inside
Library Board candidates............... 4
Covering the Neighborhoods of CARAG and ECCO in the Uptown Area
Controversial Calhoun Condo Project Goes to City Hall
By Aaron Rubenstein Greenway and two buildings of
Developer Michael Lander is
proposing a controversial condo-
minium project at the north end
of Lake Calhoun (2626 W. Lake
St.). The site, just east of the Cal-
houn Beach Club (CBC), is cur-
rently occupied by the Weisman
Enterprises building. CIDNA,
the Cedar Isles Dean Neighbor-
hood Association, opposes the
project due to its height and size
(amount of floor area). Lander
thinks the project is appropri-
ate given the site’s location on a
transit corridor and the existing
context of tall buildings to the
west. The City’s Planning Com-
mission will sort out the various
interests and sometimes conflict-
ing issues of density, accommo-
dating growth, neighborhood
character and compatibility, zon-
ing, and the Shoreland Overlay
District (SOD). The project also
illustrates the perennial issues of
development, compromise, and
politics.
The Planning Commission will
review the project on Monday,
October 17 (meeting starts at
4:30 p.m. in room 317 City Hall).
Both sides expect the commis-
sion’s decision to be appealed to
the City Council.
Lander’s proposal includes two
buildings of three-story town-
houses adjacent to the Midtown
Former Gutter-Punk, Future Lawyer
By Allison Juettner
Sitting face-to-face in the sunny,
four-bedroom flat on Lake Cal-
houn, most people would never
guess that the bright, cheer-
ful face of 30-year-old Abby (a
fictitious name used to protect
her family), is the same dirty
face that used to beg for spare
change on the corner of Lake
and Hennepin.
Why do you want to be anonymous?
I have kids at Kenwood School
and a husband. I live and work
in the area. I think that I can
be a lot more candid if I know
their identities are protected.
What age were you when you
first became homeless? 16
How did you end up on the streets?
I ran away from home. I didn’t
have the most stable home life,
ten and eight stories (116 and 94
ft) adjacent to Lake St.. with a
size of 169,000 sq. ft. All would
be perched atop a two-story
parking structure, one story of
which would be below ground
and one partially below ground.
The project would include 167
parking spaces, a maximum of
70 dwelling units, and a coffee
shop at the corner of Lake St.
and Thomas Av.
Lander and CIDNA worked
hard to find an agreement, but
were unsuccessful. Lander, who
lives in East Calhoun and offices
in CARAG, attended dozens
of meetings with people in the
CIDNA community. He said he
was never able to establish trust
with CIDNA. Bob Corrick,
chair of CIDNA’s Land Use and
Development Committee, said,
“We tried very hard to come
to an agreement with Michael
Lander and we’re extremely dis-
appointed that we couldn’t.”
Corrick noted that, “We did suc-
ceed in working cooperatively
with Mathwig and Ackerberg/
Village Green” on two other
recent condominium projects
to be located two blocks west of
Lander’s site.
The process began at a Janu-
ary 13, 2005 CIDNA meeting
attended by Lander. Lander said
he started by looking at his and
but it wasn’t terrible. There
were several factors; the main
problem was that I was alco-
holic and just wanted to drink
all day long.
Do you still drink now?
No. I have been sober for about
five and-a-half years.
How long did you live like that?
Almost 4 years.
Four years seems like a long time.
Why didn’t you go back home?
My parents weren’t thrilled with
my behavior; I had gone from
an all-American cheerleader to
a dirty gutter-punk overnight. I
had always been fairly self-suf-
ficient, and my mind was all
screwy from the drinking. I’m
sure that if they had realized it
was a drinking problem, they
would have helped me. Although
it was obvious to everybody else
CIDNA’s goals before begin-
ning the design process. He pre-
sented his first plan for the site at
an April 27th community meet-
ing attended by 150 (!) people.
That plan was nearly identical
to the proposal Lander has now
submitted to the City. It called
for a 161, 000-sq. ft. project with
buildings of ten and eight stories
(116. and 94 ft.) plus the town-
homes adjacent to the Green-
way. Lander presented a revised
design about six weeks later
that included 154,000 sq. ft. and
buildings of nine and six stories
(103 and 70 ft.). The CIDNA
board voted unanimously on
July 5th to not support the
revised design due to height and
size (square footage).
The Lander Group’s plan that
the Planning Commission will
consider calls for 169,000 sq. ft
and buildings of ten and eight
stories (116 and 94 ft.). The CBC
building and the newer Cal-
houn Beach Club Apartments
on the block west of Lander’s
site are 116 and 117 ft. accord-
ing to a survey performed for
Lander. The CIDNA board
also approved on July 5th a set
of 12 conditions under which it
would approve a development
similar to Lander’s—including
maximum building heights of
84 and 70 ft. and a floor area of
110,000 sq. ft.
Shoreland Overlay Dis-
that something was wrong, I
honestly thought my lifestyle was
just fine.
Where did you sleep?
We would break into aban-
doned houses to sleep at night.
Sometimes the houses would
be nailed back shut and we
wouldn’t have anywhere to
go. Then we would get pretty
creative. We would sleep in the
stairwells of Calhoun Square
or under the bridges. We even
slept on the roof of Snyder’s
drugstore every once in awhile.
Did you eat out of garbage cans?
Sometimes, but not very often.
We could usually scrounge up
a meal from one of the local
fast-food restaurants, or people
would give us their leftovers.
You keep saying ”we”. Who are
the other people?
Board of Estimation & Taxation
candidates................................................... 6
CARAG Report........................................... 7
ECCO Report.............................................. 8
Calendar ...................................................... 12
Uptown fungus photo (left) by Kay Nygaard-Graham
October 2005 • Volume 1, Number 3
Photo by Kay Nygaard-Graham
Photo illustration by The Lander Group
Top: photo of the shoreline as it is today.
Bottom: rendering of the proposed building. Provided by The Lander Group.
trict, The SOD applies to states that one of the evaluation
properties within 1,000 ft. of criteria for conditional uses is
protected waters, including “limiting the visibility of struc-
Lake Calhoun and Lander’s tures and other development
site. The purpose of the SOD from protected waters.”
is “to preserve and enhance the
environmental qualities of sur- Lander’s View, Michael Land-
face waters and the natural and er said, “There is a huge mis-
economic values of shoreland understanding” about the SOD
areas within the city….” The and “people should change the
SOD limits the height of new ordinance if they don’t like how
structures to 2.5 stories or 35 ft. it is written.” The 35 ft. height
whichever is less. The Planning limit is not an absolute, he said,
Commission, however, may adding that taller buildings
grant a conditional use permit are permitted if the conditions
(CUP) for taller structures if the
conditions specified in the zon- condo
ing code are met. The SOD code continued on page 3
It was pretty dangerous to be
alone. A lot of my friends got
beat up, raped, and one guy
even got lit on fire. So the “we”
is myself and any other number
of kids I spent time with.
Were you in Uptown the entire
time?
No, I estimate that I spent a
total of about 18 months in
Uptown. I hitchhiked or rode
freight trains around the coun-
Photo by Allison Juettner
try. I spent a lot of time in San
Francisco and New York, but “Abby”
there were a lot of stops in other
towns, too. I am just grateful that I made it
out of that lifestyle alive.
What is your life like now?
I am a nurse at a local clinic. I So what happened, how did you
have two little girls and a hus- rebuild your life?
band. I do a lot of volunteer The main factor was that I got
work too. When I look back on pregnant. I was still homeless
the way my life used to be, it
seems like a nightmare. Most of Gutter-Punk
the people I knew are dead now. continued on page 3
 2 •  Uptown Neighborhood news october 2005

ECCO/CARAG Primary Voting Many Paths to Health

By Gary Farland than the city as a whole, with didate Tracy Nordstrom, an By Dani McFarland
ECCO especially strong this ECCO resident. Other excep-
The ECCO and CARAG pre- way. The ECCO Precinct 3 tions to the city patterns were Anew Wellness Center and
cincts (all in the 10th Ward) was especially strong for Ralph Park Board-at-large candidate Spa, one of the first of its kind
generally followed the city- Remington for the City Coun- Meg Forney having a stron- in Minneapolis, has opened on
wide voting patterns, with cil, with the east end Precinct 7 ger showing in ECCO and 29th and Bryant. The health
some exceptions. Precincts 3, (CARAG and Lyndale) strong CARAG, as well as Laurie and fitness club and spa of
4, 6, and 7 leaned more heav- for Scott Persons. ECCO was Savran for Library Board. the future is inviting the com-
ily toward Mayor R.T. Rybak also strong for Park Board can- munity to raise the bar on the
idea “feeling good.” Anew,
Precinct 3 is all ECCO, Precinct 4 is almost all CARAG, opened April 2005, is a center
Candidates Advancing to General Election
Precinct 6 is all CARAG, and Precinct 7 is about half CARAG and half Lyndale that provides the resources for Photo by Jeffrey Farnam

Entire Precinct 3 Precinct 4 Precinct 6 Precinct 7 the community to be proac- “Transform the body and the body
Voting Area ECCO CARAG CARAG CARAG tive about their health, and to will transform the mind.”
LYNDALE LYNDALE – Sooki Jalali
(City) increase awareness of the con-
Total Number Voting 33558 426 199 326 334 nection between the mind, the These state of the art machines
Percent Voter Turnout 14.7% 22.1% 14.7% 14.2% 17.9%
body, and the spirit. are actually spa-o-spheres called
(All following numbers are % of total votes cast)
DermaLife SpaJets. After the
Mayor (City) outer shell closes over your rest-
R.T. Rybak 44.5 57.1 46.9 50.8 49.1
“There are many psychologists,
Peter McLaughlin 35.3 27.6 19.8 28.3 28.2 coaches, family, and friends. I ing, horizontal body, 22 massage
Ward 10 City Council (Ward) believe that you are the only jets create a 360˚ Vichy shower
Ralph Remington 33.2 48.4 26.7 28.2 28.7 one who can cleanse your mind massaging the entire body.
Scott Persons 25.5 18.8 20.9 20.6 36.0
and [maintain] balance with Also offered inside the pod is
Bd. Estimate & Taxation (City) yourself. That’s why I want to an infrared heat to detoxify the
Carol Becker 35.5 40.4 35.3 38.4 38.4
Jill Schwimmer 31.5 37.9 31.9 36.0 32.0 provide an environment here skin.
Gordon Nelson 10.6 7.9 8.7 6.4 8.8 where people can come and
Dave Berger 9.7 7.4 9.6 10.7 10.3
find tools to help themselves,” Sooki has carefully picked over
Park Board at Large (City)
Annie Young 18.0 13.1 19.0 18.6 21.0 says Sooki Jalali, owner, facili- 14 independent professionals
Mary Merrill Anderson 17.6 14.5 14.9 13.4 13.1 tator, and volunteer. to share space at Anew Vital-
Tom Nordyke 16.8 19.2 17.4 16.0 14.9
Rochelle Berry Graves 13.6 8.2 11.7 14.6 12.4
ity Studios. These specialists
Meg Forney 13.5 29.8 16.5 15.3 18.0 Sooki’s philosophy of linking offer knowledge and expertise
Dan Froehlich 13.1 11.5 9.5 10.2 11.9
body fitness to the state of the in acupuncture, Chinese herbs,
Park Board District 4 (District) mind is laid out in the floor plan body wraps, full comprehensive
Tracy Nordstrom 63.0 69.9
Christine Hansen 27.7 26.5 of Anew. The facility offers a spa treatment, bio/neuro feed-
Jennifer Salita 9.3 3.7
high ceiling, 1,000-square-foot back, ear coning fitness training,
Park Board District 6 (District) studio where five different types nutrition, energy healing, home-
Jim Berstein — There was no Primary Election
Bob Fine — for Park Board District 6 of yoga and styles of dance along opathy, human design, hypnosis,
with other group fitness activi- psychology, massage, soul guid-
Library Board (City)
Laura Wittstock 10.6 11.6 8.3 9.4 10.5 ties are practiced daily. Across ance, and yoga.
Laurie Savran 9.7 10.4 9.5 10.8 8.5 the hall from this studio is a gym
Alan Hooker 8.5 10.7 7.8 9.5 8.2
Rod Krueger 7.9 8.7 7.4 9.0 6.7 equipped with weights, mats, “How do you go away within
Sheldon Mains 7.2 7.4 4.8 7.1 6.6
and mirrors where in-house per- eight weeks of being immersed
Gary Thaden 6.9 8.0 6.8 6.6 7.4
Samantha Smart 6.8 4.7 7.2 8.4 8.4 sonal trainers tailor work-out here to say, ‘I can take care of
Anita Duckor 6.6 9.4 6.4 7.0 5.4 myself,’ so not to be dependant
Virginia Holte 6.2 6.6 6.8 6.7 6.1
programs to fit individual needs.
Julie Iverson 5.6 4.5 7.2 4.8 6.0 on an expert? You can rely on
Lisa Kjellander 5.4 4.4 6.6 4.3 4.7 your self and get yourself to a
Eric Hinsdale 3.1 2.9 2.9 2.7 2.9
Two separate rooms down
the hall have what looks to be state of groundedness,” says
one-man space capsules capa-
ble of transporting cadets to Wellness
the Andromeda and beyond. continued on page 13

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 busi-
nesses in the Uptown area, along Lake Street, and Lyndale and Hennepin Aves. Circulation is
5,100, with a pass-along readership of 10,000. Publication and distribution is near the first week-
end of every month. Subscriptions are available for $30 per year, prepaid. Send check to: UNN,
711 W. Lake St., Suite 303, Minneapolis, MN 55408.
Contributors are area residents who volunteer their time to bring the news of the area to 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:
UNN Gary Farland
unneditor@earthlink.net Jodi Fredericksen
711 W.Lake St., #303, Mpls. MN 55408 Allison Juettner
(612) 259-1372 Dani McFarland
Aaron Rubenstein
Managing Board
Gary Farland, Chair (ECCO) 824-6744 Photographers
Ralph D. Knox, Vice-chair (ECCO) Dave Peterson
Anna Matthes, Treasurer (CARAG) Jeffrey Farnam
Kay Nygaard-Graham, Secretary Kay Nygaard-Graham
(CARAG) 825-3637
Jill Bode (CARAG) Newspaper circulation
CARAG/ECCO Circulation:
Invaluable Supporters Bill Boudreau 825-0979
Al Olme
Dave Peterson Graphic Design & ProducTion
Kelly Newcomer 824-1092
News, Story Ideas and letters to kelly@kellynewcomer.com
the editor
unneditor@earthlink.net Minneapolis City Council
or UNN C/O CARAG, 711 West Lake St. Tenth Ward
#303, Minneapolis, MN 55408 Dan Niziolek
673-2210
Editor Dan.Niziolek@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Liza Lawrence
Crime Prevention Specialist
production manager Officer Tom Thompson
Mary Ann Knox 5th Precinct Safe Unit, Sector 2
3101 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis MN 55408
Advertising Serving the neighborhoods of;
Mary Ann Knox 822-8533 CARAG, East Harriet, ECCO, Kingfield,
maryannknox@visi.com Linden Hills, Lyndale, West Calhoun
Ads are due by the 17th of each month
(if you don’t have it in by then, call anyway) 5th Precinct Community Attorney
Lisa Godon 673.2005
contributors
Patrick Anderson Uptown Neighborhood News reserves the right to refuse publi-
cation of articles or advertisements as it sees fit. But we will see
Bill Boudreau fit to publish most things, don’t worry.
Erin Connors Copyright © 2005. Uptown Neighborhood News.
october 2005 Uptown Neighborhood news •  3
Gutter-Punk
continued from page 1
three weeks before the birth of
my daughter. It was very scary.
My sister was the one who finally
helped me. She rented a house
and gave me a place to live.
Is that the end of the story?
No. It is much bigger than that.
My boyfriend and I got married,
and he was also an alcoholic. He
ended up dying from an alcohol-
related accident, and I was abso-
lutely distraught. After almost
10 years of instability, I realized
that something really needed to
change. I sought help from AA.
I’ve noticed a lot of young panhan-
dlers in Uptown lately, and I know
that people wonder how they can
help. What do you suggest?
I look at how dirty they are. If
they have a layer of dirt, I know
they are the real thing. I try to
feed them or give them money.
Sometimes rebellious kids from
the suburbs come and panhan-
dle. If they aren’t dirty, I figure
they are just being naughty kids,
and I ignore them.
Abby is currently a college stu-
dent and plans to enter law
school. She also hopes to run for
city council to more effectively
use her experience for the social
needs of area residents.
Allison Juettner is a long time
resident of Uptown.
opinions
Uptown Development – defining some terms
By Thatcher Imboden
Concerns over development
height in and around Uptown
have made their way into poli-
tics and created a lot of confu-
sion. Many believe the city’s
zoning code states there is a four
story height limit in the core of
Uptown. That belief is incor-
rect. The zoning code mandates
a four-story limit or 56 foot limit
to what one can build without
significant review.
A property owner is entitled to
certain rights, one of which is
the height of structures on the
land. In the core of Uptown up
to four stories is allowed “as
of right”. To build higher, the
owner must follow a series of
steps in order to obtain a Con-
ditional Use Permit (CUP).
Through a review process, the
city determines why the own-
er’s request should not obtain
approval. All Conditional Use
Permits require review of the
structure’s impact on neigh-
boring properties and consid-
eration of safety issues. That
includes adequate review of
traffic and infrastructure, and
determining that the use is
consistent with the city’s com-
condo
continued from page 1
are met. His project meets the
required conditions, he said.
Lander said that all his devel-
opment projects try to fit into
the existing context and that
the design of his project is con-
textual. He noted the proposed
three-story townhouses adja-
cent to the Greenway and the
116- and 117-ft. heights of the
CBC buildings. Regarding the
SOD intent to limit the height
of new structures near the city’s
water bodies, Lander stated that
the project “merits an exception
due to its location on a transit
corridor and the existing build-
ing context.”
Lander gave a number of rea-
sons for not proposing signifi-
cantly shorter buildings for the
site: its high density designa-
tion, according to zoning and
the Minneapolis Plan (the city’s
comprehensive plan); the larger
goals of providing more hous-
ing, increasing density along
transit corridors, and increas-
ing the tax base; and land prices
-based on underlying zoning
(referring to OR2, an office/
residence district that allows
buildings up to 4 stories or 56 ft.
without a CUP). He added that
he believes in the SOD and that
his project meets the conditions
for buildings taller than 35 ft.
condo
continued on page 6
prehensive plan, and generally
conforms to applicable regula-
tions. Through this review pro-
cess, the city determines why
the owner’s request should not
obtain approval.
The CUP process is to allow
for flexibility in the zoning
code, because certain elements
within a project are unique and
can be legitimate, yet require
further review. Height is one of
those elements.
The CUP for height takes
four criteria into consideration
beyond the standard CUP crite-
ria: access to light and air of sur-
rounding properties, shadowing
of residential properties or signif-
icant public spaces, the scale and
character of surrounding uses,
and the preservation of views of
landmark buildings, significant
open spaces or water bodies. The
implication is that if the building
is relatively low impact, it can be
allowed – or allowed with pro-
visions aimed at softening the
impact, such as landscaping or
wider sidewalks. This is not an
exception to the process—it is a
built-in part of zoning.
The belief that granting height
Development Update
By Aaron Rubenstein
Calhoun Square, CARAG
voted 32-8-3 at its September
20th meeting to recommend
that the City deny approval of
Calhoun Square’s proposed
expansion. The City’s Planning
Commission will review and
presumably vote on the project
on Wednesday, October 5 (the
meeting begins at 4:30 p.m. in
City Hall room 317). CARAG’s
resolution contains five findings,
or reasons, for opposing the proj-
ect, including building height
that is not in keeping with the
area’s character and scale and
inadequate screening of the 5-
1/2 level parking ramp from the
residential buildings to the east
on Fremont. Calhoun Square’s
plans call for one six-story build-
ing on Lake St. between Fre-
mont and Girard, three six-story
buildings surrounding an out-
door plaza at 31st and Hennepin,
and two additional levels on the
parking ramp.
GRECO Lyn-Lake Idea,
Arnie Gregory, president of
GRECO Real Estate Develop-
ment, presented to commit-
tees of the Midtown Greenway
Coalition and the Lowry Hill
East Neighborhood Associa-
tion (LHENA) in September
very preliminary ideas for a
large, mixed use development
near Lake and Lyndale. The
site is the north half of the block
CUPs undermines zoning, as
some in our community have
asserted, is incorrect. As men-
tioned above, the zoning code
is designed to force the use of
CUPs when greater height
is requested. This does not
mean that our zoning code is
“against” greater height. For
instance, if a future planning
study determined the com-
munity would support devel-
opment heights greater than
the current four-story thresh-
old, the threshold would not
be increased to reflect that
desire– nor should it. The four-
story mark is a good standard
for requiring more significant
review. Rather, Planning Com-
missioners might simply grant
CUPs more readily to meet the
neighborhood’s goals.
It is easy to criticize new devel-
opment for not meeting every
criterion we want. High-qual-
ity, well-designed projects
require compromise from
developers and the commu-
nity in order to be successful.
It seems of late, height is the
compromise we as a commu-
nity are asked to make. Well-
planned development shows us
that careful urban design plays
bounded by Lake, Lyndale,
29th, and Aldrich, the eastern
half of the block to the west, and
the southeast corner of 29th and
Bryant. GRECO’s preliminary
concept, prepared by architects
BKV Group (also the architects
for the Lagoon project), calls for
new buildings for commercial/
retail and residential uses of two,
four, five, eight, and ten stories.
West 29th Street would become
more of a pedestrian way (even-
tually linked to Uptown), with
limited vehicle traffic and an
elevator down to the Greenway.
Gregory said, “At this point it’s
just an idea, not a project; I’ve
just got my toe in the water.”
GRECO is, nonetheless, in the
process of acquiring property
in the area. The GRECO idea/
project may be discussed again
at the LHENA Zoning and
Planning Committee meeting
on Tuesday, October 11.
Lagoon Project, The City’s
Planning Commission is expect-
ed to review the revised Lagoon
Mixed Use Development by the
Ackerberg Group and Financial
Freedom Realty (FFR), featured
in last month’s UNN, at its Octo-
ber 31st meeting (4:30 p.m., City
Hall room 317).
Lumen on Lagoon, The Plan-
ning Commission approved
plans September 19th for a
a significant role in creating
the vibrant spaces we desire.
Zoning has always included the
ability to make compromises,
and though some would say it
does not appear to be “smart,”
its flexibility has allowed us
to incorporate the values that
many in our community want.
All Conditional Use Permits
require review of its impacts on
safety and neighboring prop-
erties, that traffic and infra-
structure have adequately been
addressed, and that the use is
consistent with the city’s com-
prehensive plan and generally
conforms to the applicable reg-
ulations.
Thatcher Imboden is a lifelong
CARAG resident and co-author
of “Uptown Minneapolis”, a
recent book of historical photos.
Opinions Policy: Please submit your
opinion pieces to the editor. We encour-
age thoughtful essays about anything
that’s going on in the neighborhoods.
On occasion, we will solicit contrasting
views on one subject and run multiple
opinions. We reserve the right to edit for
space or clarity, taste and legal concerns.
five-story, mixed-use build-
ing at the southwest corner of
Lagoon and Emerson avenues
(kitty-corner from the Rain-
bow Foods parking lot). The
building will be designed by
Elness Swenson Graham (ESG)
Architects (also architects for
the Edgewater and 2626 W.
Lake) and developed by the
Ackerberg Group and FFR. It
features commercial space on
the ground floor and 44 con-
dominiums on the upper floors
selling for $200,000 to $449,000.
It will have one level of under-
ground parking with 44 spaces
for residents. The Planning
Commission approved a condi-
tional use permit for 44 dwell-
ing units, a conditional use
permit to increase the building
height from the 4 stories/56 ft.
permitted by the zoning code
to 5 stories/64 ft., two yard
setback variances, a variance
to not provide a loading dock,
and the site plan. The commis-
sion also recommended that the
City Council approve rezoning
the site from C2 to C3A. Park-
ing for the commercial uses will
be provided in the lot directly
across Lagoon in front of the
Planned Parenthood building.
Aaron Rubenstein is a CARAG
resident and chair of the CARAG
Zoning Committee.
letters
Reasonable,
Innovative Forney
Tough choices surround Min-
neapolis’ park system. Our
city’s “crown jewel” is at a crit-
ical point.
To meet financial and manage-
rial challenges, will our parks
be exploited further to become
a branded asset, merging into
the rest of the urban mar-
ketplace? Or, with engaged
citizen input, comprehensive
planning, creative leadership,
and inspired management,
will the heritage of our shared
landscape face the future by
adding value with renewed
public participation and pri-
vate initiative?
To address such definitive
issues we need reasonable,
innovative voices at the table.
Meg Forney will bring such
a temperament and perspec-
tive to the Minneapolis Park
Board.
Phill Lindsay
CARAG
Letters to the Editor Policy: Write to
us, provided you write fewer than 250
words! Your letter may be edited and we
don't know if it will be published, but
we will certainly try to do so. We need to
know your name, address, phone num-
ber and neighborhood..
4 •  Uptown Neighborhood news october 2005
Library Board Candidates
Uptown Neighborhood News poses questions
Questions to Library
Board Candidates:
Samantha Smart
No Party Affiliation
smartlibraries2005@earthlink.net
www.earthlink.net/~smartlibraries2005
1. I want Libraries open seven
days, because users are diverse,
requiring access at all times of the
day and week. Minneapolis reli-
ance on State funds for more than
30% of costs caused our system
to virtually collapse when this
money was withheld. I plan to
adopt the St. Paul funding model,
which relies on dedicated City tax
financing for 90% of its budget,
thereby offering full-time service
of the highest quality. Residents
favor full-time libraries and will
lobby our City to make this a
priority. In addition, I advocate
assessment of a Building Impact
Fee on new building and signifi-
cant renovations, increasing capi-
tal funds. Thirdly, MPL needs to
increase the level of fundraising
for programs offering commu-
nity users a vibrant and enriching
experience.
2. I envision Walker remain-
ing an intact and distinct Library,
serving the community’s needs
to its highest capacity. I oppose
mixed-use development to cre-
ate luxury housing and a greater
tax base. Libraries are uniquely
suited to serve people’s needs for
self-education, research, inquiry,
community, and enjoyment,
and should retain their integrity.
When Walker is scheduled for
renovations, this process must
be conducted with full participa-
tion of community users, with
a great emphasis on expanding
and enhancing facilities for chil-
dren and youth, provision of cut-
ting-edge computer technology,
a healthy and rewarding envi-
ronment for staff, comfortable
meeting room facilities and space
to house excellent collections
and programs. Walker should
remain a safe, inviting space for
neighbors to access the wealth of
information that will improve
their collective lives.
Q1 Do you have a plan for extending
Minneapolis Public Library hours,
particularly Walker Library? How
would you fund this?
Eric Hinsdale
DFL, (612) 827-1625
www.erichinsdale.com
eric_hinsdale@hotmail.com
1. Finding the money to
increase library hours is the
most important task the library
board will face. We must
decrease our reliance on Local
Government Aid (LGA) and
look for new funding through
federal and state grants and
partnerships with other orga-
nizations in the public and
private sector. Library board
members will need to aggres-
sively lobby local and state
officials to insure they provide
adequate funding and help us
to avoid cuts in materials and
services. I am the only candi-
date to acknowledge the real-
istic possibility that if funding
levels remain as they are today
we may need to reduce other
budget lines, including collec-
tions, if we take seriously the
importance of restoring library
hours.
2. I support replacing the cur-
rent facility with a new mixed-
use building that includes a
library, space for other arts
organizations, and a mix of
some retail and residential
space. Not only is the current
library unattractive, it is also
poorly designed to offer the
kinds of services widely avail-
able in public libraries today,
from children’s programs to
support for new technologies.
I would like to see the new
building on the corner of Hen-
nepin and Lagoon become one
of the landmarks for 21st cen-
tury Minneapolis and a model
for new urban libraries across
the country.
Sheldon Mains
DFL, (612) 618-7149
www.MainsForLibrary.org
1. All the community librar-
ies need to be open nights and
weekends when people can
get to them. With all parts of
the library budget cut to the
bone, the only solution is more
money for the system. The
library system can work to be
more efficient and the librar-
ies can get some more money
through fundraising. These
efforts will only help a little.
We need to restore adequate
public funding. This will take
time. This will take advocacy.
This will take building a grass-
roots organization to advocate
for adequate funding. The cur-
rent board has not done this. I
know fundraising, advocacy
and local and state government.
I will work with the board, the
staff, and the Friends of the
Minneapolis Library to restore
adequate funding.
2. The new roof deck recently
approved will keep the Walker
functioning but it does nothing
to address the growing needs
of a changing population in the
neighborhood. The Walker
is an important community
library. It is one of the most
accessible by public transit. It
is in a community that draws
people from around the city.
Ideally, it should be providing
more services than are now
possible in the current space.
My vision is for the library
board and staff to get together
with the community and devel-
op a plan for a new, expanded
Walker library. I believe all
options should be considered
and creative funding methods
should be explored. The whole
Uptown area deserves a great
community library.
Q2 What is your vision for Walker
Library in the next 10 years?
Alan Hooker
DFL, (612) 730-6041
www.alanhooker.com
alan@alanhooker.com
1. Currently, of the 15 librar-
ies in the Minneapolis library
system, six have fewer hours
than Walker, and five have no
Saturday hours. This is not to
suggest that Walker’s hours are
acceptable. They are not. We
must do better and do so with-
out pitting one library and user
community against another.
To achieve this let’s explore
new voluntary revenue meth-
ods such as specialty license
plates with fees dedicated to
libraries and literacy, or nam-
ing opportunities that allow
community philanthropists to
provide financial contributions
in exchange for nominal recog-
nition like at the new Central
Library. And let’s not forget
that we can be more creative in
marketing our financial needs
to state legislators, especially
suburban legislators whose
constituents utilize Minneapo-
lis libraries such as Walker.
2. I believe the needs of the
Walker and its patrons should
be met in a timespan far less
than 10 years.
Short term (1 year): Repair the
roof and engage the user com-
munity through hard copy,
phone and online surveys to
solicit a broader spectrum of
input about the design of a
new library.
Long term (2 - 5 years): A
new, modern, mixed-use struc-
ture (with no retail chains!)
housing a technologically
vibrant library that compli-
ments the architectural history
of the Uptown community
and addresses the needs of its
diverse population.
Rod Krueger
DFL, (612) 721-8076
www.rodkrueger.org
rodmn@hotmail.com
1. I support extending hours
at all of our libraries, especially
Walker Community Library.
Walker is centrally located on
several transit lines and is part
of one of the most vibrant areas
of our city. We must work with
the City of Minneapolis to find
funding solutions to increase our
operating dollars. I will continue
to lobby for an increase in Local
Government Aid (LGA), which
is the most direct way to add
money for more staff and hours.
I am open to innovative and cre-
ative solutions that will reduce
cost and provide library services.
We must increase our partner-
ships in the community by work-
ing with organizations such as
the parks, schools, private sector,
foundations, and other metro
library systems to share/expand
services and/or funding sources.
2. Walker Library has a bright
future and closing off library
services for the Uptown Com-
munity is not an option. The
parking deck (roof) on Walker
will be repaired which will keep
the library open and allow time
for a proper study of future reno-
vations/expansion. The Library
Board and staff, City officials,
residents, and business people
strongly support Walker Library.
Successfully serving the commu-
nity since 1911, Walker continues
to be a strong cultural institution
in Uptown serving a diverse,
active, growing neighborhood. I
will support a financially sound
mixed-use project that includes
a greatly enhanced library and
green building design principles
for the residents and patrons at
Walker. We need more commu-
nity engagement in issues related
to mixed-use and height of any
future development.
october 2005 Uptown Neighborhood news •  5
Virginia Holte
DFL, (612) 874-7474
www.VirginiaHolte.org
virginiaholte@netscape.net
1. Any plan which the library
board has for more open library
hours is dependent upon our
funding situation. The Friends
of the Library have raised $15
million, but it has become clear
that the board, along with city
and state governments and the
general public, must find bold
and innovative methods to
keep all our libraries the strong
institutions they have been.
The urgent need for operating
dollars is due to two factors (1)
loss of almost $3 million from
the state, at the same time as
(2) escalating costs of opera-
tion. I know the whole board is
aware of the devastating effect
of short hours of our libraries.
2. I live two blocks from the
Walker Library, so I am acute-
ly aware of Walker’s plight.
My vision for Walker Library
is to make necessary repairs to
the parking situation, and then
spend the next few years con-
tinuing to examine possibili-
ties for its future – which may
or may not include mixed use:
it is essential that the library
must stay where it is.
Julie Iverson
No Party Affiliation, (612) 379-2230
julie@aboutcomp.com
1. I don’t have a plan. I do
have ideas, energy, and com-
mitment to restoring hours
at all library branches. Ideas
include:
– building partnerships and
creating sponsorship roles with
business and other agencies,
Laura Waterman
Wittstock
DFL, (612) 387-4915
www.laurawatermanwittstock.com
lwmpls@visi.com
1. The solution to extending
hours is increased revenue. The
only reliable, permanent source
of funding is tax revenue. My
intention is to bring the city
council, mayor, and library
board together to support the
importance of libraries to the
city and its citizens. Decades of
neglect and cutting power from
the independent library board
have contributed to the current
crisis. The library board must
regain authority to protect and
grow the library system as the
public wants it to be. Walker
Library’s hours must be con-
sidered with those of all the
community libraries and cen-
tral – it is a system wide issue.
Libraries should not be pitted
against one another.
2. The Walker roof repair,
soon to be underway is the
result of a library board deci-
sion that assures physical dura-
bility of the library for several
years to come. However, this
does not take into account the
demographic changes in the
library’s service area, nor does
it consider options for future
expansion based on community
need. I think given the limited
Waterman Wittstock
continued on page 14
where appropriate.
– constant and vigilant exami-
nation of expenses looking for
waste.
– advocating for the library in
many venues, especially with
citizens who can themselves be
effective advocates with those
who control distribution of
funds.
I would work as part of a team
consisting of Board members,
Library staff, the Friends of the
Library, other elected officials
and concerned citizens to cre-
ate and execute a viable plan.
I bring to that process enthu-
siasm, listening skills, creativ-
ity, life experience (building
non-profit organizations, a
consulting business, and raising
children) and a fresh perspec-
tive.
2. My vision for Walker,
Gary Thaden
DFL, (612) 377-2029
GaryThaden@att.net
1. Library hours at Walker,
and at all libraries, are inad-
equate. We need to work with
libraries around the state to
lobby as a coalition at the State
Capital for more money. Dif-
ferent library systems should
specialize in different col-
lections and share resources.
We need a better relationship
between the Mayor and City
Council to get a better share of
the resources. We can increase
the sale of library-related mate-
rials in our libraries. We should
increase neighborhood library
Friends groups to supplement
the good work by the Friends
of the Minneapolis Public
Libraries. Lastly, the Library
Board (and the Friends orga-
nizations) should turn their
attention to raising money and
grants to fund special projects
and thus free up resources for
hours, staff, and collections.
2. Walker Library is the clos-
est library to me. I attended
all the meetings of the Walker
Library Task Force. The for-
mation of the Task Force was
the result of poor communica-
tion between the City Council
and the Library Board. The
Task Force should never have
Gary Thaden
continued on page 14
indeed my vision for the library
system, is to build and maintain
a community resource. One
that is well-integrated, sup-
ported, adapted to the needs of
the community and adaptable
to future growth and require-
ments. Within the system,
there should be cohesion and
direction. There should also be
flexibility for specific branches
to introduce programs and
materials which benefit their
local customers. I anticipate
many changes over the course
of a decade. Some due to tech-
nology; some to economic cir-
cumstance. There will also be
changing demographics and
needs of library clients. Find-
ing some balance, maintaining
system value and integrity will
require vision, compromise
and tough choices. As a trustee,
I would consider communica-
tion with constituents a prima-
ry function of my position.
Anita Duckor
No Party Affiliation, (612) 902-0796
www.duckor.org
Anita@duckor.org
1. The Library Board will be
making extremely tough choic-
es in the coming four years to
restore and grow the operat-
ing budget. For this challenge,
there is no single solution. I
will evaluate all options and
help develop a multi-revenue
source plan. I am committed
to:
• Initiate and participate in
joint planning sessions with
the Mayor, City Council and
the MPL Board to evaluate
options that provide full fund-
ing for libraries;
• Continue to work with
The Friends Advocacy Com-
mittee and the Community
Library Friends groups to
advocate increasing public
funding at the State and City
levels; and
• Increase private fundrais-
ing to enhance collections, help
reach the under-served popu-
lations and fund capital proj-
ects, including an endowment
to make MPL one of the best
urban libraries in the country.
2. My vision for the Walker
Anita Duckor
continued on page 14
Lisa Kjellander
DFL, (612) 922-1640
1. The Minneapolis Public
Library, as a system, is feeling
“the pain” of shorter hours and
limited resources. At current
funding levels, it is unrealistic
to think that library hours could
increase. Staff are already cov-
ering the workload resulting
from nearly a 1/3 reduction of
employees. Volunteers, while a
Laurie Savran
DFL, (612) 822-0606 x15
lafscal@aol.com
1. The Walker Library is one
of the libraries in Minneapolis
that is opened 5 days, including
Saturdays and two evenings.
The funding for additional
hours must come primarily from
public sources. I would lobby the
City and State for more dollars.
The Friends of the Library have
made a commitment to continue
their fund raising to enhance
collections in all libraries. This
would free up some dollars for
hours. I would also advocate for
partnerships with local business-
es in Uptown to support their
libraries’ operating costs.
2. Walker Library is a very
busy library with an outstanding
travel section and video’s, CD’s,
and books on tape. Because of
its location in a bustling pedes-
trian neighborhood, also close to
the bus transit, I envision Walker
to continue to be a strong com-
munity library in years to come.
The Board voted to repair the
leaking roof and the community
agreed. A mixed use building
in the future is possible but at
this time there are no developers
who presented a viable plan that
would be affordable. My main
goal is to expand Walker’s col-
lection and hours. I would only
support a mixed-use building
that enhances the library and cre-
ates revenue for Walker.
valuable asset to the library, can-
not replace the work of a quali-
fied librarian or staff member.
Minneapolis Public’s most press-
ing problem is funding, or a lack
thereof. Funding affects every
aspect of the library from daily
operations to collections to qual-
ity of service.
2. The Library Board Trustee
is only elected for a 4 year term.
I would like to see the Walker
Library as a busy hub of the
community, with of course
hours that are appropriate for
a neighborhood of this size.
Minneapolis Public Library as
a whole, I would to see leaders
who embrace life-long learning,
vibrant relevant collections, and
improved access to materials,
information and services for our
patrons. If elected, I will endeav-
or to help the library achieve this
goal.
6 •  Uptown Neighborhood news october 2005
Estimation and Taxation Board Candidates
Uptown Neighborhood News poses questions
Questions to the Board Q1 How do tax rate levies set by the Board Q2 How will you balance the monetary
affect our property taxes?
of Estimation & Taxation
Candidates:
Carol Becker
DFL, (612) 722-4288
www.carolbecker.net
Wonk@scc.net
The Board of Estimate direct-
ly impacts property taxes by
setting maximum property
tax levies for the City Coun-
cil, Park Board and Library
Board. These three boards can
set property taxes lower but
no higher than limits imposed
What is the Board of Estimation and Taxation?
And why do we care?
So, come Nov. 8, you are stand-
ing in the polling booth, look-
ing at this list of names running
for this Board you don’t under-
stand. What to do? Many of us
go through this, and then vote
for no one, or for that gender
or name that feels good to us.
We could probably all do with
a little more education on this
subject.
The Board consists of seven
members: the Mayor or desig-
nate, the City Council Presi-
dent, the chairman of the Ways
and Means/Budget Committee,
a commissioner of the Park
and Recreation Board, a trustee
of the Library Board and two
members elected city-wide for
four-year terms.
In a nutshell, the Board of Esti-
mate and Taxation does three
things:
1. Sets the maximum property
tax levy for the City Coun-
cil, Park Board, and Library
Board.
2. Sells bonds, which is how
government borrows money
for parks, libraries, police sta-
tions, fire stations, streets and
other City infrastructure.
3. Audits the City’s books.
needs for the Library General Fund and
the Shade Tree Disease Control Fund,
etc., with property owners’ ability to pay
property taxes in Minneapolis?
by the Board of Estimate. Also
the Board borrows money for
parks, fire stations, police sta-
tions, and other City infra-
structure and thus controls
repayment requirements.
There is no simple answer
to balancing taxes and ser-
vices. People work hard for
their money. Changes by the
Legislature and the economy
have meant an increasing tax
burden on homeowners. Yet
we do not have enough police
officers, libraries are open only
three days a week, and parks
are often closed. The short-
term solution is to make servic-
es efficient and to exploit other
revenue sources where avail-
able. The long-term solution is
to work with the Legislature to
change the tax system so it does
not shift an undue burden onto
the average homeowner.
The following is taken from
the city’s official web site: www.
ci.minneapolis.mn.us/city work/
other/taxation.html
TAXATION
As required by the City Char-
ter, the Board of Estimate &
Taxation holds public hearings
to obtain citizen input relat-
ing to setting the maximum
tax levies for certain tax funds
in the City. The board reviews
selected City department bud-
gets and after receiving recom-
mendations from the Mayor
and City Council, sets the max-
imum tax levies for the follow-
ing funds:
• City Council: General Fund,
Permanent Improvement
Fund, Police Personnel
Expansion Fund.
• Park and Recreation Board:
Park and Recreation Fund,
Tree Preservation and
Reforestation Fund, Park
Rehabilitation and Parkway
Maintenance Fund, Shade
Tree Disease Control Fund,
Lake Pollution Control
Fund.
• Library Board: Library Gen-
eral Fund.
• Public Housing Authority:
Public Housing Fund.
• Board of Estimate & Taxa-
tion: Estimate and Taxation
Fund.
Dave Berger
Green Party, (612) 338-3630
www.daveberger.org
tristero525@yahoo.com
Tax levies have a direct rela-
tionship to property taxes.
However, the Board of Esti-
mate and Taxation has limited
leeway when it sets the maxi-
mum tax levy because it must
operate within parameters set
by the Minnesota State Legisla-
CITY DEBT
MANAGEMENT
The Board also participates in
the overall debt management
policy of the City and issues
General Obligation Bonds of
the City in support of the Capi-
tal Program (excluding Tax
Increment Bonds).
AUDIT
The Board is responsible for
the Internal Audit function
of the City. It identifies inter-
nal audit areas covering City
departments, boards and com-
missions, and provides audit
programs to establish guide-
lines, policies, and procedures
for the conduct of periodic
internal audits. It initiates
investigations of alleged or
suspected impropriety, misap-
propriation and other misuse
of City funds. When requested,
the Board provides assistance
to City departments for evalu-
ation of financial controls or
other special projects and assists
outside auditors.
SALES TAX
The Board is responsible in
determining if a project is
related to the Convention Cen-
ter and therefore eligible for
the use of sales taxes.
ture. Residents in Minneapolis
have the highest municipal tax
burden in Minnesota. At the
same time, city services have
been cut significantly in the last
few years. While cuts in Local
Government Aid (LGA) have
helped cause this crisis, the
board must discover a new way
to generate revenue using it’s
own power instead of expecting
an unresponsive Legislature to
restore cuts. One innovative
solution may be to use the $15
million of bonding power the
board has to work with the city
council to support and create
publicly funded WI-FI (wire-
less internet). In addition to
providing inexpensive wireless
internet to city residents, Min-
neapolis could generate addi-
tional revenue to alleviate the
tax burden and still provide
necessary services.
condo
continued from page 3
“The Minneapolis Plan says pre-
serve neighborhoods by putting
growth at nodes and along cor-
ridors,” he emphasized.
Lander offered some additional
thoughts about the bigger pic-
ture:
“The City will synthesize the
interests of all stakeholders.”
“Neighborhoods don’t have a
lot of confidence in downtown
[City Hall] and believe City Hall
represents the interests of devel-
opers [in order] to increase the
tax base.”
“I don’t have a sense that there’s
a clear vision [in City Hall about
planning and development,
height and density] but the Min-
neapolis Plan is excellent.”
“I can’t build anything else on
Lake St. because property own-
ers now want a 10-story price”
[meaning land value is based on
the expectation of putting a 10-
story building on it].
“There needs to be a planning
framework for taller develop-
ment.”
Lander said he thinks the Plan-
ning Commission will approve
his project as the commission
generally supports the Minne-
apolis Plan.
The 2626 West Lake project
was designed by Lander and
by Pong Khow of Elness Swen-
son Graham (ESG) Architects.
Khow also designed Lander’s
award-winning 301 Kenwood
No photo provided
Gordon Nelson
DFL, (612) 729-7572
In September the Board of Esti-
mate and Taxation sets the maxi-
mum property tax levies for the
following year for the city coun-
cil, the library board, and the
park board. In December the city
council, the library board, and
park board may levy at the maxi-
mum level or at a lower level.
They may not levy higher. Before
the levies are set in December,
the city must hold a public hear-
ing so that citizens may react to
the effect the proposed levies will
have on properties they own.
Jill Schwimmer
DFL
Jill Schwimmer was out of town
and unable to meet our deadline.
We will include her response in
the November issue.
Parkway project overlooking
the Minneapolis Sculpture Gar-
den. ESG also designed the six-
story Edgewater building now
under construction at the north-
east corner of Lake Calhoun and
the five-story Lumen on Lagoon
building, a commercial/residen-
tial project planned for the cor-
ner of Lagoon and Emerson.
Neighborhood Views
CIDNA says the proposed proj-
ect is too tall and large for this
sensitive and small (1.3 acre) site,
given that it is adjacent to park-
land, a trail, Lake Calhoun, and
an R1 (lowest density) single-
family zoning district. CIDNA
advocates three key points: lower
the maximum height from
116to 84 ft., decrease the floor
area from 169,000 to 110,000 sq.
ft. (excludes parking garage),
and retain the project’s graceful
design (they like the project’s
setbacks and articulation and
don’t want a squat, bulky build-
ing). CIDNA supports build-
ing heights taller than the 35 ft.
SOD limit and the 56 ft. OR2
limit due to the site’s context—
adjacent to the CBC buildings.
CIDNA’s resolution to not sup-
port the Lander project, and its
cover letter containing 12 con-
ditions under which it would
approve a similar project, are
available at www.cidna.org.
The resolution states that the
project “fails to satisfy key pro-
visions of CIDNA’s real estate
condo
continued on page 11
october 2005 Uptown Neighborhood news •  7

CARAG report Calhoun Area Residents Action Group

The CARAG based on community input at

Board meets
the third Tues-
day of each
month,
7 PM at
Bryant Park
Community Center, 31st and Bry-
ant. All CARAG residents are wel-
come and urged to attend.
Board Members in Attendance:
Diana Boegemann, Alex Woeh-
rlin, Jill Bode, Howard Verson,
Kay Nygaard-Graham, Bill
Morton, Pam Price, and Cindy
Christian.
Welcome: After the potluck
supper, Diana welcomed all.
The Board is made up of vol-
unteers who also volunteer
time on other neighborhood
committees and organizations.
Scott Engel, the CARAG staff
person, can be reached at 823-
2520. CARAG is a democratic
organization; membership and
voting privileges are open to
residents, property owners, and
business owners.
Approve Consent Agenda: A
motion was passed to approve
the agenda and August meet-
ing minutes.
Treasurer’s Report: CARAG
has $9,963.55 in the bank
account and $6,941.95 in asset
accounts. Total balance as of
8-31-05 was $16,905.50. The
register report showed actual
expenses of $7.69 for the peri-
od of 8-1-05 through 8-31-05.
CARAG received $188 in the
tip jar while operating a soda
booth at the Uptown Art Fair.
The newspaper account had
$1,683.35 as of 8-31-05.
2006 CARAG Budget: A
motion was passed to approve
the budget for fiscal year 2006
(from 10-1-05 to 9-30-06) as
presented by the Finance Com-
mittee. The projected income
for CARAG is $7050, pro-
jected expenses are $4650, and
projected donations are $2400
($400 are Chilly Chili Fest pro-
ceeds earmarked for Joyce Food
Shelf). The donations will
go to Joyce Food Shelf ($625);
Midtown Greenway Coalition
($325); Mary McEvoy Early
Literacy Academy ($275); and
the Twin Cities Underground
Teen Center ($775). The dona-
tion allocations were calculated
the August meeting.
Bryant Square Park: Julie San-
din, Park Director, praised this
year’s baseball, wrestling, and
soccer teams. Register for pro-
grams online at
www.minneapolisparks.org.
Crime Report: Tom Thomp-
son, Community Crime Pre-
vention Specialist, said that
robberies and burglaries in our
area were down and auto theft
was up this August compared
to last August. He will try to
compile data on noise com-
plaints, but it will be difficult
because such calls could be cat-
egorized under many different
headings. To set-up a neigh-
borhood watch group call Tom
at 612-673-2823.
VOA Experience Corps:
Janette Triplet, with Volun-
teers of America, is looking for
the life experience that people
50-years-old+ have to offer to
children. The time commit-
ment is 15 hours and involves a
small stipend.
Neighborhood Sign: Holly
Windle, of the SPACE Com-
mittee, presented six design
options for CARAG’s new
neighborhood street sign. A
vote was taken and Bruce
Cochran will be awarded $100
for producing the winning
design.
Board Nominations: All nine
seats on the CARAG Board
were up for election at this
meeting. Being a Board mem-
ber is a service to the commu-
nity and requires attendance
at monthly Board meetings, as
well as volunteering to be active
on one neighborhood commit-
tee or area business organiza-
tion. The following people
were nominated: Rick Bojko,
Ellan Meyer, Tom Parsons,
Aaron Rubenstein, Thatcher
Imboden, Phil Qualy, Cindy
Christian, Kay Nygaard-Gra-
ham, Howard Verson, Bill Mor-
ton, and Jill Bode. Each gave a
one-minute speech. A vote was
taken using ballots and two vol-
unteers were selected to count
the ballots.
Council Member’s Report: Dan
Niziolek said the city needs
more police officers to combat
NEWLY ELECTED CARAG BOARD will serve from October 2005 to September 2006. Pictured from left to right: Bill
Morton, Howard Verson, Thatcher Imboden, Aaron Rubenstein, Cindy Christian, Jill Bode, Ellan Meyer, Kay Nygaard-
Graham, Rick Bojko.
the rise in crime, as property
crime and violent crime rates
are both up. The city lacks
adequate funds to maintain our
infrastructure, such as seal-coat-
ing the roads, which could mean
more expensive repair costs later
on. The Uptown Parking study
showed that on-street parking
is full after 4pm, which wasn’t
a surprise to anyone. The next
step is to generate ideas for a
coordinated transit system.
The Midtown Greenway Land
Use Committee is close to com-
pleting a plan that will seek to
rezone properties close to the
Greenway. There likely will be
a public hearing in December or
January. In October or Novem-
ber, the City Council will
review the sidewalk café ordi-
nance. There is pressure from
the business community to have
a 4-foot throughway (measured
from the first obstacle from the
curb to the first sidewalk café
table). Dan believes a 5 or 6-foot
throughway would be better.
NRP Report: A Livability
Committee motion passed to
allocate an additional $10,000
to the 15.1 Landscaping Proj-
ects Scope of Services to plant
boulevard trees in CARAG. A
motion passed to allocate $5,000
to the 15.1 Landscaping Proj-
ects Scope of Services to imple-
ment an elm tree treatment
grant program. A Finance
Committee motion passed to
approve the CARAG NRP
Fiscal Year 2006 Administra-
tive Contract Budget.
Zoning: A motion by Christine
Zieboldt passed to send a letter
to Traci Toomey, PhD at the
U of M in support of her city-
wide research project studying
the density of alcohol establish-
ments.
Tum Rup Thai is seeking to
extend business hours to 1am
every night, and to add outdoor
seating to a patio outside their
back door. This is in viola-
tion of a compromise reached
with CARAG (for a full liquor
license) when the restaurant
originally opened earlier this
year. A motion passed to
resubmit to the city CARAG’s
original resolution on this mat-
ter, and to add a new cover
letter that specifically opposes
outdoor seating behind the
restaurant because it is in close
proximity to residences.
A motion passed to recommend
approval of the site plan (two
additional service bays) for the
Amigo Service Center on 36th
and Lyndale.
A motion passed to support a
moratorium on rezoning and
developing Greenway indus-
trial lands until a city study (in
progress) can be completed by
next May.
The developers of the Lagoon/
Ackerberg project will be asked
to present their new plans to
CARAG next month. The
Lander project on the Weisman
property (north end of Lake
Calhoun) goes before the city in
October. Lander will be asked
to present at the next CARAG
Zoning meeting so a recom-
mendation can be brought
Photo by David Peterson
before the neighborhood at the
October Board meeting. Greco
is proposing a new, large devel-
opment for property south of
the Greenway, between Lyn-
dale and Bryant.
A motion passed to approve
a resolution recommend-
ing denial of all the requested
land use applications for the
proposed redevelopment and
expansion of Calhoun Square.
The resolution has accompany-
ing attachments. The plan will
go before the city’s Planning
Commission on October 5th.
A motion passed to include a
cover letter citing nine condi-
tions CARAG would like con-
sidered in case the city approves
the project.
CARAG Election Results:
The new CARAG Board mem-
bers are: Rick Bojko, Ellan
Meyer, Aaron Rubenstein,
Thatcher Imboden, Cindy
Christian, Kay Nygaard-Gra-
ham, Howard Verson, Bill
Morton, and Jill Bode.

political tidbits small news you might use

GETBOB. Do you know about
BOB? A group of SW Mpls.
residents has formed a group
called Getting to the Bottom
of the Ballot (GETBOB). The
goal of this non-profit, non-
partisan group is to promote
citizen knowledge of and
involvement in local issues and
elections. They have produced
a voter guide, and are planning
some Candidate Fairs – one on
Tues. Oct. 12 from 6 to 9 pm
at Burroughs School (1501 W.
50th St.) and another on Oct.
26, from 7 to 9 pm, at DeLa-
Salle High School. They also
explain a lot of the details of
our voting system – primaries,
precincts, caucuses, and how to
vote. Learn more at www.tcin-
ternet.net/users/fusili/getbob.
CAMPAIGN DONATIONS
REPORT. If you are really into
the details of the city election,
you may want to visit www16.
co.hennepin.mn.us/cfrs/search.
do to check out how your
neighbors are contributing to
local candidates. Search by the
candidate name for the report
of campaign contributions and
expenses they were required to
file before the primary election.
A new report must be filed
before the general election, so
check back again after Novem-
ber 1.
8 •  Uptown Neighborhood news october 2005
ECCO report
ECCO meets
the first Thurs-
day of each
month, 7 PM
at St. Mary’s
Greek Ortho-
dox Church,
34th & Irving.
All ECCO residents are welcome
and urged to attend.
Open Forum:
Greenway Idea Meetings—
Linda Schutz reported on the
Greenway public “visioning pro-
cess” meeting she attended. Ten
principles of Greenway-support-
ed development were communi-
cated for consideration. To see a
copy of the ten principles, contact
Bruce Grimm at‑president@
eastcalhoun.com.‑
Approval of Minutes and
Agenda:
1. There was no quorum for a
formal August meeting and so
no minutes. An amended agen-
da was approved.
City Council Member Report:
Council Member Dan Niziolek
reported:
1. Area Parking Study—Coun-
cilman Niziolek thanked the
volunteers who helped count
autos for the‑parking study
in the ECCO neighborhood
between July 11th and July
25th. Consultants have com-
piled the data and a series of
maps are being constructed.
2. Weisman Site Project— Gary
ECCO and CARAG Crime map from 5th precinct
Safety Tips
Teach your children:
To memorize their name and
address, including city and
state, and their phone num-
ber (including area code).
To never give out their name
or address to a stranger.
Children should not wear
clothing with their name
displayed.
To use both push-button and
dial telephones to call 911.
Pay phones are free when
you dial 911.
Where the McGruff houses
are located in your neighbor-
hood.
To never go into your home
if the door is ajar or if a win-
dow is broken.
How to work your home’s
door and window locks and
to lock them when they are
home alone.
That a stranger is someone
neither you nor they know
well.
Farland said that this project by
Michael Lander (the developer)
will have a building of 116 ft.
plus other buildings as sub-
mitted. Kay Anderson, board
member, noted that the under-
ground garage planned to be
built closely adjacent to park-
land will kill a group of 100-
foot cottonwood trees‑growing
there. Kay Anderson, board
member, said that she had
received e-mails from people
who said that Michael Lander
has claimed that ECCO didn’t
invite him to present the above
project. Kay noted that he
was on the agenda, but he had
double-booked himself and did
not show at the ECCO meet-
ing (and did not notify any-
one). President Grimm verified
there was no notification from
Lander.
3. Air Quality Monitoring activ-
ity—A citywide air quality study
is underway. Dan acquired six
additional “badges” to sample
air quality in the Uptown area.
Dan said the study will sample
35 different air pollutants and
information will come back in
about a month.‑
4. Faulty City Procedures on
Air Pollution? —Dan indi-
cated that measuring air pollu-
tion has generally been a state
level issue, but said the city is
becoming more aggressive on
the subject. Linda Schutz said
that unfortunately the only pol-
Not to go into anyone’s home
without your permission.
To avoid walking or playing
alone, and to walk or play in
well-lighted areas.
East Calhoun
Community Organization
lutant that was modeled by the
developer was for carbon mon-
oxide (CO). However, in twenty
years, everyone in the country
has seen dramatic declines in
CO because of improved fuels
and improved combustion in
cars (catalytic converters) and
so is not the big problem. The
problem is tiny particles that
stay in the lungs.
5. Pollution Different for Kids
and Adults? —Kay Anderson,
board member, noted that she
could not get an answer from
the Mayor or the City Council
on this question relating to the
“Ackerberg Alley” and it’s pre-
dicted high auto emissions.
6. Status of Ackerberg-Gas-
sen Uptown Project—Kay
Anderson said that she under-
stood that the Ackerberg-Gas-
sen plan has been presented to
Lowry Hill East Neighborhood
but not to ECCO and CARAG.
Dan said that the four neigh-
borhoods are being invited to
the next LEHNA zoning com-
mittee.
7. How About Heavy Metal Pol-
lution? —Keith Ruddick, board
member, pointed out that all the
auto traffic that moves through
the area dumps heavy metals on
the streets and sidewalks. Rud-
dick asked, are there any studies
being made of that?
8. Hennepin Ave. Plan—Board
members were asked to look
at the Hennepin Ave. Plan
That if they feel they’re being
followed or if they’re fright-
ened, to run to the nearest
McGruff House, public place,
or trusted neighbor.
To tell you if anyone asks
them to keep a secret, offers
and react to it. Middle of Sept,
board chairs will be asked to
compile/provide the comments
to Beth Elliot, Senior Planner.
Secretary’s Report:
Kay Anderson, Secretary,
reported Trolley Steps—Kay
said that Erik Hansen (NRP)
and she have been trying to
contact the city to keep our
trolley steps project moving,
but no response.‑
Conflict of Interest Discussion:
Kay Anderson asked for com-
ments relating to the subject
of‑people participating in
neighborhood board deci-
sions who may have a conflict
of interest. After discussion,
board member Ted Ringsrud
volunteered to review the topic
and have a recommendation at
the next board meeting.
NRP Update:
Erik Hansen, NRP Coordi-
nator, reported that applica-
tions are being accepted for an
NRP Coordinator to replace
Erik. An ad will appear in the
Uptown Neighborhood News,
etc. Contact Erik@twooaktrees.
com for information. Erik said
that the Trolley Path project is
his number one concern.
Uptown Neighborhood News:
Gary Farland, UNN Chair,
reported that the CARAG
board finalized adoption of the
newspaper. CARAG is now
the financial sponsor of the
Uptown Neighborhood News.
them gifts or money, or asks to
take their picture.
That they have a right not
to let anyone touch them in
a way they don’t like. They
should say “No” and tell an
adult they trust.
Also, that one of the three
ECCO UNN Managing Board
members has resigned, making
this volunteer position‑avail-
able to an ECCO resident. Con-
tact Gary at gfarland@ties2.net
Labor Day Parade and Gather-
ing:
A big thank you to the South-
west High Band, which
marched and gave a great musi-
cal show for the neighborhood.
Thanks to the 5th Precinct
Police Department for pro-
viding squad cars (and siren)
to lead and follow the parade.
And another big thanks to the
area merchants who provided
pizza and the prizes for the
bingo.
Annual Meeting:
President Bruce Grimm
recruited volunteers from the
Board to help with the ECCO
annual meeting on October 6th
at 7:00 P.M. at St Mary’s Greek
Orthodox Church on W. 35th
Street and Irving Avenue S. In
addition to the election of‑EC-
CO board members, politi-
cal candidates are invited to
appear. All this and free pizza!
This year, a printed ballot will
be used to assure privacy and
eliminate the possibility of mul-
tiple voting. Six board positions
will be open.
A full copy of the minutes can be
obtained at amrsurvey@aol.com
CPS Tom Thompson
Crime Prevention Specialist
Minneapolis Police Department,
5th Precinct
3101 Nicollet Ave S,
Minneapolis, MN ‑55408
(612)673-2823
thomas.thompson@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
october 2005 Uptown Neighborhood news • 9
Going Organic
By Jodi Fredericksen
Walking the supermarket aisles,
one is bombarded by choices: low
fat, light, low-carb, whole wheat,
and whole grain. Frequently,
there are sections with the label
“organic”.
The organic label refers to the
way agricultural products are
grown and processed. At its core
is the reliance on healthy soil to
produce plants that resist pests
and diseases.
In order to maintain a balanced
relationship with the earth,
organic farmers practice crop
rotation. Farmers rely on ben-
eficial insects, manure and plant
wastes to maintain soil moisture
and provide nutrients. Cover
crops, such as clover and rye, also
add nutrients to the soil and pre-
vent weeds.
Scientific studies show that the
levels of antioxidants in organic
foods are about 1/3 higher than
conventionally grown foods. It is
believed that antioxidants reduce
joint and muscle pain, improve
cardiovascular health, lessen the
risk or severity of Alzheimer’s
and Parkinson’s disease, and
slow the aging process. (“Elevat-
ing Antioxidant Levels in Food
Through Organic Farming
and Food Processing,” p.1, The
Organic Center for Education
and Promotion, www.organic-
center.org http://www.organic-
center.org)
Conventionally grown food pro-
duced on an industrial level uses
chemical fertilizers, pesticides,
herbicides, insecticides and fun-
gicides. These products are not
biodegradable, kill wildlife, con-
taminate drinking water, lakes,
streams and rivers, and leave
detectable residues on the foods
we consume. Conventionally
raised livestock are given food
that contains pesticides, anti-
biotics and growth hormones.
More than 70% of the antibiot-
ics used in our country are given
to farm animals. (The Meat
You Eat by Ken Midkiff p 40.)
Animals live in tight quarters,
which is unpleasant, unsanitary
and causes extreme stress. Buy-
ing conventionally grown food
of course supports agribusiness.
In 1998, the USDA reported that
four firms controlled over 80% of
the U.S. beef market. (“A Time
to Act” a report of the USDA
National Commission on Small
Farms, January 1998.)
Organic livestock is fed only
organically grown feed. Anti-
biotics, hormones, chemicals,
are never used. To comply with
organic standards, it is required
that animals have access to the
outdoors. Through good nutri-
tion and minimal stress, illness
can be prevented. This comes
back to us as healthier, better tast-
ing meats.
One issue raised about organic
products is the price. Organic
food is more expensive because
farms are smaller, production
capacity is lower and demand
isn’t as high, although the num-
ber of people choosing to buy
organic food is increasing. Part
of supporting organic farming is
paying the farmer a fair price that
provides a living wage and helps
keep the farm a workable size.
Ultimately, what one eats is a
personal choice. Eating conven-
tionally grown food raises the
question of whether it’s worth the
serious damage to water supplies,
plants, trees, and wildlife.
Buying organic foods means pro-
tecting farm workers and their
families, increasing biodiver-
sity, caring for our environment,
defending the small family farms
and setting higher standards for
the treatment of animals. It is
about remembering the source
of our food, and improving our
planet, our future, our bodies and
our souls.
Jodi Fredericksen is a Hamline
MFA student, reader and writer.
Local hip-hop group debuts
newest album
By Patrick Anderson
Tuesday, the 8th of September
2005 marked the release of the
fourth album by the local hip-
hop trio Kanser. “Self Titled”
is a landmark release for the
three Twin Cities natives, who
have been making their own
brand of conscious minded
hip-hop for over a decade.
The drawling versus biting
vocal styling of the two MC’s,
Zachariah and Unicus, com-
bine nicely with the wide spec-
trum of music provided by a
slew of guest producers, and
mixed together by the man on
the turntables: DJ Elusive.
The unique sound creates a
great environment for the
content of the lyrics. Echoing
some of the story-telling ele-
ments found in early country
music, many of the songs are
tales of the life, love and hard-
ship that the two MC’s experi-
enced while growing up in the
Minneapolis and St. Paul areas.
Tracks like “Silent Treatment”
and “Look Love” address fail-
ing romances wistfully, but
with elements of sarcasm and
humor that add a sense of bit-
ter honesty. The song “Trav-
len” (as spelt) gives the listener
a rare chance to step into the
shoes of the performer, as the
two talk about the crowds, par-
ties, and liaisons they’ve expe-
rienced on tour.
As good as they are at spinning
out light hearted and dramatic
anecdotes, Kanser’s outspoken
allegiance to left-wing politics
adds an element of substance
that is rarely found in main-
stream rap today. Zachariah
and Unicus show no inhibi-
tions when approaching touchy
subject matters like the war,
poverty, women’s rights, and
individuality in songs like “I
Am Recognizing” and “Walk
With the Sun.” Perhaps the
most powerful example of the
group’s prevalent sense of pur-
pose is the song “Back up,” a
sardonic reprimand of youth
that are involved with crime
and gang violence.
Throughout all of the drama
and angst that drips off the
microphones of the duo vocal-
ists, DJ Elusive provides a
diverse musical backdrop by
bringing in a horde of other
local professionals. All of these
Twin Cities musicians lend
their own touch to each song.
The result is an exploration
into most of the various forms
of popular music, not limited
to funk, reggae, jazz, R&B,
electronic break beats, disco
and rock.
10 •  Uptown Neighborhood news october 2005
october 2005 Uptown Neighborhood news •  11
tidbits
LUCIA’S BAKERY & TAKE
HOME has opened next door
to Lucia’s Wine Bar and Res-
taurant (1432 W. 31st St.). The
European-style bakery offers
bread, pastries, desserts, coffee,
wine and light meals. Hours
are 7 am to 8 pm Tue to Fri, 8
to 8 on Sat, and 8 to 6 on Sun.
Soon they will offer on-line
ordering for you to pick up and
take home.
FIVE RESTAURANT &
STREET LOUNGE is newly
open in the former Fifth Pre-
cinct Building (2917 Bryant).
The street lounge and bistro
will be joined in Nov. by a fine
dining room. Chef Stewart
Woodman (of Levain fame)
offers an American bistro-style
menu with a broad range of
prices and choices. Hours are 5
to 10 weekdays, and 5 to 11 Sat.
and Sun. (612) 827-5555.
AMIGO SERVICE CENTER
has affiliated with Shell Rapid
Lube and is adding two ser-
vice bays. The family-owned
auto repair service (36th &
Lyndale) has been repairing
neighborhood cars since 1977.
They hope to have the new
bays ready to go by the end of
November. Todd and Pete and
all the guys will be happy to fix
up your jalopy or fancy foreign
car. CARAG soundly endorsed
the expansion proposal this
week, and nice things were
said about this valuable neigh-
borhood business.
THE CHAIR hair salon has
opened at 36th and Bryant.
Aveda-trained Tim, Michael
and Andy offer salon services
and beauty products 11 to 6
Mon., 9 to 8 Tues., 11 to 8 Wed
and Thurs., 9 to 6 Fri. and 9 to
4 Sat. They will also do private
parties—bring your book club
for makeovers, or plan a kid’s
birthday party. (612) 823-2900.
MARLA’S INDIAN & how-to for getting more people
CARIBBEAN CUISINE has
re-opened under new owner-
ship and a new name at Lake
and Emerson, in the site for-
merly occupied by Natraj Res-
taurant. Natraj’s chef and menu
remain, featuring Indian and a
touch of Caribbean food. They
say the food is vegertarian- and
small news you might use
vegan-friendly. Hours are Sun.
12 to 3 and 5 to 9; Tues. to Sat.
11:30 to 2:30 and 5 to 10.
NEW DUNN BROS. The
building at the southeast cor-
ner of Lake and Bryant occu-
pied for many years by Custom
Camera was purchased Aug.
15th by Sanjeev Azad, the
owner of two Dunn Bros. cof-
fee shops in Uptown. Azad
plans to renovate the Bry-
ant/Lake building to open his
third Dunn Bros. in mid- to
late November. He chose this
location, in close proximity to
his other shops, because people
were asking for it and the area
has a sufficiently dense popula-
tion that this store will attract
its own business. The owner of
Custom Camera is undecided
about whether to relocate that
business, according to Azad.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
OF ARTISTS’ ORGANIZA-
TIONS (NAOO) is holding
its fall conference in Minneapo-
lis Oct. 20 to 23. Local partners
are Intermedia Arts, the Illu-
sion Theater, the Walker Art
Center, Artspace, and the Min-
nesota State Arts Board. Fund-
ing provided by the McKnight
Foundation. NAAO’s three
principles are to strengthen,
connect, and champion orga-
nizations that serve artists and
their communities.
Learn more at http://www.
naao.net.
DEAN SEAL, CARAG resi-
dent, has written a book titled
Church & Stage. Dean has
been involved in many neigh-
borhood pursuits: he ran the
Fringe Festival, was the impre-
sario at Bryant-Lake Bowl,
was an editor of the East Cal-
houn News, and an intern with
Grace-Trinity Church. Now
he is studying to be a Presbyte-
rian minister. His book melds
these two parts of his life. It is a
involved in church life and to
invigorate congregations with
morally purposeful theater.
Congratulations on the book,
Dean!
The Tin Fish
By Erin Connors
In 2004, Sheff and Athena Priest
took over the Lake Calhoun
Pavilion lease from the Minne-
apolis Park Board to open the
Tin Fish. They imagined their
restaurant would be “a well-run
popcorn stand with food options
for Mom and Dad.”
The Priests had discovered the
original Tin Fish restaurant at
the end of the ocean pier in Impe-
rial Beach, California, while on a
mission trip with Project Mexico
in 2000. Enamored both with its
spirited owner, Joseph Melluso,
and his signature recipes, they
pondered whether such a place
might also work in Minneapolis.
When they learned that Joseph
was interested in expanding his
concept, the couple jumped at
the chance to operate at the lake-
front location. Sheff refers to the
Pavilion as “the best place any-
body’s ever done anything.”
By that 4th of July weekend,
they had nearly tripled any pre-
vious revenue earned in the
same space. Their original staff
of six had exploded to 43. Wait
times frequently hovered near
one hour, and the line stretched
from the counter all the way
back to the railing at the lake’s
edge for the restaurant’s entire
ten-hour day.
Now Lake Calhoun’s northeast
corner, where the concession
stand had long run an average
trade, swarms with activity. The
Priests have expanded the kitch-
en, constructed a separate dish
room, and streamlined some of
their cooking procedures. Last
summer, you could time your
dinner about right if you put in
your order, walked around the
lake, and returned to pick it up.
This year, it would have gotten
cold waiting for you.
condo
continued from page 6
development guidelines because
the project does not sufficiently
respect the zoning and the char-
acter of the surrounding neigh-
borhood primarily due to size
(floor area) and height of the
project.” The reasons stated in
the resolution for not supporting
the project include the need for
setback variances and findings
that the project would a) be inju-
rious to the use and enjoyment
of nearby properties, especially
in the R1 single family district to
the north, and b) impair the nat-
ural value of Lake Calhoun and
reduce enjoyment of the lake for
recreational users.
Some members of the CIDNA
community and board believe
that building height on the site
should be limited to 35 ft.; oth-
ers support the project Lander
has proposed; and many others
Tin Fish owners Sheff and Athena Priest
Sheff, Athena, and their staff
take orders underneath the cool
white arches and rush savory
platters out onto the patio
overlooking the sailing dock.
Adirondack chairs near the
water invite visitors to put up
their feet and stay for a while.
The Tin Fish is not just dog
friendly, it’s “dog encouraged”:
they even provide your pup with
a water bowl and doggie treats.
Sheff and Athena’s enthusiasm
and pride for their restaurant
creation is apparent in every
aspect of the business. Every
single dish of the seemingly
unending choices has the freshest
ingredients to be found, from the
fish itself—brought in daily—to
the boiled-to-order shrimp cock-
tail. When I arrived, Athena was
making coleslaw from scratch.
The sauces and breadings are
all made on site from original
recipes, and when you order the
onion rings, someone just grabs
a whole onion and starts slicing.
“And”, owner Sheff says “Tin
Fish Love. That’s in everything.”
The Tin Fish’s seafood special-
ties range from mahi mahi to
walleye to a killer clam chow-
support CIDNA’s compromise
position which offers the oppor-
tunity for development and
increasing the city’s tax base
while recognizing the sensitive
nature of the site.
Lara Norkus-Crampton, an
East Calhoun resident, opposes
the project. She said, “It’s a very
inappropriate building for the
site, aesthetically and environ-
mentally, and grossly out of scale
given the SOD.” She noted that
parkland and open space sur-
round the site on three sides and
that the project would be visible
from lakes Calhoun and Isles.
Some additional thoughts on the
controversial project by Norkus-
Crampton:
“It’s bad enough when zon-
ing gets ignored in the heart of
Uptown but it’s especially dis-
tressing in this case adjacent to
Lake Calhoun and surrounded
by parkland.”
Photo by Jeff Farnam
der. The menu also boasts the
Authentic Rainbow Burger, the
recipe for which was handed
down from Sheff’s great-grand-
father, founder and owner of
the long-time Minneapolis land-
mark Rainbow Café. The real
steal is the Mini Tin sandwich—
two generous pieces of cod on a
bun for just $1.99. Sheff chuck-
les that when customers receive
their first Mini Tin, the most
common reaction is, “No, no, I
ordered the mini!”
The counter staff frequently
rings a bell that can be heard
from the dining patio. “We ring
it whenever good stuff comes
over the counter, anything from
money in the tip jar to a compli-
ment, any good energy coming
through.”
The Tin Fish also serves other
lakeside favorites such as ice
cream and popcorn. Rental of
canoes, kayaks, and paddleboats
will continue through Colum-
bus Day weekend. After that,
start scoping out your lakeside
seating for May of 2006.
“Lander has produced a lot of
great buildings in Minneapolis
and it’s a shame he isn’t produc-
ing a building for this location
that’s of an appropriate scale.”
“The Shoreland Overlay District
is meant to keep development
below the tree line and around
Lake Calhoun that is largely the
case except around the north
end.”
“I would rather see a lower
building, in the spirit of SOD,
and don’t see a good reason to
make another exception.”
The ECCO board has voted
to oppose Lander’s project. Its
resolution states that ECCO is
opposed to tall buildings at this
site and encourages the City to
preserve the natural beauty of
the shoreline as much as possible.
CARAG is expected to review
the project October 18th, one day
after the Planning Commission’s
meeting.
12 •  Uptown Neighborhood news october 2005
community events calendar
(Editor’s Note: We will run
community event listings every
month on this page. Please con-
tact unneditor@earthlink.net to
submit your event information
by the 17th of each month to be
included in the next issue.)
visual arts
FLANDERS GALLERY
3102 Lyndale Ave. S. • 344-1700
www.flanders-art.com
Gallery hours: Tues to Sat, 10 to 5;
Sun 12 to 5.
Runs through Oct 22 — Steven
Sorman: Retrospective: Drawings
1973-2005. • Thomas Rose: Recent
work: Rules of the Game. • Judy
Chicago: Kitty City - A Feline
Book of Hours. • Oct16 to Dec
4 — Recent paintings by Robert
Natkin • Large-scale photographs
by Donald Woodman • Frag-
ments from the Delta of Venus by
Judy Chicago.
SOO VISUAL ARTS CENTER
2640 Lyndale Ave. S. • 871-2263
www.soovac.org
Hours: Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri 12–6;
Sat and Sun 12-4.
Through Oct 23 — Three Person
Show continues: Ana Lois-Borzi,
John Largaespada and Amelia
Biewald.
HIGHPOINT CENTER FOR
PRINTMAKING
2638 Lyndale Ave. S. • 871-1326‑
www.highpointprintmaking.org.
Through Oct 14 — Joel Janowitz:
Breathing Spaces.
INTERMEDIA ARTS
2822 Lyndale Ave. S. • 871-4444
www.intermediaarts.org
Through Sat, Jan 7 — Immigrant
Status: Faith in Women. • Oct 20
to 22 and Nov 10 to 12 — Naked
Stage, performance art created by
bold artists for adventurous audi-
ences. • Call for artists to begin
working with 2006 Naked Stages
program. Deadline submission
Nov. 30.
literary
BORDERS BOOKS
Calhoun Square • 825-0336
www.bordersstores.com
Fri, Oct 14, 7:30 pm — Join Bethel
College English Professor Dan
Ritchie for a discussion of C.S.
Lewis as a Transformer of Culture.
WALKER LIBRARY
BOOK CLUB
Walker Library • 2880 Hennepin
Av. S. • 630-6650
www.mpls.lib.mn.us
Mon, Oct 3, 6:30 pm — Julip by
Jim Harrison. Harrison’s story
depicts the absurd lengths to
which traditional male values may
be taken and that it often falls to
a capable woman to unravel the
complications.
WALKER LIBRARY AUTHOR
EVENT
Walker Library • 2880 Hennepin
Av. S. • 630-6650
www.mpls.lib.mn.us
Mon, Oct 17, 6:30 to 8 pm — Join
Dr. Alan Kahn to talk about his new
book, Mind Shapes, which examines
one of the root causes of miscom-
munication–the different ways that
people process information.
ONCE UPON A CRIME MYS-
TERY BOOKSTORE
604 W. 26th St. • 870-3785
www.onceuponacrimebooks.com
Thurs, Oct 6, 7 pm — Evan Mac-
Namara and Carl Brookins: Supe-
rior Position, The Case of the Greedy
Lawyers • Wed, Oct 12, 7 pm
— Vince Flynn: Consent To Kill
• Fri, Oct 28, 7 pm — Deborah
Grabien: Matty Groves.
MAGERS AND QUINN
AUTHOR EVENTS
3038 Hennepin Av. S. • 822-4611
www.magersandquinn.com
Thurs, Oct 6, 7 pm — Margie
Pivar will discuss her book Fourth
Uncle in the Mountain: A Mem-
oir of a Barefoot Doctor in Viet-
nam • Tues, Oct 18, 7 pm — At
The Suburban World Theater.
Free and open to the public. Jeff
Blodgett will discuss his book Pol-
itics the Wellstone Way. After the
booksigning, the in-house theater
group Machine Dreams will per-
form, and beverages will be avail-
able for purchase.
TEEN BOOK CLUB
Walker Library • 2880 Hennepin
Av. S. • 630-6650
www.mpls.lib.mn.us
Wed, Oct 12, 4 to 5 pm — Call 630-
6650 to register. No Limit [previously
titled Stone Cold] by Pete Hautman.
Sixteen-year-old Denn finds himself
alienating both friends and fam-
ily when he becomes obsessed with
playing high-stakes poker with adult
gamblers.
BOOKS & BARS
Bryant Lake Bowl • 810 W. Lake
St. • 825-8949
www.bryantlakebowl.com
Tues, Oct 4, 6:30 pm — “Books
& Bars” is a monthly social event/
book discussion sponsored by
Magers and Quinn, The Onion
and Bryant Lake Bowl. All are
welcome whether they have read
the book or not. Bryant Lake
Bowl serves food and drinks. In
the theater. This month’s book is
The Brief and Frightening Reign of
Phil by George Saunders.
ORR BOOKS
3043 Hennepin Av. S. • 823-2408
Tentative Date: Thurs. Oct. 27,
7:30 pm — Alison McGhee will
read from her new book All Riv-
ers Flow to the Sea. Call store for
update.
theater
performance
JUNGLE THEATRE
2951 Lyndale Ave. S. • Box office
822-7063
www.jungletheater.com
Through Oct 15 — BONE DRY
aka THE COPY EDITOR MUR-
DERS, by Paula Cizmar. Directed
by Bain Boehlke.
BRYANT LAKE BOWL
810 W. Lake St. • 825-8949
www.bryantlakebowl.com
Mon, Oct 10, 5 pm — The 6th
Annual Sound Unseen Film &
Music Festival. 11 days of music
documentaries, rare concert foot-
age, music videos, live cinema, spe-
cial events & guests from around
the world. Schedule and
ticket info at www.soundunseen.
com.
kids
family
outdoors
Oktoberfest at
Incarnation Church
Incarnation Church, 3801 Pleasant
Ave. S. • 822.2102
www.incarnation-church.com
Oct 7 to 9. The 41st annual event
will feature food, rummage sale,
The Rockin’ Hollywoods and the
Radio Band, wine, beer, pull tabs,
carnival, live and silent auction,
pancake breakfast, Sunday morn-
ing mass, crafts, bingo, raffle, and
more. Complete schedule and
details on the web site.
FALL SUNSET/MOONRISE
PADDLE
Lake Calhoun. Sat, Oct 15, 5:30 –
7:30 pm. $10. Paddle the Chain of
Lakes at sunset. Watch the fall col-
ors, sunset and moonrise over the
Chain of Lakes. Learn about the
natural history and wildlife of the
Lakes. The rising moon will pro-
vide light to paddle back to shore.
Meet at N.E. corner of Calhoun
Refectory. Limit 12 people. Inter-
mediate canoe skills suggested. To
register, call 313-7725.
halloween
BRYANT SQUARE PARK
3101 Bryant Ave. S. • 370-4907
www.minneapolisparks.org
Mon, Oct 31, 6 to 8 pm — a
spooky good time featuring an
outdoor fire with scary stories, a
haunted room and other ghoulish
fun! Free.
PAINTER PARK
620 W. 34th St. • 370-4911
www.minneapolisparks.org
Mon, Oct 31, 6 to 8 pm — Come
down to the park for games, candy
and fun! A fun and safe place for
children and families to spend the
night or just stop by. Free.
LYNDALE FARMSTEAD
PARK
3900 Bryant Ave. S. • 370-4948
www.minneapolisparks.org
Mon, Oct 31, 6 to 8 pm — Come
down to the park in your cos-
tumes! Games and treats!
BRYANT LAKE BOWL CABA-
RET THEATER
810 W. Lake St. • 825-8949
www.bryantlakebowl.com
Fri, Oct 28, 10 pm; Sun, Oct 30
and Mon, Oct 31, 7 pm — The
Clammy Hand of Nightmare. Clas-
sic ghost stories presented by
Hardcover Theater. An hour of
some of the best ghost stories ever
written. • Mon, Oct 31, 10 pm
— The Scrimshaw Show: Hallow-
een Night!! Featuring a brand new
Scrimshaw Horror film, the ever-
popular audience costume contest
and special guest, DC Comic Book
artist, Chris Jones!
ECCO LABOR DAY PARADE
A beautiful summer day. Marchers included various Candidates and a
four-year-old baby. One of the biggest turnouts ever.
KITCHEN WINDOW
In Calhoun Square • 824-4417
www.kitchenwindow.com
Tues, Oct 25, 6 to 9 pm — Fear
Factor: The Halloween Episode.
Push your bravery to the limits
while expanding your culinary
horizon as we experience several
lesser-known and seldom pre-
pared foods from the “hot zones.”
Noah Barton will whet your appe-
tite. Hop on for this crazy ride to
experience foods like you’ve never
had before, if you dare!
classes
workshops
lessons
KITCHEN WINDOW
In Calhoun Square • 824-4417
www.kitchenwindow.com
Tues, Oct 18, 6 to 9 pm. $65. Meet
the Chef — Stella’s Fish Café &
Prestige Oyster Bar is a casual sea-
food restaurant in Uptown with
the soul of a Low-Country lunch
counter. Offering super-fresh fish
and oysters, Cajun and Creole
specialties, Florida fried grouper
sandwiches, Po Boys, and Delta
Dog Tater Tots, Stella’s serves Gulf
Coast favorites in a setting that has
all the elegance of a swamp-side
fish camp. Join Executive Chef
Donald Selmer for an evening
exploring Stella’s new and exciting
menu.
MINNEAPOLIS
COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Various Minneapolis Public
Schools • 668-3939
www.mplscommunityed.com
Adult Enrichment Classes — Reg-
ister now for fall classes! Many
classes will begin the week of
October 3, but there are exciting
new courses starting weekly.
get involved
EXPERIENCE CORPS TUTOR
PROGRAM
Volunteers of America • 617-7827
www.experiencecorps.org
8-year old looking for experi-
ence – yours. Experience Corps is
recruiting volunteers of 50-plus to
mentor and tutor children in kin-
dergarten to third grade in Mpls.
schools. In the program is the
charter school Mary McEvoy Early
Literacy Academy at 34th and
uptown
community
events
Photo by David Peterson
Dupont. Volunteers should com-
mit 4 to 15 hours per week, with
small stipends possible. Training
provided. Contact Janet Triplett
at 612.617.7827 or jtriplett@voamn.
org.
LYNDALE FARMSTEAD
PARK COACHING
3900 Bryant Ave. S. • 370-4948
www.minneapolisparks.org
Volunteer to coach (lead or assist)
youth 2 nights a week, 1 for prac-
tice, 1 for games. Teach leadership
skills, fundamentals of sports, and
self-esteem. Must be coaching cer-
tified, able to multi-task and pro-
vide quality leadership.
WANTED: WETLAND
WANDERERS AND WORKERS
Thomas Sadler Roberts Bird Sanc-
tuary near Lake Harriet, Minne-
apolis
Sat, Oct 8, 2 to 6 pm — Join other
Wetland Wanderers and Mary
Maguire Lerman from Mpls. Park
and Rec. to remove invasive garlic
mustard. Learn about the values
of and threats to MN’s wetland
legacy from Mark Gernes from
MPCA’s Biological Monitoring
Unit and Peter McDonaugh from
Kestral Design Group. Special
kids naturalist program. Pesto
pasta supper, $5.
Molliedean@msn.com or Heather
Cusick, 659-9124. Register by Oct
5.
ECCO ANNUAL MEETING
St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox
Church • 825-5831
www.eccoinfo.org
Thurs, Oct 6, 7 to 9 pm — Elec-
tions of new Board. City Council
and Park Board candidates will
answer your questions. Free food
and beverages.
MIDTOWN GREENWAY
LAND USE & DEVELOPMENT
Midtown Greenway Coaltion •
879-0103
www.midtowngreenway.org
Community Workshops –Wed,
Oct 19, 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Loca-
tion to be determined‑ •‑Thurs,
Oct 20, 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Midtown
YWCA, Community Room.
These public workshops or “char-
rettes” will allow members of
the community to contribute to
design concepts for specific sites
along the Greenway.
october 2005 Uptown Neighborhood news •  13

home & garden The Record Show

Time for a bloom'n end By Patrick Anderson B Side…

The wood-paneled walls of the

to planted boulevards
By Bill Boudreau
Like many residents of
CARAG and ECCO, you
enjoy walks to the Lake after a
cleansing rain. Take 33rd Street
this time. There, at the bottom
of the steps leading to the shore,
you’re suddenly standing over
two cavernous pipes vomiting
a dark slurry of storm water
directly into the Lake!
A flock of gulls, seemingly
walking on water, gather some
100 yards out on the delta
formed by massive amounts
of soils poured through 8-foot
tubes connecting our streets to
the Lake. The gulls aren’t feed-
ing, they’re socializing. And if
any topic is under discussion ‘tis
the poisoned, lifeless mounds of
silt upon which they float.
Much of the load — estimated
at 50 tons per year — comes
from us. These “fines”, as they
are called, have been pulverized
by vehicle traffic into very tiny
specs, easily sliding from street
to Lake in a bath of warm rain.
Loose soils are shed into the
water primarily from big-time
earth disturbance like home
construction. Best Manage-
ment Practices for such large-
scale construction and its threat
to water quality are mandated
by the city.
Unfortunately, another catego-
ry of excavations responsible
for significant cloudiness in
the Lake is voluntary! This is
the ill-fated “Blooming Boule-
vards” program of CUE (Com-
mittee on Urban Environment)
before it came to its senses and
backed away from sticking
dirty needles into the veins of
our Lake.
Alas, some woebegone souls
have not received the message
that cultivation of boulevards
for “flowers” - or vegetables - is
a clear threat to the Lake, the
location of which, next to our
homes, underwrites 50% of the
home’s value.
Boulevards are Army Rangers
on the edge of the storm water
torrent. Boulevards comprise
the last line of defense before
pollution plunges off sidewalks
and lawns for a dismal dash
to the Lake.‑Here turf, which
normally should be distributed
by doctor’s prescription, makes
sense.‑Properly maintained grass
can capture and immobilize 85%
of rainfall. This compares to 50%
or less from sloped, exposed soil
Photo by Kay Nygaard-Graham
Down the drain somewhere on Hol-
mes Avenue.
in planted flowerbeds.
By all means garden; just
remember amateur plant cul-
tivation by the storm water
runoff to the river has all the
potential of a backyard steel
mill. Move perennially soiled
urges to your side of the side-
walk. Disturb not thy boule-
vard. Over seed with hardy
fescue when bare spots appear.
NO pesticides or lawn steroids,
please. Aerate.‑Peace.
Bill Boudreau has been an
ECCO resident since 1987,
and served on the 1992 Clean
Water Task Force addressing
storm water pollution in the
Chain of Lakes.
A Side…
For most music connoisseurs,
few of life’s simple pleasures
rank higher than hearing the
soft crackle and pop of a turn-
table needle as it flows through
the wobbled dark veins of
record vinyl, adding a rustic
background to the music.
We are at an age when the record
has been rendered obsolete,
beginning with the introduction
of cassette tapes in the 1980’s,
and ending with today’s favored
audible medium, the acousti-
cally infallible compact disc. The
purchase of music recorded onto
vinyl records is left to the roman-
tic, the fanatic and in some rare
cases, the cheapskate.
Many readers, like myself,
find themselves browsing the
“record” sections. The VFW
on Lyndale and 29th is the loca-
tion for The Record Show, on
October 1st. It is a bi-monthly
event during which vinyl col-
lectors, from the local to the
international, come together to
buy and sell vinyl.
VFW hall hold the hustle and
bustle of people browsing hun-
dreds of records. Tom Novak,
who helps with the operations,
said the upcoming show is
expecting 40 dealers, and has
room for up to 55. The boxes
that clutter the white linoleum
tables are steeped with records
ranging in rarities, price and
genre. Each dealer is furnished
with an eight-foot table for a
$35 fee. The dealer can present
almost any sort of music, and
in any format. Even though
sellers are allowed to put CDs,
posters, and videos along with
their records, Novak says the
main focus should be the vinyl.
For those interested in brows-
ing through a musical bit of the
past, Uptown’s VFW is located
in the Lyn-Lake area, at 2916
Lyndale Ave. S. People inter-
ested in leasing a table for the
December 10th Record Show
can call (651) 224-4947.

Wellness dentials include Certified Life tation to stop by.

continued from page 2
Sooki, speaking of programs
offered at Anew.
Born in Seoul, Korea, Sooki
practiced her strength early in
life when she was orphaned at
the age of five. She remained
in an orphanage until 1975,
when, at the age of 14, two sin-
gle, successful Scandinavian/
Norwegian sisters adopted her,
bringing her home to Minneso-
ta. “A lot of their will and drive
impregnated me, and I became
a mirror of that…Women have
to be self-starters. If you want
to do anything in life, you’re in
charge. You’re the chief execu-
tive officers.”
After spending 16 years as co-
founder and owner of Long
Lake Family Dentistry, Sooki
found that she was not serv-
ing herself while carrying on
the demands of dentistry. She
wanted something more. “I
needed a hobby career that I
enjoyed. I came to see a natu-
ral calling for me, a dharma
and purpose, to go beyond teeth
into total mind-body aware-
ness,” says Sooki.
Management coaching through
Aim for Excellence, and cer-
tification from the Chopra
Wellness Center, La Jolla, CA.
She is a certified Hatha Yoga
Teacher integrating the “Seven
Spiritual Laws of Yoga” related
to Dr. Deepak Chopra’s well-
known book, Seven Spiritual
Laws of Success.
The atmosphere at Anew is
sunny and soothing. The motif
is unpretentious, elegant and
functional. The staff is warm,
natural, and far from intimidat-
ing. Sooki will probably be there
to greet you herself. Try a facial
at the spa, perhaps. There is an
excellent bookstore for brows-
ing books ranging from spiri-
tual enlightenment to great Thai
cooking. If you think yoga is only
for new agers and Madonna, feel
at ease, the mood is inviting. If
nothing else, accept Sooki’s invi-
“My ultimate goal is that we
would be a center not about
just transformation but that we
would provide unique services
for our community…to cre-
ate a community of likeminded
people… if they feel rotten one
day they can just stop by…just
by being in our environment, we
uplift them… they don’t need
an appointment, do anything,
or buy anything — just hang
around here… they will auto-
matically feel better surrounded
by people like that.”
Sooki Jalali is featured in this
month’s national magazine,
Namaste.
Drop in or visit www.anew-
wellness.com

After six years, in her most

recent endeavor, Sooki’s cre-
14 •  Uptown Neighborhood news October 2005

NEW
CARAG
SIGN
CHOSEN
After many years of valuable
service, the CARAG goose – or
is it a duck? — sign needs to be
replaced. Last year, CARAG
realized that many signs had
become damaged, or had gone
missing. There was even talk Photo by David Peterson

that perhaps the image needed Contest winner Bruce Cochran

updating.

So, CARAG promoted a sign

design contest. Nine designs
came in and they were nar-
rowed down to the top four
by the SPACE (Schools, Park,
Arts, Culture & Education)
Committee. The top four new
designs, and the existing logo,
were presented to the commu-
nity at the CARAG Annual
Meeting last week.

The finalists were Jacob

Beneke, Lucinda Naylor, Cindy
Christian, and Bruce Cochran.

Residents at the meeting voted,

using CARAG’s “sticker
dot” voting procedure. Bruce
Cochran and his design came
out on top.

Over 30 signs will be going up

around the perimeter of the
neighborhood. The SPACE
Committee will oversee the
sign production over the next
few months. Minneapolis Pub-
lic Works will install the signs
when completed.

Bruce Cochran’s winning design ➔

Library Board candidates continued

Anita Duckor Gary Thaden Waterman Wittstock
continued from page 5 continued from page 5 continued from page 5

Library is to be the commu-
nity jewel of the Uptown area
by linking people in the area
with the transforming power
of knowledge. The Walker
Library will be a center of
community and neighborhood
vitality. We must actively
engage the community to par-
ticipate in the process to deter-
mine if the community desires
a new library, and we must
evaluate all options. I want to
ensure that everyone is heard
so we make the right decision
for the next 30-40 years. As a
member of the 2005 Walker
Library Joint Task Force, I
made the motion to allow
more community participation
in the process moving forward.
been formed. The Library
Board had already studied the
options for Walker and con-
cluded that fixing the roof was
the best short term option. In
the Libraries capital plan, the
Walker Library is scheduled
to be rehabilitated in 2010. In
2008 the Library Board should
start a planning process with
the neighborhoods, non-prof-
its, and businesses in the area to
decide on what type of Walker
Library we should have in our
area and execute that plan.
Make your voice heard
space in Uptown, discussion of
the library’s future should be
undertaken sooner rather than
later when other structures
may be built that would limit
library options for the commu-
nity. If Walker is to continue
to have a major role in the life
of the community, the library
board and citizens groups need
to meet and discuss what the
Walker library of 2020 needs
to be.

Vote
My goal is simple: I want the
Walker Library to be the best
it can be.
Tuesday, November 8
October 2005 Uptown Neighborhood news •  15
16 •  Uptown Neighborhood news october 2005
classifieds
GENERAL CLEANING
Large buildings inside, outside
and around. Mopping, sweep-
ing, etc. Commercial and resi-
dential. Insured. (612) 869-8697.
CARPENTERS
Experienced. Windows and
doors replaced, sills repaired.
We build fences and decks, and
apply all siding. Finish carpen-
try. Sheetrock, plaster repair,
and texture. Local references,
free estimates. Tom (612) 824-
1554.
HOME REMODELING &
REPAIR
Painting, wall and ceiling
repair, texture, refinishing,
kitchen and bath, tilework,
decks, etc. Over 30 years expe-
rience, quality work at a fair
price. Kevin (612) 872-2264.
MASONRY REPAIRS
Steps, brick, stucco, tuckpoint-
ing, foundations, basements. 26
years experience. (612) 377-3822.
Opinionated about high-rise development?
Write a letter to the editor unneditor@earthlink.net
STRONG HANDS - HOT
STONES - WORLD PEACE.
Barbara Glommen, certified
massage therapist. Energy
work – deep tissue – relaxation
– hot stones. Call for appoint-
ment (612) 821-1416.
RUBBISH HAULING/
TREE SERVICE
Small trees cut down or
trimmed. Licensed and insured.
(612) 869-8697.
IS YOUR HOUSE OLD?
Do you know the history of
your old house? Want to share
it? I am compiling stories of
house histories in south Mpls.
Call Mary Ann (612) 822-8533.
CLASSIFIED AD SALES
40¢ per word, 10-word minimum. Clas-
sifieds must be paid in advance. Please
send a check and the ad copy to: Uptown
Neighborhood News, C/O CARAG, 711
W. Lake St., Suite 303, Mpls. MN 55408.
Ad and payment are due the 17th of the
month. Thanks!