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AboutTown_2010Autumn
AboutTown Magazine City of Edina 4801 West 50th Street Edina, MN 55424 www.CityofEdina.com Official Magazine of the City of Edina AUTUMN•2010 PRESORT STD U.S. POSTAGEPAID Permit No. 3932 Minneapolis, MN AboutTown Neal To Begin Work As City Manager See page 32 ***ECRWSS***POSTAL PATRONCAR-RT-WS Hennepin County has formed a partnership with 80 reuse retailers to offer “Choose to Reuse Today” coupons that can be redeemed for discounts from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30. Coupon books are available at participating retail locations, Hennepin County Service Centers, Hennepin County libraries and all Three Rivers Park District locations. Copies can also be downloaded at www.hennepin.us/choosetoreuse. Reuse retailers include businesses and organizations that rent, repair, resell, consign, trade and exchange used goods. Participating retailers include Beeline Consignment Boutique, Clothes Mentor, Creative Sewing Centers, Erik’s Bike Shop, Hope Chest for Breast Cancer, Instant Replay Sports, Just Between Friends, Midwest Mountaineering, Oceantech, Second Debut, The Prop Shop and more. For more information, visit www.hennepin.us/choosetoreuse or call 612-348-3777. You can also find Hennepin County’s Choose to Reuse Program on Facebook. AboutTownVolume 21, Number 4 Circulation 25,000Autumn 2010 Official Publication of the www.CityofEdina.com City of Edina, Minnesota 4801 West 50th Street Edina, Minnesota 55424 952-826-0359 Editor: Jennifer Bennerotte Contributing Writers: Dick Crockett, Marty Doll, Kathy Iverson, Joe Sullivan, Kaylin Martin Photographers: Michael Braun, Polly Norman and Diana Hedges Layout Editor: Kaylin Martin Publisher: City of Edina About Town is produced by the City of Edina. To advertise in About Town, call Marty Doll at 952-826-0396 . Copyright 2010 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. Cover photo by Ben Carron ‘Choose To Reuse Today’ Coupons Available Table of Contents Calendar Of Events ..........................................................................1 Autumn Calendar Highlights .........................................................4 A Word From The Mayor ...............................................................5 1903 Sanitarium In South Minneapolis Was World’s First Chiropractic Clinic ....................................................6 It’s Not Only Neighborly ... It’s The Law ...................................12 Edina Day of Service Set For Oct. 9 .............................................14 Nelson Named Deputy Police Chief ...........................................16 Edina Golfers Leave Over $300,000 To City Course .................18 Six Campaign For Seats On Edina City Council ........................20 Voters To Elect Council Members In November .......................24 Candidates To Leave Mark With Community’s Youngest ......26 A Taste Of Creativity .....................................................................30 Neal To Begin Work As City Manager .......................................32 City, Police IT Staff Merge Into New Department ....................34 Police Department Hopes To Curb Texting With Yearlong Initiative ................................................................36 Tie On A Red Ribbon To Support Safe And Sober Driving .................................................................38 New Public Works Facility A Success For Employees, Residents ....................................................................40 VEAP Prepares To Distribute Holiday Joy .................................42 Braemar Manager Spent Over Half A Lifetime On City Course ...............................................................44 Edina Community Foundation: The Power Of Philanthropy .... .....................................................48 Business Notes ................................................................................52 Photo Gallery ..................................................................................55 1 • AUTUMN 2010 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1Municipal Liquor food drive begins, Edina Liquor. 210 a.m., Grandma & Me “Best Friends Day,” Edina Senior Center. 37 p.m., River City Jazz Orchestra, Edinborough Park. 4 57 p.m., City Council & HRA, Edina City Hall. 6 7Noon, Wonderful World of Woody, Edinborough Park. 5:30 p.m., Zoning Board of Appeals, Edina City Hall. 8 9Edina Day of Service. 107 p.m., Brio Brass, Edinborough Park. 11 127 p.m., Park Board, Edina City Hall. 7 p.m., Heritage Preservation Board, Edina City Hall. 13 15 16 177 p.m., Honeywell Concert Band, Edinborough Park. 18 196:30 p.m., Community Health Committee, Edina City Hall. 7 p.m., City Council & HRA, Edina City Hall. 20 215:30 p.m., Zoning Board of Appeals, Edina City Hall. 6 p.m., Transportation Commission, Edina City Hall. 22 23 267 p.m., Human Rights & Relations Commission, Edina City Hall. 25 247 p.m., Somewhat Dixieland Band, Edinborough Park. 317 p.m., First John Philip Sousa Memorial Band, Edinborough Park. October 2010 277 p.m., Planning Commission, Edina City Hall. 284:30 p.m., Art Center Board, Edina Art Center. 296-9 p.m., Halloween Party, Edinborough Park. 14Noon, Bob the Beachcomber, Edinborough Park. 7 p.m., Energy & Environment Commission, Edina City Hall. 3010 a.m. - 1 p.m., Pumpkin Festival,, 50th & France About Town Calendar 2 • AUTUMN 2010 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 2General Election.3 4Noon, Wonderful World of Woody, Edinborough Park. 4 p.m., Taste of Creativity, Edina Art Center. 5 618 a.m., Braemar Golf Dome opens for the season. 7 p.m., City Council & HRA, Edina City Hall. 77 p.m., Star of the North Concert Band, Edinborough Park. 8 97 p.m., Park Board, Edina City Hall. 7 p.m., Heritage Preservation Board, Edina City Hall. 10Gift sale begins at Edina Art Center. 11Veterans’ Day. City Hall closed. Noon, Bob the Beachcomber, Edinborough Park. 12 13 147 p.m., Roseville Big Band, Edinborough Park. 15 167 p.m., City Council & HRA, Edina City Hall. 17 196:15 p.m., Cinderella’s Princess Ball, Edina Senior Center. 20 217 p.m., Good News Big Band, Edinborough Park. 22 237 p.m., Human Rights & Relations Commission, Edina City Hall. 24 25Thanksgiving. City Hall closed. 26City Hall closed. 27 3029287 p.m., First John Philip Sousa Memorial Band, Edinborough Park. November 2010 184:30 p.m., Art Center Board, Edina Art Center. 5:30 p.m., Zoning Board of Appeals, Edina City Hall. About Town Calendar 3 • AUTUMN 2010 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 17 p.m., Planning Commission, Edina City Hall. 2Noon, Okee Dokee Band, Edinborough Park. 5:30 p.m., Zoning Board of Appeals, Edina City Hall. 3 4 57 p.m., Minneapolis Police Band, Edinborough Park. 6 77 p.m., City Council & HRA, Edina City Hall. 8 9Noon, Bob the Beachcomber, Edinborough Park. 7 p.m., Energy & Environment Commission, Edina City Hall. 10 11 127 p.m., Just Friends Big Band, Edinborough Park. 13 147 p.m., Park Board, Edina City Hall. 7 p.m., Heritage Preservation Board, Edina City Hall. 15 17 18 197 p.m., Bend in the River Big Band, Edinborough Park. 20 217 p.m., City Council & HRA, Edina City Hall. 22 23Noon, Wonderful World of Woody, Edinborough Park. 4:30 p.m., Art Center Board, Edina Art Center. 24Christmas Eve. City Hall closed. 25 287 p.m., Human Rights & Relations Commission, Edina City Hall. 2726 December 2010 297 p.m., Planning Commission, Edina City Hall. 30 31New Year’s Eve. City Hall closed. 165:30 p.m., Zoning Board of Appeals, Edina City Hall. 6 p.m., Transportation Commission, Edina City Hall. About Town Calendar A Word From The Mayor When Gordon Hughes announced his retirement as City Manager on March 10, the City Council faced the decision of determining what type of process to use to search for only the fourth City Manager in Edina’s history. Mr. Hughes had been an internal hire as City Manager in 1998, but in 2010 the Council determined to go on a broader geographic search, based primarily in Minnesota, using the assistance of a consulting search firm. From the results of four interviews, in April the Council selected PDI Ninth House to coordinate the search. PDI was chosen for its ability to assist in a full and complete search comprised of candidate profile development, recruitment screening and evaluation, finalist assessment and a six-month performance review. In late April, the Council met with PDI representatives to design a process that would gather citizen input and participation at the outset regarding the qualities and skills desired in a new City Manager. Discussions also ensued regarding engaging citizens, staff and department heads in the actual candidate interview process. PDI began recruitment in late April. The application period closed on June 4, with 29 applicants. The Council gave PDI permission to make the first screening decision and reduce the number of applicants to approximately 15 by eliminating those who did not meet or barely met the established minimum requirements. The Council thereafter received information on the 15 remaining candidates and on July 6, six candidates were selected for interviews by a citizen panel (composed of whomever so desired to be part of the process from the community), and panels representing department heads and City staff. After those interviews, one of the candidates dropped out. The Council thereafter cut the candidate list to four individuals who then interviewed with a panel of professional city managers. Their evaluation results were provided to the Council. All of the candidates were determined to be appropriate for undergoing professional testing by PDI. Subsequently, between early and mid-August, two of the four candidates withdrew. The Council thereafter announced the finalists as current City Managers Scott Neal of Eden Prairie and Dean Lotter of New Brighton. Recorded public interviews before the Council were held with both candidates on Aug. 30, and on Aug. 31, the Council, by straw vote, unanimously agreed to extend an offer of employment as City Manager to Scott Neal. The Council appointed Council Member Ann Swenson and me to negotiate with Mr. Neal, and on Sept. 7, the Council approved the proposed contract. For those who do not know him, you will find Scott Neal to be humble, warm, smart, competent, highly approachable and an excellent communicator. I anticipate he will immerse himself in all things Edina within a very short time. We should all enthusiastically welcome Scott to our community. I know he will work diligently with each and every citizen to help make Edina an even better place to live, raise families and do business in the future. James B. HovlandMayor 5 • AUTUMN 20104 • AUTUMN 2010 Autumn Calendar Highlights Other Dates To Remember Oct. 21 Noon, Brodini Comedy & Magic Act, Edinborough Park. Nov. 4 5:30 p.m., Zoning Board of Appeals, Edina City Hall. Nov. 18 Noon, Brodini Comedy & Magic Act, Edinborough Park. Nov. 18 6 p.m., Transportation Commission, Edina City Hall. Nov. 18 7 p.m., Energy & Environment Commission, Edina City Hall. Dec. 16 Noon, Brodini Comedy & Magic Act, Edinborough Park. Halloween Party What: Attention boys and ghouls! Edinborough Park offers another night of fun, excitement and a little bit of fright. Join in for trick-or-treating, games, a comedy show and much more. When: 6-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29. Where: Edinborough Park, 7700 York Ave. S. Info: 952-833-9540 or www.EdinboroughPark.com. Pumpkin Festival What: The 50th & France Business and Professional Association hosts Pumpkin Festival, a fall event for children. Activities will include horse-drawn trolley rides, costume parade for kids and pets, cake walk and trick-or-treating. The Pumpkin Festival has been a long standing tradition of this community and provides a fun, safe Halloween celebration for children and their families. When: Saturday, Oct. 30. Trick-or-treating will be allowed 10 to 11 a.m. and all other activities from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: Downtown Edina, 50th Street and France Avenue. Info: 50th & France Business and Professional Association, 952-922-1524, or www.50thandfrance.com. Fil e P h o t o By Joe SullivanContributing Writer In his Brief History of Chiropractic, chiropractor Dr. Reed B. Phillips had this to say about the origin of the profession: “Rarely is the birth of a new idea, or a new organization, the consequence of a singular event. However, the genesis of a new profession, chiropractic, is attributed to a single date: Sept. 18, 1885, and a single place: Davenport, Iowa.” That was when and where Dr. Daniel David Palmer placed his hands upon an irregular protrusion from the spine of janitor Harvey Lillard and, with a forceful thrust, reduced the irregularity. Palmer performed that first chiropractic “adjustment” after examining Lillard and diagnosing a misplaced vertebra in his upper back. Earlier, the janitor had reported a 17-year loss of hearing that had followed “something that gave in his back.” After Palmer adjusted Lillard’s misplaced vertebra, he immediately noticed a marked improvement in his hearing. After that first adjustment, Palmer continued to develop chiropractic. In 1987, he established the Palmer School of Cure, later to be known as the Palmer College of Chiropractic, in Davenport, where it remains today. Quite a few people were interested in finding out more about Palmer’s newly discovered science and healing art. At the turn of the 19th century in America, healthcare was more a craft than an art. The integration of science into treatment methods and training processes was sorely lacking, as evidenced by widespread condemnation, even of medical colleges. Outside of the medical profession, there were numerous practitioners such as herbal healers, bone setters and homeopaths offering spurious “cures.” A Crucible Of ConfusionAlready replete with procedures like leeches, lances, tinctures and plasters, other early chiropractors of that era were, to some degree, products of that environment. In 20th century America, doctors of medicine were challenging doctors of chiropractic with charges of practicing medicine without a license. The chiropractors retorted that practicing chiropractic and practicing medicine were entirely different. To emphasize the difference, the chiropractic community developed a different rationale for its approach. Medicine’s search for disease processes, assigning 1903 Sanitarium In South Minneapolis Was World’s First Chiropractic Clinic 6 • AUTUMN 2010 appropriate labels and providing remedies was different from chiropractic’s search for interference in the human nervous system that could ultimately lead to dysfunction and disease. Doctors of chiropractic rejected the use of medicines and drugs and didn’t incorporate the practice of surgery. Chiropractic was conceived as a more natural approach to healing than medicine, drawing upon the body’s own recuperative powers. A relentless reader of all things scientific, Palmer realized that although various forms of manipulating the human body had been used for hundreds of years, no one had developed a philosophical or scientific rationale to explain its effects. Palmer’s major contribution to healthcare became the codification of the philosophy, art and science of chiropractic, which he based on his extensive study of anatomy and physiology. Sullwold Chiropractic, MinneapolisIn 1903, Dr. Reinhardt Sullwold opened his first Chiropractic Sanitarium at 2909 Stevens Ave. in south Minneapolis. He had graduated from two chiropractic schools, one of which was Palmer’s. He also laid claim to 20 years of experience as a chiropractor. However, chiropractic was still not widely accepted as a legitimate healthcare practice. During the winters, he estimated that a quarter of his patients were farmers, many of whom traveled by train from rural areas of Minnesota and North Dakota looking for relief from back or limb injuries. Many of these men lived at Sullwold’s Sanitarium for extended periods while receiving chiropractic treatment that would allow them to return to work on their farms. In those days, there was considerable skepticism about chiropractors. If you asked an average person for an opinion of chiropractic treatment, they would probably have described it as being one step above the so-called “medicine shows” selling “snake oil.” These were products of questionable effectiveness. They were being sold from the back of horse-drawn wagons by itinerant pitchmen, who would leave town by the time anyone could find out their products usually contained high levels of alcohol. Many licensed doctors of medicine held chiropractors in high contempt for their largely unproven methods 7 • AUTUMN 2010 Sullwold Sanitarium was located at 2909 Stevens Ave. in Minneapolis. (continued on next page) Dr. Reinhardt Sullwold The Meaning Behind The Name The word “chiropractic” comes from the Greek words kheir meaning “hand” and praktikos meaning “concerned with action,” i.e. “by hand action.” The name was chosen by Dr. Daniel David Palmer, the first champion of the chiropractic profession. Su b m i t t e d P h o t o Su b m i t t e d P h o t o 8 • AUTUMN 2010 9 • AUTUMN 2010 and doubtful outcomes. In many cases, they were linked to magnetic gadgets and mechanical gimmicks, which did not add to chiropractors’ credibility. Beginning in the 1920s, the American Medical Association (AMA) began to take some of the sting out of their criticism of chiropractic. By the 1960s, there was still a sufficient number of physicians who were critical enough to foster a lawsuit designed by the AMA to discredit chiropractors. The final verdict would not be reached until 1987. But when it did happen, the chiropractors’ defense prevailed. From that verdict until the present day, treatment of pain and many other maladies has broadened to include two acceptable kinds of treatment: traditional medical/surgical procedures and chiropractic therapy. Chiropractic treatment is now included in the definition of primary healthcare by most medical physicians. Second Sullwold SanitariumSullwold died in 1933. A short time later, under the direction of his son Harold Sullwold, also a graduate of the Palmer College, the original Sanitarium was moved into a residential home on the northeast corner of West 50th Street and Upton Avenue, not far from Minneapolis’ southern limits at 62nd Street. From 1939 to 1942, I was a student at Robert Fulton Elementary School, which was only two blocks from the second Sullwold Sanitarium. I can recall walking by that converted dwelling and wondering what was going on behind the small sign on that building, which read only: “Dr. H. Sullwold, Chiropractor.” Chiropractors were not as common as they are today, and it remained a complete mystery to me for many years. In the 1950s, Harold Sullwold moved his chiropractic clinic to another new location – 12 blocks to the west on West 50th Street at Ewing Avenue, still in southwest Minneapolis. It was located directly across 50th Street from a Piggly Wiggly grocery store that would later become today’s Pearson’s Restaurant. A Three-Generation Chiropractic ClinicDr. Wayne Sullwold entered the family practice in 1965, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Dr. Reinhardt Sullwold, and his father, Dr. Harold Sullwold. A 1967 graduate of Southwest High School in Minneapolis, he starred in cross-country running and the mile-run on the track team. Like his father and grandfather, he also graduated from Northwestern College of Chiropractic. Dr. Wayne served as past president of the Hennepin County Chiropractic Association. He also received a distinguished service award from the Minnesota Chiropractic Association in 1991. Straights And MixersDr. Wayne entered a profession that had evolved into two main groups. Chiropractic is now often described as two professions attempting to live under one roof, albeit with some tension. The more conservative group, called the “straights,” now in the minority, emphasizes (continued on next page) Dr. Harold Sullwold Dr. Harold Sullwold Ph o t o b y K a y l i n M a r t i n Su b m i t t e d P h o t o Su b m i t t e d P h o t o Founded in 1903, 50th & France Chiropractic is located at 3948 W. 50th St., in a suite above D’Amico’s. From Sullwold’s 1903 Brochure An early 10-page brochure produced by Sullwold Sanitarium contained stories of grateful patients, positive outcomes and the importance of the spine as the center of the human nerve system. At the bottom of the brochure’s back cover, the following paragraph was directed at clinic patients, who would arrive at one of the two railroad stations in downtown Minneapolis: How To Get There Take any south-bound Marquette streetcar to Lake Street, then transfer and go east two blocks to Stevens Avenue. Walk one-half block north. Will meet any out-of-town patients if notified in time. 10 • AUTUMN 2010 11 • AUTUMN 2010 spinal adjustments in their treatments and do not “mix” other types of therapies. Straight chiropractors follow the traditional belief that spinal dysfunction can interfere with the body’s functions. They believe the body’s “innate intelligence” to be the leading healer of injuries and disease. They usually prefer traditional chiropractic terminology. The second group, referred to as “mixers,” is more open to mainstream medical and alternative procedures. They employ many conventional techniques of physical therapy, including exercise, massage, ice packs and moist heat, along with nutritional supplements, acupuncture, homeopathy, herbal remedies and biofeedback. Mixers are now the largest group. In recent decades, chiropractic has gained more legitimacy and greater acceptance among medical physicians and health insurance plans. Evidence-based medicine has been used to review chiropractic research and establish general practice guidelines. Two Pairs Of Newly Minted Chiropractors Take Over Sullwold ClinicIn 1997, doctors Rob Scot and Crista Bolin, two more graduates of Northwestern College of Chiropractic, became the new owners of the Sullwold Clinic.Three years later, doctors Christopher Jo and Carrie Clark, also graduates of what is now known as Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, purchased the clinic and practice from Scot and Bolin in July of 2000. A short time later, the new owners moved the clinic into larger quarters in the back of the second floor at 50th and Halifax Avenue. You can now find it at 50th & France Chiropractic Wellness in Suite 203, above D’Amico’s restaurant. What Is Today’s Chiropractic?Chiropractic is now a full-fledged branch of the healing arts professions. It is based primarily on the understanding that good health depends, in part, on a normally functioning nervous system – with particular attention to the spine and the nerves extending from it to all parts of the body. “We still believe in the body’s innate intelligence to heal itself, the natural and effective way to treat the body and promote healthcare,” said Dr. Chris Jo. “Modern chiropractic physicians are highly trained doctors who specialize in the science of the spinal column, musculature structures and the nervous system. But as ‘mixers,’ we also employ many of the methods used by medical doctors and physical therapists. We have also added maternity care to our clinic’s services and today, roughly half of our practice involves care before, during and after pregnancy.” Chiropractic doctors generally use gentle, low-force techniques – especially on patients younger than 6 or older than 65 and others who prefer it. Otherwise, they rely on standard diversified or biophysic techniques, depending on the body part, body type or the duration of the correction required. Jo put it this way in a recent interview: “Each of our doctors has the knowledge and experience gained in 20 or more years of treating patients with all types of physical problems in a clinical setting. They use the same time-honored methods as any other doctor: consultation, case history, physical examination, laboratory analysis and X-ray examination. But they also provide a careful chiropractic structural examination. Accidents, falls, stress, tension, over-exertion and countless other factors can result in a displacement or derangement of the spinal column, causing irritation to spinal nerve roots. Reducing or eliminating this irritation to spinal nerves can cause the body to operate more efficiently and more comfortably.” In addition to chiropractic care, 50th & France Chiropractic also offers acupuncture, massage therapy and electrodermal screening. Photos and background material for this article came from Wayne Sullwold, Christopher Jo and Carrie Clark; A Brief History of Chiropractic by Dr. Reed B. Phillips; and two brochures: Sullwold Sanitarium, “Help Nature Help You” (1903) and Sullwold Chiropractic Clinic, “A Family Tradition Since 1903” (1991). Current owners of 50th & France Chiropractic are doctors Christopher Jo, David Patterson and Carrie Clark. Ph o t o b y M i c h a e l B r a u n It’s Not Only Neighborly … It’s The Law 12 • AUTUMN 2010 13 • AUTUMN 2010 The Law: City Code Section 1200.02 Encumbrances or Obstructions. “… No person shall obstruct, encroach upon, encumber, or interfere wholly or partially, with any street, boulevard, alley, sidewalk, easement, park or public ground by placing … refuse, as defined in Section 705.” What It Means: Keep fallen leaves out of the street to help prevent clogging the storm sewer, which can lead to water runoff, backups and flooding. In the fall, three street sweepers work eight to 10 hours per day for four to six weeks collecting leaves throughout the City. If residents rake leaves from their yards into the streets, the street sweeper will not be able to keep up. Residents should compost their leaves or contact their refuse hauler for proper disposal. Licensed haulers in the City are Allied Waste Services, 952-941-5174; Aspen Waste, 612-884-8000; Garbage Man, 763-230-7499; Vierkant Disposal, 612-922-2505; Suburban Waste Service, 952-937-8900; and Waste Management, 952-890-1100. The Law: City Code Section 1400.10 Removal of Vehicles After Snowfall. “No person shall park or leave standing any vehicle on any street or alley in the City after a snowfall of at least 1.5 inches in depth until after the snow on the street has been removed or plowed to the curb line. Any vehicle parked or left standing on the street in violation of this Subdivision may be removed by or under the direction of any police officer or City employee.” What It Means: Many Minnesotans have made the mistake of parking their cars or trucks on the street during a snowstorm, only to find later that their vehicles have been “buried” or “plowed in.” Seeing a parking ticket on your windshield would only add to the frustration. You can avoid a citation or tow by following these rules. No vehicle may be parked on a City street, highway or alley under the following conditions: • When 1.5 inches or more of snow has fallen, until it has been plowed to the curb line. • For six hours after the snowfall stops, unless traffic signs specifically allow you to do so or if you are engaged in certain job-related activities as described in the City Code. • From 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. Nov. 1 to March 31. It is extremely important for residents to keep their vehicles off of the roadways during these times. Edina’s Public Works Department has a reputation for providing top-notch snow removal services, but staff members need your help. Cars parked on the street make it difficult for snowplow operators to maneuver and also prevent the street from being thoroughly plowed. By parking in driveways or lots, you will avoid parking tickets and the expense and inconvenience associated with towing. For more information, contact Assistant Public Works Director Roger Glanzer, 952-826-0311. The Law: City Code Section 1200.03 Snow and Ice Removal. “… All snow and ice shall be removed from a sidewalk by the owner of the property adjoining the sidewalk within 48 hours of the cessation of the precipitation.” What It Means: Any snow removed from your walkways, driveways or sidewalks must remain on your property. Do not shovel snow into the street or onto your neighbor’s property. If you have a sidewalk, keep it plowed or shoveled for the safety of you and your neighbors. If a fire hydrant is located on your property, please remember that you need to clear snow away from it. As soon as the snow stops falling, start to clear away the snow so that the hydrant is visible. The few minutes it takes to provide access to a fire hydrant might save you and your neighbors precious time in an emergency. Leaves Edina Snow Parking RegulationsEdina Snow Removal Regulations 14 • AUTUMN 2010 15 • AUTUMN 2010 By Marty Doll Edina residents, businesses and members of the faith community are encouraged to volunteer their time and talents during the second-annual Edina Day of Service on Oct. 9. Last year’s inaugural event, modeled after similar service days in cities across the country, encouraged more than 1,300 volunteers to spend over 5,000 hours serving Edina and surrounding communities. “Last year was an incredible success,” said Heather Haen Anderson, Executive Director of Connecting With Kids and co-chairwoman of the Edina Day of Service. “We had over three dozen service sites – and those were just the ones that we knew of!” Last year’s Day of Service motivated Girl Scouts to collect books for donation, Boy Scouts to clean up a portion of Nine Mile Creek, and members of the Edina Senior Center to knit mittens and hats for less fortunate children. A number of area churches and businesses held outdoor clean-ups, food and clothing drives and other service-oriented events. Some groups – like the Edina Morningside Rotary Club, which spent the day cleaning up a section of Highway 100 – scheduled their annual service projects for the official Day of Service. “This community does a lot of service already, and this gives people the opportunity to think about the power and impact they can have in just one day,” said Assistant Edina City Manager Heather Worthington, another co-chairwoman of the event. “The Day of Service is open to anyone who wants to volunteer to help others. People of all ages can get together and work.” Anderson, Worthington and third co-chairwoman Julie Rogers Bascom of Edina Public Schools, hope to build on the success of last year’s event. Schools, businesses, places of worship and parks within the City have already scheduled a number of service sites with a variety of projects and tasks planned for the day. Groups and individuals are encouraged to plan their own events. If you just don’t know where to begin, a list of existing projects and project ideas is available online at www.connectingwithkidsedina.org/EDS. “We hope the community will get behind it again like last year,” said Anderson. It’s not too late to volunteer! For more information on how to get involved, contact Anderson at 952-688-8081, info@connectingwithkidsedina.org or visit www.connectingwithkidsedina.org/EDS. Edina Day Of Service Set For Oct. 9 Members of Edina Morningside Rotary Club and their families spent the 2009 Edina Day of Service picking up trash along Highway 100 in Edina. Su b m i t t e d P h o t o YMCA Swim Academy swim lessons for infants, kids and adults. Southdale YMCA Fitness and fun for the entire family Southdale YMCA 7355 York Avenue South, Edina, MN 55435 952-897-5466 • southdaleymca.org 16 • AUTUMN 2010 Nelson Named Deputy Police Chief 17 • AUTUMN 2010 By Kaylin Martin Since becoming Deputy Police Chief in February, Dave Nelson has enjoyed keeping an eye on the City’s officers and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Edina Police Department. However, it’s not out of suspicion that he watches so closely. “What I like most about my new position is seeing what a good job our officers do each and every day,” said Nelson. “Coming in and reading the police reports and talking with the people involved, and then hearing what a professional job they did is great. “You hear other agencies talk about this bad thing and that bad thing, and you see it in the news, but you don’t hear that in Edina. You hear so much positive talk, and that is something I’m so proud of.” A longtime member of the Edina Police Department, Nelson was promoted to Deputy Police Chief following Jeff Long’s promotion to Police Chief at the beginning of the year. Nelson’s job is to assist and support the Police Chief in the planning, coordination and supervision of Police Department personnel. Nelson works with all department members to ensure the department carries out its duties and responsibilities. Long said Nelson has transitioned well into his new position. “Part of the reason Dave has done so well as Deputy Police Chief is because he is so well rounded,” said Long. “As he has grown up in the Department, he’s touched on many positions.” Nelson began work for the Edina Police Department in 1991, after working as a Patrol Deputy for the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office. After three years of working as a patrol officer on dog shift, Nelson became the school liaison officer, a position he says was an “awesome” opportunity. “After working nights and only seeing kids who broke curfew and who were getting into trouble, it was refreshing to see the good side of them,” said Nelson. “I got to go to games, see the athletes and see the good things the students were doing. “It was a huge eye opener and almost changed my outlook on life as far as kids go,” he joked of his transition to school liaison officer. Nelson was promoted to Investigator in 1997 and later advanced to Sergeant in 1999. In 2005, Nelson was promoted to Lieutenant, where he kept busy investigating fraud and forgery. In addition to his years of service, Nelson was a member of the Department’s Emergency Response Team for five years and is in the process of completing his Emergency Management certification. Nelson, who holds a degree in criminal justice from Metropolitan State University, successfully completed the FBI’s National Academy in December 2009. “Dave is a boss who gives everything he has,” said Lt. Jeff Elasky. “He arrives to work early and most days stays late.” Long says that it’s not only Nelson’s innovation, but also his knowledge of technology that has helped him succeed in the Department. One of Nelson’s responsibilities is maintaining the Department’s fleet, which includes computers in all of the squad cars. “It’s always a challenge,” said Nelson. “We buy the cars and install all of the equipment – everything from the lights to the citation printers.” Due to the overwhelming amount of electronics in each squad, the cars must be plugged in when not in use to prevent the battery from dying. “They are a lot of work to maintain,” said Nelson. In addition to caring for the fleet, Nelson is a volunteer member of the Edina Community Council and the Tri-City Partners for Healthy Youth and Communities. Long says Nelson works well with the community. He looks forward to seeing Nelson utilize his skills to keep the Edina Police Department a transparent department that welcomes community feedback. “It’s fun to try new things and get the community involved,” said Long. “We’re open to new ideas, and Nelson is full of them.” For more information about the Edina Police Department, call 952-826-1610 or visit www.CityofEdina.com/Police. Dave Nelson began his duties as Deputy Police Chief in February. Ph o t o b y M i c h a e l B r a u n By Marty Doll Ironically, when Wally Dahl retired from his job with Procter & Gamble in 1966, it was his wife, Ruth, who decided to take up golf when the couple moved to Edina. “She said it was either that or become a ‘golf widow,’” joked the couple’s niece Sarah “Sally” Mills, recalling her aunt’s awareness of Wally’s already great love for the game. “They played a lot of golf, and when Wally died [in 1994], Ruthie kept playing.” Over the years, the couple chipped and putted through thousands of rounds at Edina’s Braemar Golf Course, which, according to Mills, became their home away from home. When Ruth died in January 2009, officials at Braemar were contacted about an undisclosed sum of money gifted to the course from Wally and Ruth’s estate. You can’t put a price on happiness, but it has become apparent that the Dahls hoped that $312,561.64 would help pay for some. “I was completely surprised, and graciously overwhelmed,” said John Valliere, who was manager of Edina’s Braemar Golf Course when the gift was made. “Just imagine how many times they played this course and conjured how we would react to their generous gift.” The gift, presented to the Braemar Memorial Fund this past spring, is the largest cash donation ever received by the City. The Fund, established in 1976, has previously been used for such things as televisions for the clubhouse, yardage markers, patio furniture and small renovations. Valliere says the Dahls’ gift was left with no stipulations other than that it was to be used by the golf course. “There is no urgency to spend the money,” said Valliere, stating that while no decision has yet been made, there has been some discussion as to how the money will be used. “At some point, a plan will come forward for some type of major course improvement.” “I know Ruthie and Wally would be very happy about it,” said Mills, who lives in Florida and had no idea of her aunt and uncle’s generous intentions prior to the announcement by the estate. “I’m sure they wouldn’t Edina Golfers Leave Over $300,000 To City Course 18 • AUTUMN 2010 have any doubt in their mind that the money will be spent in the best way possible.” According to Valliere, Wally and Ruth were beloved members of Braemar. In addition to golfing in couple’s leagues, Wally was a member of the Braemar Men’s Club from 1966 until his death in 1994. He also worked in the club’s pro shop from 1981 to 1992. Long-time Braemar employee and current Clubhouse Manager Amy Smith and her husband were just two of the people at Braemar who became close to the couple. “My husband worked a lot of weekend mornings [in the pro shop] with Wally and got to know him well,” said Smith, who worked at the clubhouse lunch counter at the time. “Wally would come by with his bag lunch for a cup of coffee and we’d talk. Anyone who’s been here for a long time knew them.” Ruth was a member of the Women’s Club until 2005. She continued to visit the course regularly until she died last year. “At 90, Ruthie dropped down from the 18-hole league to the 9-hole league,” said Mills. “She regretted as she got older that the other older women wanted to ride in the carts. She loved to walk the course.” “Every time she walked in here, she would light up my day,” said Smith, who remained close to the couple for years despite their nearly 50-year age difference. “She was a gem.” According to both Mills and Smith, the Dahls could have easily afforded a membership to a local country club, but instead chose to spend their free time golfing the local municipal. “They lived comfortably, but never excessively,” said Smith. “I don’t think that the idea of spending money at a country club really appealed to them.” “Braemar was the center of their social life when they were there,” said Mills, who says she spent most of her holidays with Ruth after Wally passed away 16 years ago. “Ruthie raved about the course, saying it was as good as or better than any of the country clubs.” For more information on Braemar Golf Course, visit www.BraemarGolf.com. To donate to the Braemar Memorial Fund, contact Todd Anderson at 952-903-5754. 19 • AUTUMN 2010 Wally and Ruth Dahl, left, are pictured with friends at a Braemar “couple’s” event. Ruth Dahl, far right, is pictured with members of the Braemar Women’s Club in 1996. Ruth continued to visit Braemar Golf Course until just before her death in 2009. Su b m i t t e d P h o t o Su b m i t t e d P h o t o 20 • AUTUMN 2010 Six Campaign For Seats on Edina City Council 21 • AUTUMN 2010 Editor’s Note: The following candidate profiles were written and submitted by those seeking election to the Edina City Council. Answers were edited for consistency with AP Style, but are otherwise unaltered. Six candidates will vie for two open seats in the race for Edina City Council. The two “at-large” seats currently belong to Joni Bennett and Scot Housh. Housh, who is nearing the end of his second term, is not seeking reelection. Bennett has filed for office, along with five others – Daniel Azar, Stephen Brown, Todd Fronek, Timothy Kehr and Josh Sprague. The municipal election will be held on Nov. 2, in conjunction with the State General Election. The top two vote-getters will begin their four-year terms in January. Daniel AzarAddress: 5608 Highwood DriveYears in Edina: 38Website: danazarforcitycouncil.com What do you like best about living in Edina? • Smaller town feel with the amenities of a larger city. • Low levels of urbanization, crime, gangs and violence. What would you like to help the City improve? • Elimination of urban growth. • Lower property taxes by eliminating wasteful spending. Areas of emphasis in campaign: • Stop urban growth and lower taxes by eliminating wasteful spending. Joni BennettAddress: 4003 Lynn Ave.Years in Edina: 23Website: BennettforEdina.org What do you like best about living in Edina? • Friendly neighborhoods that offer residents of all ages choices in housing and access to parks and green spaces. • High-quality City services, including police and fire protection, park programs and snow removal that give us excellent value for our tax dollars. • Great schools, excellent health care facilities and a vibrant business community. • Ideal location that keeps our housing values strong and makes the City a desirable place for development and redevelopment. What would you like to help the City improve? • Traffic and transportation options to help people of all ages move around our community safely and conveniently. • Budget process to ensure that spending decisions address the community’s needs, reflect its priorities and are a wise use of tax dollars. • City communications, including the website, to make sure that citizens have the information they need. • City code, policies and procedures, to ensure that they are clear, up-to-date and effectively guide City decisions. • Use of citizen input in a constructive and consistent manner. • Everyone has a voice in determining the future of the community. • Fact-based, principled decision-making. • Building trust and shaping better decisions through open lines of communication. • Safe and convenient transportation, including recreational options. Stephen Brown (“Brownie”)Address: 7205 Bristol CircleYears in Edina: 49Website: BrownforCityCouncil.com What do you like best about living in Edina? • Great parks and recreational facilities for people of all ages – and some of the best extracurricular activities anywhere. • A vibrant downtown with great shopping and entertainment options. • What’s not to like? It’s a well-run city with a commitment to excellence and leadership. What would you like to help the City improve? • Smart planning and smart future development. We need “good” redevelopment that supports the community’s needs into the future. • Sense of Community. We need a cohesive, collaborative City Council that can help guide our community constructively, and avoid a divisive, polarization amongst its residents. • Maintaining and improving our many unique neighborhoods, wonderful parks and recreational facilities. • Transportation improvements that support and enhance our neighborhoods and businesses now and into the future. • Enhance collaboration between the Edina School District and the City of Edina. Areas of emphasis in campaign: • Collaboration: We are an educated community, rife with resources, expertise and experience. We need to leverage this asset and work together in a positive manner. • Committed, generous and talented people who, through their work and volunteer activities, make our City a great place to live. • Great neighborhoods. • Great schools. (continued on next page) Areas of emphasis in campaign: 23 • AUTUMN 201022 • AUTUMN 201022 • AUTUMN 2010 23 • AUTUMN 2010 • Common Sense: My professional experience helps me assess and identify potential risks quickly and focus on the core issues and concerns. • Leadership: I will listen with an open mind and will always act in the best interests of the citizens of Edina as a whole. Todd FronekAddress: 6141 Concord Ave.Years in Edina: 34Website: toddfronek.com What do you like best about living in Edina? • Proximity to various commercial centers. • Efficient and effective city services. What would you like to help the City improve? • Identify creative solutions to redevelop aging areas (e.g., Southdale, Pentagon Park). • Produce a business environment that allows businesses to thrive and create jobs within the City. • Incorporate leading-edge technology for all aspects of city government, including public safety. • Promote a strong vision for the former public works site. • Investigate benefits of establishing a citywide wireless communications network. Areas of emphasis in campaign: • Maintain a constructive relationship with the community and City staff. • Promote fiscal responsibility, appropriate development and the success of business within our City. • Understanding issues from all sides and carefully weigh information from residents, staff and professionals. • Bringing a balanced and straight-forward approach to decision making. • Maintain Edina’s AAA bond rating. Timothy D. KehrAddress: 6008 Saxony RoadYears in Edina: 35Website: Not Available What do you like best about living in Edina? • Family-friendly neighborhoods. • The parks. What would you like to help the City improve?• Recognition by surveys, polls and magazines have named other Minnesota cities with their best rankings. I would like to help improve Edina’s image to be included on these lists. Areas of emphasis in campaign:• Increase employment opportunities. • Economic development of empty retail spaces. • No tax increases – fiscal budget responsibility. • Improve real estate vitality. • Independent voice to represent residents. Josh SpragueAddress: 4720 W. 70th St.Years in Edina: 4Website: votesprague.com What do you like best about living in Edina? • The Schools: innovative and forward-thinking, leadership and staff defined by excellence, and teachers and parents who really care. • The Neighborhoods: quality housing stock with unique districts, great local parks and schools, and residents who look after each other. • The Business Community: high-quality mix of retail and services, successful locally owned businesses and highly philanthropic companies. What would you like to help the City improve?• Governance: clear, updated ordinances, well-defined internal policies, transparent and inclusive public process, decisions that align with Comprehensive Plan. • Community Relations: meaningful education and outreach to residents and neighborhoods, improved strategic alignment with school district and business community. • Budgeting: an open, complete budgeting process, elimination of waste, improved efficiencies, choices prioritized according to resident needs. • Transportation: expanded bikeways and walkways, implement Safe Routes to School, strategic connections to new Southwest LRT. • Environment: improved water and air quality, improved conservation through approval of Green Step Cities “best practices,” business recycling programs. Areas of emphasis in campaign:• Listening to and speaking out on behalf of residents and being a positive voice of change in the community. • Finding new ways to educate, involve and empower residents in the planning and public policy process. • Sustaining the high quality of life in neighborhoods through safe streets, clean parks and appropriately scaled, responsible development. • Prudently managing our financial and natural resources and “minding the store” in a transparent and accountable manner. • Seeking transformative redevelopment of Southdale and the former Public Works site to maintain our tradition of excellence and innovation. • A great tradition of suburban excellence. • First-rate park system. • High quality of life. • The residents. • The quality of life. • The convenience of location to everything. • The People: talented, creative, highly engaged and extremely generous – truly the key to our healthy, vibrant community. 24 • AUTUMN 2010 25 • AUTUMN 2010 If you are an Edina resident and a registered voter, you may vote for two City Council Members during the Municipal Election, held in conjunction with the State General Election Nov. 2. The two Council Members will be elected to four-year terms. You will also be able to vote for federal, state and county candidates. Register to VoteYou are qualified to vote in Minnesota if: • You are 18 years of age.• You are a citizen of the United States. • You have resided in Minnesota for 20 days. • You are registered to vote. You must re-register to vote if you have moved, changed your name or have not voted within the past four years. Register at Edina City Hall 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday until 20 days prior to the election. Election Day RegistrationOn Election Day, you may register at your polling place by presenting one of the following authorized proofs of residence: • Valid Minnesota driver’s license or learner’s permit (or receipt for either) showing current name and street address in precinct. • Valid Minnesota identification card (or receipt) showing current name and address in precinct. • Oath of a voter registered in the precinct who can verify the registrant’s address in the precinct. A voucher may vouch for no more than 15 persons in each election. • Registration in the same precinct indicating a previous address. • Late Registration Notice sent from the Hennepin County Elections Office. • Tribal ID issued by the tribal government of a tribe recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs containing the name, address in the precinct, signature and picture of individual. Voters may also register by showing a combination of one photo (from Column 1) ID along with one type of utility bill or rent statement (from Column 2). Absentee VotingApplications for Absentee Ballots may be obtained in person at Edina City Hall 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or by calling 952-826-0363 to have an application mailed. Ballots should be mailed at least one week before the election or marked at City Hall, whichever is more convenient. Edina City Hall will be open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, for absentee voting. For more information about polling locations, voter registration, absentee ballots or the AutoMark ballot, call Voter Registration at City Hall, 952-826-0363. Voters To Elect Council Members in November PrecinctPrecinct 1APrecinct 1BPrecinct 2Precinct 3Precinct 4Precinct 5Precinct 6Precinct 7Precinct 8Precinct 9Precinct 10Precinct 11Precinct 12Precinct 13Precinct 14Precinct 15Precinct 16Precinct 17Precinct 18Precinct 19 LocationShepherd of Hills ChurchChapel Hills ChurchEdina Senior CenterEdina Covenant ChurchWeber Park Warming HouseHighlands Elementary SchoolCountryside Elementary SchoolNormandale Lutheran ChurchSouth View Middle SchoolConcord Elementary SchoolCreek Valley Elementary SchoolCreek Valley Baptist ChurchCornelia Elementary SchoolCentennial Lakes Park Hughes PavilionSt. Peters Lutheran ChurchValley View Middle SchoolArneson Acres ParkSouthdale Hennepin Area LibraryEdinborough Park Great HallCalvary Lutheran Church Address500 Blake Road6512 Vernon Ave.5280 Grandview Square4201 W. 50th St.4115 Grimes Ave.5505 Doncaster Way5701 Benton Ave.6100 Normandale Road4725 South View Lane5900 Concord Ave.6401 Gleason Road6400 Tracy Ave.7000 Cornelia Drive7499 France Ave. S.5421 France Ave. S.6750 Valley View Road4711 W. 70th St.7001 York Ave. S.7700 York Ave. S.6817 Antrim Road Polling PlacesPolling places are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day at the following locations: Column 1 Photo IDs may be expired, but must contain voter’s name and photo. • Minnesota driver’s license • Minnesota state ID • Tribal ID • U.S. passport • U.S. military ID Column 2 Acceptable bills must show voter’s current name and address in the precinct, and may be delivered by mail or electronically. • Utility bill due within 30 days of Election Day • Rent statement dated within 30 days of the Election Day that itemizes utilities Those who voted in 2008 might remember seeing SUVs and minivans parked alongside bicycles and scooters outside the polls. In 2008, Edina’s youth cast their own ballots during the General Election through a program called Kids Voting Edina. Kids Voting is a national program that works with schools, election officials, city officials and other groups in the community to offer students in kindergarten through high school a wide range of opportunities for civic learning. Through the program, Edina students are introduced to Kids Voting classroom civics and the concepts of citizenship in the earliest grades and continue throughout their school years. Edina Public Schools Service Learning Coordinator Julie Rogers Bascom describes Kids Voting as “ongoing education that develops strong skills and habits for living in a democracy.” “I liked that it teaches children the importance of learning more about each candidate before they choose and it also teaches about the importance of making their voice heard and being responsible citizens,” said one middle school teacher after the 2008 election. After classroom preparation, students take part in a voting experience at the adult polls, using a ballot that mirrors the real one with the same candidates and issues. According Rogers Bascom, this “real life” practice dispels the mysteries of the voting process and reinforces the knowledge and skills gained through Kids Voting classroom activities. Candidates To Leave Mark With Community’s Youngest 26 • AUTUMN 2010 27 • AUTUMN 2010 The program is designed to work with the social studies curriculum currently used so teachers can choose activities that are appropriate to lesson plans and that fit time requirements. These activities are tools to help teachers meet the standards outlined in the National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies as well as state curriculum standards for social studies. “[Kids Voting gives] the opportunity for kids to get involved and see authentic voting, plus learn about their ‘privilege’ at an early age,” said an elementary school teacher. “There were simple activities that brought home the concept of making choices. Parents needed to take kids to polls for the real authentic experience.“ It is the combination of classroom instruction, family dialogue and an authentic voting experience that makes Kids Voting a powerful strategy for achieving long-term voting behavior, according to Rogers Bascom. In 2008, volunteers from the community – parents, high school students, Rotarians, City employees, service club representatives and business men and women – took two-hour shifts at the poll, helping students fill out their ballot (complete with pictures of the candidates) and submit them in the Kids Voting ballot box. A group of students and a delegation from Azerbaijan, guests of the League of Women Voters – Edina, counted the 3,200 ballots at the high school’s DeCafe. The results in 2008 mirrored the adult vote from Edina. Kids Voting Edina is being organized again for the 2010 election. Rogers Bascom and other planners hope for an even greater turnout of youth at the polls. For more information or to volunteer, visit www.mnpower.com/kidsvoting or contact Rogers Bascom, julrogersbascom@edina.k12.mn.us or 952-848-3957. During the General Election, youth have the opportunity to visit the polls with their parents or guardians to cast their own ballots. 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Find out more atwww.suresmile.com 28 • AUTUMN 2010 29 • AUTUMN 2010 EDINA 50th & France YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD A Full Service Lender Todd Johnson • 6800 France Ave • 612.207.9550 Kara Egan • 50th & France • 612.325.3735 EDINA 6800 OFFICE Pam Allen 952-221-2177 Jeff and Diane Anderes 952-927-2842 Ginni Anderson 952-927-1669 Ann Burbidge 952-927-2840 Winnie Crosbie 952-927-1165 John Everett 952-927-1646 Jackie Goodlund 952-927-1647 Alyssa Granlund 612-759-5180 Mark Granlund 612-803-8129 Heather Hansen 612-366-0051 Ruthann Holetz 952-927-1624 Stacy Johnson 952-927-1608 Mary Greig Krieter 612-719-0665 Jane Larson 612-720-1048 John MacKany 952-927-1163 John McDonald 952-927-1197 Kim Melin 952-201-4758 JoanE Mitchell 952-927-1147 Jude Dugan Olson 952-927-1186 Kevin Ries 952-927-1196 Tom & Erick Ries 952-927-1191 Margie and John Sampsell 952-927-1195 Wade Thommen 952-927-1152 Michael Tierney 952-927-1676 Susan Wahman 952-927-1114 Corky Weber 952-927-1198 Dan Willette 952-927-1694 Pam Aagaard 952-261-7576 Dave Anderson 612-750-2209 Sandy and Buzz Bainbridge 952-915-7980 Babette and John Bean 952-924-8722 Lou Blemaster 612-790-8585 Krysta Clark 952-924-8707 Sheila Cronin 952-915-7951 Karen Daly 952-924-8746 Amy Deckas 612-735-7430 Patti Eastman 952-924-8786 Lisa Eckert 952-915-7964 Tom Frisk 612-418-6642 Mary Beth Goulett 612-309-3967 Zeb Haney 952-924-8742 Janie Hays 952-924-8721 Jim Jaeckels 952-924-8741 Mark Kouatli 612-708-8400 Bob and Francy Matson 952-915-7950 Tom and Meg Meyers 952-924-8712 Andrew Olive 612-669-7452 Sandy Ring 612-306-3875 Marcia Russell 612-965-7997 Margaret Shaw 952-924-8769 Tim Sipprell 612-327-7657 Kathie Volland 952-915-7934 Chris Willette 612-388-8828 Find us at edina6800.edinarealty.com Find us at edina50thandfrance.edinarealty.com REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS We help bring buyers and sellers together. edinarealty.com Open Houses • Active Listings • Home Values • Property Search 30 • AUTUMN 2010 31 • AUTUMN 2010 A Taste of Creativity 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. D O YOU have insurance for sewer back-u p s? Check your policy today!Allure your senses, feed your creative soul, and kick off the holiday season at Taste of Creativity, a fundraiser for the Edina Art Center and Fairview Auxiliary, 4 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4. The event will feature a silent auction, artists’ demonstrations, gift sales, hors d’oeuvres and live music. Proceeds from Taste of Creativity will benefit the Art Center, Fairview Auxiliary and the Edina Public Art Committee, which share a mission to enhance individual and community development through arts and healthcare. The Edina Art Center has long been involved in promoting arts in healthcare, making a commitment to positive distractions and transformative healing experiences though art enrichment outreach programs. The Art Center is an active member of the Midwest Arts in Healthcare Network. The Taste of Creativity will be held at the Edina Art Center, located one mile west of Southdale Center in Rosland Park at 4701 W. 64th St. Tickets are for sale at the Edina Art Center and online. For more information, contact the Edina Art Center at 952-903-5780 or visit www.EdinaArtCenter.com. Bev Shoshea, a former Edina Art Center Board Member, and Renee Usem promise Taste of Creativity will be a “Don’t Miss Event!” West 50th & Vernon Avenue at Hwy. 100 952-920-3996 www.washburn-mcreavy.com Family Owned & Operated Since 1857 EDINA CHAPEL FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES Ph o t o b y D i a n a H e d g e s EDINA HARDWARE “We speak fluent doohickey & whatchamacallit!” 4510 Valley View Road, Edina 952-925-1133 Celebrating 50 Years on the Corner 1960-2010 Best Decision Enroll now and receive your 2nd Week FREE!* *First-time enrollees or families returning after three months only. Not valid with any other offer or discount. Tuition credit equals tuition paid for the rst week of enrollment. Based upon space availability. Expires 12/31/10. Code ATwn320710. Nationally Accredited Edina Location 4425 Valley View Road Edina, MN 55424(952) 920-3528 www.NewHorizonAcademy.net the you can make for your child! 32 • AUTUMN 2010 33 • AUTUMN 2010 Neal To Begin Work As City Manager Right turn. Left turn. Left turn. Merge onto U.S. Highway 212. Merge onto Minnesota Highway 100. Exit. Left turn. Park. The global positioning system in the car of Edina’s new City Manager has just a few simple steps to guide him from his old office to his new one on West 50th Street. The Edina City Council searched throughout the Upper Midwest for a City Manager, but found Scott Neal less than 10 miles away. Neal is wrapping up work as Eden Prairie’s City Manager and will begin work in Edina on Nov. 8. In September, the City Council approved Neal’s contract. Under the contract, Neal will be paid an annual salary of $150,000. In addition, the City will pay 100 percent of the cost of health and dental insurance for him and his family. Among his fringe benefits, Neal will receive three weeks of paid vacation and 80 hours of sick pay at the beginning of his employment. “He’s coming to Edina for about $1,000 more than he makes now,” said Council Member Scot Housh at the time the contract was approved. “[People might question] why he’d make the move for $1,000. I think he’s coming because he wants to be intellectually challenged. Edina is a community that has always strived to be the best. Whether we’re a little bit less in population or some of these other things (in comparison to Eden Prairie), the reality is that the stature of Edina is premiere. It’s a testament to the City of Edina and the people of Edina that we are able to attract the kind of people with talent that we’ve got with him. I’m just astonished [the members of the negotiating team] were able to do the work they did. It’s an exceptional outcome.” Neal has served as City Manager of Eden Prairie since 2002. Staff and residents there say he will be sorely missed. “Scott Neal is the best leader I’ve ever worked with,” said Eden Prairie Communications Manager Joyce Lorenz. “He will be greatly missed by Eden Prairie employees. I feel privileged to have worked with him.” In a thank-you letter to him, John Brill, a member of the Eden Prairie Parks Commission cited four ways Neal has been effective in his role there. “You have a high competence for the position. Your experience and instincts have led us down the right path,” he wrote. “You utilize your resources to build a clear vision for the future of the city. You have the political savvy to bring that vision to reality, despite changing political and economic conditions. Most importantly, you build relationships easily, have a ‘glass half-full’ mentality and keep a sense of humor even in the most difficult times. People love working for you and with you.” The Edina position is the fifth such management position Neal has held. He was previously the City Administrator of Northfield. He also has held the positions of City Administrator for the communities of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and Norris, Tenn. Neal received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public administration from Iowa State University. After Nov. 8, Neal can be reached by calling 952-826-0401 or sending an email to sneal@ci.edina.mn.us. Scott Neal Edina About Town 7.1.10 7.5” x 3.625” X An energy assessment or energy audit through Xcel Energy can help you identify energy trouble spots in your business or home, as well as opportunities to increase efficiency and savings. Schedule yours today by calling our Business Solutions Center at 1-800-481-4700 or Customer Service at 1-800-895.4999. © 2010 Xcel e nergy Inc. 32942_XL_CIP_MN_Exactly_EAT_7.5x3.625_BW_0701_FNL.indd 1 4/30/10 5:07 PM 34 • AUTUMN 2010 35 • AUTUMN 2010 City, Police IT Staff Merge Into New Department By Marty Doll Technology impacts everyone, and Edina City employees are no exception. Police Officers use personal computers in their squad cars. Firefighter/paramedics use GPS technology to coordinate emergency response. Edina Liquor and Braemar Golf Course rely on internet access to run credit cards. In addition, workers in the Building Inspections, Planning and Engineering departments all use sophisticated software programs to perform their day-to-day activities. While local governments have become technologically savvy in recent years, personal computers and complicated software come with maintenance needs, upgrades and glitches. That’s when the City’s Information Technology (IT) staff comes to the rescue. They make sure the “high tech” side of city government is up and running so City employees can do their jobs efficiently. “Basically, if it plugs in, people look to us,” said Matt Sisterman, Director of the City’s newly established IT Department. Previously a division of the Administration Department, IT was established as its own department in June. The new department consists of Sisterman and two Network Support Specialists, Katie Bisek and Nick Lovejoy, along with the Police Department’s IT Coordinator, Joan Waterstreet, and Network Support Specialist Greg Messetler. “For a City our size, a full-time IT Department makes sense,” said Assistant City Manager Heather Worthington, who helped lead the charge for the new department. “As communication on the internet continues to grow, we need to continue to support it.” When the new IT Department was formed, the City and Police Department merged their separate technical support staffs to create an efficient, central channel for all City staff to funnel their IT questions, problems and needs. “In the late 90s, when the City first established computer operations, segregation [between City Hall and Police IT functions] made sense,” said Sisterman, who began with the City in 2003. “The Police Department was using different technology and had different IT needs. As technology continued to grow, we started to use a lot of the same equipment and a lot of the same pipelines for data. Now, separation has complicated things.” Sisterman says an immediate benefit of the new Department will be the expanded IT coverage available to City employees and Police Officers. He is also optimistic that the speed at which they will be able to get things done will increase. “We will cross train everyone to be able to work on both the police and City Hall side,” said Sisterman. “The greatest benefit of this whole thing is that [City Hall] will be gaining two people with unique skill sets and talents and police will be gaining three.” Sisterman, who has managed the “City side” of IT since November 2006, says that each IT staff member will bring his or her own unique expertise to the newly established department. Waterstreet has been working with the Police Department’s Computer Aided Dispatch system for over 25 years. Bisek, who joined the City in 2007, works extensively with both the Fire Department and the City’s new “Voice Over Internet” telephone system. Messetler, who began in June 2008, knows the ins and outs of the Police Department’s in-squad video system. Lovejoy, who started just one day after Messetler, is proficient in databases and hardware. “This seemed like the natural progression,” said Edina Police Chief Jeff Long. “When the Police Department first started dealing with technology, it was with internal, stand-alone computers – installing and updating software. There was no internet. Now, almost everything we do involves technology.” While the City’s IT staff has little direct contact with residents, Sisterman says the work his department does directly impacts the services residents receive. Tasks such as overseeing, updating and maintaining City computer programs – including maps and other software used by the City’s emergency responders and Public Works Department – fall onto IT. They are also charged with maintaining internet, email and telephone connectivity; data security and privacy; and information storage drives and servers. “The City started out [storing electronic information] with four servers that stored about 300 gigabytes of information,” said Sisterman, speaking of the growth and reliance on technology that has taken place over the last 10 to 15 years. “We now have 12 servers with about five terabytes [more than 5,000 gigabytes] of space.” Sisterman notes that the merger will be a slow process as his staff continues to learn the intricacies involved in each other’s jobs. Until then, he says it will be “business as usual.” “We don’t want to give anyone too much confusion,” said Sisterman. “I hope that soon, with everyone working from the same playbook, we’ll be able to remove some road blocks for future projects.” For more information, contact Sisterman at 952-826-0434. The City’s IT Department consists of (from L to R) Director, Matt Sisterman; IT Coordinator, Joan Waterstreet and Network Support Specialists Katie Bisek, Nick Lovejoy and Greg Messetler. Ph o t o b y M i c h a e l B r a u n 36 • AUTUMN 2010 37 • AUTUMN 2010 By Kaylin Martin It’s a Friday night. A group of teenagers has made plans to grab dinner together, though they aren’t sure of the venue. A boy leaves his house to join the group, assured that his friends will text him when they decide which restaurant to visit. As he drives down the street, his phone beeps. He looks down at his phone for a second. When he looks up, he sees that he’s crossed the center line into oncoming traffic. “You can’t turn on the radio or the news without hearing about another teenager who was killed because of texting while driving,” said Police Chief Jeff Long. “We’d like to do what we can to help prevent that from happening in Edina.” According to a National Safety Council study, 28 percent of all traffic accidents occur when people talk on cell phones or send text messages while driving. That figure includes experienced drivers. According to another study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, teen drivers are four times more likely than adults to get into car accidents directly related to talking on a cell phone or texting. To combat distracted driving among teen drivers, the Edina Police Department began a yearlong traffic safety initiative in September. “The numbers are startling,” said Officer Brian Hubbard, who helped plan the initiative. “You can’t hear those figures without saying, ‘Wow, something needs to be done.’” With help from Edina High School’s Sober Squad, Hubbard and other volunteers from the Police Department are hoping to open teens’ eyes about the dangers of not only texting and driving, but about all driving distractions. “We are looking to make the roads safer, especially for younger and newer drivers,” said Edina High School Senior Sarah Engbretson, member of Sober Squad. “I think there will be a response to the initiative.” The first of the Police Department’s efforts included sending out an email to parents, reminding them that parents have the right to revoke their child’s license if the child is under 18 years of age and feels the teenager is being unsafe while driving. “Everyone forgets that driving is a privilege,” says Hubbard. “We’re going to try and equip parents with the tools they need to enforce responsible driving.” That includes a parent education forum where officers will answer any questions parents may have, as well as give presentations to Parent-Teacher Organizations. To spread the message to the teens, officers are planning to reward good driving behavior near Edina High School Police Department Hopes To Curb Texting With Yearlong Initiative the first weeks of October. Whether it’s handing out gift certificates, coupons or tickets, officers will enforce what they feel to be safe and unsafe driving. Inside Edina High School, Engbretson says members of Sober Squad look forward to providing teachers with T-shirts donning catchy slogans such as “Click It or Ticket” to remind students of the initiative. Graphic posters will also be hung around school. Some other events planned for the school year include a driver experience event held in the parking lot of Braemar Arena where teens will drive a course while dealing with distractions thrown at them by the course or the riding officer. Before prom, the bi-yearly mock car crash will take place to remind students about the dangers of drinking and driving. “Kids know you’re not supposed to text and drive, drink and drive, and they know about the speed limit, but we’re trying to get the message in front of them in many different ways,” said Officer Doug Wagner. “We want to show them what could happen, and does, when you’re distracted while driving.” For more information about the Distracted Driving Initiative, call Lt. Jeff Elasky at 952-826-1611. 38 • AUTUMN 2009 39 • AUTUMN 2009 By Kathy IversonContributing Writer The annual Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) ribbon campaign will soon be under way to remind people of the importance of safe and sober driving. “The ribbons serve as such a good reminder to drive safely and sober,” said a mom who lost her son in a drunk driving accident 13 years ago. “I just can’t believe that so many people still get behind the wheel after drinking, or get in the vehicle with someone who has. It just doesn’t make sense.” Starting Nov. 15, look for MADD Red Ribbons in Edina at participating medical clinics, government buildings, libraries and schools. Throughout the holiday season, be sure to tie them on vehicles, keychains and backpacks as a visual reminder to stay sober when driving. Every time you get in a car, wear your seat belt. They are the best defense against a drunk driver. If you see an impaired driver on the road, call 9-1-1. If you are hosting a holiday party, use caution when providing alcohol. • To be a good host, stay within your limits in order to make sure your guests stay within theirs. • Time is the only factor to sober someone up. Caffeine is not the answer. • Beer and wine are just as intoxicating as hard liquor. These are all equal in alcohol content: 12-ounce can of beer, 5-ounce glass of wine, 12-ounce wine cooler, 1.5-ounce of liquor.• Physical appearance can be deceiving. Be aware of other behaviors such as slurred speech, loud talking, and boisterous or angry outbursts. • Mixers won’t help dilute alcohol. In fact, they may cause guests to drink even more. • Promote the idea of a designated driver among your guests. • Have plenty of non-alcoholic beverages, and don’t push alcoholic drinks.• Make food readily available and avoid salty snacks. • Have the phone number of a taxi service if safe rides are needed OR invite the guest to stay over. For fun non-alcoholic holiday beverage recipes, see the City of Edina website, www.CityofEdina.com/Recipes. Kathy Iverson is the Chemical Health Coordinator for the City of Edina. She can be contacted at 952-929-7627 or kiverson@ci.edina.mn.us. Tie On A Red Ribbon To Support Safe and Sober Driving A GREEN CARD IS NOW ACTUALLY GREEN (and that is big news!) 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I’d wait to get the plow on my truck, because we’d have to clean off the snow,” said Van Altvorst. “Not to mention, it was cold, dark and unsafe.” The new Public Works and Park Maintenance Facility at 7450 Metro Blvd. will change all that. Van Altvorst is just one of many equipment operators who say they can’t wait for everything “to be nice and dry” now that the vehicles and plows will be parked indoors. Equipment Operations Foreman Greg Bretson says because of the additional space, he believes drivers will be on the road and plowing within 15 minutes of getting to work. Last winter, drivers weren’t on the road for at least an hour after punching in, he said. “Efficiency has gone from night to day,” said Bretson. “I really think residents will be able to see a difference.” Efficiency seems to be the theme of the new facility that boasts numerous environment-friendly amenities, all of which Public Works Director Wayne Houle says will pay for themselves in 10 years or less. “We didn’t want to spend the money to get [the facility] certified ‘green,’ but we wanted to make it as green as possible,” Houle said of the $14 million project. The building uses a geothermal system for heating and cooling. Heat is drawn out of the ground in the winter and cooled in the summer from 128 250-foot wells. To save on electricity, the building has solar tubes throughout that interact with the artificial light. On a sunny day, the lights automatically dim. All of the lighting is also activated through a sensitive motion- sensor system, so not one light is on when it isn’t needed. LED lights are present in the parking lot, which is currently a pilot site. Based on the success of the LED lights, staff might recommend they be utilized elsewhere in the City. When working up the plans, Houle wasn’t only thinking of the environment, but also his employees. “I tried to create an environment where people want to come to work,” he said. The building has large locker rooms for men and women and protected bike parking to promote living a healthy lifestyle and biking to and from work. The Engineering, Public Works and Park Maintenance departments now also have the opportunity to see what the other does on a daily bases as they are working together out of the facility. “There will be more coordination with the day-to-day operations of the Public Works Department,” said Assistant City Engineer Jack Sullivan. “There were so many times in the past when we needed to get information right away, but [the Public Works employees] were at a different location. It’s going to make a big difference working from the same space.” Engineering Secretary Sharon Allison says she looks forward to getting to know her coworkers. “I always hear these names (of Public Works employees), but don’t know who they are,” she said. “I’m excited to be able to finally put faces to the names.” The construction project started in 2008 when Houle and his team saw the old ConAgra popcorn plant on Metro Boulevard was for sale. In 2009, the City Council purchased the facility. Construction started in July of that year. “It was a pretty quick project in the construction scheme of things,” said Houle. “We really pushed to get the project finished within a year to save money.” By the end of July, Public Works had already moved to the new building and the Engineering Department was cleaning out their old space in City Hall. “It’s a great building,” said Houle. “Everyone will be pretty pleased.” An open house for the public will coincide with National Public Works week in May 2011. For more information on the new Public Works Facility, contact Wayne Houle at 952-826-0443. The Public Works and Park Maintenance Facility is located at 7450 Metro Blvd. Ph o t o b y M i c h a e l B r a u n 42 • AUTUMN 2010 43 • AUTUMN 2010 Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People (VEAP) is in search of holiday spirit and generous donations to make this year’s holiday season brighter for area children and families in need. Over the Thanksgiving and winter holidays, VEAP plans to distribute food to more than 4,500 families and gifts to over 4,800 children in Edina, Bloomington, Richfield and southwest Minneapolis. To accomplish this goal, VEAP is seeking donors to provide gifts and volunteers to help sort, set up and distribute toys to low-income families. Monetary and non-perishable food donations help ensure that all families can have a holiday meal. Donations of new, unwrapped gifts, toys and gift cards help make the holiday bright for children in low-income households. Parents are able to come to VEAP and select gifts for their children at the free holiday store. Gifts can be dropped off at VEAP, 9731 James Ave. S., Bloomington, Nov. 1 through Dec. 10 for distribution in late December. Edina residents can drop off donations at Edina City Hall, 4801 W. 50th St., or Fire Station No. 1, 6250 Tracy Ave. Gifts are greatly needed for all age groups of children, but historically, VEAP has had the greatest need for toys for newborns to 3-year-olds (board books, rattles, bottles, teething rings). VEAP will distribute gift cards to teens, so $15 gift cards to local retailers such as Target, Wal-Mart, Kohl’s and Best Buy are appreciated. VEAP also plans to distribute games to each family using the program, so family-friendly board games for a variety of age levels are needed. Warm weather wear (hats, mittens, gloves, scarves) are also requested. New books for all ages are greatly appreciated. All toys should be brand new and unused with a value of $10 to $20. Please do not donate large gifts. Individuals and families interested in registering for these programs can contact VEAP at 952-888-9616. For Thanksgiving, call in late October, at which time callers will also receive information on how to register for December assistance. To register for the VEAP Holiday Toy Program, call in late November. VEAP has full lists of drop-off sites and needed items for interested donors. Those lists can be obtained by calling 952-888-9616 or visiting www. veapvolunteers.org. Volunteer opportunities are also abundant during the holiday season. People interested in pre-sorting gifts, registering families, packing grocery bags, setting up the holiday store or delivering meals to seniors or homebound neighbors should call VEAP at 952-888-9616. VEAP Prepares To Distribute Holiday Joy Carl M. Hansen Companies has been building and renovating high end homes in the Twin Cities area for over 80 years. Making it in this business for that long isn’t easy. We for that long isn’t easy. We build houses that look and feel the way you imagined. Our clients like our approach and it has served us well. It would be our pleasure to take you home. 44 • AUTUMN 2010 45 • AUTUMN 2010 hire. The course, which had opened only four years earlier, was in desperate need of someone to manage the day-to-day operations. With his lack of business experience, Valliere wasn’t sure he was the right man for the job. However, he says he was told by then City Manager Warren Hyde not to worry. “He said, ‘you’re good with people, you know the game – we can teach you the rest,’” said Valliere. In the early 1970s, Valliere learned the business of running a golf course while on the job. He took a number of business courses, and soon had Braemar’s small pro shop, grill and course doing big business. With a very limited staff, Valliere found himself performing nearly every duty at one point or another. “I would have to lock up the pro shop, run down to the driving range to sell range balls, and then run back up to the pro shop,” said Valliere. “I’d get back and have a message asking me to get over to the grill and bus tables! I was skinny then because I had to run!” In 1976, Valliere was named the course’s General Manager. As the golf course grew, so did Valliere’s staff, allowing him more time to focus his attention on the “big picture.” During his time as manager, Valliere helped grow the course from 18 regulation holes and a small par 3 course to 27 regulation holes, two nine-hole executive courses and a golf dome. The pro shop more than doubled in size, and the clubhouse went from a 50-person capacity building to a banquet hall that now holds more than 200. “When it would rain, the building couldn’t hold all of the people on the course,” said Valliere, reminiscing about the early days at Braemar. “It was a struggle over the years to get the clubhouse large enough for affairs like weddings and men’s and women’s league outings.” Valliere was also instrumental in growing Braemar’s men’s and women’s leagues. He also started a number of youth leagues and lessons and a golf league for people with disabilities, all of which are still successful today. “It’s been really rewarding to see a lot of the kids that grew up on the course,” said Valliere. “They worked here or played in youth leagues, then went on to high school and college, and grew up to be all over the spectrum – physicians, attorneys, you name it. You hope that somewhere along the line, when you told them to ‘bus a table,’ it had an impact.” Valliere, who spent between 50 and 80 hours per week at the course during its peak season throughout his career, says in retirement, he hopes to have more time to golf. “My game has really suffered,” said Valliere, who says he only had time to actually golf Braemar five or six times per year while working. “Now, I have the time. I’m going to make the time.” By Marty Doll John Valliere recently retired from a 41-year job he never envisioned having. As a young man in the 1960s, golf was the furthest thing from his mind. Valliere was in the U.S. Air Force, serving in a top-secret, underground bunker during one the country’s biggest nuclear war scares in history. A military photogrammetrist, Valliere spent his days analyzing flyover photos and creating maps of enemy territory for the U.S. military. “I served for four years and three months – the extra three months because we were in the middle of the Cuban Missile Crisis,” said Valliere, a native of Kennebunk, Maine, who spent much of his childhood on the links as a caddy. “When I went into the service, I had pretty much given up golf.” According to Valliere, an Air Force man two cubicles away actually discovered the Russian missiles on Cuban soil that prompted the Crisis. President John F. Kennedy even made an appearance at Valliere’s bunker to be briefed. “When the President of the United States is standing two feet away from you, you know that this is a big deal,” said Valliere. “When we closed the door on that bunker, I thought this was it, ‘goodbye mama.’” Of course, the United States survived the Crisis, and Valliere was eventually relieved of his post. Because of his very unique skill set, he did not have many options when it came to post-military employment. In 1968, he took a job for a small company called Mark Hurd Aerial Surveys, based out of Golden Valley. Valliere was soon on the hunt for something else to do in his free time. “I was looking for a part-time job at a golf course so I could play free golf,” said Valliere, only partially kidding. “I applied for a maintenance job at Braemar, but was given a job in the pro shop. After a year, I was in front of the City Manager to become the full-time Business Manager.” With a background in geography, geology and civil engineering, Valliere says he was a little shocked at the Braemar Manager Spent Over Half A Lifetime On Course (continued on next page) After working at Braemar Golf Course for more than 40 years, Manager John Valliere retired in August. Ph o t o b y M a r t y D o l l 47 • AUTUMN 201046 • AUTUMN 2010 Valliere, Past-President of the Minnesota Golf Association (MGA), says he will also maintain his roles in both the MGA and the USGA in retirement, helping with tournaments and events. He also plays an important role as a golf advocate on the Minnesota State Tourism Board. While golf will remain an important part of his life, Valliere says he will not be able to replace Braemar. “I’m really going to miss the friendly atmosphere we have created here,” said Valliere. “I will miss working with the great staff and fellow managers and golf professionals. They have helped me and golf grow through all these years. People here have bonded, and created such fellowship. Isn’t that what a recreation department is about?” Valliere’s last day with the City was Aug. 27. Ted FieldRealtor® Ted FieldRealtor We Sell Homes Fast. Call: 952-848-2593www.SeniorExpert.com ARIZONA IS ON SALE! Free Arizona Buyers Guide Your Arizona Connection Gregory Pierce greg.pierce@azmoves.com www.moveme2az.com Stephane Cattelin GRI,e-PRO,CIPS,TRC REALTOR/ AgentImmobilier THE International Approach To Real Estate Serving the Edina French-American Community Minneapolis Lakes Office612-924-4352Office612-703-8229 Mobilewww.StephaneCattelin.com Owned And Operated by NRT Incorporated. Edina neighborhood Real Estate Specialists MickeyArmstrong952-946-1604 Amy Kerber952-844-6062 Abby Harrell612-387-3995 StephaneCattelin612-924-4352 PamBadger612-801-8077 EllynWolfenson612-644-3033 JoshSprague612-501-0252 CindyShapiro612-816-3054 SteveSchmitz952-484-6045 Karen Moe952-844-6085 FrankKreiser952-924-6248 48 • AUTUMN 2010 49 • AUTUMN 2010 • AUTUMN 2010 The Edina Community Foundation: The Power Of Philanthropy By Dick CrockettExecutive Director The United States has a long history of community activities and support that enriches our lives. One of our early leaders in that area was Ben Franklin, who, as a Philadelphia resident in the early 1700s, founded a lending library, college, hospital, fire brigade and matching grant fundraiser. These initiatives and others like them led the French political thinker and historian Alexis de Tocqueville to describe our country in his 1835 work, Democracy in America, as one with a remarkable tendency for its citizens to come together in voluntary associations. The essential character of those activities, of course, was that they were not directed or funded by government, but rather by private contributions. This practice of local nonprofits was expanded dramatically by the American Red Cross, which became a national relief agency in 1889 following the Johnstown Flood in Pennsylvania that claimed over 2,200 lives. The Red Cross today serves a vitally important role in bringing disaster relief to victims of natural disaster in the United States and around the world. This work is enthusiastically supported by donors who want to help other people who may have lost their homes, possessions or even family members. Other philanthropic organizations at the national level exist to meet a wide variety of charitable and educational needs, including human services, literacy, medical research and preservation of our environment. It’s almost impossible to imagine our country without these privately funded groups. In Minnesota, think where we would be without our 17 private liberal arts colleges, the Twin Cities theatre and arts institutions that enrich our life, and the nonprofit hospitals on which we depend for both routine and emergency medical care. In Edina, we have an impressive list of nonprofit organizations that serve our residents – neighborhood associations, environmental groups, music and cultural organizations, service clubs, and a wide range of youth athletic associations. We are also well-served by major human service agencies such as Southdale YMCA and Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People (VEAP). The Edina Community Foundation provides grant support to more than 20 of these organizations every year, as well as financial support for community events such as Edina Reads and Edina Dialogue, 4th of July parade and fireworks, Torchlight Concert in Centennial Lakes Park, Edina Day of Service, Kids Voting Edina and other Connecting With Kids programs. Without philanthropic support from the Foundation and its many donors, as well as from other charitable gifts, these organizations and programs would not exist or would be forced to operate at a greatly reduced scale. Our life in Edina would be very different.The City of Edina is also able to provide enhanced services to its residents as a result of Foundation grants to the Fire and Police Departments, the Park & Recreation Department – including the Art Center and Senior Center – and the Edina Public Art Committee. Contributions by Edina residents to the Foundation have made it possible for the City to develop Fox Meadow Park, Grandview Square Park and the baseball field renovated in memory of Tim Nunn at York Park. The Foundation thus serves as a kind of “Edina Way” to encourage philanthropic support from people who want to give back to the community in appreciation for the high quality of life they enjoy here. Many Edina-based businesses are also committed to this value and provide sponsorship support for Foundation programs. As we approach the season of year-end charitable giving, please consider beginning or continuing your engagement with the Power of Philanthropy. The Edina Community Foundation invites you to join us in strengthening our community by making a tax-deductible charitable contribution to our general Community Support Fund or any of the other 60 designated funds we have established and maintain for nonprofit programs and events in Edina. Questions about the Foundation or any of its programs may be addressed to Crockett at 952-833-9573 or EDfoundation@ci.edina.mn.us. Additional information about the Foundation and links to other articles may be found at its website, www.edinacommunityfoundation.org. If you’d like to join the spirit of Ben Franklin in the Power of Philanthropy, send us one of these – or your check or on-line contribution via our website. More than 350 Edina residents gave that amount or more to the Foundation last year. 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The 50th & France Association hopes to continue to support Cornerstone, an organization aimed at preventing domestic abuse, by donating 100 percent of all future merchandise sales held at the Edina Art Fair. “It feels good to give back to our community and help an organization fulfill its mission,” said Rachel Hubbard, Executive Director of the 50th & France Association. “We are proud to be Cornerstone’s charity partner and will continue to work with other charity organizations as well.” The Edina Art Fair takes place the first weekend of June every year. For more information on the 50th & France Business & Professional Association, visit www.50thandFrance.com. For more information on Cornerstone, visit www.CornerstoneMN.org. Edina Public Schools Hires New Director Of Business ServicesEdina Public Schools hired Margo Nash as the District’s Director of Business Services. Nash brings to the job over 25 years of experience in the financial management of school districts. She comes to Edina from Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools, where she served as the Director of Business Affairs for the past five years. During her career with Prior Lake, Nash was involved in many leadership tasks, such as developing and implementing strategies that helped the district ensure a more stable financial outlook. Nash says that good communication is the prerequisite to success. “Whether the director of business services is working with a teacher who has a $100 budget or with the entire community of tax payers, the ability to communicate to customers that vary in their understanding of school district finances is extremely important,” said Nash in her application letter. “It takes the school board, community and staff working together to keep the district moving in a positive financial direction.” “Margo Nash is recognized as one of the top school business directors in the metro and I am pleased to have her joining the Edina team,” said Ric Dressen, Superintendent of Edina Public Schools. “Her extensive school finance experience and strong problem solving skills will serve our community well.” Prior to her current position, Nash worked at Faribault Public Schools and Owatonna Public Schools. Nash holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and a minor in accounting from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Nash will begin her employment with Edina Pubic Schools Nov. 15. She will succeed Jay Willemssen, who will retire Nov. 30. For more information on Nash, contact Edina Public Schools Director of Human Resources and Administrative Services Gwen Jackson at 952-848-4946. Edina-Based Senior Moving Company Celebrates AnniversaryGentle Transitions, a leader in the senior move management industry, celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. Since its establishment in 1990, the business has grown from a one-woman operation to a company of more than 60 part-time employees. “It’s rewarding work,” said Diane Bjorkman, co-owner of Gentle Transitions, “but the service is only as good as the employees. We’re lucky to have such caring employees.” Gentle Transitions is a leader in the Twin Cities senior move manager industry and one of the first of its kind. The company works with its senior clients to provide ease and peace of mind with the relocation process. “What makes us unique is that we’re there from the beginning to the end,” said Bjorkman. “We can make their move easy and wonderful.” The business begins their process by preparing for the move: deciding what to keep, sell or donate; determining a moving timeline and creating a floor plan for the new space. Gentle Transitions employees provide boxes and moving supplies while packing all items for the move. Gentle Transitions, a full-service moving company, celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. Su b m i t t e d P h o t o Su b m i t t e d P h o t o Margo Nash (continued on next page) 54 • AUTUMN 2010 55 • AUTUMN 2010 1) Veteran Ray Peterson waves to the crowd during the annual Independence Day parade. Dozens of veterans participated in the annual parade and were treated to a dinner the night before hosted by the Edina Community Foundation. 2) Thousands of children lined Eden Avenue and West 50th Street for the annual Independence Day parade. 3) Minnesota Twins Vice President of Public Affairs Kevin Smith gave kids participating in the Rotary Club of Edina’s “Rotary Rocks the Y” program a private summer tour of Target Field. 4) Thousands of patrons purchased fruits, vegetables and other goodies at the Farmers Market held July through September at Centennial Lakes Park. 5) Mayor Jim Hovland (right) presents Gordon Hughes with a watch for his 36 years of service to the City. Hughes retired as City Manager on July 30. 6) The Park & Recreation staff celebrated the end of its summer playground program with its Family Jamboree in July. Send Us Your Photos!Photos clearly marked with names and related businesses should be sent to the City at: 4801 W. 50th St., Edina, MN 55424 Photo Gallery Ph o t o b y J e n n i f e r B e n n e r o t t e Ph o t o b y K a t h y M a r e c k 54 • AUTUMN 55 • AUTUMN Ph o t o b y M a r t y D o l l Ph o t o b y P o l l y N o r m a n Ph o t o b y P o l l y N o r m a n Su b m i t t e d P h o t o After moving day, the clients furniture is arranged, boxes unpacked, photos hung and beds made. Bjorkman says her employees even put the client’s food in the fridge. “I have worked with seniors for over 28 years,” said Bjorkman, “and I love this company and what it stands for.” Gentle Transitions is located at 7346 Ohms Lane. For more information, call 952-944-1028 or visit www.GentleTransitions.com. Helping build Edina for 25 years. 612-239-8555 Lic. # 20250458 remodeling additions MATTHIAS K.BULDERS mkbad0109.qxd 7/9/10 10:31 AM Page 1 Can’t tolerate CPAP? Stop losing sleep over it . . . 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