Summer Quarterly 2014

Crafts Arts Dance Music Food Theatre Services Community

OUT & ABOUT
Were HOT in Seward!
Discover the food,
shops, to-dos and all
that makes our hood
the place to hang out
for summer.
Read why Seward
is the place folks
talk about, visit &
want to live in!
Welna II
A Very Good Neighbor
Food Spots
A Taste of Seward
Gardens,
Get-Togethers,
& Good Eats
SPOKES Biking
Lets get moving!
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The Seward Profile, a quarterly publication
of the Seward Neighborhood Group (SNG),
strives to keep neighborhood residents,
businesses, property owners and organizations
informed of what's happening in Seward
and assist SNG in building and sustaining
a strong, diverse, and vibrant community.
As a typical Seward endeavor, the Profile
relies on volunteers to plan each issue,
create copy, sell ads, and prepare the
printed edition for mailing. We welcome
your suggestions and would welcome your
time and energy even more.
To get involved, contact us at
profile@sng.org or Seward Profile, 2323
E. Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis, 55406.
Upcoming Issue and Deadline
FALL Issue 2014
Copy and ad deadline:
August 8, 2014
In homes and businesses:
August 29-31
If you or someone you know would like a
written translation of the Profile Quarterly,
please contact profile@sng.org or call
612-338-6205.
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Editors & Staff Writers, and Volunteers:
Diann A., Bruce J., Michael P., Kurt N., Trevor B.
Design: Marne Z.
e-mail:profile@SNG.org
Printer: Print Craft
For information on everything Seward,
find us at www.sng.org
Mark your calendar for the Potluck Dinner at Matthews Park
June 18 at 6:00 PM. On Wednesday June 18th, the Community
Conversations project of the Seward Neighborhood Group is
hosting a multicultural potluck in
Matthews Center. This is your chance
to share your culture and learn about the
other cultures of our Seward Neighbors.
Come for dinner, bring something to share
and bring your own plate and utensils.
Please RSVP at kerry@SNG.org or just
show up with a willingness to meet
new friends.
Join us for dinner!
Flowers & Tea, Please
The Seward Garden Tour and Tea Party is a chance to stroll through some of
Sewards most interesting urban gardens on an early
summer evening, pick up gardening tips, enjoy light
refreshment, and support SNG. This years event is
on Thursday evening June 26th from 6 to 8 pm
(potential rain date June 27). Holding the tour on
a weekday evening frees up another of those precious
summer weekends for gardeners and garden tourists
alike. Advance tickets are on sale at Welna II Hard-
ware, 2201 East Franklin. Ticket sales on June 26th
will be at 2901 East 22nd Street from 5:30 to 7:30
p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 on the day
of the tour. Proceeds benefit the community building
work of the Seward Neighborhood Group.
National Night Out & Block Clubs
National Night Out (NNO) is Tuesday,
August 5th. On NNO, block clubs throughout
the country get together to have fun and
strengthen community. If you don't know who
your block club leader is or if your block doesn't
normally have a NNO event, call Kerry at 612-
338-6205 ext 119 or e-mail kerry@sng.org
She can help connect you with a block leader
or help you plan your own event. Don't feel like
NNO is your only opportunity to get out and be
social with your neighbors. Plan a walk around
the block to pick up litter or stencil a few storm drains. NNO should be all year
round. SNG has plenty of ideas we can share with you to help you connect with
your neighbors.
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Welna II
Sewards Own Hardware Grows Up!
It is now 16 years this October that Sue and Jim Welna opened Welna II on the corner of
22nd Avenue and East Franklin.
Jim came into the business of hardware honestly; he and his brother, Mark, worked with
his father and grandfather at Welna Hardware in the Phillips neighborhood from the time
he was 12 years old. Eventually Mark purchased what was the original Welna Hardware.
That store was run with a small town feel; it was community minded and always friendly,
with the employees seen as extended family members.
When Jim and his wife, Sue, opened Welna II, this tradition of
joyful service continued. It is a place where customers are
guided to be good stewards of their homes and businesses.
Welna II is a virtual warehouse with access to over 75,000
items. Deliveries from the ACE Co-op are on Wednesday and
Saturday mornings. There is free delivery in the neighborhood
for all (as not everyone has a car). No purchase is too big or too
small they deliver everything from mulch and top soil to light
bulbs and birdseed.
The BIG NEW THING is The Paint Shop! Jim
attended a 3-day class in paint at ACE headquarters
in Chicago. In blind testing (done by a leading
Consumer Agency) ACE Paint was selected as top
of class with Clark & Kensington chosen as #1
two years in a row. Even the paint is local. Valspar
a Minneapolis company that has been making
low and no VOC paints for
several years recently
purchased the ACE paint
factories lines and reformulated them to their exacting in-house
standards.
Both Sue and Jim believe that Welna II store can be the destination
for paint in the local Seward community and surrounding ones.
Jim took inventory of what other stores had to offer and thought,
we can be the one-stop shop for all paint needs.
The selection of paint is very personal. Many of Welna IIs employees have artistic back-
grounds and feel a deep sense of pride in what they do and how they share their knowledge.
Being friendly and social, having spontaneous events, and connecting on a daily basis with
all who stop by has made Welna II a very special place, one where a customer is always
welcomed with a smile, a big hello and plenty of do-it-yourself insight.
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Discover all
that is Seward at
www.sng.org
Keep in touch with all things Welna II. Visit them
at https://www.facebook.com/WelnaIIHardware
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Seward Montessori Elementary School:
A championship team!
The Seward Montessori Sharks Chess Club defended its title in March
against 32 other teams and placed first in the 2014 SCA Statewide
Primary/Elementary Championship (K-6). Just a week later, Seward
took the first place K-6 and second place K-3 team trophies at the 2014
MSCA State Scholastic Championships.
The Seward Chess Club, in existence since the late 1990s, had a very
successful 2013-14 season winning numerous individual and team
trophies. Based on their
success, Seward will be
sending seven players to
the National Primary and
Elementary Championship
in Dallas, TX in May 2014.
Club members have worked
hard over the years to
develop their skills and
improve their play and
Nationals is an experience that will reward them for their dedication.
The Seward Chess Club seeks your support to fund their trip. To learn
more about chess at Seward Montessori or to donate visit our home-
page at http://seward.mpls.k12.mn.us/chess_club.
Seward Montessori Expansion
As staff, students, and parents know, Seward Montessori School is bursting at
the seams. The building, sized for 600 students, currently is serving 900. To
insure continued educational excellence at Seward, the Minneapolis School
District is undertaking an 18.4 million dollar expansion of the school, scheduled
to begin this October and be completed in July, 2016.
The expansion with add 10 new classrooms, 6 new classroom support spaces,
a new lunch room, kitchen and media center, and a redesigned building
entrance to create a well-defined front-door to the school and enhance
building security. The 51,000 square foot expansion will be accomplished in
part by building a third floor on top of the existing classroom wing and adding
kindergarten classrooms on the north side of the building.
The community is invited to a presentation about this project on Tuesday, June
10 at 7 p.m. in the Seward School multi-purpose room. This presentation will
be part of the regularly scheduled SNG Community Development Committee
meeting.
Urban Garden Supply:
New Life to Old Fencing
Now that spring has finally sprung, Seward residents are
able to turn their gardening dreams into reality. Seward
resident, Pete Munene, enhances local gardens by creating
unique and beautiful structures from reclaimed cedar and
redwood.
Pete started Urban Garden Supply in 2010 with the goal of
keeping old fences and decks out of the landfill and giving
them new lives as raised vegetable gardens, flower planters
and trellises in the Seward neighborhood and beyond.
There are several benefits to installing raised gardens
beds: they can be placed anywhere - in an underutilized
space in yards or on concrete; they provide easy access
for soil preparation and planting and they allow for deeper
root systems.
To see additional photos and learn more about the products
and services offered by Urban Garden Supply, visit them at
www.urbangardensupply.com.
by Diann Anders
by Diann Anders
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Tracys Saloon
All Meet Peacefully Here
Some remember it as Dick Tracys, or maybe the Minnesota Bar or The Brewery. Records show
that the storefront at 2207 E. Franklin has also housed a dress shop and a butchers. Today its
Tracys Saloon.
Residents who recall the bar in previous incarnations marvel at the changes. They remember the
main room featuring one huge oval or horseshoe bar, the side room a poolroom, and 3.2 beer
being served. While owner Sanjaya Wanduragala prefers to keep a low profile, hes played a
leading role in Tracys evolution, first on the food front, and more recently with an extensive
and expensive renovation.
How Tracys became Tracys
Tracys became Tracys in 1979 after being purchased by two business partners. It was Dick
Tracys Saloon for a time, but that was blatant copyright infringement. Owners stole the cartoon
characters likeness, creating ads with fake comic strips sporting a perfect likeness of Dick Tracy,
which prompted DC Comics to take legal action.
Jeff Vlaming, a Minnesota Daily cartoonist, who worked at the bar, explained the solution.
DICK TRACY'S SALOON became TRACY'S SALOON and we designed a new Keystone Cop kind
of character to be its new mascot (for which I was paid exactly fifteen dollars.)
Joel Chesin, who Wanduragala describes as, an old school classic bar owner, and his mentor,
bought Tracys in the early 1990s, upgrading its menu and altering the dcor. Then, in 2006, not
long out of graduate school, working in the corporate world, Wanduragala heard from a mutual
friend that Chesin was selling. He and his wife, Debra, had planned to work their desk jobs for
several years and then open a food-focused bar, but Tracys was a long-time favorite, so the couple
shifted gears. They consulted with best friend, Robert Erickson, and decided it made sense to
purchase an established business. The three became partners.
Changing with the neighborhood
What Wanduragala inherited was a sports-themed
bar with a sandwich menu. Changes since then reflect
changes in Seward, he says. In 2006, the neighborhood
was, a lot rougher, the bar itself was pretty rough, we
had to focus on cleaning up the crowd. He credits
long-time employee and manager Brenda Ludwick.
Tracys now features higher quality wines and boubons.
With an almost entirely scratch kitchen, the staff
makes its own fries and sauces, and purchases meat
from a local butcher, so that its fresh, never frozen. Today youll find menu items that never would
have appeared in the past, including sauted broccolini, prawns with ginger noodle, and wild boar
shepherds pie. One tradition that hasnt gone away is the wooden nickel happy hour, something
that Wanduragala says dates back to at least the early 1980s.
For several weeks beginning in December, Tracys doors were closed, its windows papered over.
A new wood floor was installed, roofing replaced, dining room ceiling opened up, and booths along
the east wall exchanged with a banquette. While some cosmetic changes had been planned,
structural issues were a costly surprise.
Most rewarding to Wanduragala is that his establishment brings together long-time residents,
students from nearby campuses, East African community members, and sports teams. As he
puts it, all different age groups, economic groups, and racial groups meet peacefully here,
something that not every bar owner can claim.
by Bruce Johansen
Discover all
that is Seward at
www.sng.org
Stay in the know of all things Tracys. Visit them
at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tracys-Saloon/29756642594
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Seward Neighborhood Group
Home Improvement Assistance
Are you thinking about making improvements to your home,
but not sure how to proceed? The Seward Neighborhood
Group's Housing Coordinator can help with project planning,
hiring contractors, obtaining financing and advice during
construction.
To schedule an appointment, contact
Doug Wise, SNG's Housing Coordinator, at
(612) 338-6205, ext. 102 or doug@sng.org.
Pat Rosaves is RIVER REALTY
Pat Rosaves grew up in South Minneapolis by the lakes and moved to Seward 37 years ago and knew that
this was the place. She has run a realty business for 30+ years, of which 16 years has seen her specialize in
the Seward and Greater Longfellow communities.
What drew her to this neighborhood in the beginning? She heard that it was a great community, that its walk-
able, and one does not need to leave the neighborhood to eat, have fun, visit friends or find local businesses
(no travelling to get stuff.) I was a single mom when I moved here, says Pat. She didnt know anyone so
she went to the original Seward Co-op to see how she might connect with other single moms. Talking with the
cashier about how she wanted to meet others, find child care and all led to that Co-op member giving her a
phone number to another like-minded mom!
Pat feels that Seward is absolutely the best place to have a local business and to work at home. The Seward
neighborhood is inviting to those who are self-starters and is incredibly supportive. These home-based entre-
preneurs become the eyes & ears of the
neighborhood. She has found that nothing
keeps a community stronger than having neighbors who are concerned about
what happens to their friends and colleagues.
Pat has found that for all of us in Seward the quality of life is very important.
This community is not what Garrison Keillor calls, yuppie scum (ie. those
with no guilt); Seward is one caring group! It is a community of do gooders
and givers. We have a conscience and our neighbors act upon it.
Her thoughts on the Seward housing market its bounced back, yet not
showing the craziness of the past with respect to high prices. Everyone is
concerned about the value of their home, and most are pricing their homes
appropriately so homes are not on the market for significant amounts of
time. Buyers are definitely cautious, yet know a deal or steal when they
see one and act immediately.
The slight rise in mortgage rates and housing values has not tamped down
the desire to live in Seward. Sewards reputation as a low-key, creative and
supportive place to live is out there. Working with two other agents and
a real estate assistant, she networks constantly, keeping her feelers out for
good, comfortable homes. She is always interested in looking at what others
have done to improve or re-model their places to keep in the know.
The Seward neighborhood is a very special place with its small-town,
down-to-earth feel, and its residents - and those looking to move here
know thats a really good thing.
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bike-walk-connect
SPOKES
bike-walk-connect
SPOKES
For more details,
check www.SpokesConnect.org
Follow SPOKES on Facebook (www.fb.com/SpokesConnect)
or check our website (www.SpokesConnect.org) for updates.
EVERY WEEK
Open Shop - Use our tools to fix your bike!
Wednesdays from 5 to 9 PM
Saturdays from 1 to 5 PM
Volunteer Night
No experience needed; a variety of volunteer jobs to do
Thursdays. Come any time between 5 PM and 9 PM
Hub Store - Great used bikes for sale, plus accessories and parts
Saturdays, 10 AM to 5 PM
EVERY MONTH
Grease Rag - Women, Transgender and Femme only
Open Shop: 2nd and 4th Monday of every month,
7 to 9 PM
Volunteer Training - Learn some more about bike mechanics
2nd Thursday of every month, 6 to 7 PM
Open Shops and Volunteer Nights need no reservation.
For classes, please register by emailing
info@SpokesConnect.org or calling 612-787-7433
JUNE
Adult Learn-to-Ride Class
Starts Tuesday, June 3, four Tuesdays 5:30 to 7 PM.
Call or email for details.
Community Ride to Lyndale Open Streets Event
Sunday, June 8, Meet at SPOKES at noon.
Community Ride to Somali Independence Day
Saturday, June 21, Meet at SPOKES at noon.
JULY
Teen Learn-to-Ride Class
Starts Tuesday, July 1, for four Tuesdays
5:30 to 7 PM.
Call or email for details.
Tune Up Your Bike Class
Monday, July 7, 6 PM
SUMMER
IN THE CITY
JULY continued
Confident Cycling Traffic Skills Short Course
Be more confident riding in traffic
Saturday, July 19, 9:30 AM
Wheel Truing 101
Tuesday, July 22, 6 PM
Community ride to Wild Things Festival in Osceola, WI
(and Eat for Equity Event) 52 mile ride.
Saturday, July 26 to Sunday, July 27
AUGUST
Earn-a-Bike
Volunteer at SPOKES, learn basic
bike maintenance and rehab a bike you can keep.
Saturdays 9 to 12 PM
Wheel Truing 101
Monday, August 4, 7 PM
Franklin Open Street.
Franklin from Portland to 28th
will open ONLY for
pedestrians and bicyclists
Sunday, August 17, 10 AM to 4 PM
Back-to-School Bike Tune Up Class
Monday, August 25, 5 PM
Discover all
that is Seward at
www.sng.org
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Discover all
that is Seward at
www.sng.org
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Welcome to the Neighborhood!
Seward Welcome Kits Now Available
SNG has updated welcome kits to pass out to new neighbors. If you have
new neighbors on your block stop by SNG at 2323 East Franklin Avenue and
pick up a kit. This is an easy way to stop by and meet your new neighbors.
Stencil Seward in!
Freshly stencil Sewards storm drains
You can help! With the help of the City of Minneapolis, the parks department, and
Friends of the Mississippi River we hope to raise awareness around the pollution of our lakes
and rivers from storm drains. Any leaves or garbage left in the road will drain directly into
the Mississippi River and pollute our river. Take it from the professionals at Friends of the
Mississippi River as they talk about the harm and potential damage of this on our river:
Storm drains are part of the storm sewer system which carries untreated rain and
snow-melt directly from the citys lawns and streets to rivers and lakes. This runoff from
our urban landscape carries anything in the street directly to the nearest lake or river.
The stenciled message alerts citizens to this fact.
If you are interested in helping stencil the storm drains
around Seward, SNG will provide supplies for neighborhood use.
Email Kerry@sng.org to reserve your stenciling kit. Stenciling is a
great opportunity to get outside with your neighbors and make a
difference in your community and the environment.
Norwegian Day is July 13
The 89th Annual Norwegian Day is Sunday, July 13 at
Minnehaha Park. This all day event brings together
some of the best and brightest entertainment talent in
the Norwegian American community. The day begins
with a worship service at 11:00, followed by a riot of
activities and performances including a childrens
parade to a traditional Norwegian march, the Norwegian
Glee Club, and The Minnesota Scandinavian Ensemble
among other acts. Food will be available for purchase
and Norwegian arts and crafts will be on display as
well as for sale.