Edina - January 2024

Dynamic Duo Transforming tresses with a touch of New York City glam

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For some of our patients the goal is winning a national championship.

But you just want your wrist pain to go away so you can skate for state.

At TRIA Orthopedics, we’ll treat your broken wrist and get you back on the ice. When that happens, it feels like we all win. It’s why you’re treated and how you’re treated by TRIA.

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THE G ALLERIA EDINA 3 5 5 5 G a l l e r i a • E d i n a , M N 5 5 4 3 5 • ( 6 1 2 ) 2 74 -7 1 8 1

W W W. J B H U D S O N . C O M

HAPPY NEW YEAR! EDINA SOLDS IN 2023

8 Spur Rd – Edina $2,675,000 **

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5509 Park Place – Edina $2,238,000 **

5602 Dalrymple Rd – Edina $2,125,000 *

5705 Ayrshire Blvd – Edina $2,050,000 *

5004 Nob Hill Dr – Edina $1,662,000 *

5737 Zenith Ave S - Edina $1,625,000 *

5208 Ridge Rd – Edina $1,499,000 ***

4600 W 58th Street – Edina $1,110,000 **

4241 Valley View Rd – Edina $1,166,013 **

5142 Hankerson Ave – Edina $1,050,000 **

4800 Wilford Way – Edina $1,025,000 *

5144 Hankerson Ave – Edina $952,000 ***

4613 Oak Dr – Edina $875,000 *

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JANUARY 2024

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“The heart and soul of our program is a community of individuals who generously dedicate their time, resources and expertise to support us as young students.”

—Nathalie Rivas, Edina A Better Chance graduate (page 30)

PAG E 3 0

January 2024

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DE PA RT M E N TS

14 Winter Hair Woes Beauty experts weigh in on products to keep that coif looking its best.

16 Elevating Student Voices Youth recognized for providing a platform for peers to share ideas.

18 Sweating Out the Cold Backyard saunas bring Nordic serenity and luxury.

F E AT U R E S

Brrrrroken furnace?

20 A Little Help From a Digital Friend Stanford University students turn the world of college admissions on its head.

22 Dynamic Duo Transforming tresses with a touch of New York City glam.

30 And the Children Shall Lead A Better Chance program celebrates 51 years of improving lives.

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This year is special for us because we have reached a milestone not many local magazines have the privilege of reaching—our 20th year in publication. Our big anniversary isn’t until August, but I would be remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity to thank you all for your loyal readership. We exist for you and it is our joy to bring you stories about the people and businesses in our community which inspire us.

One such story is about Atman Jahagirdar, who always has an intelligent glint in his eye and seems to be constantly thinking. Ever met an entrepreneur? He or she can see what the world needs before they know they need it, find a niche that is underserved and create a product to fill the void. And that’s what Jahagirdar did. Together with his best friend and cousin, they created an AI algorithm that can help high school students get into the college of their dreams. AdmitYogi might just change the world of college admissions (page 20).

Also in the realm of education, we look at the A Better Chance program, a significant presence in Edina for half a century. We speak to a current student and two graduates about the program and how it’s improved their lives (page 30).

We have the privilege of introducing you to what might be one of Edina’s best-kept secret—the dynamic duo of the hair styling world, Roz and Alex Safdari. The husbandand-wife team has trained with the crème de la crème of the hair styling world, and we are beyond lucky to have their glamorous selves in our city. They share their story on creating beautiful hair and how they are curating a life for themselves that brings them joy and fulfillment (page 22).

I hope you find inspiration, knowledge and a renewed focus on your own wellness and educational journey. May this year bring you closer to your aspirations, and may 2024 be full of experiences that help you on your journey of growth and learning. In a world that seems to constantly change, our pursuit of knowledge and well-being remains steadfast and essential.

Wishing you a prosperous and healthy year ahead.

Photo: Chris Emeott

ZDERCHUK + SMITH On the Cover Roz and Alex Safdari, photo by Chris Emeott, page 22

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Find more stories & photos online. Plus, tag us in your Edina pics!

Edina Magazine @edinamag @edinamag

January 2024

edinamag.com

VOL. 19 NO. 6 edinamag.com

publisher Susan Isay

editor Feroza Mehta

managing creative director Renée Stewart-Hester

managing editor Hailey Almsted

digital editor Madeline Kopiecki

copy editors Kellie Doherty Sherri Hildebrandt

staff writers Jody Carey Mollee Francisco Emily Gedde Meredith Heneghan Daniel Huss Jennifer Pitterle Rachel Schuehle Josie Smith Kristie Smith

contributing writers Tina Bohrer Taylor Ellingson Maureen Millea Smith Jasmine Brett Stringer Laura Westlund

editorial interns Elaina Mankowski Morgan McFadden Emma Mehl

editorial advisory board Alison Perrier Briggs, Edina Community Foundation Daphne Edwards, director of marketing and communications, Edina Public Schools Shelly Loberg, Edina Chamber of Commerce Jasmine Brett Stringer, Carpe Diem with Jasmine Erin Zosel, Sloane’s Beauty Bar and Zosel & Coleman Real Estate Group

senior managing art director Sarah Dovolos

art director Allison Nolden

graphic designer Yaz Lo

junior designer Jamie Klang

lead staff photographer

Located 20 minutes West of Lake Minnetonka

Chris Emeott

production director

Boarding, Daycare, Grooming, Transportation, Training

Brittni Dye

production manager Lisa Stone

production coordinator Mimi Coz

senior account executives Cynthia Hamre Mary-Catherine Hartel Sara Johnson Abbie Kinn Kathie Smith

Top Dog Country Club app get it on Apple App

www.TopDogCountryClub.com (952)353-2600

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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 2024. All rights reserved.

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Edina Early Learning Center Learn to support your child and their unique self at the start of their educational journey. At the ELC we encourage creativity, foster curiosity, help develop critical thinking skills in a safe and inclusive environment.

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Plan your financial legacy Contact the Pink Wealth Management Group about creating a customized investment strategy for you.

Thomas Pink, CFP®, AAMS® Managing Director – Financial Advisor Senior Consulting Group (952) 476-3725 | thomas.pink@rbc.com www.pinkwmg.com Investment and insurance products offered through RBC Wealth Management are not insured by the FDIC or any other federal government agency, are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, a bank or any bank affiliate, and are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested. © 2023 RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, registered investment adviser and Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC. All rights reserved.

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lo c al tip s, tidb its & insi ght s

N OT E WO RT H Y

Vote

YOU’RE INVITED … … TO A COL L EC T I V E C EL EBR ATIO N for the Edina community and its

local businesses and providers that continue to serve and support us in a host of categories.

What’s the best way to honor your favorite dining spots, hometown businesses, service providers, shopping haunts, community venues and more?

Vote for your favorites in our annual Readers’ Poll—the Best of Edina 2024.

Our contest is live throughout January at edinamag.com, where you can vote for your “best of the best” in a growing number of categories.

Some of your favorite categories return for another year, including the special West Metro segment, which includes a broader selection of area businesses and services that are frequented and appreciated by our readership area.

Want to view the categories?

Go online—and vote!

January 2024

edinamag.com

Here’s what you need to know: Voting is live with a few simple rules*: 1. One entry is allowed per person; each ballot needs to include an email address.

2. Ballots must be completed by 5 p.m. January 31, 2024.

3. Voters need to vote in at least five categories to ensure their ballot is counted.

4. The top three finalists will be announced online on March 1, 2024.

5. Watch for our much-anticipated Best of Edina in the July issue, where the winners and runners up will be revealed—along with Editor’s Picks and a host of other community highlights. *Any rule not adhered to may result in entire surveys being discarded, and all results are subject to editorial discretion.

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N OT E WO RT H Y

READ

Senior Year VIEW

GET INVOLVED

If your New Year’s resolution is to become more involved in community service, your timing is perfect to participate in one of Edina’s 10 advisory boards or commissions.

Applications for open positions will be accepted until January 21.

The boards and commissions give Edina residents an opportunity to present a community perspective to the City Council. Commissioners are appointed for a three-year term after interviews with the mayor and select members of the City Council and staff. Liaisons from city staff and high school student representatives also serve on each commission.

Commissions focus on: » Arts and Culture » Community Health » Energy and Environment

In Claire Forrest’s debut novel, Where

make a difference in the lives of people like

» Heritage Preservation

You See Yourself, Euphemia “Effie”

herself. They, like her, are defined by how

» Human Rights and

Galanos is in her senior year at Mill City

they move around in the world.

Relations

High School in Minneapolis. Little has changed about the high school since she

Wilder, too. Might he like her the way

» Planning

started there. Effie continues to be a very

she likes him? They both want to go to

» Transportation

good student. Her best friends are still

Prospect University in New York City. Effie

Cam and Harper. Teachers continue to

imagines them there together. She is cer-

For more information on

mispronounce her first name and are ever

tain her mom will not want her to go to

volunteering as a commis-

glad for her nickname. Her dark curly hair

New York City, a place that is difficult for

sioner, and to see open posi-

has not changed its unruly ways. She still

a person in a wheelchair to navigate. But

tions, go to edinamn.gov.

makes her way around the building in her

Effie wants to try.

wheelchair, and it is still not easy. And

Contributed by Laura Westlund, a tour guide at the Weisman Art Museum and an art hound for Minnesota Public Radio.

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As Effie ponders colleges, she ponders

» Parks and Recreation

Readers will root for Effie in every

the crush she has on Wilder, her in school

moment of her senior year. I did.

friend, continues. Unabated.

This is a marvelous read.

What Effie wants from senior year is to find the right college where she can study social media and journalism. She wants to

Maureen Millea Smith is a retired librarian and Minnesota Book Award winning novelist.

January 2024

edinamag.com

l o ca l t i p s , t i d bits & in sig h ts

TATEOSSIAN

I N I T I AT I V E S O F E D I N A

A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT READS TOGETHER ...

Libby Hughes wanted to join a book club that meets on weeknights. Not knowing where to look, she turned to the Edina Moms Group on Facebook. Within a day, there were 139 comments from other women interested in joining a local book club.

“We noticed the enthusiasm and met with Libby to see how we could help,” says Alison Briggs, Edina Community Foundation’s (ECF) executive director. “We saw the book clubs as a great way to connect residents through literature. It’s a natural fit with our goal to produce programs that help folks feel invited and included in our community.”

Within a week, ECF created Edina Neighborhood Reads, posting a signup form for registrants and sorting them into neighborhood-based groups. Each book club operates autonomously, but the foundation plans two annual events to unite participants throught the city.

The northeast group, with 12 residents from Browndale, Country Club, Morningside, White Oaks and Arden, has met monthly since March.

“The book club has helped foster a sense of community,” says Amie Bergersen, a book club member.

Ellen Hunter Gans cites the connection to other women in her neighborhood. “I joined to be more intentional about incorporating reading into my life, but I’ve met moms I would have never otherwise met

FOR aRd

because our kids are different ages,” Gans says, describing herself as a nerdy English major, reading 150 books a year. She enjoyed A Good Family by Max Goldman because it was set in Edina Country Club.

Bergersen also enjoyed A Good Family.

“I loved the references to our street,” she says. “The hyper-local feel of the book was fun, and we held a book club that month at Tilia in Linden Hills because the characters in the book met there.”

Contributed by Tina Bohrer on behalf of the Edina Community Foundation. To learn more about Edina Neighborhood Reads and other programs, visit edinacommunityfoundation.org.

Forward…because despite today’s headwinds and uncertainty that’s where the possibilities lie. So, it’s more important than ever to have a banking partner who can help you take advantage of every possibility the new year brings. That’s what going forward is all about.

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N OT E WO RT H Y

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January 2024

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l o ca l t i p s , t i d bits & in sig h ts

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Calling All Bakers The tantalizing aroma of freshly baked cakes is one of the loveliest aspects of the Edina Education Fund’s annual CAKEOff (Community Action for Kids’ Education). The cherry on top of this occasion is it’s the largest fundraiser of the year for the charity.

The CAKE-Off is more than just a culinary competition. It’s a fundraiser that supports educational initiatives in the local community.

Participants showcase their creativity by crafting exquisite cakes, each telling a unique story through its flavors and designs. There are two categories of bakers: professionals and home bakers. Professional bakers donate cakes for the live and silent auction, which are displayed at the event. Home bakers submit photos of their cakes online, and attendees vote on their favorites.

I know of home bakers in this city who plan months in advance to perfect the ideal cake.

At this sweet Edina tradition, staff and teachers present how the Edina Education Fund has helped improve literacy, mental health, Photos: Edina Education Fund

STEAM and wellness in Edina Public Schools.

To view the cake contest rules and to register for the event, go to edinaedfund.org. —Feroza Mehta Edina Education Fund CAKE-Off 10 a.m. to noon February 2.

Church of St. Patrick-Edina, 6820 St. Patrick’s Lane; edinaedfund.org

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STYLE

Winter Hair Woes Beauty experts weigh in on products to keep that coif looking its best.

THE DRY, FRIGID AIR of a

Minnesota winter takes a toll on just about everything, including hair. We asked the experts for their advice on how to keep your locks looking (and feeling) great, even in the middle of January. We enlisted Erin Zosel, stylist and owner of Sloane's Beauty Bar, plus Roz and Alex Safdari, master stylists from Juut, for their input.

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Find shampoos, conditioners and masque sets. Zosel recommends several

of the Oribe lines, particularly Moisture & Control for medium to thick hair and Signature for fine hair. If your hair is already dry and you’d like it to rise from the dead, try R+Co De Luxe line.

Experiment with leave-in conditioners, oils and serums. Zosel recom-

Sloane’s Beauty Bar is where you can find Kerastase, Oribe and R+Co products recommended. The brush and pillowcase can be found at ysparkusa.com and amazon.com.

mends Oribe Supershine to soften,

January 2024

edinamag.com

Photo: Chris Emeott

By Jennifer Pitterle

ROYAL IS THE #1 CREDIT UNION FOR

BUSINESS LOANS straighten and condition hair. “This high gloss, fizz-taming, leave-on provides heat protection while satisfying even the thirstiest of hair,” she says. Another option is R+Co High Dive & Waterfall.

“Use on towel-dried hair and air dry or blow dry,” she says.

Kerastase is another brand with various options for oils and serums. Elixir Ultime L’Huile Originale is an iconic multi use hair oil. “This oil serum is hydrating and strengthening that works wonders on any hair type,” she says. “Use it as a leave-in conditioner, dry finishing gloss, blow dry serum, masque booster or even hair perfume.” She also sings the praises of the 8H Magic Night Serum.

“This overnight leave-in will reduce tangles, soften and fights frizz,” she says.

The third product in the Kerastase arsenal is its Serum Universel. “Focusing on scalp and hair, this anti-aging wonder product uses abyssine and hyaluronic acid to provide intense shine, softness and hydration delivered through biometric pearls that protect and preserve the active ingredients,” she says.

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Try a silk pillowcase. “I just switched

RECONSTRUCTION

to one!” Roz says. “I’m telling all of my clients.” Hair and skin both benefit from the gentle slip of a silk pillowcase, without getting snagged.

Use a new-tech hair dryer. Yes, says Roz, the much-lauded Dyson Supersonic hair dryer really does live up to the hype.

“It’s light to use at home, and really keeps your hair not as dry,” she says.

(A similar dryer by Shark is also great.)

Detangle with a high-quality brush.

Both Roz and Alex prefer YS Park hair brushes, which combine synthetic and boar bristles for luxurious, smooth strands.

Sloane’s Beauty Bar, 4388 France Ave. S.; 612.920.3341; sloanesbeautybar.com Juut Salonspa, 7505 France Ave. S.; 952.925.4343; juut.com Les Jones Roofing | 941 W 80th St, Bloomington | Minnesota 55420 | 952.230.2502

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PHILANTHROPY

Elevating Student Voices Youth recognized for providing a platform for peers to share ideas.

By Meredith Heneghan

WHEN GIVEN THE CHANCE ,

young people can be changemakers.

The Edina Community Foundation (ECF) celebrates these changemakers with its annual Connecting with Kids Leadership Award, given to people who strengthen and improve the community.

Traditionally, the award was primarily given to adults who give back to the children of Edina. ECF extended the award to also include youth who contribute to their peers.

In 2023, a group of five Edina High

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School students received this honor for their dedicated work on a student-developed event, TEDxYouth@Edina. Emma Flaherty, Charlie Greene, Abid Hasan, Nick Presthus and Elsa Utoft developed, organized and conducted this event in late 2022. Cheryl Gunness, the group’s nominator for the Connecting with Kids Leadership Award, says, “We’ve always included youth in the TEDxEdina events we’ve organized since 2015 as speakers, emcees and volunteers. We know how important it is to listen to the youth in

our community, so we wanted to take the next step in elevating youth voices by creating an event organized by youth, for youth, featuring youth. The results were inspiring.”

For the students, the process of stepping into this leadership role was impactful. “These talks are important because they help everyone learn that we are all more alike than different, which impacts our community to grow closer together,” Emma says.

It was also an opportunity for students to set the stage for new voices to be heard. “I also knew that there were people at my school and others in Edina Public Schools who were passionate about ideas but didn’t have an outlet to share them,” Charlie says. “I thought we needed to provide them one.”

An event like TEDxYouth@Edina reverberates throughout the community and especially to the young people who told their stories, and their peers in the audience. “If it helps them in the slightest stick with their dreams, I think it is worth it,” Hasan says.

Young people are a substantial part of the Edina community and creating

January 2024

edinamag.com

Photo: Edina Community Foundation

First four from the left: Charlie Green, Nick Presthus, Elsa Utoft, Emma Flaherty, Molly Seidel, Abid Hasan

NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN

Dental care just down the street

Did this article make you think of an outstanding student or adult in our community who dedicates a lot of time to improving the lives of children?

Nominations are now open for the 2024 Connecting with Kids Leadership Awards. Visit edinamag.com and edina communityfoundation.org for links to the student and adult leadership nomination forms.

We provide full-service dental care for every age and stage.

Park Dental offers two Edina locations for your convenience. opportunities for them to organize with their peers opens doors and unlocks potential, Gunness says. “I admired these students for embracing the form of leadership that involves setting the stage, staying behind the curtains and creating a platform to amplify the voices of others,” she says.

Educators like her recognize the positive power of creating these opportunities, and Emma reinforces this. “I think it’s important for youth to plan and execute events on our own,” she says.

“Because it shows the adults of our community that we are capable of leading things, and it prepares us for the future.”

Receiving the Connecting with Kids Leadership Award meant a lot to these student organizers. Alongside their gratitude for the honor, the students expressed excitement for what’s ahead for the youth of Edina now that they’ve helped pave a new path. Charlie says, “I think everyone needs the opportunity to pursue something that they’re passionate about, to let themselves dictate what they are capable of, not their environment. If the youth never try to execute anything on their own, they won’t know their potential.”

Edina Community Foundation, 6750 France Ave. S. Suite 220; 952.300.2378; edinacommunityfoundation.org

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ABODE

Sweating Out the Cold Backyard saunas bring Nordic serenity and luxury.

By Jody Carey

Janet Skalicky and Brian Patty’s sauna was added to their Edina property.

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NURTURING NATURE was the theme behind a local couple’s quest to renovate their home. It was so majestic that Edina Magazine covered it in 2021. (Read the story, Nurturing Nature, at edinamag. com.) But even though Janet Skalicky and Brian Patty’s Scandinavian-style home was picture perfect, it was not complete.

“We found ourselves as we got older venturing inside when it gets colder, and we weren’t really enjoying winter,” Skalicky says. She and Patty turned to Duluth-based Cedar & Stone Nordic Sauna, to design and build a stand-alone sauna to match their home’s architectural design.

Another Edina couple—Kari and Matt Norman—added a sauna to their Bay Lake cabin. “We used it all summer. Swimming at night under the stars and then jumping in the sauna was amazing,” Kari says.

Both families love how their saunas have connected them with the outdoors and added quality family time. For Skalicky and Patty, their adult children visit more now that they have the sauna.

Even their two Italian greyhounds have become sauna enthusiasts.

Justin Juntunen, owner of Cedar & Stone, says home sauna popularity has boomed over the past few years. “We’ve been living through one of the most stressful times in human history, and when you have stressful times, people are looking for ways to de-stress,” he says.

Modern sauna design has come a long way from the stereotypical small, dark, cedar-planked closets. Skalicky and Patty and the Normans’ saunas are independent structures tucked between towering trees with a large window inviting natural beauty inside.

Patty and Skalicky’s sauna is folded into their native landscape with privacy and an expansive view of the trees where they watch birds and flying squirrels.

“It’s like watching a big-screen TV,” Skalicky says.

January 2024

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Photos: Cedar & Stone Nordic Sauna

Kari and Matt Norman’s sauna near Bay Lake.

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Janet Skalicky and Brian Patty’s dogs enjoy their owners’ cozy sauna.

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One modern touch that adds a hint of luxury is the sauna’s WiFi connectivity.

Skalicky and Patty use an app to turn the sauna on while preparing dinner. The Normans set their sauna to warm up as they drive north. It takes about an hour to reach the ideal temperature.

The operation cost doesn’t weigh heavily on electricity bills. Patty says he noticed a small bump in their winter bill.

“It’s up a bit but no more than plugging in my electric car,” he says.

From backyards in Edina to cabins Up North, the sauna provides a haven of relaxation with a Nordic touch, where warmth and well-being embrace Minnesota’s seasonal beauty and quality family time.

STAY CONNECTED AND CELEBRATE EDINA @EDINAMAG

showcase local people, places and events.

Cedar & Stone Nordic Saunas, 1325 N. 59th Ave. W., Duluth; 651.343.1789; cedarandstonesauna.com Cedar and Stone Nordic Sauna @cedarandstonesauna Cedar & Stone Nordic Sauna

19

W RITT E N BY F E R OZ A M E H TA

A LITTLE HELP FROM A DIGITAL FRIEND STANFORD UNIVERSITY STUDENTS TURN THE WORLD OF COLLEGE ADMISSIONS ON ITS HEAD.

Mix in a couple of Edina High School (EHS) graduates and their cousin, who’s a tech genius, and you have AdmitYogi—the online college admissions platform that is snapping up awards across the college entrepreneurship circuit. AdmitYogi is part of Stanford University’s StartX program and has won awards in pitch competitions nationwide. And now it’s been acquired by Crimson Education, one of the world’s largest college consultancy firms.

Atman Jahagirdar and Ananth Veluvali graduated from EHS in 2022 and started AdmitYogi with Jahagirdar’s cousin, Soham Govande. All three are sophomores at Stanford University and created AdmitYogi even before they set foot on campus as freshmen.

“We credit our acceptance [to Stanford University] to the ability to read through successful college essay examples and applications,” Veluvali says, adding they got those applications from older friends and siblings, who were already attending top schools. He says they recognized their privilege and thought they should pay it forward. “We thought, ‘What if there’s a way that we can build a marketplace for this that helps people read through all types of successful college applications?’”

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Their hypothesis was simple: There’s a formula for success in college admissions, and they could quantify it using AI algorithms. AdmitYogi started with the young men’s successful applications, as well as the applications of their older friends.

Jahagirdar is behind the marketing, who’s grown their TikTok following to more than 70,000 with 40 million impressions. Veluvali is behind their business operations, and Govande is a programmer and software developer.

AdmitYogi has more than 10,000 diverse applications, including essays, essay topics, lists of activities, extracurriculars, test scores and demographic information, including the state of origin, race and more. High schoolers input their grades, demographic information and their dream schools, and AdmitYogi will find them the college application of someone with similar data.

“We have people who got into state schools that [other] people are interested in. We also have utter rock stars who got into every single Ivy League school and won over $2.5 million in scholarship money from different universities,” Veluvali says.

“Add to that this ability to filter, to find applicants that are in essence your digital twin. The applicant

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is a few years older than you but in every other way virtually indistinguishable. They have many of the same extracurriculars; they applied to many of the same schools you’re interested in. They have the same background. That’s so useful to get to know how they got into their school, through how they told their story you can learn how to tell your own.”

AdmitYogi’s goal is not to encourage copying but to offer insights into what colleges are looking for.

“When you look at a lot of the best writers in fiction and literature, so many of them are exhaustive readers,” Veluvali says. “They were able to refine their ability to write, and the only way they were able to do that was by first identifying other great pieces of literature and using it to base their writing style off of. That’s the analogy we like to paint with college admissions. Not necessarily reading these essays to copy them but more so to read through each of these different essays, pick out your favorite parts and eventually form your distinct style. You can have some rock solid extracurriculars and essays. You can kind of step over the obstacles you’ll get with having a lower GPA and lower standardized test scores. And the best way to do that is to read through examples.

That’s our philosophy.”

Students can read successful essays and gain insights directly from admissions officers’ comments. Jahagirdar says a successful essay is key to admissions officers understanding who a student

is and how they could fit into a college’s atmosphere.

“They’re not necessarily looking for well-rounded students as much as they are looking for a wellrounded class,” Jahagirdar says. “An admissions officer can look at an application and say, ‘Yep, this student … is my debate student. This is my student who loves health nonprofits, maybe a technical coder. That allows the college to just humanize you through your essays through personal stories.”

AdmitYogi’s database also allows the team to analyze trends and let high schoolers know their chances of getting into their dream school.

“We built out a really accurate acceptance rate calculator that can predict your acceptance at these universities,” Veluvali says. “We are able to build these complex machine learning models that make connections that your college consultants might not be able to otherwise make. We’re not saying that people have to ditch their college consultants, but they can use a tool like AdmitYogi as a complementary service, something that they can use to further help refine and elevate their college admissions game plan strategy.”

Govande says AdmitYogi gives high school students hope. “AdmitYogi [is a] platform of role models that people can look up to, read through the applications to get a little bit of inspiration and get that faith in themselves that, ‘If someone before me has done it, then I can do it as well,’” he says.

Photo: AdmitYogi

Ananth Veluvali, Atman Jahagirdar and Soham Govande are the trio behind AdmitYogi.

AdmitYogi admityogi.com @admityogi @admityogi

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DYNAMIC DUO Tran sfo r min g t re sses wi t h a tou ch of New York City gla m .

Written by Jennifer Pitterle — Photos by Chris Emeott

Ever noticed the glossy, perfectly colored hair of a celeb like Jennifer Lopez or Beyoncé and thought, “I wish I could get an appointment with her stylist”? For clients at Edina’s Juut Salonspa, that dream is a reality. Stylists Alex and Roz Safdari—a dynamic husband-and-wife team—might be Minnesotans now, but they spent the first parts of their careers working with a who’s-who list of New York celebrities and business moguls (including the chic ladies mentioned above).

The Safdaris have been at Juut since 2015, and although the move to Minnesota was a first for Alex (a Fort Lauderdale, Florida, native), Roz grew up in the small town of Cloquet, Minnesota. “I love it now, but I never fit in there as a kid,” Roz says. “My parents knew I was born in the wrong spot and encouraged me to get out.” She studied at the University of Minnesota for a few years,and met a hair stylist while studying in Mexico. “That’s when I started thinking, ‘This is something I could do,’” she says. “I dropped out of the [university] and walked into the Aveda Institute down the street.”

For Roz, the rest is history. After training at Aveda Institute, she moved to Atlanta, to continue her education under the master colorists and stylists at Van Michael. That’s where she met Alex. “I had started doing hair right out of school at age 17,” Alex says, adding that he started as an assistant colorist.

“Right off the bat, I was one of the busiest, most creative colorists there.”

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Roz and Alex Safdari

Story continued on page23 26

Gary & Susan Wahman 952.334.4663

Kim Schaak Melin 952.201.4758

Jude Dugan Olson

Mary Krieter 612.719.0665

952.927.1186

Tom & Erick Ries 952.393.6600 952.994.7600

Ginna Raming 952.210.8342

Mark Granlund 612.803.8129

Jane Larson 612.720.1048

Heidi Barcelow 612.232.9777

Sarah Ficher Johnson 6800 SalesManager 952.927.1100

Keenan Olson 952.240.4903

Keith O’Brien Mortgage

Chad Johnson Mortgage

NMLSR ID: 681623

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612.325.2634

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6800 SALES

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6800 Sales Office 6800 France Avenue Suite 200 Edina, MN 55410 952-927-1100

Amy & Alli The Deckas Group 612.735.7430

Sandy Remes 612.791.1094

Kristine Townsend 612.275.9092

Brian Ehlers 612.868.3828

Cari Ann Carter

Debra Perry 651.707.5857

Dave Anderson 612.750.2209

Dave Johnson 612.889.7793

Sylva Zoraqi 612.710.8081

Grant Lahn 320.292.3754

Maggie Taylor 917.710.5891

612.926.9999

Megan Brinkman 612.802.5057

Judd Sampson 50th & France Sales Manager 952.920.1960

John Everett 952.221.5464

50th & France Sales Office 4999 France Avenue South, Suite 250 Minneapolis, MN 55410 952-920-1960

Linda Smaby 612.325.7972

After Atlanta, the couple moved to New York City to work at Frederic Fekkai. “We met the creative director, and it just worked,” Alex says. “We were in the right place at the right time.” From Frederic Fekkai, the Safdaris moved across the street to the salons of Rita Hazan, a celebrity colorist, made famous by Oprah, Mariah Carey and other glitzy names.

“With all of that came the bright social life of New York City,” he says. “We’ve worked with the princesses of Saudi Arabia— you name it.”

Nine years ago, with their young daughters—Ruby, now 14, and Harper, 12—the Safdaris started looking for some more family-friendly environs. “We checked out Miami, Chicago,

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Los Angeles,” he says. “But Minneapolis was getting all of these write-ups as the best place to raise a family.” The couple met with the executives at Juut and ultimately decided to make the move, with the added bonus of having Roz’s parents close by and a much-improved work-life balance. “We love it here,” he says.

“We have a really wonderful clientele in Edina.”

These days, the Safdaris often tag team with clients: Alex focuses on the color, and Roz focuses on the cut. Although they’ve both dabbled in other parts of the hair world—from training young colorists (Alex) to working on the editorial side with photo shoots and shows (Roz)—they say their true passion is being behind the chair. “When I was doing editorial,

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Alex captures the essence of elegance as he styles his wife, Roz.

I just missed being able to have 40 people a week in my chair, sharing my space, learning from each other,” Roz says. “That’s what I’m passionate about.”

Alex says, “We have the best clientele in Minnesota that we’ve ever had. In New York, the pace is much faster. Here, we get to really be in the moment with our clients and get to know them.

It’s been such a blessing for our own mental health and stress level.” Alex still travels back to New York once a month to work with longtime clients there, and the couple staggers their schedules at home, so they can spend more time with their girls.

No matter who’s sitting in their chairs, the Safdaris care deeply about each client. “I’m your crown maker. Your hair is your crown, and that’s what everyone sees. Your hair is

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everything about you, and we really take that personally,” he says. “If you look great and feel great, that makes me feel good.”

Each session with Alex and Roz features care down to the tiniest detail, from expert blowouts to gentle scalp massages.

“Being able to work across the country and with a crosssection of people has given us a lot of confidence in the chair,” Roz says. “People can close their eyes and relax and have a great conversation.”

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January 2024

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Chiasokam (Asoka) Mba

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Written by Feroza Mehta

Photos by Chris Emeott

AND THE CHILDREN SHALL LEAD A Better Chance program celebrates 51 years of improving lives.

Authenticity, the quality of being real and true, serves as the guiding principle in Chiasokam (Asoka) Mba’s life. The 17-year-old senior at Edina High School (EHS) firmly believes in the power of authenticity over mere appearances.

“I prefer authenticity over just looking good,” Asoka says. “If you can’t talk about something in a passionate way, people are going to see right through you. Everything I do for school is because I want to, not because someone told me to [or] not because I feel like I have to.”

Asoka’s passion and dedication have driven her through nine Advanced Placement (AP) classes, including challenging subjects like chemistry, statistics and human anatomy. Originally

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from Miramar, Florida, a suburb of Miami, Asoka’s journey brought her to Edina to be a part of the A Better Chance (ABC) program. The program is a network of more than 250 chapters nationwide, dedicated to providing outstanding students of color with the opportunity to study in a college preparatory environment.

Edina ABC is one of a handful of community-school programs. It has its own house on a quiet street in the city and can accommodate up to seven students per year. The selection process is rigorous, with students applying nationally and then being interviewed and selected for the Edina location by local volunteers.

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“Asoka is so impressive. She is a leader through action,” Betsy Kumagai, executive director of Edina ABC, says. “She puts in all her effort, and she exceeds expectations. She holds other people to the same standard. If they’re not acting authentically and working hard, I think it gets under her skin a little bit.”

Asoka’s leadership extends beyond academics. She is an active member of the student council, serving on the parade committee and emceeing the homecoming coronation this academic year. She is also part of various clubs, including Women in STEM and World Quest, which explores international issues. Additionally, Asoka plays tennis

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and during her sophomore year, she was interested in wrestling but noticed the sport was dominated by men.

Unfettered, she approached her coach and organized a girls-only open mat, attracting a small but enthusiastic group of female wrestlers.

That initiative and confidence mirror that of Asoka’s older sister, Adaolisa, who was also a part of ABC and graduated in 2023. She is now studying at Harvard University. Asoka’s goal is to major in biology or chemistry and eventually go to dental school.

Kumagai acknowledges the commitment of Asoka’s parents to ensure her success. “Asoka’s parents are so focused

on making sure she has every opportunity to become super successful,” she says. “They’re willing to send their children away to make sure that they have opportunities they may not have at their local high school.”

Edina ABC’s success is not solely due to the students, but also the volunteers, who drive the program. Volunteers from the community offer their time to drive students, tutor them and contribute items to the house’s wishlist. Host families play a crucial role, with students matched with two families, who provide emotional support and guidance. Loretta Smith, the resident director, ensures the students’ daily needs are met and fosters

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“With support and involvement, these kids and any kid will grow to be amazing adults, and one drop of your presence, your positivity, your input into their life, it’s a ripple effect that spreads across the ocean of a lifetime.”

Loretta Smith, Edina ABC resident director

SUCCESS STORIES In honor of ABC’s 51st anniversary, we caught up with two graduates of the program to learn about their experiences and where they are today.

Nathalie Rivas, New York City— EHS Class of 2011, Wellesley College Class of 2015, Fulbright Scholar

a sense of family within the program.

“Loretta is integral to the success of this program. She takes care of everyone around her and treats everyone with respect and holds people to very high standards,” Kumagai says.

“With support and involvement, these kids and any kid will grow to be amazing adults,” Smith says. “One drop of your presence, your positivity, your input into their life, it’s a ripple effect that spreads across the ocean of a lifetime.”

For more information about Edina ABC, how to volunteer or sign up as a host family, visit edinaabc.org.

Rivas credits the ABC program for shaping her into the person she is today. She says it enhanced her public speaking skills, fostered a sense of volunteerism, nurtured her independence and prepared her academically. Most importantly, it helped her identify what she wanted to do in her life.

“I participated in various community service initiatives organized by the ABC program,” Rivas says.

“This commitment to volunteerism has stayed with me and most likely has influenced my career choice to become a doctor.”

EHS prepared her academically by exposing her to AP courses, and ABC provided tutors several

33

Top: Nathalie Rivas (left) remains in touch with her host families.

This is from a recent trip to visit Cyrus and Angela Havewala.

Bottom: Arleth Ulloa (center) at her college graduation with her host family, the Allenburgs.

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Photos: Nathalie Rivas; Arleth Ulloa

EDINA PSYCHOLOGY evenings a week. “I learned valuable and effective study habits, as well as how to ask for help.

Most importantly, being away from home and living in a new environment with several other students exposed me to a level of self-reliance and personal responsibility that I had not experienced before,” she says. “This newfound independence taught me essential life skills, such as time management, problem solving and being a team player. It allowed me to grow into a more self-assured and self-sufficient individual, putting me way ahead of my peers when I started college.”

After graduating from Wellesley College, Rivas participated in astrobiology research in Brazil as a Fulbright Scholar. After completing her research, she moved back to New York City, where she became a paramedic.

“My four-year experience in [emergency medical services] reinforced my interest in medicine and compelled me to pursue admission to medical school,” she says.

She is a third year medical student at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell in New York.

Through it all, she has remained close to her host families. “My host families served as strong emotional support systems away from home,” she says. “They quickly became like second families, offering comfort and guidance when I was homesick or had personal challenges. They would take me to museums, sporting events, cultural events; I would even tag along for family events.

But what I remember most about Sundays with my host families is the simple things like getting to tag along to run errands, helping to set up for dinner or drinking tea and reading our books.”

She encourages more people

to volunteer. “The heart and soul of our program is a community of individuals who generously dedicate their time, resources and expertise to support us as young students,” she says. “It is such a special program, and we are always looking for people to join us in our mission, whether as a volunteer or a supporter/advocate.”

Arleth Ulloa, Orange County, California—EHS Class of 2019, Chapman University Class of 2023 Like Rivas, Ulloa says the ABC program helped her find her career path.

“I was very lucky to have had the high school experience and opportunity that I did,” Ulloa says.

“I never had to complain about lack of resources or support. However, that opened my eyes to a lot of educational inequities that exist in my communities back home.”

After graduating from Chapman University, Ulloa works for Girls Inc., a nonprofit national organization that empowers young girls and women through afterschool programs and workshops.

“I work with mostly middle schoolers and serve alongside our advocacy committee,” she says.

“Next year, I hope to be enrolled in graduate school, working toward a masters in school counseling.”

Ulloa also stays in touch with her host families. “I can’t even begin to put into words how much my two host families mean to me and how much love they poured into me as I was 1,500 miles away from my home,” she says. “They all kept me grounded and reminded me that I am just as capable as anyone else to complete the program and graduate from EHS.”

EDINA PSYCHOLOGY specializes in psychotherapy, including EMDR and psychological evaluations.Our provider, Dr. Christina Hansen Cohen, has been practicing for 15 years, in caring for children and adults. She enjoys helping patients achieve mental healing in a confidential and modern outpatient setting.

Dr. Christina Hansen Cohen, Psy.D., LP

Edina Psychology assistant@edinapsych.com www.edinapsych.com 952.300.3388

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lo c al things to se e an d do

O N T H E TOW N

SATISFY WANDERLUST WITH IMAGINATION Westin Galleria recreates the Swiss Alps.

C R E AT IV IT Y NO U RIS H ES TH E M IND AND WA R MS

Photo: Lauren Engfer

T H E S P IR IT. How perfect during our cold winter

months that a hotel can transform itself into an entire village that looks like it magically transported itself to Edina from the Swiss Alps.

The Westin Winter Village is a cozy alpine retreat that will delight and awe. Capture the enchantment with an Instagram-worthy chairlift and gondola. The showstopper is a fully heated chalet with an après ski vibe where diners can satisfy their hunger with raclette or cheese and chocolate fondues. Be sure to

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check the website often for special menus, including a five-course Dom Pérignon dinner on January 11. For more relaxed meals, try Après at Prelude, which offers dining specials alongside live music. —Feroza Mehta For more information on menus and to make a reservation, go to edinaweekendwonders.com.

Westin Winter Village; Through February 8.

Westin Edina Galleria, 3201 Galleria; edinaweekendwonders.com.

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O N T H E TOW N

Compiled by Morgan McFadden, Emma Mehl and Hailey Almsted

LOCAL EVENTS

Super-Pets. All ages. Movie is included in admission fee. 5:30–7 p.m. Edinborough Park, 7700 York Ave. S.; 952.833.9540; edinamn.gov

Edina Puzzle Exchange

during the aftermath of the murder of 21-year-old Matthew Shepherd in Laramie, Wyoming. All ages. Prices

vary. Edina Performing Arts Center, 6754 Valley View Road; ehsthespians.com

01/20 Swap your finished puzzles for new

Adult Ski Lessons: Date Night

ones at the Edina Library’s puzzle

01/12

exchange. Bringing puzzles is not

Enjoy a ski lesson, complete with equip-

required to take puzzles. All ages. Free.

ment rental and a ticket for a pint of beer from Wooden Hill Brewing Company. These lessons are beginner only. Ages 21 and older.

2:30–3:30 p.m. Edina Library, 5280 Grandview Square; 612.543.5669; hclib.org

AREA EVENTS

Ice Castles 01/01–01/31 (Closed on Tuesdays) Now in Maple Grove, the Ice Castles are

The Laramie Project

coming back to Minnesota. Featuring

01/26–01/27

all sorts of attractions from waterfalls

The Edina High School Thespians

and tunnels, to full structures, there’s

Movie Night in the Amphitheater

presents its one act play, The Laramie

something for everyone to experience

01/12

Project, written by Moises Kaufman

Head to the amphitheater at Edinborough

and the Tectonic Theater Project. The

Park for its showing of DC League of

documentary-style play was written

and admire. All ages. Prices vary. Hours dependent on weather. 12500 82nd Ave. N., Maple Grove; 866.435.2850; icecastles.com

$99. 7–8:30 p.m. Hyland Hills, 8800 Chalet Road; 763.694.7800; threeriversparks.org

Art and Dining After Dark 01/10 Experience the MIA like never before with this private dining experience, featuring a multicourse dinner by Jamie Malone and Paris Dining Club, rounded out with wine pairings by Bill Summerville.

Curators will lead tours of the exhibition 1,000 Years of Spain, along with after hours in the galleries. Ages 21 and older.

Admission $475, valet included. 6–9:30 p.m.

Minneapolis Institute of Art, 2400 Third Ave. S., Mpls.; 612.870.3000; tickets.artmia.org

U.S. Pond Hockey Championship 01/18–01/28 Watch the 19th annual U.S. Pond Hockey Championship on Lake Nokomis. This fouron-four tournament celebrates hockey in true Minnesota fashion. To participate, register online. All ages. Times vary. Lake Nokomis, 4955 W. Lake Nokomis Parkway, Mpls.; 612.355.9251; uspondhockey.com

Art Shanty Projects JANUARY 21

01/20–02/11 (Weekends Only) Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Art Shanty Projects are back on Lake Harriet (Bdé Umá ) to bring the arts

PUPPY PARTY ADOPTION EVENT

outdoors during the coldest time of the

Enjoy this free event, featuring puppies from Healing Hearts Rescue that

goals. All ages. Free, donations recommended. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Lake Harriet/Bdé Umá , 4135 W. Lake Harriet Parkway, Mpls.; 612.567.6844; artshantyprojects.org

with pizza in the taproom. All ages. Free. 2–4 p.m. Lakes & Legends Brewing

Company, 1368 Lasalle Ave., Mpls.; 612.999.6020; lakesandlegends.com

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and community-built structures. With a rotating program of artists and performers, enjoy music and visiting different shanties all with different themes and

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iStock.com/Okssi68

are ready to be adopted or fostered. Food truck will be on hand, along

year, all encapsulated inside of artisan

l o ca l t h i n g s to se e a n d d o

Saint Paul Winter Carnival 01/25–02/03 The oldest winter carnival in the United States features various events at Rice Park, the Minnesota State Fairgrounds and around St. Paul. Events include an ice fishing tournament, snow sculptures, a puzzle contest and more. All ages. Free.

Times vary. Rice Park, 109 Fourth St. W., St. Paul; 651.223.7400; wintercarnival.com

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago 01/25 Lauded by The New York Times and

in digital format!

The Boston Globe, this international dance company is touring with the newly appointed leadership of artistic director Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell to bring contemporary dance and choreography to Minneapolis for one night.

All ages. Prices start at $24.50. 7:30 p.m.

Carlson Family Stage, 84 Church St. SE, Mpls.; 612.624.2345; northrop.umn.edu

Winter Kite Festival 01/27

Never miss an issue of Edina Magazine with free, anytime access to our digital editions. Full screen viewing on your digital device allows easy cover-to-cover reading. Share your favorite Edina Magazine articles with friends and family.

Bring your family to see the Lake Harriet (Bdé Umá ) Winter Kite Festival. There will be a free shuttle provided from the Executive Center to the lake to avoid traffic. All ages. Free. Noon–4 p.m. Lake Harriet/ Bdé Umá , 4135 W. Lake Harriet Parkway, Mpls.; 612.230.6400; minneapolisparks.org

OLD-HOUSE CHARM, MODERN FUNCTIONALITY

Bundled Up! Winter Fun Day

Homeowners honored

01/27

the history of their 1930s home during a full kitchen remodel.

Join the city of St. Louis Park for a day of ice skating, horse-drawn hay rides, sledding, snowshoeing, bonfires with s’mores and hot cocoa. There will be a raffle at

To have your event considered: email

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January 2023

Photo: xxxxxxxxx

program. All ages. Free. Noon–3:30 p.m.

Oak Hill Park, 3201 Rhode Island Ave. S., St. Louis Park; 952.924.2500; stlouisparkmn.gov

Photo: xxxxxxxxx

3 p.m. to support the summer concert

When homeowners Nicole and John Righini purchased their 1938 Colonial-style home in the Arden Park neighborhood of Edina in 2015, they knew they’d eventually renovate the kitchen. But they lived with it as-is for six years before pulling the trigger.

The previous homeowners had renovated the kitchen in the ’90s, and while it was still in good condition, the layout wasn’t functional for the Righinis. The kitchen, breakfast nook and dining room were all separate spaces, closed off and only connected through a series of cased openings. “The disconnect in the kitchen was huge because we were all separated,” Righini says. “We would have two people in the dining room, a couple of people in the working kitchen [and] a couple people at the kitchen table [in the breakfast nook]. That disconnect was hard. If I was cooking dinner, I couldn’t help the kids with their homework easily or talk to them about their days.”

As a family of six, which includes four teenagers plus a labradoodle, Righini wanted a more open layout, making the space more livable for their large and active family.

With a new floorplan, one thing Righini wanted to add was a center island. “We

wanted it large enough that we could do crafts and projects and holiday baking,” she says. She also wanted added storage space, a larger refrigerator to create more space for lunchboxes and entertaining, built-in organization solutions and something many modern families living in old homes desire: more outlets. “When the kids were doing online school [in 2020], there just [weren’t] enough outlets or space in the 1938 house for the technology … We were so desperate for outlets, it was crazy!” Righini says, laughing.

To help them accomplish all of this, Righini called on the design expertise of the Martha O’Hara Interiors team. “Seeing them in magazines, I just really, really liked the style and knew that they were just a very high-end, world class-company to work with,” she says.

With designer Gabe Lindberg’s help, Righini’s kitchen dreams became a reality in the second half of 2021. The two collaborated to create a kitchen with all the modern conveniences Righini desired while still honoring the history of this nearly centuryold home—and expanding the footprint from 138 to 246 square feet by knocking down some of those room-dividing walls. “My goal through the whole [redesign and renovation] was to be true to the house,” Righini says. “I didn’t want to put anything in the house that didn’t look like it could have already been here originally.”

Lindberg says she loves working on old houses—finding a way to maintain that “old house charm” while updating it for modern functionality. She came up with creative

written by AMY OVERGAARD photos by SPACECRAFTING

edinamag.com

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Learn more at edinamag.com

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.

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GALLERY

Strike a Pose Photos: Style Edina

Shops from across the city strut their stuff at the seventh annual Style Edina fashion show. The event, which took place October 8 at the Westin Edina Galleria, was emceed by Jodi Mayers and KARE 11’s Belinda Jensen.

Pictured: 1. Evan Loberg modeling for Jaxen Grey at Galleria. 2. Brooke and Kennedy Hintz modeling for East West Girl, 50th & France. 3. Jessica Berkelman modeling for Kate Spade at Galleria. 4. Olivia Chiu and Logan DeAlwis modeling for Lucky at Southdale Center. 5. Jodi Mayers, producer and stylist from Jodi Mayers & Style Partners. 6. Cynthia and Lauren Chiu modeling for Macy’s at Southdale Center.

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Photo: xxxxxxxxx

Gujarat Dhokla Cake

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TA S T E M A K E R S

Unveiling Big City Flavors of Indian Fusion Raag’s new owner ambitiously reinvents the recipe for success.

Written by Rachel Schuehle Photos by Chris Emeott

R AAG IS UN D ER G OI N G A TR A N S FOR M AT I ON that’s turning it into a culi-

nary destination reminiscent of the bustling restaurant scenes in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles or London. This exciting evolution is bringing the vibrant flavors of Indian fusion cuisine to the Midwest, promising a unique dining experience that rivals even the big city culinary hubs.

This ambitious goal is the brainchild of Sohil Goorha, who affectionately calls the restaurant Raag 2.0. He stepped into ownership of the restaurant in 2022 with his sights set on its rebirth. All he kept was the name, which means “symphony” in Hindi. His aim is to make Raag a premier destination for foodies and locals alike. Goorha saw an opportunity to bring Indian-influenced fine dining to Minnesota and has been inspiring guests ever since with surprising, yet approachable dishes.

“This is not the same Raag,” Goorha says.

“If you’ve been here before, come back and try it again—you’ll immediately see and feel how different it is.”

Goorha’s strategy is multifaceted but started with major simplification by reducing the number of items on the menu. A kids’ menu was also created with the help of his six-year-old daughter, Cira. It has naan cheese pizzas, steamed broccoli and chicken tenders. The enticing cocktail menu

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(including nonalcoholic options) pairs seamlessly with the food and enhances the entire dining experience.

“We want Raag to be a welcoming restaurant for everybody, no matter your background,” he says. “You should feel like you’re dining and drinking like you never left your house, while being served in a fine dining restaurant.”

Raag also offers a wide range of dietary adjustments, such as dairy, vegan, nut and gluten free.

While Goorha has a wealth of knowledge, both as a culinary school graduate and world traveler, he says Raag would not be where or what it is without the rest of the team. Raag’s head chef, Romila Ramamurthy, has always been passionate about cooking but more so about innovation, evolution and exploration with food. Similar to Goorha, she graduated from culinary school but then went on to earn her degree in food chemistry and food physics two years ago and is now working toward her master’s degree in food science. Her prior experience in the kitchen spans from corporate chef to working for Carnival and Disney cruise lines, but it was Goorha’s persistence to bring Ramamurthy to Raag that inspired her to return after a two year hiatus.

“We are so synchronized,” Ramamurthy says. “We think almost alike.” Since rejoining the kitchen at Raag, she has been busy adding items to the menu, such as the

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Sohil and Cira Goorha

French-inspired seared lamb rack over mint curry, and lobster tail with kedgeree pilaf rice. It was Ramamurthy who came up with the idea for the Samosa Festival, which featured eight different samosa fillings, which guests could enjoy all month long for one month only.

In addition to the kitchen and management, returning customers credit the waitstaff for the incredible experience dining at Raag. Edina resident Michael Bahr noticed the changes immediately, “The ambiance is terrific, and the wait staff is so professional,” he says. “They are truly reinventing the menu, but there’s something for everyone and the

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presentation is fantastic.”

Another Raag regular Rachel Cornfield had been going to the restaurant for years but more frequently since Goorha’s leadership. “The energy has changed,” Cornfield says. “It feels like a fun, neighborhood restaurant, and Sohil is the driving force of that. If he is there, he’ll come up and say hi, welcome you … he remembers you. The staff is just wonderful, too.”

This past summer, Raag made a splash by hosting six pop-up dining experiences, all of which sold out.

Hand-selected chefs, often James Beard or Michelin award recipients from across the country, would fly in to work

alongside Raag kitchen staff to create a unique menu for one night only.

At one of the pop-ups this summer, chef Keith Sarasin from Boston worked alongside Raag staff to bring his more regional approach to the menu with a seven-course meal. Sarasin has been doing pop-ups for 11 years, but it was Goorha and his staff that sealed the deal.

“Getting to work with the kitchen crew there was incredible. [Ramamurthy] is amazing, with great ideas … their whole team was,” he says.

Another guest chef this summer flew in from Houston for a two-night event— a happy hour and a seven-course meal.

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Left: Tamarind Margarita Top: Ginger Chiatini Bottom: Chik-A-Waffle

Top: Romila Ramamurthy Bottom: Mango Mousse

Roshni Gurnani, known to many as Chef Rosh (winner of the Food Network show Chopped), was not a newbie to visiting Minneapolis but hadn’t yet found good Indian food until going to Raag. In addition to their fantastic grub, Gurnani credits her interest in the pop-up experience to Ramamurthy. “[Goorha’s] chef is a woman, which is a big deal,” she says. “There are not enough of us in the industry, so that really interested me … her passion for food, her mindset.”

In addition to Sarasin and Gurnani, Raag also brought in chef Vicky Colas and chef Shack. Ramamurthy returned the admiration of the pop-ups and the chefs that accompanied them. “I love to work with different personalities, and we learn from each other,” she says. “It’s an interchange of knowledge and ideas.

Opening your kitchen is opening your heart to people.”

In the meantime, the menu at Raag will continue to change with the seasons. Goorha is also unveiling a new full-service brunch called Journey Through India, featuring breakfast staples from different regions with a modern approach. In addition, guests can expect new cocktails, dinner choices and express lunch options as Raag approaches the two-year anniversary of Goorha taking the lead.

Goorha, however, always welcomes his daughter into the limelight whenever possible. Cira is a passionate young aspiring chef, who spends her free time studying the kitchen staff as they buzz to and from their stainless steel stations, maybe even trying her hand at recipes here and there. She hopes to be on MasterChef Junior, but for now she’ll be in charge of the Raag kids’ menu.

Raag, 3812 W. 50th St.; 952.405.8367; raagindiancuisine.com Raag Progressive Indian Cuisine @raagindiancuisine

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LAST GLANCE

Eye of the Beholder Photographer captures eagle’s piercing gaze.

A picture window led to a photo-perfect moment for amateur photographer Tracy Mooty. The back of her home looks out over Lake Cornelia, and she frequently pauses at the window to witness the many wonders of nature.

“That particular day, I happened to see the eagle perched in our black walnut tree, one of their favorite places from which to fish,” Mooty says.

“I have always been and forever will be awed by the sight of an eagle; to see one in my own backyard simply takes my breath away.” —Feroza Mehta

Photographer: Tracy Mooty Title: Watchful Eye

Equipment: Olympus

Category: Plants and Animals Award: Honorable Mention

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

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Celebrating Love Since 1951 50th & France ◆ Highland Park ◆ RFMoeller.com The Byes Photo