HomeMy WebLinkAboutEdition Edina June 2023Celebrate Juneteenth at Centennial Lakes Park
Family Activities, Food Trucks and Live Music Highlight June 19 Event
BY DEBBIE TOWNSEND
Bring the family to Centennial Lakes Park
to learn about and celebrate Juneteenth
with children’s activities, live music,
storytellers, food trucks and more.
The Juneteenth Community Celebration
runs 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, June 19, at 7499
France Ave. S. Admission is free.
Juneteenth, which commemorates ending
the enslavement of African-American
people in the United States, became a
federal holiday in 2021 and is an observed
City holiday in Edina.
“It is important that Edina and the rest of
the country celebrate and acknowledge
Juneteenth because it is part of American
history, reminds us of what can be
achieved and inspires us to reimagine the
meaning of freedom and equity for all,”
said Race & Equity Manager Heidi Lee.
Former Bravo TV personality Faatemah
Ampey, hailed as the “Diana Ross of Hair,”
will serve as emcee of the Juneteenth
Community Celebration. Ampey has won
numerous awards for her work in beauty,
including being inducted into the Aveda
Hall of Fame. She’s also been recognized
for her compassionate community
leadership in the wake of the murder of
George Floyd and her role in helping
revive the Lyn-Lake business district.
The debut book of Minneapolis native
Angela Joy, “Black Is A Rainbow Color,”
will be shared during the children’s story
stroll. The illustrated children’s book
was named to numerous best book of
2020 lists and received starred reviews
from Booklist and Kirkus Reviews. Other
children’s activities include a book
giveaway and planting herbs to take
home and grow.
Performing at the Centennial Lakes Park
amphitheater are Carolyne Naomi, who
blends influences from soul and R&B to
reggae and gospel, and Smash Jazz, a
trio that incorporates jazz, jazz fusion,
R&B, pop and other genres. Master
storyteller Nothando Zulu will engage
children and adults with folktales and
real-life experiences.
Four Black-owned food trucks will be
parked near Hughes Pavilion, selling
their specialties:
•Soul to Soul Smokehouse is known
for its Memphis-style barbecue.
•StuffDMN makes American comfort
food such as burgers and sandwiches.
Carolyne Naomi (left) will perform songs off her debut EP “Miss Naomi” at the Maetzold Amphitheater at
Centennial Lakes Park. Faatemah Ampey (right) will serve as emcee for the celebration. (Submitted Photos)
•VB&J’s, which stands for Veggie
Burgers and Juices, offers plant-based
sandwiches, bowls and wraps.
•Lutunji’s Palate creates Southern-
influenced desserts and offers plant-
based options.
Edina Liquor plans to set up a beer and
wine garden highlighting Black-owned
breweries and wineries.
Several local organizations whose mission
or programs celebrate, uplift and elevate
African-American and Black experiences and
voices will be on hand to share what they do.
For more information, follow the City
of Edina’s Juneteenth Facebook event
or visit BetterTogetherEdina.org.
City of Edina EdinaMN.gov 1
Edition: Edina
JUNE 2023
Volume 10, Issue 6Strong FoundationCITY GOALS:Better TogetherReliable Service Livable City
BY LAUREN SIEBENALER
“Supportive” and “approachable” are
words used to describe the 2022 Mike
Siitari Officer of the Year, Jesse Penman.
Penman holds a few titles in the department
besides Patrol Officer, including Field
Training Officer, Firearms Training Officer,
Use of Force and Defensive Tactics Officer
and SWAT team sniper. His colleagues
describe him a natural leader and someone
who always has a smile on his face. And
now, Penman is proud to hold the title of
Officer of the Year.
“I was honored and humbled to receive this
news from Chief Milburn as there are so
many officers at Edina who do great work
and were worthy of the award,” Penman
said during the award presentation at a City
Council meeting in May.
A former Community Service Officer,
Penman joined the Edina Police
Department in 2016 and was promoted
to Police Officer one year later. He is a
graduate of St. Cloud State University
with a bachelor’s degree in Management.
He also received his associate degree in
criminal justice from North Hennepin
Community College.
Police Chief Todd Milburn said Penman is
one of the department’s most productive
officers with a passion for traffic and DWI
enforcement. Penman was one of four
Edina officers recognized by Mothers
Against Drunk Driving Minnesota for their
DWI enforcement in May. Milburn said
Penman’s partners are often motivated
by his proactive habits and follow his
lead to take impaired drivers off Edina
roads. Another passion of Penman’s is
working on the SWAT team. He holds the
protection and safety of victims, other
officers and suspects
with high regard and
works seamlessly with
other responders for
successful resolution
of incidents.
“Jesse is a phenomenal
officer. Last year, he
picked up a lot of extra
shifts. It was a sacrifice
he and his family made
so that other officers
wouldn’t have to come
in on their days off,”
said Lt. Ryan Schultz.
“He really cares about
others and shows up for his team with a
smile on his face.”
“There’s a lot of stress behind this job
and there are a lot of bad moments,”
said Sgt. Anna Eckstein. “Jesse makes
it better by working with him. He’s very
motivating and he’s a mentor to other
officers. As a supervisor, it’s comforting
to know someone like him is on my shift.”
For more information on the
Edina Police Department, visit
EdinaMN.gov/Police.
Patrol Officer Jesse Penman Named 2022 Mike Siitari Officer of the Year
Penman Educates and Cares for Team Members, Residents and Suspects
Patrol Officer Jesse Penman, shown at Utley Park, has won the
prestigious award named after former Edina Police Chief Mike Siitari.
(Photo by Lauren Siebenaler)
- COMPILED BY RENEE MOTTET
The Edina Fire Department serves the community by
protecting lives, property and the environment. The
department has 42 members. At any given time, nine
to 11 Paramedic/Firefighters are on duty, and three
Inspectors work Monday through Friday.
BY THE NUMBERS
Edina Fire
Department
7,242
Fire calls in 2022.
weight in
pounds of the
self-contained
breathing
apparatus (SCBA) used by
firefighters. It is worn in
addition to 20-25 pounds
of protective clothing.
30
Approximate number of bees
(plus 1 queen bee) that are cared
for by firefighters in the backyard
of Fire Station 1. The bees assist in
the pollination of the native
landscaping around the fire station
and surrounding neighborhood.
10,000
the badge number
of the newest
Paramedic/
Firefighter, Meghan
Sipple. Edina Fire Department Badge
Number 1 was assigned in 1942.
172
hours per shift.
Firefighters work
seven of these
shifts every 21 days.
24
2
Sunday Night Concerts
7 p.m.
June 4 Katy Vernon
June 11 First John Philip Sousa
Memorial Band
June 18 Leslie Vincent and the Vibes
June 25 Percolators Band
July 2 Hopkins Westwind Concert Band
July 9 The Medalist Concert Band
July 16 First John Philip Sousa
Memorial Band
July 23 The Two Sundays Big Band
July 30 BlueDog
Aug. 6 Minneapolis Police Band
Aug. 13 First John Philip Sousa
Memorial Band
Aug. 20 The Medicine Show
Music Company
Aug. 27 Sawyer’s Dream
Monday Night Concerts
7 p.m.
June 5 Brooklyn Community Band
June 12 The Prizefighters
June 19 Juneteenth Celebration
Activities and live music
from Carolyne Naomi
and Smash Jazz, 4-8 p.m.
June 26 Pair of 7
July 3 The Skally Line
July 10 Rockin’ Woody
July 17 Southside Big Band
July 24 Mandolin Orchestra
July 31 Just Dave and the Rockin’
All Stars Band
Aug. 7 Peter Ruddy
Aug. 14 River City Jazz Orchestra
Aug. 21 Onorach Mulhern Geraghty (OMG)
School of Irish Dance
Aug. 28 Pan-handlers Steel Drum Band
Wednesday Night
Concerts
7 p.m., unless otherwise noted
June 7 Travelin’ Moburys
June 14 Capri Big Band
June 21 Princess Sing-A-Long
(*6 p.m. Kids Special)
June 28 Lee Engele and Friends
July 5 Homeward Bound
July 12 Hunker’d Down Blues Band
July 19 Teddy Bear Band
(*6 p.m. Kids Special)
July 26 UMBAS Summer Band
Aug. 2 Swing Beat Big Band
Aug. 9 The Dirty Shorts Brass Band
Aug. 16 The Jolly Pops
(*6 p.m. Kids Special)
Aug. 23 The French Hillbillies
Aug. 30 Joey Stephens
Movies in the Park
Sunset Fridays
June 9 Top Gun: Maverick
July 21 Jungle Cruise
Aug. 18 Strange World
Tuesday and Thursday
Children’s Concerts
11 a.m.
June 6 Teddy Bear Band
June 8 Wonderful World of Woody
June 13 The Pledge Party Team
June 15 Todd’n’Tina
June 20 ARK: Acoustic Rock for Kids
with John Kerns
June 22 Wendy’s Wiggle, Jiggle, and Jam!
June 27 Brodini Comedy Magic Show
June 29 Morningside Theater
Company Actors
July 6 Jolly Pops
July 11 The Bazillions
July 13 The Mary Hall Show
for Pipsqueeks
July 18 Kidpower Music and Live
Animal Show
July 20 Wonderful World of Woody
July 25 ARK: Acoustic Rock for Kids
with John Kerns
July 27 Magical Entertainer Brian Richards
Aug. 1 Steve and Friends Puppet Show
Aug. 3 Bob the Beachcomber
Aug. 8 Will Hale and the Tadpole Parade
Aug. 10 Sticks and Tones
Aug. 15 Wendy’s Wiggle, Jiggle, and Jam!
Aug. 17 Reptile and Amphibian
Discovery Zoo
Aug. 22 Hooperina
Aug. 24 Brodini Comedy Magic Show
Aug. 29 Big Fun Show!
Aug. 31 Kayla Malmgren- Juggles
the Juggler
Centennial Lakes Park
ENTERTAINMENT2023SUMMER
Centennial Lakes Park, 7499 France Ave. S., offers summer concerts and movies in the park. Concerts and
movies are held in the Maetzold Amphitheater. Patrons are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs.
3City of Edina EdinaMN.gov
Visit CentennialLakesPark.com or its
Facebook page for updates.
952-927-8861 | mail@EdinaMN.govCity of Edina EdinaMN.gov4
City Subscribes to Xcel Energy’s Windsource Program
Community Challenged to Match City’s Investment in Renewable Energy
To meet the goal of sourcing all electricity for
City operations from renewable sources by
2030, the City Council voted last month to
subscribe to Xcel Energy’s Windsource program.
The Windsource renewable energy subscription
program provides a way for customers to
purchase and claim renewable energy credits
(RECs) on the electrical grid, to prove their
electricity comes from renewable sources.
Xcel Energy already provides some renewable
energy on the grid, so the City does not need
to purchase enough RECs to cover 100 percent
of its electricity use, only the amount not
already generated by Xcel Energy or by onsite
sources like the solar panels on Edina City Hall.
In 2023, Edina will purchase RECs to cover
about 66 percent of its electricity needs, or
around 12 million kilowatt hours.
“As a local government organization, the City
uses a lot of energy. We use about 18 million
kilowatt hours each year – a few thousand
households worth of electricity. We need to
know that our energy is reliable and helps us
meet our goals. It’s important that our energy
be renewable,” said Sustainability Manager
Grace Hancock.
The Windsource premium will be used on
accounts associated with Edina City Hall;
Public Works & Park Maintenance Facility; Fire
Station 1; Edina Senior Center; Edinborough,
Fred Richards and other parks; water pumping;
parking ramps; and sewer and storm drainage
operations. As onsite renewable energy is
installed at City facilities and Xcel’s certified
renewable percentage increases, the City’s
cost for Windsource will decrease.
The Windsource subscription program is one
that Edina residents can participate in, too.
City staff plan to implement a “community
match” campaign this summer to challenge
the community to match the City’s investment
in renewal energy. This would result in about
1,200 homes subscribing to Windsource at an
additional cost of about $6 per month.
In other business last month, the City Council:
•Received an update on the design of Fire
Station 2, which will be ongoing through
the summer. Later this summer, the
Planning Commission will consider the
proposed site plan, preliminary rezoning
and overall development plan necessary
for the project.
•Received a petition from the Edina
West Condominium Association for the
establishment of a Housing Improvement
Area as a financing mechanism to
complete common area improvements.
The City Council will hold a public
hearing on the matter June 6.
The Council will next meet 7 p.m.
June 6 and 20. For more information,
visit EdinaMN.gov.
– COMPILED BY JENNIFER BENNEROTTE
UPCOMING EVENTS
Children’s Concert, Centennial
Lakes Park
11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays
Concert in the Park, Centennial
Lakes Park
7 p.m. Sundays, Mondays,
and Wednesdays
Farmers Market, Centennial Lakes Park
3-7 p.m. Thursdays starting June 8
Thursday, June 1
Pride Month begins
Friday, June 2-Sunday, June 4
Edina Art Fair, 50th & France
Saturday, June 3, 10 a.m.
First Saturday Art Lab, Edina Art Center
Monday, June 5, 7 p.m.
Edina High School graduation,
Target Center
Tuesday, June 6, 7 p.m.
City Council meeting, Edina City Hall
Thursday, June 8, 7:30 a.m.
Housing & Redevelopment Authority
meeting, Edina City Hall
Thursday, June 8, 11:30 a.m.
Aquatic Center opens for the season
Friday, June 9, 8 p.m.
Movie Night in the Amphitheater, “Top
Gun: Maverick,” Centennial Lakes Park
Monday, June 19
Juneteenth; City Offices closed
Monday, June 19, 4 p.m.
Juneteenth Celebration, Centennial
Lakes Park
Tuesday, June 20, 7 p.m.
City Council meeting, Edina City Hall
Wednesday, June 21, 5 p.m.
Art Together, Fred Richards Park
Friday, June 23, 6 p.m.
Thrifterella’s Ball, Centennial
Lakes Park
Wednesday, June 28-Thursday, June 29
Eid al-Adha
For a complete listing of meetings
and events, visit EdinaMN.gov.
Watch City Council, Housing & Redevelopment Authority and Planning
Commission meetings live:
• Edina TV (Comcast Channels 813 or 16)
• Facebook.com/EdinaMN
• “Watch a Meeting” web page at
EdinaMN.gov/LiveMeetings
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