life. at your summit.
Keeping you active and in motion
The Platzke Real Estate Group is Eden Prairie’s Home Selling Team across all brokerages, known for exceptional marketing, expertise, and results. Partnered with the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury® program an industry leader with $288 million in daily sales they provide unmatched local, national, and international exposure across hundreds of websites. Your property reaches countless qualified buyers, delivering outstanding results. You simply will not find better representation.
“Ryan and his team were top-notch! They recommended changes to our house that led to two offers within two showings Working with this professional and personable team was a very simple and seamless process. We would highly recommend ”
A business banking team you can count on.
There is a lot to consider when choosing a financial institutionsuch 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, we are all these things and more. You can bank on us.
David Thompson Market President
Tony Berthiaume SVP Commercial Banker
Tony Seipp VP Commercial Banker | NMLS: 888672
Cibernex
Pets, and Children: Eden Prairie Lifestyle’s Greatest Fans
Meow,
I am Jesse: Eden Prairie Lifestyle publisher John Lee’s feline companion, who learned how to compose his thoughts in English by studying the labels on Tender Vittles packaging. I’m cute.
When John asked me to write this issue’s publisher’s letter, I had only one question: What’s in it for me? “A lifetime supply of free housing, food and medical care accompanied by my endless love and attention,” John explained. I said to him “John, baby, I get all that anyway. You know what you’ve got to do if you want this cat to get with the program.”
That’s right. This letter was written by the proud owner of a brand new little plastic ball with a bell inside (from Pet Evolution of Eden Prairie, of course). It’s tinkling beneath my paw at this very moment. It sounds a bit like a distressed bird, which stirs up my raw, primal urge to torment small creatures in a most satisfactory way.
Ah! Curse civilization, which has decayed the once-proud Felis catus into nothing more than a companion to big, noisy apes. The only creature I’m able to torment these days is John.
At least civilization has given us little plastic balls with bells inside. It has also produced a number of remarkable businesses serving Eden Prairie children and pets (whom I, as a cat, believe to be equals). This issue features several such businesses – the very best of them all, I’ll venture, because they each have one thing most others lack: namely, an article in Eden Prairie Lifestyle
Read on for tales from Flying Cloud Animal Hospital, which keeps lovable scamps like me alive. See why Riley Crossing’s Intergenerational Program is blurring the boundary between assisted living and daycare. Become motivated by DOJO Karate’s fine martial arts instruction, enamored with Helping Paws’ goldens and Labs, charmed by the cute things Eden Prairie Montessori is up to, and impressed by Urban Speech & Occupational Therapy’s meteoric growth.
Above all else, see what’s up with Suburban Waste Services: our cover story, which gives biscuits to each dog on their trash routes. You know, I once sent a letter to the business owners recommending they include cats in that action. Have the drivers hand out live rats to any Burmese, Bengal or Bobtail who wants one, I say. I’m still waiting to hear back from them on that. JESSE, CAT
August 2025
PUBLISHER
John Lee | john.lee@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
David Scheller | david.scheller@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Tori Helm, Emily John, Gary Stevens
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Zach Miller
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard
QUALITY
Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.
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Follow Casper on his shopping journey..
for the perfect treat! At Pet Evolution we offer a wide variety of treats that will suit all your pet's wants and needs Check out the list of some options below:
Crunchy, soft, or other textures
Animal bones and antlers
Raw and freeze dried
Supplements
business monthly
Love Letters Returns to Chanhassen Dinner Theatres
Twin Cities icons Nancy Nelson and Don Shelby will return to Chanhassen Dinner Theatres this September to perform a limited engagement of Love Letters! Witness the tender yet ill-fated romance between the play’s only two characters as told by their five decades of missives to each other. Be sure to witness this Pulitzer-nominated gem before it’s gone for good! ChanhassenDT.com
Lions KidSight USA Does Schooner Days
Lions KidSight USA – an international vision screening and correction campaign, which uses state-of-the-art technology to quickly identify children in need of eye care – provided 81 free screenings over the course of this year’s Schooner Days. Volunteers referred 13 of those children to eye doctors. Now those kids can look smart and sophisticated just like other eyeglasses wearers including myself. LionsKidSightUSA.org
12th Annual Stop the Trafficking 5K Walk/Run
Stop the Trafficking began in 2013 with the goal of bringing together the community and winning the fight against human trafficking. Grace Church, in partnership with the Eden Prairie Police Department, welcomed 40 corporate/ individual sponsors and over 1,200 participants to the 5K at Purgatory Creek Park last June, raising over $60,000 to organizations focused on trafficking prevention and/or offering direct services to victims. StopTheTraffickingRun.org
The Fox & The Grouse Cuts the Ribbon
From its focus on concierge-level service and attention to detail to its seemingly endless list of amenities, The Fox & The Grouse delights residents with a genuinely refreshing living experience. The new apartment community’s rugged-yet-modern timber frame design blurs the line between the splendor of nature and the comfort of home. The Fox & The Grouse is more than just an elevated residence. It is a surfeit of style and convenience! TheFoxAndTheGrouse.com
Teen Forward Cuts the Ribbon
Teen Forward provides a space where teens and their families can access the tools and support they need to grow, manage life’s challenges, and navigate the ups and downs of adolescence together. Teen Forward combines mental wellness coaching and self-care workshops to offer families a holistic approach to mental health and family dynamics, and focuses on creating a sense of community, fostering emotional well-being, and providing practical strategies for teens and their parents. TeenForward.com
Residence Inn by Marriott Minneapolis Eden Prairie Cuts the Ribbon
What a treat it is to have such luxurious accommodations so close to home! Experience relaxation redefined at Residence Inn by Marriott Minneapolis Eden Prairie: a spacious, pet-friendly, extended-stay hotel offering all the comforts of home only minutes away from Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport. Complimentary hot breakfast. Fully equipped in-suite kitchen. Free high-speed WiFi, 24-hour fitness center, heated outdoor pool, and convenient on-site parking. Perfect for leisurely family getaways and productive business stays alike! Marriott.com
Homewatch CareGivers of Eden Prairie Cuts the Ribbon
After over four decades in the business of caregiving, the Homewatch CareGivers team has learned more than a thing or two about meeting families’ unique needs. If you or a loved one require care – whether due to advanced age, a degenerative disorder, a chronic condition, or temporary mobility issues –you can trust the highly qualified professionals of Homewatch CareGivers. Call (612) 548-1901 today to learn how they can help! HomewatchCareGivers.com
Flying Red Horse Monument Cuts the Ribbon
For decades, the neon-lit Flying Red Horse served as a beacon for travelers, pilots, visitors and residents. It became so iconic that the City of Eden Prairie declared it an official landmark in 1977. The Schwartz family donated the Flying Red Horse to the city in 2013. The fully refurbished monument was recently returned to its original location at the intersection of Flying Cloud Drive and Town Center Place earlier this year. EdenPrairie.org
Classic Collision Eden Prairie Cuts the Ribbon
Classic Collision has kept the same, solitary goal since their establishment in 1983: to offer quality service with honesty and integrity. They have done so for over four decades by employing the best talent and implementing the highest-quality materials. Discover how Classic Collision makes the repair process easy and stress free: by putting customer satisfaction first in everything they do, and remaining forever at the forefront of the rapidly evolving collision repair industry. ClassicCollision.com
Pet Evolution
ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER
Cool. Collected. Easy on the eyes. You couldn’t ask for a better cat than Moo Moo (pictured). But for all his blessings, Moo Moo has got one major design flaw.
“He’s covered in such long hair!” explained Kirsten Barott, Moo Moo’s human. “And despite his best attempts at personal hygiene, he does have a certain … ‘distinctive’ funk at times. (Please don’t tell him I said so.)”
BATHING AND GROOMING EDEN PRAIRIE'S BEAUTIFUL KITTY CATS
“I SWEAR THEY GIVE ME BACK A DIFFERENT CAT AFTER EACH GROOMING SESSION. HE LOOKS LIKE A NEW MAN!"
Does Kirsten grit her teeth and resign herself to living with a smelly, matted cat? No! She does the sensible thing and brings Moo Moo to Pet Evolution instead.
“They may be mostly self-maintaining, but cats should still receive about three grooms a year,” explained Alex Apsey, business director and certified nutritionist for Pet Evolution of Eden Prairie. “They go outside. They’re low to the ground. They regularly occupy litter boxes. And when cats grow older or get certain medical conditions, they may lose the flexibility they need to groom themselves as well as they used to.
“Our trained and experienced groomers don’t just make cats beautiful. By trimming and removing so much excess hair and applying gentle, specially selected shampoos and skincare products, they also increase comfort, reduce shedding, and promote significantly better overall health.
“Cats are very sensitive to their surroundings, and they aren’t the world’s greatest fans of strange places or water. Our groomers do everything they’re able to keep cats relaxed: wrapping their necks in little towels to help them feel more secure, and constantly giving them reassuring words and scritches. They do wear ‘bite gloves’ during each cat’s first grooming session (or if a returning cat appears to be feeling a bit bitey that day). In extreme cases they’ll have the cat wear a clear plastic bulb around their head. It makes them look like a little ‘catsronaut.’ Very cute!”
“I swear they give me back a different cat after each grooming session,” said Kirsten. “He looks like a new man! And he seems to feel much cooler and more comfortable, too. I know Moo Moo also appreciates Pet Evolution’s huge selection of toys, treats, and premium foods which are devoid of corn, wheat, soy, animal by-products, and artificial colors. He is wild about those PetStages Mint Sticks!”
Treat your cat (or dog) right. Call (952) 521-3355 to schedule their grooming appointment at 8248 Commonwealth Drive, Eden Prairie, or visit PetEvolution.com to learn more.
DOJO KARATE
FOR YOUR KID
Learn Some New Chops
ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TORI HELM
It’s not easy parenting a child these days. Their world is flooded with quick, empty pleasures, and your job is helping them gain focus and strength. That, plus the average child contains enough energy to power the Eastern Seaboard for 72 hours, and you need to sit down.
Tyler Hauer, Head Instructor
“Let your child thrive in a place where effort, respect and discipline are all venerated.”
Let your child thrive in a place where effort, respect and discipline are all venerated. Enroll them at DOJO Karate of Eden Prairie!
“It’s amazing how far a kid can come after just a few classes,” said Tyler Hauer, head instructor. “They might start off a little rocky – too shy to join in, or too hyper to follow along – but it’s not long until they appreciate the rewards for getting with the program.
“I remember one kid who joined us last year. Fantastic kid! But sadly, their confidence just didn’t match that fact. They were so unused to socializing that they struggled to so much as enter the dojo.
“I could see just how badly they wanted to come out of their shell. And I saw them do exactly that: pushing, and pushing, and pushing until they’d made great friends and earned their white belt. Karate
made them happy because it made them want to be a better person. I earnestly believe that.
“Many other kids are on the opposite end of the spectrum: totally unconcerned with how others perceive them, and apparently nuclear-powered to boot. We’ve had new kids come to class who couldn’t sit still. Couldn’t stop interrupting. Couldn’t think three seconds ahead into the future. It always blows my mind to see how quickly karate can help someone mature. You want to stand on that mat and do the same cool stuff as everyone else? Prove it. Let your actions define you.”
Would you like to give your little one a riveting introduction to the classroom environment? Or your bigger one greater exposure to life, the universe and everything? Visit DOJOKarate.com to sign up for classes at DOJO Karate’s 7916 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie location.
FOR YOURSELF
Picture this. You’re clothes shopping. You happen across the cutest scarf for sale. It even complements your beautiful eyes. Jackpot.
A slap on the shoulder snaps you out of your reverie. “Nice find, NERD,” says the slapper, fingertips boring into your trapezius. You swing around to confront them. It’s just as you feared. They’re … a bully. “I found it first!” you protest, voice quivering, scarf pressed against breast with both hands. “You can’t have it!”
“Ha,” laughs the bully. “Says who? You? Some milquetoast who probably reads magazines in their free time? I repeat: Ha.”
The bully rips the cute scarf from your hands, strikes you down as effortlessly as they would lose a game of Jenga, and then lumbers off, cackling. “If only I knew karate! Then this would never have happened!” you cry out to no one.
It would have been an absolutely sorry day if not for a welcome discovery in your mailbox upon returning home. Your favorite magazine! As if by fate, you open it up to an article about DOJO Karate of Eden Prairie. You can’t begin reading it fast enough.
“My greatest advice? Do everything you can to avoid fighting altogether,” the article quoted Tyler Hauer, head instructor. “But karate hasn’t been around for over 600 years because avoiding fights is always possible. When push comes to shove, you might just have to push and shove back. Better hope you’re ready if that time ever comes.
“Or, better yet, don’t hope. Take action instead, and learn self-defense at DOJO Karate! You won’t just give yourself better odds of surviving a dangerous altercation. You’ll build strength, flexibility and confidence through the powers of hands-on instruction and sparring, and you’ll meet awesome new people while you’re at it.
“When push comes to shove, you might just have to push and shove back. Better hope you’re ready if that time ever comes.”
“Maybe you just want to get proficient enough to reliably strike a male attacker’s ‘temporary off switch.’ Maybe you’re looking for an engaging hobby which hones focus and self-awareness. Or maybe you’d like to compete in tournaments, just like I do. No matter your goals for karate, we’ll help get you there!”
You slam the magazine down on the kitchen counter upon completing the article. You will read the rest later, for you presently feel a greater sense of purpose than you ever have before.
You visit DOJOKarate.com . You sign up for classes at DOJO Karate’s 7916 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie location. You spend many rewarding years practicing katas, growing stronger, and coming to the slow realization that you’ve become part of a happy little community. Nice.
And that bully who tormented you so long ago? Well, let’s just say they'd better never cross paths with you again… …for their sake.
Kyle Luebeck
Dan Geisler
Todd Loudenslager
ACCOUNTING THAT SCALES
FRACTIONAL CFO SUPPORT
SCHOONER DAYS
ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER PHOTOGRAPHY BY GARY STEVENS
More Beer. More Bingo. More Fun!
When the Lions raise money
That’s Schooner Days, honey The carnivale with it all Where the rides are a riot And nothing’s on your diet And you drink beer in good cheer And play bingo
“It was a Schooner Days for the record books,” said Terry Eggan, Lion. “We welcomed around 17,500 fairgoers over the course of three days: the most in our 64 years of doing this.
“With so many guests, literally everything we offered was a big hit. The food trucks were all practically cleaned out each night. Our vendor marketplace, which really picked up steam in its third year, was hopping. Our beer garden and bingo tent both doubled their numbers over last year. We poured over 6,000 pints!
“We’re still in the process of sorting out how much money we raised; well over $50,000, for sure. It’s a huge win for the visually impaired, who are the beneficiaries of the Lions’ many partnered nonprofits.” EPLions.com
Eden Prairie Montessori
FULL OF SPROUTS
ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER
From nothing, something. It’s the original miracle; the big miracle, which echoes wherever one and one make three.
As a parent, that miracle now resonates through you. What a cruel trick of nature that you must be apart from them at times. What a relief that you can place them in the care of Eden Prairie Montessori, where they’ll learn their first lesson on how the big miracle works.
“They’re always amazed by how such tiny seeds can become such giant plants,” said Shonali Harrison, director of Eden Prairie Montessori. “When we first introduce them to gardening, we pass around a tomato seed; something so small, even in their little hands, that it may as well be nothing. ‘This one turns into so many tomatoes . And this one makes cucumbers. And this one? Snap peas!’ we explain, showing them pictures of our gardens from years past. If they’re not fascinated by all that, then they’re in outright disbelief.
“Everybody listens raptly as Jennifer Gunderson, our managing director who just so happens to also have a green thumb, describes the tender love and care vegetables need in order to grow their best. Everybody pitches in to help till the soil, and dig holes in it, and tuck the seeds in to go night-night. Everybody takes turns watering, and pulling out weeds, and (gently) evicting the occasional unhelpful bug. ‘Everything that grows deserves to grow in a healthy environment,’ we tell them. ‘Even plants!’
“‘When are the plants coming? Why aren’t they here yet?’ they might ask, sometimes only seconds after planting them. ‘They’ll come, if we take care of them,’ we tell them. ‘All good things are worth waiting for.’
“And then they shoot up, as if out of nowhere. First little sprouts. Then slightly less little ones. Then great, big plants which tower over the children, or spread wider than their arms can reach. The tomato plants begin dangling tempting green orbs. ‘Don’t eat those!’ the preschoolers warn the eager toddlers. ‘You have to wait till it’s red!’
“Finally, harvest time. Children who once categorically disavowed eating vegetables excitedly line up for their shares of pea pods, cucumbers and cherry tomatoes. How could they not love something they made themselves, after all?”
Eden Prairie Montessori’s gardening experience is much more than an alternate presentation of the Parable of the Mustard Seed. It’s also the fundament for a multifaceted lesson plan.
“We learn simple botany: how seeds germinate, and how plants turn sunlight into sugar, and all the differently shaped leaves they can have,” explained Shonali. “We learn why it’s important to have strong roots and why flowers are beautiful. We learn how a caterpillar turns into a chrysalis, and then into a beautiful butterfly. We all imagine what it must be like to be a monarch, flying all the way to Mexico on wings light as sunbeams. We learn why fresh vegetables are so good for us, and why certain other foods, which aren’t made with love and patience and sunlight, aren’t. And we learn and sing songs like ‘When You Plant a Little Seed,’ and ‘The Parts of a Flower.’ And we read cute books such as How Many Fruits, and We Can Eat the Plants, and What On Earth?: Trees, and Everything Grows
“But at the end of the day, it all begins and ends with the garden. To care for something, and to watch it grow big and strong because you took care of it … that’s not something words can quite fully describe. You have to feel it.”
Help your child feel it. Enroll them at either of Eden Prairie Montessori’s convenient locations at 7455 Market Place Drive or 8098 Glen Lane. You can also learn more about Eden Prairie Montessori’s infant, toddler, preschool, kindergarten and summer programs at EdenPrairieMontessori. com, as well as schedule a tour of either school with Shonali at your side.
“It’s not too late if your child waits to join us this autumn,” Shonali added. “Pea and cucumber season may already be behind us, but we’ve got something even more exciting in the works: squash and pumpkins! ”
Children who once categorically disavowed eating vegetables excitedly line up for their shares of pea pods, cucumbers and cherry tomatoes.
Plant a little seed
In the dark, dark ground Out comes the yellow sun
Big and round Down comes the cool rain
Soft and slow And up come the flowers Grow, grow, grow
HELPING PAWS tail waggin’ dinner
ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER
A NIGHT OF HEROES
Saturday, September 20th at the fabulous Radisson Blu in Bloomington: It’s the Tail Waggin' Dinner! Attend and support Eden Prairie’s very own Helping Paws on their mission to provide life-alteringly helpful service dogs to individuals with disabilities and veterans and first responders with PTSD!
Helping Paws’ signature annual fundraising event will commence at 5:30pm. Sip a libation and snag hand-passed hors d’oeuvres while you try your hand at carnival-style amusements, buy raffle tickets for thrilling prizes, take piccies at the photo booth, mingle with fellow philanthropists, and meet blessed creatures who are just SO DARLING that you could go a little bananas if you aren’t careful. Dinner begins at seven: a sumptuous full-course meal (Helping Paws has yet to finalize the menu at the time of writing, although options will almost certainly adhere to the B/C/F/V convention already perfected by weddings). The live auction will begin after (prizes are similarly tentative, but last year’s included tickets to an exclusive Mariah Carey holiday concert featuring that song). The evening-long silent auction will present over 100 more very nice things (note to business owners: donating goods/services for the silent auction is lovely – and tax-deductible – behavior).
“The theme for this year’s Tail Waggin’ Dinner is ‘A Night of Heroes,’” said Jonathan Kramer, Helping Paws marketing manager. “It will celebrate our tenth year placing service dogs with veterans and first responders, and feature a speech by one of the vets we’re so honored to have helped.”
Do you love dogs? Do you love people? Love both at the same time! Visit HelpingPaws.org to purchase tickets to the gala.
Having those reunions in a clean environment means a lot, when it means a safe and healthy place for friends and family. Summer is about enjoyment. Don’t let cleaning get in your way. We’ve been preparing cabins for the summer and it’s never too late to get yours done! Well… that’s until summer is over. Act Now
Call Now To Reserve Your Cleaning Spot!
RILEY CROSSING senior living
INTERGENERATIONAL PROGRAMMING: THE GIFT OF CONNECTION
It’s only fitting that two paths should meet at Riley Crossing. Residents of Chanhassen’s preeminent retirement community go on one. Babies, toddlers and preschoolers who attend that same community’s on-site daycare go on the other.
This crossing is known as the Intergenerational Program. It’s based on a very sound notion: that seniors and babies and toddlers and preschoolers have a great deal to gain from one another, so let’s let them.
ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMILY JOHN
“I could show you proof of all the benefits of intergenerational connections,” said Shelley Brady, a director for Riley Crossing, which is itself managed by Ebenezer: Minnesota's largest senior housing operator. “How much they boost self-esteem, socialization, and emotional wellness for participants on either end of the age spectrum. Just how greatly they enhance quality of life for the same. But you don’t need scientific evidence to understand why seniors and children belong together. You only have to see our Intergenerational Program in action for that.”
“Generations aren’t supposed to be segregated from one another. Children are meant to spend time with seniors, absorbing their wisdom and learning respect for them.”
Children race down hallways to embrace their favorite “grandfriends” at Riley Crossing. They bring their grandfriends picture books, perform acrobatic feats for them on playground equipment, and do arts and crafts projects and make music and share other activities together, too. They even exercise side by side.
“Residents and children enjoy plenty of unstructured free time together,” continued Shelley. “They share many special occasions, such as the time a little girl, who, when asked by her parents what she wanted for her birthday, chose to throw a party for her grandfriends right here at Riley Crossing. They also enjoy casual outings together, like when they fill our bus to visit the pumpkin patch or go and see Christmas light displays around town.
“Our Intergenerational Program also includes structured activities by several of our partners. We’re very fortunate to welcome MacPhail Center for Music, whose instructors have shown an impressive aptitude for conducting those who’ve never been conducted before. The Science Crew guides participants through real experiments designed to forge life-long love affairs with curiosity. Northern Clay Center makes art equally fun and engaging. And although one group of participants is unarguably stretchier than the other, both have great fun with the help of Super Stretch Kids Yoga.
“Sweetest of all is our Rock-A-Bye Baby Program, which invites seniors to do nothing more complicated than hold the little babies in our nursery. One of our residents recently explained to me that he used to volunteer to hold babies at the hospital, and that Rock-A-Bye Baby fills him with the same sense of purpose he used to feel so many years ago.
“Generations aren’t supposed to be segregated from one another. Children are meant to spend time with seniors, absorbing their wisdom and learning respect for them. Likewise, seniors are meant to be around children, who cheer them up, and excite them for what’s yet to come, and remind them of who they were during bygone eras of their lives.”
With living arrangements ranging from 55+ townhouses to enhanced care, Riley Crossing offers the perfect home for anyone to age in place in. Please visit RileyCrossing.com to learn more about their services, amenities, wellness programs, and available apartments.
U.S. News & World Report
• BEST Assisted Living ‘24 & ‘25
• BEST Memory Care ‘25
Southwest News Media
• BEST Senior Living ‘24
Sun Sailor Readers’ Choice Awards
• BEST Assisted Living ‘24
• BEST Memory Care ‘24
• BEST Apartment Community ‘24
• BEST Retirement Community ‘24
Dog Lover? We Volunteer T
Volunteer
Care for and train our dogs from puppies to service dogs, attending weekly classes and practicing cues in and outside of home.
Host Homes
Open their hearts and homes to our dogs, while our staff trains them during the daytime. Foster a future service dog!
Dog Sitters
Help care for our dogs in training when their Volunteer Dog Trainers or Host Homes travel! Choose the dates that work for you!
PowHER Up NETWORKING BREAKFAST
Do you like succeeding in business? Do you like meeting other entrepreneurs? Do you like breakfast? Then you will love the PowHER Up Networking Breakfast, presented four times a year by the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce Women’s Committee at The Original Pancake House!
“Of all the events hosted by the chamber, PowHER Up is my favorite,” said Gina Pellegrini, owner of Bella Gina Boutique. “You’re guaranteed great conversation regardless of who you sit next to, and everyone gets their opportunity to introduce themselves to the group. It’s the perfect time to brainstorm and collaborate. Were it not for PowHER Up, I might not have met Candace Wostrel-Glatch, the owner of DeepHaven Rejuvenation, who I partnered with while presenting Bella Gina’s first fashion show last June.
“I especially enjoy the prize giveaways, which I’ve had the privilege of donating to many times. I’ve given gift cards, ‘Insect Shield’ scarves which are just as cute as they are repellent to mosquitoes, and most recently a beautiful Brisk Noho Crossbody purse. Depending on how many prizes are donated, there may be as many as three drawings per breakfast!”
Camaraderie. Networking. Pancakes. All await at the upcoming PowHER Up Networking Breakfast!
The next PowHER Up Networking Breakfast will take place 7:159am on Wednesday, September 17th.
• Location: The Original Pancake House (549 Prairie Center Drive, Eden Prairie)
• Admission: Free to chamber members; $5 for nonmembers
Learn more at EPChamber.org!
ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER
Businessladies Becoming Businessmaties
Brisk Noho Crossbody
SUBURBAN waste services
Garbageman’s Best Friend
ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER
It’s not easy being an elite guard dog like I am. I must keep my senses sharp. My teeth, pointy. My body, a well-oiled yipping machine.
I yip enthusiastically and often. Squirrels. Trees. Air molecules. The sound of my own yipping. They were all put on earth for one purpose: for me to yip at.
But I am no brute. I never bite – and by “bite,” I mean “yip at” – the hand that feeds me. That is why I do not yip at the Suburban Waste Services man, who gives me biscuits and tells me I’m cute. He is such a fine man that I look the other way when he comes to steal my family’s garbage every week. – Bingus the Pomeranian (dictated but not read)
“The whole thing just kind of happened organically,” said Paul Rosland, the Eden Prairie resident who founded Suburban Waste Services 18 years ago alongside his wife Katie and business partner Rick Sievers. “There was no executive decision to start handing out biscuits to clients’ dogs. A couple of our guys started doing it early on, and we all joined in before long.
“Is it a form of bribery? I guess you could call it that. Ornery dogs quickly turn sugar-sweet the moment they realize there’s a biscuit in it for them. But ornery dogs are rare. During all my years driving routes, I never encountered a dog who seemed truly out to get me (with the exception of a few anklehigh menaces, maybe).”
“It’s more about creating happiness,” said Chris White, Suburban Waste Services account executive. “Our drivers love greeting all their favorite dogs on the 40 or so residential routes we cover each day. That adds up to 200 to 250 pounds of biscuits a month!
“Our clients love it, too, and often tell us about their dogs’ funny reactions to our trucks: how they’ll start prancing around the second their ears pick up the faint, distant rumble of one of our 350 horsepower diesels, or how they’ll patiently plant themself at the end of the driveway until their hero arrives.
“Know what’s funny? Dogs who go crazy over our biscuits all have their own treats at home. But for whatever reason, those treats just aren’t as special to them as ours are. It’s almost as if the Suburban Waste Services touch makes everything better.”
“That goes far beyond biscuits,” added Paul. “Creating happiness means providing exceptional customer service – the real kind, based on real relationships, where a phone call to our office always results in a conversation with a real person in our office. It means creating a great work environment, which is why the Star Tribune named us one of Minnesota’s best workplaces earlier this year. It also means going above and beyond whenever the opportunity presents itself, which has been a huge relief to our many commercial clients. Their business needs may be varied and unpredictable, but they know they can always count on Suburban Waste Services to pick up the slack – or, more specifically, the trash!”
If you own a home or manage a business in the southwest metro, then Suburban Waste Services has the ultimate treat in store for you: luxury garbage removal. Call (952) 9378900 today to speak with a real person, or learn more at SuburbanWasteMN.com.
SUBURBAN WASTE SERVICES
• Independent, family-owned company
• Residential and commercial
• No hidden fees
• No environmental fees
• No administrative fees
• No residential fuel surcharges
• Biweekly single-sort recycling (in select cities)
• On-call and one-time bulk pickup available
• Weekly yard waste service available from first week of April through last week of November (weather permitting)
Astilbe
Astilbe plants lend a sense of grace to shady perennial gardens. They come in a range of colors and produce stunning plume-like flowers held above fern-like foliage that comes in green to bronze tones. Astilbe are attractive for the entire growing season however their flowers will be dominant late spring through summer.
As shade lovers they are also tolerant to moist soils, well-drained soil being their true preference. Watering them during dry spells will prevent their leaves from getting crispy.
The flower colors range in shades and tones of pink, red, purple and white and stand tall above the foliage to give you heights from 12”-36” in the garden. They are naturally deer & rabbit resistant yet loved by pollinators, so tuck some in your landscape for an extra accent.
Select 3 or more you’ll save 20% off during the month of August!
At Premier Women’s Health of Minnesota-OBGYN West, we’re passionate about delivering high-quality care for the whole you. Our team includes primary care and ObGyn, all under one roof. Discover expert care for pregnancy. Choose from a range of GYN services when you need them. Move toward healthy with services that include weight management, PT, and mammography.
APPOINTMENTS: Call 952-249-2000 or schedule online at premierwomenshealthmn.com/obgynwest
Minnetonka
ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER
Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament
Reveal your palm to the sky. Feel a little fall of rain.
Look around. Drink in the noble scenery of Stonebrooke Golf Club.
Say something optimistic about the weather to any of our town’s finest business peeps: your fellow golfers on this morning.
Act unsurprised when the rain vanishes suddenly. Pouf Play a thrilling round of golf. Help raise funds that will advance the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce’s mission to fortify the local economy. Lose to guys representing First Western Bank & Trust: the presenting sponsor for this year’s golf tourney, which apparently ranks in the “too big to fail” category of banks as far as golf tourneys go.
That’s what being there was like.
“Congratulations to Peter Haugen and Tony Seipp of First Western, Adam Brown of Fafinski, Mark & Johnson Law Firm, and Harry Plowman-Ollington of Rokos Advisors for winning our tournament last June!” said Kirsten Barott, relationship and events manager for the chamber, who does not ingratiatingly shorten the word “tournament.”
“Lesser-yet-still-hearty congrats are also owed to the teams representing Republic Services (another treasured sponsor) and BWS Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, which locked down second and third place, respectively.
“I have so many fond memories of this year’s tournament. The ‘Heckle Hole,’ where golfers had to try and focus while Chanhassen Dinner Theatres’ own Stevie Ray ribbed them at the tee box (my condolences to whichever golfer was told his head is balder than my legs). The ‘Pay the Pro’ gimmick, which gave competitors the option of handing a drive over to one of X-Golf’s best. The live and silent auctions, which raised over $10,000 on their own (huge thanks to all those who donated). A sumptuous lunch to tie the day together! The whole thing was a resounding success which we all look forward to repeating next year.”
EPChamber.org
Above: Adam Brown, Tony Seipp, Peter Haugen, and Harry Plowman-Ollington
We Build Confidence & Communication
Our
UrbanSpeechMN.com • (952) 500-8871
6409 City West Parkway, Suite 206, Eden Prairie
Integrity
Upholding honesty & transparency in all dealings
Excellence
Delivering superior results through diligence & expertise
Commitment
Staying dedicated to clients and their goals
Accountability
Taking full responsibility for decisions and actions
Professionalism
Demonstrating respect, reliability, and competence
Resilience
Overcoming challenges with determination & adaptability
URBAN SPEECH & OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
LEARNING NEW SKILLS. REACHING NEW MILESTONES. BUILDING NEW RELATIONSHIPS.
ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER
Parents. Grandparents. Guardians. Teachers. No child can live and learn without the core members of their village. Some kids just happen to need help from one extra, more specialized villager if they’re to attain independence and happiness.
Urban Speech & Occupational Therapy (USOT) plays a vital role in those children’s journeys. The team of seven speech-language pathologists (SLPs), three occupational therapists, and two office managers – plus one fluffy canine – all strive toward one goal: building pathways to communication and daily life skills.
“USOT has grown by leaps and bounds over an incredibly short span of time. It seems every month we find ourselves blessed to help even more children than we did the month before,” said Julie Urban, owner and SLP.
“Our team has more than doubled in size since I founded Urban Speech Therapy three years ago. We began offering occupational therapy, which teaches children the balance, coordination and motor planning they need to confidently navigate the world, just last year. We recently added our sensory gym as well, and are currently talking about another possible expansion.
“One of our latest and most exciting developments is our Apraxia Adventure Camp. The weekly summer program is designed to help children with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS; a neurological speech sound disorder in which children have difficulty planning and programming the motor movements needed for speech) meet others just like them via fun, hour-long group learning sessions focused on literacy, social, and gross motor skills. We were delighted to welcome 14 children to the camp’s first eight-week run, and can’t wait to see them all again plus new faces next year.
“When USOT was first starting out, I always told myself it must stay smaller than ten people. I didn’t want to jeopardize the intimate atmosphere which I believe learning thrives best in.
Building pathways to communication and daily life skills
“I’m happy to say I turned out to be wrong. The recent additions of SLP Maris Miller and occupational therapist Maddie Sweeney have proven that passion only intensifies when more are around to share it. And we’re still a close-knit group. We even eat lunch together!
“I don’t think I’ll hurt anyone’s feelings if I declare which USOT team member is cutest: Luka, who is SLP Kristina Theodosopoulos’ trained therapy dog. Luka currently joins us on Wednesdays and Thursdays, though demand for her services has grown so great that she may become the fulltime USOT pup before long.
CONTINUED
“I can’t overstate Luka’s abilities. Her calm, benevolent demeanor helps children regulate their emotions. That can be a game changer for a child who stutters, which often improves when they’re feeling relaxed and confident. Luka encourages children to use their communication skills, either by giving her commands or just by telling her that they love her (Luka loves love). She is also a willing model for all kinds of positive behaviors. Children with sensory processing differences are often emboldened to try new things when Luka volunteers to try them first. Finger paint becomes a lot more intriguing once a pretty golden paw has proven it’s safe!”
“Luka connects with someone new at USOT everyday,” said Kristina. “It comes naturally for her: not from training, but from instinct. She just knows whether someone needs a gentle presence or an energy boost!
“Children sense they can trust Luka the instant they meet her. People often ask me what she does for them as a therapy dog. My answer always changes, because her opportunities to improve a child’s day are nearly infinite.”
“Some things will never change at USOT,” continued Julie. “For example, we’ll always remain huge supporters of the Twin Cities Walk for Apraxia, which is set to take place at Rosalind Park in Edina on October 11th this year. Thanks to everyone who helps us raise money for such a great cause, and awareness for children who are fighting so bravely to find their voice!”
Urban Speech & Occupational Therapy welcomes children of all ages and abilities to their clinic at 6409 City West Parkway, Suite 206 in Eden Prairie. Please visit UrbanSpeechMN.com to learn more, or call (952) 500-8871 to schedule an initial consultation for your child.
Flying Cloud Animal Hospital has assembled a devoted care team that has been part of the community for 45 years, providing quality care to our clients and their furry friends The new location provides more resources, more parking and more appointment availability. We offer routine wellness visits, vaccines, sick visits, urgent care visits, dental prophylaxis, surgical procedures and more. We have a board certified cardiologist and board certified surgeons that travel to our facility
ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER
PRAIRIE WINE
& brewfest
Let the Wine of Friendship Never Run Dry
It’s new. It’s improved. It would have been the Eden Prairie Community Foundation’s 11th annual Prairie Brewfest, but it is no longer only a brewfest. It is now also…
A WINEFEST!
“Last year’s Prairie Brewfest welcomed over 800 guests – a record high – and raised more than $50,000 for our neighbors in need,” said Greg Leeper, Eden Prairie Community Foundation executive director. “We’re raising the bar even higher this year by showcasing ten different vintners alongside a couple dozen craft breweries and Eden Prairie’s own Flying Dutchman Spirits!”
Go and do that thing you do so well – have a drink – at the park. Bring your kids to a wholesome environment where sodas and other nonalcoholic beverages are available. Take your affable pooch along while you’re at it. Order DELICIOUS NUMBLIES from nearby food trucks. Listen to jams by Wondercure, the Twin Cities’ preeminent yacht rock band. Vote to determine which featured local nonprofit will receive the largest grant from the Eden Prairie Community Foundation. Treasure whichever door prize you receive forever.
Is it too good to be true? It is not. It is real , because you just read about it in a magazine.
• Saturday, September 6th, 3-6pm at Purgatory Creek Park
• To volunteer or sponsor, please contact Greg at (952) 949-8499 or gregleeper@ epcommunityfoundation.org
FLYING CLOUD animal hospital
Drs. Carrie Rodman, Mike Grace, Jeffrey Krull, Jessica Koupal, and Zach Beach
LIFESAVING VETERINARY CARE CLOSE TO HOME
ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER
FLYING CLOUD ANIMAL HOSPITAL: from the complex to the mundane, saving one fur baby at a time.
Vaccinations. Dentistry. Surgery. Annual wellness checkups. Most dogs and cats visit Eden Prairie’s premier pet hospital for humdrum reasons (or “routine health care,” as it’s more properly known). But to many others, Flying Cloud represents their only chance at getting much more of that most precious thing on earth: time with their beloved people.
The following are a few of those pets’ stories as told by Jeffrey Krull, Flying Cloud partner and managing doctor of veterinary medicine.
LUCY
“Dr. Mike Grace recently treated a 4-year-old basset named Lucy, who is just the sweetest collection of wrinkles you ever met. Her owner brought her in because she was lethargic. Refusing to eat or drink. Vomiting. The kid was so sick that we were genuinely concerned she would rapidly decline over the next 24 hours.
“Fortunately, we were able to speed things along by performing diagnostic testing right here in our hospital. Dr. Grace diagnosed hyperadrenocorticism – an endocrine disorder also known as ‘Addison's disease,’ which is somewhat rare in dogs.
“But the day soon became even stranger. Before Dr. Grace could finish explaining Addison’s disease to him, Lucy’s owner correctly guessed that she would need to be treated with mineralcorticoid injections. It turned out he had the very same condition, which isn’t much more prevalent in people than it is in dogs! I’m sure he’d rather have won the lottery, but his odds of doing so aren’t all that much better.”
BRUCE
“Bruce, a 5-month-old mixed breed terrier puppy we treated just a few months ago, was saved from a lifetime of limping – or, worse yet, becoming a tripod.
“It was a heartrending accident. Bruce and his owner were playing on the back deck. A poorly executed leap from some patio furniture left the poor kid limping on one leg, and with a nasty fracture to his knee.
“More specifically, Bruce broke his ‘tibial tuberosity.’ It’s a bony bump which anchors almost all of the thigh muscles to the tibia. You cannot walk without two of them. Neither could Bruce.
“We immediately placed a splint on Bruce, hoping that alone would be enough to heal him. Subsequent radiology, which we also perform on-site, proved it wasn’t. Bruce was in luck, though, because we just so happened to have a board-certified surgeon ready to go that day. One specialty surgical procedure and uneventful recovery later, and Bruce is well on his way to returning to full activity.”
REMY
“Everyone at Flying Cloud loved Remy already. The 9-yearold corgi mix is owned by a long-time client of the hospital, who brought him in because he’d become distressingly lethargic.
“An X-ray pinpointed the cause of Remy’s languor: a large mass on his spleen. It’s not uncommon for such tumors to grow so large that they bleed the dog to death.
“Remy’s owner chose not to take any chances. We proceeded with surgery, and were rewarded for our efforts with one of the largest tumors I’ve ever seen. It was approximately the size of a honeydew! I’m sure Remy feels relieved to be rid of it.”
TARZAN
“A damp, wheezing, nameless waif that had been rescued from the side of the road. That’s all the 1-month-old kitten was when one of our clients dropped him off at our hospital. He was mouth breathing: a surefire sign of pneumonia, and concurrent with a one-in-ten chance of survival.
“Our staff made a passion project of that kitten. Dr. Jessica Koupal, who oversaw all his care, couldn’t even hear his heartbeat at first, so buried beneath wheezes and crackles that it was. Several members of our team volunteered to keep watch over him throughout each night, giving him food and fluids and warmth and making sure his little nose stayed unclogged.
“It took a lot love and antibiotics, but after a couple of months we finally got to see the beautiful, happy kitten he was meant to be. The Flying Cloud customer service representative who adopted the kid named him ‘Tarzan’ after his passion for climbing and swinging on shirt sleeves.
“You’ve surely noticed by now that I call our patients ‘kids.’ I don’t do it because it’s cute or endearing, but because I really do see them that way. They’re fur babies. Saving their precious lives is the greatest calling I could have hoped for.”
12365 Singletree Lane, Eden Prairie (952) 941-8676 • FlyingCloudAnimalHospital.com
WALK-IN BATHTUB
AUGUST 2ND
Eden Prairie Lions Corn Feed
16691 Valley View Rd, Eden Prairie 11:00 AM
Visit Round Lake Park 11am-5pm for the most succulent Minnesota-grown corn you will ever have the good fortune of dining upon. All-you-can-eat steamed, shucked and lovingly buttered corn for only $10 – or $7 for children under 12. Take home a bag of freshly picked corn for just $12. Sloppy joes, hot dogs and chips also available. Wow! EPLions.com
AUGUST 4TH
Eden Prairie Lions Charity Golf Tournament
14490 Valley View Rd, Eden Prairie 10:30 AM
Compete in the Lions Charity Golf Tournament at beautiful Bent Creek Golf Club! Win cash, or prizes like a Hawaiian Vacation, a trip to Pebble Beach – or Chick-fil-A for a year – and support great local nonprofits including Can Do Canines, True Friends Camp Eden Wood, and the Lions’ own Hearing Foundation and Gift of Sight Eye Bank. EPLionsGolf.org
SEPTEMBER 17TH
Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce PowHER Up Networking Breakfast
549 Prairie Center Dr, Eden Prairie 7:15 AM
Join the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce Women’s Committee during their upcoming breakfast at The Original Pancake House! Meet and mingle with a dynamic group of ladies who are driven to strengthen our community and succeed in business. All are welcome to this casual networking event! Free to chamber members; $5 for nonmembers.
