january 2009 uptown neighborhood news

Commentary ............................................ 2Health & Fitness Guide ...................... 42008 in Review ........................................... 6Business & Real Estate .......................7Crime & Safety ...................................... 8ECCO Report .............................................. 9Events Calendar ..................................... 11

January 2009 • Volume 5, Number 1

inside

Snow Taffy: Photo (left) by Bruce Cochran (See more snow sculpture at the 2009 Loppet pg.5)

Your Community-Supported News Source • Covering the Neighborhoods of CARAG and ECCO and the Uptown Area

Miracle On 31st Street?By Don Portwood

Lyndale United Church of Christ (lyndaleucc.org) at 31st Street and Aldrich voted on December 7 to sell our building to New Wine Church of St. Paul (newwinechurch.org)! If only it were that easy. A done deal.

New Wine Church wants a bigger building. They want to buy and restore our building. Partnered with Salem Lutheran Church (discov-ersalem.com) and presently sharing our building with them, we want to sell and downsize (our building is 25,000 sq. ft), moving the fall of 2010 into a renovated green friendly building, Salem Lutheran Church’s sanc-tuary at 28th Street and Garfield Avenue.

It is a big deal for a congregation to voluntarily agree to sell their build-ing, what with the edifice complexes some congregations are often known to have. But the Lyndale Church building has been too big for the 120 member congregation for years, and 5 years ago we began to work on plans to move to a more sustainable building. Salem Luther-an Church joined in the quest and in November of 2006 Salem Church

Economic Crisis Discussed, Recovery Sought At Forum By Phyllis Stenerson

The Road to Economic Recovery, a town hall forum on December 15 at Temple Israel, 2324 Hennepin Avenue, was one of 30 held throughout the country during the week. About 140 people gathered to learn about rising poverty, foreclosures and homelessness with its devastating impact on individuals and the entire community. Activists are seeking ways to generate action and find solutions.

Congressman Keith Ellison and Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman along with staff and volunteers from various agencies plus

Uptown residents Lydia and Julia are beaming about their new books. Photo by

Courtney Kiernat

WordplayReading is Fun at KenwoodBy Cecelia Michel

“Hats Off to Reading Day” on December 12 was part of Kenwood School’s Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) program. 417 books were given to Kenwood School students.

Students wore a variety of hats to mark the day and each selected a new, free book to “take home and keep” as part of a nationwide effort by Reading Is Fundamental, Inc., to provide books and literacy resources to children and families. Each student at Kenwood receives a book through this program three times a year. Every RIF program incor-porates three elements to support stu-dents’ literacy:

Clean-up T imeNew Ordinance Requires Fee for NewsboxesCiting safety and aesthetics, Remington was happy to see the resolution pass and reported that his office received responses that were 10 to 1 in

favor of the ordinance.

On December 12 the Minneapolis City Council approved an ordi-nance brought forth by Council Member Remington. Favoring the regulation of newspaper boxes, the ordinance will take effect October 1, 2009. Regulations will dictate size, placement and maintenance. Also supporting this ordinance were Mayor RT Rybak and fel-low Council Members Goodman, Hodges, Gordon, Samuels, Schiff, Benson, Hofstede,and Glidden.

On January 5 at 1:30pm in Coun-cil Chambers, the Ways and Means committee will hold a public hearing to determine the amount of the permit fee. Citizens

are asked to send written comments to Council Member Remington’s office or attend the hearing to respond.

An Educated Guess

Minneapolis School Choice Time Coming UpBy Kelly Newcomer

Who needs to fill out a School Request Card? If your child turns five on or before September 1, you can register for kindergarten. If your child’s sibling is already enrolled, or if your child is already in High5, you still need to fill out a school choice card, and for middle and high school students as well. The best advice for choosing a school is to call and visit the school and see for yourself.

The Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) “School Information Fair 2009” will be held on Saturday, January 10, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the 1300 Nicollet Mall, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Minneapolis.

Deadlines for MPS school request cards are February 28 for Pre-K – 8

Making Dirt Makes Sense By Phyllis Stenerson

Food not used or eaten at three innovative Uptown restaurants isn’t dumped into a landfill any-more. At Barbette’s, Bryant Lake Bowl and Common Ground food scraps are composted and trans-formed into dirt that nourishes more growing food.

Kim Bartmann of Barbette, Bry-ant Lake Bowl, and Red Stag Supperclub Danny Schwartzman of Common Roots Café and Tracy Singleton of the Birchwood Café in Minneapolis’ Seward neighbor-hood worked with Eureka Recy-cling to create the program. These restaurants are now composting and recycling over 90% of their waste. Eureka is a Twin Cities based nonprofit organization

Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak was among those who celebrated on December 15 the launch of a comprehensive composting program that extends the program to other restaurants. The Mayor also announced the addition of recycling and composting to the Minnesota Energy Chal-

Photo by Phyllis Stenerson

Mayor RT Rybak and Kim Bartmann of Barbette.

EDuCATED page 10

MiRAClE page 3

FORuM page 3

DiRT page 3

READinG page 10

Photo by Bruce Cochran

2 • Uptown neighborhood news JANUARY 2009

Luminary Loppet d

Snow Sculpture Contest d

Spectate!Spectate! Participate!Participate!

commentary

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 covers 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 distribu-tion is before the first of every month. Subscriptions are available for $30 per year, prepaid. Send check to: UNN, 3612 Bryant Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55409.

Contributors are area residents who volunteer their time to bring the news of the area to resi-dents. 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 guidelines are available. Please contact the editor:

nEWS, TiPS & lETTERS TO THE [email protected] UNN3612 Bryant Avenue SouthMinneapolis, MN 55409612.259.1372

EDiTORPhyllis Stenerson

ART DiRECTiOn & PRODuCTiOnBruce Cochran

ADVERTiSinG Susan [email protected]

MAnAGinG BOARDAppointed/Elected Reps:Ted Ringsred, Chair (ECCO)612.824.6474Anna Matthes, Vice Chair (CARAG) Jill Bode, Treasurer (CARAG) Gary Farland, Secretary (ECCO)Ralph Knox (ECCO)Elizabeth Walke (CARAG)Volunteer MemberMary Ann Knox

COnTRiBuTinG PHOTOGRAPHERSThe Ackerberg Group, Sarah Burson, Bruce Cochran, The Favor Catering Co.

LLC. & Tobechi Photos Int., Courtney Kiernat, Steve Kotvis, Megan Orr, Phyllis Stenerson,

COnTRiBuTinG WRiTERSBruce Cochran, John Darlington, Susan Hagler, TJ Harrington, R. Kean., John Meegan, Cecelia Michel, Kelly Newcomer, Don Portwood, Phyllis Stenerson

nEWSPAPER CiRCulATiOnCARAG/ECCO Circulation: Bill Boudreau 612.825.0979

MinnEAPOliS CiTY COunCilTenth WardRalph Remington, [email protected]

CRiME PREVEnTiOn SPECiAliST Tom Thompson, 5th Precinct SAFE Unit, Sector 2, 3101 Nicollet AveMinneapolis MN 55408Serving the neighborhoods of;CARAG, East Harriet, ECCO, Kingfield, Linden Hills, Lyndale, West Calhoun

5TH PRECinCT COMMuniTY ATTORnEYLisa Godon 612.673.2005

Uptown Neighborhood News reserves the right to refuse publication of articles or advertisements as it sees fit. But we will see fit to publish most things, don’t worry. Copyright © 2008 Uptown Neighborhood News.

Divine LiturgySunday 9:30 amFr. Paul Paris

Citizen ACtion

CARAG [email protected]

ECCO [email protected]

City Councilperson Ralph [email protected]

Mayor R.T. Rybak612.673.2100 [email protected]

State Representative Margaret Anderson Kelliher651.296.0171 [email protected]

State Representative Frank Hornstein651.296.9281 [email protected]

State Senator D. Scott [email protected]

Governor Tim [email protected]

U.S. Congressman Keith Ellison612.522.1212www.ellison.house.gov

U.S. Senator Norm Coleman651.645.0323www.coleman.senate.gov

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar202.224.3244www.klobuchar.senate.gov

President George W. [email protected]

Thank you to Kay Nygaard Graham for her exemplary service to the Uptown Neighborhood News. Although the most recent of her several terms on the UNN managing board has ended, there’s little doubt her commitment to the neighborhood will continue.

Thanks to the previous board members for their time and care, especially Bruce Grimm for hold-ing the position of president and keeping our business going smoothly and all the loose ends

neatly tied.

Speaking for the ECCO Board members, new and renewed, we are looking forward to an active and exciting year to come. As new president, and fairly new in the neighborhood, I welcome con-tact at [email protected], with your interests, concerns, questions, and of course, participa-tion in any/many ways.

Several new initiatives are already in process:

• We have just hired Monica Smith, a longtime neighborhood resident, as NRP coordinator to replace the big shoes that Gael Ellis left behind when she moved into other work. Monica is energetic, friendly, and brings a wealth of experience. Look for her smiling face as she walks her dog Ellie.

• We will be tracking the changes taking place at the city level with NRP funding, which enabled us to build the tot lot on Lake Calhoun, and allows us to offer neighborhood safety and elm

tree treatment grants. ECCO provides services to the whole city through our proximity to Lake Calhoun, and we will be sure that we are represented in decision-making about this important program.

• An Environment Committee has been established. Its chair, Sarah Sponheim, is interested in addressing climate change at a local level and has initiated discussion with the city about pickup and recycling organic

Hello And Happy new Year To The Ecco neighborhood!material, including food scraps, paper and more. Stay tuned for more info about other initia-tives, and about how you can personally reduce methane gas emissions and reduce global warming by simple actions in your neighborhood!

• Working with existing block clubs, we intend to strengthen and expand their number and presence in the neighborhood. They are at the core of neigh-borhood safety, and neighbor-

hood fun! We support more of both.

• ECCO is a great neighborhood, and has much to share. We will explore ways to partner with other neighborhoods to expand quality of life for all of us. Cur-rently Gary Farland, longtime board member, is beginning work on a benefit dinner for the Joyce Food Shelf for those whose need is great. Look for details in the next issue.

Looking forward to meeting you,

Nancy WardECCO president

Sticking My neck Out For ChristmasFor the first time since the late 1970s, I’m not feeling threatened by the brand of Christianity which suc-ceeded in forcing itself on the Amer-ican public.

The “old order,” which claimed exclusive proprietorship of the Christian faith, has lost credibilityover the last eight years, not to men-tion influence.

The “new administration” will respect and protect diversity of faith in contrast to previous “regimes” that were influenced by and catered to the Christian Right.

All who envisioned a global-vil-lage, in which all shades of believ-ers and unbelievers are able to pool their resources for the betterment of community, will now be able to cel-

ebrate.

And, finally, those of us who have objected to seasonal religious dis-plays in pulic places (including man-ger scenes) are, in a sense, vindicated. The “new order” (with anti-conser-vatives now in the majority in the Congress and our legislatures) will no longer tolerate the hypocrisy of those who refer to the United States as a “Christian nation.”

“Alleluia!” we progressive Chris-tians might proclaim.

But, hoping that I’ve acquired the trust of all who don’t share my Christian faith, I wish to stick my neck out for Christmas. Perhaps you’ve noticed that I steer clear of the word “religion” when trying to make my point. I’ve come to believe

that religion is counter-productive to faith. Where faith and spirituality promote peace and justice, religion inevitably leads to conflict and war.

The tradition of Christmas speaks of the coming of the “Prince of Peace” as the long-awaited time when hate will be eradicated and wars shall cease. When regarded not as a “religious figure” but as a spiritual prophet, one who so embodied his Creator’s design for the world that he invaded the space of the religious power-mongers with his protests, the celebration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth is able to take on an aspect of universal respect, rever-ence and loving sorrow that he who “stuck his neck out” for the sake of others ultimately faced the standard martyr’s death.

In keeping with that, I’ll not be so personally bent-out-of-shape about Christianity in the new year, hop-ing that all persons of all persuasions will imbibe of the spirit of universal love and compassion in the Jesus of history.

In that same spirit, I will adamantly respect and defend all who celebrate the Winter Solstice and all the sea-sons of the Spirit, each in his or her own way.

Happy Holidays! (and dare I say, “Merry Christmas!”)

John DarlingtonPastorJoyce United Methodist Church

John Darlington is also a member of the CARAG board.

JANUARY 2009 Uptown neighborhood news • 3 .

Left to right: Rep. Alice Hausman, Rep. Kathy Tingelstad, Rep. Frank Hornstein, Sen. Scott Dibble, Rep. Ron Erhardt and Rep. Margaret Anderson Kelliher. Representative Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Representative Frank Hornstein and Senator Scott Dibble were among the leaders honored by the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy with its Long Portage Award. The award is given to state legislators who have shown leadership over several sessions to pass significant environ-mental legislation.

shut up their 45,000 sq. ft. build-ing at 28th & Lyndale and moved in with us. We are partnered, not merged. Salem has a traditional service in the sanctuary at 8:30 a.m. Lyndale has our service in the sanctuary at 10:30 a.m. and Salem has a jazz service in the dance studio at 10:30 a.m. Just to make things exciting, the Greater Deliv-erance Church moved into the garden level of the building in July of 2008 and they begin worship on Sundays at 12:15 p.m.

As all of us are too fully aware, these decisions are happening in a tough economy. And that’s an understatement. New Wine Church has 60 days following the signing of the purchase agreement on December 18th to inspect the building. Even after they decide to move forward, they need to work with a bank that will make the loan. And we know how that’s going.

But faith is often simply put-ting one foot in front of the other and trusting God for the results. That’s what these three churches are doing. Who better?

So there may be a miracle on 31st Street in this economy in the near future. We won’t know for sure until the end of March, 2009. Pres-ently Lyndale and Salem Church-es are looking in the immediate neighborhood for a place where two congregations can share one space, continue to worship sepa-

citizens who have experienced the devastation of foreclosure described the crisis. Tens of thou-sands in the metro area are person-ally feeling desperation and the numbers are rising. For example, foreclosures in Hennepin County rose from 1,000 in 2004 to about 8,000 with about half being caused by health related expenses. There are currently at least 5,000 home-less school kids in Minneapolis schools. Public resources are dwin-

dling as the need escalates by 30 to 50 percent. Renters can be given notice for immediate eviction, with no help for relocating, if their apartment building has been fore-closed upon.

The forum was sponsored by the National Community Reinvest-ment Coalition, Jewish Communi-ty Action, Northside Community Reinvestment Coalition, ACORN, Alliance for a Better Minnesota and the YWCA.

lenge (www.mnenergychallenge.org) a website designed for people to calculate their carbon footprint and learn how to save money and

Lower Rates Are Bringing Buyers To Your Neighborhood!!

We will keep you updated with current new listings & sold homes and the prices they sold for. We can show you what your home would sell for now!

Lance FraserLakes Area Realty

[email protected]

651-230-1648

Josh HennesyPrime Mortgage

A Division Of The Business [email protected]

612.716.1187

1428 W 28th StUptown

(Next to Isles Buns Coffee)

Kelliher, Hornstein And Dibble Receive Environmental Award

DEADlinE for submissions to

the Uptown Neighborhood

News isTHE 15TH OF

JAnuARY(email:

[email protected])

MiRAClE from 1

FORuM from 1

DiRT from 1

rately, but minister together in other ways.

Meanwhile, Brighton Develop-ment continues to apply for gap funding to make the project at 28th & Lyndale a reality. Some money will be coming from the Metro-politan Council for the affordable housing part of the project. We hope for other money from the City of Minneapolis. When all the funding is in place (this com-ing summer), the project at 28th & Lyndale will begin and hopefully be completed by the fall of 2010. Another miracle? This time on 28th Street.

Both Lyndale and Salem Church-es ask for the prayers/thoughts/energy/manifestations of the neighborhood, that together we might continue to serve in the neighborhood.

Don Portwood is Pastor of Lyndale United Church of Christ.

Salama receives MPRB Recognition AwardExemplary leadershipRaifa Salama received the 2008 Adult Volunteer Recognition Award presented by the Minne-apolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB). The award was presented by the MPRB Community Servic-es Division at the awards banquet held November 12.

Raifa Salama has been volunteering at Bryant Square Park for the past three years.

Criteria for the Adult Volunteer Recognition Award include exem-plary leadership and work skills and the willingness to volunteer for a multitude of tasks over the past 12 months. Volunteers are at least 18 years of age.

Volunteers supplement MPRB staff while bringing creativity and vitality to the organization. The efforts of volunteering enhance

the Minneapolis Park Sys-tem and benefit vol-

unteers by helping citizens give back to the commu-nity. The MPRB offers many on-going, one-time and seasonal vol-

unteer opportuni-ties, such as coaching

and gardening to special event assistance and arts and

crafts.

For more information or to find a volunteering opportunity, contact your local recreation center, visit www.minneapolisparks.org or call 612.230.6400.

Citizen activism is needed and being organized by Jewish Com-munity Action. Contact David Snyder at 651.632.2184 or [email protected].

For foreclosure prevention help contact Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity at 612.331.4090, ACORN at 651.642.9636 or the Neighborhood Commu-nity Reinvestment Coalition at 612.335.5924.

energy at home.

“The City of Minneapolis is for-tunate to have organizations and local businesses like these who

will step forward and take action. Now it’s up to our residents to take action—to choose restaurants that are composting and to take their own steps to recycle and compost at home,” stated Mayor Rybak.

“We believe that sustainable busi-ness practices are good business practices…composting is just something that made sense at the Red Stag, Barbette and Bryant Lake Bowl. Like everything we do, it’s just part of doing business,” said owner Kim Bartmann.

Interested restaurants should call Eureka Recycling at 651.222.7678 or go to www.makedirtnotwaste.org. The site also has informa-tion and tips for how residents can make dirt, not waste.

� • Uptown neighborhood news JANUARY 2009

By TJ Harrington

Every day millions of people pursue fitness with the aim of looking better and feeling better. Sounds like the place to start, right? Well, health is more than fitness, and it’s pos-sible to improve fitness at the expense of your health. To avoid this pitfall of exercise, I suggest we apply the second habit of Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and “begin with the end in mind.” Let’s begin with health in mind, and use fitness as one of a few avenues to health, not the only one. To improve the way you look and feel this New Year, consider the thoughts you think, the food you eat and the exercise you get.

The Thoughts You ThinkThe extent to which you will improve your health and fitness will depend upon thinking differently. The New Year/Clean Slate thought process often times generates short-term planning and “program” thinking which can be counterproductive. Health is not a destination, but a journey. Therefore, people shouldn’t expect to achieve outstanding health in as little as a year. While the idea of eliminating destructive behaviors or begin-ning constructive ones seems admi-rable, the fact is 85-95% of people who make New Year’s resolu-tions fail. This year, create long-term goals that are compelling.

Motivational speaker Tony Rob-bins

states: “Creating goals is creating your desti-ny.” Do you find goals to lose weight, eat more vegetables and exercise more often specific, motivating, or worthy enough to shape your destiny? It’s likely these resolutions crashed and burned before they even took off from the tarmac. I challenge you to have a con-sultation with yourself. What do I mean? Have a conversation with yourself regard-ing your real goals; the true reasons you want to lose weight, eat more vegetables or exercise more. This conversation may be difficult, but in the end, you will find fulfillment and a clear picture of what you really want.

While creating your health goals this New Year, make cer-tain they are:

• Specific – If your consultation was a success, you will have two or three goals that are clear paths to changing the way your feel. Put a timeline to your goals. Start with long-term goals (ten plus years) and then break them down into smaller more manageable goals (six to twelve months).

• Positive – Instead of losing something like weight, decide what you want to gain - more confidence, energy or love for life. A good measuring stick: if the goals sound fun, they’re probably positive.

• Motivating – What is less motivating than focusing on a number like weight? Word the goals to involve emotion to remind you every day of the pleasure you seek.

• Wildly Important – The question to ask yourself here is this: If you exercised every day or (insert your goal here), and nothing else changed, would you be satisfied? If the answer is no, then this goal is not wildly important. Your goals should be the only ones that matter in the end.

A well designed goal may look like this: I will feel more energy every day so I can be a better parent and spend qual-ity time with my children.

The Food You EatThe food you eat, or don’t eat, will determine how your body responds to exercise. The journal of American Dietet-ics Association in December 2000 published: “Physical activ-ity, athletic performance and recovery from exercise are enhanced by optimal nutrition.” What is optimal nutrition? That’s the million dollar question that sells millions of books every year.

First, we must understand food is more than the sum of the macronutrients (proteins, carbs, fats) and micronutri-ents (vitamins, minerals). Food is information that signals health or disease. Dr. Jeffrey Bland has been quoted as say-ing: “Food and toxins signal every cell to respond in a way that promotes health or disease.” Bear in mind one meal will not result in health or disease, but the culmination of years of food intake can and will tilt the scale in the correspond-

ing direction. An all organic, plant-based diet has the potential to meet all of your nutrient needs

without the harmful properties of chemical laden, processed foods.

A plant-based diet can mean many things. After all, most cakes, dough-

nuts, and sodas originally come from plants. So here are a few guidelines to use when transi-

tioning to a plant-based diet. Eat seven to ten fruits and veg-

etables daily. Think of meat as your side dish rather than your main course

and limit to a serving every couple days. One

serving of gluten-free whole grains (rice,

quinoa, buckwheat) daily can help meet calorie fiber needs.

Two to four serv-ings of green leafy

vegetables, olive oil, nuts, coco-nut oil and/or avocados can

meet our daily requirements of

essential fatty acids. Finally,

legumes (beans, lentils) can fill

in an empty side dish each day. So where’s the

room for chips, sodas, and des-serts, you ask?

Left on the shelf at the supermar-ket, right where

they belong.

The Exercise You GetThe health benefits of exercise are indisputable, but the way in which you should exercise is. I encourage you to exercise smarter, instead of harder. Somewhere along the human evolution timeline, we acquired the attitude that if a little is good, more is better. When it comes to exercise, more is not always better. In fact, some research shows excess exercise in obese individuals increases mortality. A December 2008 article in The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society says: “The frequency, intensity, duration and type of activities needed to optimize health will differ considerably depending on an individual’s goals and capabilities.” How do you train smarter? I suggest you master intensity while giving consid-eration to frequency, duration and type.

Intensity is about learning the limits of your exercise capaci-ty. The benefits each of us experience from exercise are rela-tive to our level of fitness and intensity. When you are more fit, exercising at a higher intensity can be beneficial, while high intensity exercise in unfit individuals promotes chronic inflammation, tight muscles and stunts metabolism. The easy way to determine your limits and intensity involves heart rate monitoring.

Because I can write pages on this topic, I have chosen to save trees and make it easy for you to acquire the tools needed to utilize it. Log on to www.purehealthcoaching.com, go to our blog and search for your free copy of the heart rate chart. Here you will find heart rate zones, their purposes, and how to determine your zones. Incorporating rest and recovery days into your week is essential for long-term suc-cess. A recovery day, where your heart rate floats between zones one and two, in between your more intense workouts speeds healing and prevents chronic inflammation. A recov-ery workout may include walking on a treadmill, yoga or a leisurely swim in Lake Calhoun.

Let’s touch on the other variables mentioned above. Failing to act renders the most well crafted exercise program worth-less. Therefore, frequency is important to master early. Beginners, start moving every day for 30 minutes. Deter-mine the number of days you can commit to exercise every week and schedule it. Duration should be a minimum of 30 minutes daily working up to 60-75 minutes every workout, including a warm-up, cool down and stretch. Exercise vari-ety is important for a number of reasons, balance and excite-ment being the top two. Engaging in a variety of exercises such as resistance training, spinning, running, yoga, dance and tai chi promote balanced fitness. Additionally, doing the same exercise often can become boring. Try out each of these types of exercise and do the ones you like.

Body

Look Good…. And Feel Good

As the planet makes its next trip around the sun

to begin 2009, its inhabitants are waking up to the

complexity of global warming and the multi-dynamic

systems it entails. Scientists are discovering more and

more that healing the earth and its inhabitants requires

treating the whole system. What some eastern cultures

have known for years, western cultures are just now

discovering–that the human body can benefit from whole

system analysis as well. In this theme, the UNN has

provided some information under the heading “Body &

Soul”, because maximizing your health resolutions, as we

now know, can only be achieved with a commitment to

the body as a complete system. You’ll also find an article

on the recent updates to the YMCA. And finally, we’ve

provided a quick contact guide to your health options in

the Uptown area.

GOOD page 10

By Susan Hagler

Meditation is a gift we can each give to ourselves. In this very busy, chaotic world we live in, hav-ing some time when we consciously do “nothing” but focus on our breath or a phrase or a particu-lar sound is actually doing something quite extraor-dinary. In Zen we have a term, “Monkey Mind,” which describes our usual way of being, constantly jumping from one thought to another and never giv-ing ourselves the opportu-nity to settle down. A good friend of mine recently said that its like we’re addicted to thinking, we just can’t stop. At the Min-nesota Zen Meditation Center(MZMC) when we meditate together we face a blank white wall with our eyes slightly open, gaz-ing downward watching

our thoughts and doing our best to let them go. Soon we can touch the quietness and calm down. My teacher says that if we meditate everyday for a few minutes something in our lives will shift.

We’ll be able to approach our lives with a bit more balance, perhaps. Give it a try.

MZMC has introductory meditation sessions every Sunday morning at 8:30a.m. and the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month at 5:30p.m.

For more information see our website at www.mnzencenter.org or call 612.822.5313. The address is 3343 E. Calhoun Pkwy.

Susan Hagler is the Advertising Representative for the Uptown Neighborhood News, lives in CARAG and is a priest in train-ing at the Zen Meditation Center.

Nothing Can Be Everything


EXERCiSE yoUR oPtioNSBalance Fitness Studio3350 Lyndale Ave. S.612.290.5820

Bikram yoga2836 Lyndale Ave. S. 612.870.YOGAwww.bikramyogamn.com

Calhoun Beach Club2925 Dean Pkwy612.927.9951www.calhounbc.com

Core Power yoga2930 Emerson Ave. S.612.822.9642 www.corepoweryoga.com

Fitness together1221 W. Lake St., Suite 104612.822.3448 www.fitnesstogether.com

Grasshopper yoga Studio810 W. 31st St.612.724.7311www.grasshopperyogastudio.com

Hauser dance1940 Hennepin Ave. S.612.871.9077

inner Strength Studio2800 Lyndale Ave. S.612.644.1953 www.innerstrengthstudio.com

Pangea World theater 711 W. Lake St., Suite 101612.822.0015www.pangeaworldtheater.org

Rendezvous dance Studio711 W. Lake St., Suite B 612.872.1562www.theplacetodance.com

Snap Fitness1207 Lagoon Ave 612.823.1333www.snapfitness.com

ymCA 3335 Blaisdell Ave. S. 612.827.5401www.ymcatwincities.org

yWCA2808 Hennepin Ave. S.612.874.7131www.ywcampls.org

By John Meegan

This month many pivotal forces are being put into place for the soon-to-be completed, remodeled and much expanded Blaisdell YMCA. Members and neighbors who have watched the construction process move rapidly over the course of the last six months can hardly believe the transformation. Simultaneously, several key staff members have moved to differ-ent positions within the YMCA and so, in addition to a new build-ing, we will be welcoming a new executive director, as well as new membership and fitness directors.

For the past 10 years, Mike Mels-tad has been the executive director of the combined Hiawatha/Blais-dell branch YMCA. Mike started his career with the YMCA as a detached worker providing ser-vices to at-risk youth in 1977. Mike was chosen in part for his leader-ship skills and ability to welcome people of all diverse backgrounds. Under his leadership, the Blaisdell YMCA launched and developed the largest site for the YMCA Beacon’s Program, at the Anne Sullivan Elementary School. Mike has supervised 16 staff members who work off site to support this program. Over 350 students every school day receive after-school homework assistance, food, exer-cise and leadership training oppor-tunities from a team of 16 YMCA employees, as well as teachers, jan-itors and bus drivers paid to stay after school and take kids home at 5p.m.

Mike has always practiced a behind the scenes style of diplo-macy in working with an ethnic melting pot and defusing many types of confrontations that can occur when cultures collide. Since 2004 he has served faithfully in the YMCA’s Diversity Initiative Council. His latest achievement is creating the vision for a totally revitalized South Minneapolis YMCA. With the help of his com-munity board led by Neil St.

Mike was selected for a job that he had originally applied for over 15 years ago in a community that will make excellent use of the many leadership and development skills that he has honed in his 31 year career in the YMCA of Metropoli-tan Minneapolis. His new job will allow him to commute to work on foot, as opposed to the 55 mile one way commute he has been doing for many years, with a new wife and a great community. So con-gratulations to Mike, best wishes and on to a new chapter for us all at Blaisdell!

Kerry Pioske, Community Pro-gram Director of the Ridgedale Branch YMCA, will serve as the Interim Executive Director of the South Minneapolis – Blais-dell Branch YMCA until a new executive has been hired. Kerry is responsible for day-to-day opera-tions and will oversee the trans-formation of the Blaisdell Branch YMCA during the final stages of construction and opening of the new addition and renovation. She brings 22 years of YMCA experi-ence in program development, aquatics, supervision and train-ing, youth development and many other skill sets. Welcome Kerry!

Major new changes to expect at the YMCAPossibly the biggest changes one will experience will be the uplift-ing and friendly visuals in a build-ing that is connected to outside light. There will be approximately 15,000 additional square feet of new or remodeled space dedicated to fitness, Kidstuff (child watch), studios, family locker rooms, com-munity rooms and member ser-vices as compared to the existing building.

The old fitness center will be the new home for kids’ programming and youth computer-based fitness equipment. Coming on line will be dance revolution, gaming set-ups, turbo kick and group surfing stations, all geared to help in the battle against childhood obesity. Mike Melstad said he was skepti-cal, but when he visited a YMCA in St. Paul that had the equipment installed he couldn’t believe the activity.

The swimming pool has com-pleted several upgrades, includ-ing regrouting and a replacement

Join us TodayThe remodeling at the Blaisdell YMCA will be completed in early Janu-ary of 2009. The YMCA is ready to welcome new memberships immediate-ly. Join today, and witness the transformation. The rates are reasonable, and many major health plans will fund up to $20 of your monthly membership fee if you make 8 or 12 visits per month (visit require-ments vary between health plans). If you join as a new or returning member before December 31st, you can receive a special offer by mentioning the Hard Hat Special when talking to one of the member-ship staff at the Blaisdell YMCA. Sign up for a 6-month commitment, and get one of those months for free. Tell them John Meegan sent you.

& SoulWorlds of Change At the Blaisdell ymCA

Anthony and Joan Niemiec, the branch raised $500,000, kicking off what has grown to a $6 million dollar expansion and renovation project. Mike has presided over the design, demolition and recon-struction of the “new” Blaisdell YMCA. Mike credits much of the design ideas and implementation to a now deceased board member and Lyndale resident, Harry Jen-sen, who was a pivotal figure in so many of the Lyndale Neighbor-hood’s most ambitious projects.

With less than two months to proj-ect completion, an opportunity of a lifetime was presented to Mike that created the difficult decision to leave Blaisdell to accept the role as President and CEO of the YMCA of Red Wing, Minnesota. After an intense national search,

YMCA page 11

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Mozaic Plan Finalized: 4.8

Coen Brother’s Shoot: 10.8

uptown Small Area Plan Adopted: 1.8Photo by Bruce Cochran

After listening to public testimony the Planning Commission voted 6-0 in favor of recommending approval of the Uptown Small Area Plan on January 14.

City Of lakes loppet: 2.8

Peace March: 3.8Photo by Bruce Cochran

Hundreds of people as well as many church groups and community organizations marched down Hennepin Avenue on Saturday, March 15 as part of a worldwide pro-test of the war against Iraq on its fifth anniversary.

uptown Association Begins Fight Against Graffiti: 6.8

Pastor Morton Retires: 7.8


Pastor Bill Morton retired from Joyce United Methodist Church after eight years of ser-vice to the community.

Photo by The Favor Catering Co. LLC. & Tobechi Photos Int.

The Favor Cafe replaced Restaurant Miami’s short and troubled history on Lake Street.

Favor Cafe Replaces Restaurant Miami: 7.8

Photo by Sarah Burson

The 2008 Uptown Art Fair, with attendance of 425,000 – a 21% increase over 350,000 of 2007 sold over $100,000 in product.

Art Fair Out Performs: 8.8Photo by Bruce Cochran

Doug Huemoeller, owner of Kitchen Window; Dale Everson, VP Construction Capital Growth Madison Mar-quette; Councilman Ralph Remington and Keith Anderson, Senior VP Capital Growth Madison Marquette kicked off the reconstruction at the Calhoun Square parking ramp on August 6.

Calhoun Square Breaks Ground: 8.8

Passing Of Allan Spear: 10.8

Passing Of Rachel Dow: 1.8

A memorial was held on Thursday, January 17 at Soo Visual Arts Center to celebrate the life of Rachel, 29, who was found dead in the Mississippi River on Saturday, January 12.


The Coen Brothers descended on the Uptown Vision Clinic to film a scene from their upcoming film “A Seri-ous Man.”

Illustration provided by The Ackerberg Group

Mozaic, the mixed-use project in Uptown that’s been a work in progress for about four years, was approved by the Minneapolis Planning Commission on April 28.


The Uptown Association initiated a series of instructional classes about graffiti and organized com-munity awareness and events about cleaning it up.


Over 700 volunteers worked about 2,000 hours on the annual City of Lakes Lop-pet, which draws 5,000-6,000 spectators.

Senator Allan Spear (left), who was the first openly gay member of the Minnesota Legislature and the longest serving, highest ranking openly gay state legislator in the United States when he retired in 2000, died on October 11. Senator Scott Dibble (right) succeeded him in the State Senate.

JANUARY 2009 Uptown neighborhood news • � .

business & real estate


Vision World has a new expanded store across from Famous Dave’s in Calhoun Square. In other Calhoun Square business, Gayle Seigler, General Manager for Calhoun Square, will stay on board with the new management company, North-Marq Capital Inc., after Capital Growth Madison Marquette’s decision to fold up its office in Minnesota.


John Beach of “Swanee Beach” painted Coffee Fest with roots blues and jazz music. Coffee, tea and treats were sampled by over 1,200 customers at Calhoun Square’s annual festival on November 22. $11,938 was raised for Second Har-vest Heartland.

Swanee Beach

Photo by Megan Orr

Brad Bridwell of Old Chicago won “Most Festive” in the Uptown Association’s Second Annual Holiday Window Decorating Competition. Coe and Channell won “Toast of Uptown.” “Most Creative” went to ROBOTlove. And “Best Incorpo-ration of Product/Service” was given to Ragstock. Other businesses in the con-test included: Bobby Bead, Brides of France, Chiang Mai Thai, Everyday People, InVision, Jon English Hairspa, Juut Salon Spa, Mainstreet Bank, Shoe Zoo, The Glasses Menagerie, Vizi Spa & Salon and Zilya Salon & Spa.

Window ShoppingPhoto by Bruce Cochran

From the owners of Tum Rup Tai comes Roat and Osha, a tai restaurant and bar that opened in early December. A brand new building encases the main din-ing room in a floor to ceiling fishbowl window view and also has its own outdoor enclosed patio.

Room With A View

Photo by Megan Orr

It was standing room only at Uptown Association’s Annual Holiday Business Networking Event at Vizi Salon & Spa. Carlos Landreau (center) of Landreau Insurance Agency is chatting with Dwight Carlson (bottom right), of Salon Levante.

A Business Affair

Home Based Business FairNeighborhood entrepreneurs are invited to a Home Based Business Fair to be held on Saturday, Janu-ary 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Midtown Global Market for infor-mation sharing and networking plus drawing for prizes.

Information will be available about bookkeeping, accounting, taxes, tech support, legal services, home office design, guerrilla mar-keting, local print media, database management, website design and maintenance, printing, graphic design, signage, insurance and financial management.

For more information, includ-ing having a table to share infor-mation about your business, go to www.lakestreetcouncil.org or contact Joyce Wisdom, Executive Director, Lake Street Council, 919 E. Lake Street, 612.822.0232, [email protected],


A small dedicated group of stakeholders from the community gathered on December 18 to listen and engage in the third meeting of the LynLake Small Area Plan presented by the City of Minneapolis at Intermedia Arts. One of the speakers at top right was Phil Carlson of Bonestroo, Inc. The evening’s meeting covered existing and allowable building bulk and evalu-ation of key sites or “case studies” which were strictly hypothetical in nature. So far in the process four steering committee meetings and three community meetings have been held. A market analyst and design firm has been hired and a draft docu-ment will be made available for public review in early 2009. Adoption by the City Planning Commission and City Council will follow. More information on the progress of the project can be found at www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cped/Lyn-Lake.asp.

lynlake Plan: Take Three

new At Calhoun Square


Tax PreparationJack D. Manders, CPA

1900 Hennepin Avenue SouthMinneapolis, MN 55403

Call Jack at [email protected]

crime & safety

5TH PRECinCT (Southwest Minneapolis) Sector 2: Crime Prevention Specialist Tom Thompson: [email protected]

november 2008Crimes by Location (ECCO: west of Hennepin. CARAG: east of Hennepin.)

EC

CO

CA

RA

GCARAGECCO

CARAG NeighborhoodMeeting

CARAG | 3612 Bryant Avenue S | Minneapolis, MN 55409www.carag.org | [email protected]

Join the CARAG E-update at www.carag.org to receive emails about CARAG activities and events.

2009 CARAG Event CalendarCARAG Chilly Chili Fest:Sunday, February 22Plant Swwp: Saturday, May 9Super Sale: Saturday, May 16Garden Tour: Saturday, Monday & Wednesday, June 20, 22 & 24Bryant Square Park Ice Cream Social: Wednesday, July 8Uptown Art Fair: Friday, Saturday & Sunday, August 7, 8, & 9CARAG Annual Meeting: Tuesday, September 15Architecture Tour: Saturday, October 3

PuBliC NotiCECARAG will discuss an NRP Plan Modification reallocating approxi-mately $2,000 from various strate-gies to Strategy 16.1 “CARAG Livabil-ity Committee” to support community building events. These funds are used for supplies, flyers, and advertising for the Chilly Chili Fest, Super Sale, Hen-nepin Lake Community Wine Tasting, Hennepin Hazardous Waste Disposal Day and Architecture Tour events. The proposed plan mod will be discussed at the January CARAG Neighborhood meeting after the 30-day public notifi-cation requirement has been met.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 7pmBryant Square Park (3101 Bryant Ave S) HAPPY HOliDAYS!

You’ve Just Been Robbed?Boxes from TVs, grills, snow blowers and computers advertise your new toys to burglars. Don’t invite burglary. When recycling, cut up boxes from big-ticket items or fold them inside-out.

Bicyclists have recently been assaulted and robbed on the Mid-town Greenway and Hiawatha LRT Bike Trail. Since November 21, there have been four incidents in a area east of Uptown.

Typically the victim is surrounded and pushed off their bicycle. The attackers are taking wallets, back-

packs and purses. These assaults occurred after dark.

The suspects have been described by their victims as groups of two or three younger males. At this time the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) does not have more specific descriptions of the suspects. It appears that more than

one group of suspects may be com-mitting these crimes.

The MPD is investigating these crimes. Police are doing extra patrol on the Greenway. The MPD met with the Midtown Gre-enway Coalition to discuss some prevention strategies.

What You Can Do?• If you can, avoid riding a bike

trail after dark, especially if you are alone.

• Whenever possible ride/walk with others. You are much safer in a group.

• There are “Bluelight” phones at intervals on the Greenway that will connect you directly to 911. Carry a cell phone as well. If you aren’t close to a “Bluelight” phone, you can call 911 if you need help.

• Pay attention to your surround-ings. If you see people ahead of you that make you nervous or uncomfortable, exit the Green-way at the nearest ramp.

• If you should be assaulted, try to stay calm. Give the attackers what they want. The more you resist, the more likely it is that

you will be injured.

• Be sure to wear a bike helmet while riding. It will reduce your chances of injury considerably.

• When you call 911 give the oper-ator your location. Due to recent changes in our police reporting system, the Greenway is now listed as a street (i.e. Midtown Greenway West (Nicollet Ave. westward) and Midtown Gre-enway East (East of Nicollet to the river). When you riding or walking during daylight hours take some time to familiarize yourself with the addresses of the cross streets over the trail. It will help ensure a quicker police response.

If you have questions please con-tact Crime Prevention Specialist Don Greeley at the 3rd Precinct 612.673.3482 or [email protected].

Robbery/Assaults On Midtown Greenway

JANUARY 2009 Uptown neighborhood news • � .

East Calhoun Community OrganizationECCO reportECCO meets the first Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church, 34th and Irving. All ECCO residents are welcome and urged to attend.

LAKE CALHOUN

Lake St.

36th St.

Hennepin Ave.

Lyndale

Ave

.

Join us at our nextECCO Board and

Neighborhood meeting.

7:00 PM, Thursday January 8th

St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church35th and Irving Ave. S.

Please join us for discussion and decision about an ECCO

Environment CommitteeBring your ideas and concerns

for our neighborhood!

ECCO Board Meeting Minutes for December 4, 2008. (East Calhoun neighborhood monthly meeting) Minutes recorded and submitted by R. Kean.

Meeting TimeMeetings are on the first Thursday each month at 7:00 p.m. located at St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church. The public is invited to attend.

Board Members PresentRobert Kean, Brad Durham, Elaine Beyer, Judy Shields, Anders Imboden, John Ellis, Gary Far-land, Nancy Ward, Ruth Cain, Carrie Menard and Ralph Knox.

Others PresentChad Pitman, Sarah Spon-heim, Jeff Herman, and Linda Unswoorth

Welcome / Announcements• President Nancy Ward called

the meeting to order, welcomed board members and others and initiated introductions.

• There was a thank you note from the POPS thanking the board for their $700 contribu-tion.

• The Newspaper Box restrictions got passed!

• There have been e-mail circu-lating about a project possibly being pursued by the park board for south end of Lake Calhoun. The facts will be researched for possible discussion at a future meeting.

Open Forum• A proposal was made to orga-

nize a joint fundraiser for the Joyce Food Shelf that is hosted by the Uptown Association and the ECCO Board. The food shelf needs help because in the increasingly sparse job market more people are using the food shelf. They spend about $5000 a month buying food

• It is tentatively scheduled for Sunday March 29, and ads will be placed in the UNN and other papers as we get closer to the event and final-ize the details.

• This will hopefully be a joint venture between the Uptown Association, ECCO and other neighboring neighborhoods and area organizations.

• Gary Farland offered to lead the organizational effort with help from the social commit-tee. Local Restaurants will be asked to donate food, possibly chili for the meal served.

• A motion was made, seconded and moved to do a fundraiser for the Joyce Food Shelf as pro-posed.

Approval of november Minutes and December Agenda• The November Minutes were

approved.

• The agenda was approved.

nRP Coordinator update• While there is not yet a new

NRP coordinator, Monica Smith is the leading candidate. After Elaine has set up a job and sal-ary description, the Board will conduct a final interview.

Zoning Committee Report• There is a variance requested

for 3016 and 3018 Hennepin. The planned project would con-sist of a 2 story retail or mixed use building at 3016 (currently a parking lot) and would require a variance primarily to waive the requirement for parking for the new building at 3016 and the current Uptown Bar at 3018.

• There will be no parking at 3016 and the spots at 3018 will go from 49 to 3.

• There will be signage put up to direct people to the park-ing spots?

• It will be up to the tenants whether or not they will validate the parking in the ramp.

• The developers feel that the current zoning ordinances are unreasonable in this case because to provide enough park-ing the stores would not have enough floor space. Jeff Her-man, involved with the project and speaking in support of the variance, offered the following:

• This is a good development because it will add more retail to a prime retail location thus providing a more attractive shopping environment.

• The Uptown Bar is not a problem concerning park-ing except possibly on the weekends, and there are many other bars/restaurants contributing to the parking demand on weekends.

• This development will try to match the surrounding archi-tecture as much as possible to keep the feel traditional, and fit the goals and objects of the uptown small area plan.

• The parking ramp expansion at Calhoun square is expect-ed to increase the number of parking stalls from 450 to 969, which should provide ample (but not free) parking for the new businesses. (More infor-mation is available at the Cal-houn Square website.). The planned Mozaic development will further significantly increase the number of avail-able (pay) parking spots.

• This new building will most likely house a regional or national business because of the large sq. footage of the space for lease.

• There was considerable dis-cussion about the steady “give away” of parking requirements, and the possible long term nega-tive consequences to the quality of life in the neighborhoods sur-rounding the Uptown business district. Free parking close to businesses is being replaced by pay parking in central ramps. Many patrons may simply park further in the neighborhoods to avoid the cost of parking. Sev-eral board members expressed concern about the general park-ing issue, but felt that this proj-ect was not the place to make a stand on the issue.

• A motion was made, seconded and moved to approve the vari-ances for 3016 and 3018.

• The general issue of parking in the Uptown area will be on the agenda at the next meet-ing Councilman Remington attends.

lRT update• Background information:

• The Southwest Quarter plan-ning began 20 years ago.

• Action is being taken on this planning now with consider-ation of the three best options for the line.

• There are two options that go from Eden Prairie via Kennilworth, bypassing Uptown, to downtown to connect up with the existing line.

• The other option goes along the Greenway to Nicollet, and then up Nicollet to 4th Street (not completely con-necting to the existing line).

• The Greenway and Ken-nilworth trails will remain and run alongside the new Light Rail.

• The cost effectiveness index has been tested for each of the routes, aiming for the lowest rating so that the project can receive federal funding.

• Cost effectiveness is based on the population density and the amount of people who would use the service. The East Isles and Wedge areas are projected to grow by 1000’s in the next few years, so the line will need to con-sider those neighborhoods in the cost effectiveness calcu-lations.

• Councilmember Remington submitted a letter suggesting an alternate route that was similar to the Nicollet route, to downtown, but did make a connection with the Hiawatha line.

• The timeline for this project is that by 2009 the trail selection should be made and by 2015 the trains should be running.

• During the discussion, it was noted that the Board represen-tative position for the Midtown Greenway was vacant. The Board made a motion which was seconded and passed to make Anders Imboden the Greenway representative to the Board.

unn update• The UNN needs to have a rep-

resentative from the Board reap-pointed.

• There was a motion made, seconded and moved to reap-point Ralph Knox as the UNN representative from the Board.

Website update• The existing website could not

be fixed therefore the Dream-weaver software was bought.

• The current website is being updated just enough to keep it current, it will be flipped with the new website when it is ready.

• This new site should be functional by February, but it will not be finished aes-thetically.

• The new site will integrate with NRP, the newsletter

and the UNN. The goal is to make it a neighborhood resource.

Environmental Committee• Sarah Sponheim has volunteered

to chair the new Environmental Committee.

• There was an environmental committee but it dissolved (following the end of the NRP phase 1).

• There is a pre-existing group of people in the neighborhood who meet to discuss environ-mental problems. Their main focus is climate change; they try to have a global perspec-tive with a local base. This includes, waste reduction including organics recycling (anything besides glass, metal and plastic) and a reduction in greenhouse gasses.

• There is a good model to fol-low in the Linden Hills neigh-borhood.

• Motion to establish an environ-mental committee was made, seconded and approved.

• Motion to place Sarah Spon-heim as chair of that commit-tee was made, seconded and approved.

• Board members who have vol-unteered to be on the committee are: Brad Durham, Ralph Knox, Judy Shields and Nancy Ward.

Free-For-AllLauren Mulderrig plays a free show Thursday, January 22 at 9p.m. at the Uptown Bar & Cafe.

Happy Holidays from the ECCO Board!

The next ECCO Board Meeting will take place on January 8, 2009. Note that this is a change from the normal schedule as the first Thurs-day of January is New Years Day.


Map of community school areas for K-8This map is shown as a general guide. You must check your specific address with MPS Student Placement Ser-vices either by phone 612.668.1840 or online http://schoolchoice.mpls.k12.mn.us. Most of CARAG and ECCO have Jefferson Pre-K – 8 as their guaranteed community school. The shaded area roughly between 32nd and 36th Streets, and between Lyndale and Dupont Avenues, has Lyndale Pre-K - 5 as its guaranteed community school.

Understanding Class SizeLocationArmatage Community School 2501 W. 56th St.

WhenThursday, January 22, 6:30-8:30pm

Who Area C Parent Advisory Council MeetingSouth Central and Southwest Minneapolis Schools

WhatUnderstanding how decisions are made and how parents can be involved in Class Size

[email protected] provided Interpretation in Spanish & Somali

and January 31 for 9-12 grades. School request cards will be avail-able after January 10 online or in person at any school.

MPS Community Schools and Magnet SchoolsMost of CARAG and ECCO have Jefferson Pre-K – 8 as their guar-anteed community school. The area roughly between 32nd and 36th Streets, and between Lyndale

and Dupont Avenues, has Lyndale Pre-K - 5 as its guaranteed com-munity school. Many parents in our neighborhoods choose to send their kids to alternate community schools, such as Kenwood Com-munity K-5; and many students attend magnet schools (Kenwood Performing Arts K-5, Barton Open K-8, Emerson Spanish Immersion K-8, and Whittier IB-PYP Pre-K – 5). This is only a small selection of the schools available to your child. Both CARAG and ECCO have Anwatin available as a com-munity middle school and South-west is the community high school. Call Student Placement Services to find out more 612.668.1840.

Charter schools employ licensed teachers, and require students to take state and national tests. A popular charter school for a few Uptown families, for example, is New City School K-8, to which busing is available. The Emily Grey Charter School is located on 34th and Dupont. Contact the charter schools directly for more information or a tour.

The Choice is Yours is for Min-neapolis families qualifying for free or reduced-priced lunches. They can receive priority place-ment at suburban schools such as Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, Richfield or St. Louis Park school districts. Transportation is avail-able (according to school district policies). Application is due Janu-ary 15.

Alternative programs allow K-12 students who are at risk of not graduating to attend nontradition-

reading motivation, family and community involvement and the excitement of choosing free books to keep.

ECCO resident and Kenwood Site Council Chair Courtney Cush-ing Kiernat says “RIF is good for all learners, the younger who are learning to read as well as the older who are reading to learn.”

To learn more about the many reading and other academic pro-grams at Kenwood or its 100 Year Celebration, go to kenwood.mpls.k12.mn.us Call Sue Payne at 612.668.2778 to schedule a tour.

Courtney Kiernat and Cecilia Michel are ECCO residents and parents of Kenwood students.

3146 Hennepin Ave. • 612.823.3988 • www.shoezoo.us

Shoe ZooSale January 8-25thHelp us celebrate our 25th Anniversary, 15-60% off and many items 25% off

al schools, both public and private, and earn a diploma.

Online learning offers students the ability to engage in opportunities to which they might not otherwise have access, for example, taking a class not offered at their local school or creating a more flexible schedule.

Homeschool parents do everything that traditional private school administrators and teachers do but in the context of their home. Students graduate from home-schools with homeschool diplomas and homeschool transcripts, just as they would from other private schools.

For more information: If you have any Minneapolis Public School questions, call Student Placement Services at 612.668.1840. Web-site: http://schoolchoice.mpls.k12.mn.us. For Minnesota Depart-ment of Education school choice information on charter schools, The Choice is Yours, alternative education, online learning and homeschooling, call 651.582.8200. Website: www.education.state.mn.us.

Kelly Newcomer lives in CARAG.

Real People.Real Fitness.

Join the YMCA through January 31and save $150!

Get a FREE Fitness Consultation, a FREE Fitness Assessment and

we’ll waive the Joiner’s Fee.

Blaisdell YMCA3335 Blaisdell Avenue South

Minneapolis • 6 - -

YMCATwinCities.org • Financial Assistance Available

In today’s world, one filled with misinformation, environmental pollution and processed foods, health can be a challenge. With our fast-paced lives, we sometimes forget the reasons we exercise. By looking at the big health picture, the thoughts we think, the food we eat and the exercise we get, you can look good and feel good.

TJ Harrington owns Pure Health Wellness Coaching and hosts Health Insight, a local health radio show on AM950 every Saturday at 9a.m. TJ is also a certified personal trainer, FirstLine Therapist and candidate to become a nationally Certified Clini-cal Nutritionist. www.purehealth-coaching.com. He lives in CARAG.

EDuCATED from 1

READinG from 1

GOOD from 4


community events calendar

classifiedsSERViCES

PAiNtiNG\REmodELiNG int.ext.painting, drywall-sheetrock hang, tape ceiling texturing. wall paper removal, skim coating, Ceil-ing & wall repair, deck staining. honest, friendly, respectful. Fully insured, own all tools. [email protected], 612.825.9959/612.991.6384

Commercial classified ad sales are 40¢ per word, 10-word minimum. Ad and advance payment are due the 15th of the month. Please send a check and ad copy to: uptown neighborhood news, Attn: Classifieds, 3612 Bryant Avenue South, minneapolis, mN 55409.

THE UptoWN NeIghBorhood NeWS

iS nOW AVAilABlE AT THE FOllOWinG

lOCATiOnSAmore Victoria

Blue Sky Creamery

Booksmart

Bremer Bank

Bryant Square Park

Cars-R-Coffins

Cheapo Records

Chiang Mai Thai

Dunn Brothers (lake & Bryant)

Dunn Brothers (lake & Humbolt)

Dunn Brothers (Hennepin & 34th)

Falafel King

Famous Dave’s BBQ

First universalist Church

Gigi’s Café

Hennepin-lake liquors

it’s Greek to Me

Joyce united Methodist Church

la Bodega Tapas Bar

lyndale united Church of Christ

Magers & Quinn Booksellers

Mohn Electric

Parents Automotive

Pizza luce

Rainbow Foods

St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church

uptown Bar & Café

uptown Theatre

urban Bean

urban Earth

Walker At Treetops

Walker library

The Wave Salon

YWCA (uptown)

(Editor’s Note: We will run community event listings every month on this page. Contact [email protected] to submit your event information by the 10th of each month to be included in the next issue.)

DiSCuSSiOnDUNN BROTHERS3348 Hennepin Ave. So.Tues. 7:30 pm, weeklyThe Socrates Cafe is an open meeting. The evening is spent discussing a short list of questions of philosophy that range all over the map from self iden-tity, capital punishment, perception and anything else in between. Bring your questions and prepare to engage your mind.

ViSuAL ARTSHIGHPOINT CENTER FOR PRINTMAKING2638 Lyndale Ave. S. • 871.1326 www.highpointprintmaking.orgThrough Jan 3, 2009 – Prints On Ice 2008: an exhibition and sale hosted by members of its printshop cooperative. Original lithographs, screenprints, intaglio, relief prints and monoprints will be presented during the 14th Highpoint Cooperative Exhibit. The public is invited to a free opening reception at Highpoint on Fri, Dec 5 from 6:30-9pm. This event will offer a firsthand look at the new works and the chance to purchase prints from this talented group of local artists; many of the prints are priced at $100 or less. Co-op members will be avail-able to answer questions and visitors can experience the studio where they create their work. Beverages and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

SOO VISUAL ARTS CENTER /TOOMER GALLERY2640 Lyndale Ave. S. • 612.871.2263www.soovac.org

REmodELiNGwindows and doors replaced. Fin-ish carpentry. Custom tile instal-lation. sheet rock, taping, plaster repair, texturing and painting. Local references, free estimates. tom 612-824-1554.

BLESSEd HomE CLEANiNG SERViCES, CHRiSt iNC.

Licensed. insured. bonded. resi-dential / Commercial Cleaning. detail cleaning is our specialty. honesty & dependability is our foundation. Call 612-408-1771.

the UNN Archiveswww.CARAG.org

CARPEt CLEANiNGwinter special, 2 average sized rooms starting from $48.95. 20% off upholstery cleaning. truck mount equipment. owner operat-ed. 35 years experience. dave 612-721-5105/612 636-3073. www.orbcarpetcleaning.com.

FURNitURE REUPHoLStERywinter special 20% off on fabric and labor. Labor starting from $150 for chairs. owner operated. 35 years experience. dave 612-721-5105/612 636-3073. www.orbcar-petcleaning.com.

Sat, Jan 10, 7-11pm – Get Lucky 2009: Lucky Seven and the Seven Deadly Sin: A Gala Event To Benefit Soo Visual Arts Center. Commemorating seven years of SooVAC. Featuring performances by Les Femmes Caba-ret, Music by Martin Dosh & Jon Davis with food, drink, a silent auction and more. Art By: Isaac Arvold, Andrea Carlson, Eric Carlson, Jaron Childs, Erin Currie, Jennifer Davis, Grego-ry Euclide, Rob Fischer, Samantha French, Lindsy Halleckson, Bethany Kalk, John Largaespada, Chris Lar-son, Judith G. Levy, Rob McBroom, Erika Olson, Amy Rice, Joe Rizzo, Justin Schaefer, Joe Sinness, Lindsay Smith, Sean Smuda, Scott Stulen, Sean Tubridy, Twenty-Seven, Pamela Val-fer, John Vogt, Megan Vossler, Willie Willette Works & Keiko Yagishita. Other Auction Items From: 20.21, Common Roots Café, Moxie, The ALT (Alternative Bike and Board), Design Collective, I Like You, Little Tijuana, Head to Toe, Heavenly Soles, Pizza Luce, Uptown Tattoo, Inner Strength Fitness, Graves 601 Hotel, Pizza Luce, Intermedia Arts, Weisman Art Museum, The Southern Theater, Guthrie Theater, Butter Bakery Café, MIA, Brave New Workshop Theatre, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Ordway, Walker Art Center, Glo Salon Spa, Yoga Center, Denny Kemp. Tickets available at website.

BOOK CLuBSBRYANT LAKE BOWL810 W. Lake St. • 612.825.8949www.booksandbars.comTues, Jan 13, 7pm – Books & Bars. A unique atmosphere for a lively discus-sion of interesting authors, fun people, good food and drinks. January’s book is No One Belongs Here More Than You by Miranda July. The creator and star of Me and You and Everyone We Know presents a collection of short works featuring profoundly sympathetic pro-tagonists whose inherent sensitivities render them particularly vulnerable to

unexpected events.

ONCE UPON A CRIME BOOKSTORE604 W. 26th St. • 612.870.3785www.onceuponacrimebooks.comWed, Jan 15, 6:30pm-7:30pm – Mys-tery Reading Group. Sean Chercover’s Big City, Bad Blood. Facilitated by Ellen Hart.

WALKER LIBRARY2880 Hennepin Ave. S. • 612.630.6650www.mpls.lib.mn.usThurs, Jan 8, 7pm-8pm – Boys Book Club. Crossfire: a Clone Wars novel. Star Wars, Boba Fett #2, by Terry Bisson.

AuTHOR EVEnTSINTERMEDIA ARTS2822 Lyndale Ave. S • 871.4444www.intermediaarts.orgWed, Dec 17, 7pm – GLBT Read-ing Series: Featuring Terrance Griep, Kathy Mctavish and Sheila Packa. Free and open to the public. Hosted by John Medeiros and Andrea Jenkins. Terrance Griep: some of the things he writes are true: he’s sold stories to Out Magazine, The Advocate, Star Trek Monthly, and Lavender Magazine, among others. Some of the things he writes are false: most often, his lies are written for comics. For DC, he’s writ-ten stories that have included Super-man, Batman, and Green Lantern, but he’s best-known as a writer on the DC monthly. On nights and week-ends, Terrance works as professional wrestler, Tommy “The SpiderBaby” Saturday. As The SpiderBaby, Ter-rance, a multi-titlist, has been featured on TV, radio, and the Internet. The International Gay Outdoors Orga-nization recently named him one of the Nine Toughest Gays in America. Kathy Mctavish plays improvisional cello. Her music ranges from spare, bluesy minimalism to dense, full-bod-ied landscapes. She blends a distinct acoustic sound with an electronic twist to create live, multi-dimensional sound spaces. Listen to samples of her music at www.cellodreams.com. Sheila Packa grew up on the Iron Range and has an MFA in Creative Writing. She has published poems, short stories, and essays in many literary magazines and anthologies, including Ploughshares, Evergreen Chronicle and Sinister Wisdom. Calyx Press Duluth recently published her poetry book, The Moth-er Tongue. This book contains a col-lection of lesbian erotic love poems. She has two chapbooks, Always Say-ing Good-bye (Poetry Harbor) and Dear Bird (poetry chapbook and a collaborative poetry/music CD with Kathy McTavish, cellist). Her work has been featured in To Sing Along the Way: Minnesota Women Poets from Pre-Territorial Days to the Pres-

ent. She has received two Arrowhead Regional Arts Council fellowships for poetry, in 1998 and 2000, and two Loft McKnight Awards, one for poetry in 1986 and one for prose in 1996.

MAGERS AND QUINN BOOKSELLERS3038 Hennepin Ave. S. • 612.822.4611 www.magersandquinn.comTues, Jan 27, 7:30pm – A Spanish language reading: Peruvian scholar and poet Luis Fuentes reads from his poetry book Rugitus et Silentium. Luis Fuentes (born 1964 in Lima) is a grad-uate of the Officers School of the Air Force of Peru and earned a degree in business administration from the Uni-versity of Lima and a Master of Sci-ence in Communications with a minor in Computer Engineering from the University of San Augustine. He has studied Musical Theory and Sound Engineering. In 2006 he published “The personal archives of Julio Ramón Ribeyro”. This unremitting search and multifaceted exploration into the life of the author is manifested in these pages through his personal vision of noise and silence – interpreted as essential components of the polar-ity between human existence and the world. Refreshments will be served.

FOR KiDS & TEEnSBRYANT SQUARE PARK3101 Bryant Ave. S. • 612.370.4907www.minneapolisparks.orgThrough Feb. 16 – Ice Skating at Bry-ant Square Park.

WALKER LIBRARY2880 Hennepin Ave. S. • 612.630.6650www.mpls.lib.mn.usSat, Dec 13, 11am-12:30pm – Live Music & Crafts. Enjoy a fun-filled morning of live music and crafts.

THEATERBRYANT LAKE BOWL810 W. Lake St. • 612.825.8949www.bryantlakebowl.comSaturdays, Jan 17, 24, 31, 10pm & Feb 7, 7pm – Beethoven and Friends. An Omega Wolf Productions Production. Disappointed by the actual accom-plishments of our favorite figures, Omega Wolf Productions tells the sto-ries of our favorite historical, contem-porary, and fictional characters exactly as they should have happened. That’s right: Ben Franklin married a man, and Gandhi rode a motorcycle. Come witness ninety minutes of hilarious revisionism as we show you just how much better things would have been if we’d been allowed to dictate reality. Sketch Comedy, 90 minutes. $8-$10 pay what you can.

HoUSE/CoNdo CLEANiNGgreen products used, owner oper-ated, CArAg resident, experi-enced, good value, satisfaction guaranteed. 612.275.6404.

of the pool drains. The ramp into the pool has been improved, but most importantly, a wheel chair lift has been added, making it ADA compliant. During the pool reconstruction, almost all the pool’s plumbing was replaced, cre-ating an unbelievable difference in the circulation of the water. Like having your arteries cleaned out, water now circulates three times faster, making the water almost move in waves when there are no people in the pool. One of the last features to be completed will be four family locker rooms on the first floor with showers that open to the pool, a huge improvement over the old two on the second floor with no pool access.

Green features abound in many aspects of the new YMCA. Most will not be visible to the public but have huge impact. Almost 100% of the materials of the build-ing that were torn down were reused avoiding the landfill and 75% of the building’s construction materials contain recycled mate-rial (concrete, wood, etc). The new building has a green “white

CLASSES/WORKSHOPS/LECTuRESBRYANT LAKE BOWL810 W. Lake St. • 612.825.8949www.bellmuseum.orgTues, Jan 20, 7pm(6pm doors) – Cafe Scientifique: A happy hour exchange of ideas about science, environment, and popular culture featuring experts from a variety of fields on diverse and often provocative topics. For more information visit bellmuseum.org. $5-$10 pays what you can. Present-ed by The Bell Museum of Natural History. January Topic: Computing Meets Behavioral Science University of Minnesota Computer Science and Engineering Professor Joseph Kon-stan will discuss the design of online communities and persuasive comput-ing systems–points where psychology, sociology, and economics join together with computer science. His talk will span a variety of projects, from online HIV-prevention efforts to communi-ties building online artifacts to social-information spaces.

JEFFERSON COMMUNITY SCHOOL1200 W. 26th Street • 612.668.2720jefferson.mpls.k12.mn.usMon, Jan 12, 6:30pm – Get to know Jefferson Community School. Find out why Uptown parents are choos-ing Jefferson, a school where children are nurtured and encouraged, where creativity and kindness are cherished and kids are held accountable and mentored to find their gifts and paths

roof”, a special rubber membrane designed to reflect the sun’s light, to lessen urban hothouse effect. Along the southern edge of the parking lot, permeable pavers have been installed, on top of six feet of crushed gravel to capture water runoff that occurs from the exist-ing slope of the parking lot. The building’s roof drains were also designed to send its runoff water to these pavers. Another impor-tant upgrade was the replacement of the main boiler, responsible for heating the building and the pool. It was replaced with two high effi-ciency boilers that will realize app. $38,000 per year in saved energy costs.

These are just some of the many changes that are occurring at your neighborhood YMCA on Blaisdell. Our hats are off to the YMCA of Metropolitan Minne-apolis for believing that the inner city deserved a first class fitness center and an excellent hub for programming that benefits all the residents, including disadvantaged and lower income families. Over 50% of Blaisdell’s members enjoy some form of subsidized member-ship rates.

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rental • lawn & garden • plumbing • electrical • keys made • glass cut • paint

Radiator Humidifier PanWhat’s Old Is New!

Originally Galvanized, Now Galvanized

And “Green”

“Camels versus Zepplins” by Brian Hartley Sago at Highpoint Center for Printmaking. (details page 10)

to success. Meet Principal Ray Aponte and other neighborhood parents who have chosen Jefferson. Taking place in the Media Center, snacks and baby-sitting provided. For questions, or to set up aschool tour at another time, call Kris Prince, Community Liaison, 612.668.2720. Learn about our special highlights: NASA Explorer School Partnership; Band, Choir, Music, and Strings; Gifted/Talented and Catalyst; Visual Arts and Grants-Supported Artist Residencies; Environmental Field Trips; ELL and Native Lan-guage Learner-Spanish; Science Lab; GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math, and Science); GISE (Guys in Science and Engineering); Family Fun Nights; Special Ed; Interdisciplinary Curricu-lum Sports and Community Partner-ships.

MINNEAPOLIS AUDUBON SOCIETY3101 Bryant Ave. S • 763.657.1907Fri, Jan 9, 1pm at Bryant Square Park – Favorite Birding Hot Spots: shared by Paul & Katie Scholz. Please join us for the program and refreshments. All are welcome.

URBAN EARTH FLOWER & GARDEN COOP910 West 36th St. • 612.824.0066www.urbanearthcoop.orgWed, Jan 14, 7pm – “Healthy Home with Plants”: Derek Schumacher, Manager Organics JR Johnson. Learn how plants can make you and your home healthier. Sat, Jan 17, 11am – “Medicinal Uses for Common Herbs”: Herbs that we commonly know have incredible healing properties. Learn about these herbs and how to use them. Please call to reserve a space for either class.

FiLmBRYANT LAKE BOWL810 W. Lake St. • 612.825.8949www.ifpmsp.orgWed, Jan 21, 7pm – Cinema Lounge:

Where independent filmmakers schmooze and make nice. For more info visit www.ifpmsp.org. Free and presented by IFP/MSP.

LAGOON CINEMA1320 Lagoon Ave. • 612.825.6006www.landmarktheatres.comMILK: Gay Rights Activist. Friend. Lover. Unifier. Politician. Fighter. Icon. Inspiration. Hero. His life changed history, and his courage changed lives. In 1977, Harvey Milk (Sean Penn) was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, becoming the first openly gay man to be voted into major public office in America. His victory was not just a victory for gay rights; he forged coalitions across the political spectrum. From senior citizens to union workers, Harvey Milk changed the very nature of what it means to be a fighter for human rights and became, before his untimely death in 1978, a hero for all Americans. Directed by Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, My Own Private Idaho) from an original screenplay by Dustin Lance Black.

WALKER ART CENTER1750 Hennepin Ave. • 612.375.7600www.walkerart.orgThurs, Jan 15, 7:30pm – Sound and Light: Projector Performances by Bruce McClure. Producing a totally sensory experience, McClure’s pro-jector performances are informed by the way the brain reacts to light and sound. Using an array of modi-fied 16mm projectors, film loops, and guitar pedals, his work challenges cinematic conventions. Film loops pat-terned with patches of emulsion on a translucent base are combined with an optical soundtrack to create a physi-

cally intense adventure. His perfor-mances have amazed audiences at the Whitney Biennial and the Rotterdam Film Festival, and have garnered him the 2008 Alpert Award in the Arts. Program length 60 minutes.

muSiCBARBETTE1600 W. Lake St. • 612.827.5710www.barbette.comMondays, 10pm – Free Late Night Music Series. Dec 29: James Buckley and Friends. Jan 12, 26: Supreme Pri-vacy.

FAMOUS DAVE’S 3001 Hennepin Ave S. • 612.822.9900www.famousdaves.comThurs, Jan 8, – Crown Me King: Famous Dave’s 3rd Annual Elvis Impersonator Contest with celebrity judges, cash prizes, and Elvises, Elvis-es, Elvises.

UPTOWN BAR & CAFE3018 Hennepin Ave. S. • 612.823.4719www.uptownbarandcafe.comThurs-Sat, Jan 1-3 – Worst Bands of 2008 Showcase: 3 Day Event. 13 bands. Jan 7 – Thought Thieves, Dearest Daniel. Jan 10 – Dumpster Juice. Jan 17 – These Modern Socks, I, Colossus, The New Monarchs. Jan 22 – Junk-yard Empire, Lauren Mulderrig. Jan 31 – The Tisdales, Strangelights.

nEW yEAR’SBAR ABILENE1300 Lagoon Ave S. • 612.825.2525www.barabilene.com

Wed, Dec 31, 10pm-2am – New Year’s Eve Bash: You must have a ticket to get in to this event. Tickets will be sold at Bar Abilene for $75. Only 200 people will be allowed into the event. We will be featuring an open bar, champagne, Hourly butler-passed hors d’ouevres, DJ & Dancing with the only dance floor in Uptown, Special give-aways, and more. All of the premium brands on the bar for the evening. Also offering bottle service at substantially reduced rates.

BRYANT LAKE BOWL810 W. Lake St. • 612.825.8949www.bryantlakebowl.comWed, Dec 31, 9pm – Martini & Olive’s New Year’s Eve Spectacular: Come pop the cork, ring in 2009, shake your New Years’ booty at “Martini & Olive’s New Year’s Eve Spectacular!” $25.

EL MESON 3450 Lyndale Ave. S. • 612.822.8062www.elmesonbistro.netCelebrate New Year’s Eve with Live Flamenco Music and delicious dinner specials. Make your reservation. Space is limited.

FAMOUS DAVE’S 3001 Hennepin Ave S. • 612.822.9900www.famousdaves.comWed, Dec 31, 7pm – New Year’s Eve with Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials – Plus Comedian Jeff Gerbino & vocal-ist Liz Cummings. $10 cover. A New Year’s Eve so big that it calls for three shows. 7-9:00pm: Liz Cummings. Liz is a great vocalist who often performs at Famous Dave’s happy hours, and has performed and recorded with local rock icons Flamin’ Oh’s. 9-10pm: Jeff

Gerbino. No kidding, comedy hits the Famous Dave’s stage for New Year’s Eve. In hard times, if you can’t laugh and you can’t dig the blues, well, you got nothin’. This New Yorker, turned Minnesotan, and frequent Hollywood-er (got that?) has appeared on Letter-man and Leno, and has been named one of Hollywood’s funniest comedi-ans by the L.A. Times. This show will give new meaning to “rib splitting.” 10pm: Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials. Nobody throws a party quite like Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials. “Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials are genuine house-rocking masters . . . some of the hottest electric blues around. Duck-walking, back-bending, mind-blowing.” Blues Revue. From smokin’ slide guitar boo-gies to raw-boned Chicago shuffles to the deepest slow blues, Lil’ Ed is a masterful bluesman. Not only is the little man a giant blues talent, he is one of the most entertaining stage veterans on the road today. Lil’ Ed’s smokin’ performances are a Famous Dave’s NYE tradition.

INDIO1221 W. Lake St. • 612.821.9451www.restaurantindio.comGroove into the New Year at Indio with Reggae Music and a Champagne toast at midnight. Make your reserva-tion. Space is limited

STELLAS FISH CAFE1400 W. Lake St. • 612.824.TUNAwww.stellasfishcafe.comWed, Dec 31, 9pm – Party Like A Rock Bass: New Year’s Eve Celebra-tion. Four levels of celebration includ-ing the heated rooftop patio. Music, Food, Drinks and More: $75/person. See website for more details.

loppet Showcases Chain Of lakes2,000 Skiers Expected In Annual Event January 31, February 1

Photo by Steve Kotvis

Luminary on Lake of the Isles.

The Minneapolis Park and Rec-reation Board (MPRB) is proud to partner with the City of Lakes Nordic Ski Foundation on the sev-enth annual City of Lakes Loppet set for January 31 and February 1, 2009. The City of Lakes Loppet features the beautiful trails and lakes of Minneapolis from Wirth Park to the Chain of Lakes.

Skiers, snowshoers and winter lovers alike are invited to partici-pate in, volunteer for and watch

the City’s celebration of winter in Minnesota. Over 2,000 partici-pants are expected to take part in competitive and non-competitive events designed for all ages and skill levels.

Loppet weekend features a variety of ski races and non-competitive events, ski and snowshoe dem-onstrations, concessions, music and vendors. Over 700 volunteers work about 2,000 hours on event weekend which draws 5,000-6,000

spectators.

New events this year include a Snow Sculpture Contest and the Penn Ice-Cycle Loppet Bicycle Race.

For detailed information on all events, schedules, registration, course maps, volunteer opportuni-ties, parking and spectator view-ing, visit www.cityoflakesloppet.com or call the Loppet Hotline at 612.604.5330.

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january 2009 uptown neighborhood news

Documents

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school choice card

high school students

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new books

fundamental rif program

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economic recovery