inside
Commentary ............................................ 2
Your Community-Supported News Source • Covering the Neighborhoods of CARAG and eCCo and the Uptown Area
By Bruce Cochran
When the crew of “A serious
Man”, the latest Coen brothers’
film, asked Jean sabre if they
could shoot a scene at uptown
Vision, she had no idea what to
expect. on the corner of 36th
and Hennepin, Jean sabre and
husband Dr. Mark sabre have
been co-owners of uptown
Vision for 19 years. During
the setup process she admits
obama and Dfl’ers win Big in Uptown
By Gary Farland
Barack Obama and Joe Biden won an overwhelming 85.5% of the vote in the seven precincts near the center
of Uptown. Al Franken (DFL) won 70.8% of the Uptown vote (with that close race now going to a manda-
tory recount). 5th District U.S. Representative Keith Ellison (DFL) won re-election with the help of 79.8% of
the Uptown vote. 60A State Representative Margaret Anderson Kelliher (DFL) won 82.5% of the Uptown
vote, and will once again be Speaker of the Minnesota House. And 60B State Representative Frank Hornstein
(DFL) won re-election with 84.2% of the Uptown vote.
Senior Center Unveils Mosaic
By Mary Ann
Schoenberger, Director
Volunteers of America - Minne-
sota’s Southwest Senior Center
unveiled its 100 square foot mosa-
ic located on the exterior of the
building on Saturday, November
15. Over 120 seniors, students
and neighborhood resi-
dents helped to create the
oval that features
scenes from
Southwest
Minneapo-
lis. The
economy
gotYou
down?
that the film crew was very con-
siderate, organized and generous.
they coordinated with her cli-
ent schedule, landscaped and they
even agreed to install a new sign
after the shoot. the old “uptown
Vision Clinic” sign was temporar-
ily replaced by a “Great bear Den-
tal” sign for the shoot. sabre said
she was “pleasantly surprised”
by the whole process. the Coen’s
morning included the unveiling
of the mosaic, mosaic activities,
refreshments and a slide show of
the process and the participants.
“This process was a great exam-
ple of how art can bring people
together. People of all
ages worked with
each other to cre-
ate this beautiful
wrapped up the film and left town
for the next step in production.
Although making a last-minute
production change to shoot here in
uptown required days to okay and
hours to setup, this brief shot with
1960’s era vintage automobiles will
be measured in mere minutes. but
uptown’s experience with film
is much broader than that. it has
Photo by Bruce Cochran
win page 3
piece. I think everyone who sees
the mosaic will be inspired by the
work and its celebration of our
neighborhood,” said Mary Ann
Schoenberger, Director of South-
west Senior Center. The mosaic
features images of the neighbor-
hood and its residents that were
brought up during the four vision-
ing workshops. Key components
MoSaiC page 6
Crime & safety ...................................... 4
Business & Real Estate ...................... 5
special Holiday Guide Pullout .......7
CARAG Report .........................................12
ECCO Report.............................................13
Events Calendar.....................................14
Handmade Ornaments at Urban Earth. (See pg.7)
Photo (left) by Bruce Cochran
December 2008 • Volume 4, Number 12
a history of being a bubbling pot soul Asylum. it’s an all volun-
of rising talent. in the CARAG teer staff and although he does
neighborhood alone the unn has computer graphics and tech for
spoken with four artists actively the show, as producer he says
involved in film and other enter- his primary role is “more cow
tainment media. bell.” see more at www.tcmuz-
ique.org.
eric Rech
in 2010 he’s releasing a proj-
in 2000 Rech became one of the
ect called “A World of tears”.
producers for tC Muzique, the
it’s a half hour format with 13
oldest running live music show in
episodes and features stories of
the world. once a week on Minne-
apolis cable chan- alMoSt page 15
nel 17 every
thursday at
8p.m. the
live rock ‘n’
roll music
show has
filmed epi-
Digital illustration by Bruce Cochran
sodes with
bands such
as Filthy
F IL M M A K E R
Divine, S MAY BE C
LOSER
Dillinger THAN YOU
T H IN K
Four and
Michael
bland of Jean and the rest of
Uptown Vision gather
ʻround Team Coen
Photo by Bruce Cochran
Youth Step Up!
Minneapolis Youth Convene to Proclaim
“No Decision about Us without Us”
With infectious energy, this Youth Step Team opened the Town Hall
Session of the Minneapolis Youth Convention on October 28, produced
by the Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board. Topping an engaged
symposium on city issues and youths’ ideas and comments about
them, the Town Hall Session wrapped up the break-out ses-
sions with proclamations by various groups assigned to
tackle issues such as Crime, Housing and Transporta-
tion. The Town Hall panel included representatives
from the MPD, MPRB and Mayor Rybak.
e!
“They have to hear they
at
r lly
can succeed and have
eb
l oca
e
C l
to be responsible
as well.”
Save gas, Save Time and
Maybe even Save Your Sole(s)?
- Mayor Rybak Bust Out The Holiday Guide pgs. 7-10
2 • Uptown neighborhood news
commentary
letters
ckb
idh
A5
=@
Dear Unn editor
I am writing this letter to inform
members of the neighborhood
about Minneapolis’ unattended
animals ordinances. I was moved
to call the city by an experience I
had one dark fall evening recently.
Coming home after dark, I was
stopped at a traffic light in the
CARAG neighborhood – a fairly
busy intersection with two corner
stores and a popular neighborhood
cafe. I look over, and there, in the
dark, sits a beautiful golden lab,
attentively waiting for his person,
tethered to a street sign.
As I drove off, I was struck by the
dog’s expectant expression and the
fact that it was after dark and he
was sitting pretty close to a curb.
I went around the block and
parked across the street where I
could see him - it was 15 minutes
before his owners came out of the
cafe to get him. No bags of take-
away food so it appears they sat
and ate there.
How long had the dog been sitting
there?
Where he was tethered it would
be impossible to see him from the
cafe’s windows which seems to me
really unsafe.
I queried Minneapolis Animal
Control to see if they had any rec-
UPTowN NeigHBoRHood NewS
Uptown Neighborhood News is a monthly publication of Calhoun Area Residents Action
Group (CARAG) in cooperation with the East Calhoun Community Organization (ECCO).
UNN covers the news of and is delivered free to households within the area bounded by
Lyndale Ave. S. and Lake Calhoun, between Lake Street and 36th St. W. Extra copies are
distributed to businesses in the Uptown area, along Lake Street, and Lyndale and Hennepin
Aves. Circulation is 5,100, with a pass-along readership of 10,000. Publication and distribu-
tion is before the first of every month. Subscriptions are available for $30 per year, prepaid.
Send check to: UNN, 3612 Bryant Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55409.
Contributors are area residents who volunteer their time to bring the news of the area to resi-
dents. Articles, letters to the editor and story ideas are welcomed and encouraged. The editor
reserves the right to edit for length, clarity, relevance to the area, or other reasons. Editorial
and advertising guidelines are available. Please contact the editor:
newS, tiPS & letteRS to the eDitoR
uptownnews@yahoo.com
UNN
3612 Bryant Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55409
612.259.1372
eDitoR
Phyllis Stenerson
aRt DiReCtion & PRoDUCtion
Bruce Cochran
aDVeRtiSinG
Susan Hagler
612.825.7780
susanhagler@earthlink.net
ManaGinG BoaRD
Appointed/elected Reps:
Ted Ringsred, Chair (ECCO)
612.824.6474
Anna Matthes, Vice Chair (CARAG)
Jill Bode, Treasurer (CARAG)
Gary Farland, Secretary (ECCO)
Ralph Knox (ECCO)
Kay Nygaard-Graham (CARAG)
Volunteer Member
Mary Ann Knox
ContRiBUtinG PhotoGRaPheRS
Bruce Cochran, Courtney Cushing Kiernat,
Kat Singer
ommendations should I see this
again and found out there are two
ordinances on the city’s books. One
prohibiting unattended animals in
public spaces and tying off animals
on trees, plantings or signage.
Tethering your dog during the day
to run into a corner store or taking
home some dinner is one thing, but
tethering your dog in the dark for
close to an hour just seems a little
unfair to that pet.
Just thought the UNN is the per-
fect place to let neighbors know
that the city does have ordinances
about it. Thank you.
Julie Michener, CARAG
Dear neighbors
I saw the greatest play last night.
“Souvenir” at the Jungle Theater
stars our neighbor Claudia Wilkins
and is directed by Joel Sass. This
is an unsolicited endorsement of
the performance. I am not affili-
ated with the Jungle, other than
as a loyal and satisfied audience
member. This play is hysterically
funny and like nothing you will
have seen before. I think Claudia
is a jewel of the Twin Cities’ the-
ater community, and have enjoyed
her for many years, but I have
never seen her like this. I laughed
‘til I cried. And then I cried real
tears at the touching finale. This
is one of the most satisfying and
fun performances I have seen in a
while, and I urge you all to check
it out. It plays until December 21.
If you have never been to the Jun-
gle, you are missing out on some-
thing great––the intimate size and
always-exquisite sets create the
perfect tableau for the talented
acting and directing always seen
there. We are very lucky to have
them within walking distance.
Support your local theater!
Mary Ann Knox, CARAG
ContRiBUtinG wRiteRS
Roberta Avidor, Jill Bode, Bruce Cochran,
John Darlington, Gary Farland,
Ellan Meyer, Cecilia Michel, John Munger,
Mary Ann Schoenberger, Phyllis Stenerson,
Jessica Wicks, Allison Zank
newSPaPeR CiRCUlation
CARAG/ECCO Circulation:
Bill Boudreau 612.825.0979
MinneaPoliS CitY CoUnCil
Tenth Ward
Ralph Remington, 612.673.2210
ralph.remington@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
CRiMe PReVention SPeCialiSt
Tom Thompson, 5th Precinct
SAFE Unit, Sector 2, 3101 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis MN 55408
Serving the neighborhoods of;
CARAG, East Harriet, ECCO, Kingfield,
Linden Hills, Lyndale, West Calhoun
5th PReCinCt CoMMUnitY attoRneY
Lisa Godon 612.673.2005
Uptown Neighborhood News reserves the right to refuse
publication of articles or advertisements as it sees fit.
But we will see fit to publish most things, don’t worry.
Copyright © 2008 Uptown Neighborhood News.
DECEMBER 2008
8
8
Ruminations on Proposition eight
By John Darlington, Minister, Joyce Church: A Reconciling Congregation
Why do so many “Christian” people fear same-sex marriage? They claim that the Bible makes it clear that
homosexuality is an “abomination ‘ before God. I assure you that the Bible is not clear on the subject. Yes, when
you search you may find four isolated biblical injunctions against homosexuality. But, given the scripture’s per-
vasive emphasis on humbleness, kindness, faithfulness and justice, the passages which render a verdict against
homosexuals are not only isolated, they are few-and-far-between and ambiguous.
Californians buckled under when they voted yes on Proposition Eight. They succumbed to caution and fear.
There is of course nothing intrinsically wrong with Californians. To be sure, they are better known for their
open-mindedness. My point is that if even Californians give way to the promoters of fear and hate, perhaps
even free-thinking Minnesotans are not far behind.
May people of faith try again, and embrace what we have learned from childhood -- that God is love! Love is
ever the context in which living creatures experience newness of life and joy. The committed love between two
persons, whether they are of the opposite sex or the same, gives beautiful expression to the miracle of love and
the blessing of God that goes with it.
Fear of the unknown, on the other hand, serves only to deny love and the very God who adorns the universe
with it. Why are religious people so bent on fear? Is it because they are afraid that God will send them to hell if
they allow their hearts and minds and doors to open wider?
If so, they mystifyingly discard the underlying biblical injunction that God is love.
John Darlington is pastor of Joyce Church and Simpson Church and a member of the CARAG board.
Uptown is Multi-Partisan
By Phyllis Stenerson most people in Uptown voted for conversation with most folks about
Democrats. BUT NOT EVERY- public policy and popular culture
America’s history made another ONE. Many of our Uptown without pre-screening them for
significant turn in the November neighbors are conservatives, mod- political biases. Die hard Republi-
election. erates, Republicans, Independents cans and Democrats actually com-
or whatever political identifica- mingled amicably!
Electing an African American as tion they choose. We DFL’ers are
President has deep meaning in dominant and vocal but I’m pretty Let’s restore that sense of commu-
terms of our country’s progression sure we don’t have all the good nity and shared purpose starting
toward living out its declaration of ideas and I know we’re not the right here in Uptown. Let’s have
independence and justice for all. only good guys. a conversation about our shared
After eight years of a Republican future that welcomes everyone.
administration and the Congress I’ve been involved in politics in
controlled by Republicans for six Minneapolis and Minnesota for a Uptown Neighborhood News
of those years, Democrats are in long time and have fond recollec- wants to hear from people of all
charge.
tions of many outstanding lead- political persuasions about how we
ers and activists from BOTH the can work together for the good of
Commentary on the impact of Republican and DFL parties. We our community and nation. Write
the election and predictions for earned a reputation for good gov- to uptownnews@yahoo.com or
the future are almost as pervasive ernment that was largely the result Editor, Uptown Neighborhood
as speculations before the ballots of visionary public servants who News, 3612 Bryant Avenue South,
were cast so I won’t add to the ver- worked together, mostly, for the Minneapolis, MN 55409 with your
biage here. Suffice it to say change public good instead of clinging to thoughts.
is on the way. partisan ideology.
We must be thankful for so much.
As you’ll see elsewhere in this issue, It was easy and pleasant to have a We have a responsibility to future
generations to build on our legacy
of good government and a safe,
caring community.
Phyllis Stenerson is Editor of the
Uptown Neighborhood News and
lives in CARAG.
RnC Convention Recap
“Terrorizing Dissent: Election
Cut,” an exposé of events at the
2008 Republican National Con-
Divine Liturgy
vention in St. Paul, Minnesota
Sunday 9:30 am produced by independent media
activists. For information and to
Fr. Paul Paris catch or host a screening go to
www.terrorizingdissent.org
 DECEMBER 2008 Uptown Neighborhood news •  .

government
win from 1
These percentages are computed
from the accompanying table
showing the vote totals for Ward
10, Precincts 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10 and 11.
The table shows the totals for the
races voted on by these precincts
with several exceptions to keep the
table within space limitations. In
addition to the races shown, three
individuals were elected as Soil
and Water Supervisors: they were
Kim N. Boyce (District 1), James
Wisker (District 3), and Jeffrey A.
Beck (District 5). Also, the only
judicial races shown are for Min-
nesota Supreme Court.

The Uptown area strongly voted

for the three referendum ques-
tions that passed. 82.8% of Uptown
voters approved the Minnesota
Constitutional Amendment that
dedicates funding to protect drink-
ing water and the environment, to
preserve our arts and cultural heri-
tage and to support our parks and
trails. To do this, it increases the
sales and use tax rate beginning
July 1, 2009 by 3/8 of one percent
until 2034.

Uptown also voted strongly for

the two Minneapolis School Board
referendums. Question No. 1 on
the ballot increases the present
referendum levy from $615 per
pupil to $1,200 per pupil begin-
ning next year and for eight years.
It will also be increased with the
federally-determined rate of urban
inflation. This passed overall with
70.9% of the vote, while Uptown es the composition of the Min- same as the Park Board, plus three referendum passed overall with
gave it 77.5%. neapolis School Board. Instead of at-large members. This change 65.9% of the vote, while Uptown
having seven at-large members, it will be implemented beginning gave it 67.6%.
Question No. 2 on the ballot chang- will consist of six members elected with the 2010 election and be com- Deadline for
from districts geographically the pleted in the 2012 election. This The School Board election (offi- submissions to
cially non-partisan) went to the
three candidates endorsed by The Uptown
the DFL: Jill Davis, Lydia Lee Neighborhood
Citizen (ECCO resident and present chair) News is
ACtion and Carla Bates. The Uptown per-
centages followed the City totals, the 15th of
with Lydia Lee being the top City DECEMBER
CARAG Neighborhood vote-getter and even more so in
(email:
612.823.2520 Uptown.
carag@carag.org uptownnews@
ECCO Neighborhood
612.987.2344
Gary Farland is a board member for yahoo.com)
ellischild@earthlink.net ECCO and the UNN and lives in
City Councilperson ECCO.
Ralph Remington
612.673.2210
Ralph.Remington
@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Mayor R.T. Rybak
Your ECCO/CARAG Neighborhood
612.673.2100
rt@minneapolis.org
Realtor & Lender Team!
Providing 1st Class Realtor Services
State Representative & Home Financing Programs “in One Location”
Margaret Anderson
Kelliher
651.296.0171
rep.margaret.kelliher@house.mn
State Representative
Frank Hornstein
651.296.9281
rep.frank.hornstein@house.mn
State Senator
D. Scott Dibble
651.296.4191
sen.scott.dibble@senate.mn Lance Fraser Josh Hennesy
Lakes Area Realty 1428 W 28th St Prime Mortgage
Governor Tim Pawlenty lance@lakesarearealty.com Uptown A Division Of The Business Bank
651.296.3391 651-230-1648 josh@prime-mortgage.com
tim.pawlenty@state.mn.us
(Next to Isles Buns Coffee) 612.716.1187
U.S. Congressman
Keith Ellison
612.522.1212
www.ellison.house.gov
U.S. Senator

MOHN
Norm Coleman
651.645.0323
www.coleman.senate.gov
U.S. Senator
Amy Klobuchar
202.224.3244
Electric & Lighting Company
www.klobuchar.senate.gov ALL ECO-FRIENDLY CFLs 20% OFF!!
925 West Lake Street Uptown Minneapolis MN 55408
President (Corner of West Lake Street & Colfax Avenue South)
George W. Bush Open 6 Days a Week • Mon - Sat 10:00am - 5:30pm
202.456.1111
comments@whitehouse.gov 612.821.6463 FREE PARKING
Lighting • Par ts • Shades • Bulbs • Repair • Advice
 • Uptown Neighborhood news DECEMBER 2008

crime & safety

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

ECC O
CAR AG
5TH PRECINCT (Southwest Minneapolis)
Sector 2: Crime Prevention Specialist
Tom Thompson: 612.673.2823
ECCO CARAG thomas.thompson@ci.minneapolis.mn.us

Cyclists Double
Provided by the Office of Ralph Remington
More people are biking to work
here in Minneapolis, according to
the U.S. Census Bureau’s Ameri-
can Community Survey. Ridership
numbers jumped 49% over the
previous year.
cities in the nation and just a frac-
tion of a percent behind Portland,
Ore., where an estimated 3.9% of
all commuters bike.
has dropped 269 per year, a 20%
decline. In fact, there has been
a downward trend in all traffic
crashes since the late 1990s.
City leaders are working to main-
tain Minneapolis’ place as one of
the most bikeable and walkable
cities around. Along with county,
state and federal partners, they’ve
invested in several projects to
expand improvements that make
biking and walking more attrac-
tive to people in Minneapolis.
For more information on bicy-
cling in Minneapolis, visit www.
ci.minneapolis.mn.us/ bicycles To
learn more about walking in the
city, visit www.ci.minneapolis.
mn.us/pedestrian

It’s not surprising that this rise in

The survey found that the num-
ber of Minneapolis residents who
biked to work increased from an
estimated 4,840 in 2006 to 7,200
last year. About 3.8% of all Min-
neapolis commuters used bikes in
2007 (with a margin of error of ±
0.8%). These findings put Minne-
apolis second among the 50 largest
bicycle commuting has put more
bikes on the street. Counts per-
formed by the City of Minneapo-
lis revealed a 50% increase in the
number of bicyclists in Downtown
Minneapolis between 2003 and
2007.
Despite this increase in bikes on
our streets, Minneapolis is seeing
an overall downward trend in the
number of bike vehicle accidents.
From 1993 to 1999, the average
number of bicycle crashes was 334
per year. Since 2000, the average
Dog Eat Dog
Reward Program Announced to Help Prevent Animal Fighting
The Humane Society of the United tip helped lead to the arrest and 2100 L St. NW
States has teamed up with various prosecution of the convicted Washington, DC 20037
Minnesota law enforcement agen- animal fighter and should be FAX: 301.721.6414
cies to combat cockfighting and mailed or faxed to:
dogfighting. At a press conference Animal Fighting For more information about The
held November 17 at the state cap- Reward Program Humane Society of the United
itol, representatives from the Min- C/O Ann Chynoweth States’ animal fighting reward
nesota Chiefs of Police Association, The Humane Society program, call 301.258.1459 (Eng-
Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association, of the United States lish) or 301.258.1420 (Español).
Minnesota Police & Peace Officers
Association and Minnesota Ani-
mal Control Association joined to
announce that The Humane Soci-
ety of the United States is offering
up to $5,000 for information lead-
ing to the arrest and conviction of
any person(s) involved in illegal
animal fighting.

Cockfighting and dogfighting are

felonies in Minnesota, punishable
by imprisonment of at least one
year and one day.

Instructions
• If you have information about
illegal animal fighting in Min-
nesota, call your local law
enforcement or animal control
agency. If you wish to remain
anonymous, let the agent whom
you give your tip to know that
you do not want your identity
released to the public, but are
interested in The Humane Soci-
ety of the United States’ reward.
Make sure to note the officer’s
name.
• If the suspected animal fighter is
convicted, ask the law enforce-
Art vs. Graffiti
ment agency involved in the case Photo by Bruce Cochran

to write a letter to The Humane
Society of the United States.
• The letter should state that your
Crime Prevention Specialist Tom Thompson, shown above, gave a lively sem-
inar to kids on graffiti awareness and prevention. The class was held at Bryant
Square Park on November 18. Other instructors included Officer Butch Blauert,
Megan Orr of the Uptown Association, the sponsor, and Sarah Burson, represent-
ing Calhoun Square.
 DECEMBER 2008 Uptown Neighborhood news •  .

business & real estate

Down On The Corner Arterial Motives Foreclosure
Information
Available
Hennepin County Taxpayer Ser-
vices, in conjunction with the Min-
nesota Home Ownership Center,
is providing free public foreclosure
information.

Workshops have been held with

one remaining on Tuesday,
December 2, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at
Brooklyn Park Library, 8600 Zane
Avenue North.

A video of the workshop is avail-

able on the Hennepin County web-
site http://hennepinmn.granicus.
com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_
Photo by Bruce Cochran id=12.
Raised buildings in November opened this space at Girard and Lake for expansion
of Calhoun Square’s northeast corner. The parking ramp is on schedule and the The workshop will help residents
interior is still under construction while open. Vision World will open November 23 – including homeowners fac-
in a new expanded location with an in-store lab for producing new glasses. Sushi
Tango will have a new redesigned space with a grand opening estimated in Feb- ing or worried about foreclosure,
ruary 2009. Kitchen Window’s new space is estimated to open April 2009. and renters affected by landlords’
foreclosures – to understand the
foreclosure process, their rights
and how they can find assistance.
Photo by Bruce Cochran
The workshop includes informa-
El Nuevo Rodeo hosted Lakes Street Council’s 12th Annual Fundraiser with tion about the foreclosure process,
over 300 people and raised over $9000 with a Wine & Beer Tasting and Silent homeowners’ and tenants’ rights,
Auction. foreclosure counseling, working
with your lender, assistance and

New Ordinance Request other related topics.

CM Remington has introduced an For more information about the

ordinance regulating newspaper boxes
Council Member Remington is
seeking to regulate newspaper
boxes to ensure that they:
Regulatory Services on Decem-
ber 3 and the final vote will occur
on December 12. Please attend
on December 2 to testify, if pos-
workshop call Jeff Strand, Hen-
nepin County Taxpayer Services,
612.348.7870. For questions about
the library locations go to the Hen-
nepin County Library website
– hclib.org – or call Jodi Monson,
952.847.8516.

East Meets West

1) Do not impede sidewalk acces-
sibility
2) Are well-maintained and free of
graffiti, trash, etc
Moto-i, the new restaurant on Lyndale and Lake from Herkimer owner, Blake
Richardson, officially opened its doors on October 20. More akin to beer fermen-
3) Are regularly stocked and not
tation than rice wine, sake’s yeast starter is the restaurant’s namesake. Boast- abandoned
ing the first sake brewery restaurant outside of Japan, Richardson will offer three The goals outlined above will be
handcrafted sakes and sparkling sake when the restaurant first opens, many
grades and different styles of sake will soon follow to complete the taste spec- accomplished through a permitting
trum, from Junmai Ginjo and Yamahai, to Futsuu and Nama Genshu. The menu process. Each year, all newspaper
sible. Written comments will also
be accepted for the public record.
Written comments can be submit-
ted to Council Member Reming-
ton’s office (Ralph.remington@
ci.minneapolis.mn.us). Please par-
ticipate by testifying on December
2 or submitting comments.
Information and assistance for dis-
tressed homeowners is available
from the Minnesota Home Own-
ership Center at 651.659.9336, toll-
free at 1.866.462.6466, or on their
website at hocmn.org.

Midwest Meets West

will include many small dishes to be sampled and shared. distributors who would like to
have boxes in the public right-of-
way will pay a fee per box (approx-
imately $39). This fee will pay for
an inspector to approve individual
box locations, issue a sticker for
each box (with a box number and
contact information), respond to
complaints and survey the city for
violations. Any box that is found
to be noncompliant can receive a
fine and/or be imploded.

St. Paul passed a nearly identi-

cal ordinance in 2000 and began
imposing a fee in 2005. Council

Quintessential Member Remington believes Min-

neapolis is overdue in providing

Quarters
similar protections to its citizens.

When passing laws regarding

Photo by Bruce Cochran
newspaper boxes the City needs Photo by Bruce Cochran
Q Boutique joins the Uptown fashion circle with the latest styles from across the to be sure that its regulations are The owners of the ex-Campiello property have just signed a lease with “Cow-
nation and around the globe. The Grand Opening is December 17 at 7 p.m.-10 content neutral. That means we boy Slims”, a cowboy theme with bar food and drink.
p.m. at it’s new location, 1404 West Lake St., next to Stella’s Fish Cafe. cannot treat one distributor differ-
ently than any other. We cannot

Inner Strength differentiate between publications

that provide mostly news and
those whose pages hold mainly
Grand Opening Celebration advertisements. Cities throughout
the nation have ordinances similar
Inner Strength Fitness Studio celebrates its Grand Opening at two loca- to St. Paul’s and Council Member
tions: Uptown, 28th and Lyndale and St. Paul, 758 Grand Avenue on Remington’s proposal.
Saturday, January 3, 4-6 p.m.
A public hearing on this pro-
The 1st annual Lake of the Isles Run/Walk begins at Inner Strength at posed ordinance is set for Tuesday,
2:30pm. Sign up in advance to receive a long sleeve commemorative T- December 2, in Council Cham-
shirt to wear during the run. bers. The committee will begin
at 9:30a.m. Additional discussion
Come for the run and stay for the party afterwards with food, drink,
will take place in Public Safety and
raffle and music! Visit www.innerstrengthstudio.com for more.
6 • Uptown neighborhood news DECEMBER 2008

first Universalist Prepares for Sesquicentennial Year

By Jessica Wicks
First Universalist Church, 3400
Dupont Avenue, launched a year-
long series of programs on Octo-
ber 25 that will culminate in their
150th Anniversary in 2009.
The history of First Universalist
and the city of Minneapolis are
inseparable. From the start the
church was clearly committed to
playing an active role within the
community. From its founding in
1859 many leaders of the commu-
nity were impacted by the call of
their minister that to whom much
is given, much is expected.
Rev. J.H. Tuttle arrived in 1866
and served First Universalist until
1891. He came from Rochester,
New York where he was friends
with and often shared a pulpit
with two historical giants, Susan
B. Anthony and Frederick Doug-
las. It was to them he attributed
his strongly held belief that the
church has an active role to play in
society, a legacy lasting to this very
day. Reverend Tuttle turned often
to his congregation to reach out
beyond the walls of the church.
The founders and early members
of the church sound like a who’s
who of Minneapolis history - peo-
ple like Dorilius Morrison who
began as State Senator then served
two terms as Mayor and was also
the first editor of the Star Tribune
and W.D. Washburn who was a
member of the Board of Trust-
ees for the first 50 years, served
in the U. S. Congress and Senate
and worked for his brother Cad-
waller for the Minneapolis Milling
Company, the precursor to Gen-
eral Mills. Then there were the
Northrup’s, the Lowry’s, Crosby’s
and King’s. When the National
Women’s Suffrage movement met
Church pastor Dr. Marion Shutter
was responsible for the creation of
Unity Settlement House in 1897
that was later led by member Car-
oline Macomber Crosby. Under
her leadership Unity Settlement
House developed free kindergar-
ten, a mother’s club, sewing school,
library, gymnasium and a proba-
tion office working with the juve-
nile court to oversee 81 boys and
7 girls. Unity Settlement House
worked in cooperation with other
churches until it was sold to the
city in 1984. Money from that sale
was used to establish First Univer-
salist Foundation, a contributor
today to a host of progressive con-
cerns.
Rev. and Mrs. Tuttle host ladies of First Universalist Church at a garden party in the late 1800’s.
For its entire history First Univer-
salist has been committed to social
justice and progressive values.
During the sixties Reverend John
Cummins, now First Universalist
Minister Emeritus, counseled over
500 men about becoming conscien-
tious objectors. Rev. Cummins also
joined many other UU ministers
with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
for the famous march on Selma,
AL after a UU minister, Reverend
James Reeb, had been killed there.
During the eighties First Univer-
salist was a sanctuary church and
during the eighties and nineties
began a number of programs for
HIV as well as support for gay and
lesbian members. A group of gay
parents and their families meeting
at First Universalist provided the
genesis for the subsequent found-
ing of Rainbow Families organiza-
tion.
They have come a long way, first
meeting at a house on Washing-
ton Avenue, moving to the site of
today’s St. Olaf Catholic Church
in downtown Minneapolis, then
to 50th Street and Girard Avenue
South and finally to the current
location on Dupont. It has been a
grand journey laying the ground-
work for the next 150 years.
John Cummins said it well back in
1981:
“The flame of the liberal spirit in
religion shines most brightly when
elsewhere it is dark. That is as it
should be. To exalt the human
spirit, to widen human liberty, to
promote and defend exercise of the
individual mind and conscience,
to uplift the dignity and hope of
every human being is the unique
mission of Universalism.”
Saturday, October 25, was the
beginning program featuring a
prominent theologian, educator
and historian.
The first speaker was Rev. Dr. Paul
Rasor, director of the Center for
the Study of Religious Freedom
and Professor of Interdisciplin-
ary Studies at Virginia Wesleyan
College. He spoke on “Circum-
scribing Universalism: Navigating
some Universalist Shoals” as well
as delivering the sermon the next
day.
Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Strong, Minis-
ter of Religious Education for 25
years, spoke on “Universalism’s
Long and Proud History: the Peo-
ple, Theologies, Scholarship, and
Just Plain Quirkiness.” In addition
the next day she presented a lun-
cheon program entitled “The Rev.
Dr. Marion Shutter and His Work
and Influence: Evolutionary The-
ory and Universalist Theology.”
Finally John Hurley, Director of
Communications for the Unitarian
Universalist Association spoke on
“Memory and Justice: Reflections
on Universalist History.” He is
also archivist and denominational
historian for the UUA.
First Universalist’s sesquicentenni-
al programs will continue through-
out the year. For information on
these programs as well as regular
church activities go to www.firs-

The Uptown Neighborhood News

in Minneapolis in 1885, they came tuniv.org or call 612.825.1701. All
to First Universalist Church. are welcome.

Institutions in Minneapolis found-

ed by church members include the
Minneapolis Club, the Minneapo-
lis Foundation, Lakewood Cem-
etery, Washburn Orphanage (now
the Washburn Clinic), The Min-
neapolis Institute of Art, The Min-
nesota Symphony Orchestra and
the Pillsbury and General Mills
companies.
If We Were Any More Local We’d Be Sitting On You.
MoSaiC from 1
include the Lake Harriet Band-
shell, Lake Harriet, a school, the
Center, the Rose Garden, and peo-
ple of all shapes and sizes. View-
ers will also spot surprises in the
mosaic, such as special pieces of
jewelry or coins that were donated
by participants.
“This project is exactly what com-
munity art is supposed to be - art
made by the community, for the
community - it’s a delight to see
so many people enjoy it,” said
Maria Ricke, co-owner of Mosaic
on a Stick and the lead artist on
the project.
“Working on the mosaic was fun
on so many different levels. I loved
the challenge of fitting the pieces
together and I enjoyed getting to
interact with the students from
Barton Open School. Just looking
at it makes me smile to think of all
the people who worked together
to make this happen,” said Pat
Marentic, a Southwest Center par-
ticipant.
“This project was a great way to
start the year,” said Allison Rubin
Forester, teacher at Barton Open
School. “The students interacted
with their community in new ways,
working alongside the seniors and
discussing ideas about neighbor-
hood spaces and sketching visuals
during the visioning process. They
learned from and were inspired by
artist Maria Ricke to cut tile and
lay out designs giving thought to
color and texture. It’s been a phe-
nomenal learning experience.”
Barton students also conducted a
graffiti survey around their school,
and helped to build the mosaic.
Funding for the mosaic came from
a City of Minneapolis Innovative
Graffiti Prevention Micro-Grant,
Volunteers of America – Minne-
sota and Calhoun Area Residents
Action Group (CARAG).
The unveiling and celebration
took place at Southwest Senior
Center, 3612 Bryant Avenue South.
For more information, please con-
tact Mary Ann Schoenberger at
Jessi Wicks is a member of First Uni-
versalist Church.
and nutrition programs, includ-
ing senior dining; exercise classes;
health screenings, diabetes club;
presentations on assorted wellness
topics; a variety of educational and
cultural events; volunteer opportu-
nities; caregiver support services,
social work services for Medicare,
housing, financial and legal issues;
and “DayElders” adult day ser-
vice.
about Volunteers of
america - Minnesota
Volunteers of America - Minne-
sota is a nonprofit organization
founded in 1896 which offers a
wide variety of services to more
than 27,000 children, adolescents
and their families, older adults,
students, persons with disabilities

Battle of the Bands

Rbe^SX”TY^^Ub”\QdU^YWXd
ce^dX(Q]!Q]”VbYcQd(Q]"Q]
!& g\Q[Ucd\Q[UYbfY^W
]Y^^UQ`_\Yc&!"("'%'!
612.822.3194 or mschoenberger@
voamn.org.
about Southwest Center
High school musicians sound off Southwest Center, a program of
Four high school musical bands will compete starting at 8 p.m. on Fri- Volunteers of America – Minneso-
day, December 5 at Aldrich Avenue Presbyterian Church, 3501 Aldrich ta, serves the neighboring Minne-
Avenue South. Bands will audition on December 3 and the four best will apolis community through a wide
sound off on Friday in the basement of Aldrich Church. Judges and the variety of programs, services and
audience will determine the winner. volunteer opportunities that sup-
port the health and independence
First prize for the winning band is a promotional package including a of older adults. The Center strives
professional photo shoot, studio time to record a demo album, copies of to be a welcoming environment
the CD and a CD release party at the Church. where seniors feel comfortable
socializing and learning ways to
The $3 admission fee includes refreshments, a chance to win prizes and enhance their physical and mental
the opportunity to help select the winner. All are welcome. For more health. Southwest’s current pro-
information contact the Church at 612.825.2479 or Michael von Gross at grams and services include health
aldrichbandbattle@gmail.com or 612.386.0284.
and special needs, and ex-offend-
ers each year. It is one of the oldest,
largest and most comprehensive
human service organizations in
the state and has more than 60 pro-
grams, 700 employees and 4,000
volunteers. Volunteers of America
has a rich history of developing
innovative, quality programs to
meet emerging social issues and
prides itself on sponsoring pro-
grams which are able to articulate
explicitly the outcomes achieved
in its program participants’ lives.
For more information about Vol-
unteers of America of Minnesota,
visit www.voamn.org, or call
952.945.4000.
 Holiday Guide
Multiple Choice: “I think holiday food is...?”
A. The only food that heals your soul
B. A time to share
C. For suckers
Either you look forward to holiday food all year long or by mid-
December you’ve had so much of it that even the thought of
another seasonal meal has you considering stomach staple surgery.
So here is a short list of great menu items from local restaurants
for those of you that answered “A”, “B” or “C.”
If you answered “A”
Uptown Bar & Cafe
3018 Hennepin Ave. S.
612.823.4719
www.uptownbarandcafe.com
Three words: Hot Roast Turkey:
fresh roasted turkey served on
country style bread with mashed
potatoes, gravy, dressing and cran-
berry sauce.
Uptown Diner
2548 Hennepin Ave. S.
612.874.0481
Real late-night value: Turkey
Dinner: turkey, stuffing, mashed
potatoes, gravy, corn and
cranberry sauce.
Lucia’s
1432 W. 31st St.
612.825.1572
www.lucias.com
Everything but the Turkey...To-
go: sweet potatoes, stuffing, yams,
cranberries, rolls and more. They
work, you chow.
Our Kitchen
813 W 36th St
612.825.3718
This greasy spoon just FEELS
like home-Okay maybe not
YOUR home but at least it feels
like a place you might be able to
steal leftovers from the fridge
like you used to do when you were
Celebrating with a little less cash, gas and time
how you can save $3 off an adult
brunch when you bring in a non-
Gear Garland
Bicycle Accessories for Easy Gift Giving
By Bruce Cochran
With the growing numbers of
bicycle commuters in Minneapo-
lis there’s a good chance that you
or someone you know needs some
gear. And I say needs–winter is
here and bicycling outside can be...
well...terrifying without the cor-
rect gear. So here’s a thrifty list
of bicycle accessories followed by
a short list of bicycle shops in the
area that are so close you can even
bike to them.
The Alt, Bike & Board
For dress-up, role-playing or bet-
perishable food item which they
will be donating to a local food
shelf.
VFW Uptown
29th and Lynadale Ave S.
612.823.6233
Daily drawing through Thanks-
giving for one free turkey every
day at 7 p.m. Contestants must
enter the free drawing by 6 p.m.
the same day and have purchased
one menu item. See a bartender
for full details.
Tolerance” Program: The Cars-
R-Coffins T: Not warm, not
practical, but oh so inexplicable.
Penn Cycle
Because frostbite means they’ll
be taking a surgical saw to those
extremities: Under-the-helmet
bike hat, gloves, over-the-shoe
booties and wind pants or coats for
layering.
Sunrise Cyclery
The salt of the earth, and
MNDOT’s winter road plan will
bring daily pain to that shiny new
bike you just bought. Consider a
beater ride for the winter. A sec-
ond-hand cold-weather ride is a
steal here under $500.
VS. Social Standard
Not sure if you want to ride yet
but still consider yourself a shop-
alcoholic. T’s and hats for wearing
or just plain framing.
...And Most Bike Shops
If you answered “C” Chino Latino
2916 Hennepin Ave
GALACTIC PIZZA 612.824.7878
2917 Lyndale Ave. S. www.chinolatino.com
ANYTHING on the Menu.
612.824.9100
www.galacticpizza.com
Pizza Alla Vodka: Creamy tomato Stella’s Fish Café
vodka sauce, mozzarella cheese, 1400 West Lake Street
button mushrooms, prosciutto, 612.824.Tuna
and fresh organic basil. www.stellasfishcafe.com
It Ain’t Turkey Contest: “Man vs.
Mollusk II”: Nov. 26, 9 p.m. Or
ANY Seafood, really.
Compiled by Bruce Cochran
Holiday Artisan Fair
Saturday, December 6
By Ellan Meyer and Roberta Avidor
If you’re looking for truly unique gifts for loved ones, you must come to
our holiday artisan fair. From pottery to eco-friendly jewelry to natural
soaps and prints . . . come and discover what our fine local artisans have
to offer! For more information, contact Roberta Avidor at 612.827.0545,
roberta.avidor@gmail.com or www.urbanearth.coop or the store at 36th
and Bryant.
The event will be held in Urban Earth’s lovely greenhouse during Satur-
day store hours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Kids
are welcome! Supplies will be provided for making holiday ornaments
with our own local artist, Roberta Avidor.
Ellan Meyer lives in CARAG. Roberta Avidor lives in Kingfield.

a teenager.
Old Chicago
2841 Hennepin Ave
612.870.1918
www.oldchicago.com
Offering a Holiday Mini Tour.
Twelve holiday beers from around
the world. If you drink all twelve
beers your receive a long sleeve
Old Chicago T-Shirt.
Mini Tour Beers: Sam Adams
Winter Lager, Sierra Nevada Cel-
ebration Ale, Stella Artois Premi-
um Ale, Sprecker Black Bavarian,
Schells Snowstorm, Boulder Never
Summer, Big Sky Powder Hound,
Leinenkugel’s Fire Side Nut
Brown, New Belgium 2 Below,
BRRR Seasonal, Pyramid Snow
Cap, Samuel Smith Winter Wel-
come.
If you answered “B”
BAR ABILENE
1300 Lagoon Ave.
612.825.2525
www.barabilene.com
If you grab your phone and text
the word BRUNCH to 39649,
you will get a reply telling you
ter yet, winter riding: The Ninja
Hood: prevents drastic heat-loss
through the head, breaths and
doesn’t fog glasses or goggles by
Pearl or Craft, $30
Calhoun Cycle
Prevent third degree burns from
scalding dessert...er coffee drinks:
The Morning Rush: Hot drinks
on the bike done right, and right
where you need it.
Cars-R-Coffins
Let everyone know about
YOUR grassroots funded “Zero
Winter Child
Keep the 3-ton car from smash-
ing you to smithereens by being lit
up like a Christmas tree with bike
lights for front and back.
by Jill Bode
Local Bike Shops Christmas carols, colored lights,
The Alt, Bike & Board
612.374.3635 The scent of cookies baking,
www.altbikeboard.com Gentle snowflakes drifting down-
3013 Lyndale Ave. S.
A sense of wonder waking.
Calhoun Cycle
612.827.8000
www.calhouncycle.com
3342 Hennepin Ave. S. Like a child I taste the air
Cars-R-Coffins And crunch through clean crisp snow.
612.822.4130 Joy reinvents the me-down-deep
www.carsrcoffins.com
3346 Lyndale Ave. S. For all the miles to go.
Penn Cycle
612.822.2228
www.penncycle.com I am! I am! I care not why-
710 W. Lake St. This walk is all my reason,
Sunrise Cyclery
612.824.6144
For I find spring in every step
www.sunrise-cyclery.com All through the winter season.
901 W. Lake St.
VS. Social Standard
952.226.5428 I cherish such a simple birth,
www.vssocial.com The child reborn in me on earth.
1221 W. Lake St., #102
 2008 Holiday Guide

ShareHolders
Giving to Local Non-Profits
We can accept checks, credit cards
or donations of stocks. You will
receive a receipt by mail.
office, weekday afternoons except
Wednesday.

RAINBOW HEALTH
Uptown Rotary is known for our
friendly atmosphere, our great
speaker programs, and our lovely
setting at the Minikahda Club
The Bridge for Youth Attn: Devel- INITIAtiVE overlooking Lake Calhoun. We’re
By Bruce Cochran BRIDGE FOR YOUTH opment Director, 2200 Emerson a small size club where everybody
Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55405- 877.499.7744 not only knows your name, but
The state of the economy seems to 612.377.8800 2628 www.rainbowhealth.org also how you and your family are
have everyone in a funk, myself www.bridgeforyouth.org doing. Uptown Rotarians are as
Health & Wellness for Minnesota’s
included. But every time I feel like
Mission
JOYCE FOOD SHELF GLBT Community
committed to this atmosphere of
I’m struggling, I try to remember friendship as we are to service in
612.825.4431 our community and the world. 
two recent stories I came across Helping youth in crisis www.joyceuptownfoodshelf.org Through hands-on volunteer ser-
recently.
Vision vice we keep our community food
MISSION
The Zimbabwe inflation rate is so shelf open one evening each week. 
high that our 69 cent toilet paper The Bridge for Youth is the pre- To distribute food to those In addition fundraising activities
role costs residents there over $400, mier resource for youth and in need, with respect and support the purchase of food and
(NY Times). Mostly it’s due to gov- families in crisis. We ensure a con- dignity, as an expression supplies for the foodshelf. Our
ernment spending issues and food tinuum of care to provide shelter of the love of God. community work also extends to
shortages. That’s usually enough and support, to reunite families volunteer activities, dictionaries
money for me to actively complain whenever possible, and when it is Vision State- for third graders, and financial
about my annual taxes. not, to build independent living ment support for musical instruments
skills in young people. The Bridge and lessons for children at the
But speaking of food, here is for Youth is a community leader in To develop programs Ramsey International School
another story that gives me pause. the development of approaches for and policies with for the Fine Arts. International-
youth and their families to resolve our neighbors which ly we work with Books for Africa
janelle
Scientists recently tracked the problems and develop healthier encourage their dignity ranek and Haiti Outreach to support lit-
annual migration of the Godwit relationships. as God’s children performs “lost eracy and clean water. We’re cur-
letters to santa”
from Alaska to New Zealand. The at bryant lake rently partnering with the Ambur
bird can fly 7,242 miles nonstop, Values See website for donation bowl: dec. 4,7, Rotary Club in Ambur, India to
up to nine days without resting or information. (See full 11,14,18, send computers to a hospital and
• We value the ideas, contribu- story on page 10) 21
eating. NINE DAYS. I can maybe school of nursing.
go nine minutes without a sugar tions, and potential of young
people. THE MEN’S CENTER
craving or nine hours without pro- OUR STORY URBAN VENTURES
tein, or maybe, okay, I can do nine • We honor the worth, compe- 612.822.5892 LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION
days without a drink–maybe. Does tence, and integrity of families Founded in 2000,
www.tcmc.org The Rainbow Health Initiative is a 612.638.1000
Minnesota-made wine count? in all their forms.
non-profit corporation comprised www.urbanventures.org
• We welcome, understand, and This is a Twin Cities charity that of community activists, physicians,
Anyway, I’m a weenie. encourage diversity among our has served the area for over thirty health advocates and citizens. Urban Ventures Leadership Foun-
staff, clients, and colleagues. years. The mission of Rainbow Health dation opened in 1993 as a faith-
So, in the spirit of the season, I’ve
compiled a list of non-profits that • We promote excellence among is improving the health and well- based, nonprofit, community
our staff, volunteers, and interns, You can donate to them simply being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and development organization dedi-
are just that, non-profit. Anytime by sending a check to:  The Men’s transgender people in Minnesota
the floor falls out of the economy, and honor their contributions. cated to serving the communities
Center, 3249 Hennepin Ave. S.  through: in South Minneapolis. The mis-
the impact on them is like having • We are passionate about work- #55, Minneapolis, MN 55408. 
the whole building topple. ing with young people and their sion of Urban Ventures is to build
families. • Education successful community within the
MISSION city by:
If you’ve run out of gift ideas, short • Clinical Practice
on cash, short on time or fear the The Men’s Center provides • Research
inevitable re-gifting of your resources for men seeking to grow • Developing youth leadership
long sought-after chia in body, mind, and spirit, and • Advocacy through sports and recreation
pet, then consider giv- from that foundation advocates Over the past five years, Rainbow programs as well as enhanc-
ing to an organization for healthier family and com- Health has established itself as ing opportunities for academic
in someone’s name. munity relationships. an authoritative source of health success and job-skills training
This is an especially information on and for the GLBT through technology and men-
hard time for them Their values include: community. Since our inception, toring programs.
because not only Rainbow Health has: • Strengthening families by con-
are more people in • We believe men can and necting individuals within
need, but those that should support each other • Conducted the only large-scale the community to meet basic
traditionally give, through times of personal surveys on the health concerns human needs of others; provid-
are giving less. challenge and change. and needs of gay, lesbian, bisex- ing education and training to
• We believe in authentic- ual and transgender people liv- fathers giving them the skills
martini
Some of these orga- & olive per- ity, which means acknowl- ing in Minnesota. and resources to be effective
nizations give you form “silent edging to ourselves and each • Established itself as a primary dads; reaching the Latino com-
the option of mak- night fever” munity.
at bryant lake other our hopes, fears, strengths, source of information for and
ing a gift in some- bowl: dec. and weaknesses as men seeking liaison to health agencies and • Creating meaningful work
one’s name and 5,6,12,13,19, to grow.
20,26-28, community coalitions including opportunities by recruiting,
they do all of the 30 the Minnesota Department of starting and growing businesses
work of billing you • We believe in the equality
between men and women. Health, Tobacco-Free Lavender within the community’s Oppor-
and sending the card. Communities of Minnesota and tunity Zone; developing and
With other organizations Donate online, by • We believe in the power of
phone or mail: The Minnesota Partnership for encouraging local ownership of
you’ll probably have to buy our common humanity, which Action Against Tobacco. business; involving community
your own card and maybe even, oh means regardless of our sexual members in the business process
goodness, buy stamps. You can give online by going to orientations, gender identities, • Developed a pool of over 200
www.networkforgood.org. Use potential volunteers including and management; and support-
or other issues that separate us, ing existing businesses within
The following is a short list of keywords “Bridge for Runaway what we have in common tran- health providers, mental health
providers, health advocates, and the Opportunity Zone.
non-profits in our Uptown neigh- Youth” to find us. scends our differences.
borhood. community organizers to spe- The programs of Urban Ventures
Call Chelsea Miller at 612.230.6657 If you have any further ques- cialists in communications and serve more than 2,500 youth and
tions, please feel free to contact the social marketing. adults each year. Guided by found-
er Art Erickson, Urban Ventures
employs 35 staff members and
UPTOWN ROTARY gratefully acknowledges the time
612.926.2878 of more than 300 volunteers annu-
www.uptownrotary.org ally.
shareholders page 9

Deck the Walls
A Variety of Holiday Decorations
are Available in Uptown
Jefferson School
612.668.2749
kris.prince@mpls.k12.mn.us
1200 W. 26th St.
Jefferson Community School’s
Parent Teacher Association holds
its annual Tree Fundraiser for the
5th year in a row. You can pur-
chase a farm-fresh Christmas tree
and support Jefferson Community
School in Minneapolis. The Jef-
ferson Community School Parent
Teacher Association is selling trees
to raise money for family events,
field trips, classroom supplies, art
department supplies, athletic activ-
ities and snacks for elementary stu-
dents. Your purchase will support
a Minneapolis School that serves a
predominantly low income, non-
English speaking population.  lished with
The trees will be cut a couple of
days before pick-up. As in years
past the trees are Balsam Firs
from Carl Wegner’s Tree Farm
shareholders from 8
YOUTH FARM
612.872.4226
www.youthfarm.net
Mission
The Mission of the Youth Farm
and Market Project is to nurture
relationships between urban youth
and their families, their communi-
ties, and the earth around them by
growing, cooking, eating and sell-
ing healthy food. Within our three
main focus areas of Urban Agri-
culture, Youth Organizing and
Cultural Nutrition.
Goals
• To increase
youth com-
petencies
and quali-
ties need-
ed to be
successful
in life and
work
• To help
youth
develop
public skills
through com-
munity building
projects
• To set youth on the road
to lifelong health using local,
traditional and cultural foods
• To provide high quality, cultur-
ally-appropriate foods for people
in low income communities
YWCA UPTOWN
612.874.7131
www.ywcampls.org
Mission
Our mission is to empower women
and girls and to eliminate racism.
The YWCA of Minneapolis stands
for a fully-inclusive community
where each person is healthy and
valued, and where racial justice,
gender equality and human dig-
nity are promoted and sustained
through bold and effective wom-
en’s leadership.
We continue to build on the
strength and success of our current
in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The
supplier’s trees have been repeat-
edly selected for the Governor’s
Mansion and the State Capitol.
The trees are Minnesota grown
Balsam Fir Trees that are cut just
before delivery and hold needles
very well. Prices are $40 for a 5 – 6
foot tree, $45 for a 6 – 7 foot tree
and $55 for an 8 - 9 foot tree.
Order from Kris Prince through
December 11 by phone or e-mail -
612.668.2749 or kris.prince@mpls.
k12.mn.us. Trees can be picked
up at Jefferson School, Hennepin
Ave. S. and 26th St. on December
13 between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30
p.m. Delivery available for $5.00.
Make checks payable to Jefferson
PTA.
Luna Vinca
612.823.6178
www.lunavinca.com
3344 Hennepin Ave. S.
programs for children and youth
and develop new programs of the
highest quality to meet the needs
of emerging and under-served
populations.
We invite you to stand with the
YWCA of Minneapolis in our mis-
sion and our work.
Contribute
A small contribution can go a long
way:
• $35 will provide one month of
diapers for a toddler
theatre
lumina
performs “lost
letters to santa”
at bryant lake
bowl: dec. 3,4,7,
10,11,14,17,
18,21
in our Children’s Center
• $75 will support one week of
math and science education for a
girl in our Girl Power program
• $125 will provide 50 books for
children in our Children’s Cen-
ter classrooms
Great Holiday Gifts
tights, slippers, pjs, hair
e Zo o
accessories & gift certificates
h
S o
3146 Hennepin Ave. • 612.823.3988 • www.shoezoo.us
Owner Jennifer Guion stocks this
locally owned flower shop with an
assortment of lights, ornaments,
centerpieces, flowers and more.
• Starlightz, $35. Beautiful hang-
ing paper lanterns, seen in
their window (16 designs) price
includes all parts: lantern, 15
foot cord, ceiling hook, protec-
tor to keep light from touching
the paper.
• Ornaments: wide variety of
choices from elegant and classic
to updated and funky. All
50% off now (when you
need a sale the most),
priced $2-5.
• Fresh wreathes
of spruce,
incense
cedar,
blueberry
juniper
and pine
cones $30.
These can
be embel-
other greens,
ribbons, and
ornaments.  dec.
• Centerpieces for
• $250 will allow high school
youth to complete a racial jus-
tice community action project
VAIL PLACE
952.938.9622, ext. 25
www.vailplace.org
A REAL STORY
When Ron, a young urban profes-
sional, thought he heard people
talking to him over the company
intercom, his coworkers thought
it was funny. When he started
hearing things about himself on
the radio and TV, he knew it was
no joke. Medication helped con-
trol the voices, but the side effects
made his movements stiff and
jerky and left him unable to work.
So he stopped taking the pills.
Soon he started to believe that the
CIA and FBI were out to get him.
Out of desperation, he jumped off
the Lake Street Bridge. It was a
miracle that he survived. After
a couple of hospitalizations and
drifting through some short-term,
minimum-wage jobs, Ron came to
Vail Place.
At Vail Place, Ron found people
who really cared about how he
was doing. He began taking part
in the daily program activities and
making new friends. As his confi-
dence increased, Vail Place helped
him find a job and supported his
going back to school. Ron gradu-
ated with a degree in Human Ser-
vices and now works as a mental
2008 Holiday Guide
dinner tables and or hostess ic power of the cooperative’s stake-
gifts. Decorative containers holders to promote social justice
with mix of seasonal greens and environmental sustainability
and/or flowers $30-60. by operating a flower and garden
• Large variety of soy, lead free store.”
wick Pacifica scented candles all
Their decorative cheer includes
made in the states: $5.95-19.95
the following items for sale:
Urban Earth
612.824.0066 • The green alterative to the cut
www.urbanearthcoop.org Christmas tree: Norfolk Island
910 W. 36th St. Pine (potted and live)
• Wreaths (balsam)
The Co-op’s vision is to “Harness
• Poinsettias (red, white, burgun-
the econom-
dy)
• Spruce tip patio pots
•Terracotta pots with holiday
decor
• Holiday hanging baskets with
greens
• Handmade soy candles with
cotton wicks in holiday fra-
grances
• Handmade ornaments
brave new • Christmas cacti
workshop
• Rosemary topiaries
performs“all i
want for christ-
mas is 700 billion • Garlands: (pine,
dollars: our 50th cedar, balsam)
noel”: through
Call store for current
prices.
health counselor, helping others ing skills; and the ability to trans-
who are living with a mental ill- form lives.
ness. “Vail Place helped me start
my life over again, and offered me Holiday gifts can be made online
support so I could manage my own at www.vailplace.org or sent to
future. I still visit Vail Place and I Vail Place, c/o Holiday Gift Pro-
am grateful for its existence.” gram, 1412 W. 36th Street, Minne-
apolis, MN 55408.
Vail Place is a non-profit, commu-
nity support program for adults
with serious and persistent mental
Charity Evaluator
illness. Located at 36th and Hen- and Directories
nepin, its mission is, “To transform
the lives of people with mental ill- Charity Navigator
ness through recovery-oriented www.charitynavigator.org
community support services that Charity Evaluator
empower them to achieve self-suf-
ficiency.” Just Give
www.justgive.org
Your gift to Vail Place helps pro- Donating Online
vide opportunities in the areas of
Network for Good
housing, education, and employ- www.networkforgood.org
ment; support with mental health Donating Online
management and independent liv-

Joyce Food Shelf
By Allison Zank
Joyce House on the quiet corner
of 31st and Fremont was pur-
chased by the Methodist Church
across the street in 1968. It’s a little
house that has reliably been a sav-
ing grace to hundreds and even
sometimes thousands of Uptown
residents for over 40 years.
During the early years, it housed
a coffee shop, a thrift shop, an
organization that served meals to
senior citizens, a Sunday school
and includes both the wealthiest as
well as the most impoverished citi-
zens in the Minneapolis area.
and a playroom for the nursery The pamphlets handed out by
school. Some time in 1970 the the administrative staff lay testa-
need for food became apparent to ment to the humility and purpose
the community and Joyce House behind their mission -- with the
finally settled down into a bilateral obviously homemade desktop
mission that still serves as transi- graphics and the plain paper they
tional housing for a homeless fam- are printed on bearing witness to
ily upstairs with the Joyce Uptown the true goal of the organization:
Emergency Foodshelf in the base- to feed the hungry.
ment.
According to Becky Bellefeuille,
With borders from 25th street to the spunky assistant director, “All
62nd street, and France Avenue fundraising is done by volunteers
to 35W, the population it serves is with no administrative costs.”
extremely polarized economically,
“That’s a really important thing
to point out,” chimes in Jean
McGrath, who has been the direc-
tor for 25 years, “it means that
100% of donations go directly
to the foodshelf, and that’s very
unique.”
When asked about how the cur-
rent economic climate has affect-
ed the organization, the women
didn’t skip a beat, instantly calling
to mind several ways in which the
foodshelf has recently suffered:
people who used to be faithful
donors are now unable to give
We don’t sing,
“O Come, SOME of You Faithful”
ChriStMaS EvE,
Candlelight Worship at 10 p.m.
Join us for the quiet, the candles, the story.
O Come aLL You Faithful!
810 W. 31st Street
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-825-3019
Lyndaleucc.org
Sunday School for ALL ages 9:15 a.m.
Sunday Worship,10:30 a.m.
No matter who you are or where you are
on your journey, you’re welcome here.
2008 Holiday Guide
the same monetary contributions, bless you,” and a person giving a
and there don’t seem to be many
new contributors; food bank pur-
chases are only 20 cents per pound,
$100 check said “When my fam-
ily needed help last fall, you gave
it. Now I just want to return the
but with donations waning, they favor.”
have had to dip into slim finan-
cial reserves; and most alarmingly, But perhaps the director herself,
many past donors are now becom- said it best when she pointed out
ing clients. that they “give food to an average
of 1,400 people a month, many of
In some very touching quotes from them children and seniors.”
clients an elderly woman once said
“I couldn’t make it through the Allison Zank is an author, volunteer
month without you,” a new cli- and CARAG resident and sits on the
ent on a Monday said “I haven’t board of directors for the Joyce Food
had any food since last Friday, Shelf.
Holiday Services
in Uptown
Thanksgiving Eve – Wednesday, November 26
7:30 p.m. – Salem English Lutheran Church
Advent Vespers - Wednesdays December 3, 10, 17
7 p.m. - Salem English Lutheran Church
Winter Solstice – Sunday, December 21
7 p.m. - First Universalist Church
Christmas Eve - December 24
4 p.m. - First Universalist Church
4 p.m. - St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church
4 p.m. – Salem English Lutheran Church
7 p.m. - Joyce United Methodist Church
Information
Aldrich Avenue Presbyterian Church, 3501 Aldrich Avenue,
612.825.2479, www.aldrichchurch.org – call for information on
services
First Universalist Church, 3400 Dupont Avenue, 612.825.1701,
www.firstuniv.org
Joyce United Methodist Church, 31st and Fremont Avenue,
612.822-5288 or 612.822.2945, www.joycechurch.org
Lyndale Congregational United Church of Christ, 810 West 31st
Street, 612.825.3019, www.lyndaleucc.org (sharing space with
Salem Church)
St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church, 3450 Irving Avenue,
612.825.9595, www.stmarysgoc.org
Salem English Lutheran Church, 810 West 31st Street,
612.872.4650, www.discoversalem.com (sharing space with Lyn-
dale Church)
Eye
Candy
Uptown
Association
Sponsors Window
Decorating
Contest
Sponsored by Uptown Association,
the Uptown Window Decorating
Contest will involve area busi-
nesses. Award categories include,
Toast of Uptown, Most Creative,
Most Festive and Best Incorpora-
tion of Business Service/Product.
Judging will take place on Decem-
ber 2. A preliminary list includes
Bobby Bead, Everyday People,
Glasses Menagerie, Old Chicago,
Shoe Zoo and Zilya Salon & Spa.
Look for updates at www.uptown-
minneapolis.com.
 DECEMBER 2008 Uptown Neighborhood news • 11 .

MPRB Seeking Input For Capital Improvement Program

org or by calling customer service
612.230.6400.
Community input will be sought
on more activities over the next
year. Residents and park visitors
are encouraged to stay connected
to future participation opportuni-
ties by submitting contact informa-
tion at www.minneapolisparks.org
– Capital Improvement (see activ-
ity plan links on left navigation
bar) or by calling 612.230.6400. If
language accommodation is need-
ed to provide input in this process,
please call 612.230.6472.
For more information contact
Jennifer B. Ringold, Citywide
Planner, Minneapolis Park and
Recreation Board, 612.230.6464,
jringold@minneapolisparks.org

What’s New With The 2009

The Minneapolis Park and Recre-
ation Board (MPRB) is developing
a new Capital Improvement Pro-
gram (CIP) for the park system
and is seeking community input in
late 2008 and throughout 2009.
The CIP is a prioritized list of
infrastructure improvements that
guides long-term investment and
rehabilitation in the park system.
“The MPRB’s new CIP will be one
of the most significant ways we
apply the direction and findings
of the Comprehensive Plan into
parks across the system,” stated
Superintendent Jon Gurban.
As budgets tighten, demographics
shift and the diversity of recreation
activities grows, it is essential that
community needs drive infrastruc-
ture improvements in the park
system. To develop the CIP, major
activities provided in or supported
by the Minneapolis park system
will undergo review. The review
process will include researching
trends, developing delivery goals
and conducting community input.
The resulting plan for each activ-
ity will identify infrastructure
changes or improvements as well
as programming opportunities for
that activity. Identified improve-
ments are anticipated to range
from basic maintenance to reha-
bilitation to those that might catch
the eye of potential donors to the
park system.
The review will begin with bik-
Photo by Bruce Cochran
ing/walking/rolling activities and
field sports. Potential activities to
be reviewed in the future include
winter recreation, court sports and
environmental programming.
There will be several opportuni-
ties for park visitors to express
their needs and preferences. Cur-
rently, residents and park visi-
tors are encouraged to visit www.
minneapolisparks.org to complete
surveys by Nov. 28 regarding
biking/walking/rolling activities
and field sports. Surveys are also
available at recreation centers
and the MPRB’s customer service
desk (612.230.6400). Public meet-
ings will be held in early 2009,
with details available after Janu-
ary 1 at www.minneapolisparks.
City Of Lakes Loppet?
By John Munger
Snow sculptures, the Ice-Cycle Loppet, the Loppet Ski Club – these are
just some of the new and exciting twists one will find at the 2009 City of
Lakes Loppet Cross Country Ski Festival.
Snow Sculptures. Four feet wide – by four feet deep – by eight feet tall.
Sixteen snow sculptures will rise from the ground throughout Uptown
this year. Frosty, animals, Uptown and skiing themes – the snow sculp-
ture contest will have something for the whole family. Sculpting work
will happen on the morning of Saturday, January 31, 2009. Take a tour of
Uptown to see the sculptors at work. Judging will take place that after-
noon and the sculptures will stick around until Sunday evening, Febru-
ary 1, 2009. For more information visit www.cityoflakesloppet.com.
The Penn Ice-Cycle Loppet. Loppet weekend kicks off with ice bike
racing. Ice bike racing happens on a short track of ice – usually with
studded tires. The event will feature many heats on a track of ice in the
lagoon between Lake of the Isles and Lake Calhoun. The first heats
of the Ice-Cycle Loppet will start at noon, with the finals at 2:20 p.m.
Combine viewing or racing in the Ice-Cycle Loppet with cheering on the
dog-skier teams in the Skijoring Loppet, which starts at 2 p.m. [Editor’s
note: the Ice-Cycle Loppet resulted from the idea of Bruce Cochran of
the Uptown Neighborhood News].
The Loppet Ski Club. Interested in skiing but need a confidence booster?
Sign up for the Loppet Ski Club. The Ski Club offers a low-key opportu-
nity to ski and learn skiing technique and to meet other new and newer
skiers. Visit www.loppet.org for more information.

Barn Dance Time For Parents And Kids
By Cecilia Michel
Ponies, hay bales, wooden nickels,
bandanas and root beer were in
abundance as guests sauntered in to
the Kenwood Elementary School
Barn Dance held on November
14 at St. Mary’s Greek Ortho-
dox Church, 3435 Irving Avenue.
Music by the Shake These Bones
Orchestra filled the hall as nearly
500 Kenwood students, teachers
and their families danced “hand
over hand, heel over heel” during
the evening’s festivities.
As part of its 100-Year Celebra-
tion of educating students in Min-
Don’t forget the Luminary Loppet, the Sons of Norway Minne-Loppet,
the REI Tour and the big events finishing at the top of the Mall on Sun-
day, February 1, 2009. Find more information or register for the Loppet
neapolis, the Barn Dance was the events at www.cityoflakesloppet.com.
result of months of planning by
Committee members Andrea
Duddingston, Ellie Feldman,
Nicole Valentine as well as ECCO
residents Carrie Menard and Ruth
Ehalt. Many children from the
Uptown area attend Kenwood
School, 2013 Penn Avenue.

A common group activity a cen-

tury before the invention of “Wii”,
the Barn Dance was the culmina-
tion of one of the many artist in
residency programs at Kenwood
School. Traditional dance com-
pany Shake These Bones provided
instruction to students this fall in
traditional dance and music from
cultures around the world. “The
goal of the residency was to expand
student knowledge of many dif-
ferent cultures and to have fun
doing it,” stated dance instructor
Julie Young. Kenwood students
enthusiastically performed dances
from Native American, Scandina-
vian and African American tradi-
tions and others. Family members
joined in with instruction provid-
ed on the spot.

To learn more about this event Photo by Kat Singer

and other Kenwood 100-Year
Celebration events, go to the Ken-
wood website kenwood.mpls.
k12.mn.us. To join the Kenwood
alumni mailing list contact Ken-
woodalum@aol.com or call Phil Tax Preparation
Hallaway 612.377.3530 or Trish
Conroy 612.377.8473. Call Sue Jack D. Manders, CPA
Payne, Community Liaison if you
would like a tour of the school
1900 Hennepin Avenue South
612.668.2778. Minneapolis, MN 55403

Cecelia Mitchell is an ECCO Call Jack at 612-874-7884

Photo by Courtney Cushing Kiernat, ECCO resident
Ben and his family, ECCO residents, enjoyed the Kenwood School Barn
resident and parent of a Kenwood jackmanders@sihope.com
School student.
Dance, one of the many events to celebrate Kenwood Schools 100 Years of edu-
cating Minneapolis children.
 CARAG page 15

12 • Uptown Neighborhood news DECEMBER 2008

CARAG report Calhoun Area Residents Action Group

Lake St. The CARAG Board in Hennepin, Ramsey and Olm- serve alcohol and bar food. An Management Board; nomination be consistent with boundaries of
meets the third sted counties. The joint project opening date has not yet been seconded and accepted. Anna the Uptown Small Area Plan.
Tuesday of each between Amicus and the Minne- determined. Representatives for Matthes accepted nomination Rubenstein provided statistics
Hennepin Ave.

month, 7 p.m. 
Lyndale Ave.

at Bryant Park sota Department of Corrections Cowboy Slim’s have met with at CARAG’s October meeting. to illustrate the existing and
Community Center, (DOC) seeks volunteers, who the LHENA community and it Mathes and Walke were elected to proposed parking requirements
31st and Bryant. will undergo training to provide is expected that they will meet the UNN Board by acclamation. for seven Uptown area restau-
All CARAG residents intensive support and accountabil- with CARAG as well. rants; the proposed requirement
are welcome and ity to sex offenders following their Zoning Committee: results in an average reduction
urged to attend. release from prison.
Bicycle Ice Race: of 76 percent. Motion, Seconded
36th St.
Bruce Cochran Aaron Rubenstein
to approve CARAG’s Statement
Rubenstein reported:
Calhoun Area Residents Action City Council Member’s Cochran briefly described a pro- with inclusion of these statistics
Group (CARAG) Monthly Update and Discussion: posed bicycle ice race to be held • Owners of a property located at and the addition of a statement
Neighborhood Meeting Minutes: during the Loppet in January. 3533 Girard are seeking to legal- that expresses CARAG’s hope
November 18, 2008 CM Ralph Remington The event would be sponsored by ize a 5-unit dwelling currently that the City will grant fewer
• Remington discussed the pro- the Uptown Association. licensed for just 4 units, which variances as a result of reducing
DRAFT: Subject to Approval at posed city regulation of newspa- requires rezoning to R5 or to R4 its parking standards. Motion
the January 2009 CARAG Meet- per boxes. A public hearing will Minutes with a variance. approved.
ing. Minutes recorded and submitted be held on December 4 with a
Motion, Seconded to approve • To expedite the acquisition of
by Maren Nowicki. final Council vote to be taken on
foreclosed or blighted prop-
NRP Update: Scott Engel
December 12. October’s CARAG meeting min-
utes. The minutes were approved erties, the City has proposed Engel reported:
Board Members Attending: Anna • He spoke about the proposed after striking a portion of the state- waiver of a 45-day notification • The CARAG NRP Action Plan
Matthes, Maren Nowicki, Aaron route alignments for the South- ment regarding the nay vote cast period. Neighborhoods would Spending Summary as of 9/30/08
Rubenstein (President), Pamela west Corridor LRT. Reming- against approval of September’s retain the right to review the dis- shows that significant funds
Taylor, Scott Schiefelbein and ton favors a route that serves Special Board of Directors Meet- position of properties acquired remain in several numbered
Howard Verson. Absent: John the Uptown area via rail transit ing minutes. by the City and neighborhood strategies: Old House Seminars,
Darlington, Jeff Forester, Brendan along the Midtown Greenway. approval of the waiver could be Rental Property Improvement
Jordan The Hennepin County Region-
Treasurer’s Report: retracted at any time. Motion, Program, Exterior Residential
al Railroad Authority expects to Seconded to approve the waiver. Improvement Program, Neigh-
Agenda arrive at a preliminary decision Anna Matthes Motion failed. Rubenstein will borhood Bus Stops, Commercial
The meeting was called to order on the LRT route by the end of The October CARAG Opera- seek more information on the Corridor Design Loans, Front
at 7 p.m. with the introduction of the first quarter in 2009. tions Account Financial Report proposal. Porch and Low Level Lighting,
two new CARAG Board mem- • Remington was asked whether shows a checking account balance Public Landscaping Projects,
• NorthMarq Real Estate Services
bers, Maren Nowicki and Pamela bicycle lanes will remain on of $14,504.49; asset accounts are Arts Opportunity and Office
will assume management and
Taylor. John Darlington and Jeff Marquette and Second Avenues valued at $7,187.20 for an overall and Staff Support. Engel pro-
leasing for Calhoun Square sub-
Forester, who were not present, are once construction is completed; total of $21,691.69 as of October vided a brief update on each of
sequent to the closure of Capital
also newly-elected to the Board. he will look into the matter. 31. Mathes suggested that some these strategies.
Growth Madison Marquette’s
Motion, Seconded to approve the funds from the checking account
• The CARAG Zoning Commit- Twin Cities office. The change • Engel discussed a proposed
agenda as submitted. It was noted be transferred to a CD. Discus-
tee will send Remington a final in management will not affect NRP plan modification where-
that an Executive Coordinator’s sion was tabled until the CARAG
version of its statement on the redevelopment plans. by NRP funds from Old House
Report did not appear as an agen- meeting in January.
city’s proposed revisions to off- • In response to the City’s pro- Seminars would be transferred
da item. Further discussion was
street parking requirements in posed revisions to city-wide to the CARAG Livability Com-
tabled until the Board Retreat in
advance of the meeting of the
Uptown Neighborhood mittee. A 30-day notice period is
parking requirements, the
December. Agenda approved as
Council Committee on Zon- News (UNN) Treasurer’s CARAG Zoning Committee required, which is to be followed
submitted. Report: Jill Bode
ing and Planning scheduled for drafted its Statement on the Pro- by neighborhood discussion and
December 18. The matter will Bode presented the UNN Balance posed Revisions to Off-Street vote at the next neighborhood
MnCoSA Pilot Project: go before the full Council on Sheet. The balance in the UNN Parking Requirements, which meeting. Motion, Seconded to
Philip AuClaire December 30. checking account as of November was adopted by the committee approve the plan modification
AuClaire spoke about a restorative • Remington announced that 18 is $4,201.34. Total assets and lia- on November 17. CARAG sup- with the stipulation that other
justice pilot project to implement Cowboy Slim’s will go into the bility come to $8,423.60. Elizabeth ports the overall proposal, how- proposals be considered for dis-
Minnesota Circles of Support space formerly occupied by Walke’s name was placed in nomi- ever the neighborhood believes cussion and vote at January’s
and Accountability (MnCoSA) Campiello. The restaurant will nation for a position on the UNN the significant reduction in off- CARAG meeting. Approved.
street parking requirements for • The 2009 CARAG Event Cal-
restaurants will adversely impact endar includes 11 proposed
surrounding neighborhoods. event dates. Motion, Seconded

CARAG
The City’s proposal also includes to approve the Event Calendar.
the addition of a defined eastern The motion to approve was
boundary for the Lake and Hen-

Neighborhood
passed; two nay votes were cast
nepin area and has proposed (Taylor and Verson).
Dupont Avenue as this bound-
• In September the City Council

Meeting
ary. CARAG believes Bryant
approved creation of a 16-mem-
Avenue should be designated as
the eastern boundary in order to CARAG page 15

No meeting in December. Happy holidays!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 7pm
Bryant Square Park (3101 Bryant Ave S)
Public Notice: Welcome 2008/2009
CARAG Board
CARAG will discuss an NRP Plan Modifi- of Directors
cation reallocating approximately $2,000 John Darlington
from various strategies to Strategy 16.1 Jeff Forester
“CARAG Livability Committee” to support Brendan Jordan
community building events. These funds Anna Matthes
are used for supplies, flyers, and advertis- Treasurer
ing for the Chilly Chili Fest, Super Sale, Maren Nowicki
Secretary
Hennepin Lake Community Wine Tasting, Aaron Rubenstein
Hennepin Hazardous Waste Disposal Day President
and Architecture Tour events. The pro- Scott Schiefelbein
posed plan mod will be discussed at the Pamela Tayor
January CARAG Neighborhood meeting Vice President
after the 30-day public notification re- Howard Verson
quirement has been met.

CARAG | 3612 Bryant Avenue S | Minneapolis, MN 55409

Monster Mash
www.carag.org | carag@carag.org Photo by Bruce Cochran
Bryant Square Park hosted it’s annual Halloween party outside this year with
food, activities and a live DJ.
 DECEMBER 2008 Uptown Neighborhood news • 13 .
ECCO report
Lake St.
Hennepin Ave.
LAKE CALHOUN
36th St.
ECCO Board Meeting Minutes for
November 6, 2008. (East Calhoun
neighborhood monthly meeting)
Minutes recorded and submitted by
R. Kean.
Meeting Time
Meetings are on the first Thurs-
day each month at 7:00 p.m.at St.
Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church.
The public is invited to attend.
Board Members Present
Robert Kean, Brad Durham,
Elaine Beyer, Bruce Grimm, Judy
Shields, Anders Imboden, John
Ellis, Gary Farland, Nancy Ward,
Tim Prinsen, Ruth Cain, Michael
Ekholm and Ralph Knox.
Others Present
Approval of October
Kim Malrick and Ralph Rem-
ington, Mike and Kathy Johnson,
Minutes and November
Monica Smith and Brian Voerd- Agenda
ing.
Welcome / Announcements
• President Bruce Grimm called
the meeting to order, welcomed
board members and others and
initiated introductions.
• The ECCO Board received a
note from the Uptown Asso-
ciation thanking the board for
their $2,000 contribution to the
graffiti grant. This grant will
be working through the end of
the year to help prevent graffiti
and promote acceptable creative
outlets for graffiti artists.
• The City of Minneapolis has a
new Neighborhood and Com-
munity Engagement Commis-
sion, which will function as part
of the reorganized NRP. The
deadline is November 19 for
applications to be on the com-
mission. There are 7 positions
open.
• The City of Minneapolis sent a
report of the 311 line and how
it has been used in the ECCO
neighborhood. The top services
requested in the ECCO neigh-
borhood from 311 were: Graffi-
ti complaints, parking violation
complaints, animal complaints,
special sweep, debris in the street
or alley, permit status request,
traffic sign trouble and zoning
ordinance questions.
Open Forum
• The house at 3249 Humboldt
was bought by the Johnsons.
They plan to tear it down and
rebuild it themselves to live
there. The style of the house
will coordinate with the rest of
the neighborhood.
• There may be a T-Shirt design
contest for the ECCO logo.
Michael Ekholm will have the
rules for this contest.
• It is possible that the t-shirt
will match the Uptown Asso-
ciation’s design.
• It is also possible that there
will be two t-shirt designs,
one that is done yearly for the
ECCO neighborhood, and
one that is the official logo.
• There needs to be a check
ECCO meets the done on what the official
first Thursday of name for the neighborhood is
each month, 7 on city records. Traditionally,
p.m. at St. Mary’s
Lyndale Ave.
this is called the East Calhoun
Greek Orthodox Neighborhood, but it is often
Church, 34th referred to as “ECCO” which
and Irving. All is the abbreviation for the
ECCO residents name of the community orga-
are welcome and
nization.
urged to attend.
• The board is considering a
neighborhood committee that
focuses on the environment.
The issue will be discussed fur-
ther at the December meeting
• There have been recent break-
ins to the brownstone on 33rd
and Humboldt.
• The screen on the ground
floor was cut; the break-in
occurred during broad day-
light.
• There was a separate inci-
dent where a hidden key was
found and used to break into
the building.
• The moral of this story is to be
careful. There are criminals
operating in the neighbor-
hood and watching for easy
opportunities.
• The October Minutes were
approved.
• On the November Agenda,
Ralph Remington was added to
the schedule after the approval
of the minutes.
• The revised agenda was
approved.
City Council Member
Update – Ralph Remington
• On the subject of 3249 Hum-
boldt:
• Per the issued permits, the
existing house must be razed
and the new building plans
approved by April 20, 2009.
• The owners will need to
remove the snow and the
leaves from the front of the
house this fall/winter.
• The election of Barack Obama
as next President of the US
should be a good thing for Min-
neapolis, because we are an
urban area and cities should
be getting more money. See
Obama’s website for description
of his urban agenda.
• The constitutional amendments
were approved which means
more money toward the envi-
ronment and schools.
• The state economist says that
financial forecasts for the state
look bad for the next 10 years.
The city will need to make tough
decisions about how the budget
is balanced. The Governor has
indicated that he will cut Local
Government Aid in response to
cuts in spending in the city bud-
get, so cutting spending may not
help the city financial situation.
• Foreclosures are very high on
the Northside.
• This is bad for home values,
crime and neighborhoods.
• The city of Minneapolis is
not able to move homeless
into vacant/foreclosed houses,
but they have the Minneapo-
lis Advantage Program and
hope to expand it. This pro-
gram had 50 homes that were
sold to “Homesteaders” (peo-
ple that agree to live in their
homes), The homesteaders
East Calhoun Community Organization
Here’s the Dish...
Gospel Gossip plays Uptown Bar & Cafe on December 13.
have real loans on the prop- • President: Nancy Ward lished and approved by the
erty, but they are carefully • Vice President: John Ellis Board.
screened to make sure that it
is a good match and there are • Secretary: Robert Kean NRP Update
grants available to cover some • Treasurer: Elaine Beyer • There have been eight trees
of the costs. treated with the Boulevard Elm
Committee Assignments Tree Treatment grants. Two of
• Neighborhood and Community
• The Committee assignments for these treatments were on trees
Engagement Commission:
last year were: that have been treated before.
• This new commission will
• Zoning: Ruth Cain, Gary Far- • All of the missing boulevard
work with the new city
department of Community
land, Robert Kean and Tim trees (in East Calhoun) will be
Prinsen. replanted in the spring planting
Engagement as part of the
• SCSE (Social, Communi- cycle- make sure you take care
reorganization of the NRP
of your new tree.
program. cations, & Special Events):
Michael Ekholm (Chair), • Six neighbors have taken
• It is intended to preserve the
Elaine Beyer, Ralph Knox advantage of the Home Secu-
best aspects of the NRP but
and Carrie Menard. rity Grants. If anyone is inter-
create greater accountabil-
• Neighborhood Safety: Nancy ested in taking advantage of this
ity and better coordination
Ward (Chair), Michael grant, they can go to ecconrp@
between neighborhoods.
Ekholm, Gary Farland, Rob- comcast.net.
• There is a link on the city
website with more informa-
ert Kean, Carrie Menard. New NRP Coordinator
tion. • The Committee assignments for Update
this year are: • The candidates have been nar-
• The Newspaper boxes:
• Zoning: Tim Prinsen (Chair), rowed down from four to two.
• An ordinance is being intro-
Anders Imboden, Brad Dur- • The process of choosing one is
duced which will put a series
ham, Judy Shields, Ruth Cain, very near completion.
of regulations into effect. The
Gary Farland, Robert Kean
regulations will be similar to • The new officers will meet
and Ralph Knox.
that of St. Paul. These new with the candidates to choose
regulations will only apply to • SCSE: Michael Ekholm the final person.
the boxes on public property. (Chair), Elaine Beyer, Judy
Shields, Nancy Ward, John A formal thank you was issued
• Owners will be required too: from the board to Bruce Grimm
Ellis and Carrie Menard.
• Keep them clean and for his service as board president.
• Neighborhood Safety: Nancy
stocked, as well as out of the
Ward (Chair), Michael The next ECCO Board Meeting
public right of way.
Ekholm, John Ellis, Robert will take place on December 4,
• Pay a fee to put them up Kean, Carrie Menard.
2008.
• Deal with them if they • The assignments were estab-
become a hazard.
• They will also need to be in
groups of 4 or less, and each
group must be placed at least
3 feet apart.
• This program will be put Join us at our next
ECCO Board and
under Public Works, and
there will be fines and/or
removal of the boxes if they
are not in compliance. Neighborhood
• Police issues:
• The police officers who mis-
meeting.
used their guns (off duty)
were fired. They currently
have a lawsuit against the
7:00 PM, Thursday
city. December 4th
• There is a citizen’s police St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church
academy that people can
attend- Mr. Remington and 35th and Irving Ave. S.
Ms. Malrick are enrolled in
the program.
ECCO Officer Elections Please join us for discussion
• The nomination(s) were: and decision about an ECCO
• President: Nancy Ward Environment Committee
• Vice President: Gary Farland
and John Ellis Bring your ideas and concerns
• Secretary: Robert Kean
• Treasurer: Elaine Beyer
• The election results were:
14 • Uptown Neighborhood news DECEMBER 2008
community events calendar
Mainstreet Bank is proud
to sponsor the UNN calendar
(Editor’s Note: We will run community
event listings every month on this page.
Contact uptownnews@yahoo.com to
submit your event information by the
10th of each month to be included in the
next issue.)
Discussion
DUNN BROTHERS
3348 Hennepin Ave. So.
Tues. 7:30 pm, weekly
The Socrates Cafe is an open meeting.
The evening is spent discussing a short
list of questions of philosophy that
range all over the map from self iden-
tity, capital punishment, perception
and anything else in between. Bring
your questions and prepare to engage
your mind.
VISUAL ARTS
Flanders Gallery
3012 Lyndale Ave. S. • 612.344.1700
www.flanders-art.com
Thru - Jan 1, 2009. Exhibitions of Art-
work by Jim Bird, Todd Severson, Genie
Castro and Michael Bigger. Todd Sever-
son, local and international artist, has a
new set of chainsaw drawings. These
are paintings on wood with multi-col-
ored layers of enamel that are drawn
into with a chainsaw creating a finish
that is both surprising and elegant.
Genie Castro is a regional artist exhib-
iting a collection of vibrant abstract
monotypes. Michael Bigger is a local
well known sculptor with a handsome
installation of recent abstract table top
sculptures.
SOO VISUAL ARTS CENTER
/TOOMER GALLERY
2640 Lyndale Ave. S. • 612.871.2263
www.soovac.org
Thru - Dec 24 – Toys On Roids: Pola-
roid Photography by Sean Tubridy.
His work is inspired by the golden
age of design a heyday of atomic age
optimism with promises of robots, jet-
packs and flying cars. Toys on Roids is
a collection of over 60 Polaroids each
staging a different narrative with toys,
ranging from vintage tin robots to
contemporary vinyl figurines. Now
that the fate of Polaroid film seems
uncertain and could vanish forever, it
is important to memorialize this one
of a kind medium. Tubridy believes
instant film must be saved, what else
allows you to watch a memory form
“out of hazy nothingness”, an image
that cannot be deleted. To celebrate the
the art of the Polaroid, Sean is encour-
aging everyone to bring their Polaroid
cameras to the opening reception to
show them off or take a few pictures
of their own! Soo Visual Arts Center
is publishing its first art book, catalog-
ing a selection of the Polaroids from
the exhibition. Gallery Hours: Wed,
12pm-6pm, Thur, 12pm-8pm, Fri,
12pm-6pm, Sat, 12pm-4pm.
BOOK CLUBS
BRYANT LAKE BOWL
810 W. Lake St. • 612.825.8949
www.booksandbars.com
Tues, Dec 9, 7pm – Books & Bars. A
unique atmosphere for a lively discus-
sion of interesting authors, fun people,
good food and drinks. October’s book
is Out Stealing Horses by Per Petter-
son After a meeting with his only
neighbor, sixty-seven-year-old Trond
is forced to reflect upon a long-ago
incident that marks the beginning of a
series of losses for Trond and his child-
hood friend, Jon.
ONCE UPON A CRIME
BOOKSTORE
604 W. 26th St. • 612.870.3785
www.onceuponacrimebooks.com
Wed, Dec 10, 6:30pm-7:30pm – Mys-
tery Reading Group. Book for the
night is Julie Hyzy’s State of the Onion.
Facilitated by Carl Brookins.
WALKER LIBRARY
2880 Hennepin Ave. S. • 612.630.6650
www.mpls.lib.mn.us
Thurs, Dec 4, 7pm-8pm – Boys Book
Club.
AUTHOR
EVENTS
MAGERS AND QUINN
BOOKSELLERS
3038 Hennepin Ave. S. • 612.822.4611
www.magersandquinn.com
Sun, Dec 7, 5pm – Robin Asbell dis-
cusses, signs, and serves samples from
The New Whole Grains Cookbook.
Treats will be served; some will be
gluten-free. From whole wheat, oats,
and rice to farro, barley, and quinoa,
no grain is left unturned in this com-
pendium of more than 75 healthful
recipes.
FOR KIDS
& TEENS
BRYANT SQUARE PARK
3101 Bryant Ave. S. • 612.370.4907
www.minneapolisparks.org
Mon-Thurs, Thru - Dec 8, 2pm-3pm
– Homework Help. Need help with
homework? We’ll provide a quiet
room and staff to assist you with your
homework after school. Ages 6-12.
Free for Mpls Residents. Online reg-
istration available for this program or
contact the park to register in person.
WALKER LIBRARY
2880 Hennepin Ave. S. • 612.630.6650
www.mpls.lib.mn.us
10:30am-11am – Stories. For kids in
preschool and their families. Enjoy
a fun-filled morning of stories, live
music and crafts. 11am-11:30am –
Live Music. Enjoy a fun-filled morn-
ing of live music and crafts. Sat, Dec
13, 11:30am-12:30pm – Crafts. Enjoy
a fun-filled morning of live music and
crafts.
THEATER
JOYCE united
METHODIST CHURCH
1219 W. 31st St. • 822.5288
www.joycechurch.org
Sat, Dec 6, 7pm – The Adventures Of
Juan Bobo by Open Eye Figure The-
ater: A puppet show by 3 actors and an
accordian player. Inspired by a Puerto
Rican folk character, this story tells of
a world turned upside-down by 3 dev-
ils. Juan Bobo, or “Foolish John,” must
set off on an adventure to make things
right again. Performed in a combina-
tion of Spanish and English. Treats,
Tamales and Salsa Music to follow.
It’s Free. Bring A Friend. Everyone
Is Welcome. Sponsored by Joyce, the
Uptown Church of Joy.
JUNGLE THEATER
2951 Lyndale Ave. S. • 822.7063
www.jungletheater.com
Tues-Sun, Thru Dec 21 – Souvenir: A
comic fantasia on the Life of Florence
Foster Jenkins by Stephen Temperley
Directed and Designed by Joel Sass,
Featuring Claudia Wilkens and Peter
Vitale.
CLASSES/
WORKSHOPS/
LECTURES
ARISE! BOOKS
2441 Lyndale Ave. S. • 871.7110
www.arisebookstore.org
Wednesdays in December, 7pm – The
Icarus Project Minneapolis is part
of the Icarus Project Network — a
group created by people with bipo-
lar disorder who wanted to address
mental health issues in the progressive
community, and find ways to support
each other. This is a weekly meet-
ing for people dealing with their own
mental health issues, whether that’s
bipolar disorder, depression, schizo-
phrenia, anxiety, undiagnosed angst
(!), etc. We meet for about two hours,
and it’s somewhere between a support
group and a discussion group. We’re
laid back, but everything that’s said in
the group is confidential. It’s a really
warm, nice place to share and learn
from others about how to negotiate
being labeled “mad” in a crazy world,
or get info on meds, or unload about
what’s going on in your life. Or dozens
of other things. We’re open to lots of
different perspectives, including peo-
ple who don’t take meds and people
who do. It’s a diverse group. So, please
join us. Whether you’ve been dealing
with a mental health issue, or are just
interested in supporting those who are,
we’d love to work with you.
BRYANT LAKE BOWL
810 W. Lake St. • 612.825.8949
www.bryantlakebowl.com
Tues, Dec 16, 7pm(6pm doors) – Cafe
Scientifique: Presented by The Bell
Museum of Natural History. December
Topic: Honey Bees & Human Health.
What can we learn about human
health from honeybees? And how can
we keep honeybees healthy along the
way? University of Minnesota Ento-
mologist Marla Spivak and research
partners in Horticulture Science, Jerry
Cohen and Gary Gardner, think they
may have found one answer to those
questions. Among other things, they
are researching a possible connection
between propolis—a plant-derived
resin that honeybees deposit in their
nest—and an antidote to human HIV.
Join Spivak as she gives us the buzz
about bees. The Bell Museum’s Café
Scientifique is a happy hour exchange
of ideas about science, environment,
and popular culture featuring experts
from a variety of fields on diverse and
often provocative topics. For more
information visit bellmuseum.org. $5-
$10 pays what you can.
HAUSER DANCE
1940 Hennepin Avenue •
612.871.9077
www.mnartists.org/hauser_dance2
Dec 1-20 – Holiday Session. Hauser
Dance offers modern dance classes that
emphasize the principles of motion,
the joy of moving and individual cre-
ativity.
dance
BRYANT LAKE BOWL
810 W. Lake St. • 612.825.8949
www.bryantlakebowl.com
Wed, Nov 26, 8pm – 9x22 Dance/Lab:
Produced and hosted by Laurie Van
Wieren. Named for the modest dimen-
sions of the BLB stage, this exciting
dance showcase features unfettered
dance exploration. A discussion mod-
erated by choreographer/curator Lau-
rie Van Wieren follows each piece,
giving audience and choreographer
alike the opportunity to react and
explore the work together.November
choreographers: Tamami Yamada,
Judith Brin Ingber, and April Sellers.
film
BRYANT LAKE BOWL
810 W. Lake St. • 612.825.8949
www.ifpmsp.org
Wed, Dec 17, 7pm – Cinema Lounge:
Where independent filmmakers
schmooze and make nice. For more
info visit www.ifpmsp.org. Free and
presented by IFP/MSP.
Lagoon Cinema
1320 Lagoon Ave. • 612.825.6006
www.landmarktheatres.com
Starts Fri, Dec 5 – My Name is Bruce.
Bruce Campbell In Person Fri, Sat &
Sun: Dec 5, 6, 7 at 7pm, 9:40pm! When
the small mining town of Gold Lick,
Oregon needs to rid itself of a venge-
ful monster, they kidnap actor Bruce
Campbell—star of the Evil Dead tril-
ogy, Bubba Ho-tep and countless B-
movie horror films—and recruit him
to be their local savior. Directed by
Bruce Campbell.
MUSIC
BARBETTE
1600 W. Lake St. • 612.827.5710
www.barbette.com
Mondays, 10pm – Free Late Night
Music Series. Dec 1, 15: Kid Dakota.
Dec 8: National Bird.
FAMOUS DAVE’S
3001 Hennepin Ave S. • 612.822.9900
www.famousdaves.com
Sat, Nov 29, 9pm – The Daisy Dill-
man Band. The Daisy Dillman Band,
Toys On Roids at SOO VISUAL ARTS CENTER. (See this page)
a Twin Cities country-rock institu-
tion, formed in 1976 during an early
heyday of the genre. This great name
in Minnesota music performs one of
their rare Twin Cities gigs at Famous
Dave’s. $7 cover. Dec 5 - Free Fal-
lin’: The Nations #1 Tribute to Tom
Petty. Dec 12 - Ronn Easton Motown
Review. Dec 13 - Chicago Rhythm &
Blues Kings. Dec 19 - Vintage Raggs.
Dec 26 - Lamont Cranston. Dec 27 -
Power of 10. Dec 31 - Lil’ Ed & The
Blues Imperials.
UPTOWN BAR & CAFE
3018 Hennepin Ave. S. • 612.823.4719
www.uptownbarandcafe.com
Fri, Dec 12 – The Hasbeen, Ben
Glaros. Sat, Dec 13 – Mercurial Rage.
Thurs, Dec 18 – Battlefields (From
Fargo ND), FREE. Fri, Dec 19 – To
Reinvent (Cd Release). Sat, Dec 20
– Nobot, Blue Ox, Ambassador Gun,
Age of Ascension. All Shows 9pm &
21+.
Seasonal
Minneapolis Audubon
Society
3101 Bryant Ave. S • 763.657.1907
Fri, Dec 12, 1pm at Bryant Square
Park – Nature in the Summer of 2008:
shared by Ted Galambos. Please join
us for the program and refreshments.
All are welcome.
Gear Running Store
Lake Calhoun • 952.926.2645
www.gearrunningstore.com
Sun, Dec 28, 7pm – Eighth annual
Winter Waddle 5K: Lake Calhoun.
This year we move back to the chain
of lakes area for the first time since
2001, with this year’s race being run
around Lake Calhoun. This commu-
nity favorite traditional festive holiday
run is perfect for those in need of a
mid-winter pick me up. Get outside
and enjoy our winter wonderland and
burn off some of those holiday calo-
ries.
calendar page 15
 DECEMBER 2008 Uptown Neighborhood news • 15 .
h tion works include What Would
Eric Rec
Almost from 1
children who have lived in drug
related family environments. The
stories, 39 of them in all, are to
be transformed into a narrated
cartoon format with old school
illustration styles. The series is
primarily aimed at the 7-16 year
olds but has something for any
age. His history has connected
him to this part of the community
and his anthem is “Every day we
lose another child to drug addicts,
and they’re getting younger all the
time.”
Rech says he made a lot of mis-
takes in the past and he’s try-
ing to set some things right. This
might explain his most recent,
some say “suicidal” project. “The
Great Depression Tour” is a full-
throttle comedy tour. Fifty days,
50 towns, one car, five comedians,
no pay, just gas and car sponsors.
There are no hotels so a shower or
bed will come only with a hand-
CARAG from 12
ber Neighborhood and Commu-
nity Engagement Commission.
Eight residents will be selected
by city neighborhood organiza-
tions to serve on the Commis-
sion, one representative will be
appointed by the Park Board
and the remaining members
will be appointed to the Com-
mission by the City Council. A
meeting will be held at Walker
Library at 10 a.m. on Decem-
ber 6 to consider the means by
which neighborhood residents
may be selected to serve on the
Commission.
Transportation Committee:
Scott Schiefelbein
Schiefelbein reported:
Brendan Jordan has attempted to
contact Don Sobania at the Depart-
ment of Public Works in regard to
the issue of traffic signals at the
3100 block of Dupont and Emer-
son Avenues, but has received no
response to date.
Uptown Association
calendar from 14
Life Time Fitness
Lake Harriet Bandshell • 763.557.9587
www.reindeerrun.com
Sat, Dec 6 – Life Time Fitness Rein-
deer Run: Race day registration, pre-
registered race # pick-up, tee shirts,
race start and finish are near the band
shell on the Northwest side of the
lake. The event begins with the Fisher
Price Kids K (1 kilometer) for kids 8
& under at 9:00 a.m. For all ages run-
ning the 5K the start is at 9:30 a.m.
with a hearty “Ho Ho Ho...GO” by
Santa! For the 21st year, Reindeer Run
is partnered with Toys for Tots. Par-
ticipants, volunteers and spectators are
encouraged to support the U.S. Marine
Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program
by bringing a new toy on race day. All
toys are given to children who live in
our local area and are in need this holi-
day season.
BAKKEN MUSEUM
3537 Zenith Ave. S. • 926.3878
out from a generous patron. The
motive behind the tour is re-creat-
ing a little bit of hell that a child
with cancer has to endure. The
comedians’ suffering helps make
it real for potential donors. Rech’s
family experienced cancer and the
entire event is a fund-raiser for a
children’s cancer charity soon to be
announced.
Erika Backberg & Eric Nigg
Erika Backberg and Eric Nigg
have been working on media
projects that have been awarded
national attention. Their most
recent piece, called “Birthmarked
for Death” won Best Picture at
the MN 48 Hour Film Competi-
tion back in June (out of 91 teams
in the state, the second largest state
competition in the world). This
piece also screened at South Dako-
ta Film Fest where they won best
Juried Screenplay, and it will also
be screened in the South by South-
west Film Fest and San Antonio
Film Fest. Watch it for yourself at
BirthmarkedforDeath.com.
Erika Backberg, fiance of Eric
Nigg and Production Manager for
Screenshot from the award
drama “Bi winning
rthmarked For Death”
Update: Bill Morton
Morton reported:
• A broken water pipe recently
caused flooding at the offices of
the Uptown Association.
• Due to lack of funds, the Special
Services District will not put up
holiday lighting this year.
• Morton attended a recent Lyn-
Lake Association meeting at
which possible development of
the parcel located at the north-
east corner of 31st Street and
Lyndale Avenue was discussed;
proposed development could
include a two-story building
with retail below and one apart-
ment above.
• The Uptown Association wants
to encourage Uptown neighbor-
hoods’ involvement in planning
for the Great River Bike Race to
be held June 9.
Board Retreat: Aaron
Rubenstein
Rubenstein identified four deci-
sions to be made concerning
the Board retreat scheduled for
www.thebakken.org
Tues, Dec 9 – Bakken Evening Out
occurs the second Tuesday of each
month at The Bakken Museum. Sam-
ple food while you are checking out the
museum’s newest exhibits, listening to
a lecture, participating in hands-on
demonstrations, and more. The event
is included with the cost of admission
and complimentary to museum mem-
bers. Members also receive free admis-
sion for a guest. Buy one ticket, get one
ticket free Coupon.
INTERMEDIA ARTS/SASE
Commercial classified ad sales are 40¢ per word, 10-
word minimum. Ad and advance payment are due the
15th of the month. Please send a check and ad copy
to: Uptown Neighborhood News, Attn: Classifieds, 3612
Bryant Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55409.
the film, has many talents. Work- ips, Paul F. Tompkins and Gilbert
ing in the Twin Cities, her passion Gottfried. Eric has worked as a
is to empower, educate, and bring producer, head writer and per- The Uptown
color to people’s lives which comes former for more than 20 original, Neighborhood news
is now available
to light in both her visual and multi-media sketch shows. Cur- at the following
media art. She is an active, local rently, he is a contributing writer locations
community organizer, an educa- on the Emmy Nominated Flak
Amore Victoria
tor for all ages, an accomplished Radio podcast. Eric is always on
fashion eco-jewelry designer (see the look out for new collabora- Blue Sky Creamery
her art at the Urban Earth Artisan tive opportunities with artists of Booksmart
Fair, pg.7) and a longtime produc- any discipline and strives to create
Bremer Bank
er for The Label Productions and original performance pieces and
SPNN Youth media. Her produc- uniquely funny films. See him at Bryant Square Park
www.ericnigg.com. Cars-R-Coffins
My President Do Film Festival,
Cheapo Records
short films such as THE BIO. Rich Reeder
PIECE and THE STALKER as Chiang Mai Thai
Reeder has been writing and pro-
seen on FUSE TV, and the inter- Dunn Brothers
ducing film and video documenta- (Lake & Bryant)
national award winning CD ROM:
ries for the last 25 years. One for
Waters to the Sea-Chattahoochee Dunn Brothers
which he’s particularly proud was
River. See www.TeaTreeDesigns. (Lake & Humbolt)
a short film done for The Nature
com. Dunn Brothers
Conservancy as part of an effort to
preserve the Yunnan Province of (Hennepin & 34th)
Eric Nigg, actor, and co-writer of
China. Funds generated from the Falafel King
the film maintains “The village is
promotion of that film have been Famous Dave’s BBQ
full of idiots, and I’m one of ‘em.”
Eric has used this all inclusive phi- Almost page 16 First Universalist Church
losophy to find his voice as a come-
Gigi’s Café
dic writer and performer. He’s
Hennepin-Lake
had the opportunity as a stand
up comedian to perform with the Liquors
Got a little
likes of Doug Stanhope, Emo Phil- It’s Greek to Me
Joyce United
junk in the Methodist Church
La Bodega Tapas Bar
trunk? Lyndale United
Church of Christ
Sell it or give it Magers & Quinn Booksellers
away with a FREE Marla’s Indian &
Caribbean Cuisine
UNN classified. Mohn Electric
CARAG and ECCO residents Parents Automotive
can run a free classified ad in Pizza Luce
one UNN issue per year. Free
December 13: input for the pro- Rainbow Foods
classifieds are limited to 25
posed agenda, whether a facilita- St. Mary’s Greek
tor is needed and source of funds words or less and must be non- Orthodox Church
to pay for this service, a location commercial in nature. After one
Uptown Bar & Café
for the retreat and whether food free ad, classifieds can be run in
should be provided. After brief additional issues for a small fee. Uptown Theatre
discussion, the Board agreed that Urban Bean
a facilitator is not needed for this Send your ads to
Urban Earth
first meeting. However, the Board uptownnews@yahoo.com
or Walker At Treetops
will consider engagement of a
facilitator for a possible follow-up Uptown Neighborhood News Walker Library
meeting. In order to best utilize Attn: Classifieds The Wave Salon
the time allotted for the retreat, 3612 Bryant Avenue South, YWCA (Uptown)
Board members will review docu- Minneapolis, MN 55409.
ments in advance and come pre-
pared to discuss. The retreat
classifieds
location is tentatively scheduled
for the Common Roots Café; cof-
fee and bagels will be provided by
CARAG.
Community Input and New Church
Announcements: Living Faith Ministries
Aaron Rubenstein Bible based Pentecostal church with sound doctrine. Fun, family like
atmosphere. We preach forgiveness, acceptance and grace. Service time:
None.
Sundays 10:30 am. Bible Study: Mondays 7pm. Located on the corner
of Lake and Irving. 1516 West Lake Street, Suite 105, Minneapolis MN
Adjourn 55408. E-mail: Paulhabermann@Live.com.
Motion, Seconded to adjourn at
8:50 p.m. Approved.
Services
Painting\Remodeling
2822 Lyndale Ave. S • 871.4444 FURNITURE Int.Ext.Painting, Drywall-sheetrock
www.intermediaarts.org RE UPHOLSTERY
Wed, Nov 12, 7pm – MinneDemo Labor starting at: Chairs -$190, Love
Hang, tape ceiling texturing. Wall
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insured, own all tools. Casey.reyn-
this event, we have rented Intermedia www.orbcarpetcleaning.com
olds@att.net, 612.825.9959/612.9
Arts, Uptown’s coolest art gallery/
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Please RSVP at http://minnedemo.
CARPET CLEANING
2 average -sized rooms & a hall
eventbrite.com. Free Beer/Soda. Since
MinneDemo is not at a bar this time, $48.95. Upholstery Cleaning:
REMODELING
we’re brining in kegs, and it’s all free. couch $49.95, Love seat $39.95, Windows and doors replaced. Fin-
Be sure to tip your bartenders.
chairs $29.95. Owner oper- ish carpentry. Custom tile instal-
ated, 35 years experience. Dave lation. Sheet rock, taping, plaster
repair, texturing and painting. Local
612.721.5105/612.636.3073 or
www.orbcarpetcleaning.com references, free estimates. Tom
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16 • Uptown neighborhood news DECEMBER 2008

alMoSt from 15
used to build an eco-tourism cen-
ter near the Yunnan Great River
Area. Last year Reeder’s film for
The Saint John’s Bible Project
was part of a major international
art exhibit that toured in England
and the U.S. That exhibit, featur-
ing the first hand-drawn Bible in
700 years, drew one of the largest
crowds to the Minneapolis Insti-
tute of Arts. That film won a Cine
Golden Eagle award.
Reeder, betting the farm
When Reeder isn’t involved in
his documentary work, he works
as an actor in films and television
commercials. This past summer he
had the opportunity for two small
roles in the Michael Mann film
“Public Enemies” with Johnny
Depp, Christian Bale and Marion
Cotillard. Reeder played both a
convict at a prison in Joliett and a
guard for J. Edgar Hoover (played
by Billy Crudup) in Chicago. The
film, focusing on the most-want-
ed gangsters of the 20’s, will be
released in July of next year.

Last year Reeder had the unique

challenge of trying to get a cow
to jump through a hoop of fire.
This was a spot for DeJobe Casino
where Midwesterners were trying
to ‘Go Vegas’ with their unique
talents.

Next up for Reeder is a TV pro-

motion for the Minnesota Twins
new ball park which airs on Super
Bowl Sunday.

Bruce Cochran is Art Director in

charge of production for the Uptown
Neighborhood News, lives in
CARAG and is writing a life about
his film.

DUNN BROS
COFFEE
(Lake St. & Bryant Ave. S.)
CONVENIENT ACCESS
TO ONSIGHT PARKING
Now ServiNg
French Pressed Coffee
Hemp Milk Lattes - Hot Or Iced
Egg Nog and Gingerbread Lattes
Also Available Organic Non-Homogenized Milk On Request

AlwAyS AvAilAble
Freshly Roasted Fair Trade Organic Coffee Beans
821 W Lake St • 612.824.6200 • Lake St. & Bryant Ave. S.