inside

Opinions/Letters..................................... 3
CARAG Report.......................................... 6
Crime Map .................................................. 7
ECCO Report ........................................... 8
Community Calendar........................... 15

Photo (left) by Kay Nygaard-Graham

Covering the Neighborhoods of CARAG and ECCO in the Uptown Area April 2006 • Volume 2, Number 3

Birchwood Offers Loving Care Uptown Shocked and

and a Good Home Saddened by Murder
By Eric Petersen

Pedestrians and motorists who

frequently pass through the
intersection at Lyndale and 31st
street heading either east or
west probably have noticed the
frequent gathering of friendly
folks who hang out in front of
the Birchwood Care Home. I
often pass by myself, and I’m
almost certain to be greeted by
hand waves, hellos and some
friendly banter each and every
time.
But what exactly is Birchwood?
And why are its residents over-
whelmingly so nice?
Birchwood opened in 1966 as a
privately run facility to care for
those with myriad health prob-
lems and behavioral issues. At
the time, not all places designed
to deal with such people pro-
vided the specialized care that
Birchwood hoped to. Then, as
now, many marginalized peo-
ple often were not getting the
care they need and love they
deserve.
You’ll often see Jarion Brown
outside, mingling with the resi-
dents. Brown has been work-
ing at Birchwood for a bit over
two years, and he enjoys his job
accompanying the residents as
they foray en masse for outings
to the movies, to a fishing hole
or summertime BBQs, among
the many other “outside”
group recreation opportunities.
Birchwood Care Nursing Home
Brown said, smiling, that his
primary duty at Birchwood is
to “keep the residents busy.”
And that he does.
Marilyn Swanson, Director
of Nursing Services, said that
residents have the option of
between 95 and 115 “therapeu-
tic recreation” opportunities
each month. These options
include bingo, television,
darts, board games, visits from
local daycare kids, visits to the
library, seeing plays and trips
to the YMCA. These activi-
ties aren’t just plucked from a
hat, either; the Resident Coun-
cil has its say in every activ-
ity choice. This democratically
elected group of residents helps
to shape the monthly itinerary.
Brown said the TV schedule
Photo by Kay Nygaard-Graham
tends to be among the most
contentious decision that gets
made.
Current owner and 19-year
administrator Randy Hage-
meyer gets much credit from
Swanson for his running of the
program. She said, “He under-
stands the impact his decisions
have on staff and for the quality
of life for our residents.” Many
long-term employees also share
the credit. “Honest caring and
the closeness between staff to
the residents, it’s like a family
for many of them,” she said,
“People who come to work
here, stay here.”
Neighbors have been great to
Birchwood
continued on page 2
Photo by Jeffrey Farnam
The neighborhood has been
shaken by the murder of
Michael Zebuhr, 25, during a
robbery on March 18. While the
topic of crime has been on the
minds and in the conversations
of many Uptown residents for
almost a year, escalation of vio-
lence was a shock to the collec-
tive psyche of this area.
Residents held two vigils to
mourn the death of Zebuhr.
On March 22, Community
Crime Prevention Specialist
Tom Thompson invited folks
to “a show of solidarity for our
neighborhoods. Let’s show the
“thugs” out there that we won’t
be intimidated. We will work
together to get them out of our
neighborhoods. We will do
whatever it takes, as a commu-
nity, to bring peace and justice
for the victim, his family and
our neighborhoods.”
Residents met at the site of the
shooting on 31st and Girard for
a candlelight vigil, then walked
to Bryant Square Park for the
Photo by Jeffrey Farnam
Photo by Kay Nygaard-Graham
CARAG monthly meeting
where city and police represen-
tatives spoke.
Another vigil was held Satur-
day, March 25, at the same spot.
Police say they are working to
find the killer(s), but report no
news yet. Police have released
a vague description of two
male suspects in dark clothing.
Authorities said the suspects
got into a white, four-door car
that headed south in the alley
between Girard and Hennepin
avenues. More people may have
been waiting in the getaway car,
police have said. Police urge any-
one with information about the
robbery to call 612-692-TIPS.

Memorial Fund for Michael Zebuhr

Congressman Sabo to Retire Residents of the Uptown area have set up a Memorial Fund
for the family of the West Virginia native killed

After 28 Years in Congress

U.S. Con- then. He said, “Now, at age 68,
gressman it’s time to stop. In my gut, I
from the know the time is right. It’s time
5th District, to open the door for a new gen-
Martin Olav eration of leadership.”
Sabo, has
announced In a dependably friendly, Dem-
Martin Olav Sabo that he will ocratic district, Sabo has faced
retire at few challengers and has easily
the end of this term, in Janu- won reelection every time he
ary 2007. Sabo first served as a ran. He has been widely consid-
representative in the Minnesota ered an effective representative,
House, from 1960 to 1978. Then admired by many as a reason-
he was elected to Congress in able voice in the cacophony of
1978, and every two years since Washington.
But the real news right now
is the rush of local Minnesota
politicians and office holders
tripping over each other on the
way to filing for the office. It
is the chance of a lifetime, and
many are taking advantage of
the rare opening. Voters will
be hard pressed to sort out the
growing list. The DFL conven-
tions will appraise them, and an
endorsement may come out of
the June state convention, but
SABO to Retire
continued on page 13
Saturday, March 18th, near Calhoun Square. If you’d like
to contribute, send your donation to:
The Michael Zebuhr Memorial Fund, c/o TCF Bank,
612 Washington Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
WRITERS!
Want to write for the Uptown Neighborhood News? It is a
fun, volunteer job. You don’t need to be a professional, but
you do need to care about your neighborhood.
CALENDAR EDITOR
We are looking for someone to spend a few hours every
month assembling the Community Calendar.
Call or write: 259.1372 or uptownews@yahoo.com.
 •  Uptown Neighborhood news April 2006
birchwood
continued from page 1
the residents at Birchwood as
well. As Birchwood holds a
special state permit, residents
often stay for many years, and
become community figures in
their own right. Swanson men-
tioned a resident who stayed at
Birchwood for 31 years. Swan-
son also noted that the annual
December open house often
attracts 350 people, which
includes many neighborhood
folks as well as family members
of Birchwood residents.
Swanson also mentioned the
Bryant Lake Bowl as a resident
favorite. It has been dubbed
“the hideout” by the many
regular visitors from the home.
She said some residents were
horrified when she went there
for dinner a couple weeks ago,
as if she had intruded on a pri-
vate club.
Birchwood currently has resi-
dents aged from 30 to 85. The
average age is about 55. Many
residents stay there until they
are unable to move about of
their own volition, and even
when they are moved out,
Swanson said that Birchwood
also offers hospice care for some
at the very end. Many residents
Dining Out for Life April 27 Local restaurants donate profits to The Aliveness Project
Thursday, April 27 is the 12th
Annual Dining Out for Life
event. Local restaurants con-
tribute a share of the profits they
make that day to The Alive-
ness Project, a local nonprofit
organization that provides on-
site meals, food shelf and other
supportive services for HIV-
infected individuals and their
have, over the course of years,
come to see Birchwood truly as
home, and wish to spend their
remaining time there.
The waiting list attends to the
fact that Birchwood is highly
regarded in the field of home
health care facilities, and turn-
over remains low. Of the 60
current residents, the attrition
rate amounts to about a resi-
dent a month. Some of these
are people who were able to
move on to other types of sup-
porting housing, such as Sec-
tion 8 or some type of foster
care arrangement.
Birchwood has 24/7 profes-
sional nurses, and a registered
dietician oversees the kitchen
operations. For Valentine’s Day
this year, residents were treated
to a romantic setting and dined
on shrimp, steak, vegetables
and potato. And dessert.
Above all, according to Swan-
son, the residents at Birchwood
want to fit in, help the commu-
nity and lead normal lives.
CARAG resident Eric Petersen is
a student at Metro State.
families. The event last year
raised $70,000. If you dine at
these restaurants on that day,
they will donate profits to the
project.
Go to the web site for a complete
list of participating restaurants
(www.diningoutforlife.com/
participating.php).
Meet Your Neighbors at Birchwood
By Steven Nelson
I have lived here for two
years now and I like the
area very much. The buses
are very good. You can get
around very good. The park
is good to go for walks in and
watch the people play in sum-
mer and winter, like games.
Where I live is good too. I live
at Birchwood. The people are
very good there to live with.
They take very good care of
us there.
There is a lot to do there, too.
Rec. Dept. keeps us so busy.
Some of the things we do is go
shopping at K-Mart, go out to
eat and go to the movies on
Saturday so we stay busy.
We have good staff, who take
good care of us too. They look
out for us. I like going to my
church, too.
Following are two interviews
with residents of Birchwood.
Donating 100%
Auriga 1930 Hennepin Ave.
Donating 35%
Bar Abilene 1300 Lagoon Ave.
El Meson 3450 Lyndale Ave.
The Independent Calhoun Sq.
Victor’s 1959 Cafe 3756 Grand Ave.
Mary Hebzyski Mary Molloy
Where are you from? Where did you live before
New Hope. you came here?
How long have you lived in Chicago.
the area?
Four years. How long have you lived here
in this area?
What do you like about this Four years.
area the most?
I like the fact that I can take What do you like to do the
walks. most for fun?
Walks in the area to the
How do you like the many stores, out to eat, etc.
food places to eat?
Yes. I like to go out to eat a lot If you had something you
to get pizzas a lot. could see different what
would it be?
Mary, what do you like most It would be stop signs at the
about Birchwood? corners of Aldrich and 31st
The people there. so it would be safer to walk
across.
What do you do in the sum-
mer there? What do you like about
I sit outside in front and drink Birchwood the most?
pop and smoke cigs with my The people, the food, the Rec.
friends. Department.
What are some of your hob- How is the bus transport sys-
bies? tems?
I make crafts a lot for my Very good.
friends and family.
Well then you would say it’s a
Well, thank you, Mary, for good place to be for now.
your time.
This is reporter Steven Nelson
on the inside for you.
Donating 25% Donating 15%
Five Restaurant 2917 Bryant Emma’s Restaurant 2817 Lyndale
Pizza Luce 3200 Lyndale Ave. Ave.
Rudolph’s Bar-B-Que Falafel King 701 Lake St.
1933 Lyndale Ave. Giorgio’s 2451 Hennepin Ave.
Donating 20% Donating 10%
Aura Calhoun Sq. JP American Bistro 2937 Lyndale
Barbette 1600 Lake St. Ave.
Chiang Mai Thai Calhoun Sq. Uptown Diner 2821 Hennepin Ave.
It’s Greek to Me 626 Lake St.
Uptown Neighborhood News
Uptown Neighborhood News is a monthly publication of Calhoun Area Residents Action Group
(CARAG) in cooperation with the East Calhoun Community Organization (ECCO). UNN cov-
ers the news of and is delivered free to households within the area bounded by Lyndale Ave. S. and
Lake Calhoun, between Lake Street and 36th St. W. Extra copies are distributed to businesses in the
Uptown area, along Lake Street, and Lyndale and Hennepin Aves. Circulation is 5,100, with a pass-
along readership of 10,000. Publication and distribution is near the first weekend of every month.
Subscriptions are available for $30 per year, prepaid. Send check to: UNN, 711 W. Lake St., Suite 303,
Minneapolis, MN 55408.
Contributors are area residents who volunteer their time to bring the news of the area to residents.
Articles, letters to the editor and story ideas are welcomed and encouraged. The editor reserves the
right to edit for length, clarity, relevance to the area, or other reasons. Editorial and advertising guide-
lines are available. Please contact the editor:
News, Story Ideas and letters to the contributing writers
editor Tracy Armstrong, Gary Farland, Jeffrey Far-
uptownnews@yahoo.com nam, Kay Nygaard-Graham, Eric Peterson
UNN, 711 West Lake St. #303
contributing columnists
Minneapolis, MN 55408
Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Rick Krolak,
(612) 259-1372
Al Olme
Editor
Graphic Design & ProducTion
Mary Ann Knox
Kelly Newcomer 824-1092
Managing Board kelly@kellynewcomer.com
Appointed/Elected Reps:
Minneapolis City Council
Gary Farland, Chair (ECCO) 824-6744
Tenth Ward
Ralph D. Knox, Secretary (ECCO)
Ralph Remington, 673-2210
Carrie Menard (ECCO)
ralph.remington@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Anna Matthes (CARAG)
Kay Nygaard-Graham, Treasurer (CARAG) Crime Prevention Specialist
825-3637 Tom Thompson
Jill Bode, Vice-chair (CARAG) 5th Precinct
Volunteer Members: Safe Unit, Sector 2
David Peterson 3101 Nicollet Ave
Mary Ann Knox Minneapolis MN 55408
Serving the neighborhoods of;
Advertising
CARAG, East Harriet, ECCO, Kingfield,
Anna Matthes 824-6183
Linden Hills, Lyndale, West Calhoun
amatthes@visi.com
Ads are due by the 17th of each month 5th Precinct Community Attorney
(if you don’t have it in by then, call anyway) Lisa Godon 673-2005
Photographers Uptown Neighborhood News reserves the right to refuse publi-
Tracy Armstrong, Gary Farland, Jeffrey Far- cation of articles or advertisements as it sees fit. But we will see
fit to publish most things, don’t worry.
nam, Kay Nygaard-Graham, David Peterson Copyright © 2006. Uptown Neighborhood News.
Newspaper circulation
CARAG/ECCO Circulation:
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april 2006 Uptown Neighborhood news •  
opinions
What One Person with
Resolve Can Do
By Ellen Bouroughf
Ruth Cain may look like a
harmless little old lady who’d
wear tennis shoes, but she isn’t.
A former Associate Chair of
the Minnesota DFL, she has
remained involved. Whether a
champion of a candidate or of
an issue, she is a powerful pres-
ence. Ruth wrote a resolution
proposing a moratorium on
development in the Uptown
area, which she introduced at
her precinct caucus. Since she
distributed copies of the resolu-
tion widely, it was introduced
at other caucuses, too. At my
caucus, it was passed without
discussion by unanimous vote.
You were, of course, at your
own precinct caucus. What
happened to Ruth’s resolution
there? Was it introduced? Was
it discussed? Did it pass?
Several of our neighbors,
empowered by the resolution’s
passage, formed a group to
encourage the powers that be
to take notice and take action.
“Hey! Other areas have mora-
toriums on development. We
want one, too.” Beware. These
people aren’t harmless either.
Nor is Ruth’s dog. His name
is Digby, and he’s been a cam-
paign mascot. You’ve prob-
ably seen him holding court
at the Dunn Brothers coffee-
house at 34th and Hennepin
Avenue. While he may growl
viciously at passing Rottweilers
and Great Danes, all he really
wants to do is play. Digby is
dangerous because he steals
hearts. Ruth Cain and her
group aren’t dangerous because
they steal. They’re dangerous
because they work. Right now
they’re organizing a petition
drive. The petition gets rid of
all the “whereases” and “be-it-
resolveds” in the resolution but
captures its intent. It reads:
Heard Around Uptown
By Mary Ann Knox
Former 10th Ward City Coun-
cilmember Dan Niziolek is now
working as an Inspector in the
Mpls. Liquor Licensing divi-
sion. He says his experiences
as a city councilmember made
him realize that his commu-
nity is affected by the presence
of licenses in Uptown. He hopes
he can help the division improve
enforcement.


Former ECCO resident Lee
Todd is a current ECCO resi-
“Petition for a Moratorium on
Development in Uptown
The top concern of 10th Ward
voters in the recent City election
was the number of development
proposals that would radically
change the area’s scale and char-
acter. A master plan involving
substantial neighborhood input
was widely supported and a plan-
ner has been hired by the city to
begin the process in April 2006.
Developer proposals continue to
move forward in the absence of
such a plan.
Therefore we request a morato-
rium on all development projects
in the 10th Ward which do not
strictly conform to present zoning
and Shoreland Overlay laws until
a master plan for the Uptown
area, which includes substantial
input from 10th Ward residents,
is adopted. In the meantime, no
zoning variances or conditional
use permits should be granted
except those for single-family
homes and duplexes.”
Ruth’s “petition posse” wants
your signature. Expect to hear
from them. If you’d like to join
the group, call Ruth Cain at
822.4483.
Ellen wrote the Uptown News
article that urged readers to go
to their precinct caucuses. Since
no Act of God prevented her
attendance, she went and was
intrigued by this resolution and
its empowering effect.
Opinions Policy: Please submit
your opinion pieces to the edi-
tor. We encourage thoughtful
essays about anything that’s
going on in the neighborhoods.
On occasion, we will solicit
contrasting views on one sub-
ject and run multiple opinions.
We reserve the right to edit for
space or clarity, taste and legal
concerns.
dent again. Lee and his wife
moved to California in 1997
after many years in ECCO.
They heard that their old house
was on the market again, and as
they missed their family back
here, decided to return. They
bought back their old house
on Irving Avenue, next to Kit
and Joan Bottkol, who wel-
come back their old friends and
neighbors.
CARAG residents Christy and
Scott Devens have a new baby
boy. Spencer Wayne Devens
letters
TAKE NONVIOLENT
ACTION
Last weekend, a horrible crime
was committed on our streets.
We all reacted with shock and
horror at this seemingly capri-
cious and brazen murder.
Nobody can change what hap-
pened, but we are now making
decisions for the future.
I have noticed a much more
visible police presence, and this
is welcome to keep our streets
safe. At the same time it is
unsustainable, there are much
higher crime areas in our city,
and they deserve attention.
Staffing levels are dangerously
low as it is. Police also, no mat-
ter how high the presence, can
not possibly stop every crime.
I also have heard the cry for
blood. If anybody else reads
the Craig’s List message boards,
there is an increasing call for
vigilantism. “Arm yourselves!”
“Eye for an Eye!” “Anyone
messes with me like that and
they’ll regret it!” These are
understandable given the cir-
cumstances, but must at all
costs be avoided. Do we want
to be walking home from Cal-
houn Square and get caught in
crossfire? Our children?
In a story for this issue of UNN,
I visited the Birchwood Care
Home and conducted a couple
of interviews. I also, while
waiting for an appointment,
spoke with a resident, Mariah.
Her speech is sometimes hard
to understand, and her struc-
turing is sometimes hard to
follow. Some of her messages
were abundantly clear. But
one resonates with me tonight:
Take our streets back from
thugs. We were talking about
street patrols. Non-violent,
Letters to the Editor Policy:
Write to us, provided you write
fewer than 250 words! Your
letter may be edited and we
don't know if it will be pub-
lished, but we will certainly try
to do so. We need to know your
name, address, phone number
and neighborhood.
arrived Fri-
day, Febru-
ary 24 (6
lbs. 10 oz).
They are
all well...
just adjust- Spencer Wayne Devens
ing to the
new sleep schedule (or “lack
of sleep schedule”), says new
mom Christy. Congratulations,
Devens family!
If you hear news around
Uptown, let me know! Email
uptownnews@yahoo.com.
unarmed but highly visible
street patrols.
Please join a neighborhood
walking group. Be safe,
respectful and forceful. Let’s
not have the annual summer
increase in person-on-person
crime that we’ve seen in the
past.
It’s in our hands.
Eric Petersen
CARAG
INTERESTING CAUCUS
The “Why Go To A Caucus”
article by Ellen Bouroughf was
excellent. She convinced me to
go and I went. Before, I really
had no idea why anyone would
bother going to something like
that. It seemed like a lot of
weird insider political maneu-
vering or something foreign.
But now I know.
I have been thinking, hey,
why don’t we have health care
for all? Light rail in plans for
Uptown? A farmer’s market
within walking distance? So
now I get it. Go to the caucus.
Meet the neighbors, make our
voices heard. I will begin to
make my voice heard. I really
like her writing.
At the caucus, I volunteered
to be a delegate and went to
the Senate District 60 conven-
tion at Washburn High School
March 25th. It was all very
confusing at first and hard to
navigate with my toddler in my
arms, I’m glad I went. I got to
vote yes for resolutions such as
rights for GLBT people, get the
troops out of Iraq, and support
of universal health care. But
it was so stressful being there
with my little boy I left early
and didn’t go back. I will go
again, but I need to find some
babysitters! Next time, it won’t
seem as confusing.
Kelly Newcomer
CARAG
Tell us what you think!
uptownnews@yahoo.com
*OINTHETH7ARD
-/2!4/2)5-
0%4)4)/.
is not Downtown
HTTPMORATORIUMFORTHETENTHWARDBLOGSPOTCOM
3120 HENNEPIN OWNER
RESPONDS
When I purchased the apart-
ment building at 3120 Hen-
nepin Avenue S., it was my
intention to convert the apart-
ments into condominiums. I
requested that my attorney
assist in handling the notifi-
cation to the existing tenants
regarding the condominium
conversion. Unfortunately, my
attorney did not provide me
with accurate information
regarding the law to provide
proper notification to the ten-
ants.
I would like to officially apolo-
gize for any inconvenience this
situation has caused the ten-
ants at 3120 Hennepin Avenue
S. It was never my intention to
push or bully anyone out of the
building. As stated in your arti-
cle (Anatomy of a Condominium
Conversion, March 2006) I have
issued new leases to all of the
occupants of the building and
have put the conversion project
on hold until some time in the
future.
I am now aware of the law
regarding proper notification
and will be sure to incorporate
this knowledge into any future
condominium conversion proj-
ects.
Jason Quilling
Quality Trusted Commercial
Construction & Roofing
STADIUM REFERENDUM
If you want to vote on wheth-
er to pay an extra sales tax for
a stadium, please ask your
state legislators to obey the
law requiring a referendum.
For your senator’s phone, call
651.296.0504. For representa-
tive, call 651.296.2146.
Michael Barrett
Minneapolis
Uptown

 •  Uptown Neighborhood news April 2006
housing & real estate
Can I Sell My House Last Gasp of Winter
by Myself?
By Al Olme
First a bit of old business; last
month you heard about the
plight of Andy Paupore, a ten-
ant in a building that was about
to go condo. You also heard
about the mistakes the owner
and his attorney made in giv-
ing notice and starting work on
the building. Andy rallied his
co-tenants and got help from a
number of sources, including
the Housing Preservation Proj-
ect. When presented with the
facts in the matter, the owner,
Jason Quilling, checked into the
facts and sent a letter rescinding
all the conversion notices. It
appears that Quilling was given
some incorrect legal advice and
when he discovered his error
he set about trying to correct
things. We learned two very
important lessons from this epi-
sode. First, don’t just roll over
to authority without knowing
your rights and second, when
presented with good informa-
tion the “bad guys” might not
really be so bad after all. Both
Andy Paupore and Jason Quill-
ing deserve to be congratulated
for bringing this situation to a
reasonable conclusion.
Enough about condo conver-
sions for now. Is it possible to
sell your own home without
a Realtor? It stands to reason
that the answer must be yes
–– and it is –– but are you will-
ing to go through what it takes
to market and sell your own
house? Maybe the following
will give you an idea if a direct
sale is right for you.
What should you expect from a
Realtor if you decide to use one
in selling? A Realtor should
help you set a selling price by
providing you with enough
information on homes simi-
lar to yours that have recently
sold in your area. The indus-
try calls those homes “comps”
and the best way to get a real-
istic value for your home is to
make an OBJECTIVE AND
DISPASSIONATE compari-
son between your home and the
HOME AVENUEtM A Better Way To Buy And Sell A Home
www.homeavenue.com
Flat Fees Are In. Commissions Are Out.
Check out our new Homefree program,
the no-fee way to sell your home. Call or email me
for a brochure or visit www.homeavenue.com
First-time home buyers my specialty.
See ALL the listings at www.homeavenue.com
CARRIE BERGUM, Licensed Realtor®
612-334-7538 CELL
612-824-2171 HOME OFFICE
carrie@homeavenue.com
comps. To that you add market
trends, seasonality and your
personal goals in selling your
home. Weigh all those factors
and set a price. If your price is
too high, folks won’t even come
to look at your place. One of
the biggest mistakes sellers
make is to set their price high
thinking that they can “always
come down.” The problem is
that your house lingers on the
market. Your best chance of
selling at your asking price is
during the first two to three
weeks that the home is on the
market. Studies say that if your
initial price is too high you will
get less in the long run than
you would have if you had
priced your house well in the
first place.
Making you home ready for
sale is an important step. Since
we live in Minneapolis, we have
to get a “Truth-in-Housing”
(TIH) inspection before offer-
ing a home for sale. A “licensed
evaluator” must do this inspec-
tion. The city says, “The Truth-
in-Housing ordinance is meant
to provide accurate information
on the condition of property for
sale and to help Minneapolis
keep up the quality of hous-
ing available in the city.” As a
Realtor, I feel that goal is being
met. The TIH inspections are
a good thing for the consumer
although sometimes, as a seller,
you’ll think they are a bit picky.
When you pass the TIH you’ll
get a “Certificate of Approval”
and you’ll need it when you get
to the final settlement on your
sale. For the scoop on the Truth
in Housing exam go to www.
ci.minneapolis.mn.us/inspec-
tions/TIH-home.asp. Also
before offering your home you
must provide a disclosure of
facts about the condition of the
property. This is called a “Sell-
er’s Disclosure” and it became
the law in January 2003. Along
with the disclosure there is a
Lead Based Paint Disclosure,
a Well Disclosure and a dis-
closure about the production
of methamphetamine on your
property. Lots of paper but all
of it is required by some branch
of government.
We haven’t even started to talk
about fixing up your home or
staging it so it will appeal to the
broadest range of buyers. We
haven’t done any marketing,
no advertising and nothing was
said about any of the paper-
work that is required to actu-
ally make or accept an offer on
your property. I guess we’ll talk
about all that next month but
until then I want you to know
that while I’ve talked about
how complex selling your own
real estate is, I can assure you
that there are alternatives to
both hiring a Realtor at full fee
or going it alone.
There is a new breed of real
estate company that is rapidly
growing in popularity, the “flat
fee” or “fee for services” broker.
I’ll talk about that alternative
next month but here’s a tip that
could save you thousands of
dollars this month. Real estate
commissions are negotiable,
BY LAW. There is no such
thing as a standard commis-
sion, only customary commis-
sions. For years it was seven
percent but now six percent or
even less is common and if you
are both selling and buying you
can often get a sizable reduc-
tion. Even if you’re just selling
it doesn’t hurt to ask about a
lower rate.
If you have a real estate related
question send me an email at
aolme@scc.net and I’ll try to
answer or get you started in
the right direction toward an
answer. If your question is of
general interest maybe it will be
the subject of a future column.
Al Olme is a licensed Real Estate
Agent working primarily in the
ECCO and CARAG neighbor-
hoods. He is not a legal profes-
sional. If you have a legal or
financial question you should
seek the help of a professional in
the field.
New
(draft for approval)
Photo by Gary Farland
Late season snowfalls in mid-March covered the city. While making it dif-
ficult to get around, it was a beautiful sight.
HOME IMPROVEMENT FAIR
Saturday, April 8
The First Annual Southwest The fair will be held from 9
Journal Home Improvement a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday,
Fair will feature over 50 ven- April 8, in the west gym at
dors, presentations, food and Southwest High, 3414 47th St.
free admission.
Recent Local Property Sales
Address List Price Sale Price
3542 Emerson Ave. S. $649,900 $603,800
(4-unit multi-family)
3505 Irving Ave. S., #A $499,900 $449,000
(2-unit multi-family)
3345 Colfax Ave. S., #101 $245,000 $249,000
(5-unit condo conversion)
3345 Colfax Ave. S., #202 $249,000 $247,000
(5-unit condo conversion)
This information is from MLS listings. The information is
deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.
What is the MLS?
The Multiple Listing Service she really knew what was to
(MLS) takes listing informa- come. Now that information
tion from all its members is available to everyone and
and compiles it into a central the real estate professionals
repository so the information are paying for it.
on property for sale is avail-
able to the real estate com- You can search the MLS
munity. A few years back (thanks to the self interest of
Realtors found out about your Realtor) for the home of
homes for sale using a book your dreams but you usually
that was printed by the MLS. can’t directly approach the
The books were out of date seller. The seller has entered
before they were even printed into a contract with a real
and because of the number of estate company to find a will-
properties each listing was ing and capable buyer and
very small and contained only usually the contract specifies
the very basic information. that even if the seller finds
Then one day the Internet the buyer for the real estate
happened and even Realtors agent, the agent’s company
could see the benefit of get- gets paid. Besides, showing
ting the information faster. your home to folks who walk
That same day I’m sure that up to your door and knock is
some very wise Realtor said, dangerous and you need to be
“This will change the way available for all the showings.
we do business.” I wonder if All in all it just isn’t practical.
april 2006 Uptown Neighborhood news •  

faith & community

Easter, Spring, New Life
T Services: Celebrations of
he Uptown Neighborhood News has been
talking with local clergy at our churches,

Passover and Easter

synagogue and Buddhist center. This
immediate area is home to about 20 places of wor-
ship. Occasionally, we will ask the people who lead
these institutions to share their thoughts with us.
This month we asked Salem Lutheran Church to
weigh in with thoughts of spring, Easter and the
rebirth of life.
Salem Lutheran Church
Photo Supplied by J. Nagel
Salem Minister Jen Nagel
By Jen Nagel
Pastoral Minister –– Outreach
Salem Lutheran Church
As Christians, Easter and the
holy days that lead us there,
shape who we are, what we
believe, and how we act. The
days approaching Easter are
times for remembering, even
rehearsing, how it is that
though death and fear sur-
round us, they don’t get the last
word. New life is possible.
Some 2000 years ago a radical
fellow named Jesus overturned
the old institutions with new
ways of being community, a
new hospitality for those most
outcast, a new law to love one
another, and a new promise of
wholeness and life, even life
eternal. Jesus’ way both then
and now threatens those with
privilege and power. Out of
this threat comes the hatred
and violence of the cross.
As Christians, we see the world
from the foot of this cross.
From the caves of Afghanistan
to our own street corners, we
know well the pain of human
life. And yet it’s in this dark-
ness and fear that God meets us
time and again. That’s the deep
power of Easter.
One of my favorite lines comes
from writer Anne LaMott in
Traveling Mercies: “Grace
always meets you where you
are, but never leaves you
there.” This grace meets us in
the depths of despair and in the
mundane day to day struggles
of life. And yet it doesn’t leave
us there.
The Christian faith tradition
doesn’t stop with the No! of the
cross, but rather leads through
the dark days of waiting to the
Yes! of Easter morning and the
Yes! of Jesus risen, alive, and
liberating.
Salem Lutheran Church, at the
corner of 28th and Lyndale,
states, “We are a welcoming con-
gregation committed to Christ,
our community, and the diversity
of our neighborhood.” Faced with
a huge and failing building, and
determined to act justly in our
neighborhood as well as remain
a worshipping community, the
people of Salem are making
plans for redevelopment of their
site. It is hoped the development
will include retail space, for-sale
town homes, family workforce
rental housing that is affordable,
and a ministry center to be shared
between Lyndale United Church
of Christ and Salem Lutheran
Church. Watch for more details
as their plans evolve.
Visit www.elca.org and www.dis-
coversalem.com.
PASSOVER
TEMPLE ISRAEL
2534 Henn. Ave. S. • 377.8680
Wed, Apr 12, 6 pm – Passover
Eve
Thurs, Apr 13, 10:30 am – Pass-
over Festival Worship
Thurs, Apr 13, 6 pm – Congre-
gational Seder
Wed, Apr19, 10:30 am – Yizkor/
Passover Festival Worship
EASTER APRIL 16
FIRST UNITARIAN
SOCIETY OF MPLS
900 Mount Curve Ave•
377.6608
Easter Breakfast, 9:15 to 10:15
am – Annual Easter Breakfast.
Lower Assembly Hall
Easter Assembly, 10:30 to 11:30
am – Rev. Wendy Jerome.
Upper Assembly Hall
ST. LUKE’S EPISCOPAL
CHURCH
4557 Colfax Ave. S. • 824.2697
Palm Sunday, 9 am – Contem-
plative service • 11am – Festival
service
Maundy Thursday – 7 pm
Good Friday – 7 pm
Easter Vigil, Sat – 7 pm
Easter Sunday, 9 am– Contem-
plative service • 11 am – Festi-
val service
JOYCE UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH
1219 W. 31st St. • 822.5288
Palm Sunday, 10:30 am –Wor-
ship and Sunday School
Good Friday, 7 pm – Service at
Edgewater-Emmanuel UMC,
5144 13th Avenue S
Easter Sunday, 10:30 am – Wor-
ship and Sunday School
LYNDALE UNITED
CHURCH OF CHRIST
810 W. 31st St. • 825.3019
Easter Vigil, Sat evening
CHURCH IN UPTOWN SALEM ENGLISH
Meets at Emerson Elementary LUTHERAN CHURCH
910.0360 610 W. 28th St. • 872.4650
Sundays 3 pm Maundy Thursday, 7 pm
Good Friday, 7 pm
SPIRIT GARAGE Easter Sunday, 8:45 and 10:30 am
Mpls. Theater Garage •
827.1074 THE CHURCH OF THE
Lyndale and Franklin INCARNATION
Good Friday, 8 pm (at Bethle- 3801 Pleasant Ave. S. • 822.2121
hem Lutheran, 4100 Lyndale) Good Friday, 12 pm
Easter Vigil, from Fri, 9 pm Easter Vigil Sat, 6:30 pm Eng-
to 10 am Easter Sunday (any- lish • 8:30 Spanish
where) Palm Sunday – Mass 9:30 am
Easter, 10 am at the Theater • Spanish Mass 11:15 am and 7
Garage pm • Penance service 4 pm
Easter Sunday – Mass 9:30 am •
BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN Spanish Mass 11:15 am, 1 pm,
CHURCH and 7 pm
4100 Lyndale Ave. S. • 312.3400
Maundy Thurs, 11 am and 7
pm ORTHODOX
Good Friday, 11 am and 7 pm EASTER APRIL 23
Easter Vigil, Sat, 6 am to 6 pm
Easter Sunday, Sunrise 6 am • ST. MARY’S GREEK
Festival 8, 9:30, 11 am and 7 pm ORTHODOX CHURCH
3450 Irving Ave. S. • 825.9595
ALDRICH AVENUE Palm Sunday, Apr 16, 9:30 am
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH – Children/Great Entrance
3501 Aldrich Ave. S. • 825.2479 Holy Retreat, Fri, Apr 21, 9 am
Easter Sunday, 10 am to 2 pm
Joyce United Methodist Church
31st and Fremont • (612) 823-0537
www.JoyceChurch.org
Worship and Sunday School
10:30 a.m.
Everyone welcome
regardless of age, race,nationality, creed,
sexual orientation, income or ability
The Joyce Food Shelf
The Joyce Preschool
Worship Handicapped Accessible
Open Hearts Open Minds Open Doors

ST. MARY'S
Greek Orthodox Church
3450 Irving Ave. South (overlooking Lake Calhoun)

Divine Liturgy (612) 825-9595

Sunday 9:30 am www.stmarysgoc.org
Fr. Harry Pappas
 •  Uptown Neighborhood news April 2006
CARAG report
Lake St.
The
CARAG
Board meets
Hennepin Ave.
Lyndale Ave.
the third
Tuesday of
each month,
7 PM at
36th St. Bryant Park
Community Center, 31st and
Bryant. All CARAG residents are
welcome and urged to attend.
Monthly Meeting Minutes
March 21, 2006
Subject to Approval at the April
2006 CARAG Meeting
This CARAG meeting was
abbreviated due to the extend-
ed community discussion about
the recent armed robbery and
shooting in Uptown.
Board Members Attending:
Jill Bode, Rick Bojko, Cindy
Christian, Thatcher Imboden,
Ellan Meyer, Bill Morton, Kay
Nygaard-Graham, Aaron
Rubenstein and Howard Ver-
son. (Absent: none)
Welcome: The CARAG Board
is made up of volunteers who
also volunteer time on other
neighborhood committees and
organizations. Scott Engel,
the CARAG community coor-
dinator, can be reached at
612.823.2520. CARAG is a
democratic organization; mem-
bership and voting privileges
are open to residents, property
owners, and business owners in
the neighborhood.
Approve Agenda & Minutes:
Motions were passed to approve
the agenda and the February
meeting minutes.
NRP Updates: (Scott Engel)
The Project Description and
Guidelines for the newly formed
CARAG Stroll Patrol were pre-
sented and approved unani-
mously. An organizing event
will be held soon; watch www.
carag.org for details. The next
meeting of the Crime & Safety
Committee will be Monday,
April 10, 6 p.m. at Urban Bean.
Lake Street Reconstruction:
(Gay Noble and Catherine
Geisen-Kisch) Gay and Cath-
erine are the CARAG repre-
sentatives to a sub-committee
currently gathering input for
the upcoming reconstruc-
tion of the western portion of
Lake Street, from Blaisdell to
Dupont avenues. Two vision-
ing sessions have been held to
bring forth priorities and values
of the neighborhood as inputs
into this reconstruction proj-
ect. Several of the tools used are
available at the CARAG web
site (www.carag.org). The West
Segment sub-committee plan-
ning group is meeting every
two weeks. One current topic is
the configuration of the street
-- how many travel lanes, turn-
ing lanes, etc. A strong theme
of the input so far has been
pedestrian friendliness, such as
wider sidewalks. Three resolu-
tions were proposed on behalf
of CARAG regarding the
design process, calling on Hen-
nepin County to provide fur-
ther research and information
on street and sidewalk design,
pedestrian movement, impact
on businesses, historic build-
ings, etc. A further resolution
stated that CARAG does not
support a 5-lane configuration
on Lyndale Avenue from 29th
to 31st streets. All four resolu-
tions passed unanimously.
Minneapolis Chain of Lakes
Coalition: (Carl Holmquist)
Carl presented the formation
statement of this new coalition
being assembled with represen-
tatives from neighborhoods bor-
dering the Chain of Lakes area.
A resolution was passed unani-
Calhoun Area
Residents Action
Group
mously that CARAG gives ten-
tative support to the Chain of
Lakes Coalition statement.
Upcoming Bylaws and
Accounting Procedures
Change: (Cindy Christian)
Cindy gave notice of items to
be discussed and voted on at the
April 2006 CARAG meeting.
A change to the UNN bylaws
is proposed which clarifies vot-
ing privileges of UNN board
members. Also proposed is a
change to the UNN accounting
procedures, which modifies the
invoice approval process prior
to payment.
Adjourn: Motion to adjourn
passed unanimously.
Due to time limitations, the
following board actions were
addressed in advance by the
full CARAG board:
Treasurer’s Report: (Cindy
Christian) CARAG has
$8859.19 in the operations
account, $6990.88 in asset
accounts. The contributions
to local charities, as approved
last fall, were distributed this
month. In addition the pro-
ceeds from the CARAG Chilly
Chili Fest, about $650, were
forwarded to the Joyce Food
Shelf. The UNN account has
a balance of $1213.16 as of Feb-
ruary 28, 2006.
Board Actions: The board
unanimously approved the
addition of Jill Bode as a
third signatory to the UNN
account. The board unani-
mously approved our “Client
Response” to the MN State
Auditor’s Report, which noted
only three small suggestions.
Finally, the board voted unani-
mously to renew the lease on
our CARAG office space for
another year. This is paid using
NRP funds.
CARAG Votes Will Impact Lake Street
By Gay Noble
Over the past several months, as
part of the Lake Street Recon-
struction Project, the CARAG
neighborhood has sought input
from residents and business
owners by holding two vision-
ing workshops and conducting
an Input Survey.
The second CARAG neighbor-
hood visioning workshop on
March 13 focused on gaining
input from CARAG residents
and business and property own-
ers on Lake Street between
Dupont and Garfield ave-
nues and on Lyndale Avenue
between 29th and 31st streets.
The goal was to create a vision
for a street design for Lake
Street and Lyndale Avenue. It
should be noted that attendees
CARAG Board Profile
By Mary Ann Knox
Get to know a little bit about your neighbors who
serve on the CARAG Board. Each month, we will
feature Board members. They welcome your advice
and your help in trying to improve CARAG. When
you see them on the street, stop and say hello.
Thatcher Imboden
Photo by David Peterson
Thatcher joined the CARAG
transportation committee when
he was a senior in high school.
He grew up in CARAG, at
33rd and Dupont, and always
had an interest in cities, so he
thinks it makes perfect sense
that he started young. Now at
the ripe old age of 23, he is serv-
ing on the Board. He left the
neighborhood for a few years to
attend the U of M, but is back
now, with a degree in Urban
Studies, safely ensconced at
34th and Hennepin this time.
He wants to be part of creat-
ing change. He says he has a
romanticized view of a com-
munity where people of all ages
and experiences work together,
listening to different viewpoints
to create positive things. He
provides a different perspective
from others on the Board, as he
is a young renter.
at the second workshop elected
to stay an additional hour and a
half to continue the discussion.
Three priorities emerged for
the street design of both Lake
Street and Lyndale Avenue:
on-street parking, continuous
significantly wider sidewalks,
and bike lanes. The preferences
combined were continuous sig-
nificantly wider sidewalks with
on-street parking or continuous
wider sidewalks with on-street
parking and bike lanes. These
priorities were put in the form
of resolutions that were passed
at the March 21 CARAG neigh-
borhood meeting. Two more
resolutions were passed to call
for analysis and study of this
special area. The study will
address the context of the street
design to land use, the impact
He has an interest in history,
particularly of this area. He
and his sister wrote a well-
received book about local his-
tory, Uptown Minneapolis. He is
currently researching the past
60 years of the business com-
munity in Uptown, analyzing
by address the types of busi-
nesses that have comprised the
business district. Most of this
work is just for fun. He has no
particular plan for it, other than
that he wants to know.
He landed his first job in the
neighborhood. He works for
the Ackerburg Group, as an
assistant to a commercial real
estate broker. He enjoys the
marketing and data manage-
ment work he does there. It is a
good opportunity for him to see
how the private sector operates,
and to see how property owners
make the decisions they do.
He wants to see a great city,
and is concerned as everyone is
about all the development dis-
cussions in this area. He hopes
the conversation can be posi-
tive, and that the community
can articulate what they want
to see here.
As for his career, he may go
into city planning, he may pur-
sue his interests in real estate,
he might want to make pub-
lic policy. A third generation
Uptowner, he is not sure exact-
ly where he is going, but he is
sure he is in a neighborhood he
can call home.
to businesses, designation as a
pedestrian overlay district, and
the historic designation of the
Lyn-Lake area. These resolu-
tions will be presented to both
Hennepin County and the City
of Minneapolis.
At this time Hennepin County
is proposing that Lake Street
remains a four-lane with no
increase in continuous sidewalk
width. The County also pro-
poses that Lyndale from 29th
to 31st streets be reconstructed
to a five-lane street reducing the
sidewalk by five feet on both the
east and west sides, for a total
of ten feet in reduced sidewalk
area.
Gay Noble is CARAG’s
representative to the Lake Street
Reconstruction Project.
april 2006 Uptown Neighborhood news •  

crime & safety environment

A Neighbor Takes Back the Rain Garden
Workshops
PLANT A TREE
FOR $15
Neighborhood from Crime Free rain garden workshops
and $75 grants for perennials
and garden installation costs
The City of Minneapolis is pro-
viding 1000 trees for residents to
plant in their yards. Order now
are being offered to Minne- – quantities are limited.
By Mary Ann Knox committees, the graffiti task back at Lyndale Avenue. Cross apolis gardeners. Sponsored
force and block clubs. City offi- the street into the next neigh- by the Community on Urban
Lyndale resident Dennis Koch cials and police came to listen borhood and patrol there. Because so many trees were lost
Environment’s (CUE) Min- to Dutch Elm Disease in 2005,
lived through some of the tough and offer help. neapolis Blooms Program, the
times of the ‘80s. There was He suggests that one mem- the city is offering these trees to
workshops are open to any Min- fill the void. One tree per yard is
a bit too much crime around No whining or complaining. ber of every block club volun- neapolis resident who registers.
here and he thought of mov- The message was positive. How teer to check all the list serves, available to anyone who wants it.
ing away, but could not sell his can citizens become aware, and then put out a message to You will learn how to plant a
house. He is glad he stayed. He become involved, and turn our the block. If you see suspicious Order from a selection of
rain garden. You will create a Autumn Spirea Maple, Autumn
discovered that people began neighborhoods around. behavior, like drug crimes, beautiful natural area in your
walking around the neighbor- spread the word to the other Brilliance Serviceberry, Bicolor
yard that attracts birds and but- Oak, and Black Hills Spruce.
hood, gardening, creating a Over 50 people signed up to be nearby neighborhoods, so when terflies. Rain gardens allow rain
presence on the streets, and block leaders, to start or rein- that drug dealer, or that suspi- Each is about 6 feet high with
and melting snow to seep natu- a 1-1/4-inch trunk. Trees are
calling 911. Crime decreased. vigorate lapsed block clubs. cious car is seen a few blocks rally into the ground. This helps
People signed up to join walk- away, the police can be alerted. available for $15 each while
recharge groundwater and pre- supplies last. Applications are
Now it is happening again. An ing patrols, to join list serves vents polluted water from run-
armed robbery at Crema, 34th and spread the word of crimi- His block is planning to buy available from Mayor Rybak’s
ning into storm drains, which website, (www.ci.minneapolis.
and Lyndale, was the last straw nal behavior. front yard lights. The ideas flow directly into lakes, riv-
for him. All neighborhoods in were flowing fast and furiously. mn.us/mayor), or Tree Trust at
ers and streams. You may even www.treetrust.org.
this area are experiencing rising “We accomplished what we Let’s communicate with each reduce the stormwater fee on
crime levels – he is concerned wanted to accomplish,” said other, not just with the police, your utility bill when you keep
about his daughter waiting at Koch of the meeting. It seemed he said. Tree pick-up dates are May 13
rainwater on your property with and 20.
bus stops. So he took action. to energize everyone. “Our a rain garden.
fears have been that armed rob- No griping, just positive solu-
He organized a meeting on beries would escalate, and now tions. Each workshop has two sessions: FREE TREE CARE
March 8 to “stir things up,” to it’s happened. We are saddened
create awareness that crime is and troubled by the murder in For more information, contact
Session 1 covers designs of rain
gardens and their value, and WORKSHOPS
increasing, to get people out to Uptown. We can’t even imag- your neighborhood group or advice on the kinds of perenni-
create positive solutions. With ine what the family is going SAFE. als to plant. Session 2, about two Learn about tree planting and
the help of others, he distribut- though. We could picket and weeks later, includes hands-on care at a free workshop hosted
ed 4,000 flyers in the CARAG, scream. Even if the police hire help from landscape architect by Tree Trust. Learn how to
East Harriet, Kingfield and more people, it will take time interns and master gardeners. plant a tree correctly, and how
Lyndale neighborhoods invit- to train them and get them on During the second session, you to care for it. Identify insect
ing people to a meeting at the streets. The only way we will get advice about applying and disease problems, hazard-
ous trees and other tree health
Painter Park. can turn this around is with the
walkers, the block clubs, 911…
Tom Thompson for the stormwater reduction
fee. issues.
Over 200 neighbors showed up. being nosy neighbors.” Crime Prevention Specialist
Register in advance at www. Workshop dates are Tuesday,
Speakers at that meeting spoke Koch believes we can and (612) 673-2823 minneapolisblooms.org or at April 4, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at North-
of SAFE, the Lyndale Walkers, should cross the invisible bor- 673.3014. east Bank, 77 NE Broadway
list serves, community impact ders between our neighbor- and Saturday, April 8, 10 a.m. to
statements, Court Watch, hoods — if you are out with Sessions are held from 6:30 to 12 noon at Nokomis Communi-
neighborhood crime and drug your walking patrol, don’t turn 8:30 p.m. on a choice of days ty Center, 2401 East Minnehaha
from early April until late May. Parkway.

For more information, contact

Lorrie Stromme, 612.673.2003 or

Crime News from 5th precinct Mimi Hottinger, 651.644.5800.

ECCO and CARAG crime statistics from February 2006

LAKE STREET
February 1-28, 2006
KNOX

JAMES

Crimes ECCO CARAG

31st STREET
CALH

Homicide 0 0
OUN
PKW
Y

Rape 0 0
E.

32nd STREET

Robbery 0 3

33rd STREET Agg Assault 0 2

IRVING

HUMBOLDT

HOLMES

HENNEPIN

GIRARD

FREMONT

EMERSON

DUPONT

COLFAX

BRYANT

ALDRICH

LYNDALE

Burglary 2 5

34th STREET Larceny 8 21

CONAR’S WAY Auto Theft 1 2

35th STREET Arson 0 0

TOTAL: 11 33 Rbe^SX”TY^^Ub”\QdU^YWXd

ce^dX(Q]!Q]”VbYcQd(Q]"Q]
36th STREET
!& g\Q[Ucd\Q[UYbfY^W
]Y^^UQ`_\Yc&!"("'%'!
 •  Uptown Neighborhood news April 2006

ECCO report East Calhoun Community Organization

PUBLIC OPEN FORUM 6:30 p.m. These are trees you may plant PARK COMMISSIONER
ECCO meets
Lake St.
in your private yard! REPORT
the first Thurs- 6. Healthy City Award: If you Tracey Nordstrom, Park Com-
1. New City Voting Method
day of each
Hennepin Ave.

Lyndale Ave.
Proposed: Jeanne Massey, a would like to nominate an 11. Industrial Land Use and missioner reported.
LAKE CALHOUN

month, 7 PM
at St. Mary’s
Greek Ortho-
dox Church,
36th St. 34th & Irving.
All ECCO residents are welcome
and urged to attend.
Monthly Meeting Minutes
March 2, 2006
Board members present: Al
Anderson (Secretary), Anne G.
Chase (Vice President), Carrie
Menard, Tim Prinsen, Jim Ste-
man, Ted Ringsred, Keith Rud-
dick, Lara Norkus-Crampton,
Bruce Sabatke, Carrie Menard,
Matt Carter, Lara Norkus-
Crampton, Deb Jans.
Others present: Kay Anderson
(resident), Bill Morton (CARAG
board), Gail Ellis (NRP Coordi-
nator), Duane Thorpe (resident),
Gary Farland, (alt. board mem-
ber), Michael Weinbeck (resi-
dent), Tracey Nordstrom (Park
commissioner), Dan Niziolek
(resident), Jeanne Massey (Better
Ballot organization), Lisa Miller
(City Councilperson assistant),
Steve Buckley (resident), Mar-
vin Peterson (resident), Jean
Matthes (Kingfield).
Welcome: Vice President, Anne
G. Chase, called the meeting to
order, welcomed board mem-
bers and others, and initiated
introductions.
representative of the Better Bal-
lot Campaign, introduced their
campaign for Instant Runoff
Voting in Minneapolis. Jeanne
will be on the April ECCO
meeting agenda. ECCO Secre-
tary Al Anderson has informa-
tion.
2. Uptown Food Shelf Ben-
efit: Bill Morton, pastor at Joyce
Church: announced that on
Sunday, March 19 all sales at
Great Harvest Bakery will go to
the Uptown Food Shelf to help
feed the hungry.
3. Project Homeless Connect:
Deborah Jans, board member,
announced that a project to pro-
vide homeless people access to
many services they may need is
taking place on Monday, March
6, at the Minneapolis Conven-
tion Center. They anticipate
1,000 hot meals will be served
in addition to making these ser-
vices available.
4. New CPED Contact: Aman-
da Arnold is replacing Beth
Elliot as the CPED planning
rep for our neighborhood.
5. Eagles Presentation: Eagles
have been sighted often around
Lake Calhoun. Attend an Open
House by Mississippi River
Gorge Stewards and hear eagle
expert Duke Addicks talk on
eagles in the Mississippi River
gorge. Tuesday, March 28 at
individual who has carried out
extraordinary work to make
Minneapolis a world-class
health citizen for an award,
contact joyce.d.krook@allina.
com for info and a nomination
form.
7. Park Board Naturalist Pro-
grams: Received notice of sever-
al naturalist programs sponsored
by the Minneapolis Park Board.
Six scheduled in March.
8. Know Your Renter’s Rights:
Learn your rights as a tenant at
this workshop. Renters Rights
Workshop, Wednesday, March
8. Call 341.1617.
9. Midtown Global Market
in Sears Building: Midtown
Global Market is set to open
this spring in the Sears Build-
ing. Executive Director Mihailo
Temali will be joined by a small
business owner to preview and
explain the project. Wednesday,
March 15, 8:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
St. Martin’s Table, 2001 River-
side Ave.
10. Get a Tree from the City
for $15! City of Minneapolis
will make available a thousand
trees for $15 each. If you can’t
afford the $15, there’s a number
to call, too. Trees to be picked
up May 13 and May 20. Contact
Lorrie Stromme, City of Mpls
612.673.2003 or Mimi Hot-
tinger, Tree Trust 651.644.5800.
Policy Plan: Attend a neigh-
borhood meeting on the indus-
trial land use and policy plan
to discuss and provide feedback
of the study. See the website
www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us /
planning/industrial-landuse.
asp or call Mary Bujold at
338.0012 or email mbujold@
maxfieldresearch.com.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
AND AGENDA
The meeting agenda with
changes was approved. Previous
month’s meeting minutes were
approved as well.
CITY COUNCIL OFFICE
REPORT
Lisa Miller from Councilman
Remington’s office reported.
1. Talking Trash: City garbage/
trash hauling contract is being
opened up for new bidding to
include minority and women
owned businesses.
2. Hearing Trash: City is plan-
ning to designate a set schedule
for garbage/trash pickup down-
town to eliminate early morn-
ing noise of various companies
making pickups.
3. Wi-Fi Citywide: Two pilot
projects are being conducted to
decide who will provide the city
with Wi-fi service. A public-
private partnership will provide
citywide wireless communica-
tion coverage of wireless access.
Boxes will be spread across the
city for this system. System was
initiated by a need to upgrade
the city department commu-
nications. This system will not
replace DSL systems, which are
fast. It will provide advantages
over the older “dial-up” systems.
Participation should cost about
half of current dial-up systems.
4. Edgewater: Steve Buckley
said that the neighbors are expe-
riencing some problems with
the Edgewater condo develop-
ment. He indicated there is some
concern that the building is not
being built as it was initially
proposed. A meeting will be
scheduled with Steve to review
these concerns at the site.
5. Lander Proposal: Asked
about the state of the Lander
Proposal, Lisa said she would
check and get back to Lara
Norkus-Crampton, the ECCO
zoning chairman.
6. 59th and Girard Project:
This project has been postponed
several times. A small parcel of
land on the edge of Grass Lake.
Parcel consists of a steep slope
on a wetland. Builder wanted
a 45-foot wide house very close
to the lake. City is studying the
project.
1. Need Boulevard Trees? If
the stump on your boulevard
has been ground out and there
is a gap waiting for a tree,
call the Forestry Park Board
Department and request a tree.
You will probably get your tree
quicker if you call and then
check from time to time.
2. Request for Lake of the Isles
Funds: Governor Pawlenty has
requested $2.7 million to fin-
ish the project. Five million has
been requested to finish the
entire project.
3. “Pedestrian” Grand Round:
Tracey said that a citizen is
promoting the idea of a Grand
Round Greenway for pedestri-
ans which would connect Parade
Stadium, Walker Arts Center,
Loring Park, Loring Greenway,
the Nicollet Mall, Peavey Plaza
and the River Road.
4. “Park Dedication Fees”
Being Considered: A fee
charged to a developer which
would be used to develop park
or green space area adjacent to
a building development is being
tried in the Bassett Creek area
and considered by the City.
5. Proposed “Sailing Village”
on Lake Calhoun: Asked about
the status of the sailing village
proposal, Tracey said there does
not seem to be a lot of support
for the project. She has received
lots of phone calls about it. Trac-
ey said it’s just “out there” as an
idea, that there hasn’t been an
official presentation to the Park
Board. She mentioned an idea
she had heard about “tweaking”
the Tin Fish building to create a
second floor.
Later, Kay Anderson informed
Tracey that the project had been
presented to the Park Board
(approximately two years ago).
Tracey is meeting with East
Isles and Ralph Remington
on how to deal with traffic
and congestion in the Uptown
area, including East Calhoun.
ACTION: Commissioner Nor-
dstrom will notify Lara Nor-
kus-Crampton, Board member
and Zoning Chair when these
“traffic/congestion” meetings
with East Isles and Councilman
Ralph Remington will be tak-
ing place.
6. Tree Trimming: Gary Far-
land expressed concern about
whether Park Board tree trim-
mers when trimming an infect-
ed elm can transfer the disease
to another healthy tree. Tracey
said she did not think that is
happening. She said that the
beetles are described as transfer-
ring the fungus. She said that
concern has never come up.
 april 2006 Uptown Neighborhood news •  
Tracey said that there are three
new tree diseases headed to
Minneapolis.
7. Park Board Consultant: Kay
Anderson asked about the “con-
sultant” that the Park Board
had hired. Tracy indicated that
she wasn’t informed in detail
regarding the purpose of the
consultant. She referred Kay
to Jennifer Ringold, indicating
the there was a document that
described how an internal and
external assessment was going
to be conducted.
8. Food and Beverages in Parks:
Al Anderson commented that
the “Sailing Village”, if it hap-
pens, features an Event Center,
which will be serving food and
beverages. Beverages are really
it appears. We have heard that
this is an exciting thing for Supt.
Gruban. He has been around
reviewing sites for food and
beverages in the Parks. That’s
his vision for making money off
the parks. Anderson indicated
this seems to be the broader
vision for the Parks, to put food
and beverage all over the parks.
He asked, have you heard any-
thing more about that? Tracey,
said she did not know about
that. She did say that at the end
of this month, March, they are
going to be meeting as commis-
sioners to talk about that over-
all vision. Tracey said Gruban
indicated that 35 projects were
going to be reviewed for the
Commissioners and have them
“rank” them.
Tracey indicated that part of the
problem with the Park Board
is that the policies should come
from the Commissioners, not
the Superintendent. And, the
Park Board has not been run
that way for a very long time.
ZONING COMMITTEE
REPORT
Chair Lara Norkus-Crampton
reported.
1. Proposed Chain of Lakes
Neighborhood Coalition: Lara
Norkus-Crampton introduced
an idea being promoted to
establish a coalition of individu-
al board members representing
neighborhoods adjacent or near
the City’s Chain of Lakes. This
group would meet to review
and discuss events, goals, and
proposed plans for the Chain
Ta x P r e p a r a t i o n
Jack D. Manders
Certified Public Accountant
1900 Hennepin Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55403
S
Call Jack at 612-874-7884
jackm@sihope.com
!
of Lakes. A motion was made
and passed that the board elect
a representative to participate
in that coalition. Lara Norkus-
Crampton was nominated, sec-
onded and elected to represent
ECCO to this new coalition.
Lara solicited and received a list
of needs or issues that this
organization could consider
addressing.
2. Lander Buldings: Lara
reported that the Lander pro-
posal was approved by the
CIDNA neighborhood: two
buildings, 83.6 feet plus 13 feet
10 inches for mechanicals atop
of the tallest building and 72
feet with 13 feet of mechani-
cals atop the second building.
These buildings will go up on
the north side of Lake Calhoun
across from North Beach, situ-
ated on the current site of the
Weisman building.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Ted Ringsred provided infor-
mation related to whether
ECCO should have a conflict of
interest policy built into the by-
laws or whether we should have
people signing conflict of inter-
est statement. The information
was accepted, to be reviewed,
for action at the next board
meeting. Secretary Al Anderson
has Ted’s reference materials,
which are available to anyone
upon request at 822.1822 or e-
mail amrsurvey@aol.com.
NEW NRP COORDINATOR
Gail Ellis, the new ECCO NRP
Coordinator, who will be guid-
ing the progress of Phase 2
NRP, was introduced. She will
be working to define exactly
what amounts of money are
remaining from Phase I and
available for use in Phase II.
Adjournment: A motion to
adjourn was made and passed.
Next board meeting will be
Thursday, April 6, 2005, 7:00
P.M. at St. Mary’s Greek Ortho-
dox Church. West 35th St. and
Irving Ave. So. Open to the
Public.
For more information on these
subjects, contact Al Anderson at
822.1822 or e-mail amrsurvey@
aol.com. Complete minutes can
be viewed at eccoinfo.com
CM Remington Begins Zoning Discussion
By Mary Ann Knox Planning Supervisor Jason the case to go against the zon-
Wittenberg and Assistant City ing. When asked what per-
Concilmember Ralph Reming- Attorney Erik Nilsson. They centage of CUPs are granted,
ton sponsored what he says will explained the history of zon- Wittenberg replied, “ 95 to
be the first in a series of work- ing policies and code, and the 100 percent.” Laughter broke
shops about zoning and plan- authority of planning in a city. out; that seemed to sum up the
ning. He opened the March basic frustration of this audi-
4 “Land Use Planning 101” Most of the questions from the ence. A resident asked, “ Non-
meeting by saying that he has audience of about 50 people conforming CUPs always win.
come to realize that the City related to citizen input into Why bother to have a Master
Council has four main areas of decision-making. The ques- Plan?” Remington answered,
accountability and responsibil- tions sought to clarify how the “That’s when representational
ity: legislative, “quasi-judicial,” decisions are made and what leadership happens.”
advocacy and fiduciary func- the community can do to influ-
tions. He did not fully under- ence those decisions. The par- Another topic was the Over-
stand that before he was elected ticipants appeared well-versed lay District—a special area
to office, and thinks that other in the ins and outs of vari- with extra zoning rules that
people might not understand ances, conditional use permits are more strict than the zoning
that, either. (CUPs), land use applications, code. There is concern in this
public hearings, zoning overlay area about the Shoreland Over-
His purpose is to build an districts, master planning and lay District (SOD) around Lake
understanding of the zoning general zoning rules and regu- Calhoun, and the perception of
code and then to work with lations. many residents that policymak-
residents to “create the commu- ers are ignoring it.
nity we all want,” said Reming- Much of the specific discus-
ton. “We’ll go down the path sion was about the granting of Remington stressed that all
together.” He repeatedly said CUPs. The law defines when these issues will be addressed in
that this is the first step in “my these can be granted, but it the upcoming process of creat-
effort to establish transparency is a gray area where the City ing a Small Area Plan for the
in this office. My door is always Council uses the “quasi-judi- Uptown area. This process will
open. Contact my staff. This is cial” powers to grant or deny begin in April, and he says all
just the beginning.” applications. Nilsson explained stakeholders will be at the table.
the presumption is that the A Steering Committee will be
At the workshop to explain the zoning code is the standard, established soon.
law and answer questions were and the applicant has to make
Uptown Activity Center Master Plan PUBLIC KICK-OFF MEETING
Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m. to noon, Bryant Square Park
What area should be included in the Uptown Small Area Plan study? How will the plan-
ning process take shape? Come and give your input. Info: City Planner Amanda Arnold
–– 673.3242 or amanda.arnold@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
East Calhoun Community organization
meets the first Thursday of every month
7:oo p.m. at St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church,
35th & Irving Ave. South
Next meetings: Thursday, april 6
Thursday, May 4
having a yard sale in East Calhoun this spring?
Plan to have it on Saturday, June 3, 2006, as part the
neighborhood-wide ECCO Super Sale!!
34th annual ECCo suPEr salE –– JunE 3
Name: _______________________________________________________
Address:______________________________________________________
Phone: _______________________________________________________
Sale Location: Front_____ Back_____ Inside_____ Refreshments_____
$5.00 Fee – deadline – Thursday, June 1st. Checks are payable to ECCO Board
Mail or deliver registration to:
Sylvia Kafkas, 3505 Humboldt Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55408, (612)824-9200
10 •  Uptown Neighborhood news April 2006

Minnesota Zen Center Offers Meditation

on Shores of Lake Calhoun
By Erin Connors
Near the southeast corner of
Lake Calhoun, a large white
house rambles up the hill-
side. Inside, hardwood floors
and creaky staircases give
way to carpeted bedrooms
which, converted into cozy
office spaces, invite visitors to
leave their shoes at the door.
Indeed, people most often find
out about the Minnesota Zen
Center simply by spotting it as
they walk or drive around the
lake. Through daily exercises
here, practitioners combine sit-
ting and walking meditation in
efforts to focus their conscious-
ness on the present moment
and cultivate mindfulness.
The ultimate goal is to achieve
enlightenment by freeing one-
self from the desires of the
thinking mind, which, accord-
ing to the Four Noble Truths
of Buddhism, are the root of all
suffering.
The Center’s recent benefit
took place on a slightly smaller
scale than the first “Zenefit,”
a full-on 1960s counterculture
bash headlined by Janis Jop-
lin in San Francisco. But 2006
did mark the first time that the
Minnesota Center has put on
the event two years in a row,
and head teacher Tim Burkett
Head Teacher Tim Burkett
hopes to continue the tradition.
Burkett began meditating at
the age of 21 when, living in
San Francisco, he had culti-
vated an interest in Zen Bud-
dhist meditation, and in the
calm that results from altering
one’s consciousness. He was
ordained as a Buddhist priest
in 1978, the same year the Zen
Center moved to its present
location on Calhoun Parkway.
He has been the head teacher
at the Center for about three
years. He leads daily morn-
ing meditation and frequently
delivers the weekly Sunday lec-
ture that follows the 8:30 a.m.
introduction to meditation. He
also trains future teachers in the
ways of daily meditation, key
Buddhist teachings and leads
practice meetings for newcom-
ers to the Center.
Meditation is a skill like any
other, and Burkett estimates
that it requires from one to
three years of daily practice to
reach a point at which the med-
itative state comes naturally to
a practitioner. Occasionally,
newcomers will dive right in to
an all-day meditation retreat,
but he generally recommends
developing a sitting practice
first to become comfortable
with being still for 30 to 40
minutes at a time.
Last year, eighty men and
women of varied ages main-
tained paid memberships.
Many others “pass through” the
center, generally attending the
Sunday introductory mornings
or a meditation instruction held
every other Tuesday evening.
Although there has been a
marked increase in American
cultural awareness of Eastern
philosophy, the Zen Center
itself has not seen a huge traffic
increase in recent years. Bur-
kett attributes this fact to the
dispersion of resources: “Yes,
there is more interest, but there
are also more Buddhist centers,”
he says. After the founding
teacher, Dainin Katagiri, died
in the early 1990s, those he had
trained as meditation instruc-
tors branched off to begin their
own centers. Because the con-
nection between a practitioner
and a teacher is often a very
personal one, instructors tend
to bring their students with
them to new locations.
At least in part, Burkett, who
is a Ph.D. licensed psycholo-
gist, credits his own meditation
practice with granting him the
ability to lead two nonprofit
organizations. In addition to
his work at the Zen Center on
this side of the river, he is also
Executive Director of People
Incorporated, one of the metro
area’s largest organizations
devoted to the needs of people
with mental illness. From
the Buddhist teaching of the
Bodhisattva, by which certain
beings undertake the responsi-
bility of helping others become
free from suffering, he derives
the motivation to dedicate his
energies to serve others.
The Zen Center offers morning
meditation Monday through
Thursday and Saturday, eve-
ning sessions Monday through
Wednesday, and an introduc-
tion to meditation every other
Tuesday as well as Sundays at
8:30 a.m., followed by a talk at
10:00 and social hour at 11:00.
They also hold half-day and
all-day retreats at their city
center and annual retreats at a
center in southern Minnesota.
For more information, check
out mnzencenter.org or call
822.5313.
CARAG resident Erin Connors is
a middle school teacher.

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Uptown Neighborhood News available at

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april 2006 Uptown Neighborhood news •  11
The Soo VAC: Open to All
By Tracy Armstrong
The Soo VAC is a local gem in
our back yard – just down the
street at 2640 Lyndale. If you’re
asking yourself …the what …is
where?… keep reading; we’ll
get you caught up. If you’re
familiar, you know what the
others are missing out on (but
we still have details on upcom-
ing shows, so you keep reading,
too).
The Soo Visual Arts Center
(named after the old Soo Line
railroad), AKA the Soo VAC,
is a non-profit gallery founded
in June of 2001 by visual artist
Suzy Greenberg. According
to Greenberg, the Soo VAC is
“a place where community can
be built and where artists and
viewers challenge each other
to learn, create, and question.
It’s a place where accessibility
of the arts has been considered
from the start.”
If that mission statement seems
intimidating, don’t let it be.
One of the greatest things about
the Soo VAC is its accessibility.
As casual, warm and welcom-
ing as Greenberg is, so too is
the gallery. Greenberg stresses
the importance of bringing
visual art into the community
setting. It is not a destination
Corner of Lake and Irving | 612.823.0250 | www.amorevictoria.com | Free Parking
or for-profit gallery, but rather
a free visual art center with a
lot to offer.
The Soo VAC is continually
supporting the local art com-
munity while also attracting
national exhibitions. Many
local artists are featured during
various shows throughout the
year. Currently on exhibition,
in conjunction with the Ox-Op
Arts and Juxtapoz Magazine
(the authority on the art world),
is The Juxtapoz Group Show.
This show has never been host-
ed outside of LA, San Francisco
or New York, and features over
70 internationally acclaimed
artists who exemplify the most
current trends in fine art. The
exhibition was kicked off with
a sold-out concert featuring
the Melvins and runs through
April 22nd at the Soo VAC and
Ox-Op Arts (1111 Washington
Ave. S. in Minneapolis). Photo by Tracy Armstrong
The Soo Visual Arts Center at 2640 Lyndale features cutting edge art in the regular gallery exhibits and there is also a bou-
Also worth mentioning is the tique full of inexpensive art objects with a sense of Uptown coolness.
Soo Too Boutique located at
the front of the gallery. The a shopper who loves unique, The Soo VAC is open Wednes- CARAG resident Tracy Arm-
boutique features clothes, arts handmade items from local day to Friday 12 to 6 p.m. and strong is not artistically inclined,
and crafts made by local artists. artists, or just curious about Saturdays 12 to 4 p.m. For but when she’s not kickboxing or
Everything is under $250. My the inside of the building that more on exhibitions, openings, snowboarding, she enjoys writing
favorites are the unique t-shirts you pass every day, stop in and concerts, fundraisers, mem- and visiting local art galleries.
starting at $12. The boutique check it out; it’s not often you bership (all centered around
itself is worth a visit. have a nationally recognized visual art, of course) and more,
gallery in your own back yard... visit the Soo’s web site at www.
So whether you are an art snob, for FREE. soovac.org.
Sunday is Family Night
KIDS EAT FREE
with purchase of an adult entree
Open for Dinner, Lunch and Weekend Brunch
Dine-In | Carry-Out | Private Rooms | Catering
12 •  Uptown Neighborhood news April 2006
government & politics
News From Margaret Anderson Kelliher
Class Size Reduction Is Key Education Issue In 2006
60A Rep. Margaret Anderson Kelliher
The 2006 Legislative Session
is shaping up to be short, and
packed with activity. Our main
task in this non-budget year
is to pass a bonding bill that
invests in our public infrastruc-
ture through state borrowing.
Meanwhile, I remain focused
on advancing the key areas of
job growth, education, health
care and the environment that
will move our state forward.
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38th AND NICOLLET
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Chief among these is improving
our public education system. If
we want to prepare our stu-
dents for college and to succeed
in a competitive global econo-
my, we need to provide them
with the best learning environ-
ment possible. That’s why I’m
supporting a bill this session to
provide state funding to keep
class sizes low in Minnesota.
As a parent, I know that if my
child winds up in an elemen-
tary classroom of over 30 stu-
dents, she’s at risk of falling
behind. Teachers will tell you
that smaller classes allow them
to better manage their class-
rooms. They have more time to
spend identifying the individual
needs of students, whether the
student is struggling to keep up
or learns easily and needs extra
challenges.
Across the state, class sizes have
gone up over the last several
years due to eroding state fund-
38LOFTS.COM
PRICED $160K-$430K
ing for public education. In
Minneapolis, our community
came together in 2000 to agree
that low class sizes would help
our students succeed, passing
a citywide class-size reduction
levy. Unfortunately, the state
has not kept up its side of the
school funding bargain. Cuts to
state education funding in 2003
by the Governor and House
Republicans have kept Min-
neapolis schools from meeting
our class size goals.
This session I am supporting
legislation to provide additional
state funding to schools to meet
recommended class size guide-
lines of fewer than 20 students
in K through 3 classrooms
and fewer than 25 in grades 4
through 6. In English, math,
science and social studies class-
es in middle school, class sizes
would be maintained at 25 stu-
dents and 28 in high school.
This bill would provide new
SALES CENTER
NOW OPEN AT 3503
HENNEPIN AVE. S.
state funding to lower our class
sizes in Minneapolis. The bill
would also require the state
Commissioner of Education to
include class size information
on school performance report
cards.
The Governor is proposing
a new mandate that would
require schools to spend 70 per-
cent of their budget in the class-
room. School districts across the
state are meeting this threshold,
and still dealing with class sizes
in the 30s and 40s. This new
mandate is not the answer.
We ask a lot of our public
schools. We call on them to
meet the diverse learning needs
of our students while prepar-
ing the next generation to com-
pete on a global level. If we
expect our schools to succeed,
we must provide teachers with
tools that are proven to boost
achievement. We should keep
class sizes in Minnesota small
Benefit for
Jefferson School
On Friday, April 7, join the
NOT JUST ANOTHER
BAKE SALE to support the
Jefferson Community School,
sponsored by the Suburban
World Theater and the YBPG
Exceptional Nights Out pro-
gram.
Jefferson Community School is
an exceptional school with a his-
tory of creating Minnesota lead-
ers in our poorest communities
— yet last year the city almost
closed this important asset.
In response, a group of influ-
ential volunteers have started
the One Last Bake Sale Proj-
ect to give voice to this excep-
tional school. This innovative
education project will meet
the school’s most dire financial
needs, but will primarily focuses
on long term legislative, efficien-
cy, and volunteer goals that will
ensure that our city’s poorest do
not need one more bake sale.
Jefferson is a public school locat-
ed on Hennepin Avenue serving
a diverse student body. A stun-
ning 85 per cent of its students
live below the poverty line and 4
percent are homeless. The school
has great specials needs and has
recently lost 40 percent of fund-
ing — yet the exceptional staff
have bucked the norm and con-
tinued to improve test scores.
enough to ensure that no stu-
dent slips through the cracks.
If you have comments or ques-
tions on this or any other legis-
lative issues, please contact me
at 651.296.0171, by e-mail at
rep.margaret.kelliher@house.
mn, or at 261 State Office
Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. Blvd., Saint
Paul, MN 55155.
Jefferson is the make it or break
it difference for many of our cit-
ies’ poorest communities.
Enjoy a night of food, drinks,
dancing, a silent auction for
amazing items and a drawing
for great prizes. The VIP recep-
tion will feature Mayor R.T.
Rybak and a presentation about
this project and amazing school
in the heart of Uptown.
7 to 9 pm: VIP RECEPTION.
Featuring a premier presenta-
tion, some words from Mayor
R.T. Rybak. Hors d’oeuvres and
cash bar.
9 pm to 1:00 am: BENEFIT
CELEBRATION. Featuring
an outrageous auction and a DJ!
Hors d’oeuvres and cash bar.
Held at Suburban World The-
ater, 3022 Hennepin Ave. S.
Valet parking available.
To buy tickets: www.jcsbenefit.
org. $45 for reception and party.
$25 for party only. Your tickets
will be held for you at the door.
Young Business Professionals
Group provides exceptional nights
out to provide great parties, net-
working, and to connect young
and talented individuals with
excellent charities.
april 2006 Uptown Neighborhood news •  13

Many announce their March 7 Caucus Results

candidacy for Sabo’s seat
SABO
continued from page 1
several candidates have already
said they will not abide by the
endorsement process, so a pri-
mary battle in September is a
sure bet.
While more candidates
announce every day, these are
some candidates who have
announced:
DFL
• St. Thomas professor Jack
Nelson-Pallmeyer was
ahead of the pack with a
campaign underway; he
announced months ago that
he was challenging Sabo.
• State Rep. Keith Ellison
• Mpls. City Councilmember
Gary Schiff
ECCO and CARAG Precincts Generally Follow State in DFL Straw Poll
• Former State Sen. Ember By Gary Farland their state totals in the race for will be the 5th Congressional
Reichgott Junge Governor, as did Mark Ritchie District convention to be held
• Civil rights lawyer Jorge DFLers generally voted at their in the race for Secretary of May 6 in St. Louis Park to
Saavedra March 7th precinct caucuses State. ECCO (10-3) cast a lot of nominate a successor to Martin
• Henn. Cty. Commissioner along the same lines as the rest undecided votes for Attorney Sabo. The state DFL conven-
Gail Dorfman of the state, with several excep- General, Secretary of State and tion will be held June 9 to11 in
• Mpls. Park Board Pres. Jon tions. Republicans did not hold State Auditor. The CARAG Rochester.
Olson a straw vote at their caucuses. precincts were especially unde-
• Mpls. City Councilmember cided for State Auditor. The Minnesota Green Party
Paul Ostrow The ECCO neighborhood is met in a caucus for Senate Dis-
• Sabo chief of staff Mike Precinct 3 of Ward 10. CARAG DFLers in the 60th District trict 60. No votes were taken,
Erlandson is all of 10-6 in its southwest next proceeded to their senate but they discussed resolutions
• Corp. exec. Anne Knapp corner, almost all of 10-4 on its district convention on March that will be forwarded to the
north side, and half of 10-7 on 25th. The city DFL conven- State Convention in Duluth
GREEN its west side. All are in the 60th tion will be held May 13th to June 3 and 4. Two candidates
• Jay Pond Legislative District. nominate candidates to the have announced a run for
• Michael Cavlan Minneapolis School Board, and office, seeking Green endorse-
These precincts were over- the Hennepin County conven- ment: Michael Cavlan for US
REPUBLICAN whelmingly for Amy Klobu- tions will be held June 1 (for Senate and Dave Berger for
• Tim Anderson char, as was the State DFL. the county commissioner race) State Auditor.
• James Turnham However, Becky Lourey and and June 3 (for all other county
• Alan Fine Steve Kelley did better than offices). Especially interesting

DFL Straw Poll – Minnesota and

REP. HORNSTEIN, ECCO
DFL and CARAG
Straw Poll Precincts
– Minnesota and ECCO and CARAG Precincts
SEN. DIBBLE PROMOTE Office and State of Ward 10 Ward 10 Ward 10 Ward 10
Minnesota Precinct 3 Precinct 4 Precinct 6 Precinct 7
HYBRID ENGINE Candidates
U.S. Senate No. Votes & % No. Votes No. Votes No. Votes No. Votes
VEHICLES Amy Klobuchar
Ford Bell
20,320 (77.3%)
4,071 (15.5%)
54
8
19
3
40
10
24
7
Sen. Scott Dibble and Rep. The legislation would define Other/Undecided 1,880 (7.2%) 6 1 1 4
Frank Hornstein are authoring hybrid engine and other low- Governor
legislation to promote the use of emission vehicles, and exempt Mike Hatch 10,162 (38.9%) 14 10 14 4
gasoline-electric hybrid engine them from the state’s motor Becky Lourey 5,884 (22.5%) 18 9 16 17
vehicles by providing financial vehicle sales tax. Steve Kelley 5,767 (22.1%) 18 4 17 3
incentives to individuals who
purchase them. Senator Dibble said the legisla-
Kelly Doran 1,681 (6.4%) 3 0 2 5
tion would benefit the state in Ole Savior 85 (.3%) 2 0 0 0
Hornstein said encouraging the the long-term. Other/Undecided 2,559 (9.8%) 10 2 2 6
use of gasoline-electric hybrid Attorney
engines had a number of ben- “Studies have shown that the General
efits. “From an environmental most significant factor con- Matt Entenza 19,563 (81.9%) 44 17 43 28
standpoint, there is no ques- tributing to air pollution in the Other/Undecided 4,336 (18.1%) 24 6 5 7
tion that hybrid engine vehicles Metro Area are fumes and pol-
Secretary of
are superior to traditional gas- lutants given off by motor vehi-
only vehicles,” Hornstein said. cles, and we should not wait for State
“… the rising price of a gallon Minneapolis to become the next Mark Ritchie 8,471 (37.9%) 31 13 31 23
of gas is becoming a real issue Los Angeles before addressing Christian Sande 3,555 (15.9%) 3 0 2 1
for the family budget. Vehicles the quality of our air,” Dibble Dick Franson 1,201 (5.4%) 3 0 2 1
with gasoline-electric hybrid said. “By encouraging the use Other/Undecided 9,131 (40.8%) 31 9 8 10
engines answer both of those of hybrid-engine vehicles, we State Auditor
concerns, and represent a posi- can start to make a dent in
Rebecca Otto 10,245 (46.3%) 24 6 29 16
tive choice Minnesotans can our air pollution problem and
make when choosing a vehicle at the same time, reduce our Reggie Edwards 2,756 (12.5%) 10 2 2 4
to drive,” Hornstein said. dependence on oil as an energy Other/Undecided 9,125 (41.2%) 34 14 14 15
source. These are positive steps
we can take for the long-term Source: Minnesota State DFL
health of both the economy and
CM Remington will the environment.”
meet with residents
Tenth Ward Councilmem-
ber Ralph Remington has
announced that he will
make appointments to
meet residents every Mon-
day at Gigi’s Café (36th
and Bryant) between 1 and
5 p.m. Call his office at A cozy little neighborhood diner minutes from home or work.
673.2210 to get a 15-min- HOURS: Mon-Fri 6:30 am - 3 pm
ute personal appointment Sat. 6:30 am - 2 pm, Sun. 7 am - 2 pm
with him.
14 •  Uptown Neighborhood news April 2006
TAXES Q & A
By Rick Krolak
Q. I am a teacher in the Min-
neapolis public school system. I
heard that there is a tax deduc-
tion for educators. Can you
give me the specifics?
A. If you are an eligible educa-
tor you may subtract up to $250
of qualified expenses when
calculating your adjusted gross
income. To be eligible you must
work at least 900 hours dur-
ing the school year as a teacher,
instructor, counselor, principal
or aide in a public or private
elementary or secondary school.
Expenses that qualify are books,
supplies, computer equipment
and related software. If you
teach health or physical educa-
tion the expenses and supplies
are deductible only if they are
related to athletics.
Q. We refinanced our home
this year and paid fees as part
of the refinancing. Can we
deduct those costs?
A. Points paid to refinance you
home are deductible as mort-
gage interest on Schedule A of
your tax return. Points paid
solely to refinance you home
are deductible over the term of
your loan. You divide the points
paid by the number of payments
you’ll make over the life of the
loan and points may only be
deducted for the number of pay-
ments made within the tax year.
However, if the loan proceeds
were used to pay for improve-
ments to the home they may be
fully deductible in the current
year. Also, if the homeowner is
refinancing for a second time,
the balance of the points from
Minneapolis Transportation Plan
The City of Minneapolis is host-
ing public meetings for discussion
and input about the City’s 10-
Year Transportation Action Plan
(TAP), which is under develop-
ment. The public is invited.
When completed, the TAP will
be a citywide plan that addresses
a full range of transportation
options and issues, including
pedestrians, bicycles, transit,
automobiles, and freight. It will
also include a transit and street
operations plan for downtown
and new street design guidelines
that reflect the characteristics of
the surroundings.
Tax Preparation
& ACCOUNTING SERVICES
Professional. Accurate. Reliable.
Self-Employed & Small Business Our Specialty
612·825·5700
THE CLARION GROUP
2524 Hennepin Ave. S. • www.clariongroup.net
Calhoun Square shops
the previous refinancing is fully
deductible. Other closing costs
Comings ... and ... Goings
such as appraisal fees and agen-
cy fees are not deductible.
Q. I started a new business
and will be working out of my
home. Can I take a deduction
for that or is it a red flag with
IRS?
A. A deduction for a home
office is not a red flag as long
as you follow the rules. You can
take this deduction if you are
self-employed or an employee.
Qualifying expenses are the
business portions of mortgage
interest, real estate taxes, home-
owner or rental insurance, utili-
ties, repairs and maintenance,
depreciation and association
dues. You must use your home
regularly and exclusively as your
principal place of business as a
place to meet or deal with cli-
ents, customer or patients. If
you have a separate structure
or if you use your home for
storage of inventory or product
samples you may also deduct
related expenses. Qualified
daycare providers have special
rules for calculating this deduc-
tion. Portions of the deduction
are limited by income if your
gross income from the business
is less than your total expenses.
Photos by Kay Nygaard-Graham
If you are claiming the deduc- Left row from top to bottom: New shops include Ivy, SK2 (clothing stores), and ZRS Fossils and Gifts.
tion as an employee, the regular Right row from top to bottom: Recently closed shops include Uptown Traders, The Fixery, and Sara Cura Silver.
and exclusive business use must
be for the convenience or your Because of the impending Traders, Little River Creations, residents will stay through the
employer. reconstruction of Calhoun Sara Cura Silver, The Fixery, redevelopment. ZRS Fossils,
Square, changes have been and Maud Borup Chocolates Ivy, Sk2, Bremer Bank, Bay
Rick Krolak, owner of The Clar- happening at the mall. The end closed their doors. Street Shoes, Main Street Out-
ion Group, is an accountant, tax of 2005 saw many shops depart fitters, Sox Appeal and others
advisor and consultant for indi- and in the past few months a Several new stores have moved have stayed. A new men’s store
viduals and small business, cel- few more have left. Uptown in, and some of the long-time is slated to open soon.
ebrating his 29th year in business.
2524 Hennepin Ave.S. 825.5700.
Cute Kelly Newcomer H E N N E P I N B A R I AT R I C C E N T E R
Ceramic Magnets
at Soo VAC boutique
Meetings are 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. kellynewcomer.com
Wed, Apr 19 – St. Olaf Catholic
Church, 215 S. 8th St.
Thurs, Apr 20 – Communica-
tions Workers of America Hall,
3521 East Lake St.
Tues, Apr 25 – Harrison Recre-
ation Center, 503 Irving Ave. N.
Thurs, Apr 27 – Martin Luther
King Park Recreation Center,
4055 Nicollet Ave. S.
Tues, May 2 – East Side Neigh-
borhood Services, 1700 2nd St.
N.E.
For additional information:
Charleen Zimmer, Project Man-
ager, 673.3166 or Charleen.Zim- If you’ve been battling obesity alone, the skilled physicians at
mer@ci.minneapolis.mn.us. Hennepin Bariatric Center can help you find a lasting solution.
Plucked from under the butts of
Larry’s chickens for us since 1993. Our physicians are leading regional experts in bariatric surgery.
Together with nutritionists, exercise physiologists and psycholo-
gists, we provide compassionate care in a dedicated hospital unit.
American Society of Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence
HealthPartners Bariatric
Surgical Network
Open daily from 8am - 2am
Breakfast, lunch, dinner &
late night eats
810 West Lake Street, Mpls
To attend an informational session, call
612-925-3737 612-873-5479 or 1-888-873-5479
or visit hcmc.org.
www.bryantlakebowl.com
april 2006 Uptown Neighborhood news •  15

community events calendar uptown

community
events

(Editor’s Note: We will run community
event listings every month on this page.
Contact uptownnews@yahoo.com to
submit your event information by the
17th of each month to be included in the
next issue.)
visual arts
HIGHPOINT CENTER FOR
PRINTMAKING
2638 Lyndale Ave. S. • 871.1326
www.highpointprintmaking.org
Fri, Mar 31, 6:30 to 9 pm –– Gal-
lery Opening and Reception: Con-
temporary Scottish Prints. On
view through April 28.
INTERMEDIA ARTS
2822 Lyndale Ave. S. • 871.4444
www.intermediaarts.org
B-Girl Be Call for Artists. B-Girl
Be: A Celebration of Women in
Hip Hop invites submissions from
women artists for event, June 29 to
Aug 19. Visual artists, performers,
dancers, and filmmakers. Appli-
cations and guidelines available on
web. Deadline for application: Fri,
Apr 14.
SOO VISUAL ARTS CENTER
2640 Lyndale Ave S. • 871.2263
www.soovac.org
Hours: Wed to Fri 12–6, Sat 12-4.
Through Apr. 22 – Juxtapoz.
“Underground explosion of street
art.” Artists that have been identi-
fied in this flourishing genre are
primarily young urban artists who
are mostly self-taught.
book clubs
ONCE UPON A CRIME
MYSTERY BOOK CLUB
604 W. 26th St. • 870.3785
www.onceuponacrimebooks.com
Apr 26, 6:30 to 7: 30 pm –– Ruth
Rendell’s Judgement in Stone
BOOKS & BARS
Bryant Lake Bowl • 810 W. Lake
St. • 825.8949
www.bryantlakebowl.com
Tue, Apr 11, 6:30 –– Love in the
Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia-
Marquez
WALKER LIBRARY BOOK
CLUB
2880 Hennepin Av. S. • 630.6650
www.mpls.lib.mn.us
Mon, Apr 10, 6:30 pm –– The No.
1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alex-
ander McCall Smith. This infor-
mal book club has been meeting
for several years and welcomes new
members, both men and women of
all ages. Members select the read-
ing list; discussion is always lively
and fun. No sign-up is required;
just read the book and come.
author events
ONCE UPON A CRIME MYS-
TERY BOOKSTORE
604 W. 26th St. • 870.3785
www.onceuponacrimebooks.com
Wed Apr 5,7 pm –– Randy Wayne
White Dark Light • Sat Apr 8, 1 to 3
pm –– Laura Childs Blood Orange
Brewing signing • Sat Apr 15, 1 to
3 pm–– Dave Case Out of Cabrini
debut signing • Mon Apr 17, 7 pm
Minnesota Book Award Nominees:
Mary Logue, Ellen Hart, William
Kent Krueger and David House-
wright panel discussion • Sat Apr
22, 1 to3 pm –– Jess Lourey May
Day (Debut MN author)
MAGERS AND QUINN
3038 Hennepin Av. S. • 822.4611
www.magersandquinn.com
Sat, Apr 22, 5 pm –– Poetry By
Heart hosted by Michael Den-
nis Browne. Got a favorite poem?
Got a yen to perform? Join in for
a night of poetry recited by heart.
All are welcome, but advance reg-
istration is required to perform.
Email your name and a copy of
the poem to davidu@magersand-
quinn.com. Free. Open to public.
Refreshments.
theater
Photo from Old Arizona Center
Livelihood at Old Arizona
Center for Performing Arts
OLD ARIZONA CENTER
FOR PERFORMING ARTS
2821 Nicollet Ave. S. • 871.0050
www.oldarizona.com
Fri, Apr 7 to 22, 8 pm ––
LIVELIHOOD. Scream with
laughter as college graduate Jason
desperately struggles to secure a
job that he knows he’ll hate with a
company he completely despises, all
in the name of paying for his cable.
BRAVE NEW WORKSHOP
2605 Hennepin Ave. S. • 332-6620
www.bravenewworkshop.org
Opens Fri, Apr 28, 8 pm –– See
Dick Shoot(and Other Signs of the
Apocalypse). It’s open season on the
foibles of modern life in this off-
beat, well-informed, hilarious new
show!
JUNGLE THEATRE
2951 Lyndale Ave. S. • 822.7063
www.jungletheater.com
Apr 7 to May 21 –– The House of
Blue Leaves by John Guare. Direct-
ed by John Clarke Donahue with
Bain Boehlke and Wendy Lehr.
film
BRYANT LAKE BOWL
810 W. Lake St. • 825.8949
www.bryantlakebowl.com
Tues Apr 25, 8 pm –– CAPTURE:
A Dance Film Series produced by
Catalyst. Features two films from
Rosas with choreography by Anne
Teresa De Keersmaeker. Directed
by Thierry De May and Walter
Verdin. $6.
SUBURBAN WORLD
THEATER
3022 Hennepin Ave. S • 205.4734
www.suburbanworldtheater.com
Sat, Apr 8 –– Fearless Filmak-
ers Festival. Short Films by Local
Directors and Live Music
$10 cover. • 7 to 8 pm –– Cock-
tails and complimentary hors
d’oeuvres • 8 pm –– Screening of
7 short films followed by filmmak-
ers Q&A • 9 pm –– Live music
from Nothing Static • 10:30 pm
–– Live music from Solid Gold •
Late Night –– DJ Greez • Res-
ervations: 987.5191 or reserve@
project-spotlight.com
FIRST UNITARIAN SOCIETY
OF MPLS
900 Mount Curve Ave• 377.6608
www.firstunitariansociety.org
Fri, Apr 28, 7 pm –– Crash. Acad-
emy Award Nominees Film Series.
Sponsored by the Social Commen-
tary Through the Arts Discovery
Group. Chalice Room. Free movie,
popcorn and beverages.
music
ST. LUKE’S EPISCOPAL
CHURCH
4557 Colfax Ave. S. • 824.2697
www.st-lukes.net
Fri, Apr 21, 7:30 pm –– Pastiche.
The ensemble of acclaimed per-
formers from the faculty of the
joint music department of the Col-
lege of St. Benedict and St. John’s
Univ. Members perform regularly
on campus and off and have a rep-
ertoire that is varied and growing
and includes many new works
commissioned by the ensemble.
Free.
Will Steger Speaks on Global Warming
TEMPLE ISRAEL
2534 Henn. Ave. S. • 377.8680
www.templeisrael.com
Mon, Apr 17, 7 pm –– Auditorium, meet-
and-greet reception to follow.
Global warming affects us all. If you have
any doubt about whether global warming
is occurring, want more evidence, or would
like to become involved in preventing climate change, attend this
presentation by Will Steger, the renowned polar explorer, educa-
tor, writer and photographer. Steger led the most significant dog-
sled exploration in history, including treks to the North and South
Poles. His slides and stories document his first-hand observations of
dramatic changes at the Arctic and in Antarctica, where the effects
of global warming are most apparent.
Temple Israel is hosting this presentation because it is committed
to being a community leader in making the world a better place for
our children.
general from 9 am to 7 pm. For info, call
Grand Opening Volunteer Hot-
line, 910.0249 or e-mail grandvol-
MINNEAPOLIS BLOOMS unteers@mplib.org
DAY
Sponsored by Committee for the
Urban Environment (CUE) classes
www.minneapolisblooms.org
Logan Park Community Center workshops
690 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis.
Sat, Apr 29, 9 am to 1 pm –– mas- CENTER OF LIGHT
Calhoun Square • 986.5575
ter gardeners will answer ques-
tions; free seeds, plant sale, door www.centersoflight.org
Starting Sun, Apr 19, 12 to 1:30
prizes, refreshments.
pm –– Introduction to Christian
Mysticism. In these classes we will
BRYANT SQUARE PARK
3101 Bryant Ave. S. • 370-4907 discuss what the Mystical Path is.
Classes will cover subjects such as
www.minneapolisparks.org
Internet Registration for Summer meditation , prayer, and
soul. Free.
2006 is available for select programs
starting April 22 at 9 am.
LYNDALE FARMSTEAD
PARK
earth day
3900 Bryant Ave. S. • 370-4948 sat, april 22
www.minneapolisparks.org
Sat, Apr 15, 10 am to noon –– Egg LYNDALE FARMSTEAD
Hunt. Annual egg hunt includes PARK
petting zoo and basket-making 3900 Bryant Ave. S. • 370-4948
activity, egg hunt and treats for the www.minneapolisparks.org
whole family. Fee $2. Contact the 9:30 am to 12 noon ––Earth Day
park to register. Clean-Up–– Check in at the recre-
ation center to pick up gloves and
THE BAKKEN MUSEUM bags. Refreshments provided for
3527 Zenith Ave. S. • 926-3878 volunteers, and some special sur-
www.thebakken.org prises for children who volunteer.
Through Apr 21 –– Visions of Sci-
ence, exhibition by photographer ANNUAL EARTH DAY
Felice Frankel. Visual representa- WATERSHED CLEAN UP
tions of natural phenomena The annual Earth Day Watershed
Clean Up is part of the MPRB
CARAG ARCHITECTURE and City of Minneapolis’ efforts
TOUR to involve citizens in reducing the
Sat, Apr 29, 1 to 3 pm –– Meet at amount of trash and litter enter-
Lakewood Cemetery (administra- ing local lakes and streams. The
tion building). Tour guide Aaron Earth Day Watershed Clean-Up is
Rubenstein will lead a tour of his- the largest Park Board sponsored
toric buildings and homes along volunteer event. Clean Up sites
Hennepin Ave. Free. include: The Chain of Lakes. Call
the Earth Day Hotline at 313.7722
to become involved in local Earth
get involved Day activities.

BRYANT LAKE BOWL FIRST UNIVERSALIST REDEEMER RESIDENCE

Calendar Editor
Would you like to edit this
calendar every month? It’s
easy and fun! Learn lots of
cool stuff about your neigh-
borhood. Training provided.
About 4 hours per month.
Contact us at:
uptownnews@yahoo.com
612.259.1372
THEATER
810 W. Lake St. • 825.8949
www.bryantlakebowl.com
Thurs and Fris April 6 to 28, 7
pm. $12 to $15 (pay what you can).
Verbatim Verboten. The idea is
simplicity itself: select maybe 20
word-for-word transcripts of the
famous and powerful speaking, off
the record, ask talented actors to
sharpen their wits and clear their
throats, then let ‘er rip. Every line-
up is different.
CHURCH
3400 Dupont Ave. S. • 825.1701
www.firstuniv.org
Sat, Apr 22, 7:30 pm –– Claudia
Russell. Claudia has shared stag-
es with Kris Kristofferson, Bill
Staines, Willie Nelson, and other
prominent musicians, and brings
her own expressive singing and
unique guitar voicing to her songs.
$10 donation requested.
Volunteers needed. Are you a
thoughtful, patient person with
a few hours a week to give to any
resident in need of companion-
ship? Contact Debbie at Redeemer
Health and Rehab Center to find
out more at 827.2555 x 142.
MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC
LIBRARY
Volunteer to help at the Grand
Opening of the Central Downtown
Library on May 20. Volunteers are
needed throughout the day in 4-
hour shifts (including a break)
community
meetings
TAKE BACK THE NIGHT!
Thurs, Apr 27, 6 pm, Loring Park
––MPIRG’s annual march and
rally to raise awareness about the
issue of sexual and domestic vio-
lence. If you are interested in help-
ing out and getting involved, now is
the time!! Contact Kate Suchomel,
MPIRG Program Director at ksu-
chomel@mpirg.org to see what
you can do to help end violence in
our communities.
16 •  Uptown Neighborhood news April 2006

tidbits small news you might use classifieds

ANTOINE’S CREOLE MAI-
SON RESTAURANT (2819
Hennepin Ave.) offers a $2.00
breakfast! How can you beat
that? 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a lim-
ited time. Get it while it’s hot.
SURLY BEER. A north Min-
neapolis brewer is producing
beers that are poured at Bryant
Lake Bowl, Liquor Lyle’s, Pizza
Nea, Punch Neopolitan Pizza,
Old Chicago and Campiello’s.
GREENSTONE FLORAL.
The nursery store at 36th and
Bryant has changed ownership.
It will operate under a new
name, with a new owner.
THE NORTH FACE. Out-
door sportsters may soon have a
local source for gear and appar-
el if the rumors are true. The
outdoor store is rumored to be
negotiating for a lease in a new
8- to 10-thousand square foot
building that will be built on
the site now occupied by The
UPS Store and Tibet’s Corner
at Henn-Lake. The only other
Midwest store is in Chicago.
This is another sign of Uptown’s
shift from small individual busi-
nesses to national chains with a
regional audience.
THEATER ANTIQUES
(2934 Lyndale Ave. S.) closed at
the end of March.
MPLS GALLERY has opened
at Lyn-Lake (3017-1/2 Lyndale
Ave. S.) They say their mis-
sion is to bring affordable art to
everybody, and to offer a venue
for local artists to sell their
work. They solicit submissions
in all media for future shows.
Hours are Monday to Friday
from 3 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, noon
to 9 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5
p.m. www.mplsgallery.com.
PILOT STORE (3045 Hen-
nepin Ave.) will showcase a
new collective of local artists
who call themselves Pilot art
group. Their mission is to help
emerging and mid-career art-
ists who work towards bringing
a national eye to a Midwestern
sensibility in creating art with
substance and integrity. Grand
opening is Saturday, April 8
from 7 to 11p.m. Hours will be
Thursday 12 to 7 p.m. and Fri-
day through Sunday 12 to 5 p.m.
Go to www.pilotarts.com for
information on special events.
MINNESOTA BOOK
AWARDS. The 18th Annual
Minnesota Book Awards will be
held Saturday, April 29 at 8 p.m.
at The Women’s Club. ECCO
resident Alison McGhee will
be at an event featuring finalists
in the Young Adult Fiction cat-
egory on Wednesday, April 26,
7 p.m. at Maple Grove Library.
McGhee’s book All Rivers Flow
to the Sea is nominated for an
award. The book features 17-
year old Rose who flounders to
find purpose in her life after her
sister is rendered comatose by a
car accident. McGhee teaches
creative writing at Metropolitan
State University and is a three-
time Minnesota Book Award
winner. www.minnesotahu-
manities.org/Book /awards.
htm.
U OF M ARTS STUDY. A
new study from the Humphrey
Institute of Public Affairs,
“Artists’ Centers: Evolution and
Impact on Artists, Neighbor-
hoods, and Economies,” shows
that Minnesota’s strong creative
economy owes much of its suc-
cess to the unusual number and
quality of dedicated gathering
spaces for artists in the state.
Minnesota is home to dozens
of artists’ centers that provide
workspace, equipment, and net-
working opportunities for ama-
teur and professional writers,
musicians, and visual and per-
forming artists. Local centers
Highpoint Center for Print-
making and Intermedia Arts
and SASE: The Write Place
were featured as case studies in
the report. Read the report at
w w w. h h h . u m n . e d u / i m g /
assets/6158/artists_centers.pdf.
CARPENTERS
Experienced. Windows and
doors replaced, sills repaired.
We build fences and decks,
and apply all siding. Finish
carpentry. Sheetrock, plaster
repair, and texture. Local ref-
erences, free estimates. Tom
612.824.1554.
RUBBISH HAULING/
TREE SERVICE
Small trees cut down or
trimmed. Licensed and insured.
612.869.8697.
JEAN-LOUIS LESAOUT
Work done with a French
accent and a European work
ethic. Handyman jobs to full-
room renovations. Local refer-
ences. 612.824.8295.
WANTED
Motivated and teachable people
of integrity with a heart for oth-
ers. $800/month. 612.987.2344.
HANDYPRO
Professional Handyman
Service. Home repairs and
Do you collect something interesting?
Tell us about it!
uptownnews@yahoo.com
or 259.1372
improvement – skilled carpen-
try, restoration, wood and wall
repair, doors and windows, to-
do lists and more. Licensed,
bonded, insured. Call Carl at
HandyPro (www.handypro.
com) to schedule a free esti-
mate: 612.823.8128.
ECCENTRIC
REMODELING JOBS
Kustom room additions, patio
decks, kustom garages, siding,
aluminum trim, soffits, gutters
and interior painting. Marty
612.724.8819.
STRONG HANDS - HOT
STONES - WORLD PEACE
Barbara Glommen, certified
massage therapist. Energy
work – deep tissue – relaxation
– hot stones. Call for appoint-
ment 612.821.1416.
CLASSIFIED AD SALES 40¢ per word,
10-word minimum. Classifieds must be
paid in advance. Please send a check and
the ad copy to: Uptown Neighborhood
News, C/O CARAG, 711 W. Lake St.,
Suite 303, Mpls. MN 55408. Ad and pay-
ment are due the 17th of the month.


Gather your friends & rally your neighbors!
Clean out the garage, attic & closets!
It’s time to prepare for the... GARAGE

  SALE


 


 

  
 SALE LOCATION: Front Back Inside
FEE: $5.00
 Bryant Square Park (Circle)
REFRESHMENTS: Yes No (Circle) (Checks Payable to CARAG)
DESCRIBE YOUR SALE ITEMS: DEADLINE: May 17th
(40 letters or less) SEND REGISTRATION TO:
Rick Prichett 3236 Colfax Av
 MORE INFO: 822-3330
 NAME:_____________________________
ADDRESS:__________________________
 PHONE:____________________________

 



 


 
 

CARAG
 Join CARAG Neighbors on a walking tour of historic buildings and homes along
711 West Lake St., Suite #303 Hennepin Avenue. Tour guide, Aaron Rubenstein, will lead the group from beautiful

Minneapolis, MN 55408 Lakewood Cemetery Chapel up Hennepin Avenue to architecturally significant homes

(612)-823-2520 and commercial buildings. We’ll end at the historic Suburban World Theater learning
 about architectural styles and old home preservation along the way. Please join us for
www.carag.org
this FREE and fun educational activity! Contact CARAG for more information.