Mar 2004 - The Wedge Neighborhood (LHENA)

INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Volume 35 • Number 3
Neighborhood Notices
2
Forthcoming Zoning Meetings
2
Letter to the Editor
2
“Hello,” Board Member Ritzman
2
Cranky Yankee’s Opinion:
3
Niziolek’s 10th Ward Update
3
Arts & Entertainment
4
Jefferson Mural Design done
4
Hauser Dance Open House
4
Jefferson School Calendar
5
The Wedge Classifieds
6
Johnson’s The Hens Come Home
6
To Your Health
7
Remembering 30 Years Ago
7
Crime Map
7
The longest published neighborhood newspaper in Minneapolis
March • 2004
Tonic restaurant, etc. promises ‘new urban entertainment’
Photo by Bob Carlson
In March, Uptown Minneapolis becomes the landmark for an evolution in new
urban entertainment. Tonic
of Uptown is a three-story,
17,000-square foot elixir for
the senses – the ultimate concoction of eat, drink, mingle
and play – opening Friday,
March 5, at 1401 W. Lake St.
An incredible palette of
flavors from around the
world
enhances
Tonic’s
New American cuisine.
Features include an interactive menu where guests can
create their own unique
entree on Tonic’s heated
stones or indulge themselves
with Tonic’s tasting menu,
seductively called ‘Aphrodisio’.
A contrast in sophistication
and comfort, Tonic is a neigh-
borhood hideaway with
Uptown style. Tonic’s second
level Ultra Lounge is the
place for fashionistas to see
and be seen, while taking in
the intoxicating sounds of the
Twin Cities’ top DJ’s.
Senses are swept to a higher
level on Tonic’s roof top patio
– where guests can take in
the beauty of the Minneapolis skyline, from Uptown to
downtown.
A renaissance of one of
Uptown’s most prominent
locations, Tonic rounds out its
VIP treatment by offering
guests over 200 valet parking
spaces for their convenience.
Owners Bob Carlson and
Korey Bannerman invite all
to experience their exciting
new Uptown adventure. (See
Tonic Chef inside, Page 5.)
1400 West Lake Street, the site of the new Tonic of Uptown, retains much of its earlier exterior.
4% Residential Loan Program
is now 1st-come,1st-served
Library Board votes
to fix Walker roof
Looking to improve your
home? Who isn’t! So here is
the good news for you! The
Lowry Hill East NRP is offering $431,000 for the 4%
Revolving Loan Program for
improvements to residential
properties of the neighborhood for 2004.
By Pat Scott
tects in fall 2003.
On Wednesday night, Feb.18,
the Minneapolis Public Library
Board of Trustees affirmed their
intention to continue to provide
library services to the Uptown
(and beyond) Community in the
present Walker Community
Library building at the existing
location on the prominent corner
of Hennepin and Lagoon
Avenues, and directed their staff
to begin the process for making
necessary repairs including
replacing the Walker’s parking
deck.
The ongoing question/debate
about what to do with the
Walker Library, in view of its
repair needs and the Library
system’s limited funds, has been
researched and under
This year begins with two
major changes to the program: First, the loan program
will now be administered on
a first-come, first-served
basis, starting April 21. In the
past the program was run
based on a lottery drawing,
which required processing
applications in lottery order.
Now completed applications
will be processed as they
come in to take advantage of
your enthusiasm and Minnesota’s summer weather.
And second, we are pleased
to welcome the Center for
Energy and Environment, or
CEE as it is commonly
known, as our new loan
administrator. CEE currently
administers NRP Residential
Loan for 28 neighborhoods
within Minneapolis.
Sign of Spring: Melting streams wind their way through the Wedge.
Photo by Bob Carlson
Loan amounts range from a
minimum amount of $2,500
and a maximum of $15,000.
Property owners may apply
for loans within the three
Loan Pools: Owner-occupied
Income Limit, Owner-occupied properties with no
income limit and Absenteeowned properties with no
income limit. Property owners are eligible for one loan
per property at any given
time, so if you have completely paid off a previous
loan through this program
during refinancing of your
home, you may qualify for a
new loan. Information packets will include a list of
improvements eligible for this
program.
Look for further information
in the April Wedge newspaper. Information packets will
be available beginning at the
April 21 LHENA Annual
Meeting. For further information, or to get on the waiting list to receive an
application, call CEE at (612)
335-5889. Information packets will be mailed on the first
day of the program.
The potential funding sources
for these repairs are Library
Referendum funds allocated to
improve the Walker building,
trust funds from the sale of the
former Walker building, and
monies in a “building improvement” line item that is part of
the Library system’s operating
budget.
Library staff estimate that the
immediately needed repairs will
add up to about $775,000. The
estimate for the roof/parking
deck repair is $650,000, and the
specific scope of the additional
repair work to be done is still to
be identified, but will be based
on an evaluation done of the
Walker building by RSP archi-
Library Board
Continued on Page 5
Caucuses to be
held March 2
Party caucuses will be held
in all political precincts
throughout Minnesota. Tuesday, March 2, beginning at 7
p.m. Following is a current list
of the four major political parties in Minnesota to contact
with questions about precinct
locations, etc.
You may also call your
County Auditor at 1-877-600VOTE.
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
(651) 293-1200
www.dfl.org
Green
(612) 871-4585
www.mngreens.org
Independence
(651) 487-9700
www.mnip.org
Republican
(651) 222-0022
www.mngop.com
Page 2
The Wedge • Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association Newspaper
Neighborhood Notices
March 2004 Meetings and Events
LHENA Meetings are in Jefferson
Community School Room 107
(3) LHENA Neighborhood
Revitalization
Program
Steering Committee meets the
first Wednesday of each month
from 7 to 9 p.m. This month’s
meeting is Wednesday, March 3.
(10) LHENA Zoning and Planning Committee meets as
needed on the second Wednesday
of each month, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Residents and businesses seeking variances and waivers need
to meet with the committee
before the LHENA Board hears
the request. Requests need to be
submitted to the Z & P committee at least a week before scheduled. With questions contact the
LHENA office at 377-5023.
(17) LHENA Board Meeting:
The regular meeting of the
Lowry Hill East Neighborhood
Association is the third Wednesday of each month. The next
LHENA meeting will be Wednesday, March 17, from 6:30 to 8:30
p.m. Call Board President John
Dietrich at 871-3576 with any
questions.
(25) LHENA Zoning and
Planning Sub-Committee on
Rezoning This Z & P subcom-
LHENA
Annual Meeting
Wed., April 21st
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Jefferson School
Room 107
1200 West 26th Street
(612) 377-5023.
mittee was formed to study and
make recommendations to the
full committee on rezoning
issues in the Wedge Neighborhood. This month, it meets the
forth Thursday of the month, on
March 25.
N. I. P.
Located at 2431 Hennepin Ave.
S., Neighborhood Involvement
Program (N.I.P.) has several programs to help persons who are
seniors, youth, and/or low-income
uninsured. In addition, N.I.P. has
weekly support groups, including
some at little or no cost for rape
survivors and people living with
HIV/AIDS. Call 374-3125.
The Men’s Center for
Men and Women
Located at 3249 Hennepin Ave.
S., The Men’s Center has a variety of support groups for men
and a weekly presentation on
personal growth or well being,
open to both men and women.
For more information, call 8225892, send an
e-mail to
tcmc@freenet.msp.mn.us,
or
check
the
website
at
www.tcmc.org.
Neighborhood
Zoning Meetings
to be held
By Leslie A. J. Foreman
Two important neighborhood meetings about the proposed zoning changes will be
held. On March 25th, at 6:30
p.m. in the Jefferson School
cafeteria there will be a meeting of all property owners
directly affected by zoning
changes. You will receive a
notice in the mail early in
March if your property will be
directly affected by a zoning
change. In April a Community Open House will be held.
The neighborhood Zoning
Task Force has been meeting
with City Planners to examine our current zoning. The
Task Force will be proposing
zoning changes to preserve
historic buildings in our
neighborhood while allowing
positive growth.
Call the LHENA office at
612-377-5023 if you have any
questions.
Hello from Board Member Ritzman
Hello to all of the neighbors of
Lowry Hill East (aka the Wedge).
The editor thought you might like
to hear a little bit about your
neighborhood board members. So I
thought I’d get things started. I
lived in the Wedge for 17 of the last
20 years, seven as a renter and ten
as a homeowner.
started my volunteer career last
year around this time.
I have recently moved to another
neighborhood because a single
family home in the Wedge was out
of my price range. I still volunteer
in Lowry Hill East though. I
Oddly enough, when I finally
decided to jump in to help where I
could, life took a turn for the better. Volunteering is actually good
for you. It gives you a sense of connectedness. Doing things for others gives you a better sense of self
worth and added confidence.
Before last year I was an armchair activist. If I saw something I
didn’t like I’d put in a call or email
to whoever I thought could fix it. I
had told myself that I didn’t have
the time to get involved, that my
life was too busy.
You also meet others in the community who are committed to
making the world a better place.
When you have all of that good
energy in a room, it really can fill
your heart up.
So, more than a note about me I
would like to offer up volunteer
opportunities to all of you. Take a
chance-get connected. Local classrooms need volunteers. We could
use some help at the neighborhood
association with building and
maintaining our website.
Become an election judge. (It’s a
paid position, and you definitely
get connected). Consider running
for the neighborhood board. My
seat will be up for election in April,
and I wish that there would be a
host of neighbors to choose from. If
none of these opportunities appeal
to you, just give me a call, and we’ll
come
up
with
something!
I mean it! Ella Ritzman,
377-3806.
March • 2004
Letter to the Editor
I am troubled to see anonymous letters published in The
Wedge, the Lowry Hill East
Neighborhood Assn Newspaper. I am referring to the
lengthy letter by An Edgy
Wedgie in the February issue.
I believe that the publication of anonymous letters to
the editor is something that
should be discussed and
reviewed by the LHENA
Board of Directors, who I
assume provide direction to
this public newspaper. It
would be appropriate to take
a lesson from professional
journalists and editors who
require names and addresses
or phone numbers to verify
the submission. Names can
be withheld by request under
certain circumstances such as
crime victims.
Anonymous letters can lead
to problems that divide communities not build them.
Anonymous letters are an
invitation to slander and
innuendo and yes fear. How is
a reader to know, for example,
that a neighbor or businessowner or teacher or even a
local office-holder is the
author? We don’t—and that is
where problems can begin.
It is precisely because we
have freedom of speech and
the press in this country that
no one should be afraid to
sign their name to thoughts
and ideas they wish to
express. – Margaret Reinhardt, Wedge resident
Editor’s Note: We agree and
are returning to our ongoing
editorial policy: We welcome
letters to the editor, but cannot guarantee that they will
be printed. Preference is given
to letters from Lowry Hill
East (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: Wedge Letters,
P.O. Box 80510, Minneapolis,
MN 55408.
LHENA
1200 West 26th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55405
Phone: 377-5023 Fax: 377-5467
E-mail: lhena@thewedge.org
Lowry Hill East Neighborhood
Association Board of Directors
John Dietrich, president, 871-3576
Michael Trebnick, vice president, 377-7556
Sonja Hayden, secretary, 377-7556
Carol Wilson, treasurer, 871-7708
Dave Bosclair, 377-7506
Michael Trebnick, zoning chair, 377-7556
Ella Ritzman, 377-3806
Brad Schaeppi, 730-1549
Destin Nygard, 374-3638
Steve Benson, 374-5456
Steve Fossum, 879-9420
Jim Handrigan, 871-4325
The Wedge is a monthly publication of the
Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association.
Distribution is free to residents and businesses
of Lowry Hill East Neighborhood. Mailed subscriptions are $20 per year.
Articles, opinion pieces, photos and drawings
by neighborhood members are welcome! Call
377-5023 for assignments, or to discuss your
ideas. Payment is made for published
contributions. 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
Neighborhood Revitalization Program
(NRP) Steering Committee
Sara Bisson-Ellefson, chair, 823-3580
John Jensen, vice chair, 872-7731
Michael Nelson, secretary, 374-9744
Pauline Hoogmoed, treasurer, 874-7767
Joe Konietzko, 871-5626
Steve Benson, 374-5456
Judy Schwartau, 377-4007
Neighborhood Boundaries: Hennepin
on the west, Lyndale on the east,
Lake Street on the south and
I-94 on the north.
To advertise in
The Wedge contact:
Advertising Representative
Uptown Media Group,
612-822-8533
editor@thewedge.org
For classified ads, political ads and
general inquiries contact
LHENA/The Wedge directly.
1200 West 26th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55405
Phone: 377-5023 Fax: 377-5467
E-mail: editor@thewedge.org
Editor: Jim McPherson
mcphersonjim@msn.com
Office Administrator: Caroline Griepentrog
lhena@thewedge.org
Advertising Sales Representatives
Uptown Media Group
612-822-8533
The Wedge Committee
Jim Handrigan, Chair,
Carol Wilson, Helen Romanishan
The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect
the views of LHENA or its board members. The Wedge
reserves the right to exercise discretion in publishing any
material submitted and further reserves the right to refuse
any advertisement. Questions about The Wedge may be
directed to the editor or to the The Wedge Committee chair.
© 2003 LHENA, all rights reserved.
March • 2004
OPINION:
By the Cranky Yankee,
AKA Jim Handrigan
It’s March and here comes
spring! Longer days and
warmer nights. Soon the first
crocus will peek out from
under the slush and mud, and
the whole sacred cycle will
begin anew.
Speaking of sacred cycles and
mud, it’s an election year. And
President Bush has promised
to raise over $200 million for
his re-election campaign.
That’s one promise he won’t
break. Isn’t this a tad excessive? Can you and your friends
raise that much money in a
run for the Big House, I mean
the White House? You’re still a
part of the process, aren’t you?
Sure you are. You and about
ten thousand Florida voters.
Ralph Nader threw his hat in
the ring, and the same Republicans raising $200 million
probably cheered.
About Ralph. Most of the
OSHA and EPA regulations
that Republicans in Washington are dismantling can be
traced back to Nader and his
tireless policing of corporate
excesses. Seat belts, air bags,
you name it. Of course in
today’s corporate-dominated,
media-sponsored
society,
Nader’s just another left-wing
crazy, a leftover from the ‘sixties and ‘seventies, when people like George W. Bush were
piling up their youthful indiscretions.
Why is Nader considered so
off the map? Because he
believes people and democracy
should come before profit?
Imagine an America where
people come before corporate
profits. Why that’s so funny I
forgot to laugh. Considering
the damage the far right is
doing, why are we so afraid of
the left?
Privatize, privatize, privatize.
The free market can do government’s job. How about
The Wedge • Volume 35 – Number 3
Life liberty and the
pursuit of profit
health care? Remember all the
hysteria about health care
costs if Clinton’s disastrous
health plan passed? Well, here
we are ten years later, and the
free market took care of everything. Congress has terrific
health care coverage. The rest
of us rank last among the
industrialized world. Yay, free
market! Let’s privatize the military!
In Iraq, Halliburton and it’s
subsidiary, Brown and Root
(referred to by soldiers in Viet
Nam as Burn and Loot) have
replaced 150,000 American
troops by cleaning latrines,
doing KP and serving chow.
There are three huge problems
with privatizing the military. If
the war zone’s too dangerous,
the civilians won’t go. Why go
if you don’t have to? (Like
draft-dodger Cheney.) The second is the obvious one. Politically connected companies get
all our tax dollars. Dick
Cheney made over $44 million
during his brief tenure as Halliburton’s CEO in the ‘90’s. Halliburton is now re-building
Iraq and charging the Pentagon over two bucks for every
gallon of gas. In the Middle
East! That’s chutzpah! The
Pentagon investigates Halliburton while handing over
huge additional contracts.
But the third reason is the
one that really worries me:
150,000 troops in Iraq, plus
150,000 civilians unaccountable to Congress and the people, is a total force of 300,000.
It would have been a much
harder sell to the Congress and
the American people if Bush
had to tell us he needed
300,000 troops in Iraq. So privatizing the military essentially makes it easier for
America to go to war. And more
profitable for politically connected companies like Halliburton. That’s a real bad idea.
You think health care’s bad? Do
we really want to make it easier
for America to go to war?
10th Ward Update:
By 10th Ward City Council
Member Dan Niziolek
The strength of any city is
dependent on the engagement of its residents in the
activities of their city. From
participation in block efforts
and neighborhood groups to
city advisory boards, cities
are stronger when more residents are involved. Having
worked in the area of crime
prevention, I would say that
this is most evident in the
area of ensuring a safe city.
To this end, the city recently
created a full-time position
dedicated to improving the
city’s community engagement
efforts. This position will
work to improve everything
from involving residents in
zoning approval processes
and street renovation projects
to housing inspections work,
crime prevention and much
more.
This person will work with
departments in improving
their individual community
engagement efforts as well as
ensuring that all city engagement efforts are coordinated.
City departments are often
Page 3
Minneapolis Creates Position to
Improve Community Engagement
not coordinated in their outreach and working relations
with residents, resulting in
inefficient use of limited city
resources as well as overworking residents volunteering in their neighborhood.
The position is expected to be
filled by May 1st and will be
paid for through existing
resources.
Walker Library Vote
At a committee meeting on
the 18th of February, Library
Board members voted to
repair the current building
and not move forward on further evaluating a potential
mixed-use building on the
current site. This is despite
the fact that the work of the
consultant did not look at
what other dollars available
for funding the project, examples of how other cities have
done mixed use libraries, or
ways to minimize demands
on library staff resources.
At the meeting I requested
the Library board to delay
the decision for 30 days in
order to answer questions not
answered in the work done
by the consultant. In particu-
FOSSUM
TAX &
APPRAISAL
Steve Fossum, Tax Consultant
18 years of tax
preparation experience.
lar, I noted that I would work
with city staff on answering
the two most significant
questions 1) what funds are
available to fully fund the
project and 2) how can the
city assist the Library Board
in structuring this development in a way that minimizes
the demand on library staff.
The success of Minneapolis
is dependent on the quality of
its public institutions as well
as the vibrancy of its neighborhoods. One part of this
deals with finding the
resources to once again create
great
public
buildings.
Another part deals with
encouraging mixed use developments on major transportation corridors. The
Walker Library effort could
achieve both and make the
Walker Library an even
greater asset for the Uptown
community.
As always, if you have
thoughts, concerns, or recommendations, please call me
(673-2210), or e-mail me at
dan.niziolek@ci.minneapolis.mn.us. Editor’s Note: You
are also invited to discuss
these issues and ideas with
any
LHENA
Board
member.
Add some PASSION with PURPLE
What are your
true colors?
some RADIANCE with RUBY
some CALM with CORNFLOWER
• Paint, plaster and woodwork
• Creative color consulting
• Exterior and interior
• Experienced craftsmen and women
Call for an appointment:
612•879•9420
(612) 827-2361
GREENWAY UPDATE
On the Greenway
SINGLE
PARENTS
Between Bryant & Colfax
themidtownlofts.com
Contact Mike Dean
612.822.1545
mike@landergroup.com
A Presbyterian &
American Baptist Church
at 1430 W. 28th St. in the
Uptown Minneapolis area
—one block north of the
Greenway &
one half-block west of
Hennepin.
612-872-8266
adminsec@
gracetrinitychurch.org
Sales Center Now Open
at 3503 Hennepin Avenue South
• Get on the Midtown Greenway’s biking
and walking paths one block north of
Lake Street at Dean Parkway, Irving,
Bryant, Nicollet, and Fifth Avenues.
• In Fall 2004, the trails will continue
farther east to Hiawatha Avenue,
passing underneath the old Sears
buildings at Chicago Avenue.
sponsored by:
Page 4
The Wedge • Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association Newspaper
4 Arts & Entertainment 6
INTERMEDIA ARTS
2822 Lyndale Ave. S., 871-4444,
www.IntermediaArts.org
Dialogue- March 13, 2004; 1 p.m.;
Free Admission
Dialogue- March 27, 2004; 2 p.m.;
Free Admission
Immigrant Status, developed by
Intermedia Arts in partnership with
Minnesota Advocates for Human
Rights, Family & Children’s Service,
and St. Paul Jewish Community
Center, is designed to examine —
through the arts — policies and
conditions affecting the lives of
Minnesota’s immigrant populations.
SOO VISUAL ARTS CENTER
2640 Lyndale Ave. S, 871-2263,
http://www.soovac.com
Soo Visual Arts Center is committed to exhibiting the work of exceptional artists and creation of art.
HIGHPOINT CENTER FOR PRINTMAKING
2638 Lyndale Ave. S., 871-1326,
www.highpointprintmaking.org
Highpoint is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the art
of printmaking. Its goals are to provide educational programs, community access, and collaborative
publishing opportunities to engage
the community and increase the
appreciation and understanding of
the printmaking arts.
MARCH: Possibilities of Monoprint
and Monotype,
Thursday evening, March 11th
through April 15th.
March 12th: Flying Carpet exhibit
opening, 6:30 to 9 p.m.
For Ticket Information please call
the Jungle Box Office
Or request tickets online:
www.jungletheater.com
All tickets may be exchanged
up to 24 hours in advance of a
performance.
BRYANT LAKE BOWL
810 W. Lake St., 825-8949,
www.bryantlakebowl.com
This Month, including:
A Love Supreme
Sussed!
Look Ma, No Pants:
The Five Year Anniversary
Extravaganza
Soulless, Bloodsucking Lawyers: A
Musical!
Amy Angeline
A Love Supreme
Stuart Davis
Staggering Toward America
Cinema Lounge
The Collective
Collective Unconscious
Thousand Void Crush
9’ x 22’: A Dance Lab
Pam Plagge for President
Impossible Party
Conversations at the Blue Table
NANCY HAUSER DANCE COMPANY
Jawaahir
Dance
Company
Theatre, 1940 Hennepin Ave.,
871-9077
IN THE HEART OF THE BEAST
PUPPET AND MASK THEATRE
1500 E. Lake St., 721-2533,
www.hobt.or
Book Clubs
UPTOWN BOOK CLUB
Grace Trinity Community Church,
1430 W. 28th St., 872-8266
WALKER BOOK CLUB
Walker Community Library
2880 Hennepin Ave. S., 630-6650
The next meeting of the Walker
Book Club will be Monday, March
8, 6:30 p.m. Please note the new
time due to changed hours at the
Walker Library. The book to read
is “Death Comes for the Archbishop” by Willa Cather. The
Walker Book Club meets at Walker
Library, 2880 Hennepin Av. S., on
the second Monday evening of
each month. New members are
always welcome. Call 612-6306650 for further information.
BRAVE NEW WORKSHOP
‘NON-GREAT BOOKS’ CLUB
2605 Hennepin Ave. S., 332-6620,
www.bravenewworkshop.com
Das Bootylicious -or-Women of Mass
Destruction!
Meets 1st & 3rd Sat, 7 p.m., various addresses. Free, ongoing,
subject matter very open.
Contact Andrea, 612-338-5688,
andreamedia@msn.com
March • 2004
Jefferson mural design completed
By Muralists Victor Yepez and
Elissa Cedarleaf-Dahl
students
that
gather
The Jefferson Community
School mural design has been
completed! After receiving
approval from the LHENA/NRP
Board of Directors and the
School staff, the students and
artists are anticipating a glorious depiction of the collaborative
design on the auditorium wall.
The wall was primed, surrounding fixtures are covered, work
lights are installed, and we have
purchased the painting materials. At this stage, the mural
group is learning the process of
confronting the wall.
The mural group consists of 20
of each class, the ground rules
and procedures are established
to ensure a safe and fun working
environment. Then the students
are divided up into smaller
groups to partake in rotating
activities. While one group might
be completing a questionnaire
about previously discussed concepts and historical facts about
the life of Thomas Jefferson, a
second group may be tracing or
painting directly onto the wall as
the mural design is being projected. Meanwhile, a third group
will help clean the paint brushes
and maintain the supplies.
TAX TIME IS HERE!
Income tax preparation for the more complex returns
Uptown CPAs
Anderson & Martineau, PA
Certified Public Accountants
Small Business and Quickbooks Consultants since 1988
2801 Hennepin Avenue South, Suite 200, Mpls., MN 55408
Call for consultation 612-825-6839
“BEST
FALAFEL”
“BEST
GYROS”
– MPLS/ST. PAUL
MAGAZINE
– CITY PAGES
SWEETS, BAKERY & DELI
BAKERY
MINNESOTA CENTER FOR PHO-
DELI SPECIALTIES
• #1 pita in town
• baklava
• spinach pie
• meat pie
• cheese pie
TOGRAPHY (MCP)
711 West Lake Street, 824-5500,
Fax: 824-551, partskel@bitstream.net
Tuesday - Sunday: noon to 5 p.m.
Thursday: noon to 8 p.m., or by
appointment.
espresso • chai tea
• falafel
• tabouli
• hummus
• greek salad
• baba ganouje
• garlic dip
• stuffed grape leaves
• satsiki
Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner • All Day Buffet
CATERING • PARTY TRAYS • GIFT CERTIFICATES • DELIVERY
Uptown • Lake & Lyndale (612)824-7887 • Downtown Mpls • TCF Tower Skyway (612) 339-5560
THE JUNGLE THEATRE
2951 Lyndale Ave. S., 822-7063,
www.jungletheater.com
The Drawer Boy, By Michael Healey
Plays Wed.-Sun., - Mar. 27
Hauser to host ‘04
Spring Open House
Hauser Dance,1940 Hennepin
Ave., will host a spring open
house Saturday, March 20th,
from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. During
the event, they will offer free
sample classes, an informal performance, dance videos and a
Gypsy Card Give-Away
Hauser offers modern dance
classes that emphasize the principles of motion, the joy of moving and individual creativity.
They teach technique, improvisation and children’s creative
dance.
New class offerings include
Dance for Pre-Schoolers (ages 4
& 5) and Dance for the Ageless
which emphasizes the pleasure
of moving as well as simple corrective body work, incorporating
a gentle pilates and yoga based
warm-up. This class is for people
in their middle and later years.
Hauser’s spring session is
March 22 through May 29.
every
Thursday afternoon. At the start
ATTENTION LANDLORDS
Refinance your Rental Properties
offset the cost of the soft rental market
DENISE CHEETAH
“Rental Property Specialist”
LANDLORD FOR 21 YEARS
(952) 960-9631
Get your Loan Closed with the Speed of a Cheetah!
PROGRAMS FOR:
1-4 Unit Buildings
5+ Unit Buildings up to $25 million
*PURCHASE RENTALS *REFINANCE RENTALS
Also, call for details about Denise Cheetah’s
FREE Monthly Rental Property Owners Workshop
Denise Cheetah
Sr. Mortgage Broker
The
Wedge
~ Since 1974 ~
Where indulgence is only natural.
2105 Lyndale Avenue South
Mon-Fri 9-10 Sat-Sun 9-9
March • 2004
The Wedge • Volume 35 – Number 3
Jefferson School March Calendar
5
9 & 10
15 &16
16
26 to April 2
No Classes Staff Development
MCA reading test Grades 3 & 5
MCA math test Grades 3 & 5
Family Math Night 5:30 – 7 p.m.
SPRING BREAK
Walker Library to continue
Library Board
Continued from Page 1
consideration for at least the
past six months.
At the Feb. 18th meeting, the
Library staff provided Trustees
with an updated report that
reviewed the background leading up to this decision, including various alternatives that
the Board has considered for
this library and this site. The
conclusion was that “the most
judicious use of public funds to
carry out the Minneapolis Public Library’s mission of providing high quality library
services to the Uptown community” is to stay in the current building and get moving
on the needed repairs.
Applauding the Library
Board’s action on Feb. 18 were
residents from five of the nine
Ta x P r e p a r a t i o n
TONIC FOR YOUR TASTES – Executive Chef Ryan Aberle serves a
very tasty Chilled Asparagus salad at Tonic of Uptown. Photo by
Bob Carlson.
2 FREE TOPPINGS
Jack D. Manders
Certified Public Accountant
1900 Hennepin Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Call Jack at 612-874-7884
jackm@sihope.com
ON ANY ONE PIZZA!
Jane Hansen
REALTOR
BUSINESS: 612-874-1916
CELL: 612-408-0711
EMAIL: JANE@MPLSLAKES.COM
Featuring
Delicious Subs
Authentic East Coast Pizza
Lunch - Dinner
Call me for
a free market
analysis
NOW OPEN LATE!
Thursday thru Saturday
11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
1428 West 28th Street
Sunday thru Wednesday
11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
612-377-8555
24th & Hennepin
Page 5
| Minneapolis, MN 55408
neighborhoods in the Walker
Community Library’s Service
Area. Library Board members
commented that they had
received many emails and calls
from Walker patrons and area
citizens concerned about maintaining Library services at the
current location. They also
indicated appreciation for the
supportive statements and resolutions from ALL nine neighborhood associations in the
Walker’s service area.
In my opinion, the February
18, 2004 Library Board action
delivered a powerful affirmation to the many patrons who
utilize the Walker Community
Library, which has the third
highest circulation of the city’s
branch libraries. It also gives a
boost to the Walker’s friendly,
competent staff members who
so diligently respond to the
patrons’ needs and requests.
And it means that we citizens
will continue to have this
vibrant and busy library — an
essential public/civic institution in our community — for
the foreseeable future. If you
haven’t visited recently, I urge
you to do so!
Pat Scott, current KIAA board
member and long-time resident, is a retired 7th Ward City
Council Member (1990-97) and
former member of the Minneapolis Board of Education
(1986-89). Her efforts on behalf
of the Walker Library are
voluntary, and she welcomes
your interest, questions and
help! Please contact her at
pscott01@hotmail.com.
Page 6
The Wedge • Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association Newspaper
The Wedge Classifieds
HOUSE CLEANING: HUSBAND AND
WIFE TEAM. Can do odd jobs and maintenance work. Honest, smoke and drink-free,
dependable and fully experienced. Call
374-1790.
THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE: Stressed out?
Need to relax? Have chronic pain or an
injury, old or recent? Relaxation, Neuromuscular/Deep Tissue massage and
Myofascial Therapies available. Contact
Healing Traditions at (612) 824-4530, healingtraditions@earthlink.net, www.healingtraditions.com.
BATH & BODY PRODUCTS: We have bath
and body products made of natural ingredients and will meet all your bath needs
from exfoliating salts and Visit us at
www.hbbathsupply.com and browse
through our wonderful products.
TENDER LEATHER CARE: (612) 396-8525
tenderleathercare@yahoo.com Lanolin-based
protection for footwear, outerwear, bags,
vehicle leather. Wll travel. Take care of your
‘skin’ – gitve it TLC.
KEITH, THE COMPUTER GUY: Troubleshoot, Install, Consult, Network, Web
Design,
References
available.
(612) 845-6931.
WANTED PART-TIME Cleaning, Cooking:
Clean apartment, move-outs, organizing,
etc. Big or small jobs. Reasonable
rates.
Call
(612)
377-5579,
Dial-A-Servant.
ORGANIZE Want help organizing your
attic, basement or junk room? Cheri 612708-6028.
PROFESSIONAL PAINTING: Quality painting, reasonable, reliable, walls, ceilings,
water-damage repairs, textured ceilings,
sheet rock. Neat, clean, 30-years experience. John, 612-374-1227.
UNCOVER YOUR WISDOM. Discover new
options. Share your vision. Make mindful
choices. Experience your truth. Psychotherapy for adults, couples and groups.
Mia Bolte, M.A. (612) 701-2027.
STILL MOVES. Small energizing classes,
coaching, counsel for moving your body.
For all seekers of physical, emotional and
spiritual health. Thirty years’ experience.
Morgaine@foxinternet.net. 821-8165.
HANDMADE WEDDING/
ENGAGEMENT RINGS.
Check out the website at www.Jameshuntdesigns.com or call for free brochure. Jim
Hunt, 623-1123.
CARPENTRY & PAINTING. Interior-exterior. 20+ yrs exp. Reliable, dependable,
licensed and insured. Wedge resident. Dave
Johnson, 770-2235.
CARPENTRY: Remodeling, updates and
general repairs.$250 minimum. Renovation
project featured on Mpls Home Tour. Reasonable rates, prompt service. Call Jon
Bartelt 612-872-0353. Wedge resident.
LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD HANDYMAN:
Quality repairs, maintenance, painting, light
remodel, windows, cleaning/organizing.
Older home expert. Prompt, reliable, honest. Brad, 612-377-0467.
MASONRY REPAIR: Save money on
masonry repair, cement steps, blocks,
bricks, foundation, stucco, tuckpointing,
interior basements, 23 years’ experience.
Please call 377-3822.
MASSAGE THERAPY Specializing in Deep
Tissue/Relaxation Massage. Take time Treat
yourself right with an unforgettable massage
from an experienced professional. Call
Elena at 612-865-8771.
The Hens Come Home to Roost
DOES YOUR ROOF LEAK? I can remove
ice and snow from roofs and sidewalks.
Need Help? Please Call Me: 612-374-1790.
By Audrey Johnson, Minneapolis Board of Education Director
FOR RENT: 2446 Aldrich So. 2 BR Condo.
$699. Heat pd. New Carpet. Off street parking. A/C. Available now. 952-935-8792.
We are in the fourth year of
budget cuts, to the tune of nearly
$110 million. In a discussion
with Senator Jane Ranum
recently, she stated this is about
the elections of 2000 and 2002. I
couldn’t agree more. It is about
the “hens coming home to roost”
after two state budget cycles
where sound educational policy
has not prevailed, — despite the
campaign rhetoric of a lot of people in high places.
WANTED: MEN & WOMEN SEEKING
HOME BASED BUSINESS. Earn $800$1200 a month, will show you how. Help
change lives for the better. 612-987-2344”.
MOVING SALE. Dining Room, Living Room
and Futon furniture needs to go. All in excellent condition. Prices negotiable. Cash only.
Call Peter at 612-824-4953.
WHY BUY NEW when you can repair &
resurface old steps/sidewalks? Mark
377-4368.
DOCUMENT YOUR LIFE I’ll make a
memento you’ll be happy to share. This can
be done in a keepsake binder or on the
internet! Combine your photos, stories and
other memorabilia. Cheri 612-708-6028.
MURAL AND SPECIAL EFFECTS PAINTING Re-create a photo from a special trip
in your home or business. Have an idea on
colors you’d like but want something a little
out of the ordinary? Cheri 612-708-6028.
WHOLE HEALTH SERVICES: Natural
weight-loss, detoxification and personal
training. Lose 10-20 pounds per month! Call
for a FREE consultation: 763-458-3513.
www.wholehealthonline.com
ATTORNEY: FAMILY LAW Including
divorce, paternity, custody and child support; trial experience. Sliding fee scale to
$150 an hour, set fees available. 377-4547,
Steve Nichols.
SUPERB HOUSE-CLEANING: From Delicate
Detail
Work,
to
Neglected
garages//basements. References, many
Years’ experience. Your Satisfaction Guaranteed. Deep Cleaning a Specialty. Call
Amina (612) 377-1911
HERBALIFE INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR: Call for Products, 651- 649-4798
GREEN ACRES BEEF: Direct from the
farm to your holiday table. Premium federally-inspected beef sold in quarters, halves
or individually packaged fresh frozen cuts;
including steaks, roast and hamburger, 1lb. bulk or 1/4-lb. patties. Call 612-871-7937
for a price list.
ATTENTION-TO-DETAIL HOUSECLEANING: Meticulous organizing; one-time,
weekly, bi-weekly, monthly; 13-years’ experience, excellent references, reasonable
rates. Susan, 952-881-3895.
HOUSE-CLEANING: Made easy. Quality
work, 8 years+ experience. Will do partials,
weekly, bi-weekly, move-outs pre-paid. Call
for estimate, Brigette, 612-871-4905.
ART & SOUL, faux finishing and inrterior
painting. 20 years’ experience, reasonable,
eco-friendly paints, free color consultation.
Rebecca and Kathy Eckert, 763-531-2237.
YOUR LIFE IS BUSY BUT IS IT FULL?
Unique volunteer opportunity to staff on-site
coffee shop at neighborhood nursing home.
Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Training
provided. Call Jennifer at 612-827-2555,
ext.
142
for
more
information.
How to Advertise
The first 25 words of classified ads are free to
members of Lowry Hill East Neighborhood.
Limit one free classified ad per month. Nonneighborhood members’ cost is $5 for the first
25 words. Additional words cost $.22 each.
Cost is per month and must be paid with order.
The Wedge reserves the right to refuse any ad.
Send ads, noting which months to
run and payment if required, to: The Wedge,
1200 W. 26th St., Rm. 107, Minneapolis, MN
55405. Deadline for submissions is the 15th of
the month prior to publication.
Porter's Bar and Grill
Your neighborhood meeting place
FREE BURGER
OR SANDWICH
with the purchase of another at equal or greater value.
Not valid with other discounts or coupons.
11 am to 5 pm • EVERYDAY
Expires 3/31/04
CELEBRATE ST
MARCH 17 AT. PATTY’S DAY
O’PORTER’S
HAPPY HOUR
3:30-7:30PM
CORNED BEEF
& CABBAGE,
MULLIGAN
CORNED BEEF STEW AND
SANDWICHES.
SERVED ALL DA
Y
IRISH DRINK
SP
MUSIC & PARTECIALS, IRISH
Y FAVORS
KARAOKE 9:30
PM-12:30AM
Stop by and You'll Become a Regular too!
2647 Nicollet Ave. S. • Mpls., Mn 55408 • 612-872-0808
email: jkporters@yahoo.com • web: www.porters.citysearch.com
March • 2004
By the time you read this article, the Board will have come to a
decision as to the course of action
around David Jennings’ proposal
to move our district toward a
consolidated system of strong
schools. The Board listened to
and read about the concerns
from thousands of people. People
love their schools and communities. People, families, staff and
community volunteers work
hard to make their schools successful places. Why do we have
to change anything? Why do we
have to make such fast decisions
without a lot of time for useful
public input?
After Carol Johnson left, David
Jennings stepped into a very difficult position: 800 empty classrooms, a severe decline in
enrollment, and budget projections of $18-22 million shortfalls.
We were engaged in sensitive
negotiations with the teacher’s
union. We are working with a
severely reduced administration.
A recent audit showed the district spending more money on
schools than previous years with
a mere 4% of costs going to
administration. Most school districts operate on an average of
about 8%. That means there are
less people to accomplish more
administrative tasks to comply
with increasing numbers of state
and federal reporting and oversight requirements, and the
demands of a system in decline,
both
in
enrollment
and
resources. There is enough left in
the reserve fund to pay for about
a day of operation.
Everyone is working harder.
The $187 million that WAS cut
from education last year, stopped
most of the peripheral support
services to our neediest kids. Districts with high poverty were hit
the hardest. The district continues to subsidize charter schools,
by state law, through transportation costs and excess special education costs. The state
nurtured and fostered charter
school growth and then forced
public schools to subsidize the
competition.
There have been numerous
public hearings held for the last
three years around budget cuts.
The discussions about specifics
didn’t get underway until early
February, and that really isn’t
enough time to allow for the best
process. However, several parents and community members
have expressed the sentiment
that if no one knew this was
coming, they just hadn’t been
paying attention to what’s been
going on for the last three years.
One thing is for sure, they are all
paying attention now!
Although the public hearings
were crammed with people
whose schools were facing major
changes, we have heard from
many who support the proposed
changes. By their descriptions of
budget cuts at sites across the
city, they are “bleeding out”, cutting programs, support and staff
until all that’s left is a shoestring
curriculum. We have to take
action to fix this. For the last
three years we have cut and
shifted everything we could.
Now, as a community, we have to
face the reality that we are
spread too thin.
Bad policy in housing, healthcare, transportation, and education
—
coupled
with
ever-expanding expectations on
schools, shrinking resources relative to the needs of children,
increasing state and federal
demands, and political grandstanding — are indeed the hens
coming home to roost. This
brings to mind the classic Dickens tale when Scrooge is told if
these
“shadows”
remain
unchanged, there will be a great
price to pay. Scrooge asks “Are
there no orphanages? Are there
no workhouses?” There will be
prisons, according to the Governor, at an average cost of about
$50,000 per inmate per year. A
good education is priceless, but
currently it would certainly average less than $10,000 per year
per student if it were fully
funded.
Our Governor is playing the
political game very well. In his
State of the State address, he
endorsed the idea of money for
new prisons, not money for allday kindergarten. Sounds like
something Scrooge would have
said before his transformation. It
is also bad policy. Perhaps we
can hope for ghosts to visit the
politicians supporting economically stupid policy and resource
allocations to help them fully
realize the direction their selfserving policies are taking us.
Those hens are clucking loudly,
and they look a lot like Tim Pawlenty and George Bush!
All Board members are deeply
distressed by the conditions
faced in our schools. There are no
easy answers to the complex
problems. Nearly everyone
thinks of themselves as experts
in the area, because they all
went to school. But I would ask
folks to think about a few questions: What does public education mean? What do people value
about public education? What do
people want from public schools?
In the coming months, the Board
knows it must get the community thinking about these questions. Education must change,
the expectations and the forces
bearing down on the educational
system demand that we face up
to the reality that business as
usual can’t continue. What
schools were when we were kids
and what the world demands
now are completely different. We
are only as strong as our most
vulnerable student. When we
diminish the opportunities in life
for the most vulnerable, we
diminish ourselves as well. That
clucking in your attics and yards
will only get louder if we don’t
start asking and answering the
really tough questions. Democracy isn’t easy and if people don’t
engage, it will die.
Opinions expressed in this
article are not necessarily those
of the Minneapolis Board of
Education, the Superintendent or
the District.
March • 2004
The Wedge • Volume 35 – Number 3
Page 7
To Your Health
wet and slushy and icy areas are
to be carefully navigated.
By Dr. Keith Prussing
Welcome to March. It was just
some days ago that we were in
the depths of winter cold. Then,
without much warning, the daytime temperature rose above
freezing, and the snow started to
melt.
Drip, drip, drip could be heard
everywhere, and the sure footing
of the compressed snow became
It may be that winter is over. It
is surely true that we are over
the deep cold that lasts and lasts
and makes everything challenging, even dangerous. The light is
now as strong as it was in October. Each day is longer by a few
minutes. Most people are no
longer coming and going in the
dark from their work or school.
There are more birds singing in
the morning, and the warmer
winds coming from the Pacific
Ocean carry the taste and feel of
green things, if only in the imagination. It is a time of beginnings, a time when the pent-up
energies resulting from the lower
activity levels of winter are
ready to come forth as the flowerings of spring.
this period to enhance my health
and well-being?” Perhaps a
cleansing, both internal and in
your home environment, is
appropriate. Increase outdoor
activities to give up some weight
gained over the winter, and to
breathe fresher, non-heated air.
Look for friends and acquaintances that you have not seen for
a while. Plan a garden.
Ask yourself, “How might I use
Meanwhile, keep your feet
warm and dry, and wear a scarf
and hat to deal with quick
changes in temperature, and to
block the wind. Smile, and
laugh, and feel the joy of having
survived another Minnesota winter.
Dr. Keith Prussing is a holistic
chiropractor practicing in the
north Wedge for many years. He
can be reached at 612-872-6633.
Remembering: 30 Years Ago in the Wedge
In the midst of all this.chaos,
the infant neighborhood association and Wedge newspaper was
working hard to resolve the
The Wedge is quieter now. The
skinheads and prostitutes have
disappeared (as far as I know!).
Lawns are mowed and sidewalks
shoveled.
The city council bas realized
tbe Wedge residents have ideas
that are vital to the success of
the city and welcome their input.
The neighborhood is a sea of
blooming, colorful flowers in the
summer. The pool at Mueller
Park teems with children who
splash happily while parents
gossip as they watch.
The residents of the Wedge
have not solved all the problems
Lowry Hill East Crime Map
1/24/03 - 2/24/04
Homicide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0
Rape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
94
Robbery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Aggravated Assault . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Burglary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Larceny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Auto Theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Franklin
Avenue West
Arson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0
A motorcycle gang lived on our
block and rode their bikes on the
sidewalks. The gang sold
unknown substances in paper
bags from their house. Callers
would stash the bags in the car
trunks and glance around
furtively before screeching off
down the street.
For more information contact the
CCP/Safe Team:
Jennifer Waisanen, Crime Prevention
Specialist at (612) 673-2815,
22nd Street West
jennifer.waisanen@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
or Karl Olson, Safe Officer at
(612) 673-2816,
24th Street West
karl.olson@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Crime-Prevention
AUTHOR EVENTS / Signing and talks
Mar 20 - Second annual "Write of Spring"
25+ Minnesota authors noon-4:00 open house
Mar 24 -6:30 Ellen Hart "An Intimate Ghost"
NEW AND USED CRIME FICTION FOR THE READER AND THE COLLECTOR
• Lock house
and garage
doors.
• Call 911 if
you have an
emergency.
27th Street West
Aldrich Avenue South
26th Street West
28th Street West
Midtown Greenway
29th Street West
Lagoon Avenue
Lake Street West
Lyndale Avenue South
Remember:
• Take out
keys and
lock car.
25th Street West
Mueller
Park
Bryant Avenue South
Block Club
Want to form a crimeprevention block club or
apartment club? Training
sessions for
block/apartment club
leaders are held
monthly, from 6:30
to 9 p.m. Call the
5th Precinct at
673-5585
for more
information.
Colfax Avenue South
A prostitute lived at 2000
Aldrich and would hang out the
window
calling
to
male
passersby. Her boyfriend blared
the Minnesota Fight Song on his
car horn at all times of the day
and night. Later on, a prostitute
Mar 1- 6:30 Blake Crouch "Desert Places"
Mar 2 - 6:30 Harley Jane Kozak "Dating Dead Men"
Mar 11- 6:30 Laurie King "The Game"
Life is wonderful compared to
30 years ago. Residents, LHENA
and the neighborhood newspaper
are all responsible for the
changes.
Dupont Avenue South
Drunks and panhandlers
roamed the streets at the edge of
the neighborhood. Robberies
were a fact of life. The parking
lot behind Hum’s Liquor Store
was rowdy all night long, with
fights, loud yelling and screaming, and sometimes a gunshot.
Stray dogs and cats were everywhere. The few times animal
control came into the area, they
would round-up ALL animals,
whether stray or leashed. When
one officer ran up to our dog
Beauty and grabbed her collar,
she barked and snarled. He said
she was vicious. If a stranger ran
up to me and grabbed my neck,
I would be vicious too!
yet. The street plowing is still
unacceptable, and parking is terrible. There are just too many
cars. Some absentee landlords
still are not convinced that
upkeep and control of their properties is necessary.
Emerson Avenue South
The neighborhood was noisy
and full of loud music and loud
residents. The weekends were
one huge never-ending party. The
police would not venture into the
area unless they were investigating a murder. One neighbor,
who had complained of loud
music, was told by an officer,
“What do you expect, living in
this neighborhood?”. The city
council didn’t know we existed
and didn’t care to find out.
The motorcycle gang eventually
moved out to be replaced by a
group of skinheads. In the
evenings they would set out with
baseball bats and chains, looking
for a fight. Judging from the
condition they were in upon their
return, there was no shortage of
altercations.
problems. It took several years
before the city began to listen. In
the meantime more homeowners
moved in and added their voices
to the residents. LHENA grew
stronger in its demands. Residents formed block clubs. Police
actually began driving through
the streets and answering nuisance complaints, and city council members began listening to
us.
Fremont Avenue South
The Wedge neighborhood has
changed considerably since we
bought our house in 1974. At
that time it was a marginal area.
The houses were cheap (ours cost
$19,000), battered and brokenup into rental units. The tall,
once-stately
homes
were
unpainted, and the yards were
bare and lacking grass or flowers.
moved into the house next door.
Her small children were alone
most of the time. The boy was
extremely aggressive and threatened all the other children.
Hen
nep
in A
ven
ue
Sou
Girard Avenue South
th
By Helen Romanishan
Page 8
The Wedge • Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association Newspaper
March • 2004