NEIGHBORHOOD NOTES | Paddlesculpt opens in Standish-Ericcson

By Tesha Christensen, Neighborhood Notes

November 17, 2013

“Indoor rowing is the perfect exercise for nearly everyone,” said Paddlesculpt owner and instructor Dori Johnson.  “It’s a sport that gets you in shape, but is low impact and easy on the joints.  Our classes are high energy, supportive, and fun for non-rowers as well as for those with more experience.”

Minneapolis’ first indoor rowing studio has opened in the Standish-Ericcson neighborhood.
Located next to Chris and Rob’s restaurant, Paddlesculpt moved into the spot recently vacated by Vintage Barber.

Owner Dori Johnson was close to waiting on her dream of a bricks and motar studio until fall 2014. But then she passed by 4205 31st Ave. S. when she took a different path home from rowing practice one morning. The location is a “little cozy,” according to Johnson, but she views it as a great start. With three children and a busy life, it was important for her to find something close to home and the building at 4205 31st Ave. S. is just three minutes away.
Johnson has been competing in the sport of rowing for almost 20 years. A former collegiate rower, Johnson is a 2013 US Rowing Masters National Champion and holds her USRowing Level 2 Instructor certification. She’s also a certified World Paddling Association instructor, Crossfit trainer, and Paddlefit instructor. While enjoying the competitive aspects of rowing, she also loves the experience of a great workout and just going out for a leisurely paddle.
Two years ago, Johnson began holding paddleboard classes on Lake Nokomis. Last year, she began teaching indoor rowing fitness classes and coaches CrossFit at Tangletown CrossFit. (Those classes will continue on Monday and Wednesday mornings.) She intends to keep a scaled down schedule in the summer when paddleboard fitness and rowing lessons at Lake Nokomis picks back up in June.
“The response has been amazing and I have had a following since launching classes last year at Tangletown CrossFit,” said Johnson.
“What I love about my classes is keeping people fit and helping them reach fitness goals! My classes are a great way to cross train in the off season for any endurance sport or anyone looking for a different interval- or endurance-based workout. Introducing the benefits of rowing to people and coaching rowers who need improvement in their stroke is part of my goal, as well.”
Her larger vision for PaddleSculpt is to have a space to run indoor rowing classes, 1:1 training and paddleboard sales.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ROWING?
Using indoor rowing machines, participants at Paddlesculpt’s rowing classes burn more than 600 calories a class—moving every major muscle group. Sculpt your body, strengthen your core, improve your balance and increase your overall well being.
RowSculpt classes are a full body circuit/rowing/Bootcamp style workout. Johnson also offers rowing-only classes: Row 1 Beginner, Row 2 Intermediate, and Row 3 advanced.
“Indoor rowing is the perfect exercise for nearly everyone,” said Johnson.  “It’s a sport that gets you in shape, but is low impact and easy on the joints.  Our classes are high energy, supportive, and fun for non-rowers as well as for those with more experience.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To sign up, please go to PaddleSculpt.com.  For more information, call 612.817.2600.

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

By Tesha Christensen, Neighborhood Notes

November 15, 2013

Cub Scout Pack 38 Cubmaster Dan Fehler and his children walk through the neighborhood selling popcorn and wreaths.  Most of the activities for the pack are paid for through the Fall Popcorn/Christmas Wreath Fundraiser.

Cub Scouts is all about "Fun With Purpose,” according to Cub Scout Pack 38 Cubmaster Dan Fehler.
At the Bicycle Rodeo last June at Northrup Elementary School the boys had fun testing their skills on their bikes and "pack riding" around a large, circular course. Experienced adults also gave lessons that are important to bike owners, such as properly fitting a helmet, patching an inner tube, and correctly locking up a bicycle.

As a parent, Fehler has seen boys come to scouting from all over the spectrum.  “Some are highly skilled with sports, and love nothing better than a fast-paced kickball game, and love taking on the challenge of trying their skills at tennis or volleyball,” he observed.
“Some boys love nothing more then digging in a book, reading about nature, history, citizenship, or valuable life skills.
“Some boys love trying new things and earning every last award on the list. Some boys have varying degrees of learning disabilities and comfort in different social settings, which means they would love their smaller Den meetings, or may feel lost at our larger Pack meetings.  Some boys are ready in Kindergarten, some come in 5th grade, but any boy can join at any time.
“In all cases, we try to provide  activities that any boy can enjoy and excel at.”
FUN ACTIVITIES
Last year Pack 38 held two family camps, one in the fall and again in the spring, at Phillipo Scout Reservation in Cannon Falls, Minn. “We rent a shelter/lodge with a wood stove and gas cooking ranges, and pitch our tents around the outside and ‘camp,’ explained Fehler. “The closeness of Phillipo (its a 40-minute drive) and having a shelter (with sleeping mats) available make it very accessible to first-time campers. If we have trained leaders available, we can reserve am hour or two at the Archery or BB Gun ranges.  And we try to take every opportunity to get the boys to try things for themselves, like learning how to correctly start a campfire, how to cook their own camp dinners, and most importantly how to clean up the campsite and 'Leave No Trace' when we are finished."
Pack 38 enjoys a different activity once a month, usually local. "We take short hikes in our local parks. Finding the cave at Minnehaha Falls is always fun, even when you learn about geology," said Fehler.
"We take local tours of police and fire stations (rotating every few years so boys who have been in the program multiple years don't see the same place again and again), and visit museums (like the Hennepin Overland Model Train museum last November).  Sometimes we have a guest speaker come in and talk to our pack, like the Mad Scientists of Minnesota or the Raptor Center.  Sometimes, its just as simple as a sledding day at Sibley Park with all of your Cub Scout friends.”
The pack also participates in service projects, such as building care packages for St. Joseph's Home for Children, and holding a sock drive for St. Stephen's Human Services.
There are some activities that are part of every year. In September the pack marches in the St. Helena Autumn Daze Parade.  The Pinewood Derby is every March. Each boy gets a block of wood and some wheels. While learning how to safely use tools they cut, sand, and hammer the kit into something that looks like a car. There are special awards at the race for being creative and having the best paint job.
CHALLENGES FOR WEBELOS
The older boys in 4th to 5th grade, the Webelos, take on more challenging activities to get them ready for joining a Boy Scout Troop.  These include hiking up to three miles, learning about poisonous plants and venomous animals in Minnesota, and taking more initiative in deciding/planning their own adventures, according to Fehler.
“At this age boys are starting to chafe at anything that smacks of ‘kid stuff’ and are ready for greater independence,” Fehler noted.
When they turn 11 or earn their Arrow of Light, they are ready to join the Boy Scouts of Troop 38.
SKILLS TO BE A BETTER CITIZEN
Fehler most enjoys seeing the boys in his pack demonstrate leadership qualities. “That can mean anything from helping another scout who is having trouble, listening when its time to listen (knowing that the time to be loud is usually just around the corner), and showing confidence and fearlessness in front of a group of boys their own age,” said Fehler.
“It takes guts to stand up in front of a crowd and tell a knock-knock-joke or lead everyone in singing a silly song, but these will be the skills that will make a boy a better scout and a better citizen.”
MONTHLY MEETINGS
Pack 38 has Pack meetings once a month, usually on the third Thursday, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at St. Helena Catholic School (3200 E. 44th St.). The November Pack meeting will be on Nov. 21.
Pack meetings are designed for the whole family to participate in, with large-group games and activities, pointed out Fehler. Pack 38 also has Den Meetings once or twice a month (depending on the age of the boys).  Den Meetings are small-group activity focused.  In K-1st grade, a parent should attend the Den Meeting with a scout, but they can drop them off at older grades.
The next weekend activities include Roller Skating on Saturday, Nov. 23, and participating in "Wreathes Across America" at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 14.
Pack 38 charges a one-year registration fee for new scouts, and most of the activities are paid for through the Fall Popcorn/Christmas Wreath Fundraiser.  Camping and some activities may have an additional cost.
The Boy Scout Troop 38 at St. Helena Catholic Church dates back almost 90 years, and Fehler believes that the Cub Scout Troop started shortly after the national launch of the program for younger boys in 1930.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information, contact Dan Fehler at Cubmaster 38.com or 612-724-6284.  Check out www.BSAPack38.org.

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Southeast Como residents at risk for TCE

Residents urged to participate in testing to determine whether dangerous vapors have entered their homes through basements

by Tesha M. Christensen

Southeast Como residents are being urged to have their homes tested for a potentially harmful vapor.

“The most important thing right now is for residents and property owners within the designated area to sign up to have the testing done at their property,” noted Julie Kadrie of the Minnesota Department of Health.

The testing and any mitigation needed will be free for residents.

Officials don’t yet know if chemicals vapors are getting into people’s homes through their basements, and that’s why they are asking the 200 affected residents to cooperate and have their homes tested.

Over 160 people showed up at meetings in mid-November to learn about the issues, and 68 access agreements were signed. According to Kadrie, “In general, people seemed most concerned with past and current exposures, history of site, property values, making sure that everyone knows about it in the neighborhood, what is going to happen next, who will pay for remediation, and how will information be distributed.”

THE PROBLEM

The issue in the Como neighborhood of Minneapolis stems from when General Mills conducted chemical research at property it owned at 2010 East Hennepin Ave. From 1947 until 1962, workers dumped volatile organic compound (VOC) solvents, primarily trichloroethylene (TCE,) in a soil absorption pit.

General Mills has been working to clean up the site since 1985. In 2010, TCE concentrations were low enough that the pump-out system was shut down.

However, some of the groundwater in the area is still contaminated with TCE, and could release TCE vapor that can rise through the soil and seep through basement and foundation cracks into homes and other buildings, where it could be inhaled by people. This is known as “vapor intrusion.”

Testing in October within the right-of-way revealed TCE levels soil gas samples, which prompted this recent alert.

HEALTH CONCERNS

TCE is most dangerous for unborn children, infants, children, and people with impaired immune systems.

Drinking water in the area has never been a health issue as this area is served by city water and there were no wells that drew from the contaminated plume.

Long-term exposure to TCE has been associated with liver, kidney and blood cancers, as well as fetal heart abnormalities. Health officials are also concerned about some of the short-term effects of inhaling vapors from the solvent.

The birth defect registry does not indicate any current problems. However, Kadrie cautioned that birth defects surveillance is in its early stages of development in Minnesota, and data for the 55414 zip code only dates from 2006-2010. “It takes many years to collect enough data to be able to identify trends in the occurrence of birth defects,” Kadrie said. “MDH monitors 46 structural birth defects and 15 of those are congenital heart defects. Hennepin and Ramsey counties are the counties where congenital heart defect data has been collected the longest in Minnesota.”

Officials have not yet received data on cancer rates from the Cancer Surveillance System, which goes back to the late 1980s.

THE FIX

If TCE levels in the soil beneath any building or home are above the safe level set by the MPCA and the MDH, General Mills will install vapor ventilation systems, which work like radon mitigation systems.

Some people may be able to detect TCE at levels lower than the reported odor threshold, while others may only detect it at higher concentrations. Officials stress that just because you can’t smell TCE doesn’t mean there is no exposure. Sampling and testing is the best way to know if TCE is present.

Licensed contractors will test homes within a few block radius of the Hennepin Ave. property. Vapor samples will be collected from directly beneath the basement floor through a small hole drilled in the floor, a process that takes about 45 minutes. Sub-slab samples are more accurate than indoor air samples, which can be cross-contaminated by common household products, such as cleaners and adhesives.

For more information, browse http://www.pca.state.mn.us/ax83hxk.

St. Paul considers private management of Como Golf Course

League members and residents have mixed feelings about proposal

by Tesha M. Christensen

St. Paul is considering partnering with a private company to run Como and Phalen golf courses starting next year.

It’s a move the golfers at Como have mixed feelings about.

“Members have concerns about how a private manager would work with the Men’s Club,” said Como Men’s League Board Member Gary Ketchel. Among the questions are: will the condition of the course remain is it is, or will new managers cut corners maintaining the grounds to save money? “Like any change there will always be apprehension and there is plenty of that here,” Ketchel stated.

“Others feel like it could be just what Como needs to remain viable and be here for future generations,” he added.

Como Women’s League Club President Kathy Zieman questions how the city is going to save money by going with an outside management company.

“By contracting out the operation and management of Phalen and Como, the city will shift the risk and expenses to a private vendor,” explained city employee Brad Meyer.

In addition to removing the risk of loss, the city would also ask for a share of the profits. Plus, the city intends to ask vendors to make their own private investment into the required capital needs at the courses.

“Without this private vendor option, the city would be required to start subsidizing golf from the general fund for almost $1 million a year to keep the courses open (which is not a core value of the city),” pointed out Meyer. “This subsidizing would almost certainly impact other hard hit areas of the Parks and Recreation budget (like recreation centers) or require the courses to close, which is not something the department would like to pursue.”

CITY GOLF COURSES LOSING MONEY

Over the last 5 plus years, expenses at the city’s four golf courses have exceeded revenues by at least $600,000 annually (including more than a $1 million this year), according Meyer.

This year, Como is expected to lose $300,000. The number of people playing golf has gone down. This year was especially difficult at Como because the course opened a month later due to poor weather conditions. Golf rounds have decreased almost 27% since 2005, according to St. Paul Special Services Manager Susie Odegard.

“After reviewing the current marketplace and the experience of other municipalities, going out to the marketplace is the only option that will allow for continued services at the courses,” said Odegard.

“Losing $600,000 plus for more than 5 years is not sustainable. Ramsey County was in a similar situation, but now after a few years of operating within this model, the risk of loss is gone, and opportunities for profit are exponentially better,” said Meyer. “We are hopeful that we can experience a similar trajectory.”

PRIVATIZATION GROWING TREND

Ketchel pointed out that privatization of municipal courses is a growing trend in the industry. “In the old days, when golf was very popular, municipalities with golf courses made money almost by accident,” he observed. 

He believes that government is opinion inherently weak when it comes to running enterprise-type operations. “This is where private management partnerships can help,” said Ketchel.

“Private management will tweak the current business model to identify and maximize all the profit potential pieces of the golf course. These things may include looking at rate structure, staffing issues, food service potential, clothing and equipment sales, advertising, etc.”

According to Ketchel, in recent years there has been a lapse in clubhouse services, such as a fully stocked Pro Shop and restaurant choices. “A private manager would most likely focus on these things not only for a profit potential, but also as services that attract golfers to the course,” he said. “Tee time sales could be improved by managing pricing better to fill open tee times at traditionally slow times of the day. Private management might do a better job of attracting and negotiating golf tournaments and leagues.”

LEAGUE MEMBERS, RESIDENTS TO BE INVOLVED

Members from the city’s parks and recreation department met with league members and local residents on Oct. 28 to discuss the Request for Proposals (RFP) process the city intends to use to solicit vendors.

“It was promised that this group would be involved in RFP reviewing and subsequent contract negotiation process,” said Ketchel. “I think this was well received by most at the meeting.”

“Input from the district councils and neighbors will be encouraged throughout the process, and we fully expect to continue active dialogues even after a vendor begins operating the courses,” stated Meyer.

St. Paul will continue to operate the successful existing winter activity programs at the courses, including cross-country ski trails and the Alpine sports program that offers ski and snowboard activities.

The city intends to reassign the 20 or so affected staff to available positions at the Highland golf courses or generally within the Parks Department. The private vendor may also opt to hire some of the displaced workers.

Personally, Ketchel isn’t concerned that this would be bad for the Como Golf Course. “At its worst the city would show no gains in profitability,” Ketchel said.

“But keep in mind that no management company is going bid on this unless they feel strongly that they can profit. Hopefully the city will do a good job vetting any company that bids on this RFP.”

During a vote on Nov. 6, City council members agreed to solicit RFPs on a 4-3 vote. “We’re spending too much now for what we’re getting,” stated District 4 City Council Member Russ Stark.

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

By Tesha Christensen, Community Voices

November 08, 2013

"Moo" was illustrated by Minneapolis resident Mike Wohnoutka.

Meet the author and illustrator of “Moo,” a children’s book, at Roosevelt Library on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 1 p.m.

The event is sponsored by Friends of the Roosevelt Library.
(If earlier is better for you, the duo will be at Wild Rumpus at 11 a.m. on Nov. 9.)

Author David LaRochelle has written or illustrated over 25 books, including picture books, puzzle books, craft books, and just recently, his first book for young adults. He works full-time as an author and illustrator, and lives in White Bear Lake, Minn. According to his web site, http://davidlarochelle.com , “When I’m not working on a new book, I love entering contests, solving puzzles, orienteering, traveling, and carving pumpkins. And of course I love to read!”

Illustrator Mike Wohnoutka grew up in Spicer, Minn. He currently resides in Minneapolis with his wife, Anna, and two children, Franklin and Olivia. Wohnoutka is currently working on a new picture book, the first he has both illustrated and written. It is scheduled to be published in the fall of 2014 by Holiday House. See more at http://www.mikewohnoutka.com.

According to Booklist, Moo is “a delightful visual adventure.” Publishers Weekly said: “An utterly fun moo-aloud.”

Book Description
When Cow gets her hooves on the farmer’s car, she takes it for a wild ride through the country. Moooo! But a bump in the road brings this joy ride to a troublesome end. Moo-moo. . . Has Cow learned her lesson about living life in the fast lane? Moo?
Here is the story of . . .
One cow.
One word.
One udderly wild adventure . . .
MOO!

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With enrollment growing, MPS plans to reopen and renovate schools

Cooper, Seward, Hiawatha, Roosevelt, Howe, Sanford and Longfellow among those affected in Area B

by Tesha M. Christensen

When it comes to the wide spread changes being proposed within the Minneapolis School District, residents don’t think they are getting enough information.

Concerned parents, teachers, school staff, and community members packed into the gymnasium at Northrup Elementary School on Thursday night, Oct. 10 during the Area B meeting to learn about the school’s five-year enrollment plan.

The changes in the plan will affect one of every four students.

A PLAN TO HANDLE ENROLMENT GROWTH

“Our enrollment is going to grow,” remarked school board member Kim Ellison.

This year marks the third year that Minneapolis Public School enrollment has grown, and projections through 2017 show that it will continue to grow, with an estimated 905 new students in Area B.

This new plan seeks to accommodate that growth, while also aiming to increase the share of students who attend Minneapolis Public Schools by 10%. Right now, an estimated 38% of Minneapolis students attend charter or suburban schools.

Ellison believes that because the majority of charter schools are not high-performing schools, families are returning to Minneapolis Public Schools.

Area B Associate Principal Stephen Flisk noted that with this plan, the district will provide seven new schools of choice and two new community schools.

In all, the district will provide 1,500 new community school seats and 2,275 new seats of choice.

The early childhood education program that recently moved to Hiawatha is one of two that will be expanded.

Seward Montessori School will grow by 9 classrooms, as the district seeks to support a successful program there, according to Flisk. “It is important to note that we explored a variety of options,” said Flisk, including a dual campus and a reduction of students. After study, district representatives felt that the least disruptive option for families was to add onto the building.

“Our intent is not to dismantle programs, but to build them,” said Flisk.

Cooper will be re-opened as a K-8 school. Flisk attributed the increased enrollment in this area to housing growth near the lightrail.

Howe and Sanford middle schools will share space and programs, if needed, according to Flisk.

Roosevelt will add a Spanish immersion program. Emerson, Windom and Sheridan will feed to Anwatin Middle/Roosevelt High School. “It’s a very exciting program for us,” said Ben Chiri of Roosevelt High School. A marketing plan is being created to pull in more students to Roosevelt, which currently has 850 compared to South’s 1,780.

WHAT’S THE COST?

Over the next four years, the district will pour $6.3 million into Area B for program costs, out of a total of $54 million.

It will spend $30 million to build additions at Seward and Cooper. Throughout the district, $100 million will go towards building renovations and additions. (The cost for modifying Longfellow and the Brown Building at 2225 Lake St. are lumped into the larger district total, rather than into Area B as the programs serve the entire school district.)

The majority of the cost falls over the 2015-2016 school year, coinciding with the major building projects.

 “Where is the money going to come from?” asked Steve Nichols, whose children attend Northrup and South High. “We backed passing the levy and what that got us was fancy offices for administrators.”

COMMUNITY INPUT

Attendees at the Oct. 10 meeting asked for more details on the proposed changes, and had questions about funding. Several questioned whether the district’s plans were equitable throughout Areas A, B and C.

“We want to know what’s going to happen to the schools you didn’t bring up,” said Nichols.

The recommendation to establish a district-wide performing arts high school at Wilder generated many comments from people concerned about how it would affect South High.

“South has a great arts program already,” observed Carmen Schluter. “Why not put the money into South and make it great? Why not have an excellent school to support our students on this end of the city?”

School board member Kim Ellison has heard many concerns regarding the proposed arts school. She pointed out that the district does lose students to the other arts high schools in the area, such as Perpich and the one in St. Paul. She thinks that arts high schools attract students who have been involved in arts in their earlier years. At regular high schools, many students are just starting to get involved in the arts in ninth grade.

PRELIMINARY PLAN

Flisk stressed that the plan presented is preliminary. “We are looking for your voice and input in this,” Flisk stated.

The district held several meetings in October to solicit community input, and created a specific email address for comments and questions (enrollmentplan@mpls.k12.mn.us). The school board plans to vote on the plan Nov. 12.

-30-

PULL-OUT QUOTE

“Where is the money going to come from? We backed passing the levy and what that got us was fancy offices for administrators.” Steve Nichols

“We are looking for your voice and input in this.” Stephen Flisk

SIDEBAR

AREA B CHANGES

• Addition with 9 new classrooms at Seward Montesorri. Work slated for 2015-2016.

• Building addition and renovation at Cooper in the 2016-2017 school year.

• Broadway teen mother program to move out of Longfellow School to North High for the 2015-2016 school year.

• Early childhood program expansion at Hiawatha and Wilder

• Howe and Sanford to share middle school programs and space

• Building addition and renovation at Cooper

• New-to-country Accelerated Bilingual Academic Development Center at Sullivan

• Spanish Dual Immersion program at Roosevelt next year.

• Relocation of Transition Plus program for older special education students to Brown Building at 2225 Lake St. and at Longfellow. Rennovation planned for both facilities.

• Co-location of Adult Basic Education through community partnerships to make more room in the Brown Building (2225 Lake St.) for other programs. Rennovation planned.

• Audition-based performing arts high school at Wilder. Building renovation planned.