The City of Lakes Loppet: Festival of Cross

INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Neighborhood
2
Editor’s Notes
2
LHENA Letter / Information
3
In With The New...
4
Northstar Rail Line
5
Uptown
5
The
Volume 41 • Number 2
Calendar
Artswatch
Active
Minnesotan
6
The Library Report
6
Energy
7
Saver
Rebates
The Wedge Classifieds
7
Meet The LHENA Board
8
The longest-published neighborhood newspaper in Minneapolis
February • 2010
The City of Lakes Loppet:
Festival of Cross-Country Skiing and more!
February 6 and 7, 2010
The largest ski race in the
Twin Cities (perhaps the premier
urban ski race in the United
States!) emerges from the snow
during the first weekend in
February. All are invited to participate or spectate. This festival
has it all: snow sculpting, ice
bicycling, skiing with dogs, skiing by candlelight, sprint races
down “The Mall,” and long ski
races through tunnels and under
bridges. For those not interested
in fitness activities, there is beer
and BBQ in a heated tent in
Uptown.
Here is a list of the activities,
and additional information,
including registration information, is available at cityoflakesloppet.com
Saturday, February 6
Snow Sculpture Contest
Sculpting: 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
Judging: 1–3 p.m.
Teams of sculptors have 5 hours
to turn a large block of snow into
a work of art.
Penn Ice-Cycle Loppet
Heats: 11 a.m. Finals: 2 p.m.
An exciting bike race on a short
track of ice. This is a must-see!
Chuck and Don’s
Skijoring Loppet, 1 p.m.
Dogs pair up with their human
skiers during this exciting race
around Lake of the Isles with an
Uptown finish. This race can be
very comical; some dogs do not
run toward the finish line!
Minnesota Youth Ski League
SuperCarnival,
1–3 p.m.
Ski games for children 12 and
under, alongside the finish line
in Uptown.
5K Rossignol
Junior Loppet, 2 p.m.
A 5-kilometer race around Lake
of the Isles with an Uptown finish for anyone 18 and under.
Sons of Norway
Minne-Loppet, 3 p.m.
A free and non-competitive
event for kids 12 and under. All
kids receive medals, cookies,
and hot cider.
Toko/Finn Sisu
Sprints, 4 p.m.
2 minute heats in the heart of
Uptown with high school, open,
and masters divisions. This is
exciting; there are many falls
into hay bales as skiers try to
make tight turns around the
trees going down “The Mall.”
Pasta Feed, 4–6 p.m.
Load up on carbs for the big
race with a spaghetti feed at
Old Chicago in Uptown.
Beer, BBQ, and Vendor
Village, 1–9 p.m.
Visit the heated tent for beer,
brats, outdoor and fitness vendors, and more.
Notice of Public Meeting about a
future bike boulevard on Bryant Avenue
Tuesday, February 9 - 7:00 p.m.
Bryant Square Park, 3101 Bryant Ave. S.
You are invited to a public meeting to discuss proposed
changes to identify a bicycle boulevard between the Loring
Bikeway Bridge (near Franklin Ave.) and Lake St., as well
as between 50th and 58th streets.
This project is intended to provide a north-south route for
bicyclists. It will NOT entail parking removal. A bike boulevard provides shared lanes (bikes and cars together) in the
middle of the street.
The public will be asked to rank preferences for items such
as traffic calming and improvements to busy crossings.The
project will also include way finding and route identifier
signs, as well as pavement markings.
Luminary Loppet and
Tent Party, 6–9 p.m.
A beautiful nighttime, non-competitive ski around Lake of the
Isles. The course is lit up with
thousands of ice luminaries--a
beautiful sight to see! There
will also be a heated tent full of
music and fun.
Sunday, February 7
REI Tour, 9:15 a.m.
A 10k non-competitive ski tour
starting at Theodore Wirth Park
and finishing in Uptown.
Hoigaard’s Classic
Race, 9:20 a.m.
A 25k classic/diagonal stride
race starting at Theodore Wirth
Park and finishing in Uptown.
Contestants leave the starting point of a City of Lakes Loppet
2009 race
[photo courtesy of City of Lakes Loppet]
City of Lakes Freestyle
Loppet Race, 10:30 a.m.
A 33k urban ski race starting at
Theodore Wirth Park and finishing in Uptown.
Minnesota Youth Ski League
SuperCarnival,
11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Children 12 and under play ski
games alongside the finish line.
Beer, BBQ and Vendor
Village, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Visit the heated tent for beer,
brats, outdoor and fitness vendors, and more.
—Katherine Himes Dogs and owner racing in the 2009 skijoring loppet
[photo courtesy of City of Lakes Loppet]
Guess who is turning 40? LHENA!
In 1970, faced with plummeting property values, house demolitions on every block, and
spiking crime, a small group of concerned homeowners banded together to preserve
historic, turn-of-the-20th-century homes and promote livability in the neighborhood
through a variety of efforts.
They formed the Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association (LHENA), one of the first
grassroots neighborhood associations to organize in Minneapolis, which in turn set the
precedent for many of the other 65 organizations currently in existence.
2010 will be marked by anniversary celebrations throughout the year. We hope to honor
and recognize the major impact those residents and this organization have had both in
our neighborhood and throughout the city.
The kickoff will begin at the LHENA Annual Meeting on April 21st with a major commemoration tentatively-scheduled for Saturday, June 19th. Anyone who would like to
volunteer for the planning committee is asked to contact either Kathy Kullberg at 612374-4456 or LHENA at [email protected] or 612-377-5023.
Page 2
The Wedge • Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association Newspaper
The Wedge is a monthly publication of the Lowry Hill
East Neighborhood Association (LHENA). Distribution is
free to residents and businesses of the Lowry Hill East
neighborhood. Mailed subscriptions are $20 per year.
The Wedge Neighborhood Newspaper exists
to address neighborhood events, issues
and causes, while providing a public forum
for the community to share information
and ideas and voice individual opinions
and concerns within the Lowry Hill East
neighborhood.
Articles, opinion pieces, photos and drawings by
neighborhood members are welcome! Call 612377-5023 for assignments, or to discuss your ideas.
Contact The Wedge for guidelines. The deadline to
submit items for publication is the 17th of the month
prior to publication. Display Ad deadline is the 15th
of the month prior to publication. Send publication
items, subscription checks or money orders to:
The Wedge
thewedge.org
1200 West 26th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55405
Phone: 612-377-5023
E-mail: [email protected]
Editor and Layout: Paul Bowman
[email protected]
Office Administrator: Caroline Griepentrog
The Wedge Contributors
– Valerie Powers – Katherine Himes –
– Kathy Kullberg – Gary Thaden –
February • 2010
Editor’s Notes:
The Wedge in
your e-mail!
LHENA Neighborhood Notices
by Paul Bowman
Committee meetings are held in Jefferson School, Room 107
Have you ever thought you
wanted The Wedge to be delivered to your e-mail as soon as it
is being printed?
Let me know if you’d like a PDF
copy sent via e-mail; just e-mail
[email protected] and say
you’d like to be on the e-mail
list! The PDF files end up being
around 1.5 megabytes, so make
sure your Internet connection
can handle downloading larger
attachments.
February 2010 Meetings and Events
The Wedge
Newspaper Committee
LHENA Zoning and
Program (NIP)
Contact the LHENA office at
Planning (Z&P) Committee
2431 Hennepin Ave. S.
612-377-5023 or e-mail
Z&P meets on the second
[email protected] to
Wednesday of the month.
receive article ideas and
Residents and businesses
NIP has programs to help per-
deadlines.
seeking variances and waiv-
sons who are seniors, youth,
ers need to meet with the
committee before the LHENA
Wed., Feb. 3, 6:30 p.m.
Crime & Safety Committee
To test your connection and the
size of the file, the PDFs on our
Web site at thewedge.org (click
“Newspaper”) are the same ones I
e-mail. For those who are curious
about my production process, the
PDF that I send to the printer is
about 10-15 times larger in file
size than the e-mailed PDF.
I can guarantee that we will not
have a mobile site any time soon,
so this is as big as our upgrade is
going to get.
Neighborhood Involvement
Wed., Feb. 10, 6:30 p.m.
C&S meets the first
Wednesday of the month.
www.neighborhoodinvolve.org
612-374-3125
and/or low-income uninsured.
NIP also has weekly support
Board hears the request. groups, including some at
Requests need to be submit- little or no cost for rape surted to the committee at least vivors and people living with
HIV/AIDS.
a week before the meeting.
Call 612-377-5023 for specific
meeting details.
Twin Cities Men’s Center
(TCMC)
3249 Hennepin Ave. S.
Wed., Feb. 3, 7 p.m.
www.tcmc.org
LHENA Neighborhood
Wed., Feb. 17, 6:30 p.m.
612-822-5892
Revitalization Program
Lowry Hill East
(NRP) Steering Committee
TCMC has a variety of support
Neighborhood Association
groups for men and a weekly
The LHENA-NRP Steering
(LHENA) Board Meeting
presentation on personal
Committee meets the first
The LHENA Board meets the
growth or well-being, open to
Wednesday of the month.
third Wednesday of the month.
both men and women.
Some might even want to have
it deliverd via e-mail in lieu of
your paper copy. Please state
this in your e-mail as well. Let
me know if you have any issues
with the PDFs.
– Vanessa Ardolino – Kris Prince –
To advertise in The Wedge contact Susan Hagler:
612-825-7780 or [email protected]
For general inquiries, contact the LHENA office at 612-377-5023
The Wedge Calendar
– Caroline Griepentrog –
– Carina Ruhlandt –
INTERMEDIA ARTS
BRYANT-LAKE BOWL THEATER
WALKER ART CENTER
The contents of this publication do not necessarily
2822 Lyndale Ave. S. | 612-871-4444
810 W. Lake St. | 612-825-8949
1750 Hennepin Ave. | 612-375-7600
reflect the views of LHENA or its board members.
intermediaarts.org/calendar
bryantlakebowl.com/calendar/list
The Wedge reserves the right to exercise discre-
Dimensions of Indigenous
tion in publishing any material submitted and fur-
Extended through Feb. 19
ther reserves the right to refuse any advertisement.
Questions about The Wedge may be directed to
12-6 p.m.
This month at Bryant-Lake Bowl:
Now through March 14
• The Problem of the Body
• Pissing on the Great Wall
the editor or to the The Wedge Committee chair.
This is IA’s 2nd annual visual arts exhibition
© 2010 LHENA, all rights reserved.
presented by Discover This! and co-presented by Intermedia Arts through their Cat-
calendar.walkerart.org
Zhao Liang: Heavy Sleepers
• Profile
An acute exposition of social realities in China,
Zhao’s large-scale video environment depicts
the interior of a dormitory for construction
—see Web site or call for tickets—
workers. Shot in Beijing during the fast-paced
construction leading up to the 2008 Olympics,
LHENA
alyst Series. This multidisciplinary exhibition
1200 West 26th Street
Minneapolis MN 55405
Phone: 612-377-5023
E-mail: [email protected]
will feature artwork by indigenous youth and
BRAVE NEW WORKSHOP
the empty beds raise the question of whether
adult artists from the Twin Cites, Los Ange-
2605 Hennepin Ave. S. | 612-332-6620
the men have gone back to work, or finally
les, and Nogales, AZ.
bravenewworkshop.org
—see Web site or call for information—
How to Make Love Like a Minnesotan III:
Lowry Hill East Neighborhood
Association Board of Directors
K. Himes, President
612-870-3991
M. MacLeod, V. President 612-872-1901
S. Bode
612-872-4077
P. Dahlberg
612-245-3145
J. Demma
612-920-0435
M. Greenwald
612-381-1460
P. Sukki Kim
612-377-9909
L. McHale, Wedge Chair 612-823-1270
D. Ogren
612-377-2290
C. Ruhlandt, Secretary, Z & P Chair
540-557-7791
MINNEAPOLIS THEATRE GARAGE
711 W. Franklin Ave. | 612-870-0723
torchtheater.com | nimbustheatre.com
—see Web sites or call for information—
THE JUNGLE THEATER
Blithe Spirit
Neighborhood Revitalization Program
Feb. 12–March 28
When English novelist Charles Condomine
hires an eccentric medium to perform a
612-377-4969
612-377-9909
612-374-4456
612-600-9347
612-377-4007
Neighborhood
Boundaries:
Hennepin on the west,
Lyndale on the east, Lake
Street on the south and
I-94 on the north
Feb. 12–April 24
HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY - WALKER
The smash hit is back! Returning lovers and
2880 Hennepin Ave. S. | 952-847-8400
Workshop virgins alike will thaw their winter
hclib.org/pub/events
hearts as you take an unforgettable ride down
the love canal. The Brave New Workshop is
Master Gardener:
Annual Flowers for Minnesota
prepared to delve even further into the sub-
Tues., Feb. 23
ject that burns in our hearts and sometimes
6:30 p.m.
gives us heartburn. Make your Valentine’s Day
Annuals fill the whole growing season with
plans early, for our special February 14th per-
blooms - whether in pots or in lush waves of
formance!
colorful gardens. Learn how to grow them
2951 Lyndale Ave. S. | 612-822-7063
NRP
C. Bart, Secretary
P. Sukki Kim, Vice Chair
K. Kullberg, Chair
M. Lescher, Treasurer
J. Schwartau
—see Web site or call for more details—
The Full Montevideo
jungletheater.com
(NRP) Steering Committee
returned home.
séance at his house party in order to gather
material for his next book, she winds up accidentally summoning the ghost of his first wife,
Elvira, who is out to seek revenge on Charles
—see Web site or call for showtimes—
from seed, how to buy plants from garden
centers and what their common diseases
HIGHPOINT CENTER FOR PRINTMAKING
912 W. Lake St. | 612-871-1326
highpointprintmaking.org/calendar
are. Presented in collaboration with the
Hennepin County Master Gardeners,
University of Minnesota Extension.
[email protected]
Select Impressions: Juried Works from
Highpoint’s First Portfolio Review
Now through March 13
and his new wife, Ruth. The Jungle conjures
Highpoint is pleased to present an exhibition
a sparkling entertainment that celebrates the
of works by 29 local printmakers. Visitors will
glamour of the 1940s and the timeless wit of
have the opportunity to view lithographs, inta-
Noël Coward. Featuring the Jungle’s beloved
glio prints, screenprints, relief and monoprints
Wendy Lehr as Madame Arcati!
in a wide variety of styles.
—see Web site or call for showtimes—
—see Web site or call for more details—
Conversation Circles
Saturdays, now through Feb. 27
3:30–4:30 p.m.
Non-native English speakers: practice your
English and make new friends in an informal, volunteer-led setting, and learn about
the library, too. Call 612-630-6069 for more
information in English or, in Spanish, 952847-8510; in Hmong, 952-847-8845; in
Somali, 952-847-8756.
February • 2010
The Wedge • Volume 41 – Number 2
NRP Phase II Action Plan Modification Community Vote
On Thurs., Jan. 14, 2010, the Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association (LHENA) Neighborhood
Revitalization Program (NRP) Steering Committee approved a proposed plan modification which
would reallocate $25,500 in funds from inactive LHENA-NRP Phase II strategies into the existing
administrative/implementation contract.
The $25,500 in funding will cover the administrative/office budget through the end of 2010. The
funding allows for staff support as the committee continues focusing on implementation of current
Phase II strategies and looking forward to the future of neighborhood programming beyond NRP.
The funds are proposed to be reallocated from the following Phase II strategies: $18,500.00 – Business Exterior Improvement Grants (Strategy 16.1.1) 3,000.00 – Temporary Outdoor Sale (Strategy 16.2.1) + 4,000.00 – Youth Employment Directory (Strategy 18.1.1)
$25,500.00 – Total In accordance with NRP’s 21-day public notification policy, a hearing for the community to vote
on the proposed plan modification has been scheduled for Wed., March 3, 2010 from 7-7:30 p.m., at
the LHENA Office, located in Room 107 of Jefferson School, 1200 W. 26th St.
Questions or comments? Call 612-377-5023 or e-mail [email protected]
—Caroline Griepentrog
Page 3
Historic Preservation Seminar Series
Co-Sponsored by
Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association and
Minneapolis Historic Homeowners Association
February 18 - Tile and Clay in Vintage Homes
March 18 - Old House Movie Month, The Money Pit
April 15 - Historic Lighting in the Period Home
May 20 - Purchasing and Inspecting an Older Home
Presentations held at:
Jefferson Auditorium
Jefferson Community School, 1200 W. 26th St., Minneapolis
Ticket price: $3.00 per event
For more information, call the LHENA office at 612-377-5023.
www.thewedge.org
www.histhome.org
Save the Date:
LHENA Annual Meeting April 21st
Board and NRP members wanted!
On Wed., April 21st, the Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association (LHENA) will host their
annual meeting at Jefferson Community School.
Come enjoy food and beverages from local establishments. Learn about a variety of issues affecting the neighborhood and speak with elected
officials.
LHENA Board:
LHENA’s mission is to represent the interests
and values of Lowry Hill East residents, property and business owners to the larger community and government. The LHENA Board makes
neighborhood building and land use recommendations to the city government, maintains the
organization’s financial oversight, publishes
The Wedge newspaper, organizes neighborhood
social events, and is a forum for neighborhood
concerns. The commitment includes attending
10 board meetings per year, participation with
LHENA committees, connecting with the larger
community, and attending special events. 5 of 11
seats are open for election to a two-year term.
Most importantly, engage with your community! Consider running for the LHENA Board
or Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP)
Steering Committee. Elections for each of these
bodies will occur at this meeting. All neighborhood residents, business and property owners are
eligible to run and to vote in the elections. Time
commitment equals approximately 5-8 hours per
month. Participation with these groups is a fun NRP Steering Committee:
way to better connect with your neighbors and to
The NRP Steering Committee oversees the
impact the direction of the neighborhood.
use of NRP funds for neighborhood improveParties interested in volunteering for either ment projects in Housing; Infrastructure; Crime
the Board or the NRP Committee should please & Safety; and Youth, Arts & Commerce. This
contact Caroline Griepentrog at LHENA, lhena@ year’s committee will continue implementing the
thewedge.org or 612-377-5023. We plan on fea- neighborhood’s Phase II NRP Action Plan. The
turing candidates in the April issue of The commitment includes attending special events
Wedge, and will ask that you submit a short and monthly meetings. Committee term is one
biography to introduce yourself to the neighbor- year. 11 seats are open for election.
hood.
—Caroline Griepentrog
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Lyn-Lake Barbershop
Jayson Dallmann - Propietor
612.822.6584
3019 Lyndale Avenue South
www.Lyn-LakeBarbershop.com
Hours: Tues - Fri. 11am-7pm | Sat. 9am-4:30pm | (Afterhours by Appointment)
Tax Preparation
LHENA Letter
by Carina Ruhlandt
The Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association (LHENA) Board had a great
first meeting of 2010. We are excited about what this year holds. We live in an
active neighborhood, with lots of good things on the horizon.
• Our new City Council Representative Meg Tuthill came to give her first
report in her new position. She and her staff are in the process of creating a list of
current constituents. For neighbors who have unresolved issues that began before
Dec. 31, 2009, please call Meg’s office at 612-673-2210 to fill her staff in on your
situation. They are here to serve us!
• The Zoning & Planning Committee and LHENA Board voted to support a
strong beer and wine license for Red’s Savoy Pizza. This matter now goes before
the City’s Zoning & Planning Committee for approval.
• Our Board President, Katherine Himes, has set some goals for 2010. We
want to engage renters and new neighbors in what’s happening in Lowry Hill East.
Our second goal is to establish a city-wide reputation for green initiatives. We welcome input from all our neighbors, and look forward to connecting with YOU!
• Shaun Laden from the Uptown Market came to report on the 2009 market
season. He will be making a full report at our Zoning & Planning Committee meeting on Feb. 10. All are welcome to come hear from Shaun and discuss how the
market will operate in summer 2010.
• Shaun Murphy from the City of Minneapolis came to talk about improvements to the Bryant Avenue Bikeway. There is a public meeting on Feb. 9 for those
who would like to have direct impact on this process.
Lowry Hill East/The Wedge residents are always welcome to observe a meeting, and participate in our lively discussions. If you’re not able to join us in person,
this update will help keep you in the loop about what’s going on in LHENA.
Jack D. Manders, CPA
1900 Hennepin Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55403
612-874-7884
[email protected]
Page 4
The Wedge • Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association Newspaper
Snow Shoveling Hints
by Helen Williams
Now that snow shoveling season has arrived in Minnesota
and we are supposed to keep
sidewalks clear of snow, I would
like to give you a hint about
careful shoveling. This pertains
mostly to heavy and wet snow
removal.
Do not eat a large meal before
you pick up that shovel. It’s
the same rule that applies to
swimming after eating a large
meal. The possibility of having a
cramp in the water is far higher
if you have just eaten. The
results can be fatal. The heart
sends blood to the stomach to
digest your food and it puts a
strain on it.
This can also be true for heavy
snow removal as it also puts an
extra strain on your heart and
can cause cardiac arrest. This
is especially true for people
that have not been active all
year then over-exert themselves
shoveling. Be safe: shovel, rest,
eat.
February • 2010
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Andrea’s Vintage and Bridal features vintage dresses for unique brides
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3430 Nicollet Avenue South, Mpls.
Phone: 612.823.4111
FAX: 612.823.1787
[email protected]
• Great Free Parking
• Mailbox Rental
• Great Prices on
Faxes and Copies
• U.S. Post Office Services
• Secure Document
Shredding
Locally Owned & Operated
[email protected]
www.theupsstore.com
Mon-Thurs: 9am-8pm Fri-Sat: 9am-6pm Sun: 11am-5pm
c Uptown Neighborhood News
The UPS Store
612.822.0022
2751 Hennepin Ave.
(28th & Hennepin, next to Kinhdo)
IN: Andrea’s Vintage and Bridal
723 West 26th Street
OUT: Lift repair shop
www.andreasvintagebridal.com, 612-716-8006
Owners: Andrea Erickson and Chris Holm
Photo and article by Kathy
Kullberg
c Uptown Neighborhood News
/PENDAILYAMAM
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ANDLATENIGHTEATS
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Mary M.
Trondson
Insurance
Agency, Inc.
In with the new, out with the old
Difference between
a co-op and a “club” store:
You Only Join Once. Really.
That’s it.
Make 2010 the Year of the Co-op
Difference. Join us!
If ever there was a contrast
between black and white, then
this storefront must be it. Picture a dark and greasy garage,
men in patchy overalls, oil
cans lining the walls. That was
then. Now picture everything
inside freshly painted white,
even the floors. Crystal chandeliers and beautiful lacy vintage white and cream dresses
hang from the wood beam ceiling and oriental carpets lay on
the brightly painted cement.
Light streams in to brighten
even the grayest of days.
Owner Andrea Erickson
had a vision for her new shop
months before she even considered moving her vintage clothing from the Hopkins location.
It was a premonition of sorts
that she “always envisioned a
repurposed gas station” to display and sell her collection of
1930’s and 50’s wedding gowns.
Then, “lo and behold this spot
opened up,” and she moved in
the middle of December to the
converted 1937 Pure Oil gas
station at the corner of W. 26th
St. and Aldrich Ave. S.
2105 Lyndale Ave S.
612-871-3993
Mon-Fri 9-10
|
Sat & Sun 9-9
|
www.wedge.coop
c Uptown Neighborhood News
Brides-to-be shopping for
that one-of-a-kind look for
H
their special day will find lace,
satin, embroidered or polka
dotted tulle on the racks.
Almost every dress comes with
a story as Andrea personally
has acquired each dress from
a previous owner. Don’t need
a wedding dress? Cocktail
dresses are in the mix as well.
Unique headdresses, veils,
shoes, and purses complete the
bride’s selections for a one-stop
shopping experience. And there
is not a wait to pick up items!
You can take your purchases
home with you that day; a fitter is available to redesign that
special dress just for you.
Andrea, a recent bride herself, comments that when she
was looking for that one-ofa-kind dress, she was most
disappointed with the lack of
variety in the usual wedding
shops. She did not want to
wear the same dress as others
so she decided to open her own
boutique to provide a unique
alternative to future brides.
She states that her goal for
the shop is to “carry vintage
looks, especially for the larger
woman” with dresses that can
and should be personalized
and custom-tailored for each
bride.
Tastefully displayed in vintage corner display cases,
are purses, jewelry, unique
attendant gifts, vintage perfume bottles and cake toppers.
“Vosges Chocolat” from Chicago is available for wedding
favors or just plain chocolate
indulgence.
Almost everything is vintage
with some new reproductions
scattered throughout. No two
dresses are alike. Andrea characterizes her typical bride as a
well-educated career woman
in her 20’s, 30’s or 40’s who
is “green-minded” and loves
old things. Since most gowns
were only worn once, to reuse
and re-purpose a vintage high
quality creation is an appropriate and pretty display of
eco-friendliness. What was
once old is truly new again at
Andrea’s.
If you have items from the
1930s, 1950s, 1960s and the
1980s, Andrea would be more
than happy to discuss purchasing them for her shop.
Standard hours
Thursday and Friday:
10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday:
9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
oliday Party Photos
Last month, The Wedge printed a series of photos from the LHENA Holiday Party. The
Wedge staff would like to apologize for miscrediting the photos to Caroline Griepentrog.
They were actually taken by Lowry Hill East resident Eric Meininger. A big thanks to Eric
for letting us print his photos!
February • 2010
The Wedge • Volume 41 – Number 2
Northstar Line Marks a New Beginning for Passenger Rail in Minnesota
by Peter Dahlberg, LHENA Board Member
Several weeks ago, I took my
first ride on a commuter train
in Minnesota. The Northstar
Line runs from Big Lake to
Downtown Minneapolis at
speeds up to 79 miles per hour
(mph), and provides welcomed
relief to commuters in the
northwest metro.
The line is the first regional
addition to the passenger rail
system to become a reality in
Minnesota since 1975, and
other corridors are being studied for both commuter rail and
The ride is very smooth and
sleek, providing views that
were previously only enjoyed
by freight train crews. Just
moments after an on-time
departure, the train crosses
the Mississippi River and
Nicollet Island, providing a
spectacular view of Downtown
Minneapolis. The train then
makes its way through
Northeast Minneapolis on
slightly-elevated track, providing an interesting perspective on the Logan Park and
Holland neighborhoods.
longer distance service.
The
Northstar
service
is
operated by Metro Transit on
freight railroad tracks owned
by BNSF Railway. I took a
round trip on a recent weekday
afternoon by taking the first
outbound train from Target
Field Station Downtown.
The train passes through
BNSF’s Northtown freight
yard just before making its
first station stop in Fridley.
Upon departing Fridley, the
train speeds up to 79 mph,
making quick station stops
in Coon Rapids, Anoka, Elk
River, and finally Big Lake.
The 40-mile trip from
Downtown Minneapolis to Big
Lake takes only 51 minutes,
far shorter than an automobile
trip during rush hour.
Target Field Station currently
provides Northstar passengers
with easy access to Downtown
Minneapolis and connections
to the transit system through
the Hiawatha Light Rail and
the 5th Street Transit Garage.
The station is also a central hub to future regional
passenger rail services. The
Minnesota Department of
Transportation
(Mn/DOT)
released its Comprehensive
Statewide
Freight
and
Passenger Rail Plan Draft in
December. This plan lays out
a vision for a number of interregional passenger rail corridors that connect both the
UPTOWN ARTSWATCH
by Vanessa Moore Ardolino
Green Jobs as art at Common Roots Café
If a function of art is to get people to think, then
Pictures by Erica Ritzel show workers in the city
the photographs currently on the walls of Common of Shoreview laying down a pervious road surRoots Café fit the bill. Although, it might take a face. On another wall, photos by Stephanie Althoff
moment to think about them in that way.
depict rows of gold-flowered sedum plants, ready
In collaboration with the Blue Green Alliance, for use on the next green roof project.
Common Roots is displaying a “Green Jobs Photo
Nevertheless, the connection between the phoProject.” It is a series of color images showing Minnesotans who work in jobs that will help improve tos’ subject matter and the café is compelling. The
the environment, such as building wind farms, or café’s mission is to “operate in an environmentallyhybrid buses. Lined up along the walls of Common friendly way.” These pictures reveal that it’s not
Roots, it feels like you stepped into a city’s pub- just small businesses that are trying to do their
lic works office instead of an Uptown restaurant. part – the effort extends into the world of unions
They don’t exactly cry, “This is art!” when you look
and government budgets, too. And that is beautiat them.
ful.
The men and women were caught by photogra“Green Jobs” will be on display until the end of
phers with a photojournalist’s eye. They are porFebruary.
Common Roots Café is located at 2558
trayed bent intently over their work in hard hats
and brightly colored safety vests. Sometimes they Lyndale Ave. S. For more information call 612-871pose, smiling for the camera.
2360.
A lively mish-mash from Walker Art Center’s
permanent collection in Benches & Binoculars
Winter weather forces me to weigh the value
of an experience against the hardship associated with leaving my apartment. In January,
the Walker Art Center felt impossibly far away.
If I was getting bundled up, the payout better be
worth it, and in the case of Benches & Binoculars,
it was.
On two tall walls, 96 paintings from the Walker’s
permanent collection are a crowd of colors, sizes
and subject matter. It can be overwhelming to
stand near them. The curators knew what they
were doing when they put benches and binoculars
in the name of this exhibit. Using them improves
the experience.
Hollywood Hills House, for they make certain
aspects appear three-dimensional.
While the paintings seem to have been hung
through a practice of controlled chaos, the works
do seem separated by genre. One wall consists of
mostly portraits, landscapes and still life paintings, with just a couple abstract pieces peeking
out.
On the opposite wall, more experimental pieces
hang. I found this array more compelling when
crowded so close together. The carefully placed
colors in Mark Rothko’s No. 12 persuaded me to
look more closely at its neighbors, finally drawing
It might take a while before you can snag a seat out the beauty of them, like the nearly featureless
on a bench, but when you do, lean back and let blackness of Ad Reinhardt’s Painting.
your eyes pan across the display. I kept the exhibiThis exhibition is on display until Aug. 15. Some
tion map open in my hands, referencing it often.
pieces will be rotated out during that time, so it is
Since there are only a few binoculars, I’d suggest good to visit more than once. Walker Art Center is
bringing your own. They are especially helpful located at 1750 Hennepin Ave. For information call
when looking at David Hockney’s brightly colored 612-375-7656.
Page 5
Downtown Minneapolis Target
Field Station and a renovated
St. Paul Union Depot with outlying regional centers.
These potential corridors
include high-speed 110 mph
service to Duluth, Rochester,
even to Madison/Milwaukee/
Chicago! The vision also calls
for connections to St. Cloud/
Moorhead, Mankato, and Eau
Claire at speeds of 79-110 mph.
The final plan is expected to be
adopted in February, when state
and local lawmakers will begin
work on implementation. For
more information on Mn/DOT’s
plan, visit dot.state.mn.us/planning/railplan
Love…
is in the Air!
Call today and place your
Valentine’s order
The Corner Balloon Shoppe will be open on
Sunday February 14th from 10am-4pm.
2455 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis 612.377.4011
RENTAL • LAWN & GARDEN • PLUMBING • ELECTRICAL • KEYS MADE • GLASS CUT • PAINT
Keep Up With Fido
This Winter.
YakTrax
19
Only
99
Each
The Biggest Little Hardware Store in Minneapolis
Page 6
The Wedge • Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association Newspaper
The Active Minnesotan
Letters to
the Editor
We welcome letters to the editor, but cannot guarantee that they will be printed.
Preference is given to letters from Lowry Hill East
(The Wedge) residents concerning neighborhood
issues.
The Wedge does not accept any letters that are not
exclusive to The Wedge newspaper, are unsigned, or
do not include the writer’s address and phone number. This information will be kept on file to verify
the writer’s identity and will not be printed.
The Wedge reserves the right to edit for clarity and
length. Send letters to:
[email protected]
or
Wedge Letters
1200 W. 26th St.
Minneapolis MN 55405
Lowry Hill East Crime Map
December 22, 2009 – January 18, 2010
Homicide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Remember:
Rape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
• Take keys inside
and lock your car.
Robbery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Aggravated Assault. . . . . . 1
• Lock your house
and garage doors.
Burglary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Larceny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
• Call 911 if you
have an emergency.
Auto Theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Narcotics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
For more information, contact the CCP/Safe Team:
www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/police/crimealert/signup.asp
Lt. Dave Hayhoe | 612-673-2919
[email protected]
CPS Chelsea Adams | 612-673-2819
[email protected]
Crime-Prevention Block Club
Want to form a crime-prevention apartment / block club?
Training sessions for block / apartment club leaders
94
are held monthly, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Call the
5th Precinct at 612-673-5585 for more information.
with Gary Thaden
Franklin
Avenue West
Robbery is person-to-person
confrontation where threat or force
is used. Most often demanding
or attacking for money.
Events at Central Library
300 Nicollet Avenue
(unless stated otherwise)
Gthaden at Gmail dot com
22nd Street West
St. Paul’s 16th Annual
Fireside Literary
Readings Series
25th Street West
26th Street West
Colfax Avenue South
Dupont Avenue South
Emerson Avenue South
27th Street West
Aldrich Avenue South
Bryant Avenue South
Mueller
Park
28th Street West
29th Street West
Lyndale Avenue South
24th Street West
Fremont Avenue South
Henn
epin
Ave
nue
Sou
Girard Avenue South
th
[source: www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us
/police/crime-statistics/]
Wed., Feb. 3, 6:30 p.m.
Crime & Safety Committee
typically meets on the first
Wednesday of each month.
LHENA, Room 107
Jefferson School
1200 W. 26th St.
Midtown Greenway
This is the first of a monthly column about staying active throughout Minnesota’s four wonderful seasons. I plan to focus on activities which are
enjoyable, local, inexpensive, and fun. My goals
are to share my love of being active with you, help
you get fit, increase your health, and encourage
you to explore.
February is an excellent month to connect with
the outdoors. Daylight hours are increasing, yet
snow should still be present, creating activities
that exist only during the wintertime.
• Walking and Running: Hopefully everyone
knows about a terrific resource we enjoy here in
Minneapolis, lakes. After snowfall, the outer path
is plowed on Lake of the Isles, Cedar Lake, Lake
Calhoun, and Lake Harriet. Walking around one
lake is excellent exercise; see if you can challenge
yourself to tackle two lakes! Note that Cedar Lake
does not have a paved path around the entire
lake. Completing this circle requires either walking on the Kenilworth and Cedar trails on the
east and north sides respectively, or walking on
the hard-packed and snow-covered trails closer to
the lake.
If you want to take your walking and running
skills to the next level, then try the local 25th
Annual Valentine’s Day TC 5K race on Sat., Feb.
13, 2010. The 5-kilometer race starts and ends
at the Lake Harriet Band Shell, circling the lake
once. Run as a couple and save on registration!
Right now, registration is only available on-line.
On the 10th, you can also register at Marathon
Sports, 2312 W. 50th St. Find more information
and register at mtcmarathon.org/ValentinesDay
or call Marathon Sports at 612-920-2606.
Many winter walking and running events take
place throughout the Twin Cities. They are listed
on a variety of Web sites, including midwestevents.us and raceberryjam.com
• Ice Skating: This is an excellent activity to
enjoy in the winter. I just went ice skating for the
first time in almost ten years with my mom. We
had a great time and were humbled by the men
The
Library
Report
Larceny is basically theft: shoplifting
or stealing personal property where
force is not used.
Burglary is illegal entry to private
areas whether property is locked or
unlocked.
Now in its 16th season, the Fireside Literary Readings Series is
one of St. Paul’s oldest and most
popular events. The series annually highlights the work of some
of Minnesota’s finest writers
who published new work in the
previous year. The author readings take place in the cozy atmosphere in front of the hearth at
the Hamline Midway Branch
Library (1558 W. Minnehaha
Ave., St. Paul) and include free
coffee, cider and cookies. Fireside readings occur on Thursday
evenings at 7 p.m. Call 651-3666488 for more information.
This year’s authors are:
Lake Street West
February • 2010
February 5: Eric Dregni, Never
Trust a Thin Cook and Other
in their 60s and 70s playing hockey! The best part
about ice skating is that we can walk to W. 25th
St. and E. Lake of the Isles Parkway to access
well-maintained ice. I often see the groomers out
in the morning, hosing down the rink. The Lake
of the Isles ice skating rink and warming hut are
scheduled to be open through Feb. 15, 2010. The
hut is open generally from 3-9 p.m. Mon.-Fri.; 10
a.m.-9 p.m. Sat.; and 12-6 p.m. Sunday. Call the
winter season hotline for more information at
612-313-7708.
• Snowshoeing: If you are like some of my
friends and family and are concerned about
falling on icy walkways and ice skating rinks,
snowshoeing is a fantastic and safe way to enjoy
Minnesota in the wintertime. If you can walk, you
can snowshoe. Find out about snowshoe programs
available through the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board by calling 612-313-7725 or go to
minneapolisparks.org
If programs are not your thing, then try snowshoe rental ($10 fee) at the Theodore Wirth Chalet; call 763-522-4584. Many wonderful trails exist
in the park.
• Cross-Country Skiing: This is my favorite
winter sport. And the great news for Lowry Hill
East residents is that the City of Minneapolis
grooms Lake of the Isles, the Cedar-Isles channel, Cedar Lake, and Brownie Lake! This means
you can walk to Isles and ski (without those pesky
hills) all the way to Wirth Park, where additional
groomed trails await. It’s free to ski on the lakes,
but a pass is required in Theodore Wirth Park.
See the article about the City of Lakes Loppet for
additional information on upcoming cross-country
ski activities!
• Indoor activities: For those of you who really
dislike the outdoors in winter, check out the active
offerings at Jefferson School through Minneapolis
Community Education. African dance, basketball,
yoga, and tai chi all begin at the very end of January. For information call 612-668-2740 or go to
mplscommunityed.com
Happy trails!
—Katherine Himes
Lessons from Italy’s Culinary
Capital
February 11: Sarah Tonich,
Ice Chorus and These Granite
Islands
February 18: J. C. Hallman, The
Hospital for Bad Poets
February 25: Marisha Chamberlain, The Rose Variations
Walker Library
Book Club
Tues., Feb. 9, 6:30-8 p.m.
White Lioness: A Mystery, by
Henning Mankell, the 1998
English language version of the
Kurt Wallander mystery Den
vita lejoninnan.
Tues., March 8, 6:30-8 p.m.
Salt: A World History by Mark
Kurlansky. Mr. Kurlansky is
the winner of the James Beard
Award for Excellence in Food
Writing.
Master Gardener: Annual
Flowers for Minnesota
Walker Library
Tues., Feb. 23, 6:30 p.m.
Annuals fill the whole growing
season with blooms - whether
in pots or in lush waves of colorful gardens. Learn how to grow
them from seed, how to buy
plants from garden centers and
what their common diseases are.
Presented in collaboration with
the Hennepin County Master
Gardeners, University of Minnesota Extension.
Pen Pals Lecture Series
Hopkins Center for the Arts
1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins
Lectures range from $35-45
For more information,
call 952-979-1100 or visit
www.hopkinsmn.com/_hca/
Sarah Vowell
Thurs., Mar. 11, 2010, 7:30 p.m.
Fri., Mar. 12, 2010, 11 a.m.
Is there anything Sarah Vowell
hasn’t done? Contributing editor
to Public Radio International’s
This American Life, a regular on
Late Night with Conan O’Brien,
music critic and author of audio
books featuring the likes of Norman Lear, Vowell is also the
acclaimed author of five books,
including Assassination Vacation, a road trip to the tourist
sites devoted to the murdered
presidents.
Her most recent book is The
Wordy Shipmates, a history of
American Puritans. Vowell also
happens to be the voice of Violet
in the Pixar film, The Incredibles.
February • 2010
The Wedge • Volume 41 – Number 2
jefferson.mpls.k12.mn.us
Jefferson School News
Lyndale Church Back On Lyndale Avenue
prepared by Kris Prince
The Jefferson food drive was
a huge success! On Dec. 16, the
Emergency Food Shelf Network
collected over 500 cans/items
of food from our school. We had
115 students participate.
I am sure there are lots of
great examples of kids getting
involved with the food drive
from each of your classrooms,
but I wanted to share a couple
examples that I heard about
that impressed me.
Sammy, one of our 2nd grade
students went door to door
around his neighborhood with
his family and collected over 30
cans of food. In Ms. Lass and
Ms. Glocker’s 3rd grade class-
Page 7
rooms, the students collected
over 2,000 coins, which they
used to purchase food for the
drive.
In the middle grades, Savannah and Cynthia brought in
several bags of food.
If you see any of these students or any others that you
know helped, make sure to
thank them and let them know
what they helped accomplish.
Thank you so much for encouraging your students to get
involved and for any food that
you brought in!
125 years ago Lyndale Church started on the
Wedge (NW) corner of Lake and Lyndale.
National African American
Parent Involvement Day is
February 8
Parent volunteers are essential to planning the day with
ideas for activities you would
like to do.
Family engagement in our
school will improve our test
scores and the chance for your
children to succeed. Please call
me to volunteer at 612-668-2749
or e-mail me at kris.prince@
mpls.k12.mn.us
—Kris Prince
We’re back.
We are sharing space with Intermedia Arts
(and Salem Church) at 2822 Lyndale Ave. S.
Come check us out.
9:15 a.m. Christian Education for all
10:30 a.m. Worship in either the Intermedia
Arts theater or gallery
2822 Lyndale Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN
612.825.3019
Lyndaleucc.org
LYNDALE
UNITED CHURCH
OF CHRIST
No matter who you are or where you are on your journey, you’re welcome here.
—Tricia, AmeriCorps Tutor
Energy Saver Rebates Now Available
[information courtesy of Minnesota Center for Energy and Environment]
As of December 7, Minnesota’s
Federal Stimulus Funding is
available for homeowners across
the state.
The stimulus funding comes
in the form of an “Energy Saver
Rebate” and offered through
participating Minnesota Housing lenders, such as the Center
for Energy and Environment,
CEE. Only borrowers who access
Minnesota Housing’s Fix-Up
Fund loan are eligible to apply
for the rebate.
The “Energy Saver Rebate”
offers a 35% rebate for all
qualifying energy improvements, with a maximum rebate
of $10,000. These qualifying
improvements include windows,
doors, insulation, water heater,
heating and cooling. Improvements must meet certain energy
efficiency criteria to be eligible
for the rebate. The Fix-Up Fund
has a maximum loan amount of
$35,000 and a maximum term of
20 years with an interest rate of
5.99%* as of Nov. 22, 2009.
More information on the
“Energy Saver Rebate,” the fixup fund loan and other home
improvement loans can be found
at mncee.org
The Fix-Up Fund loan is one
of the many loans and financ-
ing options CEE offers to Minnesota residents. As the largest
non-profit home improvement
lender for Minnesota Housing,
they can help match Minnesotans with the best available
financing options for their home
improvement needs. The Center
for Energy and Environment is
a nonprofit organization based
in Minneapolis. CEE was established in 1979 and is the leading nonprofit resource on energy
efficiency in the state.
Give Community Relations
Manager Erica Schulte a call
at 612-335-5884 if you have any
questions.
Energy Saver Rebate Specifics
Instructions to Homeowners
•Within 120 days of closing on a Fix-Up Fund Loan, homeowners must submit the completed Energy
Saver Rebate Application to the Center for Energy and Environment.
See a PDF copy
of this and other
back issues by
visiting our
Web site!
www.thewedge.org
To advertise in
The Wedge contact Susan Hagler:
612-825-7780 or [email protected]
For general inquiries,
contact the LHENA office at 612-377-5023.
•Rebate amount is 35% of cost of completed rebate-eligible improvements described below.
•Required attachments to this application are:
•Paid receipts for all rebate-eligible improvements; and
•Utility Release Form signed by homeowner.
•It may take 4-6 weeks to process rebates.
•To get a rebate application or if you have questions regarding program participation or the Fix-Up
Fund, visit mncee.org or call 612-335-5884.
Heating Systems
Natural Gas or Propane furnace AFUE >= 95,
Oil furnace, gas, propane or oil hot water boiler AFUE >= 90.
Central Air Conditioning
Split systems; SEER >= 16 - EER >=13; Package systems: SEER >=14 - EER >= 12.
Light Fixtures
Fixtures must meet Energy Star requirements.
Window Replacement
Windows must be Energy Star qualified under Federal guidelines. Not all Energy Star labeled windows qualify for Federal Energy Tax Credits.
Exterior Doors
Exterior doors must have a U-factor and SHGC of 0.30 or less.
Attic Air Sealing
Testing the air tightness of a home using a calibrated door will measure the quantity of air leakage
and air sealing effectiveness. Attic air sealing is a prerequisite for wall/attic insulation rebates.
Attic Insulation
Attic insulation must be combined with attic air sealing for rebate eligibility. Final R-Value >= R-44
Wall Insulation
All external wall cavities must be filled with insulation. Rebate eligibility is conditioned on Attic Air
Sealing being performed.
Water Heater
Atmospherically vented and orphaned water heaters are eligible for replacement with a power vented
or direct vented high efficiency storage or demand unit; only if an orphaned water heater currently
exists or if an orphan is created due to furnace replacement.
Gas storage units >= 0.62 EF
Gas tankless units >= 0.82 EF w/ 2.5 gpm @77 degree Fahrenheit rise
The Wedge
Messages
The Wedge accepts classified
ads and personal messages.
See bottom for pricing.
HOME SERVICES / REPAIR
HOME RESTORATION,
REMODELING AND REPAIR
Resident of The Wedge. All projects
considered. Handyman services.
Great service and quality. Licensed
and insured. Dan 612-655-4961
VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITIES
TEACH OTHER ADULTS
Volunteer as an adult education
classroom assistant in Basic Reading, ESL, Basic Math, or Basic Computer Skills. Daytime or evening at
Lehmann Center.,1006 W Lake St.
Contact 612-668-3984 or
[email protected]
YOUR LIFE IS BUSY,
BUT IS IT FULL?
Unique volunteer opportunity to staff
on-site coffee shop in neighborhood
nursing home. Hours are 10:30 a.m.
to 2:30 p.m. Training provided. Call
Jennifer at 612-827-2555, ext. 142
MISCELLANEOUS
NEED AN ATTORNEY?
Experienced Uptown area criminal
defense Attorney. All traffic offenses
including DWI, misdemeanors, theft,
drugs, expungements. Affordable
rates. Call Attorney Brad Mathis,
612-823-9466. Website:
www.bradmathislaw.com
How to
advertise
Each resident of The Wedge receives
one FREE classified each year with a
limit of 25 words. After the initial run,
you must prepay one of two ways: our
office at Jefferson School (1200 W.
26th St., Room 107; 612-377-5023)
or our ad representative, Susan Hagler
(612-825-7780; [email protected]). Non-neighborhood / after
free ad cost is $0.40 per word. Cost
is per month and must be paid with
order. The Wedge reserves the right
to refuse any ad.
Page 8
The Wedge • Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association Newspaper
February • 2010
The Wedge Recycling Disaster
Meet the LHENA Board
Katherine E. Himes, Ph.D.
1. What’s your role on the Board?
Board President
2. How long have you lived in The Wedge?
Almost three years
an MBA, and really enjoy putting both to good
use. Much of my time is spent on broad science
or graduate education projects. I really enjoy my
work.
7. What are your hobbies?
3. What do you like best about Lowry Hill
East?
Running marathons, cross country ski racing,
playing violin, backpacking and hiking, learnProximity to everything--I can walk to the ing to garden, travel, reading, bicycling, cooking,
co-op, farmer’s market, restaurants, and library. spending time with friends, and developing new
So many bus routes to travel to other parts of skills.
the city, including my job! I run from my door to
8. What book are you reading right now?
the lakes and Wirth Park. And the biking options
Gail Collins’ America’s Women: Four Hundred
are terrific.
Years of Dolls, Drudges, Helpmates and Hero4. Do you have a favorite location in the
ines. It’s a pretty fascinating read of the history
neighborhood?
of women in the United States. I picked it up at
I really like the conifer trees in Mueller Park; the Field Museum in Chicago.
they make me feel like I’m “up north.” I enjoy the
9. Tell us an interesting fact or story.
sunrise over the Greenway as well.
I attended the University of Minnesota for two
5. Favorite neighborhood restaurant?
of my degrees and Madison for the other. I’m a
This is a tough one, as we are fortunate to conflicted Gopher-Badger fan.
have so many delicious eating options. I’d like
to change this question to favorite neighborhood
establishment with food. Then the answer would
Please e-mail [email protected] or call 612be Bryant-Lake Bowl. What a neighborhood icon.
377-5023 if there is a Lowry Hill East resident
6. What do you do for a living?
you would like to see here. We alternate months
I work in administration at the University of of LHENA Board Members and residents of The
Minnesota. I have a Ph.D. in neuroscience and Wedge. You are welcome to nominate yourself!
THIS IS
MY CITY.
THIS IS
MY YWCA.
We are Minnesota’s
Official Center for
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Featuring
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0
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Hints for Good and Easy Recycling:
Keep four paper bags in your residence; one for glass, one for
plastic, one for aluminum, and one for newspaper. Newspapers
may also be tied with twine, rope, or string.
Glass bottles/containers/jars: Remove lid/caps, then rinse.
Plastic butter containers: Remove lid/caps, then rinse.
Aluminum cans: Remove label, then rinse. I flatten them and
get twice as many in the bag.
Cardboard boxes: They have to be opened up (nothing left
taped together or interlocking), no larger than 3’ by 3’, and
weigh less than 20 lbs. Put in a bag or tie with string, twine, etc.
Batteries: Small household batteries may be put in a plastic
bag and left on top of the container cover.
As each bag is filled, place it in your city-provided recycling
container, and put the cover on so it looks like a dome.
I realize there are a lot of small rental units in The Wedge
area. Perhaps new residents do not know how to recycle properly. It would help if landlords or caretakers explained to them
how to recycle in Minneapolis.
If your recycling container is not in good condition or there is
no cover, you can call the following number and order new ones
at no expense: 612-673-2917.
The following items are not recyclable or belong in your regular garbage container:
Plastic milk bottles (long neck)
Egg cartons
Beer and pop containers
Pizza boxes
Refrigerator/frozen food containers
Margarine/yogurt containers
Broken glass/glass windows
Aerosol cans
Tires, automotive batteries, and construction waste has to be
taken to the transfer station located at 2850 20th Ave. S. You
will need a voucher; each homeowner is allowed six vouchers
per year. They will take eight tires on one voucher. Call 612-6732917 for voucher availability.
When you buy local, you support the independent, one-of-a-kind
businesses that make up the heart of Minneapolis neighborhoods.
Buying local keeps money in the community and builds a strong
local economy. Healthy Me. Healthy Community.
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I occasionally walk through the alleys of The Wedge neighborhood and cannot believe the way some people handle their recyclable items.
In many instances, the cover for the city-provided recycling
containers does not get put on. The blue containers actually
have the cover attached but are still not used!
Some people do place items in paper bags, beer or pop containers, etc. and leave them on the ground next to an empty
city container rather than inside. Unfortunately these bags
and boxes are often left unsorted. When do get rain/snow, these
paper/cardboard containers become wet and fall apart. Items
become scattered around the alley are rarely picked up by the
careless resident.
This can still happen if items are in the plastic container, but
at least the items do not end up around the alley. Without the
lid on, it quickly becomes a soggy mess. A common reason is
that some people bring out recyclables the day after the semimonthly pickup. That leaves two weeks to become a mess from
weather. This could easily be prevented if people would get that
cover on after putting items in the containers.
The recycling truck has separate bins. If items are put in separate bags before they go into containers, it makes it far easier
for the handlers and helps guarantee pick-up. Certain handlers
will leave containers untouched if the items are not sorted.
Recycling items are picked up twice a month on the same day
your garbage is picked up.
ywcampls.org
I am afraid that the people that are guilty of poor recycling or
sometimes don’t care how to recycle also probably do not read
The Wedge newspaper, so the disaster will continue. Too bad
when it can be so much easier for the person picking up the
items. The Wedge neighborhood does not have a good reputation
for proper recycling and I would like to see it changed.
Congratulations to those residents in The Wedge that do a
good job separating items within the provided container and
covering it.
This article was not addressing large apartment buildings,
as they have separate containers and rules for their recyclable
items.
Happy Recycling,
The Recycling Detective