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A rendering of the new Mozaic plan, as viewed from Girard Avenue.
By Jake Weyer
The Minneapolis Planning Commission in late April approved revised plans for Mozaic, a large mixed-use development planned for Lagoon and Emerson avenues.
The $75 million project, spearheaded by local development firm The Ackerberg Group, has changed substantially since initial concepts were dreamt up in November 2004. Past iterations have included condos, a new Lagoon Theatre, a hotel and various arrangements of office, commercial and public plaza space.
As approved in April, Mozaic plans call for 158 rental units, 66,000 square feet of office space, 37,000 square feet of commercial, retail and restaurant space and 695 parking spaces.
May 19, 2008
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New plans for Calhoun Square have once again been delayed.
By Jake Weyer
After hours of discussion, the Minneapolis Planning Commission decided at its Feb. 25 meeting to hold off on approving redevelopment plans for Calhoun Square, the Lake Street & Hennepin Avenue shopping center that has been in limbo for years.
It was the Planning Commission’s second delay of a decision on the project in less than a month. The first came on Feb. 11, when the city needed more time to review the project’s travel demand management plan.
This time, the main issue was whether the development plans provided adequate public amenities, particularly a public gathering space. Commissioners were also concerned about pedestrian and vehicle conflict in a loading dock area on the mall’s south side.
“I think [Calhoun Square is]
March 10, 2008
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Photo by Robb Long
Homeowner Lauri Kraft stands on the bamboo flooring that was one element of her “green” home-remodeling project.
By Dylan Thomas
CARAG — For some people, the phrase “green building” still calls to mind the image of a ’70s-style dome house covered in solar panels.
“While all of those are components of green [building], it’s not really the core of what green is about,” said Mike Otto, who operates Mike Otto Construction out of a CARAG office. “It’s about building sustainable buildings.”
Take Otto’s recent remodeling of the Kraft family’s home near Cedar Lake, for instance.
There’s nothing that screams “green” in the comfortable addition, which expands main-floor living space in the split-level house. The materials and building techniques were meant to be environmentally friendly, but not necessari
February 25, 2008
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
Photo by Jake Weyer
Bryant-Lake Bowl will be the only bowling alley in Minneapolis immediately affected by the new ordinance.
By Jake Weyer
An ordinance amendment changes the food-to-liquor sales ratio required of some bowling centers
No one cheers for a split in bowling.
Whether it’s a 7/10 pin divide or a 60/40 percent food-to-liquor sales ratio, a split can lead straight to the gutter.
For Bryant-Lake Bowl owner Kim
Bartmann, who just missed her food sales requirement in 2006 and has seen sales slip in recent years, the city’s 60/40 requirement has been a burden.
February 25, 2008
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'Chilly Chili Fest' this weekend
UPDATED February 21, 2008, 3:07pm
By Michelle Bruch
The Calhoun Area Residents Action Group (CARAG) is hosting a “Chilly Chili Fest” at the Bryant Square Park Community Center this weekend.
Meat and veggie chili, priced at $2 a bowl, will benefit the Joyce Uptown Food Shelf. Demand for items at the food shelf is high, and additional donations of cash and non-perishable food will be accepted at the event.
Door prizes from area businesses will be up for grabs, and information about neighborhood activities will be available, including events like the Super Sale and garden and architecture tours.
Neighborhood photographers (amateur and professional) can display their photos at the fest by bringing them to the event before 12:30 p.m. or dropping them off in advance at the CARAG office, located at 711 W. Lake S
February 11, 2008
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Photo By Joe Szurszewski
Nagel rehearses the laying of hands for her ordination ceremony with retired bishops Rev. David Brown (left) and Rev. Lowell Erdahl.
By Jake Weyer
Salem English Lutheran Church Rev. Jen Nagel becomes Southwest’s first gay ordained Lutheran minister
CARAG — Jen Nagel was already well on her way to becoming a pastor when she first fell in love with another woman about 10 years ago.
A devout Lutheran who decided in her early teens to be a minister, Nagel had always been supportive of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) clergy, but she didn’t fully realize her own sexual orientation until meeting Jane McBride, now her life partner.
“I’d always been a strong advocate and an ally [of LGBT ministers],” said Nagel, now 35. “That was kind of just part of who I was. And yet, I had not understood it in such a personal way until I
February 11, 2008
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The plans for the new Calhoun Square are set to go before the city's Planning Commission in February.
By Jake Weyer
LAKE & HENNEPIN — Numerous Calhoun Square businesses received notices recently to clear out by spring to make way for the Uptown shopping center’s long-awaited redevelopment.
Plans for a revamped center are scheduled to go to the city’s Planning Commission in February, and developers hope to begin construction in April, said Calhoun Square General Manager Gayle Siegler, who works for property manager Capital Growth Madison Marquette. Siegler said some tenants have been asked to leave but declined to discuss specifics.
“We are committed to working respectfully with each of them as we deal with the reality of preparing for the physical transformation of the property,” Siegler wrote in an e-mail. “It is a complica
January 14, 2008
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Jake Weyer
Calhoun Square at Hennepin Avenue and Lake Street
UPDATED January 17, 2008, 1:54pm
By Jake Weyer
The Calhoun Area Residents Action Group (CARAG) board will decide whether to approve new plans for the redevelopment of Calhoun Square at a meeting Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. at Bryant Square Park, 3101 Bryant Ave. S.
The group, which represents the Uptown neighborhood that shares its acronym, listened to a final presentation of the plans, questioned developers and discussed options for approval at its regular monthly meeting Jan. 15. A decision could not be reached that night, so the Jan. 22 meeting was scheduled for further discussion and a vote.
Developers have not made plans for the shopping center public beyond meetings with neighborhood groups and city planners. But according to the last CARAG meeting, the development would include a revamped two-level mall, a new parking ram
January 14, 2008
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
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Pastor Bill Morton sits with parishioners during a recent service at Joyce United Methodist Church, 1219 W. 31st St.
By Brian Voerding
When Southwest's Joyce United Methodist Church tried to rebuild its stature in the community, members soon discovered that the rebuilding had to start from within
CARAG — Following a Sunday service a year ago, the 30-some active members of Joyce United Methodist Church gathered for an annual meeting in the church’s main room.
The meeting was typically a quiet, necessary affair, a place for regular churchgoers to talk finances and get reports from church officers on what the coming year held, and then devour a potluck lunch while catching up on one another’s lives.
Pastor Bill Morton discussed the budget. A few congregation members talked about planned renovations and the upcoming strategic planning to set long-term go
January 14, 2008
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Robb Long
Jim Walsh hosts the weekly hootenanny in the basement of Java Jack's.
By Staff
- JANUARY -
Woman of the House
Margaret Anderson Kelliher
Rep. Margaret Anderson Kelliher (DFL-60A) takes her post as speaker of the state House of Representatives after the DFL won back control of the House in a commanding fashion in November 2006.
Kelliher said started out the legislative session with an emphasis on encouraging bipartisan cooperation.
"The ability of us to get along better and to act more civilly certainly is not going to mean the absence of conflict on issues," Kelliher said. "It's a matter of how conflict is handled."
One way she planned to handle conflict was to listen carefully to her colleagues.
"That's one of her great skill
December 31, 2007
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Permit parking proposed in CARAG
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By Jake Weyer
CARAG — In response to concerns from residents about some streets being too crowded and unsafe after sundown, City Council Member Ralph Remington (10th Ward) has proposed permit parking during late-night hours in parts of the neighborhood.
Remington’s proposal includes permit or “critical” parking from 9 p.m.–2 a.m. Monday-Saturday along Girard, Fremont and Emerson Avenues between 31st and 33rd Streets, 32nd Street from Hennepin Avenue to Emerson and a southern stretch of 31st between Girard and Emerson.
Parking would be open to the public all day Sunday because of activities at Joyce Church, located at 1219 W. 31st St.
“This was constructed based on complaints from people in the area,” said Remi
December 17, 2007
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Calhoun Area neighborhood, East Calhoun neighborhood
The development group redeveloping Calhoun Square is looking for "magnetic" tenants to attract other new businesses.
By Jake Weyer
Calhoun Square's management company has begun discussions with architects, potential retailers, nearby residents, city staff, elected officials and others about the future of the shopping center at Hennepin Avenue and Lake Street.
The 145,000-square-foot building has been awaiting a major facelift for years and new owner BlackRock — a New York-based investment firm with more than $1 trillion in assets — plans to make it happen.
As the housing market worsened earlier this year, previous owner Principal Financial Group opted not to move forward with a city-approved redevelopment plan that included condos. Keith Anderson, executive director of Capitol Growth Madison Marquette, the company BlackRock retained to manage Calhoun Square, said his team is developi
November 5, 2007
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ena and her older brother Oscar watch Flapjack and Apona wander around looking for food.
By David Steier
It’s not every day residents of Uptown can walk up someone’s front steps, veer around the side of the house and proceed forward under a garden arbor, past a scraggly jumble of tomato plants into a family farm — complete with hay bales and a chicken-wire fence covered with plastic. It can be done at Sarah and Sonny’s, though. Throw in the fact that said fence coops up four fluffy chickens scampering around, several young children following in hot pursuit, and it’s hard not to believe in Star Trek-like teleportation. The kind that can send people instantaneously from a home in Uptown out to rural Minnesota, in a farmyard with free-ranging hens.
This cannot exist where the broad-shouldered, spired skyline of Downtown Minneapolis towers above in plain view.
This cannot be next-door to a car care service center on Lake Street, in close proximity to Lyndale and Hennepin Avenues — with their trendy coffee shops and watering holes, ethnically diverse cuisine joints of the chain and independently owned varieties, their supermarkets, office buildings and gas stations.
But it is.
October 8, 2007
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2008 Education Guide
By Staff
Choosing the right school for a child is one of the most important jobs facing a parent. The job can be even more overwhelming in Minneapolis where parents face so many options. To help parents navigate this task, the Journal has once again put together its annual schools guide — a digest of information about early childhood, elementary, middle and high school options.
PUBLIC SCHOOL ABBREVIATION GLOSSARY
Alternative school = A school with its own facility run by community agencies that hire its staff. Their mission is to serve at-risk youth. Students attending alternative schools continue to be considered Minneapolis Public Schools students during their enrollment.
Areas A, B, C = Schools are broken into these geographic areas under the leadership of area superintendents.
October 8, 2007
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Calhoun Area neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood
City council actions
By Kari VanDerVeen and Jake Weyer
8/31 Meeting
Absent: Council Member Robert Lilligren (6th Ward) was absent because he was in Sweden on city business.
Legislative priorities: The City Council passed a resolution outlining items it would like to see the Minnesota Legislature take up in the event of a special session.
Several of the priorities are related to the I-35W bridge collapse. The city supports legislation that would use state funds to make the bridge “transit ready.” The city also wants to see legislation that would use state money to ensure the areas north and south of the reconstructed bridge are designed to accommodate transit.
The city reaffirmed its support for the congestion reduction measures funded by the recently awarded $133 million feder
September 10, 2007
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Imran Ahmed, 11, prepares to catch a pitch during a Bryant Square Bandits practice.
By Jake Weyer
Undefeated is a big word in the world of sports.
It’s a perfect season, maybe a trophy and no doubt some major bragging rights.
To a Southwest baseball team of 13 9- to 11-year-olds, undefeated was a summer they’ll never forget. The Bryant Square Bandits went 21–0 this summer against fellow Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board teams and was the only city team in its age division to be invited to the Minnesota Youth Athletic Association’s state tournament this year.
August 13, 2007
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Eric Hagen, 37, a Phoenix Games employee, sits on the gaming table watching his opponent's next move.
By Jake Weyer
Metro-area gamers will lose a favorite hangout when store moves online at the end of August
CARAG — As the dramatic soundtrack to the movie “Lord of the Rings” played in the background, an army of wood elves battled an onslaught of undead creatures July 26 in Uptown.
It was a scene of mass killing and carnage.
It was a typical Thursday night at Phoenix Games.
The board game, metal miniature and model shop at 901 W. Lake Street is a hangout for local and metro-area game enthusiasts. Some come to paint figurines, others to play games such as the tabletop war game Warhammer, which pitted the elves and undead against each other that night.
(To view a slide show on the closing of Phoenix Games, click
here.)
August 13, 2007
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Restaurant Miami a step closer to receiving later hours
UPDATED July 31, 2007, 12:55pm
By Jake Weyer
Roughly 60 people packed a hot room in the Bryant Square Park building July 30 to share their thoughts on whether Restaurant Miami should be granted later hours and a sidewalk café.
The 913 W. Lake St. restaurant — which has caused controversy in the neighborhood since it was initially proposed as a late-night establishment called Afterbar last year — is seeking to extend its closing time from 12:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11:30 p.m. on the other nights of the week, to 2 a.m. daily. The restaurant also applied for permission to open a sidewalk café.
The July hearing was the second about the restaurant’s preferred 2 a.m. closing and sidewalk café. The first was conducted in June and was attended by about 50 people, most s
July 30, 2007
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The former Gap space will be the new home to Victoria’s Secret, which is set to open in early 2008.
By Jake Weyer
CARAG — Lingerie, T-shirts, cosmetics and winter gear will replace papered windows and construction equipment later this year at Hennepin Avenue and Lake Street.
Within the next several months, Uptown’s core intersection will undergo a major transformation: Victoria’s Secret will fill in the space left by the Gap at 3000 Hennepin Ave. S., American Apparel will move into the former American Eagle space at 1433 W. Lake St., The North Face will complete construction of a store at 3008 Hennepin Ave. S. where UPS and Tibet’s Corner used to be and Juut Salon Spa will expand its 2945 Henepin Ave. S. location.
July 30, 2007
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Matt Perry of East Harriet works on his laptop on the patio outside Java Jacks. Perry helped create a cyber block club network so different neighborhoods can stay in touch with one another about crime and other issues.
By Jake Weyer
July 16, 2007
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Restaurant Miami seeking late-night hours
By Jake Weyer
July 2, 2007
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
Charlie Orr stands in his bookstore at 3034 Hennepin Ave.
By Jake Weyer
CARAG - Charlie Orr used to have a recurring dream about finding a silver coin on the ground. The coin would lead to another and another, until coins were everywhere.
It's been many years since he's had the dream.
"It ended, so I think it's no longer time for me to be a merchant," Orr said.
Orr, 64, is a treasure hunter, but not the kind that looks for a mark on a map. He's the kind that looks for garage sales in the classifieds and spends early mornings scouring stacks of old books, searching for keepers.
July 2, 2007
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
Cyber network to link Minneapolis block clubs
UPDATED July 6, 2007, 9:11pm
By Jake Weyer
Minneapolis block club leaders have a new way to get in touch with one another.
East Harriet Neighborhood Association (EHNA) President Matt Perry recently launched a cyber block club network with the help of fellow board member Chris Gallaty and Longfellow resident Wade Stebbings. The network, based at www.mplsblockclub.org, allows block club leaders throughout the city to share crime trends, safety tips and other information with each other via e-mail.
July 2, 2007
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The blogging life
By Mary O'Regan
A sampling of Southwest bloggers
Blogs are taking over my life. It all started in 2003 when I discovered LiveJournal, a network of self-indulgent Internet diaries. The writing was personal and quirky, with multiple updates each day. It was like flipping through a newspaper dedicated to the private thoughts of regular people around the world. From there, I found MySpace, Facebook and BlogSpot. I set aside whole hours of my life to surfing the web, gobbling up the inane ramblings of programmers in Wisconsin, gossips in Seattle, and comedians in San Jose. My friends became virtual; information didn¹t seem important unless it was posted online by some newshound who tacked his 2 cents onto every story.
June 4, 2007
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Performance space coming to Bryant Square Park
By Jake Weyer
A community gathering space, a place for music, theater and other art performances - maybe even a wedding.
That's what CARAG community members hope a new $60,000 outdoor performance space will become at Bryant Square Park, 3101 Bryant Ave. S.
The Calhoun Area Residents Action Group (CARAG), the organization the neighborhood is named after, approved funding the project with NRP dollars in February. The idea came from a a park done by landscape architecture company Damon Farber Associates. CARAG has also been working with the Minneapolis Park Board on the project's development and construction is scheduled to begin this fall, pending Park Board Approval.
The performance area will include two staggered, curved rows of seating facing a circular, non-elevated stage. The p
May 7, 2007
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School notebook:
By Dylan Thomas
Senator advocates early childhood education
State Sen. Patricia Torres Ray advocated increased access to early childhood education at a reception for Joyce Preschool held April 26 at the Woman's Club of Minneapolis.
Torres Ray (DFL-62) said early childhood education for Minnesota's Latino children can help close the achievement gap that shows up when those children are teenagers.
Latino students lag far behind their white peers in high school graduation rates, she said, with only 60 percent graduating in 2004 compared to 92 percent of white students.
"I think this is a tragedy," Torres Ray said.
Joyce is a Spanish-English two-way immersion preschool in the CARAG neighborhood. Most staff members are bilingual.
Program coord
May 7, 2007
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Global investment company to buy Calhoun Square
By Jake Weyer
FYI: About BlackRock
BlackRock is an investment management, risk management and advisory services company that employs more than 5,000 people and serves clients in more than 60 countries around the globe. Black Rock's assets under management total more than $1 trillion. (Source: www.blackrock.com)
BlackRock, a New York-based investment company, is in the process of purchasing Calhoun Square and plans to close on the property in early June, said Greg Karlen, managing director of BlackRock Realty.
Karlen said he couldn't disclose BlackRock's bid for the Uptown shopping center because the sale was not final. A formal announcement will be made when - and if - the deal is completed, he said. He said BlackRock is in a "due diligence" stage of th
May 7, 2007
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Performance space coming to Bryant Square Park
By Jake Weyer
A community gathering space, a place for music, theater and other art performances - maybe even a wedding.
That's what CARAG community members hope a new $60,000 outdoor performance space will become at Bryant Square Park, 3101 Bryant Ave. S.
The Calhoun Area Residents Action Group (CARAG), the organization the neighborhood is named after, approved funding the project with NRP dollars in February. The idea came from a a park done by landscape architecture company Damon Farber Associates. CARAG has also been working with the Minneapolis Park Board on the project's development and construction is scheduled to begin this fall, pending Park Board Approval.
The performance area will include two staggered, curved rows of seating facing a circular, non-elevated stage. The p
April 23, 2007
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
Uptown developer puts in bid on Calhoun Square
By Jake Weyer
Three years after a low bid put his company out of the running to purchase Calhoun Square, local developer Stu Ackerberg is getting a second chance.
Ackerbeg, CEO of Southwest development company The Ackerberg Group, submitted a bid this month for the Uptown shopping center at Lake Street and Hennepin Avenue, which owner Principal Real Estate Investors of Des Moines put on the Market in March.
“Calhoun Square is an important property in the Uptown area, and we think we have some fun ideas for it,” Ackerberg said.
Principal paid more than $28 million for the property in 2004, according to Hennepin County property information. The company also spent millions of additional dollars acquiring nearby properties.
A $75 million condominium and retail revamp w
April 23, 2007
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At a crossroads
By Jake Weyer
Delay of Calhoun Square redevelopment frustrates Uptown business community
CARAG-A delay in the much-anticipated redevelopment of Calhoun Square has frustrated Uptown business owners, many of whom rely heavily on the center's ability to draw customers to the area.
“How they do is a direct reflection on how we do,” said Brad Birdwell, general manager of Old Chicago at 2841 Hennepin Ave.
Birdwell said business has been down at the restaurant during the past couple of years. Other business owners in and out of Calhoun Square have also seen a slump in business recently and point to the weakened shopping center as at least part of the reason.
Calhoun Square property owner Principal Financial Group would have liked to start construction of the mix
January 29, 2007
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In the Dark
By Jake Weyer
Moratorium thwarts efforts to enhance street lighting
Nancy Dedak doesn't walk to the Uptown Lunds grocery store after dark anymore.
The CARAG resident's husband was robbed at gunpoint in front of her garage last spring. Graduate student Michael Zebuhr was shot and killed nearby a week later. Walking from brightly lit Uptown into her significantly darker neighborhood makes Dedak feel vulnerable.
“We're sitting ducks in this neighborhood,” Dedak said. “We're not doing the smart, proactive things to prevent easy crime.”
November 20, 2006
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Calhoun Area neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood
Ellison credits grassroots campaign for victory
By Kari VanDerVeen
Many political newcomers say DFLer motivated them to get involved in his congressional campaign
When Uptown resident Jennifer Umolac heard Keith Ellison's victory speech after his win in September's hard-fought DFL primary election, she was moved to tears and spurred into action.
“After the primary, he had the whole audience chanting ‘love,'” Umolac said, adding that Ellison's message of peace and unity resonated strongly with her. “I showed up at his [campaign office] door asking what I could do to help.”
Umolac wasn't alone. A number of the supporters on hand at a Downtown election night party celebrating Ellison's Nov. 7 win in the Fifth Congressional District race had similar stories of being drawn to the DFLer's campa
November 20, 2006
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Sharing the road
By Jake Weyer
New pavement markings on Bryant Avenue meant to increase public awareness of road's use as a bikeway could help change national traffic control codes
A strategy to get Bryant Avenue recognized as a shared road and bikeway could have a national impact.
Thanks to a push from the Calhoun Area Residents Action Group (CARAG), Minneapolis recently joined the ranks of a handful of cities testing experimental shared-roadway markings that could be considered for federal approval. CARAG used Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) money to fund pavement markings incorporating a cyclist rendering and arrows pointed in the direction of traffic in each lane along every block of Bryant Avenue from the Midtown Greenway to 40th Street.
November 6, 2006
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Calhoun Area neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood
Visioning sessions set for Uptown Small Area Plan
By Jake Weyer
The Minneapolis Department of Community Planning and Economic Development will host two visioning sessions this month to get public input for the Uptown Small Area Plan.
They are set for Nov. 8 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Nov. 9 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Both meetings will be in the former Borders Books space on the first floor of Calhoun Square, 3001 Hennepin Ave. The agenda will be the same at each session.
City planners want session participants to share long-term visions for the core of Uptown and Hennepin Ave. S., identify concerns and discuss the values of the area. Anyone interested in attending a session is encouraged to take an online survey about Uptown at www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/planning/uptown-plan.asp.
The small area plan, a land use plan for Uptown, is expecte
November 6, 2006
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
Green Stewards
By Dan Haugen
Southwest congregations taking a stand on the environment
A new green streak is sprouting from the pews of some Southwest congregations.
As evidence of global climate change becomes more visible, churches and synagogues across the country are starting to preach the importance of environmental stewardship.
About 250 congregations statewide had members recently sign up to host screenings of “An Inconvenient Truth,” Al Gore's documentary on climate change.
And in Southwest, congregations are inviting guest speakers, erecting solar panels and preaching energy efficiency with an urgency never seen before.
“I think there's been a clear shift of consciousness,” said Terry Gips, a member of Temple Israel, at 2324 Eme
November 6, 2006
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Lighting up the neighborhood
By Jake Weyer
Kingfield board president proposes starting a program to fund motion lights for neighborhood residents
Whenever Erik Lindseth takes his trash out after dark, his neighbor's motion light snaps on, piercing the darkness in the alley behind his Kingfield home.
“I look over to the house and wonder if someone is over there watching,” Lindseth said.
Lindseth, president of the Kingfield Neighborhood Association, thought criminals might wonder the same thing when hit by a sudden beam of light. At a September neighborhood meeting, he proposed starting a program to provide motion lights for Kingfield residents in the hopes of deterring crime.
October 23, 2006
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Calhoun Area neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood
New late-night restaurant slated for West Lake Street
By Jake Weyer
Afterbar draws criticism from neighborhood leaders
A high-end, late-night, “Miami Vice”-themed restaurant being built at 913 W. Lake St. has drawn opposition from two local neighborhood groups.
The Calhoun Area Residents Action Group (CARAG) and Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association (LHENA) each approved a resolution recommending the City Council deny the liquor license requested for Afterbar Restaurant, at which owner Robert Serr wants to serve alcohol until 2 a.m. and close at 4 a.m.
The approved resolution, which CARAG drafted, recommends an 11 p.m. cutoff for alcohol Monday-Friday and a midnight last call on Fridays and Saturdays.
September 11, 2006
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Calhoun Area neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood
Taking a break from development
By Jake Weyer
City Councilmember Ralph Remington plans to propose temporary moratorium on new development in Uptown
Developers seeking variances or conditional-use permits for projects in Uptown might have to put their plans on hold.
City Councilmember Ralph Remington (10th Ward) said he plans to introduce a six-month, right-to-build moratorium to slow development within the boundaries of the Uptown Small Area Plan study area.
A steering committee made up of Southwest community members and representatives from local business associations began working on a 20-year land-use plan for Uptown in June. The plan is supposed to take 12-18 months to develop.
Remington’s idea for a moratorium came about after some steering committee members raised concerns about the possibility o
September 11, 2006
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Calhoun Area neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood
Detailed plans presented for proposed Uptown hotel
By Jake Weyer
Traffic, height concerns still on CARAG, East Calhoun minds
East Calhoun and CARAG residents packed a reception room at St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church, 3450 Irving Ave. S., Aug. 3 to view plans and ask questions about a proposed hotel in Uptown.
Investor Curt Gunsbury, who publicly presented plans at an East Calhoun Community Organization (ECCO) meeting in May for a boutique hotel to be built at 3017-3029 Holmes Ave. S., returned to the group this month with other investors, architects and more detailed plans.
The large audience of more than 100 people had plenty of questions and mixed opinions about the project.
Gunsbury presented two plans for the hotel, named Hotel Uptown. His preferred option was a 63-foot, six-story, 100-room building with 95 val
August 14, 2006
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Calhoun Area neighborhood, East Calhoun neighborhood
Neighborhood groups voice opposition to Lyndale turn lane
By Jake Weyer
Three neighborhood groups have passed resolutions opposing Hennepin County's plan to incorporate a 200-foot left turn lane on each side of Lyndale Avenue where it crosses Lake Street.
The lane is part of the Lake Street reconstruction project, which includes a section of Lyndale Avenue between 29th and 31st Street. Reconstruction of the area is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2007.
CARAG, Lowry Hill East and Lyndale each approved resolutions to send their concerns about the project to county and city representatives. Lyndale has not followed through with its resolution because of communication and meeting attendance issues, said Holly Reckel, the group's president.
June 19, 2006
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Calhoun Area neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood
Photo by Robb Long
Steve Green waters flowers with reclaimed rainwater.
By Jake Weyer
CARAG — Steve and Connie Green’s frontyard garden at 34th Street & Hennepin Avenue has been part of the annual neighborhood garden tour for several years.
But lately it’s the system used to water the garden that’s drawing community attention.
Using a network of gutters, pipes, pumps and a 1,000-gallon tank, Steve has developed a rainwater reclamation setup that saves up to 12,000 gallons each year. He and several neighbors reuse the water throughout the spring and summer on adjoining gardens.
June 16, 2008
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A church in transition
By Jake Weyer
After eight years on the pulpit at Uptown’s Joyce Lutheran Church, Pastor William Morton, better known as Bill, is retiring.
He will serve through June, at which time he’ll hand the reigns off to Pastor John Darlington, who is relocating to Joyce from Christ United Methodist Church in Rochester, Minn.
“I’ve had a marvelous time with this congregation,” said Morton, who found Joyce after moving to Minneapolis from Milwaukee to be with his son. “They’ve really made giant strides. I’ve tried to turn them inside out to the community, I’ve done this and I’ve drawn up a strategic plan. They’re ready for the next phase and it’s a perfect time for transition.”
Morton, 75, has been an act
June 2, 2008
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Boutique hotel proposed in Uptown
By Jake Weyer
A development group has proposed a boutique hotel and condominium complex for a portion of Holmes Avenue between Lake Street and 31st Avenue.
Investor Curt Gunsbury and officials from Minneapolis-based U+B Architecture & Design met with community members at a recent East Calhoun Community Association (ECCO) meeting to discuss potential designs for the structure and get feedback.
Gunsbury's plans call for either an eight-floor hotel spanning three lots or a seven-floor hotel built across five lots. The height is the minimum needed to be financially successful, he said. All of the lots Gunsbury is looking to purchase have willing sellers, he said.
The building would feature 80 to 90 hotel rooms selling at $130 a night and 10 to 24 “high-end” condominiums
June 5, 2006
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Planning Commission approves 2626 W. Lake St. project
By Robyn Repya
The Lander Group's 2626 W. Lake St. project gained approval from the Planning Commission on April 24. The Cedar-Isles-Dean project would put 46 condo units and one 2,000-square-foot retail space on the north edge of Lake Calhoun, on the Weisman Enterprises site.
The CARAG-based Lander development group, headed by developer Michael Lander, has been working on the project since early 2005. The approved plans are scaled down from the original plans, which proposed a 70-unit condo/retail development - a plan that yielded neighborhood opposition. Those plans were withdrawn from the city last year.
The new proposal features 46 dwellings divided among four buildings, varying in height between four and seven stories. Two levels of parking - one partially above grade and one below -
May 8, 2006
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A new face for Lake Street
By Kari VanDerVeen
The Calhoun Area Residents Action Group (CARAG) has held two visioning sessions for community members interested in weighing in on the reconstruction of the western portion of Lake Street, from Blaisdell to Dupont avenues.
A CARAG subcommittee has been meeting every two weeks to talk about several Lake Street issues - from how many turning lanes the street should have to width of sidewalks.
At the neighborhood group's March 21 meeting, the board passed three resolutions seeking further information and research from Hennepin County on how the reconstruction project will impact pedestrians, businesses and historic buildings along Lake Street.
The group also passed a resolution opposing a five-lane configuration on Lyndale Avenue between 29th and 31st streets.
The
April 24, 2006
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Surprise! Parking is scarce in Uptown
By Kari VanDerVeen
New study finds parking capacity exceeds demands, but only in heavily restricted lots
The results of the long-awaited Uptown Parking and Transportation Study probably won't come as a surprise to many Southwest residents.
The recently released study found that parking is a major issue in Uptown. On-street parking is consistently filled to near capacity, leaving off-street lots and ramps as the only parking option. While there are often openings in off-street lots and ramps, they are heavily used and filled near capacity on weekends. The area's parking woes are further compounded by signs restricting the use of many lots for customers of certain businesses.
Those results are hardly surprising, said Thatcher Imboden, a resident of the CARAG neighborhood who hel
March 27, 2006
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The best little t-shirt shop in Minneapolis
By Michael Metzger
In case you hadn't noticed, we live in a strange world. Consider a random fact: Burt Reynolds has a website. It's apparently not strange enough for the giggling, mustachioed icon of the 1970s to have a website. No. He's got to have an outdated website that fails to recognize his 15 most recent movies. Jim Nabors also has a website, but we couldn't bring ourselves to look at it.
What's all this got to do with you? Before you get an answer, consider another random fact: You wear t-shirts. So does everyone else.
Let's take all of these facts now whirling around in your head and plop them down at the corner of Lyndale Avenue and 34th Street. That's where Reynolds, in all his “Smokey and the Bandit,” Cosmo centerfold, “Deliverance” and “Boogie
March 27, 2006
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Changing Times
By Sarah McKenzie
City growing faster than expected
The population of Minneapolis is growing at a significantly faster rate than earlier projections - planners now expect the city to swell above 466,000 residents by 2030, for an 18 percent increase over the last U.S. Census.
Downtown and Uptown are the growth leaders, accounting for much of the anticipated boom, although the Hiawatha Corridor also is expected to see significant development. Within 10 years, Downtown alone could add as many as 10,000 residents, primarily made up of empty nesters from the suburbs and young professionals.
The greater figures were revealed earlier this month, when the city's Planning Department analyzed population and housing trends for use in applying for federal funds, including community develo
January 30, 2006
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Behind the scenes at Bryant Square Park
By Robyn Repya
Recreation Leader Julie Sandin keeps teens, toddlers and adult volunteers busy
Coordinating hoards of boisterous kids all day - from toddlers to teens - might not sound like fun to everyone, but to Bryant Square Park Recreation Leader Julie Sandin, it's not crazy-making, it's great. “I do love my job,” she said.
Bryant Square Park, 3101 Bryant Ave. S., like many recreation centers in Southwest, offers much more than meets the eye. Don't be fooled by the medium-size park building. Beyond the playground and wading pool, the park offers countless activities - baseball, hockey and soccer, to name just a few - and events year-round for kids and adults, as well as volunteer opportunities.
At the always-busy CARAG park, Sandin does everything from scou
December 26, 2005
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Developer withdraws appeals, West Lake Street project in limbo
By Robyn Repya
Lander Group withdrew appeals relating to its proposed condo/retail project at 2626 West Lake St. before the full City Council Nov. 18. The building is currently occupied by Weisman Enterprises.
Lander had appealed an Oct. 17 City Planning Commission ruling shooting down the 70-unit project in Cedar-Isles-Dean, which needed city permission for an increase in building height, lot coverage and for location within the Shoreland Overlay District (SOD) near Lake Calhoun.
Calls to the appellants were not returned by press time. City Planner for the project, Hilary Watson, said the appeals were withdrawn and she has not been in recent contact with the developer.
The CARAG-based Lander development group, headed by developer Michael Lander, has been on the project working since
December 12, 2005
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Neighborhood group weighs in on Calhoun Square rework
By Robyn Repya
The CARAG neighborhood group hosted two June neighborhood workshops for residents to express concerns and desires for the redevelopment of Calhoun Square, 3001 Hennepin Ave. S.
Developer Jay Scott is in the midst of planning a $75 million renovation of the Uptown shopping mall. His plan would expand the center south to West 31st Street and East to Fremont, adding 60 units of housing, an outdoor courtyard and one and a half levels of parking.
Scott has visited the CARAG group many times with project updates and his Director of Leasing, Anne Knuth, has been working with residents.
In the two CARAG workshops, which a professional facilitator hosted, CARAG residents and representatives from surrounding neighborhoods talked about building height, housing diversity, traffic
July 25, 2005
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Council vote may mean shorter Lagoon project
By Robyn Repya and Scott Russell
On July 1, the City Council surprised many by voting 9-4 to approve the proposed Lagoon redevelopment, but restricted the condo building height to 10 stories, instead of the proposed 13.
Developer Stuart Ackerberg has partnered with Financial Freedom's Clark Gassen on the project. Ackerberg promptly started work reconfiguring the project, he said. Facets such as the greenway amenities and public plaza would remain. The new design should be ready by mid- to late July, after the Journal's deadline.
Southwest Councilmembers voting to approve the deal were Dean Zimmermann (6th Ward), Robert Lilligren (8th Ward), Dan Niziolek (10th Ward, where the project is located) and Scott Benson (11th Ward). They were joined by Don Samuels (3rd Ward), Barbara Johnson (4th Ward), Natalie Jo
July 25, 2005
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New Uptown newspaper preps for August start
By Robyn Repya
A new CARAG/East Calhoun neighborhood newspaper, in the works since 2004, expects to begin publication in August. A joint neighborhood committee has also chosen a name and interim editor.
Committee Chair Gary Farland told the CARAG board in June that the new paper would be called "The Uptown Neighborhood News." He said the name was chosen to allow the paper to capitalize on Uptown events. The neighborhoods run between Lake and 36th streets and Lyndale Avenue to Lake Calhoun's eastern shore.
The newspaper committee also selected Liza Lawrence, a staffer at Orr Books, 3043 Hennepin Ave. S. to serve as the paper's interim editor.
The newspaper is a joint venture of the two neighborhood groups, and CARAG bears financial responsibility.
Plans for a new pub
July 25, 2005
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Southwest's Moose Man
By Robyn Repya
For Don Lindgren, auto bodies have given way to animal bodies
Rita MacCormac said she brought her older convertible to Top Quality Auto Center, 3452 Lyndale Ave. S., because it has rust and needed repair. MacCormac not only found an affordable repair shop, she found a menagerie.
Owner Don Lindgren is the creator of the steel moose that perches in front of the CARAG neighborhood shop, keeping watch on Lyndale Avenue and the outdoor diners at El Meson next door. Lindgren also recently constructed a painted steel eagle, which he's affixed above a makeshift nest.
"It's obviously a work of love and detail," said MacCormac, describing the jovial shop owner as a "colorful character." "I like that he has a nature theme and thinks big."
July 11, 2005
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Lagoon project moves on up
By Robyn Repya
After a month of delay, Uptown's literally high-profile Lagoon development sailed through the Minneapolis Planning Commission May 23, the first official blessing for the 12-story condo/100,000-square-foot office project.
The project has generated controversy because the 148-foot-tall condo component would rise 92 feet above the area's four-story height limit. The $75 million development would also feature a roughly doubled Lagoon Theater, 1300 Lagoon Ave., 16,500 square feet of retail and 760 parking spaces, most of them underground. Together with 112 condo units and what the local newspaper Finance and Commerce describes as "the largest new office project on the drawing boards in the Twin Cities," neighbors say Uptown's traffic congestion will only worsen.
Howe
June 13, 2005
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East Calhoun/CARAG paper comes together
By Robyn Repya
East Calhoun and CARAG residents working to create a new neighborhood newspaper have made progress, forming a managing board last month.
Neighbors began meeting to devise a plan after the East Calhoun News ceased publication last October due to finances. Since then, the CARAG neighborhood group has published a newsletter.
The paper had served both East Calhoun and CARAG neighborhoods, which stretch between Lake Calhoun's east shore and Lyndale Avenue South and between the Uptown business epicenter and West 36th Street.
In May, both neighborhood boards appointed three representatives to the new newspaper's managing board. East Calhoun members include Ralph Knox, Gary Farland and Al Ohme. The CARAG members are Kay Graham, Jill Bode and Anna Matthes.
Mary Ann Knox
June 13, 2005
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Calhoun Square to add Best Buy, other facets
By Robyn Repya
Solomon Real Estate founder Jay Scott, the developer working to renovate Calhoun Square, 3001 Hennepin Ave. S., unveiled the revised reconstruction plans at the CARAG neighborhood's April 19 meeting.
The $75 million Calhoun Square renovation project will redevelop all buildings along Lake Street between Hennepin and Girard avenues, plus the 3000 block of Hennepin, and a vacant lot north of the parking ramp.
The new plans add the Music-Go-Round site at the corner of Lake Street & Fremont Avenue. It will be redeveloped as an urban Best Buy store. Scott has the site under contract.
The project's previously stated goals are to upgrade the retail tenant mix, relocate current tenants within the project, add a level and a half of ramp parking and build 60 housing units
May 2, 2005
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Calhoun's Weisman redevelopment comes into focus
By Robyn Repya
At an April 27 public meeting, developer Michael Lander unveiled a four-building, 65-70-unit condo/townhome proposal on the site of the Weisman Enterprises headquarters, 2626 W. Lake St.
The project will include one 10-story, one eight-story and two three-story buildings. Lander, founder of the CARAG-based Lander Group, said the smaller buildings are closer to the Midtown Greenway to minimize potential shading.
However, the project itself and the building heights have raised concerns among some of the 85 southwest residents in attendance.
Zoning
The unit count is within the property's OR2 zoning, which allows up to 98 units. However, the site - just across Lake Street on Calhoun's north shore, is in a Shoreland Overlay District (SOD), which has
May 2, 2005
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Savage enters 10th Ward Council race
By Scott Russell
Regardless of what you think of his politics, you've got to love his campaign slogan: Run with a Savage.
Harry Savage, 22, is vying for the already crowded 10th Ward City Council race with youthful confidence. A recent University of Minnesota Classics graduate, he said his age is no disadvantage. "Alexander the Great - look at what that man did in the short length of time he was alive," he said. "He defeated a couple of old codgers on the Persian side."
Savage considers himself a conservative Democrat. He wants the city to promote development of more high-end condos to increase its tax base and take a Rudy Giuliani-style get-tough-on-crime approach.
Incumbent Dan Niziolek announced last year he would not run for reelection in the ward tha
April 4, 2005
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Calhoun Square redevelopers: buying CARAG homes?
By Robyn Repya
Calhoun Square's redevelopers may expand their redevelopment project farther than previously thought - onto property occupied by existing CARAG homes.
Solomon Real Estate Director of Leasing Anne Knuth confirmed that Calhoun Square representatives have approached homeowners on the west side of the 3000 block of Fremont Avenue South about selling their homes to accommodate further expansion. "Through a Realtor, we tried to open up the lines of communication," she said.
"We've not talked numbers. We've not made formal offers," Knuth said, saying the idea is being floated to gauge interest.
Knuth said if Fremont homeowners were interested in selling their property, the west side of the block would be redeveloped for residential use or for greenspace
March 21, 2005
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Uptown residents digest condo/office redevelopment
By Robyn Repya
In the past few weeks, Uptown residents have been digesting a proposed 12-story condo building and office project slated for a parking lot behind the Lagoon Theater at Lagoon & Girard avenues.
Developers Stuart Ackerberg and Clark Gassen presented their updated at the February CARAG neighborhood meeting and later at a meeting with CARAG and Wedge residents.
Resident reaction ranged from satisfaction to outrage. Some complimented the developers for a project that would provide daytime customers - the office workers - for Uptown businesses. Others threatened to sue.
March 7, 2005
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Calhoun Area neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood
Goose still on the loose in CARAG
By Robyn Repya
The CARAG neighborhood group voted down a new neighborhood sign design presented at its May meeting. The design was one of three forwarded by a review group.
A CARAG resident named Phillip Qualy designed the neighborhood's current sign in the 1970s, sporting a Canada goose, which residents nicknamed Ruthie, after a bag lady who used to roam the area.
The three possible replacements each featured a street bordered by trees, but varied in color - dark green, black and maroon. CARAG staffer Scott Engle said residents picked the maroon version, but a vote to approve it failed.
At previous meetings, some residents said that the tree-lined street designed seemed ominous.
The CARAG neighborhood's Space, Park, Arts, Culture and Education committee has been working sinc
June 13, 2005
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Remington joins 10th Ward field
By Scott Russell
Actor/director Ralph Remington has entered the 10th Ward City Council race.
"My life has been a tug of war between arts and politics, he said. "Now, I feel this part of my life is about direct social change through the electoral process."
Incumbent Dan Niziolek has announced he would not seek reelection; Remington joins three others seeking the DFL endorsement for the seat covering East Isles, the Wedge, East Calhoun, CARAG, Lyndale and East Harriet.
The 42-year-old East Harriet resident comes from a different mold.
While announced candidates Allan Bernard, Gay Noble and Scott Persons have worked in City Hall, run businesses and/or served on neighborhood groups, Remington's experience is grounded in the politically active arts community.
February 21, 2005
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CARAG chili benefit is Feb. 20
By Robyn Repya
The CARAG neighborhood association hosts its annual Chili Fest Sunday, Feb. 20 at Bryant Square Park, 3101 Bryant Ave. S., 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Chili will be sold for $2 a bowl.
The event will include door prizes, provide information about CARAG programs and offer residents a chance to meet their neighbors.
The neighborhood stretches between Lake and 36th Street and between Lyndale and Hennepin avenues.
Proceeds will benefit Joyce United Methodist Church Food Shelf, 3041 Fremont Ave. S.
For more information about the festival or to volunteer, call 823-2520 or see www.carag.org.
February 7, 2005
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Bryant Square Park plan reviewed Feb. 7
By Robyn Repya
The CARAG neighborhood group is hosting a Monday, Feb. 7 meeting to hear comments on a landscape master plan for Bryant Square Park, 3101 Bryant Ave. S. The 7 p.m. meeting is at the park building.
The $6,000 plan could include gardening, picnic tables, bus stop improvements, plaza grooming and walking paths.
This landscaping plan is an offshoot of park improvements already underway. In 2004, bleachers and safety fencing were added. Still to come are new park building ceiling fans and a parking lot light.
February 7, 2005
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The biggest thing since Calhoun Square
By David Brauer and Robyn Repya
The concept: A new 12-story condo tower, five-story office complex and park plaza in Uptown
The Uptown Theater marquee may not be Uptown's most prominent symbol anymore.
If two Southwest developers' concept becomes a reality, a 12-story condo tower will rise behind the old Walker Library at Lagoon & Hennepin in what is now a big parking lot.
That's not all. There would also be a five-story 50,000-square-foot office complex, a new 12,000-square-foot green park plaza, an expanded Lagoon Theater, 27,000 square feet of retail and a three-story underground parking ramp.
The two developers are:
January 24, 2005
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Calhoun Area neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood
Tenth ward Council candidates announced
By Scott Russell
Lyndale activist Scott Persons and City Council Aide Gay Noble have entered the race for the open 10th Ward City Council seat, joining former Council Aide Allan Bernard, who announced his candidacy last fall.
The 10th Ward covers East Isles, the Wedge, East Calhoun, CARAG and Lyndale neighborhoods, plus part of Cedar-Isles-Dean and East Harriet. First-term incumbent Dan Niziolek announced in July he would not seek reelection, citing family reasons. He announced early to give people a chance to organize campaigns.
Persons, 34, has served on the I-35W Project Advisory Committee, a citizens group reviewing proposals to reconfigure I-35W ramps in South Minneapolis. He is a former president of the Lyndale Neighborhood Association.
He is getting his masters degree in public
January 10, 2005
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High times may return to Lake Calhoun
By Robyn Repya
Three housing projects could test shoreland development height limits
While the housing redevelopment business is red-hot downtown, the craze has returned to Lake Calhoun's north shore.
Three unrelated projects are close enough to the lake to trigger the city's Shoreland Overlay District, a statute limiting how tall buildings near most Minneapolis bodies of water can be. In the past, height has been a major flashpoint between residents and lakes-area developers, and the Cedar-Isles-Dean neighborhood finds itself grappling with a possibly controversial trio.
The three projects are:
- 100 new high-end condos on the site of the Warco-Variant building, 3104 W. Lake St. The land is next to the new Tryg's Restaurant, 3118 W. Lake St. The
developer is
December 23, 2004
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Calhoun Area neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood
Art condition
By Rochelle Baltzer
Not your average holiday shows
For those who need a little escape from the Bing Crosby and Julie Andrews tunes that seem to follow you wherever you go at this time of year, a little alternative holiday cheer can be found at Lowry Hill East's Bryant-Lake Bowl and Brave New Workshop.
The "Santaland Diaries" are being performed by Theatre Limina, a Twin Cities-based theatre company, at Bryant-Lake Bowl Mondays, Dec. 20 and 27 at 7:30 p.m.
The play brings to life author and radio commentator David Sedaris' book of same name, described by the New York Times as "a delightfully thorny account of working as a Yuletide elf at Macy's." Tickets are $12, and reservations are recommended.
December 23, 2004
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Calhoun Area neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood
A pictorial history of Uptown
By Robyn Repya
A Southwest college student and his sister chronicle an area's evolution
For most college kids, summer vacation is reserved for work or plenty of rest and relaxation. But CARAG resident Thatcher Imboden, a 22-year-old University of Minnesota senior spent his summer in libraries and museums researching what became an homage to Uptown.
Imboden and his 26-year-old sister Cedar Imboden Phillips produced "Uptown Minneapolis" -- a stunning pictorial history of the area. The new book covers the CARAG, East Calhoun, East Isles and Wedge neighborhoods (roughly between 22nd and 36th streets from Lyndale Avenue to the eastern shores of Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun).
Imboden and Phillips are both Uptown natives, though Phillips now lives in Washington, D.C. Sh
December 23, 2004
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Calhoun Area neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood
Suburban World back in business
By Robyn Repya
The historic Suburban World Theater, empty since May 2002, is finally showing signs of life.
At the November CARAG neighborhood meeting, Southwest property owner Don Driggs, who purchased the 3022 Hennepin Ave. S. building last year, said theater events are planned. He hopes to schedule more arts and music events and resurrect the Saturday morning cartoon shows at the theater.
Driggs, a Southwest property owner, paid $625,000 for the Suburban World, according to city property-tax records. He said it took him a few years to complete the sale because the site was involved in a bankruptcy and foreclosure. He added that much time has been spent cleaning the long-vacant theater.
Driggs said he would soon have more information for the community about his plans. Residents at
December 9, 2004
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CARAG shooting probably not gang-related
By Robyn Repya
On Oct. 24, at about 8:40 p.m., Minneapolis police officers responded to calls of a shot fired on the 3300 block of Colfax Avenue South, said Police Communications Specialist Officer Ron Reier.
Reier said the shooting victims are 20- and 21-year-old males. He said one of the victim's injuries were not life-threatening and the other suffered a head wound, but he could not comment further on their condition.
Reier said although no one was killed, homicide investigators are working this case because it's a first-degree assault. He declined to comment about possible suspects, but he said police do not believe the shooting is
gang-related.
November 11, 2004
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Uncertain future for East Calhoun News
By Robyn Repya
The East Calhoun News, a monthly Uptown newspaper, did not publish as usual in October. The paper has an independent board but is subsidized by the East Calhoun Community Organization (ECCO) and the CARAG neighborhood groups.
The paper covers both neighborhoods, which stretch from Lake Calhoun's east bank to Lyndale Avenue and from the Uptown business district to West 36th Street.
CARAG neighborhood staffer Scott Engle said slow ads sales caused the publication suspension. He also the CARAG board decided not to allocate money to the paper next year and is instead considering publishing its own newsletter.
East Calhoun News board representative, Ralph Knox said they're meeting to discuss the paper's uncertain future and hope to have a publication up and running withi
November 11, 2004
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Neighbors get look at redeveloped Calhoun Square
By Robyn Repya
Jay Scott, principal of North American Properties, brought a preliminary draft of the $75 million Calhoun Square redevelopment project to the CARAG neighborhood board Oct. 19. Neighbors filled the room to get a peak at illustrations and ask questions about the project North American Properties acquired the complex this spring, along with all buildings on the 3000 block of Hennepin, the vacant lot north of the parking ramp and Lake Street buildings between Hennepin and Girard. Scott said talks are still underway to purchase the Music-Go-Round building, 1301 W. Lake St.
The illustration he presented showed a block-long retail complex with an additional story-and-a-half on the parking ramp and 60 housing units along West 31st Street and on the corner of Lake Street & Girard Avenu
November 11, 2004
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Lake Street arts building to be sold
By David Brauer
The Calhoun Building, home to many arts groups at 711 W. Lake St., is being sold by Minneapolis-based nonprofit Artspace Projects, Inc.
Artspace President Kelley Lindquist said the Lyn-Lake building wasn't on the market, but Kenwood resident Robert Lamson approached the group with an offer. The sale was expected to be finalized Oct. 8.
Lamson was not available for comment, but Lindquist said the new owner had told Artspace that he doesn't plan to replace the current residents or turn the buildings into condos.
"What's really comforting is that [Lamson] is not only honoring the existing leases, we've added on some options in the last month that go to 2008. He's told us he respects this building as a community asset, one his family can enjoy 20 years from now,&
October 14, 2004
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Out of Africa and into tv directing
By Bob Gilbert
Last year, two teenage brothers lived in Ethiopia; this year, they live in CARAG and are making local TV shows
Southwest High School students Anteneh Mekuria and his brother Zelealem Mekuria spent their summer making movies. The CARAG brothers -- who moved here from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia last year -- were among 10 kids who had paid internships at Phillips Community Television (PCTV). The nine-week program made four 10-minute films that will be shown on Minneapolis public access cable channel 17 beginning Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m. The shows will run throughout the month in that time slot.
The brothers learned how to tell a story with moving pictures, using video cameras, sound equipment, lights, editing machines and storyboards. They also learned how to interview, work c
September 2, 2004
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CARAG holds annual meeting, garden tour
By Robyn Repya
The CARAG neighborhood board's annual meeting will be held Sept. 21 at 7 p.m., with a potluck preceding the meeting at 6 p.m. The event will be held at Bryant Square Park, 3101 Bryant Ave. S.
Also, the neighborhood will host its first annual fall garden tour Saturday, Sept. 11 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. People will meet at Bryant Square Park, 31st Street and Bryant Avenue South before walking to 12 gardens throughout the neighborhood.
Both events are free.
The CARAG neighborhood is between West Lake and 36th streets and Hennepin and Lyndale avenues south.
Residents attending the potluck should bring a food to share; the CARAG neighborhood group will provide beverages. For more information, contact CARAG staffer Scott Engle at 823-2520 or visit www.carag.org.
August 19, 2004
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Lyndale, CARAG residents seek part of front yards back
By Bob Gilbert
Lyndale resident Brad Kettersmith wants a vacation, and he has the backing of the Lyndale and CARAG neighborhood groups.
Kettersmith is not looking for an early-fall getaway. He is organizing fellow 34th Street residents to get the city to vacate 8 feet of their front yards.
Due to a fluke of history, the city owns 8 feet between homes and sidewalks on 34th between I-35W and Lake Calhoun in Lyndale and CARAG -- right up to many front doors. Thus, legally, 34th Street residents do not fully own their front yards.
Homeowners wishing to add a fence, porch or retaining wall must not only purchase building permits but also pay $50 for an encroachment permit to avoid interfering with the city's property rights.
August 19, 2004
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Calhoun Area neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood
CARAG neighbors seek parking restrictions to deter public urination
By Robyn Repya
CARAG resident Mike Podras said he observed seven Uptown bar-goers urinating near his house during a weekend in early August; he's also seen a few relieving themselves by Joyce Methodist Church at Fremont Avenue & West 31st Street.
To combat the problem, Podras and other neighbors want permit-parking restrictions on the 3000 blocks of Emerson and Fremont avenues extended beyond the current 9 p.m., which is too early to keep out the bar crowd.
Podras, who lives off West 31st Street, said the public urination problem has been much worse than in years past, because there are more places serving liquor.
To further address the problem, City Councilmember Dan Niziolek (10th Ward) and 5th Police Precinct Capt. Kris Arneson have arranged for a four-week Uptown beat patrol
August 19, 2004
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
City could downgrade Tonic's license, hours
By Robyn Repya
City licensing staff wants to take some of the fizz out of Tonic of Uptown, a new hotspot that has generated complaints from CARAG neighbors.
Despite problem-free inspections over the past two months, Tonic should have its liquor license downgraded, city Licensing Inspector Ken Ziegler told a City Council committee Aug. 25. Such a downgrading would force the 1420 W. Lake St. establishment to close at 11 p.m. instead of the current 2 a.m.
Ziegler's recommendation is the latest salvo in a battle over Tonic's compliance with city code. The establishment has already been fined $750 for selling too much alcohol compared to food -- the city's distinction between a bar and a restaurant. Tonic's owners are appealing the fine.
Nearby residents have complained that Tonic, li
August 5, 2004
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
Art Condition
By Anna Matykowski
'The Incidental Observer'
It's all too easy to fall into the fast-paced tempo of modern life. While running down the street to catch a bus to work, one might simply not notice the beautiful statue to the left or the unusual texture of the woman's dress to the right.
In her photography exhibit, "The Incidental Observer," currently showing at Washburn's gallery360, Natasha D'Schommer invites Southwest residents to take a breath and appreciate the beautiful views we accidentally overlook everyday.
A photographer for over a decade, D'Schommer, a Windom resident, has dedicated her adult life to the study of classical beauty. While she perfected her technique as a professional wedding photographer, D'Schommer is most renown for her photogra
July 22, 2004
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Calhoun Area neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood
The bearer of bad news
By Robyn Repya
A profile of Jon Hinchliff, who tells neighborhoods when a sex offender has moved in
Most Minneapolis residents aren't thrilled at the prospect of meeting Jon Hinchliff. Hinchliff is the Minneapolis Police Department's Sex Offender Notification Coordinator -- one of three people in Minnesota whose job it is to tell residents that sex offenders are living in their neighborhood.
Hinchliff often walks into hornets' nests, such as a June meeting in the CARAG neighborhood. Although the initial reception was hostile -- one attendee said people acted like they wanted to kill the sex offender (who had moved onto a block with a daycare). Hinchliff says he empathizes with neighbors, remains calm and tries to teach them how the system works.
June 24, 2004
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Calhoun Area neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood
Wild Noodles liquor license approved but sparks debate
By Robyn Repya
A typically routine wine and beer license approval at the May 14 City Council meeting sparked a lively debate that also drew in Mayor R.T. Rybak.
The license in question was for Wild Noodles, 1221 W. Lake St., a new fast-casual restaurant franchise that opened in the CARAG neighborhood May 17.
CARAG neighbors have complained about traffic, noise and overconsumption problems in an area that has seen more new liquor licensees.
City Councilmember Dan Niziolek (10th Ward), the area's representative, recommended license conditions that sparked the debate.
The most contentious condition would have required patrons of the restaurant to order a meal if they were going to consume alcohol at the restaurant.
The city requires most establishments serving liquor to hav
May 13, 2004
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
City fines Tonic for license violations
By Robyn Repya
Following community complaints, city officials have fined Tonic of Uptown $750 for licensing violations.
Tonic ran afoul of its restaurant liquor license that requires at least 60 percent of sales to be food, not alcohol. City officials maintain that Tonic, 1420 W. Lake St., currently operates as a nightclub and is selling way too much alcohol.
"We think what they're doing is illegal," Jim Moncur, Minneapolis director of licensing and consumer services.
Moncur said Tonic has not sold enough food since its March opening. Tonic claims their food sales in late April reached 50 percent -- still 10 percent below the standard.
Following an April 28 hearing, Moncur levied three $250 fines for their failing to maintain sales figures in accordance with their li
April 29, 2004
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
CARAG bikeway gets funded
By Robyn Repya
The Bryant Avenue bikeway is now closer to reality after the CARAG neighborhood board approved funding in April. The bikeway will share the road with parked and moving cars on Bryant between 29th and 36th streets.
The CARAG board approved $27,300 for the project, which will pay for signs, striping and pavement markings. The board set aside an additional $1,000 for an educational campaign.
The CARAG neighborhood is between Hennepin and Lyndale avenues and Lake to 36th streets. CARAG is paying for the bikeway's link to the Midtown Greenway at 29th Street, which is one block north of the neighborhood boundary.
The city's Public Works Department has also agreed to continue the bikeway north of the greenway along Bryant to downtown. A bike bridge will be built from Bryant
April 29, 2004
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
CARAG creates antigraffiti program
By Robyn Repya
At its April meeting, the CARAG neighborhood board approved $5,000 of Neighborhood Revitalization Program money to eliminate graffiti on local businesses.
The program goals will provide business owners with rebates to make "aesthetically pleasing" improvements to their property that discourage graffiti -- such as adding art to blank walls.
The Police Department's Community Crime-Prevention/SAFE team for CARAG will also participate in the program, offering business security checks.
The CARAG board plans to administer the program during the summer and fall and create a report documenting successes and needed changes.
For more information, contact the CARAG office at 823-2520.
April 29, 2004
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
City cuts parking for new CARAG development
By Robyn Repya
On May 6, the city's Zoning Board of Adjustment denied developer Ross Fefercorn's appeal for more parking spaces for his two-building Uptown Row commercial development at 1221 W. Lake St.
City Zoning Manager Blake Graham restricted Fefercorn to 114 parking spaces to be used by both buildings, after the city had earlier granted 167 spaces. Some nearby CARAG neighborhood residents want parking restricted to limit possible Uptown Row expansion.
Graham's report states Fefercorn eliminated Uptown Row's basements, which cut the buildings' square footage and, by city formula, the number of allowable parking spaces.
One Uptown Row building is already home to Wild Noodles Restaurant, Planet Beach Tanning Salon and Keep in Touch Massage. The second building is under constru
April 29, 2004
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
CARAG hosts home security workshops May 6
By Robyn Repya
Minneapolis Police Community Crime Prevention/SAFE team members will host home security seminars Thursday, May 6 in the CARAG neighborhood's Bryant Square Park, 3001 Bryant Ave. S. There will be two workshops -- one from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. and another from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
SAFE Officer Catherine Casey said her team is holding the seminars to supplement home security checks in individual homes, to reach more people.
Casey said her team would focus on how to keep criminals from easily entering homes, such as installing striking plates to strengthen doors and putting pins in windows to prevent break-ins.
Casey said she would also address landscaping and lighting issues, such as proper shrub trimming and lighting placement to increase safety,
For more informatio
April 15, 2004
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
Art Condition
By Southwest Journal Staff Reporters
Byrd meets Screamin' Jay?
Hauser Dance's spring concert "Solos, Duos and Trios" offers dance fans a taste of three very different styles of music, as well as original moves.
Set to Charlie Byrd's lyrical jazz, dance performance "Suite Byrd" promises to sweep and swoon. Set to the music of Screamin' Jay Hawkins, humorous romp "Tongues" is sure to tickle. Finally, eerie solo "Framed," set to the music of innovative American composer George Crumb, will still the scene.
The show, which runs Friday-Sunday, April 30-May 2, was choreographed by the Lowry Hill East's studio founder and Artistic Director Heidi Hauser Jasmin and several company members.
Dancers and staff will be on hand at the May 1 performance,
April 15, 2004
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
Robbery alert in CARAG and Lyndale
By Robyn Repya
Community Crime Prevention/SAFE officers issued a robbery alert March 25 for the CARAG and Lyndale neighborhoods from Lake Street to 36th Street and I-35W to Hennepin Avenue. Six robberies had occurred in the area in the previous week.
Most of the robberies occurred in the evening where suspects approached victims from behind and knocked them to the ground in the course of the robbery. The suspects are listed as black males between the ages of 16 and 20.
A handgun was allegedly used in one of the incidents and physical force used in others. Money, cell phones, purses and wallets were among stolen items.
The alert recommends residents keep aware of their surroundings, and if they feel they're being followed go immediately to a public place and call 911.
April 1, 2004
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Calhoun Area neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood
Lake Street reconstruction draws parking, cost concerns
By Robyn Repya
Turn lanes, bump-outs and assessments provoke concerns
Residents and business owners have raised concerns about details of the Lake Street Reconstruction project, such as the cost of property tax assessments and including turn lanes that would remove parking.
The project will rebuild Lake Street from Dupont Avenue to the Mississippi River in 2005. New streetscaping features will be added as part of the plan.
A related highway-rebuilding effort, the I-35W Access Project, would widen Lake Street between Blaisdell and 5th avenues to as many as seven lanes.
A Lake Street Project Advisory Committee (PAC), a group of neighborhood and business representatives, has met monthly to narrow design alternatives and provide guidance.
The PAC reduced Lake Street design al
March 4, 2004
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
Art Condition
By
Steven's Square's Acadia Caf/ and Cabaret, 1931 Nicollet Ave. S., hosts WildeTheater's newest production featuring magic, juggling, acrobatics and all-around "fun-for-the-whole-family."
Offering family entertainment that "won't destroy your monthly budget," magician Bob Miller, record-holding juggler Tuey and magician/juggler/ventriloquist Jamie Doyle aim to enthrall and amaze.
This month's show is Saturday, Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for kids, and special prices are available for families.
For more information, call WildeTheater's number 822-3807, the Acadia Caf/ and Cabaret at 874-8702, or mouse over to wildetheater.com.
Can't make it to this installment of Variety in the Cities? Never fear! Performances are on t
February 19, 2004
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
Your Neighborhood
By Robyn Repya
Various Neighborhood-related stories
New Urban Village development advances
Urban Village, the three-piece, 190-unit development along the Midtown Greenway is starting to materialize in the Wedge neighborhood, seven years after its inception. Now, plans for the second part of the project's Phase I are underway.
The Minneapolis Planning Commission approved variances and site plan reviews Jan. 26 for developer Ross Fefercorn's Country Home Builders. Fefercorn's company will develop 112 residential units, townhome buildings and lofts dispersed in nine buildings on the 2800 block from Aldrich to Bryant avenues.
The Commission approved making the properties' zoning multifamily use, a change from a mix that included high-density office. Commissione
February 5, 2004
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
Not enough room for two
By Robyn Repya
Neighbors always thought it odd that two neighborhood restaurants were next door to each other. They didn't know how tense it really was.
It always looked a little odd; two neighborhood eateries -- one a cozy bakery, the other a modern caf -- with doors next to each other in the CARAG neighborhood.
Soon, one of the neighbors -- Duane Burke, owner of Annamarie's Bakeshop and Eatery -- will close his doors and give way to his competitor, Gigi's Caf.
Burke said he's angry, claiming he's being "pushed out" of his 820 W. 36th St. space that he's occupied for nearly five years -- which the newer Gigi's, 818 W. 36th St., will expand into. To add salt to the wound, Burke said, he poured $30,000 into what became Gigi's original space.
Burke, however, is
October 2, 2003
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
West Lake Street's building boom: putting it all together
By Robyn Repya
Driving on West Lake Street between Hennepin and Lyndale avenues, several new apartments and commercial/townhome developments cast unfamiliar shadows. A combined 360 units of new housing and a handful of new retail spaces are rising where parking lots and vacant buildings once stood.
The housing projects include two buildings by Detroit-based Village Green Company called Uptown City Apartments. One is at Fremont Avenue on the old Perkins Restaurant site and the other at Aldrich Avenue.
Just across the street from the Fremont site, developer Ross Fefercorn's RMF Entities Ltd. is building townhomes and two commercial buildings. Called Emerson Row Townhomes and Uptown Row Commercial, they sit on the site of a former police garage.
October 2, 2003
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Calhoun Area neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood
Business Buzz
By Southwest Journal Staff
Business related issues going on in and around Southwest Minneapolis
29th & Hennepin The historic old Walker Library, 2901 Hennepin Ave. S., across the street from the current Walker Library, is getting a makeover and will house PAGODA, a new upscale spa set to open mid-November.
PAGODA will be the third Uptown spa concept for owner Tom Schmidt, founder of Urban Retreat, 1609 W. Lake St. and Schmidty's Retreat and Spa for Men, 1608 W. Lake St. Emily Killoren, PAGODA spokesperson, said the new spa will offer a variety of unique services, from Water Shiatsu treatment called Watsu to a VIP suite. Formal prices and services have not yet finalized.
Tom Schmidt is leasing the building from John Johannson, a commercial land investor who purchase
August 7, 2003
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
Biz Buzz
By Robyn Repya
Various Local Business Stories
Franklin & Lyndale
Owners of Himalayan Chai tea shop, 713 W. Franklin Ave., are opening a new store Sept. 1 in the East Isles neighborhood, filling space previously occupied by Antique Interiors, 2512 Hennepin Ave., which will close Sunday, July 27.
Owner Saujanya Shrestha said he doesn't want to compete with Pandora's Cup next door on Hennepin, so their new location will focus on handicrafts from his native Nepal, not tea (though boxed tea will still be sold).
Swadesh Shrestha, Saujanya's brother and business partner, said their store would take up the whole building. He said they do plan to carry their tea line, but their main focus will be on silver jewelry, Nepal paper, Pashmina shawls, tattoos and even T
June 26, 2003
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Calhoun Area neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood
Vail Place: a clubhouse for the mentally ill
By Scott Russell
CARAG house is "a place to go every day" offering work, friendship -- and for some, contentment
Tom Omodt of Fulton, 38, said his schizophrenia started around 9th grade. When the teasing at Southwest High got too bad, his parents got him homebound tutoring. After high school, he struggled to hold jobs as a certified nursing technician, his employers saying he was too slow.
"Things went from bad to worse," Omodt said. "Worse" included living in a group home and psychiatric hospitalization.
Today, Omodt holds a part-time job bagging groceries for Lunds, lives on his own and can talk about a life with a brain disease that has terrifying symptoms and, for many, leads to isolation.
He credits his parents, improved medications, his own ma
May 1, 2003
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
Tougher than naming the baby: CARAG still looking for moniker
By Scott Russell
How would you like to live in a neighborhood called Diversity? Uptown East? Those are two of the names now on the idea board drawn up by a committee reviewing a possible CARAG neighborhood name change.
The committee held its second meeting April 15 and plans to report to the board in August, said Chair Aaron Rubenstein. It is working on a list of criteria a new neighborhood name should meet . The meetings are the second Monday of each month, 7 p.m. at Gigi's Cafe, 822 W. 36th St.
CARAG's boundaries are Lake and West 36th streets and Hennepin and Lyndale avenues. The name is an acronym for now-defunct Calhoun Area Residents Group.
Resident Dean J. Seal got the ball rolling when he proposed changing the neighborhood name to Wellstone. That proposal is now on the back
May 1, 2003
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
Wedge school may be renamed Wellstone
By Robyn Repya
Students and staff at the Wedge's International Center for Accelerated Language Learning (ICALL) High School, in the Lehmann building at 1006 W. Lake St., want to change the school's name to memorialize the late Sen. Paul Wellstone, said school coordinator Dixie Olmstead. Some ideas for the change include Wellstone High School, Wellstone International High School or Wellstone International School.
The school, the newest in the Minneapolis Public School system, serves approximately 175 students 17 and older who are recent immigrants to the United States with little or no education, mostly from African, Asian and Latin American countries.
Olmstead said a month or so after Wellstone's death, students and staff at the school heard of a school in St. Paul changing its name to
May 1, 2003
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
CARAG student to bike 3,700 miles for charity
By Scott Russell
Amber Murray will pedal from New Hampshire to British Columbia for Habitat for Humanity
Amber Murray's most ambitious bike ride to date covered 30 miles; this summer she plans to ride 3,684 miles from Portsmouth, N.H. to Vancouver, British Columbia.
Murray, a 25-year-old CARAG resident, will make her ride with 20 to 30 other cyclists from across the country. It is part of a new program called "Bike and Build," to raise money and awareness for Habitat for Humanity, a non-denominational Christian group that builds affordable housing in partnership with those who need it.
Murray is taking a spinning class (a type of cycling exercise) at the University of Minnesota to get in shape, she said. She runs five to 11 miles a day, six days a week.
"I'll be
April 3, 2003
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
CARAG to decide Wellstone re-naming in September
By Scott Russell
The CARAG neighborhood will have a controversial issue to get people to its annual meeting this September -- a vote on changing its name to Wellstone.
"This is the most important decision we have made in quite some time," said Board President Allen Bernard, who proposed setting the vote date.
The annual meeting is the best attended meeting of the year and would get more people to participate in the choice, he said.
CARAG is bounded by Lake Street and West 36th Street and by Lyndale and Hennepin avenues.
Resident Dean J. Seal proposed the name change in December. The neighborhood organization asked him to contact the Wellstone family to get its approval. Seal said Feb. 18 that he had spoken to Mark Wellstone, son of the late Sen. Paul and Sheila Wellston
March 6, 2003
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
Art Condition
By Carmen Bartley
"Look Closely" at the Bakken West Calhoun's Bakken Museum will exhibit the botanical art of local artist Wendy Brock in through April 30 in "Look Closely," which features uncommon paintings of common plants usually overlooked.
Brockman has been producing botanical art since the late '80s. Much of her work features native Minnesota wildflowers, grasses and trees. She is also a teacher at Minnesota School of Botanical Art located in the museum.
The Bakken is located at 3537 Zenith Ave. S. and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. The display is free with regular admission: $5 adults, $3 for students and seniors, and free for children under 6.
Once Upon a Crime Two authors, including local author
March 6, 2003
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
CARAG bikeway, garden workshop set
By Scott Russell
CARAG residents and workers are invited to a community workshop to discuss bus-stop gardens and a designated north-south bike route through the
neighborhood.
The workshop is Wednesday, March 5, 6:30 p.m., at Bryant Square Neighborhood Center, 3101 Bryant Ave. S. The CARAG neighborhood is defined by Lake Street, Lyndale Avenue, West 36th Street and
Hennepin Avenue.
CARAG dedicated $50,000 of its Neighborhood Revitalization Program money for the bikeway and $50,000 for bus-stop gardens, said Scott Engel, neighborhood staff member.
The neighborhood hired the Hoisington Koegler Group Inc. (HKGI) to develop a dedicated bikeway plan and a bus-stop beautification program.
HKGI will present concepts for the bikeway and bus-stop gardens at the March 5 meeting
February 20, 2003
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
Five months after SW police officer's killing, public memorial undecided
By Scott Russell
Minneapolis Police Chief Robert Olson recently asked his staff to form a group with other city workers to find an appropriate memorial for slain Officer Melissa Schmidt -- something on the magnitude of the parking ramp near City Hall named for Jerry Haaf, an officer gunned down in 1992, he said.
It is one of several memorials in the works. The Stevens Square Community Organization (SSCO) is in the early stages of planning a public art project, and the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) will soon dedicate a plaque to her in her former office.
Schmidt, assigned to the department's public housing unit, was shot and killed Aug. 1 by a 60-year-old woman in Horn Towers, West 31st Street and Blaisdell Avenue.
Olson said Jan. 3 he said requested work on the memorial
January 9, 2003
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
City could downgrade Tonic's license, hours
By Robyn Repya
City licensing staff wants to take some of the fizz out of Tonic of Uptown, a new hotspot that has generated complaints from CARAG neighbors.
Despite problem-free inspections over the past two months, Tonic should have its liquor license downgraded, city Licensing Inspector Ken Ziegler told a City Council committee Aug. 25. Such a downgrading would force the 1420 W. Lake St. establishment to close at 11 p.m. instead of the current 2 a.m.
Ziegler's recommendation is the latest salvo in a battle over Tonic's compliance with city code. The establishment has already been fined $750 for selling too much alcohol compared to food -- the city's distinction between a bar and a restaurant. Tonic's owners are appealing the fine.
Nearby residents have complained that Tonic, li
August 19, 2004
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
Updated East Calhoun development design released
By Robyn Repya
A new design for the Edgewater, a six-story, 23-unit condominium building at West Lake Street & East Calhoun Parkway, was released at a January meeting of the East Calhoun Community Organization (ECCO).
The new design has three fewer units and features an exterior with more stone and less glass. A green roof, which will capture approximately 70 to 80 percent of runoff, will also be part of the project.
In addition, the new plans also show the building's top floor will step down from six stories to four on the west end, closest to Lake Calhoun's shore.
Developer Clark Gassen, president of Financial Freedom Realty, said the design changes come from the work project's neighbors and his desire to differentiate the building design from other new buildings in town.
March 7, 2005
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East Calhoun neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood
Whittier creates historic-property task force
By Bob Gilbert
The East Calhoun News, a monthly Uptown newspaper, ceased publication in October, but a group of residents are working to bring it back to life in some form. They're hoping to publish again in March.
East Calhoun resident and group member Gary Farland said the paper's finances were "really screwed up" after a former editor took over the paper's accounting.
He said the residents have been working to fix the finances and investigating how other small neighborhood papers exist. The East Calhoun Community Organization (ECCO) and the CARAG neighborhood group subsidize the paper, which has had an independent board.
January 10, 2005
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East Calhoun neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Calhoun shoreline development gets city OK
By Robyn Repya
By a 6-1 vote Sept. 27, the Minneapolis Planning Commission approved proposed plans for a new condo project at 1805 W. Lake St. Some neighbors plan to appeal the approval to the Minneapolis City Council.
Developer Clark Gassen plans to build a six-story, 26-unit condominium building on the current Edgewater apartment site but needed the city's OK to move forward due to zoning limitations.
Gassen purchased the site for $2.6 million, originally to convert the Edgewater's apartments into condos, but found the existing building is sinking, so he chose to rebuild.
The land near Lake Calhoun's northeast shore is zoned for up to a six-story building, but because it is within 1,000 feet of water, a two-and-a-half story or 35-foot height limit kicked in, absent a city waive
October 14, 2004
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East Calhoun neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood
"What's more important, the bikes or the parking?"
By Robyn Repya
As SW neighborhood leaders try to extend bike lanes into neighborhoods, they're meeting resistance from business owners and residents
Call this case Cars v. Bikes. To promote bike riding, the city and cycling advocates dedicated bike lanes on neighborhood streets. Such lanes provide a safer way to get from residential areas to the main bike thoroughfares like the Midtown Greenway, the Chain of Lakes or Kenilworth Trail.
People generally like bike lanes. However, new bike lanes mean less on-street parking -- so many residents and business owners urge the amenity to go somewhere else.
The East Harriet and CARAG neighborhoods are currently trying to find ways to accommodate bikes and on-street neighborhood parking.
August 26, 2002
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East Harriet neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood
Lagoon development a no go
By Robyn Repya
Council group spikes Uptown condo/retail plan
The City Council's Zoning and Planning Committee rejected the controversial Lagoon redevelopment project on June 23. This vote comes one month after the city's Planning Commission voted to approve zoning changes to allow a 13-story condo tower with a five-story office building and other facets. Neighborhood opponents appealed the decision, leading to the June 23 vote.
Councilmembers said the project has many attractive aspects but that the condo building was too tall for an area surrounded by four- and six-story buildings.
July 11, 2005
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East Isles neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood
Lagoon project set for May 23 city review
By Robyn Repya
The Minneapolis Planning Commission's review of the controversial Lagoon condo/retail/office project will go forward Monday, May 23 after a month's worth of delays.
The latest holdup came after 35 residents petitioned the city to require an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for the project, which features a 12-story, 112-unit condo building and 100,000-square-foot, five-story office complex along with entertainment and retail on a parking lot behind the Lagoon Theater, 1300 Lagoon Ave.
An EAW would delay the project the developers, Stuart Ackerberg and Clark Gassen, want to begin construction this summer.
May 16, 2005
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East Isles neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood
Michael Lander: building a new Southwest
By Robyn Repya
From firehouse renovations to million-dollar condos, the developer wins neighborhood praise despite some doubters
While many future developers seek advanced architectural degrees to sprout their careers, Michael Lander made a more unconventional entrance into the profession, dropping out of college to design, build and sell houseboats in California -- with little to no training.
"I was just building because it was cool and fun," he said.
More than 20 years later, Lander is established in Minneapolis with CARAG-based development company, The Lander Group. He has numerous high-end housing projects under his belt and more on the way.
August 7, 2003
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East Isles neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood
Art Condition
By April Wooster
Oh, 55408
The Minneapolis 55408 exhibit ends Saturday, Aug. 23 at 5 p.m., so catch it while you can. The eighth annual exhibition celebrates the artwork of roughly 70 artists in the 55408 ZIP code, which includes Southwest residents in ECCO, CARAG, Lyndale, Whittier, Lowry Hill East and East Isles. Look for two- and three-dimensional art, film and new media. All artwork is for sale. Head down to the Intermedia Arts gallery at 2822 Lyndale Ave. S., this Thursday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. The exhibition is free, with a $2 suggested donation. Call 871-4444 for more information.
'Five Women Explore the Figure'
Sensing a resurgence of well-rendered figurative art in the arts community, the Shelley Holzemer Gallery owner and curat
July 24, 2003
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East Isles neighborhood, East Calhoun neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Walker Library’s iconic metal letters at Lagoon & Hennepin.
By Mary O'Regan and Dylan Thomas
ARMATAGE
FESTIVAL: The annual Armatage Summer Festival will take place from 6–8 p.m. on July 17. Attendees will be able to enjoy ice cream, a skateboard competition, a 5k fun run, music by the Lynn Deichert Trio and a silent auction. ANA members will also be on hand to pass out free “Slow Down” yard signs.
July 16, 2007
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Lowry Hill Neighborhood, Fulton neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Armatage neighborhood, Tangletown neighborhood
New programs help plug the income gap for buyers
By Dan Haugen and Jake Weyer
Neighborhood groups offer variety of buyer-assistance programs
To afford a mortgage on a median-priced home in Southwest last year, a household would have to earn about $70,000 a year.
That income is out of reach for many families, even those with two people working full-time.
It's a gap that has affordable housing advocates and some neighborhood groups concerned and trying to take action.
But high land values and in-demand neighborhoods make affordable housing programs particularly challenging to pull off in Southwest, those who are working on the issue said.
Many neighborhood groups have programs to assist existing residents in rehabilitating their homes, but few have programs to assist people in purchasing homes.
February 26, 2007
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Fulton neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood
A guide to upcoming neighborhood garage sales
By Shira Kantor
It's a sure sign of summer when Southwest residents start peddling personal items out of their garages and yards. Several neighborhoods will host annual garage sales later this month and in June. Here's a snapshot of area garage sales and registration information.
Armatage
The Armatage Neighborhood Association's annual garage sale will span two days this summer, Friday and Saturday, June 2 and 3 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sale locator maps will be available at the Armatage Park building, 2500 W. 57th St.
The Armatage Community and Montessori School PTA will host its “Foster's Garage Sale” separately on Friday, May 19 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 20, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The sale, to be held at Armatage Community School at 2501 W.
May 8, 2006
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Linden Hills neighborhood, Kenny neighborhood, East Calhoun neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Armatage neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood
Neighborhood Events
By Southwest Journal Reporters
Find out what's going on in your neighborhood
CARAG garage sale is May 22
The CARAG neighborhood hosts its annual neighborhood garage sale Saturday, May 22 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sales will be held at individual homes, apartment buildings, churches and at Bryant Square Park, 3001 Bryant Ave. S.
CARAG's boundaries are West Lake Street to West 36th Street and from Hennepin Avenue to Lyndale Avenue.
Signs will mark sales and neighborhood sale maps will be distributed at each sale site. Residents can register to be part of the neighborhood sale until Wednesday, May 19. There's a $5 fee to register, which covers costs for signs, maps and advertising.
To register, contact CARAG resident Rick Pritchett at 822-3330.
April 29, 2004
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Kenny neighborhood, East Harriet neighborhood, Cedar-Isles-Dean neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood
Airport establishes new sound-mitigation zone; SW critics say it's too small
By Michael Metzger
Battle over projections determines which jet-noise sufferers may get help
For the first time, the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) has published a map projecting a new sound contour that may mean Southwest residents will get more noise insulation. However, area antinoise activists say the projection underestimates how many homes will need sound-deadening enhancements such as central air conditioning and insulation.
The map, released Feb. 4, shows how noise levels around the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport are projected to change by 2007. It also establishes a new sound contour for homes falling in the so-called 60-64 DNL area. ("DNL" is a day-night average sound level.) Homeowners in that contour are eligible for mitigation steps yet to be determin
February 19, 2004
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Lyndale neighborhood, Kenny neighborhood, East Calhoun neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Armatage neighborhood, Lynnhurst neighborhood
Wine-tasting to benefit Hennepin-Lake neighborhoods is June 9
By Robyn Repya
Hennepin Lake Liquors, 1200 W. Lake St., hosts its 22nd annual charity winetasting Wednesday, June 9 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in a tent in the Campiello's parking lot, 1320 W. Lake St. Food will be provided by the restaurant and wine by Hennepin Lake Liquor.
All proceeds go to participating neighborhood groups, including the Calhoun Area Residents Action Group (CARAG), Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association (LHENA), East Calhoun Community Organization (ECCO), East Isles Resident Association (EIRA) and Kenwood Isles Area Association (KIAA.)
"After doing business in the community for a number of years, we decided to give something back," said Phil Colich, owner of Hennepin Lake Liquors for 29 years.
Colich said the event is Minnesota's longest-running charitab
May 13, 2004
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Kenwood neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood, East Calhoun neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood
Photo by Jake Weyer
Café Agri at 3400 Bryant Ave. S., in the former My-T-Fine Bakery & Cafe space.
By Kyle Pendergast & Jake Weyer
50TH & XERXES
After seven years in business, The Baby Collection will close its doors this month.
The store, located at 5006 Xerxes Ave S., sold specialty baby gifts that could be personalized on site.
Although business has been up and down in the past few years, owner Kathy McLeod said she was closing up shop for personal reasons.
“It was the right decision. There’s a time for everything and I have other things in mind,” McLeod said. “I may be doing an online business with my daughter with the best things out of here.”
Currently everything in the store, except special orders, is 30 percent off, McLeod said. Tables are at 50 percent off and 75 percent off, she added.
May 19, 2008
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Kingfield neighborhood, East Harriet neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Lynnhurst neighborhood
Art condition
By Hayley Tsukayama
Kingfield's 'Beautiful Girls'
Kingfield should be extra proud of two of its younger residents this month.
Ten year-old Nora Epp submitted an essay about her sister L/ne, 9, to Duluth-based "New Moon" magazine for the May/June issue entitled "25 Beautiful Girls." Twenty-five essays from the United States and Canada were picked from over 150 submitted to the magazine. L/ne is one of three Minnesota girls to make the cut.
The Epp sisters are close in more ways than age. Forget sibling rivalry, Nora extols her sister's virtues. "My little sister L/ne," wrote Nora, "believes that true beauty is when a person is kind and follows her dreams. She does both of these things."
June 10, 2004
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Kingfield neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood
Broad-daylight crimes in Kingfield, ECCO, CARAG and Lyndale
By Scott Russell
The city has issued robbery and burglary alerts for neighborhoods between Lake Calhoun and I-35W.
A robber has assaulted people during the day in the East Calhoun (ECCO), Kingfield and CARAG neighborhoods, police said. In several cases, the suspect targeted people walking alone. In two cases, suspects targeted elderly women walking by themselves or with other elderly women.
The police gave no suspect descriptions.
Police also report a string of burglaries in the Kingfield and Lyndale neighborhoods, in an area between Lake and 40th streets and between Stevens and Garfield avenues.
Since Aug. 28, the area has had 16 daylight burglaries, with the perpetrator entering both homes and garages by cutting screens and windows, police said.
September 9, 2002
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Kingfield neighborhood, East Calhoun neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood
Crime reports
By Christopher Greising
Editor’s note: Alleged crimes against persons (assault, rape, murder, etc.) will feature the + symbol. Note, this compilation of crime reports provides highlights of area criminal activity. It’s not intended to be a comprehensive overview of Southwest crime.
Armatage
Between July 10, 7 p.m., and July 11, 8 a.m., 6000 block of Russell Ave.
A 58-year-old man parked his vehicle in front of his home overnight. When he returned in the morning he found the vehicle missing. He told police that the vehicle had been unlocked and the keys left under a floor mat.
July 28, 2008
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Windom neighborhood, Armatage neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, East Calhoun neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood, Kenny neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Stevens Square neighborhood, West Calhoun neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
5th Precinct gets new civilian crime-stopper
By Robyn Repya
Southwest's 5th Police Precinct welcomes civilian Crime-Prevention Specialist Tom Thompson, formerly of Southeast's 3rd Precinct.
Thompson will cover Sector 2 , which includes the West Calhoun, East Calhoun, CARAG, Lyndale, Linden Hills, East Harriet and Kingfield neighborhoods. He replaces Karen Abrahamson.
As part of the SAFE unit, crime-prevention specialists (CPS) report to sector lieutenants, respond to community concerns, and promote safety and crime prevention. CPSs previously worked as a team with a police officer, until major SAFE unit cuts in 2002-03.
Thompson said he was a police officer for 17 years and a CPS for three years, before being laid off due in the latest SAFE unit cuts. He said he's very excited to be recalled and reported for his first day of
May 2, 2005
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East Calhoun neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, East Harriet neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, West Calhoun neighborhood
Business Buzz
By Southwest Journal Staff Reporters
19th & 2nd Avenue
The Boiler Room Cafe, located on the garden level at the Castleton Building at 220 E. 19th St., received its requisite city permits and will open this spring. The Stevens Square neighborhood coffee shop is located in an 80-year-old brownstone that is on the historical preservation list. It was once occupied by a grocery but has been vacant for almost 20 years.
Owner Anne Mayers, a Tangletown resident, is planning to have sidewalk seating, serve light breakfast, soup and sandwiches for lunch, upscale baked goods and Sebastian Joe's ice cream in addition to coffee and espresso drinks. She is hoping to eventually have music.
"There is no down side to opening a coffee shop," Mayer said.
March 4, 2004
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Stevens Square neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood
Council Member Ralph Remington in front of a drawing of a revitalized Uptown.
By Mary O'Regan
A facelift for Uptown
Residents of East Isles, Lowry Hill East, East Calhoun and CARAG are another step closer to a revitalized community. After 18 months of meetings and analysis, planning consultant the Cunningham Group has prepared a draft of the Uptown Small Area Plan, which addresses parking, building heights, sidewalks and green space, among other issues.
Neighbors have expressed interest in increasing jobs, transit, arts, parking and density, but they don’t want the area to become packed with skyscrapers and pollution.
“Uptown will not be Downtown,” said Council Member Ralph Remington, who sits on the project’s steering committee, at a Sept. 19 presentation about the plan.
October 8, 2007
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Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood, East Harriet neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Lowry Hill Neighborhood
Community leaders start crafting Uptown plan
By Jake Weyer
Vibrant, sustainable, safe, innovative, artful, green, diverse and sexy were a few of the of the words Uptown Small Area Plan Steering Committee members tossed out at their first meeting June 13 to describe what they want the area to be.
The committee will advise city staff involved in the development of a land-use plan for Uptown. Members will guide the planning process, give input on plan content, serve as a communication link between organizations they represent and the committee, and engage the public.
July 3, 2006
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Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood, East Calhoun neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Lowry Hill Neighborhood
Lacking incumbent, Ward 10 race is wide open
By Scott Russell
Uptown building heights dominate race; candidates offer wide range of life experiences
A seven-way Ward 10 City Council primary offers voters a wide range of first-time candidates to take on challenges from police funding and development pressures to property taxes.
Hot-button ward issues include how tall the condo projects should be and what precedent the Lagoon Project sets for future Uptown developments.
The overarching challenge for any Councilmember will be finding money to pay for core city services such as public safety, in the face of recent budget cuts. The 2005 Legislature restored some state aid, making the problem easier for next year's leaders.
August 8, 2005
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Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood, East Calhoun neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood
Garage sale season sweeps SW
By Jayne Solinger
Looking to buy? Sell? Chances are, if you live in Southwest, you need not travel far to do either. Southwest neighborhood sales have become popular "destinations" when garage sale season gets hot and heavy. With the help of the neighborhood organizations, what follows is a listing of the garage sales currently planned by SW neighborhoods in the coming months. Included is a contact number if you'd like to take part in a sale in your neighborhood. In case of rain, call the contact number for a rain date.
May 6, 2002
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Lynnhurst neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood, East Calhoun neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Armatage neighborhood, Stevens Square neighborhood
Neighborhood notebook
By Jake Weyer, Mary O'Regan, Dylan Thomas
Editor’s Note:The Southwest Notes section provides a snapshot of neighborhood issues and activities. Reporters and contributing writers include summaries of important actions at neighborhood organization meetings, but this section is not limited to neighborhood group activities — other community events and noteworthy issues are also included. If you have neighborhood news to share, please e-mail us at swjournal@mnpubs.com.
ARMATAGE
GAS STATION REMODELING: The Armatage Neighborhood Association (ANA) has agreed to write a letter stating they do not oppose the remodeling of the BP gas station on 60th Street and Penn Avenue. The station is attempting to turn from a gasoline and repair shop into a full-fledged convenience store. They’re adding more fuel pumps, eliminating the repair shop and revamping the carwash. The store will sell hot dogs, nachos, sandwiches, lottery tickets and other items typical of a convenience store.
July 2, 2007
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Stevens Square neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, Fulton neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Armatage neighborhood, Tangletown neighborhood
Arneson to stay on as 5th Precinct inspector
By Jake Weyer
Interim Minneapolis Police Chief Tim Dolan selected Insp. Kristine Arneson of the 5th Precinct to be part of his top management team. She will remain inspector of the 5th Precinct.
Dolan, who will be appointed chief July 2, announced his leadership team selections last month. The team consists of the assistant police chief, deputy chief of patrol, deputy chief of investigations, deputy chief of professional standards and precinct inspectors. Dolan's selections became effective Dec. 10.
Arneson is one of three inspectors who will keep their current positions. She has commanded the 5th Precinct for more than two years and has worked in every other precinct but the 1st Precinct since joining the Minneapolis Police Department in 1986.
December 18, 2006
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Calhoun Area neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Stevens Square neighborhood
Searching for Answers
By Kari VanDerVeen
Uptown residents look for answers, ways to fight crime after brutal murder
Just days after 25-year-old Michael Zebuhr was fatally shot during a robbery in Uptown, area residents filled a meeting room at Bryant Square Park and quietly listened as police and city officials tried to provide answers and vowed to redouble crime-fighting efforts.
As residents asked questions, it was evident the sheer brutality of the murder of Michael Zebuhr weighed heavily on the minds of many. As police get closer to solving the stunningly brazen attack, community members are looking at ways they can make the area safer.
April 10, 2006
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Lyndale neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Stevens Square neighborhood
Solvitur Ambulando: “It is solved by walking”
By Kari VanDerVeen
Kingfield, CARAG follow the lead of other Southwest neighborhoods and form walking groups to combat rising crime
Scott Engel knows several residents who have been victims of the recent rash of robberies and burglaries in his neighborhood.
“That's when it really starts to hit home,” said Engel, community coordinator for the Calhoun Area Residents Action Group (CARAG). “Everybody's talking about it.”
And residents have decided they've had enough. After the number of crimes spiked in recent months in typically quiet Southwest neighborhoods like CARAG and Kingfield, residents are forming block patrol groups that will hit the streets.
February 27, 2006
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Stevens Square neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Neighborhood notebook
By Cristof Traudes & Jake Weyer
ARMATAGE
FUN WALK FUNDING: The Armatage Neighborhood Association (ANA) voted to not donate $500 to organizers of the Armatage Family Fun Walk.
The board’s decision came after a late request from Fun Walk chairperson Tina Erazmus — also an ANA board member — for the board to provide the event with the same amount of money it did last year.
At the ANA’s Aug. 19 meeting, Erazmus said the board’s donation kick-started last year’s event and that another $500 donation would be critical for the Fun Walk to get a second go-around.
But other ANA board members disagreed with the idea that the board had to make a donation simply because it did so last year. Several said ANA has a more fiscally conservative mindset in the face of impending Neighborhood Revitalization Program changes and thus can’t afford to simply give away another $500. Plus, the Fun Walk raised more than $25,000 last year.
“I have serious doubts about a fundraising group that raises $25,000 but can’t hold $500 to start itself back up,” ANA President Noah Schuchman said.
September 8, 2008
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Tangletown neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Armatage neighborhood, West Calhoun neighborhood
submitted photo by Cory Shubert
Jim Nisser
By Jake Weyer
Police were still looking in mid-September for the driver involved in a hit-and-run accident that left a 64-year-old St. Louis Park bicyclist dead near Excelsior Boulevard and West 32nd Street.
Jim Nisser was struck and killed around 4:30 a.m. Sept. 11, as he rode his bicycle to the Minikahda Club, 3205 Excelsior Blvd., where he worked as a cook.
Police found Nisser — wearing his helmet — after responding to a report of a body in the street.
No one called 911 to report the accident, but police determined that a tan vehicle hit Nisser. The vehicle should have significant front-end damage, police said.
September 22, 2008
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
Crime reports
By Christopher Greising
Editor’s note: Alleged crimes against persons (assault, rape, murder, etc.) will feature the + symbol. Note, this compilation of crime reports provides highlights of area criminal activity. It’s not intended to be a comprehensive overview of Southwest crime.
Armatage
+ July 1, 6:45–7 p.m., 5400 block of Penn Ave.
Two juvenile males were leaving a park when a male suspect began following them. One of the victims was talking on his cell phone when the suspect allegedly approached and demanded the phone.
July 14, 2008
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Tangletown neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, Kenny neighborhood, Fulton neighborhood, Cedar-Isles-Dean neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Armatage neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Crime reports
UPDATED February 25, 2008, 9:30am
By Christopher Greising
Editor’s note: Alleged crimes against persons (assault, rape, murder, etc.) will feature the + symbol. Note, this compilation of crime reports provides highlights of area criminal activity. It’s not intended to be a comprehensive overview of Southwest crime.
CARAG
Feb. 7, 12:45–3:15 p.m., 3000 block of Lyndale Ave.
Police arrested a 36-year-old man on burglary and damage to property charges. The suspect allegedly broke into the apartment of a deceased 41-year-old man and lived there for sometime. The deceased victim’s brother discovered the suspect living there and called police. The suspect explained he had been having issues with his spouse and needed a place to stay in the meantime.
February 25, 2008
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Tangletown neighborhood, Stevens Square neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, Fulton neighborhood, East Harriet neighborhood, East Calhoun neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Neighborhood notebook
By Mary O'Regan, Dylan Thomas and Jake Weyer
ARMATAGE
MASSAGE ROOM: On Aug. 29 police arrested a 23-year-old woman and a 53-year-old man for loitering with intent to commit prostitution at the Massage Room at 5410 Penn Ave. According to Crime Prevention Specialist Chelsea Adams, police have requested that the business close. The Armatage Neighborhood Association (ANA) plans to send a letter to the parlor expressing their concern about any illegal activities.
October 8, 2007
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Tangletown neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Armatage neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Block parties will challenge neighbors to reduce energy use
By Alison Fiebig
A series of block parties this fall will focus not only on getting to know your neighbors, but getting to know how much energy they use.
The goal of the Energy Challenge block parties is to get neighbors together to share ideas about ways to save energy and the environment. The parties will encourage neighborhoods to track their yearly energy use and pledge to take certain actions to reduce that use. The block club with the highest number of participating households will be personally recognized with a visit by Mayor R.T. Rybak and be featured on the WCCO evening news.
September 24, 2007
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Tangletown neighborhood, Lynnhurst neighborhood, Lowry Hill Neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood, Kenny neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Crime reports
By Christopher Greising
Editor’s note: Alleged crimes against persons (assault, rape, murder, etc.) will feature the + symbol. Note, this compilation of crime reports provides highlights of area criminal activity. It’s not intended to be a comprehensive overview of Southwest crime.
Armatage
Between Aug. 24, 11 p.m., and Aug. 25, 8 a.m., 6000 block of Sheridan Ave.
A 58-year-old woman parked her vehicle in the driveway of her residence overnight. The next morning she discovered that an unknown suspect(s) had stolen the vehicle. The victim also found her garage door open but is unaware if any items are missing.
September 24, 2007
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West Calhoun neighborhood, Stevens Square neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Lowry Hill Neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Kenny neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Armatage neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Crime reports
By Christopher Greising
Editor's note: Alleged crimes against persons (assault, rape, murder, etc.) will feature the + symbol. Note, this compilation of crime reports provides highlights of area criminal activity. It's not intended to be a comprehensive overview of Southwest crime.
Armatage
+ June 15, 5 p.m., W. 55th St. and Washburn Ave.
An unidentified suspect allegedly robbed an 18-year-old woman. The victim had been walking down an alley when the suspect approached and demanded she hand over her purse. The victim complied. Officers searched the area for the suspect but could not find the person.
July 2, 2007
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West Calhoun neighborhood, Stevens Square neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Lowry Hill Neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Armatage neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Robberies spike in the 5th Precinct's 2nd sector
By Jake Weyer
Eleven robberies were reported in the 2nd sector of the Minneapolis Police Department's 5th Precinct between Oct. 15 and Oct. 27, most of them in the Lyndale neighborhood.
The 2nd sector includes East Calhoun, CARAG, Lyndale, East Harriet, West Calhoun and Linden Hills. One of the recent reported robberies was on Hennepin Avenue between East Calhoun and CARAG, another was in Kingfield, two were in CARAG and seven were in Lyndale.
Suspect descriptions vary. Some of the reported robberies involved one suspect, others involved as many as four. Some suspects were reportedly armed.
November 6, 2006
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Lyndale neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, East Calhoun neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, West Calhoun neighborhood
MPD hires new 5th Precinct crime prevention specialist
By Jake Weyer
The Minneapolis Police Department has hired Kingfield resident Sarah Mahmud as a crime prevention specialist for the 5th Precinct's first sector, which includes the Cedar Isles Dean, Kenwood, Lowry Hill, Lowry Hill East, East Isles, Whittier, Steven's Square and Loring Heights neighborhoods.
Mahmud started Sept. 18, replacing Jennifer Waisanen, who now works in North Minneapolis.
Civilian crime prevention specialists work with neighborhoods to inform them of crime trends, reduce fear of crime, enhance community cooperation with police and improve the quality of life in Minneapolis.
Mahmud said she is looking forward to being a resource for the third sector community of the 5th Precinct.
“I want to become as involved as I possibly can,” she said.
September 25, 2006
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West Calhoun neighborhood, Tangletown neighborhood, Lynnhurst neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Lowry Hill Neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood, Kenwood neighborhood, Fulton neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Armatage neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
New community-crime-prevention supervisor at 5th Precinct
By Robyn Repya
As of Dec. 26, Sector Lt. Marie Przynski will be the new 5th Precinct officer supervising Community Crime Prevention/SAFE efforts for the West Calhoun, Linden Hills, East Calhoun, CARAG, Lyndale, East Harriet and Kingfield neighborhoods.
Przynski will replace Brad Sporny, who will be transferred to the 3rd Precinct in Southeast Minneapolis. Sector Lieutenants work with civilian crime-prevention specialists.
Przynski has most recently worked as a professional development unit supervisor for officer training but has been an officer for 21 years. She previously worked as a civilian involved in community policing. She has also been a sector lieutenant with Northeast Minneapolis' 2nd Precinct and worked for eight years in the North Side.
December 23, 2004
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Lyndale neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, East Harriet neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, West Calhoun neighborhood
Less SAFE? Fewer crime-prevention teams to cover neighborhoods
By Robyn Repya
In response to proposed state budget cuts, the Minneapolis Police Department sliced its Community Crime Prevention/SAFE teams in 5th Precinct (Southwest) neighborhoods from five to three -- meaning fewer civilian-officer teams covering 20 area neighborhoods.
SAFE teams serve in pairs of sworn officers and civilian crime prevention specialists (CPS) and are the primary contact for Southwest residents to the police department in responding to crime trends, assisting in block club training, providing business and home security checks and workshops and focusing on problem properties.
Citywide, 25 SAFE teams were reduced to 14.
May 15, 2003
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West Calhoun neighborhood, Tangletown neighborhood, Lynnhurst neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Lowry Hill Neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, Kenwood neighborhood, Kenny neighborhood, Fulton neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood, East Calhoun neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Armatage neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Crime reports
By Michelle Bruch
Editor’s note: Alleged crimes against persons (assault, rape, murder, etc.) will feature the + symbol. Note, this compilation of crime reports provides highlights of area criminal activity. It’s not intended to be a comprehensive overview of Southwest crime.
CARAG
Sept. 6; 8 p.m.–Sept. 7, 5:53 a.m.; 3400 block of Dupont Avenue South
A vehicle stolen overnight from the above location was taken to 2512 Humboldt Ave. S. and torched. The car was locked and the victim had the vehicle’s only set of keys.
Windom
+ Sept. 6, 9–10 p.m., Blaisdell Avenue & Diamond Lake Road
September 22, 2008
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Whittier neighborhood, Tangletown neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Lowry Hill Neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Armatage neighborhood, Windom neighborhood
Crime reports
By Michelle Bruch
Southwest Journal crime reports include major crimes in our area. We do not include common larcenies such as thefts from motor vehicles and crimes against businesses. We only report suspects’ race or ethnicity when the police reports mention it. Not all suspect information is made available to the public.
In general, domestic incidents are not reported, to protect the victim. However, we include the number of domestic assaults reported during the period.
Crime reports are compiled from Minneaplis police reports and are edited for length; there may be other incidents from your neighborhood. The police do not always file reports in time for inclusion in the Journal.
For more, see www.i.minneapolis.mn.us/police/. Crime information there may be more comprehensive but less timely.
September 8, 2008
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Whittier neighborhood, Tangletown neighborhood, Stevens Square neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Windom neighborhood
Crime reports
By Christopher Greising
Editor’s note: Alleged crimes against persons (assault, rape, murder, etc.) will feature the + symbol. Note, this compilation of crime reports provides highlights of area criminal activity. It’s not intended to be a comprehensive overview of Southwest crime.
CARAG
Between May 23, 11:30 a.m., and May 24, 11:30 a.m., 3500 block of Colfax Ave.
An unknown suspect burglarized the home of a 44-year-old man. It appeared the suspect broke out the rear window and then unlocked the back door to gain access to the house. Items were missing from the basement and an upstairs bedroom closet. A bottle of wine that had been moved was dusted for fingerprints and two prints were found.
June 16, 2008
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West Calhoun neighborhood, Tangletown neighborhood, Stevens Square neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Lowry Hill Neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, Kenwood neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood, East Calhoun neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Neighborhood notebook
By Sarah McKenzie, Dylan Thomas and Jake Weyer
CARAG
SUPER SALE: The CARAG Super Sale, the neighborhood’s annual garage sale, is scheduled for May 17 from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. The deadline for registration is May 14. For more information or to register, visit www.carag.org or call 823-2520.
KINGFIELD
BOARD ELECTIONS: New Kingfield Neighborhood Association (KFNA) board members were elected at the organization’s annual meeting April 21, including Marie Wolf, Chris DeParde, Jeff Shaw, David Buchanan, David Potosky, Dave Sadoris and Mark Brandow. Arthur Knowles, Niki Stavrou, Mary Hunter and Ben Kristensen are no longer on the board.
May 5, 2008
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Lyndale neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Crime reports
By Andrew Newman
Editor’s note: Alleged crimes against persons (assault, rape, murder, etc.) will feature the + symbol. Note, this compilation of crime reports provides highlights of area criminal activity. It’s not intended to be a comprehensive overview of Southwest crime.
Armatage
+ Oct. 3, 7:32–7:40 p.m.,
6000 block of Penn Ave. S.
A gas station attendant said the suspect entered the store and asked if they had a certain auto part for his car. The attendant went to check and heard the cash register open. He returned and saw the suspect taking money. The suspect said he had a gun and ran out of the store with an unknown amount of money. The attendant was not harmed.
October 20, 2008
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Stevens Square neighborhood, Lynnhurst neighborhood, Lowry Hill Neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, East Calhoun neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Armatage neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Crime reports
By Christopher Greising
Editor’s note: Alleged crimes against persons (assault, rape, murder, etc.) will feature the + symbol. Note, this compilation of crime reports provides highlights of area criminal activity. It’s not intended to be a comprehensive overview of Southwest crime.
CARAG
+ March 24, 9 p.m., W. 33rd St. and Harriet Ave.
Three suspects robbed and assaulted a 37-year-old man as he was walking home. The three suspects approached the victim and one of the suspects hit the victim in the head with an object. The suspects then fled the scene with several of the victim’s items. The victim needed to be treated and transported by ambulance to the hospital for a large contusion above his left eye sustained during the assault.
April 7, 2008
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Stevens Square neighborhood, Lynnhurst neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, East Harriet neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Neighborhood notebook
By Sarah McKenzie, Jake Weyer and Dylan Thomas
CARAG
Plant swap: The Calhoun Area Residents Action Group (CARAG) Plant Swap is set for April 26 at 9:30 a.m. at Urban Earth Cooperative, 910 W. 36th St. The event provides an opportunity to for area green thumbs to trade plants and gardening knowledge.
Crime walk: The CARAG Stroll Patrol is teaming up with the Lyndale Walkers for a spring kickoff walk April 27. The details were not finalized at press time. For more information contact CARAG at 823-2520 or the Lyndale Neighborhood Association at 824-9402.
April 7, 2008
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Lyndale neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood, Kenny neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Crime reports
By Christopher Greising
Editor's note: Alleged crimes against persons (assault, rape, murder, etc.) will feature the + symbol. Note, this compilation of crime reports provides highlights of area criminal activity. It's not intended to be a comprehensive overview of Southwest crime.
CARAG
+ Nov. 2, 10:35 p.m., W. 31st St. and Bryant Ave.
A 48-year-old man attempted to tackle a 22-year-old woman in an effort to steal her purse. A brief struggled ensued until two witnesses intervened and restrained the suspect until police arrived. The suspect was arrested and transported to Hennepin County Jail.
Between Nov. 2, 3 p.m., and Nov. 5, 3 p.m., 3100 block of Fremont Ave.
A 31-year-old man left his vehicle parked on the street in front of his apartment.
December 3, 2007
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Tangletown neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Crime notes
By Christopher Greising
Editor's note: Alleged crimes against persons (assault, rape, murder, etc.) will feature the + symbol. Note, this compilation of crime reports provides highlights of area criminal activity. It's not intended to be a comprehensive overview of Southwest crime.
CARAG
Oct. 22, 7:20 a.m.–5:30 p.m., 3200 block of Bryant Ave.
An unknown suspect burglarized the residence of a 37-year-old man, stealing a sword collection.
Oct. 22, 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m., 3200 block of Bryant Ave.
An unknown suspect burglarized the residence of a 25-year-old woman. The suspect forced his/her way into the residence by unidentified means and removed the victim's laptop computer.
November 19, 2007
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West Calhoun neighborhood, Stevens Square neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, Kenwood neighborhood, Fulton neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood, East Harriet neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Crime reports
By Christopher Greising
Editor’s note: Alleged crimes against persons (assault, rape, murder, etc.) will feature the + symbol. Note, this compilation of crime reports provides highlights of area criminal activity. It’s not intended to be a comprehensive overview of Southwest crime.
CARAG
+ Oct. 3, 9:15 p.m., W. 31st St. and Bryant Ave.
Four male suspects robbed three victims, a 23-year-old woman and two others, at gunpoint. The three victims were standing at a bus stop when the suspects approached them and held a black, short-barreled revolver to the 23-year-old victim’s head and demanded their money. The victims complied, and the suspects fled the scene on foot.
November 5, 2007
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Tangletown neighborhood, Stevens Square neighborhood, Lynnhurst neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Lowry Hill Neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, Kenwood neighborhood, Fulton neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Crime reports
By Christopher Greising
Editor’s note: Alleged crimes against persons (assault, rape, murder, etc.) will feature the + symbol. Note, this compilation of crime reports provides highlights of area criminal activity. It’s not intended to be a comprehensive overview of Southwest crime.
CARAG
Between Aug. 17, 11 p.m., and Aug. 18, 8:15 p.m., 3500 block of Fremont Ave.
An unknown suspect(s) allegedly burglarized the residence of a 55-year-old woman. The victim had been home at the time of the burglary. The suspect(s) entered the residence through a ground level window by cutting a screen and removing a fan that had been in the window. Once inside, the suspect(s) removed the victim’s backpack that contained various items before fleeing the scene.
September 10, 2007
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Tangletown neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Lowry Hill Neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, East Calhoun neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Neighborhood notebook
By Jake Weyer & Sarah McKenzie
CARAG
HOOT RETURNS: Journal columnist Jim Walsh's (aka Mad Ripple) Hootenanny is returning with two new locations. After two years of hosting local musicians in the basement of Java Jack's at 46th & Bryant, the Hoot is moving onto the Beat Coffeehouse, 1414 W. 28th St., 6:30–9:30 p.m. every Thursday beginning Jan. 1. You can also catch the Hoot every last Sunday of the month at Bootleggers, 323 1st Ave. N., from 7–10 p.m. The first show was Dec. 28. The lineup for the Jan. 1 Hoot includes the Mad Ripple, Holly Munox (Aviette) and Suzanne Vallie, among others. For more information, go to www.myspace.com/madripplemusic.
EAST HARRIET
KITE FESTIVAL: The East Harriet Neighborhood Association and Linden Hills Neighborhood Council will host their annual Winter Kite Festival Jan. 10 on Lake Harriet. The event is scheduled from noon–4 p.m. and will include kite flying, rides on a horse-drawn wagon, a children's scavenger hunt, marshmallow roasting and more. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, the Minnesota Kite Society, Lyndale Farmstead Park and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources are sponsoring the event. An alternate date of Jan. 17 is planned in case of bad weather. Call the Winter Kite Festival Hotline at 370-4948 for more information.
December 29, 2008
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East Harriet neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood
Party on: Four ways to bring in the New Year in Southwest
By Andrew Newman
FAMOUS DAVE’S BBQ & BLUES
What: Over at Famous Dave’s BBQ & Blues in Calhoun Square, New Year’s Eve will be jam-packed with three different shows. The fun starts at 7 p.m. with vocalist Liz Cummings, a frequent visitor at Famous Dave’s happy hours. The celebration continues at 9 p.m. with comedian Jeff Gerbino. This New Yorker/Minnesotan/Hollywooder has been hailed as one of Hollywood’s funniest comedians by the Los Angeles Times. Then at 10 p.m., Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials will take the stage to rock in the New Year. A New Year’s Eve tradition at Famous Dave’s, Lil’ Ed is one of the most entertaining stage veterans on the road today. There is a $10 cover for the event.
Where: 3001 Hennepin Ave. S.
Contact: 822-9900,
www.famousdaves.com
December 29, 2008
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East Harriet neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood
Crime reports
By Andrew Newman
Editor's note: Alleged crimes against persons (assault, rape, murder, etc.) will feature the + symbol. Note, this compilation of crime reports provides highlights of area criminal activity. It's not intended to be a comprehensive overview of Southwest crime.
December 29, 2008
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West Calhoun neighborhood, Tangletown neighborhood, Stevens Square neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, Fulton neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Armatage neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Wine-tasting benefit raises money for Southwest neighborhoods
By Jake Weyer
Hundreds of wine lovers showed up at the 24th annual Hennepin-Lake Community Wine-Tasting Benefit June 14 in the parking lot behind Campiello in Uptown.
Event Director Pat Fleetham estimates the event brought in roughly $220,000 for area neighborhood organizations. CARAG, ECCO, Lyndale, Whittier, Lowry Hill East, East Isles, Cedar Isles Dean and Kenwood were all involved in the event, sponsored by Hennepin-Lake Liquors, Campiello and Maserati of Minneapolis.
Proceeds from tickets purchased at the Liquor store or at the event were divided among five core neighborhoods: CARAG, ECCO, Lowry Hill East, East Isles and Kenwood, Fleetham said. Each neighborhood group got to keep 100 percent of the proceeds from tickets they sold as individual organizations.
July 3, 2006
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Lyndale neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Kenwood neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood, East Calhoun neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Free rain-garden workshops will help you save money and environment
By Scott Russell
City residents are invited to a series of free spring workshops on designing rain gardens with native perennial plants.
In Southwest, the Community on Urban Environment (CUE) will host a pair of two-part workshops at Linden Hills Park, 3100 W. 43rd St.. The first pair of workshops is March 31 and April 14; the second pair is May 5 and 26. All workshops are on Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
The first workshop of each pair will focus on understanding what a watershed is, why it is important and how appropriate gardening can reduce pollution runoff into city lakes and rivers. The second workshop will include hands-on rain garden design in small groups, including the types of plants to use and drainage issues.
March 21, 2005
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Stevens Square neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood, East Harriet neighborhood, East Calhoun neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Jockeying for City Council seats has already begun
By Scott Russell
Next year is a big one for local races; 13th Ward seat draws a crowd
Sick of the election just passed? Minneapolis is now less than year away from picking a new City Council, and a handful of candidates are already running, or considering a run, for Southwest seats.
Candidates are already angling for the 13th Ward seat, since Barret Lane announced he wouldn't seek reelection.
People in the mix include: former 10th Ward Councilmember Lisa McDonald; Jim Bernstein, former state commerce commissioner; Betsy Hodges, development director for the Minnesota Justice Foundation; Mark Lindberg, a senior program officer with the Otto Bremer Foundation; amd Jack Newton, a retired teacher.
November 11, 2004
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East Harriet neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Southwest sacrifices officers to summer anticrime initiative
By Robyn Repya
Three redeployed to higher-crime precincts; Southwest Councilmembers, neighborhood staffers complain
From a North Minneapolis street corner, Mayor R.T. Rybak and Police Chief William McManus presented a summer crime initiative that will reverberate to Southwest: temporarily reassigning Community Crime-Prevention officers to higher-crime areas.
The SAFE redeployment means Southwest's 5th Precinct will temporarity lose three officers, on top of the 27 it has already lost since 2002.
In their May 11 announcement, Rybak and McManus said redeploying Southwest officers (and three from two other precincts) would help the city focus on youth activities, strategic reduction of violent crime and targeting problem properties.
April 29, 2004
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Lyndale neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Neighborhoods get reduced NRP allotments
By Scott Russell
The Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) Policy Board has approved the final neighborhood Phase II allocations -- including a new $537,000 American Indian set-aside program.
The overall pot of money the Board earmarked for neighborhoods is estimated at $47.7 million, according to a memo posted on the NRP Web site.
Southwest neighborhoods will receive the following through 2009:
Armatage, $375,682
Bryn Mawr, $270,080
CARAG, $636,557
Cedar-Isles-Dean, $261,420
East Harriet $218,316
East Isles, $387,253
East Calhoun, $334,613
Fulton, $387,229
Kenny, $266,533
Kenwood, $85,600
Kingfield, $770,934
Linden Hills, $530,161
Lowry Hill, $448,754
Lowry Hill East (Wedge), $747,852
Lyndale, $643
April 15, 2004
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West Calhoun neighborhood, Tangletown neighborhood, Stevens Square neighborhood, Lynnhurst neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Lowry Hill Neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, Kenwood neighborhood, Kenny neighborhood, Fulton neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood, East Harriet neighborhood, East Calhoun neighborhood, Cedar-Isles-Dean neighborhood, Calhoun Square Redevelopment, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Bryn Mawr neighborhood, Armatage neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Kissing and wishing
By Michael Metzger
Southwest has one of the nation's largest concentrations of gay and lesbian couples. Many want to get married, but the political landscape has short-circuited local civil disobedience.
Three years ago, Cathy ten Broeke took her solemn vows of marriage in what she calls a "very, very traditional" church wedding in front of a couple hundred friends and family members. Flowers, tears and smiles were in abundance.
"It was a wonderful day," ten Broeke said.
March 18, 2004
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Stevens Square neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Police Reports
By Southwest Journal Staff Repoters
CARAG
Feb. 12, 8 p.m., 3000 block of Lyndale Ave. S. A victim left his black 1995 Chevy Blazer running in a parking lot while he ran into a business. He returned to find the car stolen.
Feb. 23. 12:20 a.m., Figlios, 3000 block of Hennepin Ave. S. Officers cited and released a suspect for theft after he left the restaurant, failing to pay his tab for seven shots of Absolut vodka and a pack of cigarettes. When questioned, the suspect said he had no intention or means of paying. A Calhoun Square security guard stopped the suspect and performed a citizen's arrest, holding him until officers responded to the scene. The individual was also issued "No Trespassing" papers for Calhoun Square.
March 4, 2004
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Tangletown neighborhood, Stevens Square neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Neighborhood News
By Southwest Journal Staff Reporters
Lyndale neighborhood hires new executive director
Deb Foster is no stranger to the Lyndale neighborhood. For the past 15 years, Foster has worked at the YMCA at 3335 Blaisdell Ave. S. On Feb. 2, she took over as the new executive director of the Lyndale Neighborhood Association, whose office is just blocks away at 3537 Nicollet Ave. S.
During her YMCA tenure, Foster held a variety of jobs. She started as a marriage and family therapist, which she called her dream job because she could work with inner-city families who often lack access to mental health services. The United Way underwrote her work, and as a result she was able to charge couples $5 a session.
February 19, 2004
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Stevens Square neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Cedar-Isles-Dean neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Greenway streetcar gains support, faces transit rivals
By Robyn Repya
More than half the neighborhoods along the Midtown Greenway support an historic streetcar system in the trench, according to the Midtown Greenway Coalition. The group hopes that passing a City Council resolution will solidify an overarching commitment to reviving a city streetcar system.
Coalition Executive Director Tim Springer said his group advocates a streetcar to run next to the pedestrian path from Chowen Avenue South to the light-rail transit (LRT) corridor at Hiawatha Avenue. The streetcar's tracks, known as turf tracks, would be embedded in grass. He said a greenway streetcar route could be a starting point for a city system.
February 5, 2004
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Lyndale neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood, East Calhoun neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Crime and Safety and Police Reports
By Southwest Journal Staff
Whittier crime sweep
Fifth Precinct Crime-Prevention Specialist Shun Tillman says a crime sweep was done between Aug. 22 and Sept. 12 in Whittier's Washburn Fair Oaks Park, 200 E. 24th St., due to complaints of criminal activity.
The sweep was a cooperative effort between many 5th Precinct units, including the SAFE crime-prevention team, the antidrug Community Response Team, beat officers, Hennepin County Probation Officers and the Park Police.
The results: more than 100 suspicious people were screened for outstanding warrants or any probation violations. There were seven narcotics arrests, 12 alcohol violations, nine warrant-related arrests, three disorderly conduct arrests seven loitering arrests and two graffiti arrests.
September 4, 2003
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Tangletown neighborhood, Stevens Square neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, Kenwood neighborhood, Fulton neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood, East Harriet neighborhood, East Calhoun neighborhood, Cedar-Isles-Dean neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Police reports
By Robyn Repya
Nicollet Ave. theft alert
Minneapolis police have issued a crime alert for the Kingfield, Tangletown and Windom neighborhoods in mid-May about a string of thefts occurring on Nicollet Avenue South.
The incidents involve a black female asking residents in homes and apartments if she can use their phone, then stealing purses, checkbooks and wallets once inside. The suspect is a black female, between the ages of 20 and 30 years old, between 5'3" to 5'7" tall.
The alert cautions residents to not let solicitors or strangers into their home, evaluate their purses and wallets once a month, report all suspicious behavior and pass this information along to neighbors, while keeping an eye out for them, too.
May 29, 2003
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Tangletown neighborhood, Stevens Square neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Lowry Hill Neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, Kenwood neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Primary election roundup: Dibble defeats Roche in DFL fight
By Kevin Featherly
Scott Dibble, the freshman District 60B state representative who is hoping to make the quick leap to the Senate, easily survived a challenge from former Massachusetts Rep. Rick Roche in the Sept. 10 primary.
In an unusual state Senate primary featuring metro-wide TV ads from Roche, Dibble outpolled Roche 5,830 votes to 1,061, an 85 percent to 15 percent margin.
According to the state Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, Roche spent $15,375 on the campaign as of Aug. 19; however, most of his TV ads accusing Dibble of favoring stadium financing aired after that date, driving his expenses higher. Dibble spent $14,778 as of Aug. 19, the latest available date for expenditures.
September 9, 2002
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West Calhoun neighborhood, Tangletown neighborhood, Lynnhurst neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Lowry Hill Neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Kenny neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood, East Calhoun neighborhood, Cedar-Isles-Dean neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
City seeking ways to deal with vacant properties
By Michelle Bruch
Neighbors have watched for more than two years while a house at 2738 Bryant Ave. S. was purchased to flip, languished on the market, erupted into flames and was eventually boarded.
The home stands on an otherwise well-kept street with a stroller on one porch and flower baskets on another. One neighbor said he wondered if vagrants broke into the building before it was boarded.
"Seems kind of odd, they fixed it all up and they couldn't sell it, and all of a sudden it burned," said the neighbor, who declined to give a name.
The number of vacant and boarded buildings in the city climbed 77 percent this year over last year. City officials say the trend has mirrored a rising number of foreclosures, and they are looking to spend a multimillion-dollar federal grant on the issue to curb problems that vacant homes create.
December 1, 2008
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Whittier neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Lowry Hill Neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, Kenwood neighborhood, East Calhoun neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Windom neighborhood
Crime reports
By Michelle Bruch
Editor’s note: Alleged crimes against persons (assault, rape, murder, etc.) will feature the + symbol. Note, this compilation of crime reports provides highlights of area criminal activity. It’s not intended to be a comprehensive overview of Southwest crime.
Stevens Square
+Aug. 10, 11:58 p.m.,
1915 Clinton Ave. S.
A 28-year-old man was put in a choke hold, punched and then robbed. The victim declined medical attention.
August 25, 2008
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Whittier neighborhood, Tangletown neighborhood, Stevens Square neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood, East Harriet neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Windom neighborhood
Crime reports
By Christopher Griesling
Editor’s note: Alleged crimes against persons (assault, rape, murder, etc.) will feature the + symbol. Note, this compilation of crime reports provides highlights of area criminal activity. It’s not intended to be a comprehensive overview of Southwest crime.
CARAG
Feb. 26, 5:49 p.m., W. Lake St. and Girard Ave.
Police officers stopped a vehicle for having illegally tinted windows. The officers found that the passengers, two 26-year-old men, had warrants out for their arrest. The passenger allegedly had an unidentified narcotic in his possession. Hennepin County Jail refused to book the suspect due to an unknown medical reason and he needed to be transported to Hennepin County Medical Center.
March 24, 2008
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Whittier neighborhood, Tangletown neighborhood, Stevens Square neighborhood, Lynnhurst neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Lowry Hill Neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, Kenny neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood, East Harriet neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Windom neighborhood
Crime reports
By Christopher Greising
Editor's note: Alleged crimes against persons (assault, rape, murder, etc.) will feature the + symbol. Note, this compilation of crime reports provides highlights of area criminal activity. It's not intended to be a comprehensive overview of Southwest crime.
CARAG
Sept. 20, 5 a.m.–11:50 p.m.,
3200 block of Bryant Ave.
A 25-year-old man left his apartment in a hurry and forgot to lock the back door. When he returned home, he discovered an unknown suspect had entered his residence and stolen CDs and DVDs. Officers responding to the burglary were unable to locate any evidence left at the scene.
October 22, 2007
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Whittier neighborhood, West Calhoun neighborhood, Stevens Square neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood, Cedar-Isles-Dean neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Windom neighborhood
Dylan Thomas
Flanders Contemporary Art closed after filing for bankruptcy.
UPDATED January 5, 2009, 1:41pm
By Dylan Thomas
Gallery is in bankruptcy
CARAG — Bankruptcy forced the closure of Flanders Contemporary Art, 3012 Lyndale Ave. S., owner Douglas Flanders said Monday.
Flanders said he was forced into Chapter 7 bankruptcy by a local business partner who helped finance the construction of his current gallery, which opened four years ago. Slow sales, made worse by the economic crisis, left Flanders unable to repay the loan, he said.
The closing was announced in a message on the gallery’s
website.
December 29, 2008
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Calhoun Area neighborhood
Crime reports
UPDATED January 8, 2009, 10:34am
By Jake Weyer
January 12, 2009
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Lyndale neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood, East Harriet neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Armatage neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Neighborhood notebook
By Sarah McKenzie & Dylan Thomas
CARAG
DONATIONS NEEDED: Much like many organizations across the city, The Joyce Uptown Food Shelf at West 31st Street & Fremont is taking a hit because of the recession. The organization, which has been serving the Uptown area for more than 40 years, has seen a drop off in donations. The food shelf serves on average, about 1,400 people a month — many of whom are children and seniors. Donations can be sent to the Joyce Uptown Food at 1219 W. 31st St. Minneapolis, MN 55408. For more information, visit www.geocities.com/joycefoodshelf.
January 12, 2009
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Kenwood neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood
Robberies surge at year's end
By Jake Weyer
Robberies in Southwest increased in late December, but were still down from last year
Police in the 5th Precinct spent the last month of 2008 fighting a wave of robberies scattered throughout more than a half-dozen Southwest
neighborhoods.
Robberies in Southwest were down all year compared to 2007 and 2006, but the weekly norm jumped from fewer than four in November and early December to seven or more by the year's end. Insp. Kris Arneson, commander of the 5th Precinct, said the holidays and the tough economy were likely factors in the increase.
January 12, 2009
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West Calhoun neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, East Harriet neighborhood, East Calhoun neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood
Crime reports
By Jake Weyer
Editor's note: Alleged crimes against persons (assault, rape, murder, etc.) will feature the + symbol. Note, this compilation of crime reports provides highlights of area criminal activity. It's not intended to be a comprehensive overview of Southwest crime.
January 26, 2009
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Calhoun Area neighborhood, East Harriet neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Neighborhood notebook
By Dylan Thomas, Sarah Phemister, Sarah McKenzie and Jake Weyer
BRYN MAWR
CAPITAL PROJECT: Choosing from among the suggestions of neighborhood residents, the Bryn Mawr Neighborhood Association (BMNA) selected an annual capital project that this year will focus on beautifying its small business district.
Known by neighborhood residents as Bryn Mawr's downtown, the area around the intersection of Penn Avenue South and Cedar Lake Road is the potential site of a new mural depicting the neighborhood's history. The BMNA board of directors also discussed plans to install street banners in the downtown area.
January 26, 2009
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Calhoun Area neighborhood, Fulton neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood, Lowry Hill Neighborhood, Stevens Square neighborhood
Crime reports
By Moira Kenny
Editor's note: Alleged crimes against persons (assault, rape, murder, etc.) will feature the + symbol. Note, this compilation of crime reports provides highlights of area criminal activity. It's not intended to be a comprehensive overview of Southwest crime.
CARAG
+ Jan. 23, 11 p.m., Dupont Avenue South and Lake Street West
Anti-lesbian slurs were used during an assault on a 32-year-old woman. The victim told police she was a lesbian and believed she was attacked for this reason. She suffered a head injury and was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center.
February 9, 2009
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Calhoun Area neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood, Fulton neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Stevens Square neighborhood, Tangletown neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood, Windom neighborhood
Rash of burglaries reported in Southwest
By Southwest Journal staff
Three Southwest neighborhoods were hit with a string of garage burglaries in late January.
Between Jan. 20 and Feb. 1, 10 home garages in Lyndale, CARAG and East Calhoun were burglarized, said Crime Prevention Specialist Tom Thompson in a crime alert e-mail to area residents. The burglaries were reported between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.
"That doesn't mean these are occurring in the evening, only that they are being reported in the evening," Thompson said. "These are probably happening mostly during the day."
In most cases, the burglar used force to pry open the garage door. Burglars then searched through cars parked inside.
To prevent crime, Thompson instructed residents to be alert, inform others of the burglary trend, lock doors and not carry excessive items. Thompson also asked people to call 911 if anything out of the ordinary is seen.
"You are your and your neighbors’ best defense," he said.
February 9, 2009
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Calhoun Area neighborhood, East Calhoun neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood
Neighborhood notebook: Hundreds turn out for Uptown march against hate crime
By Danielle Nordine, Brian Voerding, Sarah McKenzie and Dylan Thomas
CARAG — Despite the frigid cold, about 400 people gathered Jan. 29 in the Dunn Bros parking lot at Lake & Bryant to march for Kristen Boyne, 32, who was attacked in the area Jan. 22.
Boyne said she was on her way to Rainbow Foods around 11 p.m. when two men abused her verbally and physically for being a lesbian and beat her until she was unconscious. She suffered head injuries because of the attack, which police are investigating as a hate crime.
Andrea Sieve, one of the organizers of the event and a close friend of Boyne's, said the march was a show of solidarity for Boyne.
"We want this to be for awareness and support for Kristen, but also to make a statement that this just shouldn't be happening," Sieve said. She added that while they were happy with the response from the Minneapolis Police Department, they wanted to make a statement of their own.
February 9, 2009
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Calhoun Area neighborhood, East Harriet neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood
Crime and Safety and Police Reports
By Southwest Journal Staff
Police accepting nominations for community award
The Minneapolis Police Department is accepting nominations for the third annual Teresa Ruhland Youth Award, which recognizes an exceptional volunteer for his or her work involving youth and block club activities. The award is named after Teresa Sheehy Ruhland, a longtime SAFE crime-prevention team employee who died in May 2000.
Nominations forms are available online, or the department will accept a one-page essay that details a nominee's work involving youth and block club activities. The deadline for award nominations is Oct. 24.
October 2, 2003
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Whittier neighborhood, Stevens Square neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, Kenny neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood
Photo by Michele Manske
An apartment building planned near the Edgewater condos has concerned some neighbors, who say it would be too tall for the area.
By Dylan Thomas
Neighbors cite Uptown Small Area Plan in opposing apartments
EAST ISLES — On its face, it's a debate over building height. To some in the Uptown area, though, it's much more than that.
They see a proposed apartment building at the northeast edge of Lake Calhoun as the first significant test of the Uptown Small Area Plan.
Residents of East Isles and CARAG cited that plan — the work of neighborhood residents, business owners, developers and city staff over 18 months — in their opposition to the Lake and Knox Apartments. In its most recent incarnation, the building stepped-up from four to six stories, rising about twice as high as the plan's recommended 35-foot height limit near Lake Calhoun.
February 23, 2009
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East Isles neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood
City's 311 info line has tips for homeowners falling behind on mortgage payments
By Michelle Bruch
With the number of foreclosures in Minneapolis running 79 percent higher than last year, the city's main hotline is stepping in with assistance for people who fear they may fall behind on mortgage payments.
Residents can now call 311 for a referral to agencies who will give them financial counseling, explain the foreclosure process and help them negotiate with their mortgage companies.
“The key for preventing a home from going into foreclosure is early intervention,” said Marc Dronen, an analyst for Minneapolis 311. “If people think they will miss a payment or are missing one payment, it is not too early to call.”
Since mid-November, 311 has received 68 phone calls from residents regarding foreclosure.
December 18, 2006
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Calhoun Area neighborhood, Kenny neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood
Crime reports
By Alex Van Lepp
Editor's note: Alleged crimes against persons (assault, rape, murder, etc.) will feature the + symbol. Note, this compilation of crime reports provides highlights of area criminal activity. It's not intended to be a comprehensive overview of Southwest crime.
East Isles
+ Feb. 20, between 4:30 p.m. and 4:35 p.m., 2400 S. Hennepin Ave.
A suspect robbed Sudz Salon employees with a gun, and then robbed a 57-year-old woman from Golden Valley. The suspect fled away on foot.
March 9, 2009
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Windom neighborhood, Stevens Square neighborhood, Lynnhurst neighborhood, Lyndale neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, Fulton neighborhood, East Calhoun neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood
Neighborhood notebook
By Danielle Nordine & Dylan Thomas
Editor of acclaimed jazz magazine dies
ARMATAGE — Leslie Carole Johnson, founder and publisher of jazz magazine the Mississippi Rag, died earlier this year after a three-and-a-half year battle with cancer. She was 66.
Johnson, a longtime resident of the Armatage neighborhood, had been publishing the Rag for 35 years, a widely circulated monthly magazine focusing on jazz musicians and traditional jazz and ragtime music.
The publication, dubbed the "voice of traditional jazz and ragtime," covered the history of jazz, ragtime, swing and similar styles of music, and focused on current musicians performing those kinds of music as well. The newspaper and its website featured calendar listings of jazz performances and meetings, book and CD reviews, history of jazz and columns.
According to its website, the rag boasted subscribers in all 50 states and in 26 countries. Almost 100 freelance writers and photographers regularly contributed to the publication.
March 9, 2009
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Stevens Square neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood, Armatage neighborhood
Crime reports
By Jake Weyer
Editor's note: Alleged crimes against persons (assault, rape, murder, etc.) will feature the + symbol. Note, this compilation of crime reports provides highlights of area criminal activity. It's not intended to be a comprehensive overview of Southwest crime.
CARAG
+ March 7, 10:20 p.m., 31st St. W. and Girard Ave. S.
Two women, both 24, were robbed at knifepoint. The suspect fled the scene before officers arrived.
March 23, 2009
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Windom neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood, Lynnhurst neighborhood, Lowry Hill Neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood, Cedar-Isles-Dean neighborhood, Calhoun Area neighborhood
