Eden Prairie, MN March 2024

HOME SERVICES

CLASSIC COMPANY

HOME + DESIGN

YETZER HOME STORE

ACCESS DESIGN + BUILD

REAL ESTATE

PLATZKE REAL ESTATE GROUP

Home Is Where the Eden Prairie Lifestyle Is

Hello Eden Prairie Lifestyle readers, Jellybean Row. It’s the collective name for the brightly colored houses lining the streets of St. John’s, Newfoundland. Monarch orange. Electric cyan. Pea soup green. Candy striper pinafore pink. The whole city looks like it was designed by an indecisive 5-year-old with a fresh pack of Crayolas.

Why does St. John’s look this way? Imagine you were a 17th-century fisherman returning to port after spending months bobbing around in the Labrador Sea. The most beautiful sight in the world would be your home, where your wife is cooking something delicious that doesn’t contain cod. So what do you do? You paint your home a dazzling hue that makes it easily visible from the drizzly bay.

Am I suggesting that you should paint your home chartreuse so you can spot it from 494? I’m not not suggesting that. But really, I’m just illustrating a very original point that has probably never crossed your mind before: your home is important.

This is the Home issue, in which we celebrate the local businesses that make a house into something more. We have Yetzer Home Store, where you’ll find the highest-quality furniture the Twin Cities have to offer. We have Classic Company, which can give you a patio, driveway and pool deck so gorgeous that you would feel guilty stepping on them. We have Access Design + Build, which makes aging in place equally safe and stylish. We have Monkey Wrench Plumbing, which is standing by to help you navigate emergencies and remodels alike. We have Platzke Real Estate Group, the top Coldwell Banker team in the state of Minnesota. Finally, we are honored to feature the talents of award-winning watercolorist David Smith.

As always, I would like to thank all of Eden Prairie Lifestyle’s sponsors, without whose generous support we could not mail our magazine directly to our readers’ homes. I always welcome any feedback or interest you may have in appearing on our magazine’s pages!

Best regards,

JOHN LEE, PUBLISHER @EDEN_PRAIRIE_LIFESTYLE

March 2024

John Lee | john.lee@citylifestyle.com

David Scheller | david.scheller@citylifestyle.com

Emily John

Corporate Team

There is a lot to consider when choosing a financial institution - such as convenience, technology and products Perhaps you want a bank that gives back to the community it serves More than anything, your bank should have familiar, friendly people you know you can count on any time of the day At First Western Bank & Trust we are all these things and more You can bank on us

David Thompson

Tony Seipp Market President VP Commercial Banker

Richard Hawes

Natalie Schultz Commercial Banker Mortgage Banker NMLS: 351793

1646104

509842

Laura Dwyer Mortgage Banker

292121

Tony Berthiaume SVP Commercial Banker

Peter Haugen Consumer Lending Officer NMLS: 509842

Metropolitan Airports

Our network of airports work to relieve air traffic congestion at MSP while providing a vital outlet for flight training, military operations, and corporate and recreational flying.

At OBGYN West, you will find a provider that will be with you every step of the way. Maintaining strong, caring relationships with our patients is important.

Our providers offer personalized compassionate care for all your women’s healthcare needs.

Adolescent Care Infertility · Obstetrics · Gynecology Incontinence Issues · Weight Loss Ob/Gyn Physical Therapy Menopause

monthly

Cadence Chiropractic Hosts Recharge and Revitalize Spa Experience

Dr. Amanda Haeg tailors care to her patients’ exact needs at Cadence Chiropractic, her clinic in Eden Prairie. On January 27th Dr. Haeg hosted the Recharge & Revitalize Spa Experience: a wide range of services by local health and wellness professionals, thoughtfully curated to provide full mind, body and soul rejuvenation. Each guest enjoyed an infrared sauna, massage and acupuncture session, as well as IV infusion, sound therapy and more. cadencechiromn.com

Summit Orthopedics Cuts the Ribbon

The pinnacle of orthopedic care has come to Eden Prairie! Summit Orthopedics offers orthopedic care and sports medicine by a close-knit team of surgeons, physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, certified athletic trainers and therapists. Receive expert treatment for hand, foot, ankle and spine issues, as well as walk-in urgent care. Two X-ray rooms minimize wait time. Summit Orthopedics’ newest clinic is conveniently located just across the street from Eden Prairie Center. summitortho.com

HAHLAH Consulting Cuts the Ribbon

Experienced consultants, for all your business needs. HAHLAH Consulting Group believes in turning your dreams and goals into reality – and their experts know just how to do it. Whether you’re just starting out or planning to restructure, in need of impartial advice or practical assistance, or just looking for great new talent, HAHLAH Consulting Group’s business planning, business maintenance, human resources and legal assistance services have you covered. HAHLAH when your business needs help! hahlah.com

EAT, DRINK PLAY MINI GOLF

THE BURROW IS YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD GAMING DEN WITH 17 HOLES OF MINI GOLF, AXE THROWING & ARCADES. COME CHECK OUT OUR HOMEMADE PIZZAS & GOURMET BURGERS & 32 LOCAL TAPS & CRAFT COCKTAILS.

WWW.THEBURROWMN.COM

VICTORIA and OAKDALE

Three Mad Poppers Cuts the Ribbon

The Price family has brought their insanely delicious gourmet popcorn to Eden Prairie Center! Folks … this is popcorn that has to be eaten to be believed. It is hot air popped to perfection in small handmade batches each morning, and features delectable ingredients like madefrom-scratch caramel and real cheddar cheese. Go try their caramel apple, Cajun cheddar, rainbow mix, or double cheese today. Give freshly popped tins to the people you love! threemadpoppers.com

Minnesota Music Hall of Fame to Induct Pamela Helmer McNeill

Prince. Bob Dylan. Garrison Keillor. Soul Asylum. The Minnesota Music Hall of Fame is a pantheon of our great state’s greatest talent. On April 19th the New Ulm museum

will hold its 33rd annual induction ceremony, during which it will officially add Eden Prairie resident and frequent Chanhassen Dinner Theatres performer Pamela Helmer McNeill to the annals of Minnesota music history. “I’m honored to take my place among so many legends!” said Pamela.   pamelamcneill.com | chanhassendt.com

The PROP Shop Needs

Your Used Pots and Pans

Do you own a pan that hasn’t fried an egg during the current millennium? A pot that hasn’t held a stew since the collapse of the USSR? Don’t let it gather dust any longer. Bring it to The PROP Shop so it can do real good for a family in need in Eden Prairie or Chanhassen! The PROP Shop is available to accept all gently used clothing and household essentials Tuesday through Saturday 10am–3pm. propshopep.org

Kirsten Barott Awarded National Institute Scholarship

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management recently announced that Kirsten Barott, relationship and events manager for the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce, has been awarded a National Institute Scholarship. Given to professionals across the country, the National Institute Scholarship recognizes each recipient for their involvement in industry professional organizations, community service, and professional background. Congratulations, Kirsten! epchamber.org

Kona Grill

WEEKEND BRUNCH SERVED SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS 10AM–2PM

ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER

This weekend, forget about breakfast and lunch. Head to Kona Grill for something a hundred times better: brunch! Ricotta cheese fritters nestled under blueberry-ginger compote, toasted honey butter and raspberry sauce. Spicy lobster avocado toast adorned with a quail egg and hollandaise – a sauce supreme in many ways. Steak and eggs, featuring a 12-ounce grilled ribeye in peppercorn sauce served with potatoes, grilled asparagus, and your choice of bacon or sausage. Carrot cake, butter cake, chocolate cake and cheesecake. A wide selection of craft cocktails, including Kona-mosas in many colors of the rainbow. It’s Eden Prairie’s ultimate weekend getaway! konagrill.com

BEARPATH GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

MANY

WAYS TO SERVE YOU

Don’t live in Bearpath? Don’t play golf? Then you’ll still love Bearpath Golf & Country Club. Its picturesque grounds, luxurious spaces, and full-service event planning team make Bearpath the ideal venue for any occasion.  Weddings. Birthdays. Anniversaries. Retirements. Charity fundraisers. Bearpath brilliantly accommodates events of all sizes. And if you would like to host a corporate gathering that makes a big impact, Bearpath offers the perfect setting.

• The Nicklaus Boardroom , named after the golf course’s legendary designer, as well as its impressive table which seats up to 12 guests

• The Fireside Room , replete with a cozy fireplace and rich decor, with tables that can be arranged for any type of meeting of up to 30 guests

• The Signature Ballroom , which surrounds up to 300 guests with an elegant flower-lined patio and panoramic view of Bearpath’s immaculate greens

ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER

Bearpath doesn’t just make events memorable by serving first-class food and drink in beautiful spaces. Their golf simulator, wine and yoga events, happy hours, and many other on-site amenities all make great team-building activities.

Not a member? Not a problem. Bearpath’s meeting and event spaces are all available to the general public. And if you are interested in everything Bearpath has to offer – minus the sports – then their social membership is just for you. For a $500 initiation fee and $100 monthly dues, you’ll enjoy exclusive access to Bearpath’s Adult Grille, Nick Bar, family dining room, outdoor patios, and a variety of social events and activities scheduled throughout the year.

Bearpath Golf & Country Club offers three membership tiers: golf, social, and pool/ tennis/fitness. Visit bearpathgolf.com to learn more, as well as to schedule your upcoming special event or corporate meeting!

ARTICLE

DAVID SCHELLER

EMILY JOHN

Plywood that was previously used to secure windows during Hurricane Elena. Upholstery that would look right at home draped across the floors of an animal rescue. Dimensions that appear to have been devised by an AI which only has a dim notion of how the human body is proportioned. These are the hallmarks of cheap furniture – the specialty of many chain stores, not one of which bears mention in a sophisticated magazine like Eden Prairie Lifestyle.

The driving force behind Yetzer Home Store’s success is no mystery. They have exclusively purveyed timeless quality since their foundation in 1941, which is why many Minnesotans’ family heirlooms trace their roots back to Waconia. Visit their showroom and you will discover a wide assortment of solid, elegant, American-made pieces – any of which could materialize in your home the same day you discover it – as well as the option of commissioning custom furniture by the Midwest’s own Amish craftsmen. Their premium mattresses, flooring, window treatments and rugs only further illustrate why Yetzer has transcended store status. It is an institution: the destination for people who truly own their homes, rather than merely occupy them.

And now Yetzer has yet another patent of success. With the grand opening of their second location in Forest Lake on November 19th, 2022, they became the first chain furniture store to grace this humble magazine’s pages.

CONTINUED >

“I got my first retail job when I was 14 years old,” said Thomas Wiest, owner of Yetzer, now 56, which is assuredly still a young age. “I enjoy retail. I’m told I’m good at it. I think anyone would agree that retail is what I do.”

Thomas’s finely honed retail instincts compelled him to purchase Yetzer’s original location in 2015. His decision to expand to Forest Lake was a far more measured one.

“I wanted to make sure the same business model that has made Yetzer an inextricable part of Waconia’s downtown would also bear fruit in our newest location,” said Thomas. “All roads pointed to Forest Lake. It has roughly the same population size. Its per capita income is only $1,500 apart. It has similar homes dotting a similar landscape. There were also no furniture stores within a 15-mile radius of Forest Lake – much like Waconia would have been, if not for Yetzer.”

Yetzer’s new 10,000-square-foot location was formerly a Rainbow Foods. Its polished cement floor still bears the faint outlines of holes which once gave passage to freon. It is a touch smaller than the flagship, although its absence of stairs does make it feel somewhat more spacious. These are only cosmetic differences, of course. The Forest Lake location is replete with the qualities which make Yetzer uniquely Yetzer.

“It’s still the same high-touch, high-communication customer service we’ve built our name on for eight decades,” said Thomas. “It’s still the same high-caliber merchandise, too. Our newest guests occasionally question why our prices are higher than our competitors’. But once they see just how well our pieces have been crafted – completely devoid of particle board and other flimsy materials common to the contents of shipping containers from China – they understand that we don’t in fact have any competitors. Yetzer occupies a singular sweet spot: mid- to upper-end quality in a boutique setting, where ordering custom is just as convenient as taking home a floor model.

“My wife Lynette and I cut the ribbon on our Forest Lake location with reasonable expectations. Our hope had been to match Waconia’s sales within 36 months of the snip. I’m now proud to say that Forest Lake actually surpassed Waconia several months out of last year. It is a testament to careful planning, our commitment to exceeding our guests’ expectations for their furniture shopping experience, and Minnesotans’ love of fine things. Other stores’ pieces wind up in landfills. Ours earn their places in our customers’ grandchildren’s houses.”

Yetzer Home Store’s three locations dedicated to furniture, sleep and flooring are all within walking distance of one another in downtown Waconia. If you ever find yourself on the other side of the Twin Cities, stop by their new location at 279 12th Street SW in Forest Lake. You may also call (952) 442-4242 (Waconia) or (651) 464-2131 (Forest Lake), or visit yetzers.com to learn more about how Yetzer can help transform your home.

Platzke Real Estate Group

#1 COLDWELL BANKER TEAM IN MINNESOTA

ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER

In 2023, Helgeson Platzke Real Estate Group closed 423 transactions for a total of $247 million in sales. Consider that a point of town pride: an Eden Prairie real estate agency surpassing the gross national product of two sovereign nations.

Granted, Tuvalu and Nauru aren’t exactly economic juggernauts. Even so, Micronesia had better watch its back, because Ryan Platzke and his team are just getting started. Their goal for 2024? Five hundred transactions.

“I began my real estate career in 2002, and joined Brace Helgeson as one of his four buyers agents (including Josie Patterson, who is still on our team) a couple of years afterward,” said Ryan. “I caught Brace’s attention because I had developed one of the internet’s earliest systems for generating leads, which was producing more than I could possibly handle on my own at the time. It’s a field in which I’m still innovating to this day, and which continues to propel our agency ahead of our competitors.

I also helped build our REO division during the foreclosure boom of 2007. Alongside the tireless efforts of my team members, that secured our powerhouse status by the time Brace and I became partners in 2011.

“As of January 1st, 2024, Brace has passed the torch. I am honored to say we are officially doing business as Platzke Real Estate Group. We’re incredibly grateful to still call Brace our team member, and for all of his hard work helping us become Coldwell Banker’s top home-selling team for nine years running. It’s a distinction we also couldn’t have achieved without the patronage of the city we’re so proud to serve. Thank you, Eden Prairie, for making us number one!”

Platzke Real Estate Group will continue doing everything that has already made them a market leader. Platinum star customer service, which includes assistance with staging and presenting properties so they receive optimal exposure and close for higher prices. Maintaining a vast network of buyers with over 42,000 email subscribers, which frequently preempts the need to formally list properties at all. Investing more into marketing than 99 percent of all other agencies in Minnesota (or “swinging a big marketing bat,” as Ryan puts it). Platzke Real Estate Group will also continue to monopolize all of Eden Prairie’s zip codes on Zillow: the leading website for online real estate searches.

“I recently became Zillow’s newest (and currently their only) Agent Advisory Board member in the state of Minnesota – one of just 28 members nationwide,” said Ryan. “It’s an honor to provide my insight and industry expertise to Zillow. I look forward to helping as we keep growing Zillow’s presence in the Midwest real estate market for many years to come.

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RYAN PLATZKE

“I can’t overemphasize just how finely we’ve honed our customer service over the decades. You can never become complacent in such a fast-paced industry, which is why I’m redoubling our efforts to go above and beyond for our clients.

I call it the Platzke Promise :

Listen. Deliver. Be caring, transparent and accurate. Strive for unrivaled excellence, with gilded results. Redefine real estate from contract to close.

“The Platzke Promise means putting the client first in everything we do. We’re giving the best versions of ourselves – always doing the right thing, even when it goes well past the traditional duties of a real estate agent. We’re going to exceed standards our clients didn’t even know they have for their agents.”

If you would like to buy or sell a home in Eden Prairie, then you can do no better than to engage the Platzke Real Estate Group. You may learn more at platzkerealestategroup.com, or contact Ryan directly at rmplatzke@cbburnet.com or (952) 942-7777.

JeannineBurnett, Founder and PrincipalDesigner

Access Design + Build

Live Barrier Free

Minnesota will continue to stand strong so long as we have our most precious resource. I am speaking, of course, about baby boomers: that enlightened generation which gave the world cell phones, the internet, and music that can actually be listened to. That’s why I’m grateful to declare there will be no shortage of boomers for the foreseeable future. By the year 2030, one out of five Minnesotans will be a boomer!

Unfortunately, the hips which spun the first hula hoops and the feet which piloted the first skateboards are no longer as steady as they once were. That’s what makes Access Design + Build so special. The Fridley contractor specializes in remodels which make homes safer for aging in place whilst simultaneously enhancing their charm and aesthetics.

“Ninety percent of people who are over the age of 70 want to stay in their homes for as long as possible,” said Jeannine Burnett, founder and principal designer of Access Design + Build. “We’re here to make it possible by providing holistic solutions to aging in place.”

Access Design + Build’s approach extends beyond installing the safety features you need at the present moment. It looks far ahead into the future by preparing your home for quick and easy installation of additional safety features as well.

For example, while you may not need grab bars in your bathroom right now, you could in the coming decades. Thanks to the support brackets Jeannine’s team concealed behind your shower wall, adding them would take only an hour.

“Bad design costs more than you might imagine,” said Jeannine. “There are many cheap products available online, like plastic grab bars that splinter apart under a normal person’s weight, and toilet lifts which pose just as great a threat to the people using them as they do the plumbing below. But we won’t just save you money by designing spaces that keep you out of rehab. We will also increase your property value by designing beautiful spaces where safety features are seamlessly integrated.”

One look at an Access Design + Build bathroom tells the whole story. It is warm and inviting, like a five-star resort’s spa – not clunky and sterile, like the hospital you’re doing everything you can to avoid. Grab bars and faucets share matching finishes. The shower, although curbless, remains distinct courtesy of its soft yet highly visible borders. Even a walk-in tub looks as though it belongs right where it was placed. Nothing is an afterthought. Everything flows together. It’s the magic of intentionality.

ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER

“

“Some people are apprehensive about aging-in-place remodeling because they worry it would make their homes unappealing to homebuyers,” said Jeannine. “If you’re one of them, then you can put those fears to rest. By the year 2030, Minnesota will have more people over the age of 65 than at any other point in history. They will represent 25 percent of the total population – an increase of over 33 percent from 2012. In no uncertain terms, features that make homes safer to age in will become enormous selling points. And when they’re thoughtfully integrated into attractive, coherent living spaces, they will only do more to attract a continually growing subset of homebuyers.”

Stay right where you belong: in the comfort of your own home! Call (612) 688-4117 today for your free one-hour consultation, or visit accessdesignbuild.com to learn more about Access Design + Build’s all-encompassing solutions to disability and aging-in-place home design.

prairie center for

CLASSIC COMPANY

“We Pour Our Hearts Into Every Project”

Eden Prairie isn’t a concrete jungle. Thanks to Classic Company, our town is a concrete paradise, where any homeowner can have the walkway, driveway or outdoor living space of their dreams. Whether your idea is to remodel your home – or simply bring it to perfection with a matching fire pit and pool deck – the local specialists are standing by to make it concrete.

“Our business was founded by Eric Nelson: a lifelong concrete man,” said David Healy, director of marketing and estimator for Classic Company. “His father did concrete work for the Twin Cities’ biggest construction firm during the ‘80s and ‘90s, and poured the floors for the Met Center, Mall of America, and countless other projects around the metro.

“Eric learned from the best while working alongside his dad, and discovered a chance

ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER

to put his skills to good use before graduating college. That’s when he started doing landscaping as a side gig, and saw firsthand just how big a market there is for residential hardscaping. Retaining walls, patios, tennis courts, pergolas – the list goes on and on. Eric’s realization ultimately led to the creation of Classic Company in 2000.

“Most companies don’t last as long as ours has, but the secret to our success is no secret at all: hiring the right crews. Concrete is just concrete. The human touch makes all the difference, which is why all our guys are skilled, knowledgeable, diligent and dependable problem solvers who work hard to deliver outstanding results. If you’ve only seen concrete work at road construction sites, then you’ll be amazed by what our experts can do at your home.

“Hiring the Twin Cities’ best concrete guys has gotten us invited to some pretty fancy properties. We’re currently finishing up a project on Summit Avenue, where the homeowner asked us to replace the floor in their garage: a three-story stone carriage house built in 1912. It was an unusually complex project that included lots of foundation work, but the historic building’s appearance and integrity are now safely preserved for another 100 years.

“Our experience gives us the versatility we need to always match someone’s vision for their concrete – even if they change it mid-project. We just recently redid a client’s front stoop. Halfway through, they decided they wanted a cap on the brick portion of their stoop. Take it from me: that’s a big change! But it was possible, which was the only reason we needed to make it happen.

“Demand for outdoor living spaces skyrocketed during a certain event that started a few years ago, but it’s still going strong in Eden Prairie. If it did anything good, I think that certain event helped more people appreciate the beautiful neighborhoods they live in and resolve to spend more time in their backyards.

“We create outdoor living spaces that are truly deserving of their place in a town like Eden Prairie. We use custom stamps to give poured concrete the same texture as flagstone, cobblestone, natural stone, boardwalk, wood plank, and even reclaimed timber. And with over four dozen colors to choose from, our textured concrete can become almost indistinguishable from any surface it’s meant to mimic. If you decide to give your patio or pool deck a wood-like finish, only the termites will know the difference.”

Choose Classic Company to pave your way to a stronger and prettier home! Call (612) 552-7100 today for your free estimate, or visit mnconcretespecialists.com for more inspiration.

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Decorative & Specialty

• Stamped Concrete

• Stained Concrete

• Colored Concrete

• Exposed Aggregate Concrete

• Top Cast

• Natural Stone

• Polished Concrete

Outdoor Living Spaces

• Pool Decks

• Sports Courts

• Fire Pits

• Outdoor Grills

• Pergolas

• Retaining Walls

• Hot Tub Pads

• Benches

• Brick & Stone

Remodeling & New Construction

• Garage Floors

• Basement Floors

• Driveways

• Patios

• Walkways

• Front Entries

• Foundations

• Additions

• Crawl Spaces

Maintenance

• Concrete Cleaning

• Concrete Sealing

• Demolition

• Drain Tile

“We create outdoor living spaces that are truly deserving of their place in a town like Eden Prairie.”

WRENCH

MONKEY plumbing

PLUMBING SERVICES YOU’LL GO APE OVER

ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER

It is the year 20XX. You and your loving spouse have just received heartwarming news that your daughter has been elected president of the United States. This is a historic first! She won’t be the first female president (Taylor Swift already won that distinction), but she will become the first Minnesotan president. Her “ice fishing economy” platform wasn’t a huge hit with Southern voters at first, but she ultimately won them over once she promised to make fried cheese curds a compulsory menu item at all fast food restaurants.

You and your loving spouse are just about to leave for the airport so you can fly to your daughter’s inauguration ceremony, when all of a sudden the unthinkable happens. Your loving spouse notices that the bathtub faucet … is leaking. The horror! You can’t leave your home in such a sorry state, so you call your daughter and explain you’ll have to take a rain check. You’ll attend her next historic presidential inauguration. Promise

Unfortunately, other world leaders take note of your glaring absence at the televised ceremony. They reason that the new president’s lack of parental support means the United States must be weak, so they decide to make their moves. Switzerland invades Maryland. Laos invades Alaska. Bolivia issues a public statement that Texan barbecue is overrated. The world is on the brink of total nuclear annihilation, and it’s all because of your plumbing issues.

All of this could have been avoided if you’d only hired Monkey Wrench Plumbing. Founded by career plumbers Nick Hickman and John Hample in 2018, the family-owned Shakopee business is standing by to serve all Eden Prairie homeowners for all their plumbing needs.

Over two decades of combined experience encompassing everything from new construction to minor repairs. Thousands of customers happily served throughout the Twin Cities metro, including many right here in our hometown. The highest-quality parts, installed with the highest-quality tools. Licensed, bonded and insured, with services that strictly adhere to Minnesota Plumbing Code. Steadfast commitment to leaving every job site just as

Over two decades of combined experience encompassing everything from new construction to minor repairs.

clean as the state it was discovered in. Peerless customer service, complete with the lightning-fast communication so rarely exercised by plumbers nowadays.

All the hallmarks of a superlative plumber and the satisfaction of patronizing a locally owned business can be yours to enjoy. You only have to call (763) 370-0063.

HAVE A PLUMBING PROBLEM? MONKEY WRENCH PLUMBING HAS THE PERFECT FIX!

No job is too great or too small for Monkey Wrench Plumbing’s plumbers. It doesn’t matter if you just need a new faucet installed in your kitchen or bathroom. It doesn’t matter if you would like your ancient toilet replaced with a beautiful new one. It doesn’t matter if your water heater, water softener, dishwasher and clothes washer have all chosen the same day to expire. So long as you’ve got Nick and John on your side, all your plumbing issues are good as solved. Avoid serious property damage. Never be inconvenienced as a result of unsatisfactory plumbing ever again. Achieve world peace! Visit monkeywrenchmn. com today to schedule service, and enjoy perfect plumbing – forever

ZONE BLUE

What’s the secret to a happy, healthy, and long life? Believe it or not, it’s actually quite simple: There are no secret ingredients, no sizable expenditures, and absolutely zero manufactured elements of any kind. Dive in with us as we share insights from our interview with the internationally renowned Blue Zones Founder, National Geographic Explorer, and award-winning journalist who is revolutionizing the way Americans make choices that can lead to living your best life.

“GET YOUR HANDS ON A PLANT-BASED COOKBOOK, PICK A DOZEN RECIPES, AND COOK THOSE WITH YOUR FAMILY ON SUNDAYS.”

For over twenty years, Dan Buettner has been fully committed to studying the health and longevity of Americans as well as influencing the proper and attainable health-centric environments our communities should embody. What started with identifying five “blue zones” around the world where people are both living longer as well as enjoying a higher quality of life in their elder years has now also evolved into proactively creating eco-systems where our communities engage in setting the standard for clean health.

If you haven’t subscribed to watching “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones” streaming on Netflix, do yourself a favor and soak up the well-documented views into how Ikaria, Greece, Loma Linda, California, Sardinia, Italy, Okinawa, Japan, and Nicoya, Costa Rica exemplify the basis behind the Blue Zones truth and have since inspired Dan and his team to further extrapolate how we can manufacture healthy blue zone lifestyles in virtually any city and within our homes by way of intentional adaptation.

Most of us are well aware of the “American way of life” we reside in, that being one of convenience in all shapes and forms. We excel in offering the most fast food options in any country. We rank at the top of the most cars per household. We embrace a sedentary at-home lifestyle. And, for many of us, it stems from our childhood to no-fault of our own; comfort foods and Friday night pizza deliveries, complacent recliners and cushy car commutes. In short, however, now more than ever we categorically live in a country where processed foods and ultra-convenience, unfortunately, translate to life-threatening health diseases and a lack of organic joy.

What is the best news of all? All of these characteristics are wildly easy to overcome with effortless, yet conscious pivots to making better decisions with our time, our food, and our focus. Ask yourself: Are you driving or walking? Are you connecting socially? Set your sights on avoiding the majority of processed foods and start eating a largely whole-food and plant-based diet that will (statistically) give you another 10-12 years on your life.

In place of your toaster, keep a fruit bowl on the counter. Create a low-level junk food drawer. Stop buying processed meat, potato chips, sweetened snacks like cookies and candies, and worst of all, sugar-sweet beverages, and start buying more beans, nuts, grains, and tea.

“Am I going to tell you to never have these? No, people deserve to treat themselves. But you’ll do yourself an enormous favor if you just don’t bring those into your home. If you want to go out for those treats, go ahead,” Dan says.

“Simply just don’t bring them home, and you’ll cut out 70-80% of consumption right there.”

Buettner’s first cookbook, The Blue Zones Kitchen, is a fantastic resource featuring ingredients and cooking methods that can increase longevity, wellness, and mental health. The recipes also include lifestyle tips such as proper portion sizes and the best times to eat dinner. Plus, check out his additional seven books that dig deep into the exact foods you should eat to how your circle of friends and family can influence your quality of life.

Who do you hang out with? Happiness is contagious. “The Blue Zone approach is to go through your contact base and think of some friends whose recreation is pickleball, biking, or gardening. Who will care about you on a bad day and have a meaningful conversation? Identify one or two friends who are vegan or vegetarian and show you how and where to eat whole foods. Actively invite them out for lunch, and bring them into your social circle: this will have a bigger, long-term impact on your behavior than any new diet or exercise, and it costs you zero. Plus, there is a ton of data that shows it works, and it’s long-term.”

“We are marketed the idea that if we change our behavior by exercising more, taking the right supplements, trying this longevity or that anti-aging hack, that we will lose weight and get healthy, yet it never works for the longterm,” says Dan. The Blue Zones approach is not trying to change your behaviors, it is asking you to change your surroundings…your eco-system.

Every time you go out to eat, you will consume an extra 300 calories that are laden with more sodium, sugar, and oil than eating at home. “Get your hands on a plant-based cookbook, pick a dozen recipes, and cook those with your family on Sundays. If you make the effort to cook it with your family, you will gain the skills and learn to make some good and whole food plant-based recipes.”

And, we would be remiss not to attend to the travelers at heart who would love to indulge in a luxurious resort paired with the facets of an actual Blue Zones destination. Dan highly recommends seeking out Silvestre in Nosara, Costa Rica where the experience offers wellness programming, fully-equipped kitchens, and outdoor activities that will fuel your inspiration for a healthier life.

Tap into Dan’s wisdom that is creating a new category of places that are not merely the legacy of a healthy culture, but more consciously created by enlightened individuals that are intent on supercharging healthier communities!

Follow @DanBuettner and @BlueZones for full insights and visit BlueZones.com to shop exclusive products.

JOHNNIE-O | PETER MILLAR | JACK VICTOR | 34 HERITAGE

DONAHUE | JOHNSTON & MURPHY | HART SCHAFFNER &

| TRAVIS MATHEW

Handmade Soap

Add a spa-like feel to your home with this refreshing soap recipe that's simple to make at home.

ARTICLE BY ANGI HOCKETT | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

lavender honey lemon soap

ingredients

• 2 lb. goat’s milk melt-and-pour soap

• 1 lemon rind, zested

• 3 tablespoons of dried lavender buds

• 2 tablespoons of honey

• 15 drops of lavender essential oil

• 6 drops of lemon essential oil

• jar or bowl for melting soap base

• Silicone mold

directions

Chop soap into smaller pieces. It will melt faster this way. Place in bowl and microwave (or double boil). Be careful to watch soap and not let it burn.  If you are using microwave, heat in 30 second increments, stirring frequently. Once soap is melted add your essential oils first. Once essential oils have been added and mixed thoroughly, add the lavender buds, lemon zest and honey. Have your mold ready to go, on a flat, even surface. You’ll want to move quickly before the soap cools too much. Mix everything thoroughly again, and pour mixture into mold. Let the soap cool for 2-3 hours until bars are completely solid. Wrap or package however you like.

Recipe from Sisoo.com

DAVID SMITH FINE ART

ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER

David Smith’s father wasn’t a harsh critic. But as a good, pragmatic Midwestern man, he reasoned that a drawing should actually look like whatever was drawn. Whenever David’s latest piece contained something askew, his father’s keen eye for detail homed right in on it.

That is the kind of parenting which drives a boy to photorealism: a good style for a young artist to embrace early on, as it fortifies their powers of representation. But in an all too common turn of fate, David was influenced by something he saw on television.

“One day I watched a show on PBS about a traditional Chinese brush painter,” reminisced David. “The way he used so few and such short strokes to breathe so much life into his painting … it was beautiful, like dancing. And he just so happened to offer everything you need to try your own Chinese brush painting at home, so I ordered his rice paper and water-based ink. Lo and behold, it turned out the master brush painter had made brush painting look much easier than it actually is.”

This rude awakening did not deter David one bit. He fell in love with a medium that is just as honest as it is unforgiving: where a single errant bristle ruins everything. He sweated blood studying the ancient art form, and even traveled to China to learn from the very same master who first inspired him.

David would not go to art school, however. His parents had heard of starving artists before, and weren’t eager to have one in the family. Thus David studied phys ed. He taught at public schools for 25 years, with a focus on children with disabilities.

Art degrees don’t turn people into artists, of course. An artist is anyone who has to create art, which is why David never stopped painting.

“Chinese brush painting introduced me to water-based media,” said David, “but I didn’t start focusing on watercolor until I attended a workshop by Gordon MacKenzie. He’s a Canadian watercolorist, whose paintings of the North Shore and Boundary Waters are internationally renowned. He introduced me to a medium that is much more versatile and a little bit more forgiving. Of course, with watercolor, you’re never fully in control. You’re just looking for opportunities.”

David eventually began entering his work in exhibitions. The American Watercolor Society responded in kind by awarding him Signature Membership, and ultimately their High Winds Medal. The Transparent Watercolor Society of America also bestowed David with their Skyledge Award.

“Once I had those accolades, I gained the confidence I needed to pursue watercolor as a full-time career,” said David. “In addition to selling paintings and giclée prints, I began teaching watercolor workshops at my former home studio in Eden Prairie, as well as across the United States, Canada and Europe.”

David Smith

David’s new career had flourished for one year by the arrival of 2020 and all its accompanying nastiness. Though the world robbed him of control, he still sought opportunity.

“Fortunately, I discovered Zoom early on,” said David. “Instead of 20 to 30 students at a time, I was teaching upward of over 100. I made more money in four days than I had during an entire year as a schoolteacher. Not bad for a ‘starving artist.’

“I still enjoy teaching online, and I’m glad to have resumed in-person workshops as well. So long as I can share my passion for watercolor with others –showing them how to work in harmony with a force of nature that can never fully be tamed, even when it’s only a droplet on the tip of a brush – I’ll be happy.”

Visit dsmithfineart.com to see David’s paintings and prints for sale, sign up for his upcoming workshops, and watch his instructional videos.

“The way he used so few and such short strokes to breathe so much life into his painting … it was beautiful, like dancing.

Are you looking out your window and yearning for some more color?

If so, our plants of the month are sure to put a sparkle in your eye!

Brandywine Lenten Rose

Helleborus Brandywine

One of the first bloomers in early spring

Grows 12-15” tall and spreads 12-18” wide

Leathery dark green foliage that makes a nearly evergreen groundcover

Monty Spruce Picea Pungens Monty

Classic Christmas tree shape at only 8’ H x 6’ W expected

Bluest of blue needles that are deer and rabbit resistant Seeds can provide a food source for some wildlife

String of Turtles

Peperomia Prostrata

Houseplant for bright, indirect exposure

Water when the top 1/2 of the well draining soil is dry Non-Toxic to cats & dogs

Stop in and enjoy the tropical feel of our greenhouses to pick up a String of Turtles and place your order for one of our other featured plants of the month and receive 10% off when you mention #MarchFeature. *Orders must be placed by 3/22/2024.

MARCH 2024

events

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

MARCH 9TH

Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce Home, Landscape and Garden Expo

9301 Eden Prairie Rd, Eden Prairie | 9:00 AM

Think Spring! Visit Grace Church on Saturday, March 9th 9am–3pm for the Everything Spring Home, Landscape and Garden Expo! Meet the friendly pros who are standing by to help keep your home and landscaping pristine. Consult experts for advice and insight on all your upcoming renovation projects. Free admission. Free parking. Invaluable connections with local professionals! epchamber.org

MARCH 9TH

Ryan McGlennen Live at Fat Pants Brewing Co.

8335 Crystal View Rd, Eden Prairie | 7:00 PM

Drawing from a background in classical piano, up-and-coming Twin Cities musician Ryan McGlennen brings a unique flair to hit singles from past and present that all audiences are certain to love. Enjoy covers of songs by Tom Petty, U2, Oasis, Ed Sheeran, Weezer, Fleetwood Mac, Taylor Swift, Radiohead and more, plus one very important other thing: beer. fatpantsbrewing.com

MARCH 16TH

Spring Fling With the Easter Bunny at Eden Prairie Center

8251 Flying Cloud Dr, Eden Prairie | 10:00 AM

Visit Eden Prairie Center on March 16th 10am–1pm for laughter, fun, and a warm welcome to the Easter season! The festivities will begin with a kid-friendly comedy show by Mixed Nuts. The Easter Bunny will make their grand entrance at 11am, followed by spring-themed activities featuring balloon animals and glitter tattoos. An eggs-cellent time will be had by all! edenprairiecenter.com

MARCH 21ST

A Billy Joel State of Mind at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres

501 West 78th St, Chanhassen | 8:00 PM

It’s 8 o’clock on a Thursday night. The regular crowd shuffles in. It’s a tribute concert to the great Billy Joel, with Mick Sterling and Peter Guertin. You ask “Hey, will they play ‘New York State of Mind?’ And ‘Captain Jack,’ and ‘The Stranger,’ and more?” You’d better believe that the huge rocking band has all of Joel’s smash hits in store! chanhassendt.com

MARCH 25TH

Full Worm Moon Hike at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

3675 Arboretum Dr, Chaska | 7:30 PM

This month’s full moon marks the most magical time of the year. It is when the earthworms start coming out of hibernation. Celebrate the singular occasion by joining the Arb for the after-hours Full Worm Moon Hike, where you can learn from experts in the field and warm up by a bonfire once the worm fun is all done. arb.umn.edu

MARCH 30TH

Warrior Dog Rescue Pet Adoption Event at Eden Prairie Center

8251 Flying Cloud Dr, Eden Prairie | 12:00 PM

Is your family one good boy or girl short of completion? Head to the mall on March 30th 12–3pm to meet fur angels in need of forever homes! Warrior Dog Rescue is a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming beautiful dogs (i.e. all dogs). Their experienced volunteers will help visitors understand each adoption-ready dog’s personality and needs. edenprairiecenter.com | warriordogrescue.com

THE

“Ryan and his team were great Very professional and helpful Staging was perfect and house pictures were amazing Ryan's team hung in there with us during these challenging times The closing couldn't have gone any better, simple and smooth We would definitely recommend Ryan and his team to help sell your house.”

Our

MARKETING AT A HIGHER LEVEL

What is the Yetzer Experience?

It’s our free in-store and in-home design services. It’s our vast selection of inventory, and knowing you can take home anything on our showroom floor the same day you fall in love with it. It’s the freedom to customize the perfect piece of furniture by great Amish brands like Canadel, Fusion, Oakwood or Smith Brothers. If you can dream it, we can create it! And above all else, the Yetzer Experience is high-quality (yet highly affordable) American-made solid wood furniture – not flimsy particle board shipped from overseas like some big box stores sell. You don’t stay in business for over 80 years by selling junk! Come discover the Yetzer Experience at our stores in Waconia or Forest Lake today! – Thomas Wiest, Owner