Edina Magazine - December 2022

FROM LINEBACKER TO LIVE TV Ben Leber tackles new role at Twin Cities Live

HIP PAIN

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DECEMBER 2022 “So we sing carols softly, as sweet as we know, a prayer that our burdens will lift as we go.

Like young love still waiting under mistletoe, we’ll welcome December with tireless hope.” — ­ Snow by Sleeping at Last

Photo: xxxxxxxxx

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BREATHTAKING WOODED GOLDEN VALLEY PROPERTY DEPARTMENTS

1 4 3 0 J U N E AV E N U E S G O L D E N VA L L E Y

16 — Making a Difference Edina youth inspire peers by making an impact.

18 — Working Toward a Polio-Free World Edina Rotarian recognized for service to eradicate disease.

20 — Imagination, Unleashed Manhattan Toy Company creates a world of imagination for young dreamers.

FEATURES 24 — Creative Expressions Art bus promotes healing for children with life-limiting illnesses.

30 — From Linebacker to Live TV Ben Leber tackles new role at Twin Cities Live.

TASTEMAKERS 42 — Sipping into the Season Mix up some warming and refreshing winter cocktails for holiday parties and beyond.

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IN EVERY ISSUE 8 — Editor’s Letter 11 — Noteworthy 38 — On the Town 48 — Last Glance

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FROM THE EDITOR AM Y OVE RGAARD — A MY@LOCA LMEDIA .CO

D

Photo: Chris Emeott

ecember can be quite the fun and festive month, with its flurry of holiday parties, decorated and glittering trees, gift-giving and gathering together with friends and family. It’s also a season of giving and generosity—making our “Giving Back” theme for this month quite fitting.

I was inspired by some of the people we feature in the pages of this issue— like Tim Murphy, who has spent much of his adult life in the Rotary Club of Edina, where he’s advocated and fundraised for polio eradication worldwide (page 18). We also met two teenagers who have made a difference in the lives of youth in the Edina community (page 16). And then there’s the mother-daughter duo who volunteer with Ziggy’s Art Bus, a traveling art-mobile that serves children with life-limiting illnesses (page 24).

What really struck me about all of these people is how generously each of them gives of their time for something beyond themselves. In our busy lives, it’s so easy to get protective of our time and want to use all of our “extra” time for personal gain and relaxation. But what if we gave more of it away?

I know this is an incredibly busy time of year, but when giving back this December, I encourage you to do more than just write a check. (Though, for the sake of nonprofits that depend on financial donations, don’t skip them!) In addition to your year-end giving, give the gift of your time. In our Noteworthy section, columnist Tim Borowski touts the proven mental and emotional benefits of volunteering and service, both to the giver and the receiver (page 11). So, yes, donate the food items to a food shelf—but also sign up to serve hot food or help with shopping. Make the cookies for your elderly neighbor—but don’t just drop them off and leave. Bring some coffee, too, and make time to sit down and have a conversation. I think you’ll be really glad you did.

On the Cover Ben Leber, photo by Chris Emeott, page 30 Find more stories & photos online. Plus, tag us in your Edina pics!

Edina Magazine @edinamag @edinamag

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December 2022

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VOL. 19 NO. 4 edinamag.com

publisher Susan Isay

editor Amy Overgaard

managing creative director Renée Stewart-Hester

managing editor Hailey Almsted

digital editor Madeline Kopiecki

copy editors Kellie Doherty Sherri Hildebrandt

staff writers Zoe Deal Ava Diaz Mollee Francisco Daniel Huss Hanna McDaniels Staci Perry Mergenthal Kira Schukar

contributing writers Tina Bohrer Tim Borowski Taylor Ellingson Maureen Millea Smith Laura Westlund

editorial interns Nicole Berglund Megan Hegenbarth Hanna McDaniels Paige Schuller

editorial advisory board Jasmine Brett Stringer, Carpe Diem with Jasmine Dick Crockett, Edina Community Foundation Shelly Loberg, Edina Chamber of Commerce Erin Zosel, Sloane’s Beauty Bar

senior managing art director Sarah Dovolos

art director Allison Nolden

junior designer Jamie Klang

lead staff photographer Chris Emeott

production director Brittni Dye

production manager Lisa Stone

production coordinator Mimi Coz

senior account executives Brooke Beise Cynthia Hamre Sara Johnson Kathie Smith

president Pete Burgeson

To subscribe to Edina Magazine, please visit: localmedia.co For customer service inquiries, please contact hello@localmedia.co or call 612.208.6248. ©Local, LLC 2022.

All rights reserved.

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Happy Holidays from the Driver Group Wishing you a cheerful and healthy holiday season.

Our team looks forward to partnering with you in 2023.

Jeremy Driver 612.578.1631 • jeremy.driver@compass.com

Stacia Walling Driver 612.396.0316 • stacia.driver@compass.com drivergrp.com

The Driver Group is a team of real estate agents affiliated with Compass, a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws.

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N OT E WO RT H Y

lo c al tip s, tidb its & i ns i ght s

HEAL

iStock.com/AaronAmat

IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH THROUGH SERVICE A ROUND T HE HOL IDAYS, many people seek out ways to give back through service or financial gifts.

And there’s good reason to make the former a priority, as research has found that volunteering has significant health benefits. This is true for both “self-oriented” volunteering as well as “other-oriented” volunteering.

Self-oriented volunteering is that which is done primarily for the benefit of the one providing the service (i.e., volunteering to gain perspective, practice discipline or for other self-improvement purposes).

Other-oriented service is volunteering for the sole purpose of benefiting those who receive the service.

What is interesting is that both types of volunteerism produce comparable health benefits for the volunteer. Time and time again, research has shown

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that volunteering positively correlates with the following aspects of health: • • • • • • •

Greater life satisfaction Improved self-esteem Increased happiness Lower depressive symptoms Less psychological distress Decreased mortality and morbidity Greater functional ability

Contributed by Timothy Borowski, M.S., a natural healthcare professional and founder of Axon Movement, located at Statera Health in Edina.

You can find him @timothy_borowski on Instagram.

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Denny Schulstad pictured with the bronze sculpture of his golden retriever, which he commissioned in honor of his late wife.

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Photo: Denny Schulstad

N OT E WO RT H Y

CITIZEN OF EDINA

Denny Schulstad Denny Schulstad had an illustrious 35-year career in the United States Air Force, rising to the rank of Brigadier General. But in our corner of the world, Schulstad, an Edina resident, is known as a public servant, prolific fundraiser, public speaker and mentor.

Schulstad served 22 years on Minneapolis City Council, representing 30,000 residents of the 12th Ward. Before the pandemic, Schulstad was also giving 30–50 speeches a year, speaking at Memorial Day events, Veterans Rotary meetings and the Edina Community Foundation’s annual Fourth of July Veterans Dinner. While serving as president of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association, he both increased membership to an all-time high of 60,000 and negotiated a solution to an impasse for naming the new campus football stadium.

Perhaps most unique is Schulstad’s involvement with the Minnesotans’ Military Appreciation Fund. In 2005, he co-founded, along with late Edina resident Gene Sit, a statewide nonprofit to thank military members who served in a combat area after September 11, 2001. To date, it has raised $20 million and distributed more than $13 million in grants to nearly 20,000 Minnesota service members.

In addition to all this, as one of the highest-ranking officers in the state, Schulstad has taken the time to mentor hundreds of young men and women in local high

specializing in

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schools who were interested in becoming a military officer. As a result, 67 have graduated from the Air Force Academy and numerous others from U.S. Air Force ROTC. One became the commander of Andrews Air Force Base and another the executive director of Kennedy Space Center.

Recently, Schulstad made a donation to the Edina Community Foundation to commission local sculptor Nick Legeros to create a full-size bronze statue of his golden retriever as a memorial to his late wife, Pam. Golden Memories was installed at Centennial Lakes Park this fall.

Contributed by Tina Boher, communications director of the Edina Community Foundation.

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N OT E WO RT H Y

TA S T E

Eggnog Sandwich Cookies

MORTGAGES DESIGNED WITH YOUR

financial wellness IN MIND

IT SEEM S P E O P L E are either adamantly pro- or anti-eggnog.

Personally, I absolutely love it, and around the holidays, we typically have a carton in our fridge at all times. Lately, I’ve loved baking with eggnog, embracing more opportunities to enjoy the flavor! These cookie sandwiches are absolutely loaded with eggnog flavor and are a fun treat for the holiday season!

sugar and 1/4 tsp. nutmeg. Make dough balls that are approximately 2 Tbsp. in size. Roll each ball in the sugar/nutmeg mixture and set on prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 9-10 minutes, until the edges look slightly golden. The centers will still look soft, but they will set as they cool.

Cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes and then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

For Cookies: » 3/4 cups unsalted butter, room temperature

While the cookies bake, prepare the buttercream. In a large bowl, beat the butter with electric mixer for 1 min-

» 1 cup granulated sugar

ute. Add the powdered sugar, eggnog,

» 1 large egg

vanilla and nutmeg, beating until com-

» 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

bined and creamy. Once cookies are

» 1/4 cup eggnog

cooled, pipe or spread 2-3 Tbsp. of

» 1 tsp. baking soda

buttercream between two cookies,

» 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

repeating with all of the cookies.

» 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg » 1/2 tsp. ground ginger

Contributed by Taylor Ellingson,

» 1/2 tsp. salt

a local cookbook author and food

» 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

blogger at greensnchocolate.com. Find her @greensnchocolate on Instagram.

For Rolling: » 1/4 cup sugar » 1/4 tsp. nutmeg

TONY SMITH Senior Mortgage Consultant

(651) 604-8230

tony.smith@traditionllc.com

For Buttercream: » 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature » 3 cups powdered sugar » 1/3 cup eggnog » 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract » 1/4 tsp. nutmeg Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, and set aside. In a large bowl, Photo: Taylor Ellingson

beat together butter and sugar with electric mixer until well combined, about 2 minutes. (For all subsequent ingredient additions, beat until combined.)

Add egg and vanilla extract. Add eggnog, scraping down the sides of the

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bowl as needed. Add baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and salt. Add flour. In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup

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READ

FATHERDAUGHTER CRUISE

Jennifer E. Smith is a beloved teen author.

If you haven’t read her, you may well know a young woman who has. Like Gabrielle Zevin and Rebecca Serle, Smith’s writing has followed her readers into adulthood.

In Smith’s novel, The Unsinkable Greta James, indie rock star Greta James has agreed to go on an Alaskan cruise with her father, Conrad James. James was supposed to take this once-in-a-lifetime trip with his wife, Helen, who died unexpectedly three months earlier. Helen and Conrad’s best friends, the Fosters and the Blooms, are also on the cruise. The three couples have been neighbors in Columbus, Ohio, for decades.

Greta’s whole childhood is onboard with her.

The seven days aboard ship bring this daughter and father together in their grief and grievances. Greta has taken a risky and challenging path in following her dream to be a guitarist and rock musician. James may have given Greta her first guitar, but he never dreamed that she would be in her 30s, living in a small apartment in New York and playing stadium shows. Greta is a success, but she is also a worry to her father.

In the midst of these father-daughter dynamics Greta also meets Ben Wilder onboard the ship. He’s a writer and professor, and a romance sparks. This is a great read and would make a wonderful gift this holiday season.

Contributed by Maureen Millea Smith, a librarian and readers’ advisor at the Edina Library and a Minnesota Book Award–winning novelist. You can find her books at maureenmilleasmith.com.

Happy Holidays As 2022 comes to a close we want to thank our clients for another great year. We are grateful for your partnership and we look forward to helping you create new possibilities in 2023.

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DOING GOOD

Making a Difference Edina youth inspire peers by making an impact.

By Hanna McDaniels

Foundation (ECF) honors Edina citizens who have made a difference in the lives of youth in the Edina community at the Connecting with Kids Leadership Breakfast.

Dick Crockett, executive director of the ECF, has watched the leadership breakfast—where ECF’s Connecting with Kids Award is handed out—continue to grow in a community where residents are always striving to make Edina a better place. “We look for individuals who help connect kids to the community, and this year, we honored a handful of youth who are making a positive change in their peers’ lives,” Crockett says.

Sreeyutha Ratala, one of the winners of the 2021 Connecting with Kids Award, is an 18-year-old Edina resident with a passion for technology and making coding classes accessible through an endeavor she started called Camp Venom. “I was so honored to receive the Connecting with Kids Award,” Ratala says. “Hearing speeches from other honorees and what they accomplished was incredibly inspiring to me. It showed me that even if you are really young, you can make a big impact on the community.”

When starting Camp Venom, Ratala took inspiration from both her grandfathers, one of whom once told her, “To yield a power of knowledge is to pursue a passion in education.” When he was young, he did not have many resources while he was pursuing engineering— so, with her grandfather’s words, experience and her own passion, she created a plan to start Camp Venom.

Camp Venom is an affordable and accessible coding camp for youth to learn the basics of coding and work on

Top: Francesca Lichtenberger speaking at the Connecting with Kids Award Breakfast.

Bottom: Sreeyutha Ratala, second from the left in the orange top, with other 2022 award winners.

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Photos: Francesca Lichtenberger; Edina Community Foundation

EACH YEAR, the Edina Community

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personalized projects. With her passion for technology driving her, she began pursuing a Computer Science degree at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) this fall.

Edina resident Francesca Lichtenberger was another award recipient and youth honoree last March. Francesca is a passionate young woman going into her senior year at Benilde-St. Margaret’s. This 17-year-old was awarded at the Connecting with Kids Breakfast to honor her service on Edina’s Human Rights and Relations Commission (HRRC).

“I joined the HRRC because I wanted to make a positive impact in my community,” Francesca says. She decided this is what she really wanted to do during the spring of 2020 when she saw many social justice movements arise. “I wanted to really be involved and implement changes. I’ve noticed over the years that the HRRC has tried to make Edina a more inclusive and equitable place for all of its residents, and I knew I wanted to help make that change,” she says.

Francesca has big plans for the future and wants to eventually pursue a degree in pre-law, international relations or government. “On top of being in the HRRC, I’m also a member of the Human Services Task Force, which is essentially a group of community volunteers that allocate $100,000 annually to charities that impact residents of Edina,” she says.

“I was incredibly grateful for receiving this award,” she continues. “The HRRC loves human rights, and we love our community. Everyone on the HRRC is absolutely amazing to be around, and it’s so cool to be around accomplished, astounding adults and I’m honored to serve with them.”

Do you know someone in Edina who’s deserving of this award? Nominations for the Connecting with Kids Awards open up on January 1, 2023. Visit edinacommuni tyfoundation.org for more information.

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FAC E S

Working Toward a Polio-Free World Edina Rotarian recognized for service to eradicate disease.

By Mollee Francisco

front row seat to the devastation that polio could cause the human body.

His father, Raymond Murphy, had contracted the disease, spent time in an iron lung and was ultimately disabled. “His right leg and right arm were half the size of his left,” Murphy says.

So it comes as little surprise that when the founder of Murphy Automotive— the parent company of Edina Tire & Auto and Grandview Tire & Auto—joined the Rotary Club of Edina in 1995, he was drawn to the service organization’s signature project to eradicate polio, now called

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End Polio Now. Twenty-seven years and more than a dozen international trips later, the 67-year-old Lakeville resident is proud to have played a part in reducing the number of wild poliovirus cases by more than 99.99 percent. Earlier this year, he was one of just eight Rotarians worldwide to be recognized with the Regional Service Award for a Polio Free World.

“Tim Murphy is the most deserving yet most self-effacing advocate for Rotary’s polio eradication initiative I’ve ever had the pleasure to know,” says Tim Mulcrone, District 5950 polio chair and a member of the Rotary Club of

Above left: Tim Murphy pictured with Moses, an African child, who he helped to receive life-changing medical care in the U.S. Above right: Tim Murphy alongside a local resident and fellow Rotarian Mary Kurth on a humanitarian trip with the Rotary to Africa.

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Photos: Tim Murphy

GROWING UP , Tim Murphy had a

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Chanhassen. “He has quietly negotiated the donation of hundreds of thousands of dollars for polio eradication and then casually passed off the credit to others.”

Sandra Schley, a fellow member of the Rotary Club of Edina, has taken three trips to Africa with Murphy. Together, they tackled polio eradication as well as safe water and sanitation projects in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. “He’s a wonderful, wonderful man,” Schley says.

“A citizen of the world and a selfless contributor to goodness.”

Schley says that Murphy has a magnetism that draws people to him. “He has a way of being with people,” Schley says.

Schley remembers a trip to Africa where she and some of their fellow Rotarians were having trouble adjusting to the culture—specifically pungent odors around them. “He just carried on, hugging everyone and talking like he couldn’t smell a thing,” Schley says of Murphy.

Murphy says that people would refer to him as “iron gut” because nothing— food, smells, sanitary conditions—ever seemed to bother him. “I didn’t care where I stayed or where I was going,” Murphy says. He just wanted to help.

When Murphy first joined the Rotary Club, he told himself that he wouldn’t just go to have lunch every Thursday.

“I was going to be involved,” he says.

“It became his second home,” says Rick Murphy, Murphy’s oldest son.

“It makes us incredibly proud to have someone as passionate about helping the community as him.”

Among the many roles he has assumed with the Rotary Club, Murphy has served as club president, district governor and international project chair.

He has traveled internationally roughly a dozen times working on service projects related to polio eradication, safe water and cleft palates.

“All the way back to the beginning, he loved international projects,” Schley says. Murphy has also been a passionate speaker and fundraiser for the Rotary’s other projects, encouraging people to get involved.

“He empowers those around him,” Rick says. “They are inspired to do not what he could do great, but what they could do great. I couldn’t ask for a better mentor or dad.”

The Rotary Club of Edina; 4801 W. 50th St.; 952.215.7924; edinarotary.org

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Nora O’Leary

IF THERE ARE two material things in

SCENE

Imagination, Unleashed Manhattan Toy Company creates a world of imagination for young dreamers.

By Ava Diaz

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this world that I value most, it is my blue stuffed rabbit and the dollhouse I had growing up. The dollhouse came with interchangeable curtains and wallpaper and the most adorable furniture and home accessories. It even had batteryoperated electricity—a creator’s dream to say the least. As for the rabbit? Well, that’s just my favorite animal and a companion since childhood.

It is these joyful interactions with toys that can spark imagination and a life of creative growth—a lasting impression that Minneapolis-based Manhattan Toy Company hopes to

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Photos: Chris Emeott

leave on its customers, too. The company makes toys for early childhood, with a focus on cognitive development, sustainability and safety.

Longtime Edina resident and president of Manhattan Toy Company Nora O’Leary says it’s the brand’s efforts toward creating such unique toys that keeps her excited each day. “Manhattan creates toys for children, and design is an integral focus of that creation,” O’Leary says. “It is creativity that can produce this amazing product.”

Jeanne Bleu, the creative director at Manhattan Toy Company, says, “Aside from making high-quality, safe toys, our

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MANHATTAN'S TOYMAKERS Want to meet Manhattan Toy’s joyful and talented toymakers, pictured above?

Head to edinamag.com.

SHOP LOCAL See where you can find Manhattan Toys right here in our community. Manhattan Toy also designs custom products for Anthropologie, LEGO and Target.

Pacifier 4942 France Ave. S.; 952.767.6565; pacfierkids.com Legacy Toys 3555 Galleria; 952.955.6938; legacytoys.com Foxwell 4400 France Ave.; 612.999.8443; thefoxwell.com

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December 2022

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DO MORE WITH THE ROYAL CREDIT UNION

MOBILE APP! real purpose, or our way to compete, is that we say design matters. So, we focus on making these toys beautiful.”

Through extensive trend research, the design team learns how parents are decorating their homes and children’s bedrooms, and they design with those colors and aesthetics in mind. Part of this trend research has led the design team to take a gender-neutral stance in terms of product design and color schemes. This is particularly notable in their "Style Your Own Wee Baby Stella” doll collection, which launched this fall, where people can customize dolls’ skin tones, hair color and style, gender and accessories.

But these toys aren’t just beautiful.

They’re also designed for specific developmental phases in a child’s life. O’Leary says that a foundation of Manhattan’s toy design process is thinking about the development of a child—where they are cognitively and how each specific toy they design can play a role in how children’s brains develop. “Play is how children learn … We believe we have heirloom products that can last generations [not only] because of the aesthetic design but [also] because it’s a component of developmental and cognitive play.”

That idea of creating heirloom products also plays into its focus on sustainability. The toys are made of high-quality wood and textiles, creating durable, long-lasting products that can be passed on. In addition, the design team is working toward creating littleto-no-waste packaging for the toys. The company is in the process of designing packaging that encourages its reuse, where boxes can become a doll bassinet or shelters for toys. “We are making sure that we are being good citizens for the kids who are the future inhabitants [of the planet],” Bleu says.

But for children, the toys they create are simply meant to spark imagination, creativity and joy. “It inspires us to see a child play and create with our products,” O’Leary says. “Watching everyone do their magic is the best part.”

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W R I T T EN BY HA NN A MC DA N I E L S

Creative Expressions Art bus promotes healing for children with life-limiting illnesses.

illnesses by indulging their creative minds—his creative self took flight.

She says she has seen firsthand how much art can make a difference.

Felix’s first creation at Ziggy’s Art Bus was a birdhouse he made three years ago that is still used and adored today. “We enjoy the chickadees that make this little birdhouse a home in our cherry tree every spring,” Brunelle says. “Although Felix is nonverbal, he reminds me [of his art] when we’re watching the birds move back in [during the spring]. He points to [the birdhouse] in the tree and then to himself—he’s clearly quite proud Photo: xxxxxxxxx

Art has long been used as a form of healing the body, mind and soul. For some Twin Cities children, creativity and restorative care come by way of an art center on wheels.

Take Felix Brunelle, 5, for example.

“Felix was born with a one-of-a-kind chromosome deletion, presenting as several different physical challenges, medical complexity and the need for a 30-plus strong medical and therapy team to follow him on the regular,” says Felix’s mother, Haley Brunelle of Minnetonka. So, when Felix encountered Ziggy’s Art Bus—a bus that serves children with life-limiting

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December 2022

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Photo: Chris Emeott

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Photos: Ziggy’s Art Bus

“Art is a space where everyone belongs.

There’s something for everyone to create.

There [are] no rules on how to do art.”

Finley Tooley, Edina Resident and Ziggy’s Art Bus Volunteer

Photos: Ziggy’s Art Bus

of his work. This is just one of many projects he’s come home with. During the pandemic, Ziggy’s even made us a little home art kit with all the supplies to make a name mobile at home.”

Gina Zaffarano of Minneapolis, founder of Ziggy’s Art Bus, says she knew this artful idea had to come to fruition when she was introduced to Crescent Cove, a respite home and care facility for children in Brooklyn Center. “I realized when working at Crescent Cove that there was not a lot of space for creative endeavors for these children ... Art is such an equalizing experience for everyone, regardless [of ] if they think they have artistic ability or not, and it is something that takes people out of their heads and into their hearts,” she says.

From there, Zaffarano drafted the idea of an art bus to make the experience as accessible as possible for every child.

Felix’s first encounter with the art bus was at Crescent Cove, his home-away-from-home. “Every time Felix has stayed at Crescent Cove, we request Ziggy’s Art Bus to be a part of his activities. He always comes home with remarkable work [that] he’s so proud to show off and even give as gifts,” Brunelle says. “It’s always a challenge for kids like Felix to find activities they can do and enjoy and sometimes even harder to get there.

The fact that Ziggy’s Art Bus comes to us is brilliant and, in some cases, necessary. We love the art bus for making art accessible for all.”

The art bus travels year-round to three facilities: Fairview Children’s

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Hospital, the Ronald McDonald House on the University of Minnesota campus and Crescent Cove. “We want to bring joy to children with life-limiting illnesses. That is our sole foundation for Ziggy’s Art Bus,” says Zaffarano, who wants to offer programming five days a week. Volunteers can make that dream come to life by applying on Ziggy’s website, but for now the bus runs just twice a week and every other weekend.

Volunteers receive a biography of the children they are working with prior to the bus arriving in order to provide the most enjoyable and engaging experience possible. When the bus shows up at the hospital, the volunteers are there to help facilitate the art-making process for the children.

Sometimes it is very hands-on for volunteers; other times, the kids take over the projects themselves. “We generally curate these art projects based around the demographic of kids we are seeing that week,” Zaffarano says. “For example, with [the Ronald McDonald House], we have pre-planned art projects we bring … Crescent Cove is very different though. Many kids we serve there aren’t able-bodied … In that case, it is very volunteer-dependent, and we look to them to create a beautiful experience for the [children].”

Zaffarano’s daughter, Raina Estrem, is a pediatric nurse who volunteers for Ziggy’s Art Bus. “The really special thing is letting the kid lead because they can get what they need to get out of the experience,” Estrem says.

“The outcome of the project might look different for every kid, but what’s

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Lezlie German-Tooley and Finley Tooley

ZIGGY ’ S A RT BU S; ZIG GYSA RT BU S.OR G

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Z I G GY ’ S A RT B U S

@ Z I G GYSA RTB U S

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Photo: Ziggy’s Art Bus

important is that they [experienced joy] while making it.”

Art projects provided by Ziggy’s are created and developed by an artist on the Ziggy’s Art Bus team, Richfield’s Vicki Craig, who has made, curated and manufactured around 80 projects for the bus throughout the years.

Edina residents Lezlie GermanTooley and Finley Tooley are a mother and daughter duo who volunteer for Ziggy’s Art Bus. Finley is a 14-year-old freshman at Edina High School and is passionate about sharing art in an inclusive environment. She is also the youngest volunteer participating in Ziggy’s Art Bus. “Art is a space where everyone belongs. There’s something for everyone to create. There [are] no rules on how to do art,” Finley says.

With the freedom art can bring, Ziggy’s Art Bus is a very special experience for everyone involved,

including the families and volunteers participating. “One of the experiences that was my favorite is when we went to Crescent Cove and they were holding a sibling camp for all the children at Crescent Cove,” Finley says. “The kids were really excited to hangout with us [volunteers], each other and their siblings.”

German-Tooley works with Zaffarano at a hair salon and says that when she saw Zaffarano create this idea, she knew she had to be a part of it. “When I see these kids at Ziggy’s creating art in this joyful environment, I get so excited—it’s so beautiful to see,” German-Tooley says. “Especially during these times when we are so reliant on technology, creating art and encouraging children to make something with their own hands is very joyous.”

German-Tooley notes that some of her favorite activities Ziggy’s Art Bus offers to children are sewing and painting, noting that a canvas and a pop of color can really encourage kids participating in Ziggy’s to have faith in themselves and watch their creations come to life.

“A lot of these moments in these families’ lives can be filled with sadness, so it is really a special and humbling experience to be a part of Ziggy’s to offer an environment where we can bring these kids together in a joyful, engaging way,” German-Tooley says. “I think art is so neat in that sense. There is no right or wrong in art. Everyone can enjoy art, no matter what your age.”

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Photo: Chris Emeott

FROM LINEBACKER TO LIVE TV

Ben Leber tackles new role at Twin Cities Live.

F

or many Minnesotans, Ben Leber doesn’t need an introduction. As a former Minnesota Vikings linebacker, he was a fan-favorite during his five years on the team. And that continued off the field, as he became a football analyst in his post-NFL career, drawing people in with his warm demeanor and sense of humor.

His infectious smile is disarming and puts you at ease—which is just one of the things that makes him a perfect co-host for KSTP’s afternoon talk show, Twin Cities Live (TCL).

Leber took on this role in June, joining his co-host and TCL veteran Elizabeth Ries. Together, they spend 1.5 hours every afternoon talking about “food, fashion and fun in the Twin Cities.” (Emphasis on the fun.)

The duo has a dedicated and engaged audience that has welcomed Leber with open arms. “People adore Ben, and that [was] clear from the beginning,” Ries says. “He really resonates with the audience.”

While food and fashion may not seem like the most natural topics for someone who spent 25 years competing and working in the world of football, Leber says he loves meeting

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the guests on TCL and learning new things—his innate curiosity shining through. “The amount of people that I’ve met is awesome … I’ve been in the city since 2006, and there’s still so much that I don’t even know that exists here,” Leber says. “The show has taught me a lot about what happens in the Twin Cities and what happens in Minnesota. There’s a lot going on. There’s a lot of really interesting people, so that’s really fun.”

During the search for a new TCL co-host earlier this year, Ries, who is also a co-producer on the show, says she was looking for someone with whom she had good chemistry, someone who was confident in front of a camera, someone who could consistently deliver good content, five days a week and someone who was genuinely curious. In Leber, she found all these qualities. “Who [Ben] is naturally translates so beautifully to what we do,” she says, citing his authenticity as a major factor in that. “He is an open book. On TV, he’s the same as he is off TV … He just is who he is, and that’s a big thing. Authenticity is a huge part of what we do.”

There have certainly been some learning curves along the way for

Leber. He cites managing transitions between segments and interviewing guests on the show as the areas that have challenged him the most.

“I’m really comfortable interviewing guests for a podcast where it’s long form, and I can ask a question without it being a question and [make] it more of a conversation,” he says. But with TV, Leber notes that “you have to be much more concise” because of time constraints, and, on a live show, you don’t have the opportunity for do-overs—which requires a lot of on-the-fly thinking as an interviewer.

“There’s still that part of my brain wanting to find the right question or ask the right question as an interviewer,” Leber says.

Of course, he’s probably being a bit hard on himself. Ries says she was impressed by Leber’s interviewing skills, which she witnessed firsthand when she was a guest on his podcast, Unrestricted with Ben Leber, in 2021, long before he was ever in the running for the TCL gig. “I was so struck by his interviewing skills and how his questions are really nuanced,” Ries says. “He’s really interested in what drives people and what drives them to do what they do, what inspires

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Photo: Chris Emeott

Wr itten by A my Overga a rd

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Leber is a family guy and loves spending time with his wife, Abby, and children, Ames, Witten and Wells, pictured above.

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them to be different or creative.”

It was actually because of this that Ries eventually approached him about the job at TCL. Beyond TCL, Leber spends Monday and Thursday mornings as an on-air personality for The Power Trip Morning Show on 100.3 KFAN, and he also contributes with KFAN’s Dan Barreiro on Mondays and Paul Allen on Thursdays. During football season, he also serves as a sideline analyst for the Minnesota Vikings, both at home and away games.

It’s a natural space for a guy who spent nearly 15 years playing football competitively, first in college and then professionally. Leber was offered a full ride scholarship to play football at Kansas State

University under Hall of Fame coach Bill Snyder. After college, he was drafted into the NFL, where he played for the San Diego Chargers, Minnesota Vikings and St. Louis Rams throughout his 10-year career.

Upon retiring from the NFL, Leber jumped into being a sports commentator, covering college football for Fox Sports before moving on to Minnesota Vikings football analysis.

Beyond work, Leber also deeply believes in giving back, and for many years he’s worked alongside St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, doing media promotions to raise awareness for its mission—one that’s very personal to him.

Leber’s nephew was diagnosed with brain cancer as a baby. “He

Photos: Ben Leber

had initial treatment and surgery in Louisville, Kentucky, where [my brother and his wife] live, but it was an aggressive, rare form,” Leber says.

His nephew was accepted to St. Jude in Memphis, where we underwent more testing, surgeries and treatments. Despite all this, he passed away before the age of 2.

“Because of that, we saw what St. Jude did for my brother and his wife,” Leber says. “They didn’t walk away with any medical bills from the care that they got there.” He witnessed firsthand what an impact St. Jude made in the lives of his brother and sister-in-law and was deeply moved.

“So when the opportunity came up to work with them, [it was] a nobrainer. You can actually physically

see where the money goes and how they help not just the patient, but the family.” It’s not day-to-day involvement with the organization, but it’s work that he’s deeply passionate about and continues to make time for, year after year.

Needless to say, Leber keeps a busy schedule. But no matter what he has going on in his professional life, he always prioritizes time with his family—which includes his wife, Abby, his daughter, Ames, and his two sons, Witten and Wells. In the mornings, he helps bring the kids to school on days he’s not at the radio station. And when TCL ends at 5 p.m., “it’s a race out of there to whatever the next activity is—picking kids up or watching their game or

coach[ing] a game,” he says. “I coach my kids in a lot of their sports.”

After all the daily activities, Leber says his family makes time to hang out and connect. “We do a lot of movie nights. My kids love just popping popcorn and hanging out,” he says. “And I enjoy it, too. It’s one of my favorite things to do … find[ing] a show that we all can watch and just get involved and hang out. [We’re] kind of homebodies when it comes to that stuff, but I think it’s because we are so busy.”

Leber’s children have followed in his athletic footsteps. Ames is an equestrian rider—a jumper—and also plays volleyball and flag football.

The boys are in baseball, Taekwondo, basketball and hockey, and Wells also

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“[The Twin Cities are] a great place to raise kids … It’s got everything you need from sports and entertainment to arts and theater to restaurants and school systems.”

plays soccer. In light of all this activity, Leber says, “We don’t have time to do anything else other than sit and watch a show.” But they do it together, which is the important part to Leber.

During these family hangouts, the family is often joined by their three dogs (one Great Dane and two malshis), two cats and a guinea pig.

They may be homebodies, but they do enjoy living in Edina and having access to all the Twin Cities has to offer. Leber and his wife initially moved to Minnesota when he signed with the Minnesota Vikings, but even when he played his last season in St. Louis, his wife and kids kept Minnesota as their home base. Once he retired from the NFL, the family considered moving, but he and Abby decided the Twin Cities was “a great place to raise kids. And we felt like it kind of checked every box … it is sort of a hidden gem of the country. It’s got everything you need from sports and entertainment to arts and theater to

34

restaurants and school systems,” he says. So they stayed.

And in terms of how they ended up in Edina, specifically? Their family loves how Edina offers “proximity to everything,” which is a big reason they haven’t left. They enjoy how nearly everything is a bike ride or walking distance away, while still being close to downtown Minneapolis and the airport. “I just thought the modern conveniences were the most impressive in the city, and it was safe and it was clean. And we didn’t know where we were going to send our kids [for school], but whether it was public or private, we have access to everything within five minutes, so it just seemed like it was the best fit overall,” Leber says. “It was just dumb luck that we ended up in Edina, and we’ve never left.” b en leb er.com @b e n leb erof f i ci al @n ac h o leber

Photo: Chris Emeott

BEN LEBER

BE N ’S FAVO R I T E S

FOOD My mom is going to hate me saying this because I love her Korean food but anything Mexican. I love tacos and nachos and stuff like that. I could eat a taco every day.

TV SHOW Schitt’s Creek B OOK Right now, my number one author is probably Jack Car. TR AVEL DESTIN ATION The Bahamas. We go there every year to Harbor Island, Bahamas.

We’ve been going there for 20 years.

PODCAST Smartless MU SICA L A RTIST 21 Pilots PODCAST GU EST I really loved Mace Curran. She’s a fighter pilot. She just retired from the Thunderbird demo team. She’s great.

Ryan Longwell, one of my former teammates.

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CHRISTINA B. JOHNSON

Artist

Refresh your home with custom artwork. Christina B. Johnson has been sourcing clients with her colorful paintings since 2018.

Shop her work at Edina-based Foxwell Shoppe and At Home & Co., or contact Christina for a consultation. @christina.b.johnson christinabjohnson.com christinabergjohnson@gmail.com

Whether buying or selling, I work in all price ranges and with all ages! First time home buyers to empty nesters, I’d be honored to help you and your family!

Ellyn Wolfenson 3033 Excelsior Blvd.

612.644.3033 ellynwolfenson.com

Exception People Extraordinary Care • • • • •

Memory Care Assisted Living Home Health Care Care Consulting Care Management English Rose 952.983.0412 englishrosesuites.com

Upscale resale at its best!

Our customers tell us we have the most amazing assortment of designer and contemporary clothing and accessories! Stop in often, new items arrive daily.

This holiday season, bring the best of local to the table. Explore our bounty of regionally-grown produce, vast specialty gift department, and hand-crafted foods from Minnesota makers like House of Halva, Rose Street Patisserie, and Alemar Cheese Company.

You’re Local. We’re Local.

Bachelor’s and master’s degree programs for working professionals in the areas of business, applied leadership, MBA and others. Contact us at link.mnsu.edu/mag today to get started!

Fashion Avenue 4936 France Ave. S. 952.929.7919 fashionavenueresale.com

Linden Hills Co-op 3815 Sunnyside Ave., Mpls.

612.922.1159 tccp.coop

Minnesota State University, Mankato 7700 France Ave. 952.818.8888 link.mnsu.edu/mag

The fresh new spot for beauty and selfcare!

We specialize in skincare, waxing, lashes, brows and nails, and promise to make you feel like a ten every time you visit!

TheTen Spot Edina 4502 France Ave. S. 612.259.7263 thetenspot.com/edina-mn

Come join us at Town Hall Station on the corner of Valley View and Wooddale,in a converted 1950’s filling station.

We’re focused on serving high-quality scratch prepared food accompanied by our world-class beers and drink in a welcoming atmosphere, with uncompromised hospitality and attention to our customers.

Town Hall Station 4500 Valley View Road 612.767.9747 townhallstation.com

Taproom + Kitchen Mention this ad to get a free pint when you purchase a flight of beer!

Trivia hosted every Wednesday starting at 6:30pm.

Wooden Hill Brewing Company 7421 Bush Lake Road 952.960.9663 woodenhillbrewing.com

O N T H E TOW N

th in g s to se e a n d do in and aro und Edina

POP-UP HOLIDAY CRAFT SHOW AND BOOK BAZAAR

THE EDINA PARKS AND RECREATION

is hosting its first pop-up holiday craft show and book bazaar on December 3 at the Edina Senior Center.

Nicole Gorman, recreation supervisor for Edina Parks and Recreation, has put together similar events for other cities in the past, and she thought creating an event to celebrate local artists and crafters, just in time for holiday

DEPARTMENT

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shopping, would do well in Edina.

The craft show will feature at least 25 local vendors selling art and crafts of all sizes and mediums, with vendors set up throughout the senior center.

Gorman says there will be “water color prints and illustrations, crafts and sculptures, pottery, jewelry, wood turning,” and so much more. One vendor will even be selling custom family tree

art for one-of-a-kind gifts. “There’s quite a wide variety,” says Gorman.

The book bazaar, held in the Sherwood Room in the Edina Senior Center, will offer secondhand books for sale—both for reading and for crafting purposes. “A lot of crafters will take old books that would otherwise be recycled or thrown away, and they’ll create art out of the book pages,” Gorman says.

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iStock.com/maximkabb

Shop locally to find unique gifts for everyone on your holiday shopping list.

Compiled by Nicole Berglund and Megan Hegenbarth

Get great service & great rates.

You know I’m always here with Good Neighbor service. But I’m also here with surprisingly great rates for everyone. Call me for a quote to see how much you can save. You might be surprised.

LOCAL EVENTS

Storytime at Barnes & Noble

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.® Individual premiums will vary by customer. All applicants subject to State Farm underwriting requirements. ®

Selina Martire Ins Agcy Inc Selina Martire, Agent www.selinamartire.com selina@selinamartire.com Bus: 651-776-8328 Hablamos Español

12/02–12/23 Every Friday in December, bring your kids to the Edina Barnes & Noble for a holiday storytime. All ages. Free.

10 a.m. Barnes & Noble, 3230 Galleria; 952.920.2124; barnesandnoble.com

Light of Love 12/03 Nonprofit community choir, Edina Chorale, will perform its holiday

State Farm Bloomington, IL 2001875

concert, Light of Love. All ages.

2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Calvary Christian Reformed Church, 5300 France Ave. S.; 952.831.6264; edinachorale.org

LIVE ON STAGE!

Read With an Animal 12/03 Children in first, second and third grade can practice reading aloud with a certified therapy animal from Paws to Read.

Children in grades one through three. Free.

10–11:30 a.m. Southdale Library, 7001 York Ave. S.; 612.543.5900; hclib.org

A Chorus Line 12/09–12/10, 12/16–12/17 The Edina High School Thespians will perform A Chorus Line, a musical about Broadway dancers vying for positions

This portion of the event will be hosted by the Friends of the Edina Library, which will keep all proceeds from book sales. —Nicole Berglund

on a chorus line. All ages, with adult content advisory. 7 p.m. all dates, with additional 1 p.m. performance on December 10. Edina High School, 6754 Valley View Road; 952.848.3800; ehsthespians.com

Edina Craft Club 12/11 Connect with local crafters at this

All ages. Free. 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

monthly meet-up. No experience required

Edina Senior Center, 5280 Grandview

and all materials provided. All ages.

Square Suite 101; 952.826.0367; edinamn.gov

Free. Noon–2 p.m. Edina Library, 5280 Grandview Square; 612.543.6325; hclib.org

Nov 18 thru Dec 27, 2022 STAGESTHEATRE.ORG SCAN FOR MORE INFO

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and all related elements © and TM under license to Character Arts, LLC.

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O N T H E TOW N

The Northern Express

Candle-Making Experience 12/01–12/31 Bring up to three friends to make a custom candle at Roseline’s Place. While you wait for your candle to dry, you can enjoy the market’s restaurants and brewery. All ages. $30. Times vary. Keg and Case Market, 928 Seventh St. W., St. Paul; 612.355.6900; linktr.ee/roselinesplace

Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet 12/02–12/03 Watch as Christmas figurine dances in Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet at the Orpheum Theatre. The performance will be filled with large puppets, incredible acrobatics and extravagant costumes.

All ages. Tickets starting at $33. Times vary.

Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.; 612.339.7007; hennepintheatretrust.org

The Northern Express 12/03–12/18 The Northern Express holiday market is back for its second year. This immersive experience—complete with Santa visits, llamas and reindeer, kids crafts and activities, a holiday gift market and so much more—will delight children and grown-ups alike. All ages. $20 for adults, $15 for children, free for ages 2 and under. Noon–5:30 p.m. Fridays and Sundays; 10:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Saturdays. Camp Fire, 3300 Tanadoona Drive, Excelsior; thenorthernexpress.org

Holiday Flower Show AREA EVENTS

Don’t miss this year’s holiday flower

Ebenezer Scrooge meets the ghosts

display. Elegant white poinsettias are

Holidazzle Craft Market

of Christmas past, present and future.

combined with other arrangements

11/26–12/18

Ages 8 and up. Tickets $15–$134. Times vary. Guthrie Theater, 818 S. Second St., Mpls.; 612.377.2224; guthrietheater.org

for a unique viewing experience. All

This recurring event is family-friendly with Santa visits, food and drinks, handcrafted items and live entertainment, including an interactive art

Old-Fashioned Holiday Bazaar

installation. All ages. Free. Fridays, 5–

12/01–12/03

9 p.m.; Saturdays, noon–9 p.m.; Sundays, noon–6 p.m. Loring Park, 1382 Willow St., Mpls.; 612.376.7669; holidazzle.com

A Christmas Carol 12/01–12/31 The biggest grouch of Christmas is back in A Christmas Carol at

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ages. Free, but reservations are required.

10 a.m.–4 p.m. Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park, 1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul; comozooconservatory.org

Handcrafted items from Twin Cities art-

Minneapolis Minifest

ists are available for purchase, including

12/03

jewelry, wood pieces, paintings, soaps

Have fun with the Minneapolis Minifest,

and plenty more. Holiday music and

presented by Bridging The Music. This

treats will also be available. All ages. $5

festival will be packed with music, art

for adults, free for kids under 12. 10 a.m.– 7 p.m. Landmark Center, 75 W. Fifth St., St. Paul; 651.292.3225; landmarkcenter.org

and community for the whole evening.

All ages. Online tickets $24.83, door tickets $30.24. 6 p.m.–12:30 a.m. The Southern

December 2022

edinamag.com

Photo: The Northern Express

12/03–01/08 the Guthrie Theater. In this show,

Theater, 1420 S. Washington Ave., Mpls.; 612.340.0155; southerntheater.org

Jingle Bell Run 12/10 Grab your coats, running shoes and Santa hats and join the Jingle Bell Run, presented by the Arthritis Foundation.

All ages. Free. 8:30 a.m. U.S. Bank Stadium, 401 Chicago Ave., Mpls.; events.arthritis.org

Vintage Market WINNER

12/11

BEST OF

Get your tote bags ready for the Minneapolis Vintage Market at Machine Shop. The market will be made up of two floors of the best vintage finds, and will also feature a bar, food truck and a complimentary coffee pop-up. All ages.

’22

NOW MORE THAN EVER, LET’S CREATE, LAUGH, AND LEARN. Your child will grow and develop through a research-driven, relationship-oriented, play-based learning curriculum. Serving infants through Pre-K children.

Two Edina locations. Family- and Locally-owned since 1976.

Free, with early bird tickets for $10. Noon– 4 p.m., early bird 11 a.m. Machine Shop, 300 Second St. SE, Mpls.; mplsvintagemarket.com

Elf

www.EspeciallyforChildren.com | 952.857.1100

Child Development Centers

12/17–12/18 Listen to John Debney’s rendition of Elf while the film plays on the big screen.

All ages. Tickets starting at $50. 2–4 p.m.

Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Ave., Mpls.; 612.371.5656; minnesotaorchestra.org

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve 12/23 Rock out with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra during their holiday tour.

The show will feature an impressive light display and festive music. All

ages. Prices vary. Shows at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Xcel Energy Center, 199 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul; trans-siberian.com

To have your event considered: email edinamag@localmedia.co by the 10th of the month three months prior to publication.

Due to the fluidity being experienced in the current environment, please note that some events/dates and even some business operations may have changed since these pages went to print. Please visit affiliated websites for updates.

41

TA S T E M A K E R S Written

by Zoe Deal

Photos

by Chris Emeott

Sipping into the Season Mix up some warming and refreshing winter cocktails for holiday parties and beyond.

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IN SEARCH OF fresh takes on seasonal

beverages to serve up this holiday season?

Us too. We turned to the team at France 44 Wines & Spirits for some inspiration and guidance. The result? A collection of six delicious cocktails (and a mocktail!) for every occasion. Whether you’re looking for a solution for lively holiday gatherings or cozy date nights by the fire, these creative recipes are sure to be a highlight for the holiday season and beyond.

Raspberry Kir Royal

Recipes and descriptions compiled by France 44 wine specialist and public education coordinator Josh Timmerman.

The Celebratory Cocktail Raspberry Kir Royal » 1/2 oz. St. George Raspberry Liqueur » 4 oz. sparkling wine (we used Dibon Brut Cava)

Add St. George Raspberry Liqueur to a Champagne flute, and top with Dibon Brut Cava. Cheers!

Not all cocktails need to be difficult to make.

In fact, some of our all-time favorite cocktails are the ones that require the fewest ingredients and can be thrown together in a flash.

The Raspberry Kir Royal is just that! It’s bubbly, it’s pink and it’s delicious. You could easily substitute other variations of sparkling wine in place of the Dibon if you so choose.

The Batch Cocktail Orchard Sangria » 1 bottle pinot grigio » 2 1/2 cups apple cider » 1 1/2 cups club soda » 3/4 cup Velvet Falernum liqueur » 3 Honeycrisp apples, chopped » 3 pears, chopped

Combine all ingredients in a punch bowl, stir and chill for one hour before serving.

What better way to use up any of that summery white wine you have around than in a delicious punch-like winter sangria?

It is packed with seasonal flavors and is very easy to make. Many different white wines will work for this punch; look for something relatively inexpensive and fruitdriven. (We went with San Martino Pinot Grigio, and it worked great.)

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The Classic Cocktail Maple Old Fashioned » 1 oz. bourbon (We used

Rapid-fire Q+A with France 44 spirits buyer Tom Schneider

Best new find: Fot-Li

Can’t live without:

Fan favorite: Cazadores

Out-ofthe-box:

Spanish Sweet

Rittenhouse

Spicy Margarita

St. Agrestis

Vermouth.

Rye for mixing

cans. They’re

Amaro for

It’s fantastic

cocktails!

awesome in all

making Black

for Negronis

seasons. Yes,

Manhattans

» 2 dashes Fee Brothers

and an Old

even in winter.

or for sim-

Black Walnut Bitters

Fashioned.

Drink one

ply sipping.

and reminisce

Seriously, it’s

about warmer

fantastic.

Ezra Brooks 99 Proof.) » 1 oz. rye whiskey (We used Rittenhouse.) » 1 oz. apple brandy (We used Laird’s Bottled in Bond.) » ½ oz. maple syrup

» 2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, and stir until incorporated. Strain into a rocks glass with one large ice cube. Garnish with an apple slice.

days.

Call it a Maple Old Fashioned, Caramel Apple Old Fashioned or a Crunch Old Fashioned, this spin on a classic may have an autumn feel, but it is delicious year-round. And who doesn’t love an excuse to pull out that “fancy” maple syrup?

The Zero-Proof Cocktail Mulled Saskatoon » 4 1/2 oz. cinnamon tea » 5 oz. The Saskatoon by For Bitter For Worse » 1/2 oz. Earl Gyles Ceylon Cinnamon syrup

Boil 9 oz. of water, and briefly steep your cinnamon tea bag for a weak tea. While the tea steeps, bring The Saskatoon to a simmer, add cinnamon syrup and stir to combine. Add cinnamon tea and split between two mugs to share with a loved one.

Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

This cozy mocktail is a delicious spin on mulled wine. It features For Bitter For Worse’s blend called The Saskatoon, which has a savory flavor profile that embodies a complex red wine and can be enjoyed chilled on its own as well. The Earl Giles Ceylon Cinnamon syrup isn’t too sweet or overpowering and will be a fun addition to your bar to put a new twist on other favorites all winter long!

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TA S T E M A K E R S

Maple Old Fashioned

Cocktail Pairing We all know the importance of dinner party wine pairings, but what about cocktails? If you’re planning to feature cocktails on your menu, consider your flavor pairings. “Cocktail and food pairings can be difficult, though not impossible,” says Tom Schneider, France 44’s spirits buyer. “A great place to start is with matching your dish to a base spirit. For example, a light seafood dish will likely pair better with gin than rye whiskey. After you have selected the base spirit, you can now choose the cocktail that will best fit the dish. (Gin martini with oysters, please!)” Other considerations include: viscosity, sweetness and alcohol content. But when in doubt, “There is nothing wrong with choosing cocktails that fit the theme or vibe of the evening instead of pairing to specific dishes,” Schneider says.

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TA S T E M A K E R S

The Hot Cocktail Doc Marten » 5 oz. fresh-brewed coffee » 1 oz. Du Nord Cafe Frieda Coffee Liqueur » 1 oz. Baileys Irish Cream (substitute Baileys Almande for a dairy-free alternative)

Combine all ingredients in your favorite mug and enjoy.

It’s pretty tough to beat the comfort of a warm, boozy coffee in the depths of Minnesota winters. This is the drink for when those temps begin to drop, and you’re feeling like a relaxing winter weekend at home.

The Night Cap Black Manhattan » 2 oz. rye whiskey (We used Old Overholt 114 proof.) » 1 oz. amaro (We used St. Agrestis.) » 1 dash Angostura Bitters

Black Manhattan

» 1 dash orange bitters » Griottine cherry for garnish

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, and stir until well chilled. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with a Griottine cherry.

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Photo: xxxxxxxxx

One of my favorite cocktails!

A Black Manhattan uses amaro instead of the sweet vermouth found in the traditional Manhattan. (This drink typically calls for Averna Amaro, but I personally love St. Agrestis Amaro.) It gives this drink a bit more spice, earthiness and herbaceous bitterness. It’s the perfect sipper to end an evening.

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Schneider’s ome bar essentials Earl Giles Piloncillo Simple Syrup for an Old Fashioned

Liber & Co. Orgeat (almond syrup) for Mai Thais

Liber & Co. Grenadine (real pomegranate syrup) for all kinds of tropical drinks

Negroni Antica Bitter & Aperitivo Liqueurs for Negronis and spritzes He says, “Like Campari and Aperol but better and cheaper!”

Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur for The Last Word Cocktail or an Old Fashioned

Banhez Espadin & Barril Mezcal for sipping and mixing He says, “My go-to agave spirit!”

Dibon Dry Cava for spritzes

Etesia Gin for mixed drinks He says, “A fabulously inexpensive and delicious gin for cocktails.”

Filthy Bleu Cheese Olives for martinis Griottine Cherries for garnishes

France 44 Wines & Spirits, 4351 France Ave. S., Mpls.; 612.925.3252; france44.com France 44 Wines & Spirits @france_44

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LAST GLANCE

By Hanna McDaniels

FIRST PLACE: PLACES IN EDINA

The Streaks of 62 Photographer captures glimmering lights on Minnesota highway.

YAS H MA N GA LICK , HOBBYIST P HOTOG R A P HE R and Edina resident, recounts when he took the perfect picture on a highway close to home: “As [long] as I can remember, I’ve lived off the Gleason exit of [Minnesota State] Highway 62. Driving along this route, which bisects Edina, is comforting, and arriving at the Gleeson sign tells me when I’m home. Before I moved to start college last year, I wanted to capture visions of home to make my New York dorm room a little less alien. I set up a tripod on the MN-62 Gleason overpass one evening and was greeted by a low-hanging golden moon, which completed my composition of the streaking cars of 62.”

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Photographer:

Yash Mangalick

Title: The Streaks of 62 Equipment:

Nikon D7100

To view other Images of Edina photo contest winners, visit edinamag.com.

December 2022

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