance, was implemented in the Edina public school system. 2005. The Edina ABC Foundation became the first ABC chapter to graduate 100 students. “ABetter Chance began in response to [President John F.] Kennedy’s quest for quality education for all students,” said Sherry Nuness, Director of the Edina ABC Foundation. “Edina’s program provides an academically intense environment that our ABC students might not have otherwise.” ABetter Chance is a national organization dedicated to providing strong educational opportunities to students of color. Students who enter into the program come from impoverished areas and schools throughout the United States. These students are put through a rigorous screening process both at the national level, as well as at the local level, before entering their new schools. The students brought into Edina schools range from freshmen to sophomores and usually spend their entire high school career at Edina. The Edina program is currently serving 12 students, six boys and six girls. “When Edina first began the ABC program, we started with 10 boys who lived in a duplex on France Avenue,” said Rollie Ring, who served as Edina High School Principal from 1952 to 1984. “We added four girls to the program in 1975 and have since grown to the largest public high school program in the country.” The growth of Edina’s ABC program has not come without a price, however. In 2006, the Edina A Better Chance Foundation held its first ABC Gala, benefiting the program and the students it serves. A Better Chance Foundation is an organization dedicated to providing strong educational opportunities to students of color. (continued on next page) Edina schools have opened up many opportunities for the students participating in the ABC program. Many of the students are often the first in their families to graduate from high school and go on to college. Ph o t o B y P o l l y N o r m a n 9712 AboutTown Spring CoverGuts 3/5/07 4:20 PM Page 37 the ABC Foundation. It is about getting together and celebrating culture. It is about family.” This is the second annual Edina ABC Gala. Single tickets are $100, while corporate tables cost $1,000 for 10 seats. The money raised that evening goes back into funding the Edina ABC program. While the community plays a huge part in the success of the Edina ABC Foundation, the students have found numerous ways to give back to the community. “Volunteerism is one of the distinguishing qualities we look for when choosing students to accept into our program,” Nuness said. “Once in the community, the students volunteer through the school, as well as through our program.” The students also participate in community events, such as the Edina Chamber of Commerce’s Emerald Gala and the Edina Federated Women’s Club’s Feds Fest, checking coats and markingsilent auction items. “Many of the ABC students who come to Edina are the first in their families to graduate from high school and to go on to college,” said Nuness. “Our community plays a huge part in the success of the [ABC] students. They too, however, have made this community a better place for all of us. By bringing in students from around the country, we have managed to break down some barriers that were built up in Edina and managed to build everlasting bridges and develop further our ever-growing understanding of each other.” And the students participating in the Edina ABC program are grateful for the opportunities Edina offers them. “The ABC program has opened up so many possibilities for me—more than I could have ever imagined,” said Luigi Ramirez, Edina ABC student. “To have all the opportunities offered to me in such a positive environment, I know I can succeed.” For more information about the Edina ABC program, contact Nuness at 952-848-3912, extension 3101 or visit the ABC Foundation’s website at www.EdinaABC.org. 37•SPRING 200736•SPRING 2007 For more information about the upcoming ABC Gala, contact Sarah Kumagai, ABC Board President, at 952-944-2683 or Field at 612-418-3901. Choose Award Winning Granite… Designed, Fabricated and Installed by Northwestern Marble and Granite 952-941-8601 www.northwesternmarble.com Choose Award Winning Granite… Designed, Fabricated and Installed by Northwestern Marble and Granite Visit our showroom at 7705 Bush Lake Road. We have the largest in-stock inventory in the Twin Cities! Visit our showroom at 7705 Bush Lake Road. We have the largest in-stock inventory in the Twin Cities! HOURS M-Th 8:30 - 7:00 •Fri 8:30 - 4:30 952-941-8601 www.northwesternmarble.com Sherry Nuness has worked with Edina’s A Better Chance Foundation for eight years. The most rewarding experiences she has had with the program include watching all the students she has worked with blossom into shining graduates and meeting the parents who let them go. Nuness is pictured here with Ted Field. 9712 AboutTown Spring CoverGuts 3/5/07 4:20 PM Page 39 Peddlers & Solicitors Peddlers and solicitors are allowed to sell their wares or services in Edina by going from door to door. Residents who do not want such entrepreneurs to knock on their doors must place a printed placard or sign reading “Peddlers and Solicitors Prohibited” on or near the usual entrance to their homes. No peddler or solicitor shall enter, ring the doorbell or knock on a door where a placard or sign is posted, unless he or she has been previously invited by the resident. Under local ordinance, peddlers and solicitors must obtain a permit from the Edina Police Department. The permits are valid for 14 days. Peddlers must wear an identification card issued by the City and conduct their business between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. They must go to the front door of a residence and are not allowed in residents’ side or rear yards. Peddlers and solicitors must promptly depart a property after completing business. Non-profit organizations established for philanthropic, religious or educational purposes do not have to obtain a permit, but must register with the Police Department. Some people do not have to register or carry a permit to go door to door. Those people include: •Those selling personal property at wholesale to dealers of such articles •Newspersons •Merchants delivering goods to established customers in the regular course of business •Farmers or gardeners •Students in kindergarten through Grade 12 who are selling items to benefit programs or activities in which they are involved •Bakery, dairy or grocery deliverers who make an uninvited initiatory visit in an effort to establish a regular route service for future delivery of perishables Political and religious canvassing or campaigning is not prohibited. Remember, you do not need to answer a knock at your door. If you are not sure who it is or are uncomfortable, don’t open your door. For more information, contact the Edina Police Department, 952-826-1610. Please report suspicious activity by calling 911. Refuse & Yard Waste Collection Refuse and yard waste containers can be placed at the curb or left at the side or garage door on collection day. Recycling must be placed at the curb. Before an amended ordinance was approved in 2006, residents were required to keep their trash at their side or garage doors for collection. In July 2006, a survey was conducted to determine residents’ collection preferences. Respondents were more than twice as likely to support an ordinance that would allow the option of bringing trash containers to the curb as they were to oppose it. Most indicated that bringing the containers to the curb would be more convenient for them or their haulers. With the It’s Not Only Neighborly … It’s The Law 38•SPRING 2007 survey results in mind, the City Council agreed to amend the ordinance. To protect those who might not be physically able to take their trash to the curb, the ordinance prohibits haulers from charging customers more to pick up containers at the house or garage. For more information, call Recycling Coordinator Solvei Wilmot, 952-826-0463. Lawn Watering Spring rainfall can be unpredictable. In order to ensure an adequate water supply for late summer, Edina’s odd-even sprinkling policy goes into effect May 1 and continues through August. Homes with even-numbered addresses may water their lawns on even-numbered dates of the week. Homes with odd-numbered addresses may water on odd-numbered dates. So, the family living at 4532 Parkside Lane could water their lawn on even-numbered dates—May 2, 4, 6 and so on. If the weather becomes exceptionally dry for an extended period of time, additional water restrictions might be put into place. However, because residents have faithfully observed the odd-even sprinkling policy, the City has had very few water emergencies in the past. For more information, contact Utilities Superintendent Roger Glanzer, 952-826-0311. 39•SPRING 2007 9712 AboutTown Spring CoverGuts 3/5/07 4:20 PM Page 41 Silver Circle donors have contributed at least $500 for a program sponsorship or other gift. These include International Dairy Queen for the Edina Dialogue, and many businesses for the 4th of July Parade: Adolfson & Peterson Construction, Bobby & Steve’s Autoworld Bloomington, Byerly’s Edina, Edina Bike & Sport, Edina Car Wash, Edina Laundry Company, 50th & France Business & Professional Association, Glenwood Inglewood Water, Gray Plant Mooty, Haugland Company, Remax Results/Lakeland Mortgage, Jerry’s Enterprises, Matthias K Builders, Schmit Towing, THE National Bank, Time Warner Cable, Sign Pro and Xcel Energy. Bronze Circle donors have given at least $250, also typically for an event sponsorship. These include M/A Peterson DesignBuild and Quality Seasons, both for the Country Club Neighborhood Association; M & I Marshall & Ilsley Bank, Noonan Construction, Plekkenpol Builders, Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapels, Western Bank and Westgate Pet Clinic, all for the 4th of July Parade; Key Cadillac and Pump It Up for the Holiday Home Tour; and Xcel Energy for the Edina Art Center Juried Art Show. Even a casual reading of this list shows that the many programs offered by the Edina Community Foundation are in a significant way the result of corporate philanthropy by our business and professional neighbors. We owe them our gratitude for working with the Foundation to strengthen the Edina community, and we thank the many people who have assisted our Board of Directors and staff in developing this corporate support. This list of generous contributors does not include the many family and individual donors who also help the Foundation serve the Edina community. Their names are listed in the Foundation’s Annual Report which was published in the last issue of About Town and also on the Foundations’s website. Please call or write me at the Foundation office if you would like to assist or join our corporate or individual giving programs. We look forward to working with the entire community to make Edina a premier place for living, learning, raising families and nurturing leadership through the development of a strong program of philanthropy. Questions about the Foundation or any of its programs may be addressed to Crockett or Program Coordinator Mary Brindle at 952-833-9573 or edinacommunityfoundation@ci.edina.mn.us. Additional information about the Foundation and links to other articles about the Foundation may be found at its website, www.EdinaCommunityFoundation.org. 41•SPRING 2007 Strengthening Our Community By Dick Crockett Executive Director 40•SPRING 2007 Edina Community Foundation:Corporate Support The basic mission of our Foundation is to strengthen the Edina Community, and an important part of this mission is to encourage philanthropy. One way we achieve that is with corporate and business support for programs that benefit our community. That support and these programs have both increased dramatically during the last year, and we want to recognize the generosity that has made that possible. Several local businesses are members of our Founders Club, pledging $25,000 payable over five years, with 25 percent of the contributions specifically designated for programs, 25 percent allocated to general support, and 50 percent added to our endowment fund, building our capacity to respond to future needs. Corporate members include Excel Bank, North American Banking Company and Crown Bank. During the last year, several Foundation programs received combined funding of over $10,000 from a Community Builder, the Dow Chemical Company Foundation on behalf of Film Tec Corporation. These programs included the Centennial Lakes Park Sunday Concert Series, improvements for Lewis Park, a defibrillator for the Police Department and a thermal imaging camera for the Fire Department. Community Benefactors have pledged a $5,000 contribution to the Foundation, payable within five years. These donors include Calhoun Insurance, Murphy Automotive, Think Federal Credit Union, Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapels and Western National Insurance Company. Other Community Benefactors have given $5,000 in sponsorship support of specific Foundation programs: Edina Lions Club for the Tri-City Skate Park and the 4th of July Parade, Edina Realty for the Holiday Home Tour, Excel Bank for the 4th of July Parade, Fairview Southdale Hospital for our Donors Reception, and International Dairy Queen for Connecting With Kids. Platinum Circle donors have made an annual contribution of $2,500 or more, generally for an event or program sponsorship. This includes the Centennial Lake Partners for Torchlight Concert fireworks, Kiwanis Golden K Foundation for the Senior Center, Marquette Asset Management for the Edina Dialogue and Qwest Communications for 50th & France holiday tree lighting. Gold Circle donors have made a $1,000 annual contribution, again often to help sponsor a Foundation program. These include Awin Management Company on behalf of BFI for our Recycling Scholarship; Calhoun Insurance and Christensen, Laue & Rasmus, both for the Holiday Home Tour and the 4th of July Parade; Edina Morningside Rotary Foundation for general program services; Ellingson & Ellingson for general operations and the 4th of July Parade; Renewal by Andersen and Sprongs, both for 50th & France holiday tree lighting; and Crown Bank, First Minnesota Bank, France Avenue Family Physicians, GEAR Running Store, North American Banking Company and Tidalwave Capital, all for the 4th of July Parade. 9712 AboutTown Spring CoverGuts 3/5/07 4:20 PM Page 43 43•SPRING 2007 By Laura Fulton Children play. It is through play that they learn to express themselves. It is through play that their imaginations come alive and they are able to break away from cultural biases and social structure and “just be kids.” It is through play that they are able to stay physically active. And the play they do at a young age helps form the adults they become in later years. Edina has countless opportunities for children and families to participate in playtime activities, as well as more structured activities geared toward older children and adults. Along with Edina’s Park and Recreation Department, the community also boasts incredible Community Education and YMCAyouth programs. The mission of Edina Community Education’s Youth Service Program is “to actively engage youth and members of the community in creating a democratic environment in which youth make decisions, choose options and make contributions that enhance their own development and improve the community.” “We offer programs that give kids more opportunities to enrich that which they have learned in school,” said Lori Murphy, Youth Enrichment Manager. “They spend time in the community, working and playing and enhancing their own development. Spending time out of the classroom gives Edina youth opportunities to expand on concepts they have already learned.” From aquatics to dance lessons to “Crazy Chemistry Camp,” Edina Community Education offers numerous ways for children to feed their interests and develop their personalities through active learning. And by creating a fun way to look at old topics and introducing new activities, Community Education promotes healthy attitudes in youth. Play Is Hard Work For Children 42•SPRING 2007 Edina’s Park and Recreation Department offer a plethora of activities for youth to participate in year-round. The playground program is one such program offered in the summertime to keep kids outside and active in a safe environment. The healthy attitudes that are generated through Community Education often interconnect with the goals of the Edina Park and Recreation Department. “Edina’s Park and Recreation Department wants kids to have as many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors as possible,” said Recreation Supervisor Susie Miller. “Edina has the facilities, the parks, the Aquatic Center; and we have the programs. As long as we keep promoting what we have to Edina youth and their families, and the public keeps using the facilities, we can keep kids active, healthy and happy.” The Park and Recreation Department especially encourages use of the parks through its Healthy Hornets program. “Healthy Hornets is a scavenger hunt program that encourages kids and parents to get out into the parks and explore,” said Recreation Supervisor Donna Tilsner. “With 10 different locations and trivia questions to answer along the way, the Healthy Hornets program is an adventure for any family.” Other programs that the Park and Recreation Department have implemented include a new running club for girls, a junior golf program, cheerleading camp and playground programs. “The playground program offers children a supervised opportunity to just be active in the parks,” Miller said. “Kids don’t necessarily need fitness classes. They need to get out, play and be active. With the playground program, kids can come out with us and play in a safe environment.” Echoing the concept that structured play is not always the best way to keep a child interested, the YMCAhas developed an after-school program called Homework and Gym. Homework and Gym allows youth to interact with others at the YMCAthrough a number of different activities. “Homework and Gym is open to youth throughout Edina, whether or not they are a YMCAmember,” said Jessica Myers, Southdale YMCAFitness Director. “We have one staff person during the period who is available to help with homework, organize activities and just allow youth to have fun in a safe place.” Edina Community Education offers numerous ways for children to feed their interests and develop their personalities through active learning. Programs promoting physical education, such as aquatic lessons, allow kids the ability to learn a new skill, along with promoting confidence. (continued on next page) 9712 AboutTown Spring CoverGuts 3/5/07 4:20 PM Page 45 45•SPRING 2007 Each month, the YMCAoffers specialty programs to get the entire family involved in fitness. Family Yoga is one of the most popular of these programs. “The YMCAworks to incorporate our four core values— caring, honesty, respect and responsibility—into each program,” said Myers. “Children and families who are active in our programs take away not only the knowledge that exercise and play are important aspects of a daily routine, but also an understanding of how their actions can affect the community around them.” The YMCAechoes back the ideals of Edina Community Education: community connectedness. Edina Community Education Services, the Edina Park and Recreation Department and the YMCA are only three organizations that offer programs, activities and fitness opportunities to youth in the City. Other businesses throughout the community might offer similar programs. For more information about the Edina Park and Recreation Department, visit www.CityofEdina.com/parks. For more information about Edina Community Education, visit www.edina.k12.mn.us/community. For more information about the Southdale YMCA, visit www.ymcatwincities.org/locations/southdale.asp. 44•SPRING 2007 Edina 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. 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! 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 9712 AboutTown Spring CoverGuts 3/5/07 4:20 PM Page 47 47•SPRING 200746•SPRING 2007 To reinvest in its infrastructure, the City of Edina recently increased its utility rates. In 2006, the City of Edina’s Finance and Public Works departments studied the City’s rates for water, storm water and sewer. To generate sufficient funds to repair and replace the City’s aging infrastructure, including some wells that are no longer functional without additional water treatment, the City adopted new rates and increased sewer and water connection fees. Sanitary sewer rates will increase 4.5 percent annually. The 2006 rate was $2.34 per 100 cubic feet. The 2007 rate will be $2.45 per 100 cubic feet. The City’s storm water rate will also increase to $14.39 per quarter. To promote water conservation and more fairly allocate utility costs based on usage, a new tiered water rate system has been established. Under the tiered system, residents will pay 93 cents per 100 cubic feet for the first 3,500 cubic feet, then $1.23 per 100 cubic feet for the next 3,000 cubic feet and $1.93 per 100 cubic feet for all water used over 6,500 cubic feet. The study indicated that under normal circumstances, 60 percent of customers use less than 3,500 cubic feet of water per quarter. Due to the volume of water some commercial and industrial properties use, commercial and industrial properties, including schools and churches, will pay $0.93 per 100 cubic feet up to 3,500 cubic feet and $1.23 per 100 cubic feet for water over 3,500 cubic feet. The charge for a new connection to the City water or sewer systems will increase from $1,000 to $2,000. For more information, visit www.CityofEdina.com or call the City’s Finance Department at 952-826-0373. Investing In Its Infrastructure: City Increases Utility Rates By providing customized investment strategies, we can work closely with investors to help them manage their wealth. Our Financial Advisors take the time to understand each investor’s needs and goals, and seek to deliver solutions that address their specific needs. Depending on investors’ needs, we can also offer access to global resources, which include lending solutions, alternative investments and insightful research. That’s what we mean by “You & Us.” For more information, call: 952-848-8040 877-850-6022 4999 France Avenue South, Suite 200, Edina, MN 55410 You &Us.Continuing our commitment to Edina investors. Paul Bordonaro Branch Manager Senior Vice President–Investments Ben Bratter Senior Vice President–Investments Nick Cronin Senior Vice President–Investments Keith Fahnhorst Senior Vice President–Investments Pete Gabler Financial Advisor Blane Hammer Senior Vice President–Investments Bob Hannah Financial Advisor Jim Hay Financial Advisor Christopher Holman Financial Advisor Dave Horan Senior Vice President–Investments Bob Kaufman Vice President–Investments Mike Koob Vice President–Investments Peter Levy Associate Branch Manager Senior Vice President–Investments Scott Schachtman Assistant Vice President–Investments Kevin Smith, Senior Vice President–Investments Jim Wilkinson Financial Advisor Skip & Debbie Thomas REMAX RESULTS Edina Graduates • Edina Residents Sam Giannakakis Senior LoanOfficer Direct: 952.820.3272 Fax: 952.820.3372 Cell: 612.816.1511 Pager: 952.907.3380 Email: sam@lakelandmortgage.com RESULTS Call For A Free Loan Approval! Call For A Free Market Analysis Skip & Debbie Thomas GRI, Realtors 5201 Eden Avenue Edina, MN 55436 Direct: 952.848.2404 Home: 952.927.4804 Fax: 952.848.2410 Email: skipthomas@iwon.com Website: www.skipthomas.com Sam Giannakakis Lakeland Mortgage Corporation TOP Producers that sell & finance homes in Edina and the Twin Cities! Active in Edina 9712 AboutTown Spring CoverGuts 3/5/07 4:20 PM Page 49 49•SPRING 200748•SPRING 2007 Editor's Note: The Edina Fire Department consists of three shifts of firefighter/paramedics, a paid-on-call group, an inspections team and a highly qualified administration. Over the course of the next year, About Town will feature the men and women who make up the Edina Fire Department. By Laura Fulton Members of the “A” Shift roll into the fire station at 7 a.m., knowing that the first order of the day is a sit-down meeting and a cup of coffee. Shift duties, such as who drives Medic 1 and who rides shotgun in Engine 81, are divvied up. They get information from Fire Chief Marty Scheerer and Assistant Chief Darrel Todd about recent reoccurring false alarms and any recent problems at Station No. 1 or Station No. 2. For the AShift, the morning meeting is a time to regroup and discuss the day ahead. It is also a time to rib each other about anything amusing that may have happened over the past few days. “Our shift of eight has been working together for over a year now,” said AShift Captain Jim Robinson. “When it came time to bid for shift placement, we all stayed with AShift, I think, because we have become so comfortable with each other that it just made sense.” “And most of us like how Jim runs the shift,” said Firefighter/Paramedic Pat Running. “We work well together and there is a type of silent communication among the group that gives us confidence to get things done as efficiently as possible.” Robinson, the leader of the group, has been a firefighter for nearly 35 years, 25 of which he has spent with the City of Edina. “I started in '73, following in the footsteps of my dad and a couple of uncles,” said Robinson. “And I came to Edina because I really wanted to work as a paramedic and a firefighter.” The appeal of working as both a paramedic and firefighter is a common thread among the AShift. Getting to Know The Edina FireDepartment: ‘A’ Shift “I was hired on eight years ago, after spending three years with the Cloquet Fire Department and two years in Cheyenne, Wyo., as a firefighter/paramedic,” said Firefighter/Paramedic Dominic Hadzima. “The fact that Edina offers a program to do both medic work and firefighting is huge.” Edina also offers the opportunity for shift members to be involved with the Special Operations Team (SOT), a specialized group that offers complete emergency response, such as water rescue and structural collapse assistance, to the City of Edina and surrounding communities. Nearly all members of the AShift are involved in the SOT. Some AShift members are also involved in other specialized programs, such as the Disaster Medical Assistant Team (DMAT). DMAT members respond to natural disasters throughout the nation. Jeff Siems, A Shift Lieutenant, is a member of DMAT and was deployed to Hurricane Katrina and other disasters. Firefighter/Paramedic Ryan Quinn is also a member of DMAT who responded to Katrina. “DMAT is an incredible program that allows us to work at a federal level, helping people around the nation,” said Quinn. “During disasters, we join with other emergency responders to help those most in need, while also representing the City of Edina.” Edina Firefighter/Paramedic Joe Struzyk is involved in the Emergency Response Team (ERT), a program that combines the Edina Police Department with the medical services offered by the Edina Fire Department. The ERT responds to high-risk situations such as hostage situations and civil disturbances and the medics are trained alongside police officers to work under a great deal of stress. Outside these different programs and outside their lives at the fire station, members of the AShift boast a wide variety of interests. Robinson helps heal sick and injured wildlife, Firefighter/Paramedic Bill O'Brien collects cars and Firefighter/Paramedic Mike Kregness boasts a family bakery. And the list goes on. But back at the station, these men agree that the city they have chosen to base their careers in has had a great impact on how they do their job. “I believe Edina has the small-town feel that is lacking in the larger cities and suburbs around this area,” said Kregness. “Because of this, we are able to provide exceptional service. The attitude of our shift also contributes to the consistency of our positive run times.” Kregness feels the shift's attitude reflects that of a close-knit family. “When you work with someone 24 hours straight, you get a pretty good feel for who they are,” said Robinson. “We really are more like brothers than co-workers. And I would trust my life in the hands of anyone on my shift.” They work as brothers, eat as a family and tease each other like a group of comedians. Whenever possible, The Edina Fire Department's A Shift comprises a group of highly skilled individuals dedicated to making the City of Edina a safer place to live, work and play. Ph o t o b y P o l l y N o r m a n (continued on next page) 9712 AboutTown Spring CoverGuts 3/5/07 4:20 PM Page 51 51•SPRING 200750•SPRING 2007 these men also like to incorporate the community into their teasing. Not long ago, in fact, the AShift took part in a local nurses' “amazing race,” agreeing to host the last in a series of clues at Fire Station No. 1. The AShift mischievously altered half of the clues, caused puzzlement among the hunters and ultimately generated an invitation from the scavenger hunt coordinator to participate in next year’s hunt. “Several members of AShift became involved in our ‘race’ by adding their creative touch to the clue the ‘contestants’ picked up from Station 1,” said Edina resident and nurse Kathleen Holman. “Not only did their creative touch add a tremendous amount of fun for all of us, but I also believe this simple act helped break down barriers that often exist between community members and uniformed officers.” “What can I say? People just love us,” said Quinn. “We are a delicate blend of brains and brawn and we like to live on the edge, joking as much as we can. Our jobs though, we take very seriously.” To learn more about the Edina Fire Department, visit www.CityofEdina.com/Fire. Edina City Hall4801 W. 50th St.952-927-8861 Edina Aquatic Center4300 W. 66th St.612-928-4582 (May-August) 952-826-0431 Edina Art Center4701 W. 64th St.612-915-6600 Braemar Arena7501 Ikola Way952-941-1322 Braemar Golf Course6364 John Harris Drive952-826-6799 Braemar Golf Dome7420 Braemar Blvd.952-826-6744 (November-April) Centennial Lakes Park7499 France Ave. S.952-832-6789 Edina Liquor - 50th & France3943 50th St.612-928-4551 Edina Liquor - Grandview5013 Vernon Ave.612-928-4566 Edina Liquor - Southdale6755 York Ave. S.612-928-4555 Edina Senior Center5280 Grandview Square952-833-9570 Edinborough Park7700 York Ave. S.952-832-6790 Fire Station No. 16250 Tracy Ave.952-826-0330 Fire Station No. 27335 York Ave.952-832-6080 Fred Richards Golf Course7640 Parklawn Ave.612-915-6606 (April-September) Public Works Building5146 Eden Ave.952-826-0376 Dial 9-1-1 to: •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 emergencythat requires immediate attention. When in doubt or unsure of any situation, call 9-1-1 and the dispatcher will assist you. 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. City Of Edina Facilities 9712 AboutTown Spring CoverGuts 3/5/07 4:20 PM Page 53 “The move downstairs makes the Edina Resource Center and Welcome Center accessible to all Edina residents,” said Burke. “The world of the Resource Center hasn't changed, just expanded. And the world of the Welcome Center is just getting started.” The Welcome Center staffs four individuals: two full-time ERC employees and two full-time employees for Student Registration. In addition, the Edina Resource Center relies on 28 hours of donated staff time from the City of Edina's Adaptive Recreation and Chemical Health programs and Bloomington Public Health and community volunteers. The Welcome Center registers all new students, including kindergarteners, open enrollment students, new families and students coming back to Edina from private or choice schools. Along with registration and documentation of age and school history, the Center provides families with immunization, transportation, food service and school district information. The Center also refers families to childcare options, housing assistance, financial support, employment opportunities and much more. By combining the roles of school registration and the Edina Resource Center, the Welcome Center is serving multiple needs, multiple customers and doing it cost efficiently. For more information about the Welcome Center or to find resources at the ERC, contact Burke at valburke@edina.k12.mn.us or visit www.edinaresourcecenter.com. 53•SPRING 200752•SPRING 2007 By Laura Fulton Welcome to Edina! That's the message of a new facility that opened last summer to provide community assistance to new Edina residents and families. The Welcome Center, a partnership between Edina Public Schools and the Edina Resource Center (ERC), is charged with registering new students in the school district, as well as connecting new families to the resources necessary to becoming part of their new community. “The idea behind the Welcome Center is to create a one- stop-shop for all Edina residents looking for information about their City,” said Valerie Burke, Edina Resource Center Coordinator, “especially those who are new to our community.” Edina is growing and the demographics of the community are changing, according to Burke. More seniors are moving into apartments and condominiums and Edina's immigrant population has doubled in the past five years. The definition of family has also changed, encompassing non-traditional families, such as single-parent and mixed families. The Welcome Center is one way to address these changes and create avenues for new and present residents to connect to the many resources, supports and amenities the community has to offer. “Our community is healthier and more vibrant if we can retain new residents and make their transition smooth and welcoming,” said Burke. “People should not have to work or search to find the services the City offers. That is why we are here.” To encompass the goals of the Welcome Center, the ERC moved from the third floor of the Edina Community Center to the first floor. Through Door No. 3 of the Edina Community Center, the Welcome Center acts as a fixture at the entrance. There's A New Welcome Center In Town The Edina Resource Center recently moved to the first floor of the Edina Community Center into the new Edina Welcome Center. The Welcome Center is Edina's one-stop-shop for all new resident and family needs, including new student registration. Ph o t o b y A n d r e w V i c k 9712 AboutTown Spring CoverGuts 3/5/07 4:20 PM Page 55 55•SPRING 200754•SPRING 2007 For information, contact: Kevin Escher (612-386-0175) Kevin@KevinEscher.com www.tamarackpoint.com TamarackPoint — Preserving resources,beauty and well-being — An environmentally planned community at Cable Lake, Wisconsin created in collaboration by Property Focus llc and TEA2 Architects ◆ • Architecturally planned—set in 55 acres of rolling birch and maple woodlands • Breathtaking, architecturally designed cottages—2, 21/2 and 3 bedroom; each located on a unique wooded site • 1,800+ feet of pristine shared lakeshore • Community ski and hiking trails, sauna, pavilion and bunkhouse • Upgrade packages available • All association maintained 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 will flush hydrants for two weeks in April. Random hydrants are also flushed throughout the year as weather and water demand allows. Hydrant-flushing will take place 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. In an attempt to minimize the impact on residents, hydrants will be flushed on the east side of Minnesota Highway 100 the week of April 9 and on the west side of the highway the week of April 16. Due to the hydrant flushing, it is inevitable that some residents will see rust-colored water coming from the tap that could stain laundry, but it is safe to drink. You should check for signs of discoloration prior to washing clothes. If the water is discolored when you turn on your tap, simply run the water until it is clear. Because the water system is a “single-pressure zone,” it is possible that red water problems will occur in any area of the City while flushing is occurring. For more information regarding hydrant flushing, call the Utilities Division at 952-826-0375 or 952-826-0312. City Of Edina To Flush HydrantsIn April O F M I N N E S O TA RENT ONE OFFICE,USE FIVE LOCATIONS Edina • St. Louis Park • Bloomington/ Airport IDS/Downtown Minneapolis • Woodbury Executive offices from $600 per month. 1-2 person offices with reception services, High Speed T-1 service, Flexible Lease Terms. Locally owned and operated since 1990. For information, please see our website at www.exsmn.com or call us at 952-851-5555 Executive SuitesEExxeeccuuttiivveeSSuuiitteess Ex 9712 AboutTown Spring CoverGuts 3/5/07 4:20 PM Page 57