NEIGHBORHOOD NOTES | Hiawatha Ski Hut open on Sundays thanks to neighborhood support

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Over 550 people signed a petition asking that the Minneapolis Parks Board improve the skiing experience at Lake Hiawatha Golf Course, and they responded.Residents asked that the clubhouse be open for a few hours on weekends so that the public, especially families with children, will have a place to warm up and get refreshments after cross-country skiing, and that the 4-mile-long trail with views of the Minneapolis skyline be groomed at least twice a week. “We made a good impression on the Park Board, and those who signed the petition made it clear they value their nordic trail at Hiawatha,” stated Matt McKinney, who helped organize the neighbors. “The result: the Park Board agreed to lower their price for opening the clubhouse, allowing the Hiawatha Skiklubb to pay for eight Sunday afternoons of open clubhouse time from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.,” he added. The “Ski Hut” idea is one that neighborhood ski enthusiasts John Saunders, Pete West, and Matt McKinney pitched during the SENA annual meeting. It was selected as the winning Big Idea for 2013, which came with $1,000 to be used to accomplish the goal. Continue Reading

COMMUNITY VOICES | Meet Lindsay Walz of courageous heARTS

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Get to know Lindsay Walz, the leader of courageous heARTS, Standish-Ericsson’s own arts program for kids. Courageous heARTS opened in 2013 at 4164 Cedar Ave. in Minneapolis. For more information and class schedules, browse http://www.courageous-hearts.org or call 612-729-2483.- Why did you decide to start this non-profit? Lindsay Walz: My dream of opening a youth center started when I was still in high school myself when I had the opportunity to be on the founding board of a nonprofit in my hometown community.  The idea ebbed and flowed for many years until 2007, when I was on the 35W bridge when it collapsed.  I nearly drowned in my car (still don’t know how I got out) and while sitting on the bridge “island” waiting for help it occurred to me that the dream I had always carried with me might be the reason I survived.  A few weeks after the collapse, when I was sitting at home with a broken back, I received a community education flyer and found a class called Soul Painting.  That class became a catalyst for my healing over the next 5 years and I knew that my dream had to be rooted in the healing power of art– not for the product, but for the process.  There is another synopsis of this on my website, if you want additional information: http://www.courageous-hearts.org/roots-of-a-dream.html. Continue Reading

NEIGHBORHOOD NOTES | Paddlesculpt opens in Standish-Ericcson

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Minneapolis’ first indoor rowing studio has opened in the Standish-Ericcson neighborhood. Located next to Chris and Rob’s restaurant, Paddlesculpt moved into the spot recently vacated by Vintage Barber. Owner Dori Johnson was close to waiting on her dream of a bricks and motar studio until fall 2014. But then she passed by 4205 31st Ave. S. when she took a different path home from rowing practice one morning. Continue Reading

NEIGHBORHOOD NOTES | Cub Scout Pack 38 focuses on ‘fun with purpose’

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Cub Scouts is all about “Fun With Purpose,” according to Cub Scout Pack 38 Cubmaster Dan Fehler. At the Bicycle Rodeo last June at Northrup Elementary School the boys had fun testing their skills on their bikes and “pack riding” around a large, circular course. Experienced adults also gave lessons that are important to bike owners, such as properly fitting a helmet, patching an inner tube, and correctly locking up a bicycle.As a parent, Fehler has seen boys come to scouting from all over the spectrum.  “Some are highly skilled with sports, and love nothing better than a fast-paced kickball game, and love taking on the challenge of trying their skills at tennis or volleyball,” he observed. “Some boys love nothing more then digging in a book, reading about nature, history, citizenship, or valuable life skills. “Some boys love trying new things and earning every last award on the list. Some boys have varying degrees of learning disabilities and comfort in different social settings, which means they would love their smaller Den meetings, or may feel lost at our larger Pack meetings.  Some boys are ready in Kindergarten, some come in 5th grade, but any boy can join at any time. Continue Reading

NEIGHBORHOOD NOTES | Author, illustrator of children’s book to visit Roosevelt Library Saturday

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Meet the author and illustrator of “Moo,” a children’s book, at Roosevelt Library on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 1 p.m. The event is sponsored by Friends of the Roosevelt Library.(If earlier is better for you, the duo will be at Wild Rumpus at 11 a.m. on Nov. 9.)Author David LaRochelle has written or illustrated over 25 books, including picture books, puzzle books, craft books, and just recently, his first book for young adults. He works full-time as an author and illustrator, and lives in White Bear Lake, Minn. According to his web site, http://davidlarochelle.com , “When I’m not working on a new book, I love entering contests, solving puzzles, orienteering, traveling, and carving pumpkins. Continue Reading

NEIGHBORHOOD NOTES | Pop-up art project planned for this weekend neart The Baker’s Wife and Colossal Cafe

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Who defines what art is?Define street art.When do you think (if ever) street art is okay?What do you think when you hear the word grafitti?What is the effect or impact of grafitti on communities?Answer these questions during courageous heARTS’ first pop-up public art project for the Standish-Ericsson neighborhood. Choose from two options:• Saturday, Sept. 21: Corner Lot across from Baker’s Wife (42nd St and 28th Ave. in Minneapolis)• Sunday, Sept. 22: Outside Colossal Cafe (1839 E. 42nd St, Mpls 55407)“Whether this is in your neck of the woods or not, we invite you to participate in this interactive conversation about the value and impact of street art,” said courageous heARTS Executive Director Lindsay Walz. Continue Reading

COMMUNITY VOICES | Learn about spey casting Saturday at new Standish-Ericsson business, Mend Provisions

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Learn about spey casting, a technique used in fly fishing, this Saturday at one of Standish-Ericsson’s newest businesses, Mend Provisions.Meet at Mend 2719 42nd St. at noon for a talk about spey casting. Then the group will then head to the park, mother nature willing, to demonstrate the basics and put a rod in your hand so you can get a taste. This event is FREE with caffeine and donuts provided. Sign up at the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/361769490620140/ Mend Provisions, located just a few doors down from The Baker’s Wife, is a full-on fly shop carrying rods, reels, waders, flies and a large assortment of fly tying materials. Continue Reading

NEIGHBORHOOD NOTES | Roosevelt Library to dedicate new artwork Saturday

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The new artwork at Roosevelt Library will be dedicated during a special event tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 7 at 11 a.m.View the many fine art mosaic panels now hanging on the recently rennovated library’s walls. Artist Sheryl Tuorilla will be available to speak to attendees.Create your own paper mosaic art with volunteers from the Minnesota Mosaic Art Guild.The library is located at 4026 28th Ave. S.ABOUT THE ARTIST“Zen Tile, Flowing Ovals and Squaresville Tiles are my signature handmade tiles, and the meditative process of creating them provides me with an artistic retreat,” remarked Tuorilla on her web site. “Working with the wet clay, cutting the individual tiles, meticulously applying glaze and loading each piece into the kiln allows time for reflection.”After the tiles are made, she mindfully select each piece for her mosaics, to create balance among shapes and colors until the work is complete. Continue Reading

NEIGHBORHOOD NOTES | Storytime in the Southside Star Community Garden on Saturday

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Attend story time in the Southside Star Community Garden on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2013 at 5 p.m.It is part of several activities in honor of Community Garden Day. There will be tours, food and drink and activities for kids from 4 to 8 p.m. Master gardeners will be on hand to answer questions.ACTIVITIES:• 4:30 p.m. — Compost tea demonstration by Southside Star Gardener Bob Weber (a part of the Southside Hub Mini-tour)    • 5 p.m. — STORYTIME IN THE GARDEN for all ages with Roosevelt Librarian Ginger Gomes    • 6 p.m. — Fruit-tree guilds and other concepts of permaculture with Standish-Ericsson resident Heather IlseSouthside Star Community Garden is located at the 4100 block of 32nd Ave.The first crops were planted at Southside Star in 2010. Each gardener pays $50 a year, and performs 10 hour of community service such as mowing, weeding, moving mulch, digging weeds out of the sidewalk, working on the shelter and filling water barrels. Prior to work days, a scheduled walk-through is done to create a task list for the work-day leader. Continue Reading