THE FIELD REGINA NORTHROP NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP NEWSLETTER O Awarded first place in a 2018 national competition for neighborhood newsletters held by NUSA – Neighborhoods, USA O

January/February 2020 In Remembrance Opportunities for of Timothy Price strengthening connections By David Fronsoe, Vice President By the Communications Committee Community & Safety Committee, Early this fall, the Field Regina Northrop The arrival of the new year always presents describes the important activities in which Neighborhood Group (FRNNG) and us with opportunities to try something his committee is involved while Francesco the neighborhoods it represents, lost a new. This year, we enthusiastically invite Marraffa, chair of the Business Commit- valuable member of our community. I am you to try something new by getting tee, introduces a new idea in his article writing about the late Timothy Price. As involved with a neighborhood activity. on page 5. Crime Prevention Specialist, we ask our residents and local businesses Jennifer Neale, on page 6 invites you to to ponder the question of how they can Chris Schommer, president of the neigh- become a trained block club leader or to become involved in the community, what borhood board of directors, in his column assist the block club leader on your block. better example to share than of this Field on page 3 describes involvement in our Regina Northrop (FRN) resident who neighborhood. His involvement started as Rewarding relationships develop when embodied an answer to that question the representative to the board of directors we get to know each other. That is what and made a difference? from Field neighborhood. For three years happens we you help with one project or after that, Chris chaired the communica- get involved with one activity. Tim grew up in the Rondo neighborhood tions committee, initiating the design of a in St. Paul. He was a stellar student and new logo and the redesign and redirection For example, if you like language, and recognized leader in his early years, and of this newsletter. information, and people, consider joining those identifying markers never left him. the Communications Committee or His sister, Marianne Price, describes Tim On page 5, Marty Koessel, chair of the becoming its chair. Continued on page 2 as a “stand-out” in whatever position he held through life. Following his high school days (during which he was crowned An evening out in the neighborhood as the homecoming king, a most unusual recognition for students of color at his school during that time), Tim set his sights Enjoying A Night on 48th high for his future. After obtaining a degree By the Communications Committee from Mankato State University, he fur- “It’s an inexpensive night out in the thered his studies at Georgetown University neighborhood, making it safe, easy, Law School, earning a law degree. and enjoyable for residents of all ages.” That’s the way Stearline Rucker, program Tim put this wealth of study to work for director, summed up A Night on 48th. The the public good, specializing in poverty 11th-annual fundraiser took place again law at the Legal Aid Society at Turtle Bread Company along with the for several years before transitioning to the adjoining Café Levain, at the corner of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities 48th Street and Avenue. Special invited guests included Sue Filbin (MnSCU) system, now the third-largest L to R: Jeremy Schroeder, Marty Koessel, Jacob system of colleges and universities in the and 11th-Ward council member Jeremy Frey, Stearline Rucker, Chris Schommer, and nation. At MnSCU, Continued on page 2 Schroeder. Continued on page 10 Nate Lansing.

Field Regina Northrop Neighborhood Group 1620 East 46th Street, , MN 55407 • 612-721-5424 • frnng.org Opportunities for strengthening connections, continued from page 1 Your role as the chair would be as the con- The next chair of the Communications Close to Home duit between volunteers, paid contractors, Committee will also be involved in select- Close to Home is the official the board of directors, and the commu- ing a new editor/project manager, layout publication of the Field Regina nity. Some of your responsibilities would designer, and proofreader for this newslet- Northrop Neighborhood Group be to coordinate the process of producing ter. More about these positions is available (FRNNG) and is published six times per year by the FRNNG this newsletter and also directing the on the neighborhood website: frnng.org Communications Committee. development and posting of content Contributors for social media and our website. People like to work with people they Steve Date, Sue Filbin, Jason Flaig, know, like, and trust. One great way to Christian Fritzberg, David Fronsoe, The chair of the Communications Com- get to know someone is to get involved in Chris Harrington, , mittee attends one committee meeting per an activity or project you care about and Andrea Johnson, Marty Koessel, month and also attends the 10 meetings of believe in. Richard L. Kronick, Jason Lardy, the board of directors. The chair responds Francesco Marraffa, Jennifer Myers, to emailed inquiries and also initiates and There are many possibilities to apply Jennifer Neale, Jeannie Piekos, Stearline Rucker, Chris Schommer, fulfills activities that enhance and improve your ideas, talent, and devotion to our Susan Shehata communication between neighbors, busi- neighborhood. Contact Stearline Rucker, Editors nesses, non-profits, and the neighborhood program director, with your questions and v Sue Filbin organization. ideas: [email protected] or 612-721-5424 Layout Smiling Dog Design “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” —Martin Luther King Jr. Articles, photos, and announcements are welcome. Please email: [email protected] In Remembrance of Tim Price, continued from page 1 or call 612-721-5424 The next deadline is Tim served as an advisor for civil-rights ing Committee and continued sprucing Friday, January 24, 2020 enforcement and compliance before be- up other areas in the neighborhood. coming chief of staff for the vice chancel- The Field Regina lor, a position Tim held until retirement Though we valued Tim’s green thumb, he Northrop Neighborhood Group, Inc. in 2014. didn’t limit his involvement with FRNNG Established in 1965 1620 East 46th Street Tim planted himself in the Field neigh- Minneapolis, MN 55407 borhood in 1993, purchasing a home FRNNG Info Line (612) 721-5424 on 2nd Avenue. It was from here that Email: [email protected] Tim launched another admirable pur- Program Manager: Stearline Rucker suit, five years away from retirement. 2018-2019 FRNNG Board Finding inspiration to green/clean-up

Provided President: Chris Schommer our neighborhood just across the street Former 8th-Ward council member, Elizabeth Vice President: David Fronsoe from his front door, Tim cultivated an Glidden, Tim Price, and former FRNNG board Treasurer: Laura Dale ambitious plan. Upon learning that FRN president, Willie Bridges, accepting an award Secretary: Open position had a Greening Committee, Tim worked from MnDOT in 2016. Field Neighborhood Rep: Deborah Spiesz with the organization as a member of the there. With his legal background, Tim Regina Neighborhood Rep: Alberta Knight committee and secured a grant from the voluntarily provided insights on legalities Northrop North Neighborhood Rep: Minnesota Department of Transportation as well as spearheaded the organization’s Kate Nyquist recent updating of the by-laws. Of notable (MnDOT) to beautify what many times Northrop South Neighborhood Rep: are debris-ridden and overgrown areas of mention is Tim’s above-and-beyond com- Willie Bridges our city. mitment. Even in his weakened condition, Business: Francesco Marraffa Tim chose to lead his team of workers Communications: Open position Tim then rallied his neighbors and put until just before his passing. We will great- Community and Safety: Marty Koessel together a crew. If you have driven north ly miss Tim as a person, and of course, his Education: Open position on 2nd Avenue between 50th and 46th dependable and industrious spirit. I hope Greening: Open position Streets and noticed how beautifully kept that as we honor Tim’s memory, it may Housing & Community Development: the property is that borders the freeway help you to answer the question, “How can Nate Lansing wall, you will see some of their work. Tim get I involved?” Who knows, maybe like Tim, Parks: Open position eventually became the chair of the Green- the answer is right outside your door. v

2 Close to Home, newsletter for the Field Regina Northrop Neighborhood Group • frnng.org • January/February 2020 President’s Letter Hello FRNNG, will also meet once a month or that chair Are you an activist? Are you a concerned requires. —? neighbor? Do you want to help shape your neighborhood? This month I am Open Positions FRNNG Meeting writing to ask for your help. The board is FRNNG currently has five open board currently operating with a large number positions, and a sixth will be available Information of vacancies, with more on the horizon. in April since Nate Lansing will reach Please call the office at (612) 721-5424 to confirm the My goal for our annual meeting and his term limit as housing chair (Thanks, date, time, and location of the meeting. elections in April 2020 is to fill these po- Nate!). Here is a short description of each Full Board sitions with active neighbors who want to position. I encourage people to bring their 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m., get some things done. But when I talk to energy and ideas and help define the roles Lake Nokomis Presbyterian Church (LNPC) people about this, I hear versions of this for themselves as well. Each chair has a lot 17th Avenue and East 46th St. The full board does not meet in July or December. question a lot, “What do board members of leeway to craft the projects they wish to Business Committee | [email protected] do?” I want to try and answer that here. see. If you are interested in more informa- 1st Tuesday of each month at 8:30 a.m., tion, please contact [email protected] Turtle Bread Company, 48th and Chicago First, all board members participate in Communications Committee | managing our money. The Field Regina • Secretary - Records minutes at board [email protected] Northrop Neighborhood Group – meetings and helps manage checks 2nd Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. FRNNG – is funded from several sources, and finances. The secretary also sits Sovereign Grounds, 48th and Chicago but our main budget comes from the City on the executive committee which Community and Safety Committee | of Minneapolis. We receive grant funding helps improve the structure of the [email protected] organization. 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. yearly, and FRNNG still has unspent Lake Nokomis Presbyterian Church, 46th & 17th legacy funding left over from previous • Communications Chair - Maintain Education Committee | [email protected] years that we are working on allocating the newsletter and communications 1st Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. to yet-undecided projects. Board mem- with the neighborhood, with support McRae Park and Rec. Center Arts & Crafts Room bers create plans to spend this money of the editor and other staff using the Greening Committee | [email protected] and these plans are debated, voted on, website and social media. 1st Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. and carried out by the board. Joining Turtle Bread Company, 48th and Chicago • Education Chair - Liaison with and the FRNNG board means that you as a advocate for our local schools, Housing Committee | [email protected] board member can bring forward your 1st Monday of each month at 7 p.m. teachers, parents and students. Town Hall Tap, 48th & Chicago worthwhile ideas and projects and request funding from your first day. • Greening Committee - Focusing on the Parks Committee | [email protected] environment of FRNNG from improving 1st Monday of each month at 7 p.m. McRae Park and Recreation Center Board members meet regularly to discuss our green spaces to educating neigh- neighborhood business, vote on spending, bors about recycling and compost. This newsletter is produced to provide and plan for upcoming neighborhood • Housing Chair - Oversees several information about neighborhood events. We also meet with public officials, large revolving loan programs in coor- activities, businesses, individuals, neighbors, and other people with interests dination with the City and nonprofits. entities, and citywide policies that affect in the neighborhood to provide feedback our neighborhood. The information • Parks Chair - Liaison with and ad- and advocate for the neighborhood. is intended to enable readers to make vocate for McRae Park, and assists decisions, take action, and build con- It’s great to get to know local officials. with the coordination of our summer nections within our neighborhood. Board meetings currently occur on the annual celebration. Newsletter nameplate: Eileen Matro third Wednesday of the month from 6:30-8 p.m. at Lake Nokomis Presbyterian Logo and newsletter template design: So much is happening in our world right Church. We customarily do not hold Jennifer Nagorski now, and the board for me has been a official meetings in December or August. place where I know I can do something. If a committee has members not repre- We thank our partner in producing this If you are looking for an outlet and want newsletter – Greenhaven Printing, sented by a chairperson (for example, the to try and turn your ideas into action, (651) 639-9822, greenhavenprinting.com Communications Committee that puts please consider joining the board. We together this newsletter regularly has have resources, but we need you! v 4-6 committee members) that committee

Close to Home, newsletter for the Field Regina Northrop Neighborhood Group • frnng.org • January/February 2020 3 8th-Ward Update

Council Member Andrea Jenkins

for a new type of affordable housing for and trash, recycling problems and resource people transitioning out of homelessness. waste.

The intentional community cluster The goals of this requirement are to: development ordinance allows nonprofit • Encourage shoppers to bring their own organizations, government agencies or bags. healthcare agencies to create collections • Protect resources used to produce paper of small housing units (tiny homes) and and plastic bags. a common house or rooming houses with • Reduce litter. shared facilities on a city lot that is at least • Reduce waste: Minnesotans throw away 87,000 tons of plastic bags every year and 10,000 square feet. The developments are

Provided recycle less than 5% of them. allowed in any part of the city with the Greetings, Field Regina • Keep plastic bags from clogging the gears exception of industrial zoning districts. in recycling facilities, which workers Northrop Neighbors! spend four-six hours a day removing. Funding for Sabathani Senior Exemptions include bags used for pro- Housing evelopment duce, bulk foods, small items, carryout When I first entered my office in January restaurants, farmers markets, food banks, 2018, I wrote five goals on the whiteboard retail establishments that do not possess a to guide my work and efforts for the term. cash register; secondhand bags, bags sold One of the items I listed was to get fund- in packages, dry cleaning bags, bags given ing for the senior housing development at out with no transaction, bags given at Sabathani Community Center. Governor hospitals, car dealerships and car washes; Tim Walz, along with Minneapolis Mayor Provided L to R: Gov. Tim Walz, Pat Anderson, program and bags used for litter cleanup. Jacob Frey, came to Sabathani Communi- director for Sabathani Community Center, Coun- ty Center on November 21st to announce cil Member Andrea Jenkins, Mayor Jacob Frey. Retail establishments are not required to the Minnesota Housing 2019 funding collect a pass-through charge from anyone selections. I am so thrilled that, of the The policy change is one of several strate- with a voucher or electronic-benefits card $254-million package distributed to gies the City has deployed to address the issued under the Women, Infants and 74 different projects and programs affordable-housing crisis in Minneapolis. Children (WIC) or Temporary Assis- throughout the state, Sabathani Senior The amendment also includes develop- tance to Needy Families (TANF) support Housing was awarded $8,241,000, which ment standards to ensure that intentional programs, or the federal Supplemental closes the gap for this project and allows community-cluster developments are safe Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, construction to begin in 2020. for residents and are compatible with their also known as Basic Food), or a recog- surroundings. While new to Minneapolis, nized Minnesota food-assistance program. We are grateful that this work will create similar housing options have been provid- 48 rental homes with efficiency, 1- and ed in other cities across the county – People can call 311 about retailers who 2-bedroom units. The City of Minneap- including Portland, Oregon; Austin, aren’t complying with the ordinance after olis needs more senior housing options Texas; Madison, Wisconsin; and , January 1. so that seniors are able to stay in their Washington. This ordinance came through extensive communities. And, yes, these units will be outreach with businesses and business New ordinance requires 5-cent affordable up to 50% of the MTSP (mul- groups. The City will do extensive out- fee for carryout bags tifamily tax subsidy program). Congratu- reach with businesses and work on educat- The passed an lations to Sabathani Community Center. ing, with no fines for the first six months. Now I can check that item off the list. ordinance requiring retail establishments to charge a fee of at least 5 cents for As always, please feel free to contact me Zoning change allows innova- carryout bags. The retail establishments at the Ward 8 office, (612) 673-2208 tive affordable housing will keep the fees. The requirement will or [email protected]. The City Council approved an ordinance go into effect January 1, 2020. Shoppers Visit the Ward 8 website: www.minneap- amending the City’s zoning code to allow bringing their own bags will reduce litter olismn.gov/ward8/index.htm v

4 Close to Home, newsletter for the Field Regina Northrop Neighborhood Group • frnng.org • January/February 2020 What Does Your Community Fun, Free and Safety Committee Do? Libraries By Marty Koessel, Chair, Community & committee to support our goal of creating By Francesco Marraffa, Chair, Business Safety Committee welcoming streets. Committee For many of you, the first thing that You have probably seen Little Free comes to mind when hearing about the Okay, now for the crime stuff. If a par- LibrariesTM around the city and around Community and Safety Committee is ticular type of crime picks up in our area, the neighborhood. These little weath- neighborhood crime. And, yes, there’s a we’ll let you know and remind you of the er-protected boxes are a place for people bit of this in what we do, but our em- steps you already know to take to discour- to trade books with their neighbors. One phasis in on how we can create a more age crime: goal of the board of directors this year is welcoming and livable neighborhood. • Keep valuables out of sight in both car and to be more active and visible in our com- home. munity. One way we’re doing that is by Most of our safety tasks are related to • Keep home and garage doors closed and researching the feasibility of providing free making our sidewalks comfortable places locked with secure mechanisms. community mini libraries to a number of to stroll and our streets less challenging to • Make sure risky areas are adequately yards in the neighborhood in 2020. cross. The committee is the prime driver lighted. of FRN’s efforts to create a safer crossing • Keep an eye out for unknown people To help us gauge interest, please email of Cedar Avenue between 47th Street and prying about your or your neighbors’ [email protected] and provide us with properties. Minnehaha Parkway. We’ve weighed in on your full name and address and let us concerns about the restriping of 46th and On the whole, we’re fortunate to live in a know if you would be willing to install 42nd streets and on plans to reconfigure relatively safe neighborhood, and most of and/or host one of these libraries on your the Parkway. We’ve repeatedly relayed us have heard what the police recommend property. Also email us if you would be concerns about traffic on Portland Avenue we do. There’s the risk, too, that by focus- interested in assisting with this effort by during the reconstruction of 35W. ing too much on crime statistics and such, donating time or funds. This project is we become overly anxious and make our contingent on securing funding in 2020. The committee also organizes events de- homes cocoons where we hide away from Watch for updates in the March/April signed to encourage you and your neigh- suspected dangers. issue of Close to Home. bors to work together. Clean-up events, some with BBQs afterward, have taken Really, the best thing we can do to prevent place in each neighborhood. Last October, crime is to be out and about. Burglars and we cooperated with St. Joseph’s Home for thieves do not like to be in cheerful, busy Children in a Litter-Be-Gone effort that places where there are eyes on the street. If removed trash and recyclables from about a thief who is out casing a neighborhood 80 blocks in the surrounding area. is merrily greeted, he or she will head elsewhere. So, please step out and enjoy Have you noticed the dozen trees planted our neighborhood and your neighbors along 42nd Street next to the McKnight whenever the spirit moves you. That’s at Early Childhood Family Development the heart of what our Community and Center? That, too, was spurred by the Safety Committee hopes to achieve. v Sue Filbin The Little Free Library at McRae Park.

Regular reading for a child’s future success is critical. Reading is also fun, and we hope as a community to make it more fun, and easy.

Please get in touch with us and help us take this proposed idea to the next level – that being fun free libraries readily avail- able for our kids (and parents!) to enjoy. v

Close to Home, newsletter for the Field Regina Northrop Neighborhood Group • frnng.org • January/February 2020 5 Project Success at Field Are you in a block club? Community School By Jennifer Neale, Crime Prevention Editor’s note: The text shown below is from Specialist, Sector 3 a note sent by Field Community School to parents of Field students. Information was The vision of the Minneapolis Police provided by Marta Fraboni, Director of Department (MPD) is to “be a recognized External Relations at Project Success. and respected law-enforcement leader in We are excited to partner with Project public-safety strategies and service to our Success to help students connect to their community.” One way to meet this vision purpose. Project Success (PS) provides a is to support our neighborhood block proven curriculum and new experiential clubs. A block club is a group of people learning opportunities to support Field stu- dents that also furthers the school mission. who live close to one another and who are For this first year of PS programming, 6th-, organized. Neighbors watch out for one Provided 7th-, and 8th-grade students will receive another and work together to improve Jennifer Neale, Crime Prevention Specialist in-class workshops delivered monthly by safety on their block. Block clubs and the professional facilitators in their English MPD work together to reduce the oppor- who lives on the block and who doesn’t. Language Arts (ELA) classes. tunity for crime, share crime-prevention Residents can meet regularly to socialize, The Project Success curriculum helps information, and improve neighborhood go over recent crimes, discuss proactive students build community, ignite success livability. strategies, and meet any new neighbors. from within, and set goals. Project Success also provides access to professional theater If you would like to get more involved performances for students and families. The benefits of belonging to a block club Through these activities, students are are many! Neighbors will build stronger with your block club or become a block able to dream about their future, create a connections with each other and law club leader, please contact me, Crime plan to get there, develop the tools, and enforcement. When concerns arise on the Prevention Specialist Jennifer Neale. receive the support they need to achieve block, neighbors can more easily com- I look forward to hearing from you. v their goals. Project Success programs are available at no cost to students and their municate to solve problems. Neighbors [email protected] families. Visit projectsuccess.org/field at will know each other better and recognize 612-673-2839 any point throughout the year to discover the programs currently available to Field. v McRae Park is “booming” and changing By Jason Flaig,Communications Committee when the funding will happen for those year) and other festive events to celebrate If you haven’t stopped by McRae Park things.” the shortest day of the year. lately, there are some recent changes that you should know about. And more chang- Susag said McRae’s Rec Plus programs Susag also said that McRae has lots of new es and improvements are coming up. for school-age kids – ages 5 to 12 – have programming, including a Safe at Home gotten extremely popular. She said that program for kids who are 8 years old and One of the most noticeable things is the anyone interested in enrolling their kids up. The class offers pointers on being home new soccer/football field, which was com- should not delay, as the programs fill up on their own either before and/or after pleted this summer. The field will be taken about a week after registration opens. school. “We have a lot going on here. It’s over by outdoor hockey rinks this winter. really busy and that’s great,” Susag said. v “Rec Plus is just booming here,” she said. Heather Susag, who has been the director “And our ballet and tap dance programs of McRae Park since the end of 2015, said are very popular as well. We had 500 other changes planned for the park will be people at our most-recent recitals.” coming at some point in the future.

In December, just before Christmas, Provided “The walking path hasn’t gone in yet. The McRae hosted a Winter Solstice Party. To get updates about parks from long-term goal is to have that, a new play- The fun ran from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. There 5th-District Parks Commissioner, Steffanie ground and a new zero-entry pool/splash were luminaries, wishes for the New Year Musich, subscribe to her eNewsletter at: pad,” she said. “We just need to figure out (and the shredding of bad things from this http://eepurl.com/QZ_-9

6 Close to Home, newsletter for the Field Regina Northrop Neighborhood Group • frnng.org • January/February 2020 Northrop neighbor has a Mandarin language business in her childhood home

By Steve Date, Communications Committee Nicole Darcy’s life has been a world-wide journey that ultimately brought her back to her childhood home. Her parents bought a house on the 4700-block of 11th Avenue South when she was five. She attended Northrop Elementary, Anthony and Ramsey middle schools, and graduated from Washburn High School.

After high school, Nicole wanted to “get away from here for a while.” She certainly did. After attending college in Denmark for a year, she traveled for another year Steve Date all around Europe. She began studying Nicole Darcy, a teacher of Mandarin Chinese, works from the home in which she grew up. Chinese and became interested in various Asian cultures. “I decided I wanted to live neighborhood has changed. She always nearby neighbors. She appreciates the way someplace where I was a minority, where liked the diversity and charm of the they check in and watch out for each other. everything was different from what I was neighborhood but misses some of the old used to – not just language, but customs, businesses along Chicago Avenue that she Nicole’s business is called Mandarin food, race, everything,” she told me. frequented as a child, such as the drug- Links. She has 30 years of language- store on the corner of 48th and Chicago teaching experience. She specializes in That self-challenge led Nicole to Taiwan, and Judy’s Drive-In, which was located “Mandarin-Chinese language and culture where she lived and taught English, where the Health Partners clinic is now. teachings and learnings, and translation Chinese and Mandarin for 18 years. Her services.” She works with individuals, father died soon after she graduated from Nicole says she’s “tight with my block,” schools, organizations and businesses. v high school, but her mother remained having a connection with many of her www.mandarinlinks.com/ in the house for all those years, until she passed away in 2006. Nicole decided it would be time to come back to Minneap- Snow-related information from the City of Minneapolis olis and live in the house of her childhood. Snow-removal information: Within 24 hours after the end of a snowfall, shovel your sidewalk down to the pavement & to its full width. • It is against the law to shovel or blow snow into Nicole has fond memories of growing streets & alleys. • Remove all ice from sidewalks. Free sand is available at 6036 Harriet Avenue. up in the Northrop neighborhood, Snow-emergency information is available here: www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/snow/index.htm and talked with me about how the

Close to Home, newsletter for the Field Regina Northrop Neighborhood Group • frnng.org • January/February 2020 7 Feature: Home- based Businesses

Bag-E-Wash Chris Harrington, CH Realty By Jeannie Piekos By Chris Harrington Bag-E-Wash is a business born of a passion. I have always been CH Realty’s four core values are: Sustainability, Client Empower- an environmentalist so as a young mom when I packed the kids’ ment, Service over Profit, Quality over Quantity. lunches I enforced a “bring home the baggies” rule. I would then dutifully scrub them and then air-dry them in my cramped CH Realty is an independent real estate brokerage focusing on kitchen. Since necessity is the mother of invention, it is not sustainability. In tandem with helping clients buy and sell real surprising that in 2002 I was granted a patent for the first estate, CH Realty educates, advocates for and provides aspiring dishwasher accessory that allows people to wash and dry baggies and existing homeowners with resources to increase their home’s in the dishwasher. Bag-E-Wash was born! I developed a website, health and comfort while lowering their carbon footprint and created literature and attended green-living expos and fairs to increasing their energy efficiency. promote my new green product. I recognized huge demand for a more holistic real estate service, Bag-E-Wash has been featured in the Globe, StarTribune, one that educates and empowers people to begin seeing their Organic Style and many other media sources for its ingenuity and homes as active systems that can be improved in many ways to practicality. Bag-E-Wash is adjustable to accommodate sandwich live more sustainably. The result of this work is better home size to gallon-sized bags and help people who like the conve- comfort and an overall improvement in quality of living! nience of baggies but are bothered by the waste of a single-use plastic bag. I found that clients crave knowing more about how homes work. I’ve been educating myself on renewable energy, home systems/ I know that small actions add up. My home-based business building science and urban-plant landscapes for 15 years. You doesn’t solve all the big environmental problems nor does it might say I’m an energy nerd! I’ve built new construction and make me rich but it offers a solution to a real problem. One I’ve restored two Minneapolis Victorian-era homes. When I box of 30 bags washed and reused 10 times each keeps 300 bags look at a house, I can’t help but to analyze its building envelope, out of the oceans and landfills, not to mention saving money. yard potential for native landscapes and note the many ways the Also, I love it when customers tell me, “You invented my dream property could become more sustainable, energy efficient and product!” Eighteen years later I am still washing and reusing functional. bags with my own invention! Visit online at bag-e-wash.com v I’m proud of the 5-star reviews I’ve earned on Yelp, Zillow, Google Business and Facebook. I think the sentiment of many reviews speaks to my high level of customer service and ethics. www.chrealtymn.com/ v Sue Filbin Thanks to SCABA – the South Chicago Avenue Business Alliance – for festive holiday lights and decorations near 48th and Chicago Avenue.

David K. Porter More than 30 years experience Wills Probates Real Estate Andrea L. Newton, DDS | Julie E. Clouse, DDS 4454 Chicago Avenue 612-823-6262 612-722-1001 www.familydentalclinic-mpls.com 5208 Bloomington Avenue Building lifelong relationships one smile at a time [email protected]

8 Close to Home, newsletter for the Field Regina Northrop Neighborhood Group • frnng.org • January/February 2020 Feature: Home- based Businesses

Richard L. Kronick Nomad Marketing Susan Shehata By Richard L. Kronick By Jason Lardy By Susan Shehata I have been self-employed since 1985 as Nomad Marketing is entering its 14th Every day, we navigate many aspects of a freelance writer, writing trainer, archi- year of providing strategic and tactical life: Partnership, family, friends, career, tectural historian, and musician. After marketing support for small- and me- home, money and health. But underneath college (B.A. in English from the U of M), dium-sized organizations. Our clients all of this is our inner Story. Our Story is I worked as a technical writer for engi- rely on us for strategic consulting and comprised of our subconscious core be- neering companies. But I was bored much execution services including social-media liefs and it informs all aspects of our life. of the time in those jobs. There was little and content marketing, event marketing, Sometimes, our Story supports us, and variation in the work, and I wanted to branding, web development, SEO and sometimes it keeps us stuck. write about a topic I’m passionate about: PPC marketing, and traditional creative architecture. services. Hello neighbors! I'm Susan Shehata – Trauma Educator & Facilitator. Space Becoming self-employed has allowed me Nomad Marketing’s tagline, “Build your Expert. Conflict Coach. My work explores to realize that goal. I get all the variety business, not your headcount,” summa- these Core Stories to create healthier I can handle writing for architecture and rizes our mission to provide affordable, systems – within individuals and organi- engineering companies. I’m proud to say comprehensive marketing support for zations – to reduce conflict and bring ease proposals I've written have won my clients small organizations that may not have the into daily life. Whether it's something more than $600M in projects. As an out- resources to support a full-time marketing internal or external, I help folks resolve growth of my writing work, since 1986, team. We act as an “outsourced marketing challenges and create solutions for their I have presented more than 1,000 sem- department” for many of our clients. Our home, business and life. inars on technical writing and business affordable services allow our clients to writing around the world. I’ve also pub- focus on what they do best, while we I have lived and worked in the Regina lished more than 100 articles on archi- help get the word out! neighborhood for the last fourteen years. tecture and engineering. I often lecture What I love about being a home-based for civic organizations and colleges, and, My wife, photographer Lisa Lardy, and business is the flexibility and comfort. annually, I lead about a dozen architecture I have been FRN residents for nearly I have had many incarnations of my busi- tours in the Twin Cities. 25 years. I am the co-founder and or- ness, including a brick and mortar. But, ganizer of the popular Southside Sprint for me, nothing beats a workday in my I am no less passionate about music than bicycle race, which will return for its own house. I’ve also created a lot of online about architecture. I play string bass 10th year on July 19, 2020. During my content from this cozy neighborhood, and electric bass. In the 1980s, I was a 30 years of marketing experience, prior including The Fabulous Paper Purge, a member of Steamboat Willie, a popular to founding Nomad Marketing, I held free online program that was featured Twin Cities country-rock band, and since positions at 3M, Telex Communications, in the Pioneer Press, on Fox News and 2007, I have led The Chronic Quintet, a Corel Software, and elsewhere. KARE11, and has supported over jazz ensemble. 1,300 participants. We’re proud to call FRN the home of Being home-based means I have low Nomad Marketing. The neighborhood has My main clients are community lead- overhead and a quiet work environment. one of the most vibrant business com- ers, creatives, entrepreneurs, educators, I think FRN is perfect for home-based munities in the Twin Cities. With a wide therapists and other wellness providers. workers because of the affordable housing variety of local establishments, meeting They are people who recognize the need and because we are in the center of the space for coffee, lunch, or a beer is readily to address the deeper trauma and conflict Twin Cities. www.richardlkronick.com v available. We’re honored and grateful in their life, so they can better serve the that so many of the FRN businesses have community. supported the Southside Sprint over the Green Bee Juicery, 1526 East 46th Street, closed recently. years, as well. Learn more about us at I look forward to supporting even more nomad-marketing.com v people in our neighborhood and beyond! www.SusanShehata.com v

Close to Home, newsletter for the Field Regina Northrop Neighborhood Group • frnng.org • January/February 2020 9 Enjoying “A Night on 48th,” continued from page 1 On Saturday, November 2, guests enjoyed We thank our sponsors and those who This event is another example of neigh- an evening of visiting, good food and donated items to our silent auction, our bors working together, getting acquainted, beverages, listening to appealing music raffle, or our neighborhood game. Please and creating something special in our by the band, AKOUO, and bidding on support them with your patronization in neighborhood. If you’re wondering how affordable, desirable silent-auction items the future. Thank you also to our board to get involved in neighborhood activities, donated by businesses and individuals. See members, volunteers, and program direc- contact Stearline in the neighborhood of- the list of generous donors below for items tor Stearline Rucker. fice: 612-721-5424 or [email protected] that were solicited by Karen Date, Steve Date, David Fronsoe, Francesco Marraffa, and program director, Stearline Rucker. THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS AND SPONSORS! Stearline called on previous experience 14 Hill Parkway Theater and a capable group of volunteers to put 321 Closed Real Estate Pizza Hut on the event. Those volunteers included Alexa Tennyson Prism Holistic Coaching & Reiki president Chris Schommer, vice president Balanced Life Therapeutic Pumphouse Creamery David Fronsoe, South Northrop repre- Bing’s Window Tinting R. A. MacSammy’s Elbow Room sentative Willie Bridges, and Northrop Carlo Lachmansingh Sales Ray N. Welter Heating Company residents Karen and Steve Date. Chicago Lake Liquors Relational Connections Treasurer Laura Dale and Field neighbor El Burrito Minneapolis Rue 48 Salon (and former vice president) Barbara Harris Dr. Erin Metz Sandra L. Jones, Healing welcomed guests. On the night of the Family Dental Clinic Sift event, board members Chris Schommer, Fit for Change Simple Song Studio, LLC David Fronsoe, Marty Koessel, Nate G-Werx Sovereign Grounds Lansing, and Francesco Marraffa were Heart of the City Therapy Spa Sweet very involved with facilitating the silent Jenny in the City Spooner Train & Dinner auction, the raffle for wine and beer, Jones Financial Group Steve Date Video & Photo and a neighborhood-related game. Julie Madge Interiors Take Time for Yourself Massage Final numbers were not available at the Ken & Norm's Liquor TA’s Automotive November 20 board meeting as to the Kimber Esthetics Todd Mehlhoff, PsyD, LP number of guests who attended nor Kolstad Brothers Auto Body Treat Massage Therapy for the money from sponsors or raised Lanhart’s Auto Repair & Towing Turtle Bread Company through door receipts or proceeds from Little Sock by Kia Heise & Victory Automotive the silent-auction or raffle games. Tallies Christopher D. Park Walgreen’s for expenses such as printing and mailing Mark Scannell (author) Wings Financial of post cards, production of lawn signs Minnehaha Animal Hospital and window posters, and costs for space rental, the band, food, flowers, table- cloths, the program manager’s time, and other expenses also were not available.

St. Mary’s Cemetery A neighborhood cemetery A serene place within the community 4403 Chicago Avenue (651) 488-8866 catholic-cemeteries.org

10 Close to Home, newsletter for the Field Regina Northrop Neighborhood Group • frnng.org • January/February 2020 About Regina neighbor Clara Tims By Andrea Johnson, Regina neighbor red-hatter. The Red Clara Tims is known as a kind and generous neighbor, amazing Hats are a group baker, and gardener extraordinaire in the Regina neighborhood. of women who get She moved here from North Carolina more than 30 years ago. together regularly to She brought with her all of the recipes her mother taught her, dine, go to movies, or like sweet potato pie, buttermilk pie, and caramel cakes – favor- just enjoy each other’s ites from the South that are hard to come by up here in the bold company. North. (If you’re interested in sampling Clara’s delicious baked goods, she is accepting orders for the holidays. Email her at cake- Clara and her [email protected] to learn more.) husband, Sammy, love looking out When she’s not baking something delicious, she’s busy creating their window to see beautiful hats, engaging in arts and crafts, or socializing. the neighborhood Provided children select books Regina neighbor Clara Tims Clara is a breast-cancer survivor and has been cancer-free for a from their Little Free Library. You’ll see them both tending their quarter of a century, but she remains very active in her breast- beautiful and bountiful gardens all summer long. Regina neigh- cancer survivor support group. In addition, she is a proud borhood is lucky to have such a creative and delightful neighbor! v 2020 – A year to make your personal vision clear! Jennifer Myers, Director of Healthy Living their mind. Some of the best stories and Supporting Your Neighbors Blaisdell YMCA discussions happen at the dinner table! No matter what your skills, resources or With the beginning of each year, we This year, choose at least one night of the schedule, there are numerous volunteer get an opportunity to start fresh and set week when everyone can be home at the opportunities available. Retired teachers our sights on more – more focus on our same time. can find opportunities to tutor young health, more time with our families, more children. Green Thumbs can put their chances to learn and more support for our Developing a New Skill or Interest knowledge to use with a community neighbors. The Blaisdell YMCA at 34th Learning is a lifelong endeavor that garden. Libraries and churches are always Street and Nicollet Avenue encourages supports well-being at any age. Explore looking for people to volunteer a few you to make the most of 2020 by seeing your creative side with an art class or hours of help. Along the way, you’re likely your New Year’s resolutions through. tour of a local museum/gallery. The Twin to develop new friendships and learn more Those resolutions can include: Cities offers so many free opportunities to about your neighbors and yourself. immerse yourself in art and culture. Try Improving Your Health a new sport like pickleball or curling. Or, May 2020 be your best year yet – a year Whether the goal is to run a 5K or reduce learn a skill that may someday save your of growth and learning! v your risk of developing a chronic disease, life: Child or adult swimming lessons at physical activity is the #1 answer to get the Blaisdell YMCA! you feeling better in 2020. Not only will you be healthier, but you’ll also develop confidence and a sense of pride as you take control of your health and realize just Christian Fritzberg, how much you are capable of accomplish- Realtor ing. Start with 20 minutes of walking, S.R.E.S.–I specialize in working with seniors. I help people “right size.” three days a week. Resident of Field neighborhood since 2011. Member of the communications committee. Making Family Time a Priority (612) 414-6175 Eat meals together – encouraging younger [email protected] family members to help prepare parts of christianfritzberg.com the meal. Not only does this encourage healthier eating, but it also gives families uninterrupted time to share what is on

Close to Home, newsletter for the Field Regina Northrop Neighborhood Group • frnng.org • January/February 2020 11 Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE L NA N N NL PAID Your neighborhood newsletter produced for neighbors by neighbors. TWIN CITIES, MN 1620 East 46th Street PERMIT #1342 Minneapolis, MN 55407

• Annual meeting Thursday, April 23 • Annual celebration Saturday, June XX • Southside Sprint Bike Race Sunday, July 19

Close to Home is produced for neighbors by neighbors. The next deadline is Friday, January 24. We welcome your comments, complete articles, and hi-res photos. Please contact us: [email protected]

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Annual meeting Thursday, April 23 Inside this issue

Opportunities for strengthening connections Page 1

Remembering an involved neighbor Page 1

Sue Filbin What’s this committee doing? Page 5 If your bowling banquet falls on the 4th Thursday evening in April, you’ve got a valid excuse to miss the Field Regina Northrop (FRN) neighborhood annual meeting. Otherwise, McRae Park is “booming” Pages 6 you will want to be there. Why? Because this is an opportu- nity to ask questions, elect leaders, meet and interact with elected city and county officials, and get involved. Diverse home-based businesses Pages 8-9 At the annual meeting, you will meet other curious neighbors and learn about the possibilities to contribute to FRN. We en- courage you to show up – and make a difference in your part

of the world. Your initiative can have a significant impact. A “kind and generous” neighbor Page 11 January/February 2020 January/February