28th-Annual Palio More Than Just a Neighborhood Gathering
Sep 2010 - Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association
Sep 2010 - Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
VOL. 41, NO. 9 SEPTEMBER, 2010<br />
THIS MONTH: PALIO,<br />
VOLUNTEER<br />
OPPORTUNITIES, AND<br />
THE GREAT<br />
NEIGHBORHOOD<br />
CLEANSWEEP<br />
Also in this issue:<br />
p.3 <strong>Neighborhood</strong> CleanSweep<br />
p.4 Who’s That Dog?<br />
p.5 King of the Queen Anne,<br />
Part 5<br />
p.6 B-Girl Be “Carnival!”<br />
p.6 Infinitea<br />
p.7 A Historical Look at Strong<br />
Wedge Women Devoted to Early<br />
Education<br />
<strong>28th</strong>-<strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Palio</strong><br />
<strong>More</strong> <strong>Than</strong> <strong>Just</strong> a<br />
<strong>Neighborhood</strong><br />
<strong>Gathering</strong><br />
❐ COMMUNITY EVENTS<br />
BY SHANTI MITTRA<br />
Almost 30 years ago, a<br />
Kenwood resident traveled to<br />
the Tuscan hill town of Siena,<br />
and stood with 50,000 others—<br />
in pin drop silence—to hear<br />
the line up for il <strong>Palio</strong>, a<br />
legendary bareback horse race.<br />
It was impossible for<br />
her not to get caught up in the<br />
excitement of this most rabidly<br />
partisan event. For two hours<br />
before, the representatives of<br />
each of the competing districts<br />
of Siena paraded into the main<br />
public square to the sound of<br />
beating drums and the<br />
occasional trumpet. Flagbearers,<br />
grooms, and pages<br />
along with horse and rider<br />
made up each district’s retinue.<br />
All were dressed in mid-16 th -<br />
century costumes, highlighting<br />
each district’s color and<br />
mascot.<br />
Finally, with little<br />
notice, she saw a rope drop and<br />
the atmosphere erupt. Three<br />
laps and ninety seconds of<br />
hysteria later, il <strong>Palio</strong> was<br />
over, and one rider and his<br />
district were victorious.<br />
The Kenwood resident<br />
joined the celebrations<br />
afterward, which are, she<br />
insists, as much a part of the<br />
experience as the race itself.<br />
The winning rider is feted, and<br />
the residents of his district<br />
sing, dance, and celebrate for<br />
weeks afterward.<br />
This, the Kenwood<br />
resident thought, is much more<br />
See PALIO, p. 6<br />
Lightning Strikes . . .<br />
A bolt from the skies during a storm last year<br />
left these indelible marks on a Wedge sidewalk.<br />
Can you identify the spot? The first emailer to<br />
Wedge.Editor@yahoo.com to get it right will<br />
have their name printed in next month’s issue of<br />
the Wedge.<br />
Taste great<br />
wine and<br />
support your<br />
neighborhood<br />
On Wednesday, October 20 th<br />
from 5 —8 p.m., Hennepin-Lake<br />
Liquors will sponsor the 28 th<br />
<strong>Annual</strong> Hennepin-Lake<br />
Community Wine Tasting Benefit,<br />
featuring more than 400 varieties of<br />
wine available for sampling. Other<br />
sponsors this year are Calhoun<br />
Square, Il Gatto, and Great Clips.<br />
All proceeds from this event go<br />
directly to nine neighborhood<br />
organizations in the Uptown area.<br />
In the past 27 years, more than<br />
$270,000.00 has been raised to<br />
support the community.<br />
Last year, the Lowry Hill East<br />
<strong>Neighborhood</strong> Association<br />
(LHENA) received almost $3,000<br />
from tickets sold by our board<br />
members, and those purchased at<br />
the door. These funds allowed us to<br />
continue publishing the Wedge<br />
Newspaper and host several<br />
neighborhood events, including the<br />
<strong>Annual</strong> Ice Cream Social, LHENA<br />
Holiday Party, and the Walk the<br />
Wedge Home Tour.<br />
Tickets cost $25 in advance<br />
and $30 at the door. If you<br />
appreciate wine and would like to<br />
support your community, contact<br />
the LHENA office at<br />
612.377.5023, or any of the<br />
LHENA Board members (names<br />
and numbers listed on page 2) to<br />
buy tickets. Or send an email to<br />
lhena@thewedge.org.<br />
What: 28 th <strong>Annual</strong> Hennepin Lake<br />
Community Winetasting Benefit<br />
Where: Calhoun Square, two<br />
levels<br />
When: Wednesday, October 20 th<br />
5-8 p.m.<br />
Tickets: $25 in advance/$30 at the<br />
door<br />
Sponsors: Hennepin Lake Liquor,<br />
1200 West Lake Street, Mpls.<br />
Calhoun Square—Il Gatto—Great<br />
Clips<br />
Attendees: 700- 900 people who<br />
appreciate wine. ❍<br />
THE LONG ARM OF DESTRUCTION<br />
TAKES DOWN REX HARDWARE<br />
The walls came tumbling down on Rex Hardware on Monday,<br />
August 9. This long-standing fixture at 26th and Lyndale had<br />
stood for 80 years. Along with the three remaining brick structures<br />
at the intersection, Rex established a business hub around which<br />
Whittier and Lowry Hill East revolved—and Wedge residents will<br />
miss this part of our history.<br />
WALK THE WEDGE ANNUAL HOME TOUR<br />
Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 18, for the highly<br />
anticipated annual Walk the Wedge Home Tour. This year's ramble<br />
will feature a variety of turn-of-the-century (20th, that is) homes at<br />
the north end of Lowry Hill East. At least one of the homes also has a<br />
few ghost stories to tell (!) and has a lovely secret garden. Back by<br />
popular demand is the wonderful 1892 Harry Wild Jones Victorian<br />
that has seen some new updates. A few surprises will also present<br />
themselves along the way.<br />
Tour hours are 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., rain or shine, and will begin at<br />
2204 Colfax Avenue South. Tickets are $10 and available at the first<br />
home only. Contact Kathy Kullberg for more information:<br />
612.374.4456. ❍<br />
Staying on top of the emerald ash borer<br />
LHENA is currently<br />
conducting surveys of<br />
neighborhood trees to collect<br />
data about the emerald ash<br />
borer. We will soon be in<br />
touch with area<br />
homeowners.<br />
THE TOP SIX THINGS PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT<br />
DEALING WITH EMERALD ASH BORER<br />
Make sure it is an ash tree. Here's a good page of resources:<br />
http://www.emeraldashborer.info/identifyashtree.cfm<br />
Know what and emerald ash borer looks like, in comparison to other<br />
insects: http://www.emeraldashborer.info/files/E2944.pdf<br />
Know the signs and symptoms of emerald ash borer infestation:<br />
http://www.emeraldashborer.info/files/E-2938.pdf<br />
How to protect (or save) your ash trees: http://<br />
www.emeraldashborer.info/treatment.cfm<br />
Who to contact about the possibility of having EAB in your ash tree,<br />
especially if you live in a state that has few, or no, infestations known:<br />
http://www.emeraldashborer.info/call.cfm.<br />
If you are thinking about moving firewood, here's where you can learn<br />
if it's allowed or not: http://www.emeraldashborer.info/
PAGE 2 THE WEDGE VOL. 41, NO. 9 SEPTEMBER, 2010<br />
THE WEDGE<br />
LOWRY HILL EAST<br />
NEIGHBORHOOD<br />
ASSOCIATION<br />
NEWSPAPER<br />
The Wedge is a monthly publication of<br />
the Lowry Hill East <strong>Neighborhood</strong><br />
Association (LHENA). Distribution is<br />
free to residents and businesses of the<br />
Lowry Hill East <strong>Neighborhood</strong>. Mailed<br />
subscriptions are $20 per year.<br />
The Wedge newspaper exists to<br />
address neighborhood events, issues,<br />
and causes, while providing a public<br />
forum for the community to share<br />
information and ideas and to voice<br />
individual opinions and concerns<br />
within the Lowry Hill East<br />
neighborhood.<br />
Stories, ideas, opinions, letters,<br />
photographs, drawings, and drawings<br />
are always welcome. Call 612.377.5023<br />
for assignments or to share your ideas.<br />
The deadline for submitting items is the<br />
17th of the month prior to publication.<br />
The display ad deadline is the 15th of<br />
the month prior to publication. To use<br />
snail mail, send to:<br />
The Wedge<br />
1200 West 26th Street<br />
Minneapolis, MN 55405<br />
Email: lhena@thewedge.org<br />
Editor: Quinton Skinner<br />
Email: Wedge.Editor@yahoo.com<br />
Office Administrator: Caroline<br />
Griepentrog<br />
Advertising Representative: Mike<br />
Palmquist—612.703.7601<br />
Nameplate Colorist: Natasha Walter<br />
Contributing Writers: Vanessa Moore<br />
Ardolino, Trilby Busch, Caroline<br />
Griepentrog, Katherine Himes, Kathy<br />
Kullberg, Valerie Powers, Kris Prince,<br />
Carina Ruhlandt, Gary Thaden<br />
The contents of this publication do not<br />
necessarily reflect the views of<br />
LHENA or its board members. The<br />
Wedge reserves the right to exercise<br />
discretion in publishing any material<br />
submitted and further reserves the right<br />
to refuse any advertisement. Questions<br />
about The Wedge may be directed to the<br />
editor of to The Wedge committee chair.<br />
@2010 LHENA, all rights reserved.<br />
LHENA<br />
1200 West 26th Street<br />
Minneapolis, MN 55405<br />
612.377.5023<br />
Email: lhena@thewedge.org<br />
Lowry Hill East <strong>Neighborhood</strong><br />
Association Board of Directors<br />
Lisa Bender — 612.669.3286<br />
Ryan Bender — 612.669.3042<br />
Susan Bode — 612.872.4077<br />
Karina Burston — 917.690.2846<br />
Clay Dafoe — 612.387.7324<br />
Peter Dahlberg — 612.245.3145<br />
Mark Greenwald — 612.381.1460<br />
Katherine Himes — 612.870.3991<br />
Lewis Kuhlman — 507.381.7749<br />
Linda McHale — 612.823.1270<br />
Carina Ruhlant — 540.557.7791<br />
<strong>Neighborhood</strong> Revitalization<br />
Program Steering Committee<br />
John Bode — 612.872.4077<br />
Karina Burston — 917.690.2846<br />
Mark Greenwald — 612.381.1460<br />
Kathy Kullberg — 612.374.4456<br />
Mark Lescher — 612.600.9347<br />
Mary Ann Snedic-Wunderlin—<br />
612.872.9716<br />
Dennis Tuthill — 612.377.3123<br />
“Man About Town” Craig<br />
Nelson (right) is sorry he<br />
missed you this month, but<br />
his column will return in<br />
October with another<br />
unique look at all things<br />
Wedge.<br />
LHENA September Meetings<br />
Meetings are held at the LHENA office, Room 107, Jefferson<br />
School, 1200 West 26 th St.<br />
Wed., Sept. 1, 7 p.m. LHENA <strong>Neighborhood</strong> Revitalization<br />
Program (NRP) Steering Committee<br />
The LHENA-NRP Steering Committee meets the first Wednesday<br />
of every month at 7 p.m. This committee focuses on implementing<br />
the LHENA <strong>Neighborhood</strong> Revitalization Program Phase II<br />
Action Plan. The plan is divided into sections: housing;<br />
infrastructure; crime & safety; and youth, arts & commerce.<br />
Members serve on a volunteer basis and are elected to one-year<br />
terms at the annual meeting in April.<br />
Wed., Sept. 8, 6:30 p.m. LHENA Zoning and Planning (Z&P)<br />
Committee<br />
The Z&P Committee meets the second Wednesday of every month<br />
at 6:30 p.m. This committee reviews any project, development, or<br />
zoning request in the neighborhood. A good fit for anyone<br />
interested in city planning, architecture, and transportation.<br />
Wed., Sept. 15, 6:30 p.m. LHENA Board of Directors<br />
The LHENA Board of Directors meets the third Wednesday of<br />
every month at 6:30 p.m.<br />
LHENA’s mission is to represent the interests and values of<br />
Lowry Hill East residents, property, and business owners to the<br />
larger community and government. The LHENA Board makes<br />
neighborhood building and land use recommendations to the City,<br />
maintains financial oversight of the organization, publishes The<br />
Wedge newspaper, organizes neighborhood social events, and<br />
serves as a forum for neighborhood concerns. Members serve on a<br />
volunteer basis and are elected to two-year terms at the annual<br />
meeting in April. ❍<br />
PALIO FACTS<br />
—<strong>Palio</strong> is an annual event that<br />
involves the neighborhoods<br />
around Kenwood Park.<br />
—Wedge residents will meet<br />
at 12:30 p.m. at Triangle Park<br />
on Hennepin Ave; the parade<br />
passes by Kenwood Park at 1<br />
p.m.<br />
—Itʼs an all-ages event.<br />
—There will be food, prizes,<br />
and competitions.<br />
—Lowry Hill Eastʼs mascot is<br />
the Purple Squirrels.<br />
—Please join us! For more<br />
information contact Joanne<br />
Opgenorth (374.8709) or<br />
Katherine Himes (870.3991).<br />
<strong>Than</strong>ks, and . . . more?<br />
Many thanks to those who volunteered for LHENA during the month<br />
of August. Whether staffing the pop booth at the Uptown Art Fair,<br />
braving the heat of the Uptown Market, or getting out to count<br />
neighborhood ash trees, we sincerely appreciate your efforts. <strong>Than</strong>k<br />
you for donating your time to help strengthen the neighborhood!<br />
Future volunteer opportunities include:<br />
o<br />
o<br />
o<br />
o<br />
Sundays Uptown Market 9:30am-5:30pm<br />
On 29th Street between Lyndale and Dupont. Shifts are 2-3<br />
hours.<br />
Discounts for volunteers!<br />
September 26 <strong>Palio</strong> Festival 12:30pm<br />
Parade to Kenwood Park followed by event from 1-3:30pm. Help<br />
make costumes and parade decorations, and march in the parade!<br />
October 20 Hennepin-Lake Winetasting Benefit 5-8pm<br />
Volunteers needed for event promotion, set up, on-site assistance,<br />
and tear-down.<br />
Date TBA <strong>Neighborhood</strong> Clean Sweep<br />
Help collect electronics and large refuse items.<br />
You can also become involved through neighborhood committee work.<br />
To sign up, contact 612-377-5023 or lhena@thewedge.org. ❍
SEPTEMBER, 2010<br />
THE WEDGE VOL. 41, NO. 9<br />
PAGE 3<br />
<strong>Neighborhood</strong> CleanSweep:<br />
Clean Out Unwanted Items<br />
from Your Basement and<br />
Garage<br />
For the second consecutive year, the Lowry Hill East<br />
<strong>Neighborhood</strong> Association <strong>Neighborhood</strong> Revitalization<br />
Program (LHENA-NRP) will host a <strong>Neighborhood</strong><br />
CleanSweep event in conjunction with the city of<br />
Minneapolis. Three trucks will make their way through<br />
neighborhood alleys to collect unwanted burnable items,<br />
electronics, and appliances. See the October Wedge or our<br />
website (www.thewedge.org) for a complete list of accepted<br />
items.<br />
This year’s event will be held on Saturday, October<br />
9 th , from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Materials should be<br />
placed in alleys by 8:00 a.m. (or on the curb, ONLY IF<br />
you live north of 24 th Street or do not have an alley).<br />
Burnable household garbage must be bagged, boxed, or<br />
wrapped and placed at the collection point. Hazardous<br />
waste will not be accepted.<br />
We are still looking for volunteers to accompany and load<br />
items onto the trucks in one-hour shifts. This is a fun event for<br />
groups! If you are interested in participating, please contact<br />
the LHENA office at 612-377-5023 or lhena@thewedge.org.<br />
CONGRATULATIONS: 2010 WEDGE HIGH<br />
SCHOOL SENIORS<br />
The following neighborhood seniors have graduated high<br />
school and will be attending various colleges this fall.<br />
◆ Sara Guarkee, Emerson Avenue South, from South High<br />
School—will be attending Columbia University in Chicago to<br />
major in art.<br />
◆ Tess Kullberg, 2437 Colfax Avenue South, from Southwest<br />
High—will be attending MCTC to major in business.<br />
◆ Eric Moen, 1105 West 25th Street, from South High— will<br />
be attending the University of Vancouver in Canada to study<br />
film and video production.<br />
◆ Julia Bailey, formerly of 2434 Dupont Avenue South, from<br />
Southwest High—will be attending MCTC.<br />
◆ Ben Greenwald, 2524 Colfax Avenue South, from St. Paul<br />
Academy.<br />
Lyn-Lake Barbershop<br />
Jayson Dallmann - Propietor<br />
612.822.6584<br />
3019 Lyndale Avenue South<br />
www.Lyn-LakeBarbershop.com<br />
Hours: Tues - Fri. 11am-7pm | Sat. 9am-4:30pm | (Afterhours by Appointment)<br />
UPDATES FROM CITY HALL<br />
From the Office of Council Member Meg Tuthill<br />
August 2010<br />
Contact Meg: 612.673.2210<br />
meg.tuthill@ci.minneapolis.mn.us<br />
Visit us at:<br />
www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/<br />
council/ward10<br />
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9<br />
a.m. to 5 p.m.<br />
Helpful Parking Info for<br />
Avoiding Tickets<br />
We have received numerous<br />
reports this summer of residents<br />
being ticketed for parking too<br />
close to an alley or driveway<br />
entrance. We would like to<br />
remind you of the following<br />
Minneapolis parking rules.<br />
1. You cannot park within<br />
five feet of a driveway<br />
or alley entrance.<br />
(Measurement begins<br />
where the curve of the<br />
curb ends.)<br />
2. You cannot park within<br />
20 feet of an intersection<br />
corner.<br />
3. You cannot park within<br />
30 feet of a stop sign or<br />
signal.<br />
Following these simple parking<br />
rules will help you avoid getting<br />
a pricey ticket.<br />
Volunteer at the Uptown<br />
Market<br />
Your local neighborhood market<br />
is looking for volunteers, and<br />
they need your help for the<br />
remainder of their summer<br />
Sunday afternoons. Volunteering<br />
for the Uptown Market is easy.<br />
Some of the duties you might<br />
help with include: helping set up<br />
the market (putting out trash and<br />
road barriers), checking in with<br />
vendors to see if they need<br />
anything, monitoring trash and<br />
recycling, promoting the market<br />
by chalking in the neighborhood,<br />
or helping to break down at the<br />
end of the day (putting away<br />
materials, making sure the street<br />
is clear and clean). If you are<br />
interested in joining the Uptown<br />
Market on Sundays please<br />
contact Megan Gamble at<br />
megan@uptownmarket.org. The<br />
Uptown Market is located on<br />
west 29 th Street between Lyndale<br />
Avenue S. and Dupont Avenue S.<br />
“We Want You Back”<br />
Initiative<br />
Minneapolis Public Schools and<br />
the Youth Coordinating Board<br />
have joined forces to raise public<br />
awareness about the dropout<br />
crisis and graduation gap in<br />
Minneapolis, and will be<br />
enlisting the entire community’s<br />
help to resolve it. “We Want You<br />
Back” is hoping to invite 200 unenrolled<br />
young people to come<br />
back to school, complete their<br />
credits, and get their diploma.<br />
The Youth Coordinating Board<br />
plans to mobilize and train as<br />
many as 1,000 volunteers to<br />
connect with young people who<br />
want to return to school. The<br />
campaign’s strategy includes a<br />
summer-long push of community<br />
outreach at more than 30 events<br />
to generate awareness,<br />
culminating in a citywide doorknocking<br />
event the second<br />
Saturday after school starts,<br />
September 11, 2010.<br />
For more information or to sign<br />
up as a volunteer, please visit<br />
http://www.ycb.org/initiatives/<br />
we_want_you_back/.<br />
Midtown Greenway Challenge<br />
The first-annual Greenway<br />
Challenge will highlight<br />
committed Twin Cities riders in a<br />
bike-a-thon on the Midtown<br />
Greenway. The Challenge will<br />
take place on Saturday,<br />
September 25 th , and is a 44-mile<br />
(four loops of the Greenway)<br />
bicycle ride. Participants will be<br />
asked to raise at least $250 in<br />
pledge support from friends and<br />
family.<br />
Riders will be delighted<br />
by live music, colorful<br />
community art, and delicious<br />
snacks along all 5.5 miles of the<br />
Greenway trail. Sign up with<br />
your friends, raise pledges to<br />
support the Greenway, and enjoy<br />
a festival Saturday on the trail.<br />
For more information, visit http://<br />
www.midtowngreenway.org/<br />
GreenwayChallenge.html.<br />
Meet with Meg for Lunch!<br />
Meet with Meg for lunch on<br />
Tuesday, September 14 th from 12<br />
p.m. to 1 p.m. at the 5 th Precinct’s<br />
Community Room (3101 Nicollet<br />
Avenue S). Meet with Meg is a<br />
time for you to talk with her, ask<br />
questions, and voice concerns.<br />
Bring your sack lunch! Cookies<br />
and lemonade will be provided.<br />
Meet with Meg will be held the<br />
second Tuesday of every month.<br />
We are still looking for your<br />
input about who you would like<br />
to see at Meet with Meg for<br />
Lunch. We would like to start<br />
inviting local and city officials to<br />
Meet with Meg and we need your<br />
help! If you have any ideas<br />
whom you would like to hear<br />
from or of a topic that is of<br />
interest to you, please email 10 th<br />
ward associate Breanna Patsch:<br />
breanna.patsch@ci.minneapolis.<br />
mn.us.<br />
<strong>Than</strong>k You for a Great<br />
National Night Out!<br />
The 10 th Ward had a fantastic<br />
National Night Out! Many block<br />
parties received visits from<br />
firefighters and police officers.<br />
Meg and her Aide Leslie visited<br />
about a dozen block parties. They<br />
had a wonderful time meeting<br />
and talking with residents.<br />
The City is seeking photos and<br />
videos of your 2010 National<br />
Night Out Block Party to<br />
document Minneapolis National<br />
Night Out this year. Please send<br />
your five best photos (in digital<br />
format, on a CD) or your event<br />
footage (on a DVD or mini DV)<br />
to:<br />
CPS Don Greeley, 3 rd Precinct,<br />
Minneapolis Police Dept.<br />
3000 Minnehaha Ave.<br />
Minneapolis, MN 55406<br />
(612) 673 -3482<br />
Please keep copies; photos and<br />
videos will not be returned.<br />
You can also email your photos<br />
and videos to<br />
donald.greeley@ci.minneapolis.<br />
mn.us.<br />
Please include the location of<br />
your block party and contact<br />
information.<br />
Please submit your photos and<br />
videos by August 18, 2010.<br />
Landscape Architect Needed<br />
for Peavey Plaza Revitalization<br />
The City of Minneapolis, in<br />
cooperation with the Minnesota<br />
Orchestral Association (MOA), is<br />
calling for Requests for<br />
Qualifications (RFQ) for<br />
landscape architecture design<br />
services for the revitalization of<br />
Peavey Plaza on Nicollet Mall in<br />
downtown Minneapolis. The<br />
purpose of the call is to solicit<br />
qualifications from interested<br />
landscape architecture firms.<br />
The City and the MOA<br />
are collaborating in the<br />
revitalization of Peavey Plaza<br />
and Orchestra Hall, which are<br />
adjacent to one another and<br />
together comprise a full city<br />
block, as a single project.<br />
Information can be found at the<br />
City’s Request for Proposals<br />
webpage: http://<br />
www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cped/<br />
rfp.asp. Qualifications are due on<br />
or before Friday, August 20, 2010<br />
at 2:30pm.<br />
Phase I of the project, which<br />
includes concept design and<br />
budget development, will get<br />
underway in January 2011;<br />
construction is to be completed<br />
by the fall of 2012.<br />
Attention: If you want help<br />
translating this information into a<br />
language other than Hmong,<br />
Spanish or Somali, please call<br />
311.<br />
Hmong - Ceeb toom. Yog koj xav<br />
tau kev pab txhais cov xov no rau<br />
koj dawb, hu 612-673-2800;<br />
Spanish - Atención. Si desea<br />
recibir asistencia gratuita para<br />
traducir esta información, llama<br />
612-673-2700;<br />
Somali - Ogow. Haddii aad<br />
dooneyso in lagaa kaalmeeyo<br />
tarjamadda macluumaadkani oo<br />
lacag la’ aan wac 612-673-3500.<br />
BACK ISSUES OF THE<br />
WEDGE ARE<br />
AVAILABLE IN PDF<br />
FORM AT<br />
WWW.THEWEDGE.ORG
PAGE 4 THE WEDGE VOL. 41, NO. 9 SEPTEMBER, 2010<br />
Hauser Dance offering free<br />
sample classes<br />
Hauser Dance, located at 1940 Hennepin Ave.,<br />
will offer free sample classes, dance videos, and a<br />
5-class card give-away at itsSaturday, September<br />
11 open house from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Hauser<br />
Dance offers modern dance classes that<br />
emphasize the principles of motion, the joy of<br />
moving and individual creativity. Classes include<br />
Technique, Improvisation, Yoga for Adults &<br />
Teens, Children's Creative Dance (ages 6 - 9),<br />
and Dance for the Ageless. For more information<br />
call 612.871.9077.<br />
Whoʼs that dog?<br />
Now that’s a galaxy of tea: Infinitea<br />
Teahouse has opened at 2827 Hennepin<br />
Avenue. For the full story, see p.6.<br />
OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE SEPTEMBER 11<br />
Dance for the Ageless: 9:00—10:00 a.m.<br />
Children 6 – 9 yrs: 10:00—10:45 a.m.<br />
Beginning Adult: 10:45—11:45 a.m.<br />
Informal Performance: 11:45—12:00 p.m.<br />
Mixed Level Adult: 12:00—1:00 p.m.<br />
Class card give-away: 1:00 p.m. ❍<br />
What's your name?<br />
Ellie<br />
What kind of a dog are you?<br />
No one really knows for sure . . . but I’m definitely part white<br />
German Shepherd and part huskie. I only have one eye now. I used to<br />
have both of them, but I couldn't see out of the one that's gone now. I<br />
got a little too curious about a cat one time, and it scratched me . . .<br />
and now I don't have that eye.<br />
How old are you?<br />
About four years.<br />
Who is your human?<br />
Amy Patee.<br />
What is your favorite place in the Wedge?<br />
Oh, that would have to be Urbanimal, the pet supply store on Lyndale.<br />
There are always cats there, and I'm very, very curious about them!<br />
What's your best trick?<br />
I have this great routine I've worked out with Amy. When I'm too hot<br />
and tired and need a break on our walks by the lake, I'll just suddenly<br />
DROP.<br />
It surprises Amy every time. She usually lets me rest for a while.<br />
Then, she says, “Okay, Ellie, 1...2...3!” And then I just hop up and<br />
RUN! It's great.<br />
What makes your human angry with you?<br />
Uh, sometimes when Amy is gone, and there's something good on the<br />
counter, well, I can't help myself. ❍<br />
Wedge music teacher accepting new students<br />
Hsu-hui (pron. Shoo-way) Wang, a Wedge resident, is<br />
currently accepting students between elementary-school<br />
age and high schoolers. She teaches beginners and more<br />
experienced students in piano and all band instruments.<br />
Parents looking to start their children on a musical<br />
instrument, or to supplement their instruction at school, are<br />
encouraged to call Hsu-hui at 612.377.0316.
SEPTEMBER, 2010<br />
❒ WEDGE HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE<br />
BY TRILBY BUSCH<br />
This is the fifth in a series about Wedge houses<br />
designed and built by Theron Potter Healy,<br />
Minneapolis’s most prolific master builder.<br />
2439 Bryant Avenue South<br />
Year Built: 1905<br />
Cost: $5,000<br />
First owners: Edward and Emma<br />
Goetzenberger<br />
Current owners: Anthony and Kate Roos<br />
To admirers of Prairie School Architecture, the name<br />
“Goetzenberger” will be forever associated with the<br />
1910 house at 2621 Emerson Avenue South, designed<br />
by the celebrated firm of Purcell, Feick & Elmslie.<br />
However, the<br />
Goetzenbergers owned<br />
another house in the<br />
Wedge, designed and built<br />
by T.P. Healy in 1905. In<br />
that year, 2439 Bryant<br />
was the only house Healy<br />
designed and built on his<br />
own, although he did<br />
build five other structures<br />
designed by architects<br />
Kenyon, Whitney, Dorr,<br />
and Kennedy. The<br />
building permit shows<br />
that the Goetzenbergers<br />
commissioned Healy to build the house; that is, it was<br />
not built on speculation, as were many other Healys.<br />
According to researcher Bob Glancy,<br />
Edward Goetzenberger was a sheet metal worker<br />
who specialized in furnace ductwork. His business<br />
was located at 2929 Lyndale Avenue South<br />
(currently Apotheca), an easy walk from his house<br />
on Bryant Avenue. The architectural firm of<br />
Purcell and Elmslie was founded in 1907, and<br />
Goetzenberger did the ductwork on Purcell’s own<br />
house. According to Purcell’s job notes, they<br />
became “fast friends.” Goetzenberger became part<br />
of the team for Purcell’s firm, a development that<br />
led to his decision to have them design a new (and<br />
smaller) Prairie School house for the family.<br />
As an architectural artisan, Goetzenberger<br />
was evidently well aware of the latest design<br />
trends. This may partially explain Healy’s marked<br />
departure from the Queen Anne style in his design<br />
for 2439 Bryant. The house is unique among<br />
Wedge Healy houses for its clean Colonial Revival<br />
façade, placed lengthwise on the lot—and for the<br />
fact that it is the only Twentieth Century Healybuilt<br />
house in the neighborhood.<br />
In the early 1900s, the Colonial Revival<br />
style was all the rage in domestic architecture.<br />
Brian Nelson, owner of the Cook House (2400<br />
Bryant), says that the Cooks told him that the<br />
Glueks (2447 Bryant) chided them for choosing a<br />
conservative, “outmoded” design for their home.<br />
Both houses were built in 1902, but the Kenyondesigned<br />
Gluek House conforms closely to the<br />
then-fashionable variant of the Colonial Revival,<br />
the Georgian Revival. A century later, this<br />
distinction is lost on most observers, but it certainly<br />
affected the designs people were choosing for the<br />
homes they built in the first decade of the 20 th<br />
century.<br />
Built three years after the other two<br />
houses, 2439 Bryant sits next door to the Gluek<br />
House. Although the Gluek House is justifiably the<br />
iconic house of the Wedge, in some ways, 2439<br />
Bryant is a more “correct” version of the Georgian<br />
Revival style: a gable roof with two front dormers,<br />
evenly spaced upper windows, and only dentils for<br />
exterior ornamentation. However, the off-center<br />
entry, window bay, and L-shaped porch are<br />
departures from the style (for comparison, see<br />
Colonial Williamsburg buildings).<br />
The design of 2439 Bryant is consistently<br />
spare throughout: large, airy rooms; many<br />
THE WEDGE VOL. 41, NO. 9<br />
T.P. Healy, “King of the Queen Anne” Part Five<br />
Tony and Kate Roos<br />
windows; mostly clear leaded glass; dark millwork;<br />
little ornament. The current owner, Tony Roos, says<br />
he was surprised to find that the house contains<br />
many design features similar to those of the Gluek<br />
House, notably the fireplace bricks, built-in<br />
bookcases, and deep-brown millwork staining. The<br />
house at 2439 Bryant stands in marked contrast to<br />
the Healy Queen Anne at 2424 Colfax, with its<br />
multitude of repeated motifs and ornament, and<br />
large palette of colors in the woodwork and<br />
windows. The parlor of 2439 Bryant has a plain<br />
fireplace mantel with brick facing (not tiles), with a<br />
nook on one side for fireside reading or<br />
conversation, and a bookcase on the other. Unlike<br />
Healy’s Queen Annes, 2439 has only one parlor, a<br />
spacious room spanning the entire front of the<br />
house.<br />
Like most Wedge Healy<br />
houses, 2439 Bryant has had<br />
a checkered past. After the<br />
Goetzenbergers moved, the<br />
house changed hands many<br />
times. During the<br />
Depression, the bank<br />
foreclosed on the property<br />
and it was sold via sheriff’s<br />
sale. The owner from<br />
1939-1963 was also plagued<br />
with financial woes, reflected<br />
in liens on the house. The<br />
next owner converted the<br />
property into a rooming house, cutting a door<br />
through the middle parlor window and partitioning<br />
up the structure. Each bedroom was a numbered<br />
unit. The late Tessie Bowman, who<br />
lived next door, told the current<br />
owners that at that time there were<br />
even tenants in the basement, who<br />
sometimes waved at her through<br />
small windows.<br />
The house was converted<br />
back into a single-family home by<br />
the owner who bought the property<br />
in the mid-1970s. She gamely<br />
went to work trying to restore the<br />
house, taking down old wallpaper<br />
and stripping paint from the<br />
millwork. After more than two<br />
decades of struggling with the<br />
house, she conceded defeat and<br />
sold it to Tony and Kate Roos, the<br />
current owners, who tackled the job with gusto.<br />
One of the stipulations of the sale was that the<br />
former owner was to leave all materials related to<br />
the house on site. Tony Roos was then able to reuse<br />
hardwood lumber and door hardware original to the<br />
house in his restoration.<br />
Unlike the other Healy houses in this<br />
series, the house at 2439 had a few significant<br />
structural problems. Tony had to install a steel<br />
beam to support the exterior kitchen wall. The<br />
front bay in the parlor has a 15-foot span that<br />
PAGE 5<br />
2439 Bryant exterior<br />
required a tear-out and rebuilding of the entire<br />
façade, with the addition of laminated support<br />
beams. Floor sags were fixed with jacks in the<br />
basement. Healy may be “King of the Queen<br />
Anne,” but apparently not of the Georgian Revival<br />
—at least not for 2439 Bryant.<br />
It’s impossible to know for certain why the<br />
house had structural problems, but one theory is<br />
that Healy, being unaccustomed to building in this<br />
style, underestimated the loads on various<br />
supporting members. “Perhaps Healy made some<br />
miscalculations in designing an open floor plan,”<br />
suggests Kate.<br />
Curiously, the original paint colors were<br />
battleship gray siding with charcoal black trim.<br />
Gray would not be an unusual choice for a house in<br />
this style, but such a dark trim color is very unusual.<br />
Whatever the reasons for the odd color scheme and<br />
structural flaws, the house, although anomalous for<br />
Interior fireplace<br />
Healy in more ways than one, nevertheless remains a<br />
handsome and functional family home.<br />
The final mystery is how Edward<br />
Goetzenberger, a man in the building trades, could<br />
afford to build a house on a block occupied by<br />
well-to-do business and professional people.<br />
Though we may never know the answer, one thing<br />
is certain: Edward and Emma Goetzenberger were<br />
architectural visionaries, evidenced in the<br />
remarkable houses they built at 2439 Bryant and<br />
2621 Emerson Avenues South. ❍
PAGE 6 THE WEDGE VOL. 41, NO. 9 SEPTEMBER, 2010<br />
Infinitaste at Infinitea<br />
New teahouse opens in Lowry Hill East<br />
❏ NEW FLAVORS<br />
BY KATHERINE HIMES<br />
With more than 200 loose-leaf teas, test-tube samples that allow you to smell the herbal tisanes,<br />
delicious green blends, and rooibos blends, Infinitea Teahouse is a must-visit addition to the<br />
neighborhood. Tea aficionados previously had to order this caliber of tea online or (gasp!) trek over<br />
to a brick-and-mortar store in St. Paul. Now aficionados and newbies alike can venture over to the<br />
attractive storefront at 2827 Hennepin Avenue South and explore the wonderful world of tea.<br />
Infinitea got its start in Eau Claire, WI, but the owner wanted to offer high-quality tea to his<br />
hometown, Minneapolis. He got his wish when the business’ second location opened in May.<br />
Word has spread rapidly about the store. Infinitea won the Uptown Association’s best drink<br />
competition with their take on the Pu-erh Palmer, a twist on the Arnie Palmer. What’s Pu-erh? Nate,<br />
Infinitea’s manager, explained it as a Chinese tea that’s buried underground, where it ferments<br />
and releases a delicious flavor. The staff mixes the tea in a martini shaker with lime, raspberry,<br />
lemonade, and a secret herbal blend to create a unique drink. Sounds like a fantastic way to savor the<br />
last days of summer.<br />
New to tea? Then try one of their classes on Tuesday nights at 7:30 p.m. For $10, you can learn<br />
about (and taste) tea and chocolate pairings, Chinese and Japanese green tea ceremonies, and<br />
caffeine-free teas. Not so interested in tea? Then check out the featured local art and music concerts.<br />
Infinitea also hosts custom events, such as tea ceremonies and bridal showers. One of their staff,<br />
David, was trained by a Taiwanese tea master, and is certified to do Chinese tea tasting.<br />
<strong>Just</strong> want to stop in on a walk home from Uptown? Treat your taste buds to cups of tea, pots of<br />
tea, iced teas, and tea sodas. Any of the 200 loose-leaf teas can be made into iced tea, so try that<br />
yellow bud, the martial arts blend, and gunpowder green. I’ve got my eye on the Jamaican rooibos.<br />
For more information: http://www.infiniteateahouse.com/ or 612-871-390. Infinitea is open Sundays<br />
noon—midnight, and Monday—Saturday 10 a.m.—midnight. ❍<br />
—PALIO from p. 1<br />
than a horse race. This is about pride of place<br />
and strong communal spirit. She returned<br />
home, and with the help of other neighbors,<br />
organized the first <strong>Palio</strong> in Kenwood Park (true<br />
story, honest).<br />
Since then, the area surrounding Lake<br />
of the Isles—Kenwood, East Isles, Lowry Hill<br />
West, Lowry Hill East, and Cedar Isles Dean—<br />
has come together united under colors and<br />
mascots to parade into Kenwood Park from<br />
their respective neighborhoods. Residents from<br />
Kenwood dress as red egrets, those from East<br />
Isles are blue raccoons, the green turtles hail<br />
from Lowry Hill West, the purple squirrels<br />
from Lowry Hill East, and the yellow foxes<br />
from Cedar Isles Dean. Judges award prizes for<br />
costumes, spirit, and creativity. The Corner<br />
Balloon Shoppe will generously donate parade<br />
balloons this year.<br />
To join in the LHENA parade, gather at<br />
12 p.m. at Triangle Park at 24 th and Irving for<br />
face painting, costumes for kids and pets,<br />
bicycle decorating, and to learn the purple<br />
squirrel cheer. Our parade will depart at 12:30<br />
p.m. Together, we’ll walk, bicycle, and roller<br />
blade our way to Kenwood Park. Participants<br />
are encouraged to wear purple and to bring<br />
along anything squirrel-themed. Noisemakers<br />
and musical instruments are welcome.<br />
HOME RESTORATION,<br />
REMODELING AND REPAIR<br />
Resident of the Wedge. All projects considered.<br />
Handyman services. Great service and quality.<br />
Licensed and insured. Dan 612-655-4961.<br />
SALES & SALVAGE<br />
of reusable building materials. Better Homes &<br />
Garbage. Shop online at www.BHandGarbage.com.<br />
Sales by appointment. Warehouse - 2829 Emerson<br />
Ave.S. Joe Knaeble 612-644-9412<br />
DRAGONFLY DESIGN AND LANDSCAPE LLC<br />
**Spring Specials**, Clean-Up, Gardens, Landscape<br />
and Much <strong>More</strong>! Landscape Architect and Arborist on<br />
Staff.<br />
Call 612-529-5957 or e-mail:<br />
jfjeldseth@dragonflydesignandlandscapellc.com.<br />
Hurry now to reserve your spot!<br />
After the parades come together in<br />
Kenwood Park, participants will enjoy food,<br />
games, art, and music. Continuing the tradition<br />
of friendly neighborhood rivalry, this year,<br />
adults will compete in bocce and badminton<br />
(yes, for trophies!), and neighborhood groups<br />
will vie in a Battle of the Bands competition<br />
for a chance to perform at the Bryant Lake<br />
Bowl. The Walker Art Museum will organize a<br />
variety of art activities, and D’Amico’s,<br />
Kowalski’s, Red’s Savoy Pizza, and Isles Buns<br />
will provide great food.<br />
Resident groups that are sponsors<br />
include Kenwood Isles Area Association, East<br />
Isles Residents Association, Lowry Hill<br />
Residents, Inc., and Lowry Hill East<br />
<strong>Neighborhood</strong> Association. Each year,<br />
proceeds from <strong>Palio</strong> benefit Kenwood Park and<br />
Recreation Center and other neighborhoodimprovement<br />
projects.<br />
Volunteers are needed to organize and<br />
staff this wonderful event. Please contact Kristi<br />
Pearson at kpearson1920@comcast.net to sign<br />
up for one hour of the following events: set up/<br />
clean up, ticket sales, food and beverage, and<br />
games. Volunteers can be ages 12 and up.<br />
Come, meet your neighbors and take part in a<br />
28-year neighborhood tradition! ❍<br />
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS<br />
Each resident of Lowry Hill East receives one FREE classified advertisement per year,<br />
with a limit of 25 words. After the ad has run, subsequent ads must be prepaid one of two ways:<br />
to the LHENA office at Jefferson School (1200 W. 26th St., Room 107), or to ad representative Susan<br />
Hagler (612-825-7780). Non-neighborhood/after-free-ad cost is $0.40 cents/word. Cost is per month.<br />
The Wedge reserves the right to refuse any ad.<br />
CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING<br />
Save 20%-2 rooms starting at $59<br />
Dave 612-721-5105 (office)<br />
612-636-3073 (cell)<br />
ATHEIST/AGNOSTIC AA SUNDAYS 6pm<br />
3249 Hennepin Ave S, Ste 55, 612.710.4467<br />
AACEHAULINGSERVICES.COM<br />
Rubbish removal & containers 5-18yds<br />
since 1979, 952-894-7470<br />
HOME DETECTIVE<br />
Services: Document and preserve the history of your<br />
home. Learn about the people who built your home<br />
through 1940. Basic package, $75. Detailed history<br />
and research, $150. Kathy Kullberg, 612.374.4456.<br />
Art in Nature ~ Nature in Art<br />
Afternoon & Afterschool<br />
Eleven to Adult<br />
B-Girl Be “Carnival!” takes over<br />
Intermedia Arts<br />
❐ ARTS<br />
BY VANESSA MOORE ARDOLINO<br />
There are few events in the Twin Cities as unique, passion-filled, and<br />
empowering as the annual B-Girl Be festival at Intermedia Arts. This<br />
celebration of women in hip-hop culture—Dance, DJ-ing, MC-ing, and<br />
art—has been growing in popularity and national renown since its<br />
founding in 2005. This year, with the title, “Carnival!,” expect a<br />
raucous three-ring circus of entertainment.<br />
The main attraction is the block party, noon-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4.<br />
Stop by to watch women from around the nation show off their skills in<br />
dance, live mural painting, music, film, and in the art marketplace. A<br />
highlight is the “Vocal Acrobatics” show, 6-10 p.m. Female and male MCs<br />
will put their talents to the test in a battle of words.<br />
In the gallery, seven visual artists are showcased in “Sideshow.”<br />
Powerful emotions reach out from the mediums of collage, painting,<br />
and even embroidery. Over and over, the women tie the meaning of a<br />
human heartbeat to the beat of music. “Sideshow” will be up until<br />
Saturday, Sept. 18.<br />
Hip-hop dancers get three events to showcase their skills. “Flava<br />
Tamers,” (8 p.m. Thursday, September 2, and 3 p.m. Sunday, September<br />
5) is a great way to discover a lot of up-and-coming talent. Catch local<br />
and national stars during “Beat Contortionists,” 8 p.m. Friday, September<br />
3, and during the block party, 2 p.m. Saturday, September 4. For “the very<br />
essence of hip-hop dance,” attend “Decipher This,” 10 p.m. Saturday,<br />
September 4, during the block party. The dancers will improvise their<br />
moves as they trade off in the spotlight.<br />
“Soothsayers: Spoken Word at the Sugar Shack” will take place 10<br />
p.m. Friday, September 3. Hosted by local spoken-word star<br />
Desdemona, this night of poetry should be electrifying.<br />
It is heartening to see this much activity at IA. After taking<br />
emergency measures to compensate for a significant loss of funding<br />
from corporate sponsors in December 2008, the arts center recently<br />
learned it would receive a financial shot in the arm. The Michiganbased<br />
Kresge Foundation is granting IA $200,000. It will receive<br />
$125,000 during the upcoming fiscal year and $75,000 during the next.<br />
The money will go toward general operating costs.<br />
Intermedia Arts is located at 2822 Lyndale Avenue South. For more<br />
information call 612-871-4444. ❍<br />
Upcoming at the Walker Library<br />
❐ LIBRARY EVENTS<br />
BY GARY THADEN<br />
Master Gardener: Fall Yard and Garden Care<br />
Saturday, Sept. 25, 10:30a.m.–noon.<br />
Open Poetry Reading<br />
Thursday, Sept. 9, 6:30p.m.–8 pm.<br />
Health Insurance Counseling for Seniors<br />
Thursday, Sept. 16, 12:30–3:30 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 7, 12:30–<br />
3:30 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 21, 12:30–3:30 p.m. Registration required,<br />
begins Aug 19. A certified State Health Insurance counselor will assist<br />
with senior health insurance.<br />
MacPhail Center for Music: Sing, Play, Learn!<br />
Wednesdays, Sept. 22–Oct. 13, 10:30 a.m. Registration required,<br />
begins Aug 25 for kids in preschool.<br />
First Pages: The Fine Print - How Do I Get Published?<br />
Thursday, Sept. 23, 6:30–7:30 p.m. Practical information for increasing<br />
your chances of getting published. Get answers to questions and<br />
guidance on the research that needs to be done to understand the<br />
publishing process<br />
Find Local and Online Book Clubs<br />
Love to read and share your thoughts about books with others? You can<br />
find a local or online book discussion group, tips on how to generate<br />
good book discussions, and other useful info on our<br />
www.BookSpace.org pages.<br />
Downloadable Books<br />
Hennepin County is experimenting with downloadable eBooks.<br />
Downloadable eBooks are available for check out at www.hclib.org/<br />
pub/search/Downloads.cfm. Almost 700 titles are available during this<br />
launch, including adult, teen, and children’s bestsellers, new releases,<br />
and classics. The Hennepin County Library’s collection from OverDrive<br />
uses standard Adobe protection (Adobe Digital Editions), therefore<br />
HCL’s eBooks cannot be downloaded to a Kindle. OverDrive is in the<br />
process of developing applications that will allow their eBooks to be<br />
downloaded to smart phones (Android, iPhone) and the Apple iPad, but<br />
at this time the iPad is not a supported reading device. In addition to<br />
eBooks, you can download audio books, movies, and music files—all<br />
for free. ❍
SEPTEMBER, 2010<br />
THE WEDGE VOL. 41, NO. 9<br />
Miss Sterrett’s School—A Wedge History of Strong Women and Their Drive to Educate (Part 1)<br />
Editor’s Note: This is the first<br />
installment of an edited history of<br />
Miss Sterrett’s School and Miss<br />
Wood’s Kindergarten-Primary<br />
Training School, formerly located at<br />
2017 Bryant Avenue South, Lowry<br />
Hill East. The remainder of the series<br />
will appear in future issues of the<br />
Wedge.<br />
❐ WEDGE HISTORY<br />
BY KATHLEEN KULLBERG<br />
Children’s education has always been<br />
one of the top local priorities,<br />
beginning with the early founders of<br />
the new communities of St. Anthony<br />
and Minneapolis. In the early dawn of<br />
the village of St. Anthony in 1848,<br />
the small body of residents gladly<br />
accepted the offer of the Ard Godfrey<br />
home as an occasional site for school<br />
lessons until a suitable building could<br />
be erected. As the population rapidly<br />
increased, so did the urgency to<br />
provide schools for its youngsters.<br />
When industry and the<br />
population expanded across the<br />
Mississippi after 1851, it was only<br />
logical that schools should follow suit<br />
—though most were built on the near<br />
north and St. Anthony side of the<br />
river, until more permanent bridges<br />
could be built for accessibility. Mass<br />
transportation was still a major<br />
obstacle, and most children had to<br />
walk to school. Children under five<br />
years stayed at home, because there<br />
was no curriculum for the very<br />
young.<br />
Rapid growth and expansion on the<br />
west side of the river soon followed<br />
the advent of the rapid transit<br />
streetcar network, with families<br />
moving farther out into new<br />
developments such as Kenwood and<br />
Lowry Hill, and to the farms along<br />
the southern edge of Hennepin<br />
County. By 1872, the southern<br />
boundary of the City was Franklin<br />
Avenue—and it was vital to provide<br />
schools for this burgeoning<br />
community.<br />
Still, at this time there was no<br />
provision for educating the very<br />
young—under five years old—until a<br />
small group of public-spirited citizens<br />
organized the Minneapolis<br />
Kindergarten Association in April of<br />
1892. Its main objective was to<br />
promote and make the new European<br />
concept of kindergartens part of the<br />
public school system so that every<br />
child could have the benefit of early<br />
childhood education.<br />
The first meeting of those<br />
concerned citizens, among them Mrs.<br />
Jacob. H. Cook and Mrs. Charles W.<br />
Keyes, was so enthusiastic that,<br />
before adjourning, organizational<br />
plans and the goal of encouraging<br />
public support were developed. At<br />
that first large meeting at Plymouth<br />
Church on April 22, 1892, Judge<br />
Robert D. Russell offered a resolution<br />
in support of establishing public<br />
kindergartens. Dr. Marion D. Shutter<br />
was made permanent chairman of the<br />
new Minneapolis Kindergarten<br />
Association.<br />
The general public forwarded the<br />
idea and donated large contributions,<br />
and the first Association kindergarten<br />
was opened in St. Mark's Episcopal<br />
Church downtown. Mrs. Elsie Payne<br />
Adams of Chicago was hired as the<br />
first superintendent and supervisor in<br />
charge of both the training classes in<br />
the normal school and the<br />
kindergartens. However, a<br />
specialized program for training<br />
teachers only for kindergarten was in<br />
its early infancy.<br />
In 1896, a fortunate turn of<br />
events elected Stella Louise Wood of<br />
Chicago to replace Jean MacArthur,<br />
who had begun a teacher training<br />
school in Gethsemane Church.<br />
Kindergarten teachers never had a<br />
targeted curriculum until the advent<br />
of the training school at this time.<br />
This first school had 15 student<br />
teachers in all: 10 seniors and five<br />
juniors. By the first annual meeting of<br />
the Association, five kindergartens<br />
had been supported (though not<br />
located in public schools). Among<br />
those early citizens was Mrs. Thomas<br />
Lowry, who tirelessly donated her<br />
time to raise money for the program.<br />
The teacher training school<br />
moved several times downtown from<br />
church to church, and even shared<br />
space at the YWCA for physical<br />
PAGE 7<br />
education classes, and with the<br />
Handicraft Guild on Tenth Street for<br />
art classes. Finally, in 1913, most<br />
classes were held at Wells Memorial<br />
Settlement House on Eleventh<br />
Street. By 1905, the name of the<br />
school permanently changed to Miss<br />
Wood’s Kindergarten-Primary<br />
Training School, and focused solely<br />
on graduating competent<br />
kindergarten-through-third-grade<br />
teachers.<br />
Miss Sterrett’s School History<br />
The first kindergarten in connection<br />
with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church was<br />
established in the early days of the<br />
1880s, when the church was located<br />
on Hennepin and 12 th . In 1901, St.<br />
Paul’s was physically cut into three<br />
sections and moved up the hill by<br />
horse drawn vehicles to its new<br />
location at the corner of West<br />
Franklin and Bryant Avenues. There it<br />
stood until demolished in 1965 and<br />
replaced by the current Tower<br />
Apartments.<br />
Because of the economic<br />
conditions of the day, the burgeoning<br />
interest in primary schools, and the<br />
lack of suitable facilities in Lowry<br />
Hill East, St. Paul’s Vestry in 1910<br />
was advised to carry on teaching<br />
some of the children beyond<br />
kindergarten age—and so a primary<br />
school was established under the<br />
direction of Miss Margaret Sterrett, a<br />
former teacher at Peabody Public<br />
School and a member of the parish.<br />
This school met in the main room of<br />
the Parish House located at 2012<br />
Aldrich, but it soon grew to such<br />
proportions that Sterrett decided to<br />
move. ❍ TO BE CONTINUED<br />
Stella Wood<br />
Walker Library Update<br />
From Hennepin County Commissioner,<br />
3rd District, Gail Dorfman<br />
The Request For Proposals was issued last month and<br />
essentially represented the vision and guidelines<br />
established by the Walker Community Advisory<br />
Committee (CAC). 21 architecture firms responded with<br />
proposals. Most were local, but a couple were out-of-state<br />
firms partnering with local ones.<br />
The Hennepin County Designer Selection<br />
Committee is in the process of scheduling in-person<br />
interviews with firms to review proposals. They’ve<br />
narrowed it down to five to ten firms. After the interviews,<br />
they’ll select two or three to recommend to the County<br />
Board. The Board will probably consider the<br />
recommendations in late August or early September. Once<br />
a firm is selected, that firm will begin working with the<br />
Community Advisory Committee as they get into the<br />
details of design. I think there’s an opportunity, if<br />
neighborhoods are interested, to expand participation in<br />
the CAC. The CAC will also be advising the design firm<br />
on ways to engage more members of the public. I’m<br />
interested in enhancing public outreach over the next year<br />
to make sure the library meets the community vision and<br />
includes public space, programming, collection materials,<br />
etc. that meet community needs.<br />
For more information go to www.hclib.org/cac or<br />
contact Commissioner Dorfman at 612.348.7883 or<br />
Gail.Dorfman@co.hennepin.mn.us.❍<br />
<br />
<br />
At any one of our neighborhood clinics, you’ll find a full<br />
range of primary and specialty care services, ready<br />
when you need them most. From pregnancy care to<br />
physical exams to senior care, your family has a home for<br />
healthcare – right in the neighborhood.<br />
Call 612-873-3300 for same<br />
or next day appointments.<br />
www.hcmc.org/clinics<br />
<strong>Neighborhood</strong> Clinics<br />
BROOKLYN CENTER | BLOOMINGTON | RICHFIELD | SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS | EAST LAKE
PAGE 8 THE WEDGE VOL. 41, NO. 9 SEPTEMBER, 2010<br />
THE WEDGE IS ON FACEBOOK:<br />
www.facebook.com/TheWedge<strong>Neighborhood</strong><br />
CHECK FOR NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS, EVENTS,<br />
AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES.<br />
BECOME A FRIEND TODAY!<br />
<br />
<br />
LETTERS,<br />
COMMENTS, AND<br />
INSIGHTS: SEND TO<br />
WEDGE.EDITOR@<br />
YAHOO.COM<br />
Quick Check Express – walk-in<br />
care for patients with minor illnesses at<br />
Park Nicollet—Minneapolis.<br />
• Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday<br />
• No appointment needed<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
• Open to anyone – not just Park Nicollet patients<br />
• All major insurances accepted<br />
• On-site pharmacy<br />
• Convenient location with free parking<br />
Mary M.<br />
Trondson<br />
Insurance<br />
Agency, Inc.<br />
3430 Nicollet Avenue South, Mpls.<br />
Phone: 612.823.4111<br />
FAX: 612.823.1787<br />
mary.trondson.gs6v@statefarm.com<br />
c Uptown <strong>Neighborhood</strong> News<br />
For more information call 952-993-8000<br />
or visit parknicollet.com.<br />
Park Nicollet Clinic—Minneapolis • 2001 Blaisdell Ave. S.